LOCAL PLAN guiding planning applications in Dartmoor National Park

Consultation: Issues for the new Local Plan October 2016 About this consultation This consultation sets out the likely scope The local plan is an important document in and main issues for the new local plan for shaping Dartmoor’s future, and we would like to Dartmoor National Park. hear your views on what it should say. We know that people care passionately about It gives an early opportunity for residents, Dartmoor, that you think its landscape, wildlife communities, visitors, businesses and other and rich history should be protected. We know organisations to offer views on what the new that people who live on Dartmoor value how local plan should say. It is a starting point for special it is, but also need to live in good quality, discussion that we hope will get us talking affordable homes, to make changes to their together about future development on homes, and to live in communities with shops, Dartmoor. services and facilities which make them a Planning can be a very technical issue, it can be vibrant and sustainable place to live. We know controversial, and we know from experience that that Dartmoor’s businesses are all different, that people can have quite different views on how they are important to communities, want to grow, the National Park changes in the future. and need our support and encouragement to do so. We understand how farming shapes and manages our landscape, and the value This consultation aims to: of tourism to the National Park.

• identify all of the topics which the The local plan will need to balance all of new local plan should cover; these things, and many more. It is the first stop • highlight the information we will collect when we make a decision on your planning (the evidence base) to help us decide application or your neighbours’, a local business what the policy in that area should say; you use, or a piece of land in your local area. • set out some of the issues and changes That is why we need your help. we may need to consider.

2 Please give us your views This consultation is a starting point for Over the coming weeks we will have discussions discussion around development on with some of these people about the issues Dartmoor, and we would like to hear in this consultation. If you have any questions about the consultation or the local plan review, your views. or would like to discuss some of the issues, Remember, it’s important to tell us what you please do contact us. think works well, and what you like, as well as what you think we could change. Do not feel you need to respond to all of the suggested Please give us your views, using our Talking Points set out below, focus on your area online form, or by downloading the of interest or knowledge, or tell us what you feel questions to complete and return: needs changing, or should stay the same. www.dartmoor.gov.uk/localplan

You might like to consider the You can email us at: following general questions: [email protected] or write to us at: • Have we identified the right issues? Forward Planning, • Have we missed anything? Dartmoor National Park Authority, • Will the information we are collecting Parke, Bovey Tracey, tell us what we need to know? TQ13 9JQ or call us on: 01626 832093 • What are your views on current policy, and the decisions it leads to? You can also follow us on: • What might we need to change, what Twitter@DartmoorPlan shouldn’t we change? or facebook/DartmoorPlan

We will be contacting everyone who has told us they are interested in the local plan review, this Please reply by includes individuals, businesses, parish councils Friday 16 December 2016 and interest groups and agencies.

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 3 What topics does the new local plan cover? We will cover seven topics, which will form the chapters of the new local plan:

TOPIC 1 Strategy and Planning Applications Page 8 Including the overall strategy for where new development is allowed, design issues, amenity, and flooding. TOPIC 2 Environment Page 10 Including habitats and wildlife, landscape, archaeology, and listed buildings. TOPIC 3 Housing Page 12 Including new housing, conversions, affordable housing, homes for agricultural workers, and self-build. TOPIC 4 Communities, Services and Infrastructure Page 14 Including health and education facilities, sport and green space, roads, parking and transport. TOPIC 5 Economy, Business and Leisure Page 16 Including shops, business premises and employment sites, farming, horse keeping, and tourism. TOPIC 6 Minerals, Waste and Energy Page 18 Including quarrying, waste, and renewable energy. TOPIC 7 Towns, Villages and Development Sites Page 20 Including policies for specific towns and villages, and land allocated for development.

4 Strategic Overview of Dartmoor National Park

LEGEND Key Settlements Outside National Park Population more than 10,000 Population less than 10,000 Key Settlements Inside National Park Local Centre Rural Settlement Other Features National Park Boundary Road Network Railway Dartmoor Way Tors

0 10 20km

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 5 What happens next?

2016 Autumn Summer Winter Summer Autumn Autumn Winter onwards /Winter 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018 2016

Evidence Issues First Draft Revised Draft Public Inspector’s Proposed Adopted gathering Consultation Local Plan Local Plan Examination Report Modifications Local Plan CURRENT (consultation – (consultation – (consultation) STAGE Regulation 18) Regulation 19)

We collect Setting out what We draft policies Changes will be An Independant The Inspector If modifications The Plan is evidence to help we think the issues and supporting made as a result Planning Inspector prepares a are proposed, you adopted and us prepare the are and what information based of the comments reviews the report on the will be invited to is used to plan. evidence we are on previous recieved from you, Revised Draft and Examination, and comment on these. decide planning collecting – you consultation and any new any comments sends it to us. applications. are invited to give and evidence - evidence – you are already submitted It may include us your views. you are invited to invited to comment - public hearings ‘modifications’ We will also comment. – these comments are held to discuss which are needed publish research go to the Inspector. the ‘soundness’ of before it should be and evidence as it the Plan. adopted. becomes available.

6 Introduction The new local plan will be the starting point Planning for a National Park is different from for all decisions on planning applications in districts and boroughs. Firstly, we also need to Community Dartmoor National Park. cover minerals and waste policies in our local plan. This would normally be the responsibility of Plans The new local plan will replace three current plans; the county council. Secondly, we have our own purposes, and specific policy and guidance which the Core Strategy, the Development Management Community describe the ‘great weight’ which must be given to and Delivery Plan, and the Minerals local plan with Comments a single document. When making a decision on a National Park designation when making planning planning application, we must consider: decisions. Stakeholder • The Local plan The purposes of National Park designation Views • Government policy and advice under the Environment Act 1995 are to: (the National Planning Policy Framework, “conserve and enhance the natural beauty, and Planning Practice Guidance) wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park”, Professional Creating • Supplementary Planning Documents: currently and “promote opportunities for the understanding Opinions a Plan our Design Guide and Housing Guidance and enjoyment of the special qualities of the • Community and Neighbourhood Plans National Park by the public” Research • Other relevant issues or ‘material considerations’ and Evidence We also have a responsibility to: such as the planning history of a site, highway “seek to foster the economic and social well-being safety, loss of light, or environmental health of local communities within the National Park” Government Policy The way we must prepare our local plan is and Guidance There is also a National Park Management Plan: carefully regulated (by the Town and Country ‘Your Dartmoor’. The Management Plan helps Planning Regulations 2012). Although there is partnership working by co-ordinating other plans Elected some flexibility in how we go about it, we must and strategies to deliver a long term vision for Representatives prepare formal draft documents before the plan Dartmoor. It describes what the ‘special qualities’ of is ‘submitted’ to be examined by an independent Dartmoor are, and how we conserve them, provide inspector. We set out the timetable for writing the opportunities for people to enjoy Dartmoor, and local plan in our Local Development Scheme. How look after the communities in this living, working you can be involved in the process is explained in landscape. The Local Plan, and our planning Planning, Having Your Say (our 2015 Statement of decisions, is an important way in which that Community Involvement). long term vision for Dartmoor is delivered.

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 7 The new local plan will need to have a Outside of these towns and villages ‘Vision’; a description of what we want opportunities for new development are more Dartmoor to be in 20 years’ time. The limited, and focussed on farming activities 1 and other development which needs to be in policies of the local plan set out how the open countryside. Strategy we get there. A key part of this is the ‘spatial strategy’ Over the last 10 years... and Planning which describes where different types of development are acceptable in different Applications areas of the National Park. The current local 26% plan aims for most new development, such as 57% in Rural housing and new business premises, to go in of new housing Settlements the 8 largest towns and villages. has been built in Local These towns and villages are: Ashburton, Centres , , Horrabridge, , , South 17% Brent and Yelverton. in open countryside There is then more of a focus on local needs housing and expansion of existing These settlements were selected on the businesses in 34 smaller villages: Belstone, basis of whether they have certain services Bittaford, Bridford, Buckfast, Cheriton Bishop and facilities available; such as a shop, (Cheriton Cross), Christow, Cornwood, school, health centre, or a bus service. Dean/Dean Prior, Dousland, Drewsteignton, Many communities welcome some housing Dunsford, Hennock, Holne, Ilsington, development, which helps to keep these Liverton, Lustleigh, Lydford, Manaton, Mary services running. Some smaller villages, Tavy, Meavy, North Bovey, North Brentor, which may have more limited services, may Peter Tavy, Postbridge, Scoriton, Shaugh still be sustainable places to live. Whilst there Prior, Sourton, South Tawton, South Zeal, is higher than average home working on Sticklepath, Throwleigh, Walkhampton, Dartmoor, people are now less likely to have a Whiddon Down, and Widecombe-in-the- job in the same place as they live, and most Moor. (89.4% of households on Dartmoor) are already dependent on a car.

8 The local plan will also set out policies which guide some of the more detailed What issues does issues around planning applications, this topic cover? such as: Good design (including What are your sustainable and modern design); • National Park purposes & special qualities Amenity (maintaining an area as • Settlement strategy thoughts? a pleasant place to be); Hazards • Presumption in favour of sustainable (such as unstable or contaminated development 1.1 What makes your village or town a land); Flooding (protecting new • Major development good place to live, and what do we need development, and ensuring it does • Amenity to do to protect it, or improve it? not cause flooding elsewhere). • Design 1.2 The current strategy concentrates • Hazardous development and sites development in larger villages and towns • Flood risk with just development which is needed Good design should be at the For a list of policies, see appendix, locally in some smaller villages. How do heart of all new development or visit: www.dartmoor.gov.uk/planning we get this balance right in the new local in the National Park. Although plan? development should fit in with its surrounding environment, Dartmoor 1.3 Does the approach of supporting should not just see ‘replica’ design, different levels of development in Local or development which is aimed What information or evidence Centres (larger villages and towns), and just at blending in. The new local do we need for this topic? Rural Settlements (smaller villages) need plan might do more to encourage to change, if so how? high quality finish and materials. • Community services and facilities 1.4 Is new development in the National It could welcome innovation and information (during 2016) Park well designed, and well built? modern design which we can be • Landscape Character Assessment 2010 proud to see on Dartmoor. (to be reviewed) 1.5 Do you have any other thoughts or • Planning application data and analysis comments about this topic? (see also • Sustainability Appraisal Topic 7 - Towns, Villages and Development (from 2017 onwards) Sites) • Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 2010 (to be reviewed)

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 9 Dartmoor’s natural environment is one and its blanket bogs not only store water, but of the main reasons it is a National Park. also carbon, meaning Dartmoor plays an 2 Understanding Dartmoor’s landscape, important role in reducing climate change. habitats, and wildlife is crucial so that There are 1,079 Scheduled Monuments Environment we can protect those ‘special qualities’ on Dartmoor. The rich collection of from harm, and improve them wherever archaeological features and landscapes we can. can be found not just on the high moor, but in and around Dartmoor’s towns and villages, Many of the natural environment policies where it may be more at risk from the impact in the local plan are around protection, of new development. managing change, and opportunities for enhancement. The historic centres of many of those villages and towns tell an important story We must also consider how we can lessen or about Dartmoor’s history, and are popular ‘mitigate’ our contribution to climate change, destinations for visitors. We need to ensure the and how development could be more historic buildings on Dartmoor, which includes resilient, for example to increased flooding. 2,565 listed buildings, are conserved for future generations to enjoy. We need to understand Dartmoor’s landscape, tranquillity and where they may need to be adapted, dark night skies are under pressure improved or converted so they have a viable from new development both inside and future, and balance this against the impact outside the National Park. The network on the building and its surroundings. of habitats on Dartmoor including rivers, hedgerows, moorland, and woodland is home to important wildlife of national and international importance. 28% of Dartmoor is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Dartmoor also provides 45% of South West Water’s fresh drinking water,

10 What issues does this topic cover? What are your • Climate change • Habitats and wildlife thoughts? • Enhancing wildlife • Tranquility, setting and hedge banks 2.1 How should the local plan strike • Archaeology the right balance between protecting • Historic buildings habitats and wildlife, and allowing new • Conservation areas development?

For a list of policies, see appendix, 2.2 How should we protect Dartmoor’s or visit: www.dartmoor.gov.uk/planning landscape from inappropriate change? 2.3 How should the local plan conserve and enhance Dartmoor’s archaeology, conservation areas and historic buildings?

What information or evidence 2.4 How do we ensure our farm buildings do we need for this topic? and farmsteads are protected from poor development, and find viable new uses if • Landscape Character Assessment they are no longer in use? (to be reviewed) • Conservation Area Appraisals 2.5 Do you have any other thoughts or • Planning application data and analysis comments about this topic? • Dartmoor Historic Farmsteads Guidance • Natural Environment Topic Paper (to be completed in 2016/17) • Historic Environment Topic Paper (to be completed in 2016/17)

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 11 Housing is an important issue, not just The local plan should consider how to meet for Dartmoor but nationally. The local the needs for different types of housing. This is plan must strike a balance between not just around traditional affordable housing, 3 but also includes how we can: supporting thriving villages and towns, and conserving the National Park. • keep younger working age people Housing living on Dartmoor When thinking about the housing policies in • support the needs of the gypsy and the local plan, we need to understand the traveller community role Dartmoor plays in the wider ‘housing • help older people downsize, and live market area’, such as Exeter and Plymouth, independently for longer how much housing is needed to meet the • meet the needs of farmers, farm workers needs of Dartmoor communities, and where and other rural business. it should be built (see Topic 7). In the last ten years 672 new houses were House price data 1995 to 2015 built on Dartmoor; 22% of these were affordable. Funding to deliver affordable £350000 housing does not exist in the same way it Dartmoor used to, though, and we will need to use £300000 National more ‘cross subsidy’ (a mix of open market Devon and affordable housing development) in £250000 the future. The type of affordable housing is also changing, with Government aiming to £200000 increase home ownership through ‘starter homes’, and increased opportunity for the £150000 ‘right to buy’, and as a result, we may see less new affordable housing to rent. Self-build has always been a route to new homes on £100000 Dartmoor; it could play more of a role in the future, given: £50000 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 people generally stay longer in a home they have designed or built for themselves; self- Note: in 2011 Land Registry began producing data build homes are often built to be more energy at postcode level. Data from 2012 onwards is more accurate as it includes Dartmoor only postcodes. efficient; self-build can lead to more varied and better designed houses; it can be a more affordable way of getting the home you need. 12 The current local plan prioritises local need. The local plan describes what What issues does we mean by ‘local’, and this is used to this topic cover? decide who can live in an affordable What are your home. • Towns and villages Linked with Dartmoor’s historic • Conversions thoughts? buildings (Topic 2), and with farming, • Extensions and alterations • Ancillary accommodation 3.1 Should we plan to meet Dartmoor’s we also need to ensure that where entire housing requirement, or should historic barns are disused, we can • Replacement houses • Agricultural and rural business workers we continue to prioritise local need and find potential alternative uses. There affordable housing? is a balance to strike between giving • Gypsy and travellers important buildings a new use, For a list of policies, see appendix, 3.2 How might the local plan be more keeping farms viable, protecting the or visit: www.dartmoor.gov.uk/planning flexible to meet the needs of younger character of the landscape and people, gypsies and travellers, older providing new homes in the most people, farm and rural workers and other appropriate places. employees, or self-builders? What information or evidence 3.3 The current local plan restricts affordable housing to local people in do we need for this topic? housing need, who cannot afford to • Strategic Housing Market Need Assessment buy a house. Should we look at different • Housing and Employment Land Availability restrictions such as ‘local occupancy’ Assessment (to be completed in 2016/17) (local, but not affordable), or ‘principal • Plan Viability Appraisal residence’ (not a second home) for new (to be completed in 2017) homes on Dartmoor? • Population and housing data and analysis 3.4 What, in your opinion, makes (to be completed in 2016) someone a ‘local’ person? • Landscape Sensitivity Study (to be completed in 2016/17) 3.5 Should we continue to limit the size of • Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation extensions and replacement houses, if so, Assessment how? • Parish Housing Needs Assessments 3.6 Do you have any other thoughts or comments about this topic?

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 13 Dartmoor’s rural villages and towns towards necessary infrastructure, such as need to have services and infrastructure schools and roads, on a site by site basis which make sure they are sustainable, (‘Section 106 obligations’). This gives us 4 the flexibility to look at community priorities, viable, thriving and healthy places including affordable housing, case by case. Communities, to live. With government advising that across the We do not usually see major infrastructure country, smaller sites may not be able to Services and projects coming forward on Dartmoor, though deliver affordable housing, the local plan we will need to consider the availability review may consider again whether it is of, and the need to improve, the following appropriate to set a standard charge which Infrastructure services and infrastructure in Dartmoor‘s applies to every new home (a ‘Community communities: Infrastructure Levy’) instead. This would pay a fixed amount of money towards a set list Transport: roads, car parks, rail and bus; of infrastructure necessary in the area. This Education: schools, school places approach can provide more certainty around and transport; the contributions we expect, but can be less Health: Doctor’s surgeries, hospitals; flexible, and may well impact on how much Communication: super fast broadband, affordable housing could be built on some mobile phone coverage; sites. Water: fresh water and waste water treatment, flood defence; Dartmoor is a highly sensitive area, and Sports and children’s play facilities; can be under pressure from development ‘Green Infrastructure’ such as open outside the National Park. This might space and footpaths; include development which has a visual Community facilities, such as village halls. or landscape impact, or housing which leads to more traffic on Dartmoor roads, See also TOPIC 6 – Minerals, Waste or additional visitors to popular Dartmoor and Renewable Energy. ‘honey pot’ sites. This can have an impact upon wildlife, or tranquillity, issues which are We must be able to deliver what the local important to Dartmoor. The local plan covers plan says, so it is important we understand only Dartmoor, not the area outside, but it is how any new services and infrastructure important to understand this ‘cross boundary’ would be paid for. Currently we ask issue. developers for a financial contribution

14 What issues does this topic cover? What are your • Infrastructure • Community services and facilities thoughts? • Telecoms • Parking standards 4.1 Who do you think should pay to • Highways support existing and new services and • Public rights of way infrastructure needed in the National Park, and how? For a list of policies, see appendix, or visit: www.dartmoor.gov.uk/planning 4.2 Please help us to update our Infrastructure Delivery Plan. What services and infrastructure do you believe need improving in your community? (see also TOPIC 1) What information or evidence 4.3 Where development outside the do we need for this topic? National Park, such as housing, has • Infrastructure Delivery Plan (to be reviewed) an impact on Dartmoor, should it be • District and County Council Green expected to pay for projects or works Infrastructure Plans which reduce that impact? • Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study 4.4 Do you have any other thoughts or (to be reviewed) comments about this topic? • Plan Viability Appraisal (to be reviewed)

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 15 The local plan should support Agriculture is a critical sector for Dartmoor, Dartmoor’s thriving towns and villages and worth 9.2% (Valuing England’s National which are ‘open for business’. Park 2013) of turnover a year to the Dartmoor 5 economy, compared to less than 1% for Dartmoor has a relatively strong economy the UK as a whole. Farming has created Business, for a rural area. It isn’t reliant on one specific much of the Dartmoor landscape, and business or sector, but has a fairly broad good land management conserves and range of employment and activity. That said, enhances habitats, wildlife and archaeology. Economy on Dartmoor there is a high proportion of Dartmoor’s farmsteads are also a key part people working in agriculture (4.7%) and of its landscape character. We therefore and Leisure tourism (8.1%) related business. need to provide opportunities for farming to be sustainable, both in economic and It is important to understand both the environmental terms. workforce and the businesses on Dartmoor. With Exeter, Plymouth and a number of towns Tourism is a major part of Dartmoor’s nearby, many people live in the National Park, economy, and relies heavily on Dartmoor’s but work elsewhere. Equally many people special qualities, beautiful landscape and who work on Dartmoor can struggle to picturesque towns and villages. Around 2.31m afford housing in the National Park, and so people visit Dartmoor each year, spending commute in from nearby towns and cities. It is around £139.5m (DNPA tourism statistics). important that we recognise that with easier Planning policy needs to carefully balance access to transport and broadband, many the protection of Dartmoor, with the need people no longer work in the community in to respond to changing visitor trends and which they live. However it is also important demands. that Dartmoor has a workforce for a range of jobs, and that Dartmoor’s population have Businesses on Dartmoor should be able to opportunities to work close to where they live, thrive, however they must do so in a way or live close to where they work. It is also worth which protects Dartmoor’s special qualities; noting that a large number of people on many of which are the reason businesses are Dartmoor (19%) are self-employed. located or choose to base themselves on Dartmoor in the first place.

16 School Cookery Ashburton © Photo What issues does this topic cover? What are your • New business • Expansion of existing premises and sites thoughts? • Signs and advertisements • Tourist accommodation 5.1 How do we ensure farming on • Visitor attractions Dartmoor can be sustainable, both in • Visitor facilities and recreational economic and environmental terms? development 5.2 The current local plan focusses on • Horse related development expanding existing business sites and • Farm diversification premises. Should the new local plan give For a list of policies, see appendix, more opportunities for new business to or visit: www.dartmoor.gov.uk/planning locate in the National Park? 5.3 The current local plan restricts the use of holiday homes, to ensure they are available for this use and do not become What information or evidence open market housing. Should the new do we need for this topic? local plan be more flexible around other short term use of holiday homes? • Economic Needs Assessment (to be completed in 2016/17) 5.4 An increasing number people who • Economic and employment profile live on Dartmoor work from home. How (to be completed in 2016/17) could the local plan help to meet the • Tourism/Visitor data needs of these home workers? 5.5 Do you have any other thoughts or comments about this topic?

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 17 Dartmoor has long been used as a upon Dartmoor’s landscape, habitats, wildlife source of natural resources. The local and historic environment, and government plan must consider how this continues policy says that large scale quarrying should 6 happen outside National Parks. Dartmoor into the future, in a sustainable way. has a number of existing quarries though, Minerals, We have seen an increasing amount of our including for building stone, and there is a energy coming from renewable sources; balance to be struck between extracting Waste and around 3,905 GWh (RegenSW 2016) of good quality stone for construction and electricity in the South West now comes building repairs, the economic benefits of from renewable sources. quarrying, and the impact small quarries Energy might have at a more local level. Some of these, such as large wind and solar farms, would have a significant impact The local plan will need to identify on Dartmoor’s landscape. Renewable ‘safeguarding areas’ which identify where energy is increasing on Dartmoor, but at a certain mineral deposits exist. These do not household, business and community level. in any way mean that quarries would be In particular Dartmoor’s rivers have been granted permission, but allow us to consider identified as being a significant potential carefully any new uses in that area which resource, provided this does not have an might mean we cannot get to the deposit, unacceptable impact upon wildlife. It is should we need to in the future. important that Dartmoor National Park plays Similar to quarrying, government expects its part in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. large scale waste processing and disposal to Dartmoor has historically been a source of happen outside national parks. Dartmoor no mineral resources; quarrying of china clay, longer has any commercial recycling plant or peat, building and aggregate stone (crushed rubbish tips, however most communities have rock), and metals such as tin, have shaped local collection facilities, and some have Dartmoor as we see it today. There are community run co-operatives which reuse currently 3 active stone quarries on Dartmoor, and recycle waste. and a china clay quarry. Whilst much of this mineral resource still exists, mining and quarrying can have a significant impact

18 What issues does this topic cover? What are your • Renewable energy • New minerals workings, including thoughts? extensions • Operating conditions and ROMPS 6.1 The current local plan resists large • Mineral safeguarding renewable energy development on • Waste disposal and recycling facilities Dartmoor, but allows for smaller projects. Is this the right approach to take? For a list of policies, see appendix, or visit: www.dartmoor.gov.uk/planning 6.2 What changes are needed to current minerals policies so they effectively control the operation and impact of existing and new quarries?

What information or evidence 6.3 The current local plan resists large scale quarrying, but supports small scale do we need for this topic? building stone quarries. Is this the right approach to take, and should we be • Minerals and Waste topic paper more encouraging of local building stone (to be completed in 2017) quarries? • Local Aggregate Assessment 6.4 Do you have any other thoughts or comments about this topic?

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 19 The current local plan identifies or Call for Sites ‘allocates’ sites for housing, business use Whether we allocate sites or not, we need or redevelopment in most of Dartmoor’s 7 to assess whether there is enough land largest villages and towns (the ‘local available to meet the identified housing and Towns, centres’). The new local plan should employment needs. We are carrying out a consider which are the best sites for ‘Land Availability Assessment’ to identify land future development. which is available for development. We then Villages and assess whether it could be developed, but it The allocated sites in the current local plan is for the local plan or a planning application, Development provided enough land for around 435 houses. to decide whether it should. We allocated sites for a number of reasons: Sites • These are larger sites in the larger towns and villages, where most of the The current local plan looks differently at sites development is expected to happen which are either within, adjoining, or outside • It gives the community the earliest a town or village. To help understand this possible opportunity to influence where more clearly, Local Centres currently have building happens settlement boundaries drawn around them. In • It shows landowners and developers the smaller villages we rely on ‘rural exception where we and the community think sites’, which delivered around 79 houses over housing should be built, giving local the last 10 years. An exception site is a small people some certainty site for housing on the edge of a village, which • It gives us confidence that housing can is only permitted because we know affordable be built where it is needed, and therefore housing is needed. Exception sites are aimed • It makes it easier for us to say no to at just delivering affordable housing, but in development in the wrong places order to pay for the affordable housing, we may need to allow for some market housing. Where land is allocated it means its development would be acceptable. Recent Government guidance describes Applications for planning permission would how small sites may not be able to deliver still be needed, but the application would be affordable housing. Using this ‘threshold’ to set out how it should be developed, not on Dartmoor could make a big difference whether it should be developed. to housing delivery. Around 109 affordable houses were built on sites of 10 or less over the last ten years. The Government threshold says:

20 • On sites of 5 houses or less affordable housing may not be appropriate What information or • On sites of 6-10 houses, it may be appropriate evidence do we need only to take money towards affordable What are your housing, to be built on another site for this topic? (a ‘commuted sum contribution’) • Land Availability Assessment thoughts? • On sites of 11 houses or more, affordable (LAA) (to be reviewed) housing should be viable on site 7.1 We must show we can deliver housing • Landscape Character over the life of the local plan, or we will not Assessment (to be reviewed) This does not apply to exception sites. It does be able to defend planning decisions in • Strategic Housing Market Need mean that if we allocate sites in the new local the future. What is the best way to make Assessment plan, we might still choose to allocate only larger sure Dartmoor’s towns and villages have • Community services and sites which are more viable, and allow smaller enough land for housing? housing schemes in the smaller villages to come facilities survey (during 2016) forward as ‘exception sites’. Since the current local • Housing Needs Assessment 7.2 Should we allocate sites for housing plan was written, we have also seen an increase (parish level) development in the main settlements? in Neighbourhood Plans. 7.3 Should we allocate sites for employment uses, and other mixed uses or redevelopment? Neighbourhood Plans 7.4 Do you have land in or adjoining a A Neighbourhood Plan is written by the town or village which could be available community; normally by a group specially set for housing or employment development up by the Parish or Town Council. It contains in the future? If so you may complete a planning policies especially for that area. separate form Importantly a Neighbourhood Plan: Must be www.dartmoor.gov.uk/LAA consistent with the strategic policies in the local to submit land for assessment. plan; cannot provide for less development, only the same or more; could allocate sites. 7.5 Do you have any other thoughts or comments about this topic? Some communities have also written other types of plan, such as Parish Plans or Village Design Statements. These do not have the same formal planning status as a Neighbourhood Plan (and can cover non-planning issues), but they are useful in setting out what a community might expect us to include in the local plan.

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 21 TOPIC 2 – Environment

Appendix Climate change COR1 Sustainable development principles Issues and Current Policies COR8 Flooding – protection and prevention COR9 Protection from and prevention of flooding View these policies at www.dartmoor.gov.uk/planning COR24 Protecting water resources from depletion and pollution COR = Core Strategy Policy DMD = Development Management and Delivery Policy Habitats and wildlife COR3 National Park landscape COR7 Biodiversity and geological conservation TOPIC 1 – Strategy and Planning Applications DMD14 Biodiversity and geological conservation Enhancing wildlife National park purposes and special qualities COR8 Flooding – protection and prevention COR1 Sustainable development principles COR20 Agricultural diversification DMD1b Delivering National Park purposes & protecting its special qualities COR22 Minerals development Settlement strategy DMD1b Delivering National Park purposes & protecting its special qualities COR2 Settlement strategies Tranquillity/dark night skies DMD45 Settlement boundaries COR11 Dartmoor National Park’s special qualities Presumption in favour of sustainable development Landscape, setting and hedge banks COR1 Sustainable development principles COR1 Sustainable development principles DMD1a Presumption in favour of sustainable development COR3 National Park landscape Major development DMD5 National Park landscape DMD2 Major development DMD6 Dartmoor’s moorland and woodland Amenity DMD38 Access onto the highway DMD4 Protecting local amenity Archaeology Design COR6 Archaeology COR4 Design and sustainable development principles DMD13 Archaeology COR13 Providing for high standards of accessibility and design Historic buildings DMD7 Dartmoor’s built environment COR1 Sustainable development principles Hazards and sites COR3 National Park landscape DMD16 Hazardous installations and potentially polluting activity COR5 Protecting the historic built environment Flood risk DMD1b Delivering National Park purposes and protecting COR1 Sustainable development principles DMD8 Changes to historic buildings and other heritage assets COR8 Flooding – protection and prevention DMD9 The re-use and adaptation of historic buildings in the countryside COR9 Protection from and prevention of flooding DMD10 Enabling development COR24 Protecting water resources from depletion and pollution Conservation areas DMD12 Conservation areas 22 Topic 3 – Housing Topic 4 – Communities, Services and Infrastructure

Towns and villages Infrastructure COR2 Settlement strategies COR12 Infrastructure, community facilities and public services DMD21 Residential development in Local Centres COR14 Infrastructure for new development DMD22 Residential development in Rural Settlements COR17 Promoting increased health and well-being DMD23 Residential development outside Local Centres and Rural Settlements Community services and facilities Conversions COR15 Location and type of housing provision COR5 Protecting the historic built environment DMD9 The re-use and adaptation of historic buildings in the countryside DMD8 Changes to historic buildings and other heritage assets DMD19 Local services and facilities DMD9 The re-use and adaptation of historic DMD21 Residential development in Local Centres Buildings in the countryside Open space and sports facilities COR2 Settlement strategies COR2 Settlement strategies DMD31 Provision of new recreational and leisure facilities DMD31 Provision of new recreational and leisure facilities DMD32 Protection of recreational and amenity open space DMD32 Protection of recreational and amenity open space Extensions and alterations Telecoms COR4 Design and sustainable development principles DMD20 Telecommunications development DMD4 Protecting local amenity Parking standards DMD24 Extensions and alterations to dwellings DMD39 Provision of car parks Ancillary accommodation DMD40 Parking provision for new development (residential) DMD25 Ancillary residential development DMD41 Parking provision for new development (non-residential) Replacement houses Highways DMD27 Replacement dwellings in the countryside COR21 Dealing with development and transport issues in a sustainable way Agricultural and rural business workers DMD38 Access onto the highway DMD23 Residential development outside Local Centres and Rural Settlements Public rights of way DMD26 Agricultural occupancy conditions DMD42 Public rights of way Gypsy and travellers DMD29 The accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers

DARTMOOR LOCAL PLAN Consultation 23 Topic 5 – Business, Economy and Leisure Topic 6 – Minerals, Waste and Energy

New business Renewable Energy COR2 Settlement strategies COR8 Energy efficiency and sustainable buildings COR18 Sustainable economic growth including tourism COR10 Renewable energy DMD9 The re-use and adaptation of historic buildings in the countryside DMD5 National Park landscape Expansion of existing premises and sites DMD15 Renewable energy COR2 Settlement strategies New minerals workings, including extensions COR18 Sustainable economic growth including tourism M4 Applications at new and existing mineral workings DMD9 The re-use and adaptation of historic buildings in the countryside M5 Recycling and reuse of minerals waste Signs and advertisements COR22 Minerals development DMD36 Signs and advertisements Operating conditions and ROMPs DMD37 Advance signs M2 Operation of approved or unimplemented permissions Tourist accommodation M4 Applications at new and existing mineral workings COR2 Settlement strategies Minerals safeguarding COR19 Tourism M6 Minerals consultation areas Proposals Map DMD9 The re-use and adaptation of historic buildings in the countryside Waste disposal and recycling facilities DMD44 Tourist accommodation COR8 Energy efficiency and sustainable buildings Visitor attractions COR23 Waste DMD43 New visitor attractions and development of existing enterprises Visitor facilities and recreational development DMD31 Provision of new recreational and leisure facilities Please give us your views, using our online form, or by downloading DMD43 New visitor attractions and development of existing enterprises the questions to complete and return: www.dartmoor.gov.uk/localplan Horse related development DMD5 National Park landscape You can email us at: DMD33 Horse related development [email protected] Farm diversification or write to us at: COR20 Agricultural diversification Forward Planning, DMD5 National Park landscape Dartmoor National Park Authority, DMD9 The re-use and adaptation of historic buildings in the countryside Parke, Bovey Tracey, DMD34 Agricultural and forestry Devon TQ13 9JQ DMD35 Farm diversification or call us on: 01626 832093 You can also follow us on: Twitter@DartmoorPlan or facebook/DartmoorPlan 24