Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 This Plan has been prepared by Braintree District Council to provide a framework for the development of the area for the period to 2011. Over the last ten to fifteen years the District has seen many changes. It is inevitable that change will continue. It is important, however, that changes are in keeping with the character of the District and help to protect and enhance the natural and built environment. This Plan therefore sets out a vision of how the District Council wishes the area to develop. The Plan is based on sustainability principles which seek to guide development in such a way as to conserve and protect resources and not to compromise future generations in meeting their own needs.
1.2 The Plan sets out the policies and proposals to guide and promote development in the Braintree District for the period 1996 to 2011. When adopted it will replace the existing Braintree District Local Plan, which was adopted in February 1995, and covers the period 1986 to 2001.
1.3 The Plan is being prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as a statutory Local Plan.
1.4 In planning for the future of the District, the Council does not have a free hand. This Plan must be consistent with planning guidance at the national, regional, and county levels. In this respect the Plan interprets and develops in detail those aspects of the Essex and Southend on Sea Replacement Structure Plan adopted in April 2001 as far as they are relevant to this District.
1.5 Publication of this Plan follows the production of an Issues Report in September 1998, a paper on sustainability criteria for the allocation of development sites in July 2000, the preparation of an urban capacity study in April 2001 and the publication of a First Deposit Draft in January 2002. A sustainability appraisal of the Plan’s policies and proposals has been carried out and is published as a separate document. The Plan also complements and draws on the work carried out in connection with the Council’s Quality of Life Plan, and Best Value Performance Plan and Community Strategy.
1.6 The Plan consists of a Written Statement and Proposals Map. Within the Written Statement policies are distinguished by the use of highlighted bold type. The Plan should be read as a whole; although some policies are cross-referenced, proposals will be considered in relation to all of the Plan. The supporting text that accompanies these policies sets out the reasoning behind the policies and should also be considered as planning guidance. The Proposals Map consists of a plan covering the whole District, together with a series of insets providing greater details for the towns, town centres, and villages. The Ordnance Survey mapping included within this publication is provided by Braintree District Council under licence from the Ordnance Survey, in order to fulfil its function as local planning authority. Persons viewing this mapping should contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice where they wish to license Ordnance Survey mapping for their own use.
1.7 This Plan will form one component of the Development Plan for the area, which is used as the basis for determining planning applications for the District. The other components of the Development Plan are:- The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan - Adopted April 2001 The Essex Minerals Local Plan - Adopted First Review The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Waste Local Plan - Adopted September 2001
1.10 The Plan is supported by a number of technical background papers as follows:- Urban Capacity Study Residential Land Availability Study Employment Land Availability Study Braintree Retail Study Essex Local Transport Plan Braintree District Transportation Strategy Review Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal Public Open Space Survey (to be available later in 2003) These are available for reference, or purchase from the District Council, with the exception of the Essex Local Transport Plan, which is available from Essex County Council. Chapter 2 Development Strategy and Overall Vision
2.1 During the period covered by the previous Local Plan, the District has changed significantly. Braintree in particular has experienced substantial change, including the development of new neighbourhoods at Great Notley and Kings Park Village, the regeneration of East Braintree, and numerous smaller developments. There has also been continued development in Halstead and Witham, and some villages. Generally speaking, the provision of roads and other infrastructure, and employment, has lagged behind the provision of housing.
2.1a Stansted Airport is located approximately 15 miles to the west of Braintree District and is an increasing influence on the development of the area. In association with the first phase of the expansion of the airport, of up to 15 million passengers per annum (mppa), 2000 Stansted related houses were built in the District. There are no additional urbanisation requirements arising from the second phase of expansion, of up to 25mppa. Braintree currently supplies 10% of the workforce of the airport. The completion of the new A120 dual carriageway, between Braintree and the airport, will strengthen the links between the two.
2.2 Although the District has experienced high levels of development in the last ten to fifteen years, the quality of the environment remains high. The area includes 37 conservation areas and over 3,000 listed buildings, and extensive areas of high quality natural and built environment. There will be a need to continue to ensure that high standards of new development are achieved in the right locations, and that development is accommodated in such a way as to maintain, protect, and enhance the built and natural environment. Sustainability principles will underpin the development strategy for the District.
The Government’s wider strategy for achieving sustainable development is set out in “A Better Quality of Life: A Strategy for Sustainable Development for the U.K.” (1999). It sets out four main aims for sustainable development: _ Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone; _ Effective protection of the environment; _ Prudent use of natural resources; and _ Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and development. Following these aims the sustainability principles on which this Plan is based are as follows: _ Managing the pattern of development and urban growth to make the fullest use of public transport, walking and cycling _ Minimising the loss of countryside and protecting environmental assets _ Accommodating development principally within existing urban areas, with increased densities, for both housing and other uses at locations accessible by public transport, cycling and walking _ Minimising the need to travel, especially by private vehicles, and promoting more sustainable transport choices _ Reducing the impact of transport on the environment _ Reducing the demands of development on non-renewable resources _ Minimising waste and maximising recycling _ Promoting biodiversity The Plan also reflects the proposals of the Government’s Urban White Paper published in November 2000, particularly in respect of maximising the use of land in the existing towns and easing pressure on the countryside, improving the quality of the urban environment, and encouraging high standards of design and layout in new developments.
2.3 The vision for the District is one where its residents enjoy a high quality of life in a high quality environment. A District which is safe, prosperous, and clean; where the needs of the community for affordable housing and a range of housing choice, employment, health and welfare services, and personal mobility are met. A District where innovation and new initiatives are encouraged in developments to promote sustainability; where people have an opportunity to live nearer to their work and leisure and community facilities. A District within which people have a choice of means of transport, wherever possible; where new development is of a high quality and contributes to meeting community needs; where the countryside is protected and enhanced, where rural communities have the facilities they need and where local people have a pride and respect for their surroundings.
Where possible the Plan takes forward the priorities identified by the Council’s Community Strategy under seven themes, as follows: _ Getting around _ Things to do _ Feeling safe and well _ Being part of the community _ Taking pride in where we live _ Access to services and opportunities _ Caring for the environment 2.4 In the previous plan period the provision of employment and infrastructure did not keep up with the pace of housing growth. This has led to increased out-commuting from the District, particularly by car, and has led to congestion on the road network and environmental problems for the communities through which those roads pass. Furthermore much of the new development that has taken place has been on greenfield sites, particularly around Braintree, with limited access to public transport. The strategy for the new plan period is to achieve a slowing down in the rate of housing growth, particularly after 2006 when previous commitments will be completed, and a catching up in the provision of infrastructure and employment.
2.4a In the longer term, the District will be affected by a number of emerging Government and Regional Studies, such as the Sustainable Communities Plan, London-Stansted-Cambridge Growth Area Study, SERAS (South East and East of England Regional Air Service Study) the London- Ipswich Multi-Modal Study and Regional Guidance for East Anglia. These studies will affect a much larger area than Braintree District, and will extend beyond 2011. Furthermore, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill is currently progressing through Parliament. This will have a significant impact on the planning system in the future. Indications are that this will not come into force until Spring 2004 at the earliest.
2.5 The key elements of the strategy are set out below:
General Development Principles _ New development to be based on sustainability principles. _ New development to be concentrated on Braintree, Witham and to a lesser extent Halstead. _ Maximum use to be made of land within urban areas and previously developed land that meets sustainability criteria. _ A sequential approach to be applied to proposals for new housing, employment, retail, leisure and community facilities with a preference firstly for sites within existing urban areas, secondly for sites on the periphery of existing large urban areas, and finally other locations accessible by all modes of transport. _ Better balance to be secured between housing and employment growth, and the provision of social and community facilities and infrastructure. _ Protection of the character of rural areas.
Housing _ Provision for 10,300 net dwelling completions in the District between 1996 and 2011. _ A target of 40% of housing completions to be on previously developed land between 1996 and 2011, with 50% to be achieved between 2001 and 2011. _ On sites of 25 dwellings or more, to secure up to 30% of the new units for affordable housing. _ To achieve a minimum density of 30 dwellings per hectare. _ Provision for rural affordable housing on exception sites, to meet local needs.
Employment _ New allocations of employment land at Braintree, Halstead and Feering. _ A policy to permit the expansion of local businesses onto unallocated land if certain criteria are met.
Transport _ Improved bus and rail services and community transport, and better facilities for cycling and walking _ Improvements to the Braintree branch line _ Completion of major road schemes: the A120 between Braintree and Stansted Airport, the Witham to Hatfield Peverel link road, and the A131 Great Leighs By Pass
Town Centres and Retail _ Consolidation, environmental improvement, and management of Braintree, Halstead, and Witham town centres _ Modest new retail provision in Halstead and Witham _ Additional off-street car parking in Halstead town centre
Rural Areas _ Encourage appropriate business development and agricultural diversification _ Promote affordable housing for local needs _ Promote local distinctiveness and identity in development patterns and design _ Retain local services and facilities
Environmental Resources and Protection _ Protection, conservation, and enhancement of the natural and built environment _ High quality design and layout of new development incorporating sustainability principles, which include preserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the area; strong emphasis on nature conservation; and innovative and leading edge ideas for energy and water efficiency, sustainable drainage, recycling and waste minimisation _ The development of renewable sources of energy Community Facilities
_ New swimming pools at Braintree and Halstead _ Sites for a new cemetery and a cemetery extension at Braintree and _ Support for the continuance of rural services and facilities
2.6 This general strategy is translated into detailed policies and proposals in the Chapters that follow. Chapter 3 Housing
Introduction 3.1 The overall approach to the provision of housing in the District is referred to in Chapter 2, which deals with the development strategy for the District. This Chapter deals with housing allocations in more detail and sets out specific policies relating to housing provision. The Local Plan concentrates on overall provision of housing and specific land use policies. It is complemented by the Council’s Housing Strategy, which deals in more detail with housing needs and the supply and management of the District’s housing stock.
3.2 This Chapter includes policies in relation to: 1. Overall housing allocation and location strategy. 2. Meeting local and special housing needs, including those of gypsies. 3. Design and layout of residential development. 4. Policies for replacement and extension of dwellings in the countryside.
Policy Background 3.3 The policy context for housing provision in the District is provided by Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 3 published on 7th March 2000 and the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan, adopted in April 2001 (the Structure Plan). Circular 1/97 provides the policy context for Planning Obligations and Circular 6/98 provides Government advice on Planning and Affordable Housing.
3.4 PPG3 sets out a new approach to the provision of housing land based on plan monitor and manage with an emphasis on the next five years rather than the ten year plan period. PPG3 asks local authorities to: _ Plan to meet the housing needs of the whole community, including those in need of affordable housing. _ Provide wider housing opportunity and choice and a better mix in the size, type, and location of housing than is currently available, and seek to create mixed communities. _ Provide sufficient housing land, but give priority to re-using previously developed land within urban areas, bringing empty homes back into use and converting existing buildings, in preference to the development of greenfield sites. _ Create more sustainable patterns of development by building in ways which exploit and deliver accessibility by public transport to jobs, education and health facilities, shopping, leisure and local services. _ Make more efficient use of land by reviewing planning policies and standards. _ Place the needs of people before ease of traffic movement, in designing the layout of residential developments. _ Seek to reduce car dependence, by facilitating more walking and cycling, by improving linkages by public transport between housing, jobs, local services and local amenity, and by planning for mixed use. _ Promote good design in new housing developments, in order to create attractive, high-quality living environments in which people will choose to live.
These principles are therefore reflected in this plan.
3.5 Policy H1 of the Structure Plan provides for a net dwelling stock increase in the District of 10,300 dwellings between 1st April 1996 and 31st March 2011. Policy H2 of the Structure Plan provides for residential development to be located on sites which can provide good access to employment, shopping, education and community facilities and which are accessible by a choice of means of transport, especially non-car modes. It provides for a sequential approach to the location of new housing provision, with the maximum amount to be located within existing large urban areas in the first instance. If sufficient provision cannot be made within urban areas, then planned peripheral development on the edge of large urban areas should be the next choice. Only then should expanded settlements be considered. It is for local plans to determine whether small-scale housing provision is appropriate in small towns and villages where it can take place in accordance with sustainability principles. Sporadic development in the countryside is to be resisted.
Objectives 3.6 In planning for the future provision of housing the Council is seeking to achieve the following objectives: 1. To provide sufficient housing land within the District to meet the Structure Plan provision. 2. To ensure a five year supply of housing land is always available. 3. To maximise the use of sites within existing urban areas and 4. To relate the location of housing land closely to employment, to public transport, and to community, retail, and leisure facilities and where it can secure improvements to these facilities. 5. To provide a range of sites for housing that will cater for a variety of densities, housing types and tenures to meet differing requirements within the population, including the particular needs of elderly and disabled people. 6. To maximise the provision of low cost social housing to meet the identified housing needs of the District. Housing Allocation and Location Strategy
3.7 As indicated above, Policy H1 of the Structure Plan proposes a net dwelling stock increase for the District of 10,300 dwellings for the period 1996 to 2011. As at 31st March 2000 some 3,659 dwellings had been built in the District, with the remaining provision for 2000 to 2011 being 6,641 dwellings. The existing commitment at 31st March 2000, that is dwellings under construction, or with planning permission or allocated in the previous Local Plan, was estimated at 5,817 dwellings leaving a residual provision of 824 dwellings required to meet the Structure Plan requirement. The existing commitment includes sites with planning permission and existing plan allocations, which are not yet built, and an allowance for small sites (less than 12 dwellings) at a rate of 100 per year.
3.8 In order to assess the full housing potential of Braintree, Halstead, and Witham, the District Council commissioned an urban capacity study in October 2000. The results were received in April 2001 and the study is being published as a background document to this Plan. The urban capacity study has identified potential for over 2,300 dwellings, over and above those included in the land availability study. It will not be necessary to realise the full potential identified in the urban capacity study to meet the Structure Plan provision. Small sites of less than 12 dwellings are not specifically allocated, as there is an allowance for these within the overall provision. Large sites of 12 dwellings, or more, identified by the urban capacity study are shown on the Proposals Map and listed in Appendix 1, where they are not in a current employment or community use.
3.9 As a result of the findings of the land availability study of 31st March 2000 and the urban capacity study, it is considered that sufficient sites already exist in the District to meet the Structure Plan provision for the period 1996 to 2011. The strategy for the Plan is therefore to concentrate provision for new housing on sites already identified, sites within existing urban areas and on previously developed land, which meet sustainability criteria. It is not proposed to allocate any further strategic sites for housing as part of this Plan.
3.10 This approach to new housing provision is considered to be consistent with paragraph 30 of PPG3 and Policy H2 of the Structure Plan. Paragraph 30 of PPG3 states: “In identifying sites to be allocated for housing in local plans local planning authorities should follow a search sequence, starting with the re-use of previously developed land and buildings identified by the urban housing capacity study, then urban extensions, and finally new development around nodes in good public transport corridors. They should only seek to identify sufficient land to meet the housing requirement set as a result of the regional planning guidance and strategic planning process. In doing so they do not need to consider all the land in their area; they should not extend the search further than required to provide sufficient capacity to meet the agreed housing requirement.”
The sequential approach to housing development required by Structure Plan Policy H2 is referred to in paragraph 3.5 above.
3.11 Having applied the search sequence to the District, the Council has concluded that the Structure Plan provision of 10,300 dwellings for the period 1996 to 2011 can be met from existing commitments and sites within existing urban areas. Previous local plan allocations of greenfield sites have been reviewed, but all are either under construction, or committed by way of a planning consent and it is not therefore possible to remove them from the Plan. These comprise the following: Mill Hill, Braintree; Kings Park Village, Braintree; Great Notley Garden Village; Nether Court, Halstead; Maltings Lane, Witham.
A few smaller greenfield sites have been allocated; these all consist of small urban extensions or infill of Braintree and Witham, within the town development boundary. These include land next to A120/ Cressing Road, Braintree; Gypsy Corner, Panfield Lane, Braintree; and Constance Close, Witham.
3.12 It is estimated that about 40% of new dwelling provision in the period 1996 to 2011 will be on previously developed land. Between 2001 and 2011 the figure is expected to be around 50%. This is because the large greenfield sites listed above will be nearing completion in the first part of the plan period, leaving a greater proportion of the overall total to be achieved on previously developed land. The target to be achieved nationally is 60%. This figure is difficult to achieve in a District such as Braintree, with a mixture of medium sized towns and extensive rural areas.
3.13 The Council will apply the plan monitor and manage approach required by PPG3. Housing provision will be regularly monitored, at least annually, to assess progress towards meeting the Structure Plan provision. The Plan will be reviewed in five years time, to roll the proposals forward to 2016 or 2021. This review can consider the results of the housing provision monitoring and can make any necessary changes to the provision if required, at that time. The proposals of the plan will be reviewed in five years time, or sooner, should monitoring of the housing supply situation identify an under-provision or over-provision of housing land. Policy RLP 1 Housing Provision Provision is made for a net dwelling stock increase of 10,300 dwellings in the Braintree District, in the period 1st April 1996 to 31st March 2011, as set out in Table 1. Provision will be concentrated on sites within existing urban areas and on previously developed land which meet sustainability criteria. It is proposed that 40% of the provision will be on previously developed land.
Table 1: Housing Provision
No. of Source/ Notes Dwellings A Total housing provision for 10,300 Essex and Southend on Braintree District over the Sea Replacement Structure Plan Period Structure Plan 1996-2011 Potential Supply:- B Total net dwelling stock l 5492 ECC and BDC annual change 1996-2002 monitoring results, including site checks
C Expected contribution from 900 Structure Plan small sites 2002-2011 assessment at 120 dwelling for the year 2000-2001 and 100 dwellings per year for the period 2000-2011 (small sites = less than 12 dwellings total capacity)
D Large sites allocated in the 4545 Local Plan, as set out in Appendix 1
Total potential supply 10,937 1996-2011 (B+C+D) Town Development Boundaries and Village Envelopes
3.14 The intended limits to settlements are defined on the Proposals Map, by town development boundaries and village envelopes. Outside these limits countryside policies will apply and new development will not normally be permitted. Village envelopes have been drawn around those settlements where some infill development may be appropriate. The boundaries have been drawn around the main built-up area of those settlements. They are intended to:- _ Protect the countryside surrounding settlements _ Prevent extension of ribbon development and sporadic development _ Protect non-renewable and natural resources in accordance with national policies. The boundaries follow property boundaries wherever possible, except where gardens are so long that their inclusion would lead to possible pressure for backland development. In those cases the boundaries cut across gardens. Any development that is permitted within town development boundaries and village envelopes must be appropriate to the location, satisfy the criteria set out in Policy RLP3 below and comply with other policies set out in this plan.
Policy RLP 2 Town Development Boundaries and Village Envelopes
New development will be confined to the areas within Town Development Boundaries and Village Envelopes. Outside these areas countryside policies will apply. Exceptions may be made to this policy for affordable housing schemes, which fully comply with the criteria set out in Policy RLP 7. Housing sites with a capacity of 12 or more dwellings are shown on the Proposals Map and are listed in Appendix 1.
Policy RLP 3 Development within Town Development Boundaries and Village Envelopes
Within village envelopes and town development boundaries residential development will only be permitted where it satisfies amenity, design, environmental and highway criteria and where it can take place without material detriment to the existing character of the settlement. Proposals for development should
1. Seek to protect the character of the existing street scene, the setting of attractive buildings and historic interest of the locality, the landscape value of existing tree cover and generally to ensure that new development does not materially detract from the character of the settlement.
2. Seek to ensure that in the development of infill plots, the scale, design and intensity of any new building is in harmony with existing surrounding development, respects neighbouring amenities and that inappropriate backland development is prevented.
3. Have regard to the extent to which proposals for housing development will contribute towards meeting local housing needs.
4. Seek to protect the character and historic interest of the locality.
Prevention of Town Cramming
3.15 Although the overall strategy for housing is to make maximum use of sites within existing urban areas, this should not be at the expense of open spaces and gaps between buildings, which are important in terms of local identity and visual amenity, or for recreation. Such open spaces are important to the character of a settlement by providing a break in an otherwise built-up area. The most important of these are identified on the Proposals Map as Visually Important Open Space, Public Open Space, Formal Recreation, Informal Recreation, School Grounds, Churchyards and Cemeteries. Visually Important Open Space is defined as an area of open land, which contributes to the character of an area, or is important visually. In many cases these areas will be in private ownership and there will be no public access. Examples are well-treed gardens adjacent to river walks/linear parks and meadows within villages. The fact that an area within a town development boundary, or village envelope, is not specifically shown for protection does not necessarily mean that it is suitable for development.
Policy RLP 4 Prevention of Town Cramming Within Village Envelopes and Town Development Boundaries development on open areas, which are important visually, which contribute to the character of the settlement, or which are used for recreational, social, or community purposes or which are of importance to nature conservation will not be permitted.
Affordable Housing 3.17 PPG3 emphasises the need for local authorities to carry out surveys and studies, to assess whether there is a need for additional affordable housing and, where this is identified, to include a local plan policy seeking affordable housing in suitable housing developments.
3.18 Affordable housing is that provided with subsidy for people who are unable to resolve their housing requirements in the local housing sector market because of the relationship between housing costs and incomes. PPG3 also refers to low cost housing for sale as falling within the definition of affordable, but in this respect a distinction must be drawn between affordable low cost housing for sale and ‘starter homes’. Affordable low cost housing for sale does not mean small units provided without subsidy to meet the needs of households with income levels just adequate to access the housing market - these are starter homes. Low cost housing for sale provided with subsidy i.e. via shared equity, may be defined as affordable.
3.19 The District is in an area of high demand for housing. This demand comes from both within and beyond the District. It has resulted in relatively high house prices, which are beyond the reach of people on low and modest incomes. This is a general problem for the District’s housing market and this part of Essex.
3.20 PPG3 states that a community’s need for a mix of housing types, including affordable housing, is a material planning consideration. There is insufficient affordable housing to meet local needs, so this Plan seeks affordable housing in suitable housing developments. The level of housing need is considered to be greater than can reasonably be met through the proposals in this Plan and the Policy will therefore apply to all suitable housing developments, including windfall sites. The Council considers that the best and most reliable way of ensuring affordable housing provision is through the involvement of a housing association or other Registered Social Landlord.
3.21 An independent housing needs survey for the District, was conducted by DCA Housing Consultants in 2002. This examined the housing needs, aspirations and demands for communities and households within the District, with the aim of informing Local Plan policy on affordable housing and providing data to assist in delivery through negotiation, in accordance with Circular 6/98 and PPG3.
3.22 The 2002 Housing Needs Study, identified that the total annual affordable housing need is for 1284 units. Re-letting of existing social stock averages 637 units annually, which results in an affordable housing shortfall of 547 units. Projected over the Plan period this equates to 4923 units, and as the Housing Strategy currently plans the delivery of 100 units per annum the level of unmet need will grow each year. The Study therefore concludes that over the Plan period, 30% of all new units on suitable sites should be subsidised affordable housing. 3.24 The findings of the DCA Study therefore form the basis of the affordable housing policies in this Plan. The Council will normally require the applicant to enter into an obligation, or agreement, before granting planning permission for sites of 25 dwellings or more. The type and tenure of affordable housing and the mechanism by which the dwellings will be allocated to the first and subsequent occupants, at low cost in perpetuity, will be subject to discussion and agreement with the Council. The Council will ensure that all schemes for affordable housing accord with its normal standards, for example of design, layout, and car parking, so that there is no distinction between affordable housing and other housing. The Council may place a maximum limit on the number of affordable units that can be grouped together on any part of the site.
Policy RLP 6 Affordable Housing in New Developments
In new developments of 25 dwellings or more, or residential sites of 1 hectare or more, provision should be made for 30% of the total number of dwellings to be in the form of affordable housing.
The Council will publish Supplementary Planning Guidance setting out further detailed requirements.
Affordable Housing in Rural Areas
3.25 PPG3 advocates that rural affordable housing be augmented by an exceptions policy allowing, in certain circumstances, affordable housing to be built as an exception to rural policies. The local authority will monitor the outputs of local plan affordable housing policies and housing delivered on rural exception sites.
3.26 PPG3 requires the Council to define in the plan: 1. What is considered “affordable” and 2. The area within which needs will be considered “local” in terms of groups of villages, parishes, or a single parish. Settlements where there is evidence of need may be named where opportunities for housing on exception sites will be explored.
As indicated above, affordable housing in this District is defined as social rented housing. No specific settlements for rural affordable housing are identified in this Plan and any proposals will be judged against the following policy. Policy RLP 7 Affordable Housing in Rural Areas In rural areas, schemes to provide affordable housing in perpetuity for local need, normally defined as need within that parish and immediately adjoining parishes, may be acceptable on sites outside but adjacent to village envelopes if the following criteria are satisfied: _ The development must provide affordable housing to meet a local need proven to the satisfaction of the District Council; _ The scheme should cater exclusively for local needs and there should be no speculative element; _ The scheme must provide for its continued use as affordable housing in perpetuity. This will normally involve the management of the scheme by a Housing Association, Charitable Trust, or similar organisation; _ The site should have no overriding planning or infrastructure constraints; _ The style and character of housing permitted under this policy shall be in keeping with its surroundings and local building styles. _ There should normally be Parish Council support for local needs housing. _ Sites released under this policy will be treated as an exception to normal policies for the provision of housing for general housing demand.
Creating Mixed Communities 3.27 Government guidance in PPG3 asks local authorities to adopt policies to create mixed and inclusive communities. Different housing types and tenures do not make bad neighbours. New housing developments can help secure a better social mix by avoiding the creation of large areas of housing with similar characteristics. Greater diversity can also be achieved by the inclusion of non-residential uses, such as employment and social and community facilities. The Council will therefore be seeking to achieve mixed communities and will prepare supplementary planning guidance about this.
Policy RLP 8 Housing and Mixed Use Sites New residential development should seek to achieve mixed communities. by including. Where appropriate a mix of different house types and tenures and other uses, which are compatible with the residential amenities of both existing and proposed dwellings, should be included having regard to size, location, suitability and the economics of provision.
Housing Types 3.28 PPG3 notes the projected increase in the number of new households over the longer term, especially one-person households. Local authorities should assess the composition of current and future house holds and the type and size of additional housing required.
The Local Plan should: _ Secure an appropriate mix of dwelling size, types and affordability in both new developments and conversions to meet the changing composition of households in the area; _ Encourage the provision of housing to meet the needs of : - Elderly people - Disabled people - Students - Young single people - Homeless people and those needing hostel accommodation - Key workers - Travellers and occupiers of mobile homes
_ Avoid housing development which makes inefficient use of land and provide for more intensive housing development in and around existing centres and close to public transport modes; _ Promote improved quality of developments, which in their design, layout and allocation of space create a sense of community; and _ Introduce greater flexibility in the application of parking standards.
Policy RLP 9 House Types The District Council will seek the provision of a range of house types and sizes from one development site to another and within individual sites, in order to meet the local needs of the different household types.
Design and Layout of Housing Areas 3.29 The Council will require the preparation of master plans and development briefs for all major housing and mixed-use development sites. These will set out the principles for the development of the area, the general disposition of uses within the sites, and standards to be achieved. It will be a condition of the outline consent that master plans and/or development briefs should be prepared and approved before reserved matters are submitted, and that reserved matters must be in accordance with the master plan/development brief. The Council will require new development to achieve very high standards of design and layout, to be at a density appropriate for the site, to provide appropriate car parking and adequate play areas and public open space. Design and layout should also incorporate sustainability concepts, for example, in energy and water efficiency, drainage, and provision of recycling facilities. Further guidance on this is set out in Chapter 6 below. The needs of disabled people in gaining access to and within housing areas should also be taken into account. Policies H4 and BE1 of the Structure Plan deal with the development form of new housing areas and urban intensification. The design and layout of housing and mixed use areas will also be expected to comply with the Essex Design Guide, which has been adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance. Policy RLP90 also sets out guidance on the layout and design of development.
Policy RLP 10 Design And Layout of Housing and Mixed Use Areas
New residential and mixed-use buildings shall create a visually satisfactory environment and be in character with the site and relate to its surroundings.
Planning permission will only be given for housing if the following criteria are met:
1. A site appraisal is required for all development sites of 1 hectare or more. This site appraisal must precede or accompany the planning application. The appraisal should cover the following points, which are to be shown on a plan:
_ An analysis of visual and physical characteristics of the site and the visual and physical relationship of the site to its townscape and landscape context.
_ Views into and out of the site, landmarks in the surrounding area.
_ Existing movement patterns and desire lines across and around the site, for both motorised and non-motorised users.
_ Access points to the site , for both motorised and non-motorised users, including public transport.
_ Existing and potential nodal points, within or near the site.
_ Existing buildings and structures, on and adjacent to the site and whether they are to be retained.
_ The potential for energy, water efficiency, and solar power.
_ Wayleaves and easement strips that cannot be built on.
_ Slopes, wind shelter, overshadowing. _ Trees, their spread, height and condition, hedges, boundary features and whether they are to be retained.
_ Wildlife habitats and protected species and whether they are to be preserved.
_ Secured by design principles
_ The potential for sustainable drainage systems
_ Potential for recycling.
_ Need for any additional community facilities and infrastructure.
2. High quality landscaping schemes will be expected as an integral part of all new developments and should normally be submitted concurrently as part of the planning application.
3. The design and layout should incorporate measures to maximise energy and water efficiency, to provide sustainable drainage systems, minimise waste, and incorporate facilities which assist recycling, enhance and create wildlife habitat, and promote sustainable forms of transport.
Residential Densities 3.30 The density to which new residential development is built will depend on a number of factors, including the location of the site and the characteristics of the surrounding area. A specific density standard is not considered to be appropriate. In general terms developments of less than 30 dwellings per hectare will be resisted. Developments of 30 to 50 dwellings per hectare, which make more efficient use of land, will be encouraged. A greater density of development may be acceptable at locations with good public transport and close to town and local centres, and at other nodes on good quality public transport corridors. Equally there may be locations where lower densities are appropriate, particularly in rural areas, where high density development would be out of character with its surroundings.
Policy RLP 11 Residential Density The density and massing of residential development will be related to: i) The location of the site in relation to public transport accessibility and shops and services ii) The characteristics of the site iii) The layout and density of surrounding development iv) The extent to which car parking and open space standards can be achieved within a satisfactory layout v) The adequacy of the access and adjacent road system to cope with the traffic likely to be generated vi) The need to provide landscaping for the development vii)The retention or provision of wildlife corridors where appropriate.
Vehicle Parking in Residential Areas 3.31 The level of parking within new residential developments will need to reflect the location of the site in relation to public transport, shops, services, and community facilities. It will need to reflect a balance between discouraging high levels of vehicle use, whilst preventing an unacceptable level of on-street parking, which may be a road safety hazard. Vehicle parking standards are set out in supplementary planning guidance, which is included as Appendix 3 to this Plan. Guidance on the location and arrangement of parking spaces is set out in the Essex Design Guide.
Change of Use in Residential Areas 3.32 Changes of use in predominantly residential areas can have significant effects on residential amenities, as can changes of use in non-residential areas close by. Such changes will be resisted. However proposals for working from home, which can be carried out with no adverse environmental or traffic effects on the surrounding area, will be encouraged.
Policy RLP 12 Changes of Use Affecting Residential Areas Permission will not be given for employment or other new uses which by reason of their character or appearance, or the noise fumes, smell and traffic which they generate, will harm the character of a predominantly residential area and make it a less pleasant area in which to live.
New Dwellings in the Countryside for Agricultural Workers 3.33 PPG 7 (February 1997) deals with this subject. New permanent dwellings should only be allowed to support existing agricultural activities on well-established agricultural units, subject to criteria, set out in the following policy. The Council has recently published Supplementary Planning Guidance on this subject, setting out the Council’s policy in detail. Policy RLP 13 Permanent Agricultural Dwellings New dwellings will not be permitted in the countryside, unless they are needed for agricultural workers. Such dwellings should satisfy the following criteria:
(a) There is a clearly established existing functional need; (b) The need relates to a full-time worker; (c) The unit and agricultural activity have been established for three years, have been profitable for at least one of them, are currently financially sound and have a clear prospect of remaining so; (d) The functional need could not be fulfilled by another dwelling on the unit; or any other existing accommodation in the area, which is suitable and available for occupation by the workers concerned; (e) Other normal planning requirements, for example on siting and access, are satisfied. If it is demonstrated that a new dwelling is essential to support a new farming activity, whether on a newly-created agricultural unit or an established one, it should normally, for the first three years, be provided by a caravan, a wooden structure which can be easily dismantled, or other temporary accommodation, satisfying the criteria (a), (b), (d) and (e) above and criteria (f) and (g) below. (f) There is clear evidence of a firm intention and ability to develop the enterprise concerned (g) There is clear evidence that the proposed enterprise has been planned on a sound financial basis.
Policy RLP14 Temporary Agricultural Dwellings If permission for temporary accommodation is granted, permission for a permanent dwelling will only be given if the criteria set out in Policy RLP 13 are fully met. At the end of the period for which the temporary permission is granted, the temporary dwelling will need to be removed, unless the requirements for a permanent permission to be granted are met.
Policy RLP 15 Applications for the Removal of Occupancy Conditions Applications for the removal of occupancy conditions should provide a realistic assessment of their continued need, based on a technical appraisal of the demand for the dwelling on the holding, or in the locality, and evidence that the property has been marketed in a way that reflects the limited occupancy condition. Replacement of Dwellings in the Countryside 3.34 The replacement of dwellings in the countryside will be permitted in certain circumstances. The size and scale of any replacement dwelling should be commensurate with the original building. As a guideline this will be limited to the footprint of the original dwelling, plus no more than an additional 70 cubic metres. The Council will expect the design of replacement dwellings to follow locally distinctive architectural styles and special care to be taken with siting and landscape impact.
Policy RLP 16 Replacement of Dwellings in the Countryside The replacement of an existing dwelling in the countryside will be allowed where all of the following criteria are met:
1. The existing dwelling is a habitable, permanent dwelling of conventional construction; 2. The existing building is substantially intact; 3. The size and scale of the replacement dwelling is compatible with the size and shape of the plot on which it stands; 4. The replacement dwelling would not have a greater impact or be more intrusive in the landscape than the original dwelling by virtue of its siting, scale, height, character and design; 5. The existing dwelling is not a building of architectural or historical value, which is capable of renovation.
Replacement will also be permitted where an existing dwelling has been irretrievably damaged by fire, or other natural causes, subject to conditions 3 and 4 being fulfilled and an application for planning permission being made within 6 months of that damage occurring and there being no other constraints to its replacement.
Hamlets and Small Groups of Dwellings 3.35 The District has many hamlets and small groups of dwellings, which are not enclosed by village envelopes. In certain circumstances infill development for a single dwelling between existing dwellings will be permitted, providing there is a nucleus of at least ten dwellings and the infill plot will accommodate no more than one dwelling.
Policy RLP 17 Hamlets and Small Groups of Dwellings Where there is a defined nucleus of at least ten dwellings and where it would not be detrimental to the character of the surroundings, exceptions may be made to Policies RLP 2 and 13 for the filling of a gap, for a single dwelling, between existing dwellings, in hamlets and small groups of dwellings. This policy will not apply to proposals for individual isolated dwellings, or the extension of ribbon development, and will not apply to gaps, which could accommodate more than one dwelling. Proposals which would set a precedent for the consolidation of sporadic or ribbon development, or for the further infilling of large gaps, will also be resisted.
Extensions and Alterations 3.36 Extensions and alterations to existing dwellings will be considered in the light of their impact on the existing property, on neighbouring properties and the locality. The Council will publish Supplementary Planning Guidance “Caring for Your Home” to give further guidance on planning residential alterations and extensions. Special consideration may be given to proposals to help dependent relatives and others with special needs. Proposals will be judged against the following policies.
Policy RLP 18 Extensions and Alterations to Dwellings in Towns and Villages Within towns and villages proposals for the extension of an existing dwelling house will be considered in relation to: _ There should be no over-development of the plot when taking into account the footprint of the existing dwelling and the relationship to plot boundaries _ The siting, bulk, form and materials of the extension should be compatible with the original dwelling _ There should be no unacceptable adverse impact on the amenities of adjoining residential properties, including on privacy, overshadowing, loss of light and _ There should be no material impact on the identity of the street scene, scale and character of the area. _ There should be no adverse impact upon protected species
Proposals will be permitted where these criteria are met.
Extensions to Existing Dwellings in the Countryside 3.37 Extensions to existing dwellings in the open countryside raise different issues to those in towns, or the built-up parts of villages. A recognised function of planning control is to restrict development in rural areas and protect the countryside for its own sake. It is where new development is seen to be out of place. Therefore, the size of any addition, the cumulative effect of extensions and the increased impact of the dwelling overall, can be more significant. Policy RLP 19 Extensions to Existing Dwellings in the Countryside
Planning permission will be granted for the extension of a habitable, permanent dwelling in the countryside, subject to the siting, design, and materials of the extension being in harmony with the countryside setting and compatible with the scale and character of the existing dwelling and the plot upon which it stands. Extensions will be required to be subordinate to the existing dwelling in terms of bulk, height, width, and position. Proposals for self-contained annexes, or the conversion of outbuildings, to existing dwellings, to meet the needs of dependent relatives, will be permitted subject to meeting the above criteria and, ensuring a condition or obligation to ensure that it will remain solely as ancillary accommodation, to be occupied in association with the main dwelling. The Council will have regard to the cumulative impact of extensions on the original character of the property and its surroundings.
Sheltered Housing 3.38 Where sheltered housing is proposed, it is important that the location meets the needs of residents and that appropriate facilities are provided for them. The following policy will therefore be applied.
Policy RLP 20 Sheltered Housing Proposals for sheltered housing for elderly people will be considered against the following criteria: 1. The provision of car parking and amenity open space in accordance with the Council’s standards; 2. The proximity of facilities including shops, health facilities and public transport; 3. The provision of adequate facilities and amenities including lifts to upper floors, communal meeting areas, washing and drying facilities; 4. Provision for the storage of and recharging facilities for wheelchairs and carriages belonging to disabled persons; Proposals which do not meet these criteria will not be permitted.
Residential Care Homes and Other Residential Institutions 3.39 These include residential care homes for the elderly, convalescent homes and other non-custodial residential institutions. They fall into two main categories - those within towns and villages and those set in the countryside. In the countryside such uses will be restricted to conversions of, and minor extensions to, existing buildings.
Policy RLP 21 Residential Institutions in Towns and Villages Within predominantly residential areas in towns and villages, permission will be given for the development of residential care homes providing that: _ the quality of design is in keeping with surrounding properties and landscape in terms of scale, form, layout and materials; _ there is sufficient amenity open space; _ boundary treatments provide privacy and a high standard of visual amenity both for residents and neighbouring properties; _ provision is made for the storage and recharging of wheelchairs and invalid carriages; _ there are shops, health facilities and regular public transport services, in close proximity to the site; _ parking is provided in accordance with the Council’s standards.
Policy RLP 22 Institutional Uses in the Countryside Residential care homes may be permitted in the countryside through the conversion of, or minor extension to, existing habitable dwellings, as an exception to countryside policies providing that: _ there is a high quality of design and landscaping in terms of scale, form, layout and materials; _ there is sufficient amenity open space; _ boundary treatments provide privacy and a high standard of visual amenity both for residents and the impact of the proposed home on its setting; _ provision is made for the storage and recharging of wheelchairs and invalid carriages; _ parking is provided in accordance with the Council’s standards. The Council will also require written evidence that healthcare services, including visiting general practitioner and dental services, will be available for residents.
Housing for People with Special Needs 3.40 Special needs housing falling outside Classes C1 and C3 (hostels and dwelling houses) is a sui generis use. It includes sheltered accommodation for vulnerable groups in the community e.g. homeless families and victims of violence. Although the planning requirements for such uses will be broadly similar to those of residential care homes and other institutional uses, additional needs may arise. For example, where the premises are likely to accommodate people with children, a family room must be provided for children to play during bad weather. Outdoor play facilities will also be required. Residents are likely to be more active than those in residential care homes and may require access to a wide range of facilities. Location will therefore be important; sites should be at or near transport nodes served by regular public transport. Great care will be needed to safeguard the privacy and amenities of neighbouring properties and conditions will be imposed to that end. Parking for vehicles and cycles will also need to be accommodated satisfactorily.
Access for disabled people 3.41 PPG1 states (para33) that local authorities should take access issues into account in development plans, including access to and into buildings and the need for accessible housing. Part M of the Building Regulations now requires all new dwellings to provide a means of access with a level threshold. Wheelchair housing, which allows unrestricted wheelchair movement within the building, is not covered by Part M.
3.42 Although the detailed internal layout of buildings is not a planning matter, the needs of people with disabilities should be considered at an early stage in designing new buildings and alterations. Local authorities should be flexible and imaginative in seeking solutions, taking account of the particular circumstances of each case. Resolving problems by negotiation will always be preferable, but where appropriate, the Council may impose conditions requiring access provision for people with disabilities.
Policy RLP 23 Accessible Housing and Lifetime Housing Where appropriate new dwellings will be required to be capable of adaptation without major structural alterations to meet the needs of people with disabilities, including wheelchair users.
3.43 Design criteria for accessible housing will be set out in Supplementary Planning Guidance.
Provision for Gypsies and Travelling Showpersons 3.44 The Council is required to make provision within its Local Plan for gypsies and travelling showpersons. Current provision for gypsies consists of existing County Council sites at Sandiacres, Cressing and at Ridgewell, with 12 pitches at each site. There is also a private transit gypsy site at Half-Acres, Cressing with 12 pitches. There is an existing travelling showpersons site at Blackwater Lane, Witham. No new sites are put forward in this plan and any proposals which do come forward will be judged against the following policy. Where planning permission is granted, appropriate conditions or planning obligations will be imposed, to ensure occupation of the site is restricted to those persons genuinely falling within the appropriate definition of gypsies and travelling showpersons.
Policy RLP 24 Provision for Gypsies and Travelling Showpersons Proposals for private residential gypsy sites, or sites for travelling show persons, will not be permitted where the site is located in a special landscape area, green wedge, conservation area or other areas of historic interest, nature reserve, or within or adjacent to a site of special scientific interest. Outside these areas proposals for gypsy sites may be permitted where they would not conflict with other policies in the Plan and provided they meet all of the following criteria: i) The policy shall be confined to gypsies as defined in section 16 of the Caravans Act 1968 or travelling showpersons benefiting from exemption from site licensing requirements under the Caravan Sites Licensing Act 1960 ii) The occupation of the site should be limited to a family or families that can demonstrate a local connection with the District (Note: The consent should only inure for the benefit of the applicant and his or her dependents.) iii) The site should be well screened from public view or have only minimal impact on the locality. Additional landscaping may be required. iv) Sites must have, or be capable of having, convenient and safe access from the public highway, as well as provision for adequate water supply, drainage and other services together with parking and turning for occupants and visitors v) The site offers satisfactory accessibility to local services, in particular education, shopping and public transport facilities vi) No more than three pitches should be placed on the site, and the site area should be commensurate with this level of occupation
Subdivision Of Homes Including Multi-Occupation 3.45 Where sub-division of dwellings is proposed, it is important that the resultant increase in the number of households in the property does not have a detrimental effect on neighbouring properties and the locality. The following policy will be applied. Policy RLP 25 Subdivision of Dwellings Proposals for the sub-division of existing dwelling houses into self contained flats and proposals for multi-occupation, will be considered against the following criteria: _ The provision of car parking, amenity, garden space and facilities for refuse storage in accordance with the Council’s standards; _ The likely impact on the immediate neighbourhood including the cumulative effect of the subdivision of dwellings _ The adequacy of the internal accommodation relative to the intensity of occupation envisaged; and Proposals which do not meet these criteria will not be permitted.
Garden Extensions 3.46 Garden extensions within urban areas raise different issues from garden extensions into the open countryside. A separate policy is therefore proposed for each area.
Policy RLP 26 Garden Extensions within Built-Up Areas Within settlements proposals for the extension of private gardens will be considered in relation to their likely impact on the surrounding area. Garden extensions onto adjoining areas of public, or visually important open space, will only be permitted if: _ there would be no loss of areas of wildlife value; _ it would have no adverse effect on the amenities of neighbouring properties, or the locality; _ it would not take away open areas originally designed, or intended to function as an amenity open space _ it would not mean the loss of, or adverse effect upon, children’s play areas; _ it would not result in the loss of shrub, or tree planting, or flower beds, unless satisfactory arrangements for their reinstatement are agreed; _ there would be no reduction in highway safety or visibility.
3.47 Where proposals for the extension of private gardens are considered acceptable in principle, in order to secure privacy and attain a good standard of visual amenity, appropriate walling or fencing will be required. Existing boundary walls, where replaced, should be reinstated with walls built of materials appropriate to the area. The Council will normally impose conditions removing Permitted Development Rights over the new area of garden. In order to avoid the suburbanisation of the countryside and to retain its open character, garden extensions along classified road frontages will be resisted.
Policy RLP 27 Garden Extensions into the Countryside Proposals for the extension of a domestic garden into the countryside will only be permitted if: _ there would be no significant increase in residential impact _ there is no material adverse effect on the surrounding countryside; _ there would be no loss of existing trees, shrubs or hedgerows; _ it would not seriously interfere with a neighbouring agricultural enterprise; _ it would have no material adverse effect on the amenities of neighbouring properties; _ public rights of way are not enclosed Where proposals for the extension of private gardens are considered acceptable in principle, in order to secure privacy and attain a good standard of visual amenity for the countryside, the planting and retention thereafter of native species trees and hedging will be required. Any walls, fences or other forms of boundary treatment will need to be in keeping with the character of the area. Chapter 4 Employment
Introduction 4.1 This Chapter sets out the policies and proposals that will be applied to encourage and direct sustainable development for employment uses within the District. The Plan seeks to balance the development o new employment opportunities in urban areas with the need for rural diversification. This Chapter concentrates on the provision of land for business, industry and warehousing. However, it is recognised that a significant contribution to the District’s employment is made by the service sector, both public and private, in offices, schools, leisure, retail, health, community and other uses.
4.2 There is a strong employment base within the District. The three towns of Braintree, Witham and Halstead are the main employment bases, but there is also a diverse rural economy providing many local jobs in and around villages throughout the District. Commuting out of the District, including to Stansted Airport, for employment is also significant. It is a key part of the strategy for the plan period to achieve a better balance between housing and employment.
Workforce Characteristics 4.3 The 1991 Census of Population shows that around 38% of the workforce travel to work outside the District and that twice as many men than women are commuters. Furthermore, the 1991 Census Employment Statistics show that fewer people travel into the District than outside for work, making Braintree a net exporter of labour. Although, out-commuters from Braintree are a smaller proportion of the workforce than the county-wide rate of almost 43%, it is hoped that out-commuting can be reduced by further strengthening the local economy.
1991 Census Braintree District 10% sample figures Male Female Total Residents aged 16 or over, employees and 3209 2334 5543 self-employed Residents aged 16 or over, employees and 1378 744 2122 self-employed working outside Braintree District Residents aged 16 or over, employees and 1831 1590 3421 self-employed working within Braintree District Total persons working in Braintree District 2450 1918 4368 Net workers commuting into Braintree District 619 328 947 4.4 Travel to work in the District is predominantly by car. Almost 66% of work journeys are made this way, including both drivers and passengers and this reflects the rural character of the area. Walking is the next most popular means of getting to work - almost 12% of workers do so. 8.6% of the workers travelled to work by rail in 1991; these were predominantly employers, managers and junior non-manual workers.
4.5 The opportunities for travelling to work by rail have increased recently since the opening of the new station at Braintree Freeport. Employment opportunities have increased significantly in the East Braintree area
1991 Census Travel to Work, 10% sample figures Male Female Total Rail 285 194 479 Bus 49 114 163 Car (drivers and passengers) 2301 1347 3648 Motor Cycle 62 18 80 Pedal Cycle 102 66 168 On foot 227 423 650 Works at home 126 125 251 Other/not stated 57 47 104 Totals 3209 2334 5543 following the success of the Single Regeneration Budget project. This has revitalised the whole area, modernising the infrastructure, building new roads, bridges and cycleways, achieving environmental improvements and creating over 1,000 new jobs including those at the Freeport Designer Outlet. East Braintree Single Regeneration Budget area employment survey, October 2000. Estimated employment generation including full letting of Freeport
Full time Staff 702 Part time Staff 353 Total Staff 1055 Estimated Full-time equivalents 714
4.6 Unemployment within the District has fallen steadily in recent years. The current rate (April 2001) of unemployment is 2.1% of the workforce, in line with the overall rate for Essex of 2.2%. Men in the age group 30-44 are the most likely to be unemployed, but long-term unemployment is rare. Around 60 % of claimants on the unemployment register have been seeking work for 13 weeks or less, with only 5% of claimants being out of work for over 105 weeks. Date Unemployed in Braintree District % workforce January 1993 5855 9.7 January 1994 5020 8.3 January 1995 4379 7.3 January 1996 3884 6.5 January 1997 2820 4.7 January 1998 2114 3.5 January 1999 1920 3.2 May 2000 1254 2.1 April 2001 1075 2.1
Policy Context
4.7 Government guidance on employment issues is set out principally in PPG4 “Industrial and Commercial Development of Small Firms.” Guidance from the East of England Development Agency is contained in Moving Forward - A Strategy for the East of England (1999) and East of England 2010: Prosperity for All (2001). Strategic policy guidance is to be found in Structure Plan Policies CS1 and CS4 requiring that economic growth and urban regeneration be accommodated in a sustainable manner.
4.8 The policy context for the provision, availability and location of employment land comes from the following Structure Plan policies: Policy BIW1 Employment Land Provision Policy BIW2 Ensuring Land Availability Policy BIW3 Business Development-The Sequential Approach Policy BIW4 Safeguarding Employment Land Policy BIW5 Business Location Policy BIW6 Small Firms Location
Aim
4.9 The aim of the Local Plan is to support the local economy, to provide local jobs and thereby create a better, sustainable balance between jobs and homes in the District and so reduce the need to travel.
Objectives
4.10 The objectives of this Plan in relation to employment are: _ To provide a range of employment opportunities to meet the needs of the local population, whilst maintaining the environmental quality of the District; _ To seek to reduce out-commuting from the District to work; _ To build economic activity on local strengths - leading to the creation of employment opportunities for local area; _ To re-use derelict land; _ To create mixed-use areas where low-key employment uses and housing can coexist; _ To facilitate working from home; _ To facilitate rural diversification; _ To improve the environment within industrial and business areas; _ To require employers to make green transport plans; _ To require improved public transport, cycle and pedestrian links to industrial areas and other concentrations of employment; _ To encourage energy efficiency and sustainability in the location, development and operation of employment areas.
General Strategy
4.11 The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Adopted Replacement Structure Plan, April 2001 indicates that an employment land provision of 80 hectares is to be made in a range of suitable sites for industrial and commercial development within Braintree District, for the plan period 1996-2011. This figure refers only to sites within urban areas, including Sturmer due to its proximity to Haverhill. The District already has substantial areas of urban land allocated for employment amounting to 66.6 hectares (as at October 1996) as well as 7.12 hectares of rural industrial land. Appendix 2 sets out details of this provision. Surveys of local businesses have indicated a need for further employment land to meet general industrial needs in both Braintree and Halstead. Application of the sequential approach indicates that there are no appropriate sites within the existing urban areas and that peripheral expansion of existing industrial estates represents the most sustainable option. At Feering there is an opportunity to expand the Threshelfords Business Park, which will provide additional local employment. This is a modest extension of an existing use on the edge of a village reasonably well served by public transport. The following allocations are therefore being made in this Plan:
3.15 hectares at Halstead Bluebridge Industrial Estate 3.5 hectares at Braintree Springwood Industrial Estate 2.7 hectares at Feering Threshelfords Business Park (including existing employment uses) 0.5 hectare at Earls Colne Airfield
These are discussed further below.
4.12 The Council recognises that the availability of industrial land varies significantly in the three main urban areas. In September 2000, whilst there were 27.39 ha of industrial land available in Braintree and 16.8 ha in Witham, there was only 0.74 ha in Halstead. In order therefore to allow for some additional employment sites in Halstead, the Council is proposing to allocate 1.47 hectares of industrial land in addition to that already allocated in the adopted Local Plan. This is discussed in more detail later in this chapter. Since the start of the Structure Plan period, 18.34 hectares of land in East Braintree have been brought into employment use.
4.13 The Review of the Local Plan provides the opportunity to reconsider the suitability of existing allocations for future employment use, opportunities for meeting local employment and rural diversification needs. The Government’s Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing also requires local authorities to review employment and other non-housing allocation to consider whether some of this land might be better used for housing or mixed use developments.
4.14 The Council has considered the land allocated for employment in the Adopted Local Plan in this context and considers that the former Atlas Works Site at Earls Colne would be more appropriate as a mixed use development for several reasons. It is a village centre location, within a residential area where future employment uses might have given rise to amenity problems for surrounding residents and there is a large local employment source at Earls Colne Airfield.
4.15 In Braintree District, existing employment allocations are well located, realistic and required for the economic development of the area within the plan period. In addition to the main industrial estates and business parks, smaller existing employment allocations including land at Sible Hedingham, Great Yeldham, Kelvedon, Steeple Bumpstead and Hatfield Peverel are to be retained for employment use. These are important sources of local employment within these villages and their re-use for other purposes will be resisted. Furthermore, the urban capacity study commissioned by the Council and the joint Essex County Council/Braintree District Council Residential Land Availability study each demonstrate that sufficient land exists on a range of sites for more than five years housing supply. It would therefore be inappropriate and unsustainable to reallocate this employment land which is designated as employment policy area for housing in the review of the local plan. Mixed use employment and housing development will be considered at the former Rayne Foundry site, the Carrs Joinery site at Silver End and on part of the Premdor site at Sible Hedingham.
4.16 The expansion of local firms in Braintree, Witham and Halstead will be accommodated wherever possible, subject to the other policies in this plan. Provision is made for limited additional employment in Halstead and at Earls Colne Airfield and this is discussed later in this chapter. Policy RLP 28 Location of Employment Land Development for employment uses shall be concentrated on suitable sites in towns and villages where housing, employment and other facilities can be provided close together. Development for business, commercial and industrial use shall be located to minimise the length and number of trips by motor vehicles. Development for employment uses will not be permitted where it would be likely to add unacceptably to traffic congestion. The Council may require applicants to enter into Section 106 Agreements to provide for the development of employment land, in accordance with agreed development briefs, and for the provision of off-site works.
4.17 On the Proposals Map, areas for Class B1 Business use only are allocated separately from areas where Class B2 (General Industrial) and Class B8 (Storage and Distribution) uses are also suitable. This is to facilitate allocations for B1 use only, where this is appropriate for amenity reasons.
Policy RLP 29 Employment Land Provision Land is allocated for employment on the main industrial estates and business parks, as shown on the Proposals Map. On these sites, the following uses will be considered appropriate: a) business (B1), general industrial (B2), storage and distribution (B8); b) display repair and sale of vehicles, vehicle parts, boats and caravans; c) indoor sports or recreational uses; d) a limited element of retailing where this is ancillary to another main use permitted under (a) above; e) services specifically provided for the benefit of businesses based on, or workers employed within, the Employment Zone.
Policy RLP 30 Business Parks Within Business Parks identified solely for Class B1 Business use on the Proposals Map, no other uses shall be permitted unless they are both essential and ancillary to the main use of any unit and do not occupy more than 5% of the floor-space of the main unit.
Policy RLP 31 Diversity of Industrial and Commercial Premises Planning permission for B1, B2 and B8 uses will only be permitted on sites of 1 hectare or more where a range of size and type of industrial and commercial premises is provided.
4.18 Mixed-use developments are to be complementary to the main areas of employment land and not a substitute for business parks and industrial estates.
4.19 Inappropriate parking on landscaped areas and grass verges at Springwood Industrial Estate has caused damage resulting in an overall loss of amenity. The Council will seek positive proposals to improve and restore these areas when opportunities arise and especially in conjunction with any applications for expansion, or change of use.
Policy RLP 32 Design and Layout of Business Parks New employment development including business parks and employment policy areas will be required to conform to suitable design and layout standards with adequate car parking, and provision for public transport, cycling and walking, landscaping and servicing including either connection to mains sewers or the construction of sewers to standards adoptable by the statutory water company. In considering any planning application for new employment development the District Council will expect to see standards of design and layout, car parking, servicing and landscaping agreed as a basis for more detailed proposals. Planning obligations will be sought to secure the management of new landscape areas.
4.20 The availability of workplace nurseries providing good quality childcare is an important option for working parents, reducing distance between parent and child during the working day and travelling.
Policy RLP 33 Workplace Nurseries The provision of workplace nurseries will be sought as an integral part of new business parks and or other employment generating development, including health and education, to be achieved by means of planning obligations. This will include the provision of additional facilities for working parents by individual employers. The provision of workplace nurseries will need to be demonstrated within the design and layout requirements of Policy RLP32 above.
4.21 The Council supports the creation of mixed-use areas, where both work and residential uses take place in harmony. Longer-established employment areas occasionally become poor neighbours to nearby homes, but mostly exist together with few problems. The Council, in accordance with government guidance, supports the retention of existing employment areas, which contribute to the local economy, providing sustainable work opportunities and reduce travel to work providing residential amenities are safeguarded. Policy RLP 34 Employment Policy Areas Employment Policy Areas are defined on the Proposals Map where proposals for uses other than those within Use Classes B1, B2 and B8 will be refused.
Policy RLP 35 Buffer Areas between Industry and Housing In considering proposals for new employment uses, the District Council will seek, where appropriate, the retention of buffer zones between employment uses and adjacent housing areas. In appropriate circumstances the provision of suitable landscaping will be required between large-scale industrial uses falling in use Class B1, B2 and B8 and adjacent housing areas.
Policy RLP 36 Non- Conforming and Un-Neighbourly Industry Permission will be granted for the redevelopment of sites where industrial or commercial uses are the cause of disturbance to neighbouring residential areas, or which seriously detract from the character of their surroundings. Proposals for the intensification or extension of any such sites will not be permitted.
Policy RLP 37 Industrial and Environmental Standards Planning permission will not be granted for new development, extensions and changes of use, which would have an unacceptable impact on the surrounding area, as a result of: _ noise _ smells _ dust _ grit or other pollution _ health and safety _ visual impact and _ traffic generation _ contamination to air, land or water. _ impact on nature conservation interests _ unacceptable light pollution
The Council will refuse proposals where access roads would not be adequate to cope with consequential traffic.
4.22 Additional policies concerning the protection and enhancement of the environment are contained in Chapter 6.
Policy RLP 38 New Commercial and Industrial Activities within existing Residential Areas Proposals for the introduction of B1 business uses into residential and other non-industrial areas will be permitted where these can be carried on without detriment to the character, amenities and health and safety of the surrounding area.
4.23 The Council’s strategy is that new employment uses should primarily be in the towns of Braintree and Witham. Nevertheless local employment opportunities are also important in rural areas, where the availability of public transport is limited.
4.24 The importance of farm diversification to the rural economy has been recognised recently by the Government. In March 2001, it issued an amendment to its Planning Policy Guidance Note No. 7: “The Countryside - Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development” fulfilling its commitment to farm diversification previously outlined in the Rural White Paper published on 30 November 2000. Farming continues to make a significant contribution to the economy of rural areas, but it is recognised that diversification into non-agricultural activities may be vital to the continuity of some farm businesses.
4.25 The Council will support farm diversification, which will normally be expected to re-use existing buildings in the first instance, providing it can be demonstrated there will be no adverse impact on the environment and that the proposals will not lead to pressures for inappropriate development or additional new buildings in the open countryside.
Policy RLP 40 Conversion of Rural Buildings The conversion of rural buildings (including modern buildings) for business re-use will be permitted provided that: _ they are of permanent and substantial construction and capable of conversion without major extension or complete reconstruction; _ their form, bulk and general design are in keeping with their surroundings; _ there would be no unacceptable impact on the landscape or protected species or historic environment; _ safe and satisfactory vehicular access and egress can be provided together with adequate space within the curtilage to accommodate car parking to the Council’s standards and lorry manoeuvring without detriment to the setting of the building residential amenity and the landscape within which it is located; _ the scale and frequency of traffic generated can be accommodated on the road system without adverse effects on the road system itself, residential amenity or the character of the countryside; _ there shall be no open storage of goods, containers, waste materials or finished products.
4.26 The conversion of Listed Buildings for business use may be acceptable subject to the policies in the Design and Heritage Chapter. 4.27 Experience has shown that employment land allocations do not necessarily meet the needs of local companies, either because of their location, or because of the terms and conditions on which they are offered. The Council’s survey of local businesses indicated that over half of the companies in Braintree, Witham, Halstead and the rural areas, who replied to the survey, plan to expand. Many of these companies operate from fully developed sites, with no further room and have expressed a preference for freehold, rather than leasehold tenure. It is therefore proposed to permit local businesses to expand onto adjacent unallocated sites, that is; sites outside town development boundaries, village envelopes and industrial development limits, if certain criteria are satisfied.
Policy RLP 41 Expansion of Local Firms Proposals for the expansion of established local businesses on to unallocated sites, which are outside development limits (that is town development boundaries, village envelopes and industrial development limits), will be considered against the following criteria: _ the site must be adjacent to a town development boundary, a village envelope, or an industrial development limit; _ there is no unacceptable impact on the landscape, the local road network, nearby residential areas, conservation areas, listed buildings, scheduled ancient monuments and other nationally important remains, historic parks and gardens or areas of nature conservation importance; _ the site is adjacent to the existing premises and the size and scale of any extension is in proportion to the existing development; _ there is a named user for the development, who shall be the first occupant. A planning condition will be attached to any permission to this effect; _ the proposals are accompanied by a travel plan; _ there is Parish Council or Town Council support for the proposal, where appropriate; _ the proposals should secure existing jobs or will create new jobs.
Policy 41a: Minor Industrial and Commercial Development in the Countryside In the countryside, the following categories of minor industrial or commercial development will normally be considered favourably, subject to their compliance with the criteria set out in the second part of this policy: 1. The extension of existing industrial and commercial development, providing it is on a small scale compatible with the surrounding area: 2. Small scale proposals, which would secure significant improvements to the local environment: In order to be considered favourably, proposals should not be detrimental in terms of visual impact, noise, smell, or other pollution, or excessive traffic generation, health or safety or loss of nature conservation interests. In green wedge areas development should not lead to the coalescence of settlements. Proposals will also be subject to high standards of design, landscaping and other such requirements as may be necessary to reduce the impact of development. In considering proposals within special landscape areas, special attention will be paid to design, materials and degree of intrusion. Where permission is granted for the re-use of a rural building, further development by way of extensions, rebuilding or redevelopment will not be permitted.
AREA SPECIFIC POLICIES
Former Crittall Sports Club, Springwood Drive, Braintree
4.28 The site of the site former Crittall Sports Club and sportsfield at Springwood Drive, Braintree has the benefit of a planning permission for a sports and social club, sportsfield and car parking area, granted in 1989.
4.29 A survey of local companies has indicated a strong demand for local sites for expansion. Whilst the site has the benefit of planning permission for leisure uses, employment uses would be an appropriate alternative. it is therefore proposed that the site be allocated for employment use and/or formal leisure use.
Policy RLP 42 Employment Allocation, Springwood Drive, Braintree 3.5 hectares of land at the former Crittall Sports and Social Club site, Springwood Drive are allocated for B1, B2 and B8 employment use and/or for formal leisure use. Planning permission will only be granted subject to a Section 106 agreement providing improvements to the pedestrian and cycle link from Springwood Drive to Panfield Lane. Vehicular access to the site shall be from Springwood Drive only.
Halstead 4.30 Although there are no proposals for major development in Halstead, the public consultation on the Issues Report and an earlier employment land questionnaire survey both identified the need for a limited amount of land for the expansion of existing firms, within the town.
4.31 Additional land adjoining the Bluebridge Industrial Estate has been identified for this purpose, in accordance with policy RLP 41 above, but special consideration must to be given to minimising its impact on the landscape. The County Council Landscape Adviser accepts that the opportunities for industrial land allocation in Halstead are limited and that this area offers the best practical opportunity. Policy RLP 43 Employment Allocation North of Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Halstead A Comprehensive Development Area is allocated to the north of the Bluebridge Industrial Estate as an employment site for up to 3.15 hectares of B1, B2 and B8 uses and additional structural landscaping. Access shall be via the existing Bluebridge Industrial Estate. New development shall be carried out in accordance with a development brief provided by the developer, and approved by the Council, which shall include:- _ a study of the existing flora and fauna on the site; _ a structural landscaping scheme to include native species; _ structural engineering information regarding practicalities and implications of removing soil to achieve slab levels no higher than those existing in Fifth Avenue _ a statement concerning the lorry movement associated with the removal of soil _ details of consultations with Essex County Council on highway and mineral matters; New development shall have ridge heights no higher than existing ridge heights in Fifth Avenue; New buildings shall be finished with dark, matt colours to minimise impact within the landscape; Illuminated signs will not be permitted; A Section 106 agreement may be required for the long-term retention and maintenance of the structural landscaping.
Atlas Works, Earls Colne 4.32 The need for a large-scale employment use on this site no longer exists and is not realistic, or sustainable, in this location. Alternative employment opportunities have been provided on the nearby Earls Colne Business Park on the former airfield. A recent mixed-use application for housing, live-work units, commercial development and a health centre was withdrawn, but the principle of this type of development is acceptable, providing development is contained entirely within the former Atlas Works site.
Policy RLP 44 Atlas Works Site, Earls Colne 3.9 hectares of land at the former Atlas Works Site, Earls Colne are identified as a Comprehensive Development Area for a mixed development of housing, live-work units and commercial development. An overall development brief is to be agreed with the Council, prior to the commencement of any development.
Rayne Foundry
4.32a Rayne Foundry is allocated as a Comprehensive Development Area on the Proposals Map. The redevelopment of the site for mixed use development would be acceptable, providing some sustainable local employment. A Development Brief shall be agreed with the Council, prior to any redevelopment of the site.
Policy RLP 44A Rayne Foundry Rayne Foundry is identified as a Comprehensive Development Area for mixed housing and commercial development. A development brief is to be agreed with the Council, prior to the commencement of any development
Policy RLP44B Riverside Business Park, Earls Colne The Riverside Business Park at the former Earls Colne Station is within the Special Landscape Area and no further development will be permitted beyond the development limits defined on the Proposals Map. Within the development limits no new development shall exceed 6.15 metres in height above ground level.
Earls Colne Airfield
4.33 In the Approved Braintree District Local Plan, the Council designated an industrial development limit at Earls Colne Airfield in order to allow employment uses to take place. This area is now almost fully developed and has been well landscaped and maintained by the owner. The land within the envelope is now recognised as an employment allocation appropriate for employment uses within use classes B1 and B8 and subject to the terms of the Section 106 agreement between the owner and the Council. Also the landscaped areas already identified within the Section 106 agreement are now recognised by the structural landscaping policy in this plan.
4.34 Immediately adjoining this area are two plots (the former control tower and the former greenkeepers’ store) where consents have permitted employment uses to take place.
4.35 An appeal relating to the control tower site was dismissed in 1997, for the conversion of the building to office use and extension for Class B1 industrial use. The issue was the proposed increased footprint of the building within the countryside, as the principle of office use had been allowed previously. The Inspector noted that the review of the local plan would be the proper time for considering the extent of the employment allocation here. Adjoining this site is the former greenkeepers’ store, a modern agricultural building erected in connection with the golf course. Permission was granted for change of use to Classes B1 and B8 use in 1997, after golf course maintenance equipment was stored elsewhere. 4.36 To the south of the former control tower and greenkeepers’ store, at the south-eastern corner of the Business Park, is an office building currently occupied by Gigga Wave. This has become an established and permanent element of the business park. It is now intended to include these three areas within the employment policy area and extend the Industrial Development limit to encompass them. These extensions are accompanied by additional structural landscaping.
Policy RLP 45 Earls Colne Airfield At Earls Colne Airfield the spread of industrial and commercial uses beyond the Industrial Development limit, as defined on the Proposals Map, will be resisted. 1.07 hectares of land are allocated as an employment site for B1, B2 and B8 uses at the former control tower and former greenkeepers’ store and the adjoining Gigga Wave site as shown on the Proposals Map at the Earls Colne Airfield.
Substantial structural landscaping shall be provided and thereafter maintained to the Council’s satisfaction as part of any new proposals for this land. The Council shall require a legal agreement to this effect.
Threshelfords Business Park, Feering
4.37 Threshelfords Business Park at Inworth Road, Feering consists of a linked group of barns and other buildings, occupied by office and studio uses and set in landscaped grounds. It adjoins the village envelope designated in the adopted Local Plan. It is essentially rural in character and surrounded by the Special Landscape Area on three sides. It has been successful in providing sustainable employment and it is recognised that there is demand for expansion on the site. It is proposed that the envelope should be extended to include this site and that it should be allocated for Use Class B1 business use only.
Policy RLP 46 Employment Allocation Inworth Road, Feering 2.7 hectares of land at Threshelfords Business Park, Feering is allocated for Class B1 Business Use. A Development Brief shall be agreed with the Council, prior to any new development at Threshelfords setting out criteria for low density development with landscape screening.
Great Yeldham, Sible Hedingham and Hatfield Peverel
4.39 There are employment policy areas in these three villages, covering the Hunnable Site and Toppesfield industrial area at Great Yeldham, part of the Premdor site and Rippers Court at Sible Hedingham and MD Foods at Hatfield Peverel. The housing strategy and sustainability principles underpinning this plan do not justify additional housing in these locations. Rather the land could be used to provide local employment opportunities and reduce the out-commuting already identified. The Council intends to continue to protect these areas for employment purposes.
Steeple Bumpstead 4.40 The employment site at Blois Meadows is allocated in the adopted local plan, partly as an employment site with planning permission and partly as an employment site without planning permission, as at 1.4.92.
4.41 These allocations are updated in the Review of the Local Plan, reflecting its current position as a partially completed employment site. It is now allocated partly as an employment policy area and partly as a site for B1 business use.
Kelvedon
4.42 Railway Garage, Kelvedon comprises approximately 1 hectare of land in a mixture of uses including the sale and servicing of motor cars together with various workshops at the rear, a mobile communications mast and a significant area of commuter and residents’ car parking. The site includes the former station-master’s house, Crofton House. It is an important site in the village in a sensitive location, partially within the Conservation Area and fronting the Green Wedge separating Kelvedon and Feering. The area is very busy at peak hours due to its proximity to the station. There is a long-standing need for improved set down and pick up parking to serve Kelvedon station. At present there is a conflict between private vehicles, the Coggeshall Community Bus and pedestrians in the morning peak. The redevelopment of Railway Garage could provide the opportunity to overcome these problems. The site is not considered suitable for shopping, as this would have adverse effect on exiting shops in the High Street.
Policy RLP 47a: Comprehensive Development Area, Kelvedon Land at Railway Garage and adjoining the railway station at Kelvedon is allocated as a Comprehensive Development Area for mixed use where a combination of employment, car parking and housing uses will be allowed. A development brief will be required for the whole site prior to any redevelopment. The development brief is to address the following issues: _ retention of small scale employment uses; _ location of residential development in relation to employment land and potentially contaminated land; _ net gain in the provision of off street parking for residents, employees and commuters; _ access to the site; _ improved vehicular and pedestrian access to Kelvedon Station, including the possibility of a bus interchange. Chapter 5 Transport
Introduction
5.1 This Chapter sets out the policies and proposals that will be applied to encourage the development of sustainable transport in the District. The emphasis will be on public transport, cycling and walking, but in a District such as Braintree with its extensive rural areas it is recognised that for many people the car will remain an important form of transport.
5.2 As planning authority the District Council is only one of many players in transport provision. Those involved include the Highways Agency (A12 and 120 trunk roads), the County Council (all other roads, traffic management, road safety, and passenger transport support), bus and train operators, Railtrack, and taxi companies. Close working between all partners is essential if common objectives are to be achieved. To this end the Council has established a Transport Partnership Board to develop and progress transport policies and proposals in the District.
Policy Context
5.3 The policy context for the transport policies and proposals of this plan is principally provided by the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan, the Essex Local Transport Plan, and the Transportation Strategy for Braintree District. The Structure Plan covers the period to 2011, whilst the Local Transport Plan and District Transportation Strategy are more detailed and cover the period to 2006. The strategic policy context is provided by Policy CS5 of the Structure Plan. This emphasises the importance of achieving an integrated and sustainable transport system, promoting a choice of travel options, particularly by means other than the car, a reduction in the need to travel, accessibility for all sectors of the community, and a safe, efficient and environmentally acceptable network. The Transportation Strategy for Braintree District was approved in March 2000, following public consultation. Those issues and proposals in the Strategy which have land use implications are carried forward into this Plan.
Aims and Objectives
5.4 The aims and objectives of this Plan are based on Council’s Corporate Strategy (approved in 1999) and the Transportation Strategy for Braintree District. Aim
5.5 The overall aim is to develop a sustainable, integrated transport system for the District, which provides necessary access to facilities, services and goods with less dependence on cars and less impact on the environment.
Objectives
5.6 In planning for the future provision of transport the Council is seeking to achieve the following objectives: 1. To promote public transport, cycling and walking, Safer Journeys to Schools, and transport packages for the urban areas. 2. To protect sensitive urban and rural environments from the adverse impact of transport, including the use of appropriate materials and street furniture. 3. To improve safety for all road users. 4. To seek improvements to infrastructure to unlock the economic potential of the District. 5. To promote accessibility to everyday facilities for all, especially those without a car. 6. To encourage employers, major retailers and leisure operators to implement travel plans. 7. To promote the integration of all forms of transport with land use planning, leading to a better, more efficient transport system. Further details of these objectives are set out in the Council’s District Transportation Strategy.
The Strategy
5.7 The development strategy for the District is to concentrate development in Braintree and Witham, which contain the main sources of employment in the District and have the widest range of shops, services and community facilities. The strategy seeks to maintain Halstead’s character as a county market town, and to limit development in the rural areas in order to protect the countryside.
Encouraging Sustainable Development and Travel Patterns
5.8 The Council will seek to reduce the need to travel and to promote public transport, cycling and walking through the strategy and policies contained in this Plan and through the determination of planning applications.
5.9 Travel plans will be required for all major developments and will be encouraged for existing businesses. Similarly, travel plans will be promoted for schools. Supplementary planning guidance will be prepared to advise on the contents of travel plans.
5.10 Where developments will have significant transport implications transport assessments should be prepared and submitted alongside the relevant planning applications for development. The coverage and detail of the transport assessment should reflect the scale of development and the extent of the transport implications of the proposal. For small schemes, the assessment should outline the transport aspects of the application. For major proposals, the assessment should illustrate the accessibility of the site by all modes and the likely modal split of journeys, to and from the site. It should give details of measures to improve access by public transport, walking and cycling, to reduce the need for parking associated with the proposal and to mitigate transport aspects.
5.11 The strategy also seeks to promote Safer Journeys to School initiatives, encouraging parents and children to walk and cycle. Creating an Inclusive Transport System by Providing Choice and Accessibility
5.12 It is an important part of the Council’s strategy to promote alternatives to the car and wherever possible, to make it easier to use public transport, cycle or walk.
5.13 For buses, the Council in partnership with Essex County Council will work with bus operators to improve bus services in urban and rural areas of the District. Essex County Council will investigate the possibility of quality bus partnerships in Braintree and on the inter-urban route between Colchester and Stansted airport. Particular attention will be paid to bus performance and reliability with improvements to highway infrastructure at bus stop locations including information, publicity and passenger shelter provision.
The District Council will also seek to ensure that any development proposals that are likely to generate significant levels of travel demand will only be permitted where: - Direct public transport services exists, or there is potential for the development to be well served by public transport. - The layout of the development has been designed to ensure that the existing, or potential public transport routes, lie within easy walking distance of the entire site. - Bus services are introduced at first occupation of the development.
Consultation with public transport operators will also be undertaken at an early stage.
5.14 For rail, the Council will work with the train operators to improve the frequency of services at Hatfield Peverel and Kelvedon, and on the branch lines. The Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership has been established to enhance patronage and the long-term future of branch lines.
5.15 The Council will complete its review of the cycleway networks in Witham and Braintree and will carry out phased implementation of the networks, as funds permit. This will include the provision of cycle parking at key destinations. Cycleways will be constructed as segregated footways and cycleways separated by a raised white line or kerb,thereby helping to make walking a more attractive option. The District Council will also commission a study to identify pedestrian and cyclists needs in Halstead and following this, implement improvements as identified in the study.
5.16 The Council, in partnership with Essex County Council and other authorities, will also continue to develop its community transport to serve areas and people not otherwise served. This comprises three main elements: A social car scheme; a brokerage scheme for vehicles owned by community groups and organisations; and minibuses available to community organisations and groups. Braintree Community Transport is participating in an initiative to provide services in the Haverhill area, as part of the Three Counties Transport scheme. Other initiatives such as dial-a-ride and commuter services to railway stations are also being explored. The Council will promote and support proposals for community transport.
5.17 Through its development control policies, the Council will promote the design and layout of new developments to include facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, and for public transport. These will be secured by Section 106 agreements in new developments where appropriate. Guidance will be issued on the design and layout of footpaths and cycle ways to minimise their visual impact and to ensure that they are sympathetic to their surroundings. Standards for cycle parking will also be prepared.
5.18 To provide choice and accessibility in transport the following policies will be applied:
Policy RLP 48 Pedestrian Networks Development proposals will only be permitted where the needs of pedestrians are fully incorporated in the design and layout. The District Council will take into account the needs of pedestrians in new developments, including This will include the need to provide appropriate links to other land uses and developments, by securing safe, direct, convenient and fully accessible pedestrian networks. Improvements to existing pedestrian routes will be sought through planning obligations, where appropriate.
Policy RLP 49 Cycleways Development proposals will only be permitted where the design and layout incorporates routes for cyclists in accordance with the existing and proposed networks of cycleways, as defined on the Inset Maps and in the Cycleway Strategies. New cycleways should be segregated, convenient and safe and fully integrated into new developments.
Policy RLP 50 Cycle Parking Development proposals will only be permitted where they include cycle parking facilities, in accordance with the standards set out in Appendix 3.
Policy RLP 51 Public Transport The District Council will support and encourage measures aimed at improving public transport and providing new public transport routes, including: _ improved waiting facilities, shelters, cycle parking and information at bus stops _ bus priority measures _ improvements to Witham Railway Station, including improved interchange with buses _ improvements for bus passengers at Fairfield Road, Braintree _ continued development of community transport initiatives _ encouraging interchange between bus, rail and coach at Braintree Freeport Station _ improvements to secure full accessibility for people whose mobility is impaired _ concessionary fares.
Policy RLP 52 Generators of Travel Demand
Major new development proposals that are likely to generate significant levels of travel demand will only be permitted where: _ direct public transport services exist, or there is potential for the development to be well served by public transport. _ the layout of the developments has been designed to ensure that access to existing or potential public transport lies within easy walking distance of the entire site, normally a maximum of 400 metres from the centre of the development. _ bus services are introduced at first occupation of the development. Note: Major refers to housing sites of 1 hectare, or 30 dwellings or more, retail and leisure uses of 1,000m2 or more, business uses, higher and further education uses of 2, 500m2 or more and stadia of 1,500 seats or more.
Policy RLP 54 Transport Assessments All proposals for major new development will be required to be accompanied by a Transport Assessment in order to determine the effect of the proposal on traffic congestion, public transport, cycling and walking.
Policy RLP 55 Travel Plans The District Council will require applicants for major new commercial or community developments to formulate and implement travel plans. These will be secured by a Section 106 Agreement. Travel plans will also be required for smaller developments, which would otherwise have a detrimental effect on local traffic conditions and for proposals for new and expanded schools. Proposers of major developments should demonstrate how all transport modes will be catered for. Sustainable modes should be facilitated through the development. Note: ‘Commercial or community developments’ refers to new, or extensions to existing, developments such as industry, offices, leisure uses, educational establishments, hospitals and other health facilities. Note: Major has the same meaning as para. 89 of PPG13 (i.e. Retail and leisure uses 1000m2 and over, business uses, higher and further education 2,500m2 and over, stadia 1,500 seats).
Management of Overall Travel Demand and the Transport Network
5.19 Given the geographical nature of the District, the scope for managing overall travel demand is considered to be limited. There is only limited scope for bus priority measures in Braintree and Witham. There is some scope for influencing travel demand through the application of car parking pricing and controls. In particular through its application of development control policies, the Council will introduce maximum parking standards for new developments. These are set out in supplementary planning guidance and Appendix 3. Parking charges in town centre car parks can also be kept under review to discourage unnecessary travel to work in town centres by car. There will be a need to continue to provide for car parking at railway stations to encourage the use of rail for longer journeys, particularly to work. There are also specific parking requirements for the Freeport Designer Outlet Village in Braintree. These issues are considered further below, but specific car park allocations are proposed for the existing car parks in the vicinity of railway stations and at Freeport, Braintree. Bures, Kelvedon and Hatfield Peverel stations should be allocated for surface level car parking only.
5.20 In town centres, off-street parking is mainly provided for by a mixture of public car parks and supermarket car parks. The current assessment is that the level of provision is generally adequate in Braintree and Witham, but further off-street parking is required in Halstead. A site for a shoppers car-park has been identified on land to the east of the High Street, which is shown on the Proposals Map.
Policy RLP 56 Vehicle Parking Development will be required to provide off-street vehicle parking in accordance with the Council’s Adopted Parking Standards (in Appendix 3).
The existing car parks at the following locations are allocated on the Proposals Map for car parking and will be protected for that purpose. Braintree Freeport Designer Outlet Village Braintree Station Approach Bures Railway Station Hatfield Peverel Railway Station Kelvedon Railway Station Witham - Cut Throat Lane, Easton Road and White Horse Lane
A site for a shoppers car-park is also identified on land to the east of the High Street, Halstead.
Expanding Transport Capacity 5.21 Braintree District has grown rapidly recently, and the provision of transport infrastructure and employment has not kept pace. This has led to high levels of commuting out of the District, which in turn has led to capacity problems, particularly on the inter-urban network. There is a need to improve both the road and rail networks in the District to cater for this recent growth.
5.22 This strategy will seek to secure the completion of the current programme for the strategic road network in the District, namely the dualling of the A120 between Braintree and Stansted Airport.
5.23 For rail, the single-track Witham to Braintree branch line limits the frequency of trains that can use the line. A Rail Passenger Partnership Bid has been submitted by the County Council to the Strategic Rail Authority for funding for a passing loop at Cressing. For the longer term, the merits of investigating a rail link between Braintree and Stansted Airport have been accepted by both the Regional Plan and Replacement Structure Plan Examination in Public Panels. The County Council, BAA, and Railtrack are sponsoring a study of rail options in north-west Essex. Ways of improving services on the Sudbury branch line will also be explored with the train operator, Essex and Suffolk County Councils, Babergh District and Colchester Borough Councils.
Protecting and enhancing Rural and Urban Environments and the Communities
5.24 The need to control amounts and speed of traffic was one of the key issues that emerged from the consultations on the Council’s Quality of Life Plan. There are also a number of areas where safety improvements are required. Speed reduction schemes will be introduced through the Local Transport Plan and the District’s Locally Determined Programme as resources permit.
5.25 The Council will also press for ways of reducing through traffic in Kelvedon and Feering and these can be explored as part of the London to Ipswich (LOIS) multi-modal study, being carried out on behalf of the Government Office for the East Of England. The Council will also support the introduction of traffic management measures in Hatfield Peverel following the construction of the new link road to Witham.
5.26 Ways of reducing vehicle damage on country lanes will also be explored, for example, through the use of heavy goods vehicle restrictions and the establishment of ‘Quiet Lanes’.
Implementation 5.27 In order to achieve the aims of the Strategy, a number of transport proposals and schemes are proposed below. Where appropriate these are also shown on the Proposals Map.
Urban areas
Braintree
5.28 Braintree is the largest town in the District, with a population of approximately 37,000 and has experienced rapid growth over the last ten years. The A131/A120 Braintree By Pass and A131 Great Notley By Pass have removed through traffic from the town and provide an opportunity to travel from one part of the town to another, without passing through the town centre. However, traffic volumes are now such that congestion occurs at key junctions on the Braintree By-Pass in the peak hours, particularly at the Galleys Corner roundabout. 5.29 The restricted road network in the town itself means that there is localised congestion at peak hours, particularly in and around the town centre and high levels of traffic in residential and other sensitive areas. There are also problems of non-residential parking in the streets around the town centre.
5.30 The town is served by the Great Eastern Railway, with stations in the town centre and at Freeport, but the limited capacity of the branch line means that the frequency is restricted to 40 minutes in the peak hours, with an hourly service off peak. One of the proposals for the plan period is to construct a passing loop at Cressing Station and extend the length of platforms along the branch line from a capacity of 8 to 12 cars. This would improve the capacity of the line and enable the frequency of trains to be increased. It is hoped that this will increase the attractiveness of the services on the branch line and lead to a reduction in car journeys to other stations, such as Witham and Chelmsford, which currently have a better level of train service. In order to maximise the benefits to be obtained from the improved capacity on the branch line, it will be necessary for complementary measures to improve accessibility to both Braintree and Braintree Freeport Stations by public transport, walking and cycling and to improve car parking at the stations. To this end, it is proposed to construct a new pedestrian and cycle bridge at Braintree Freeport Station. There is also an opportunity to encourage greater inter change between bus, rail and coach at Braintree Freeport Station and this is shown as a special policy area on the Proposals Map. The existing car park, which serves the Freeport Designer Outlet Village, is also allocated on the Proposals Map.
Policy RLP 57 Freeport Special Policy Area The area adjacent to Braintree Freeport Railway Station is shown as a special policy area on the Proposals Map. This area is to be used as a public transport interchange to serve the development.
Galleys Corner and Panners Roundabout
5.31 The area around the Galleys Corner roundabout on the A120 to the south of Braintree has been developed for transport related uses to serve users of the A120. This site forms part of the gap between Braintree and Tye Green and special controls are required to limit the type and extent of development and prevent the coalescence of the two settlements.
Similarly, land between Panners Roundabout and King William Roundabout adjacent to the A120 to the south-west of Braintree has planning permission for a motorist service area to include petrol filling station, car wash, motel and restaurant. This site makes an important contribution to the gap between Braintree, Great Notley and White Court and therefore special controls are necessary.
Both these sites are therefore shown as a special policy areas on the Proposals Map and the following policies will apply.
Policy RLP 58 Galleys Corner Special Policy Area An area at Galleys Corner between Braintree and Tye Green is shown as a special policy area on the Proposals Map. Very strict control will be exercised over development in this area, in order to limit the spread of the built up area of Braintree and to prevent the coalescence of Braintree and Tye Green. Within this area development will be restricted to the following categories of uses: 1. Transport related development - motorists’ cafe/restaurant, overnight accommodation, petrol filling station 2. The existing garden centre and ancillary uses 3. The existing established haulage depots at Long Green
Buildings will not be permitted to cover more than 20% of the site area. The improvement of this area by substantial planting and landscaping will be a requirement of any permission that is granted.
Policy RLP 58a Panners Roundabout Special Policy Area
Land to the east of Panners Roundabout between Braintree and Great Notley is shown as a Special Policy Area on Inset Map1. Within this area, development will be restricted to transport related uses to provide a petrol filling station, motel and restaurant. This land makes a particularly important contribution to the physical separation of Braintree and Great Notley and in allocating it as Special Policy Area, development will not be permitted to cover more than 20% of the site area. Substantial planting and landscaping will be required of any permission, with particular attention to be paid to the eastern half of the site and the frontages with the B1256, London Road and A120.
5.32 The town has a reasonable level of bus services during the day on Monday to Saturdays, most of which are commercially operated. Sunday and evening services are more limited and are generally run under contract to Essex County Council. Route information and waiting facilities for passengers and interchanges with other modes of transport are generally poor.
5.33 The strategy for the town will be to promote the use of public transport, cycling and walking, implementation of schemes to improve road safety, and to relieve the worst areas of traffic congestion. The following measures will form the basis of the transport package for the town: - The development of quality bus partnerships for the town bus services to include better waiting facilities, better information about services, and regular and frequent bus services. - The introduction of bus priority measures. - The phased implementation of the footpath/cycleway network in the town, together with improved cycle parking. - Improved capacity on the Braintree branch line. - More use of the Braintree and Braintree Freeport Railway Stations; improved accessibility to the stations by public transport, cycling and walking, and improved car parking at these stations - Galleys Corner roundabout improvements. - Residents’ parking schemes in the streets around the town centre - Speed reduction schemes in residential areas.
Witham
5.34 Witham is the second largest town in the District with a population of approximately 24,000. It is situated on the main London to Colchester railway line and is by-passed by the A12. The B1018 provides connections to Braintree and Maldon. Because there are no direct links between these B roads and the A12, Braintree and Maldon bound traffic, including heavy goods vehicles, has to pass through the town. There is localised traffic congestion, particularly at peak times around the town centre and the station.
5.35 The town has a reasonable level of bus services during the day on Mondays to Saturdays. Evening and Sunday services are mainly limited to the Chelmsford to Colchester service, which passes through the town. Witham is generally flat and is suitable for cycling, and a number of segregated cycleways have been constructed.
5.36 The proposed strategy for the town is to remove extraneous traffic from the town centre, particularly HGV’s, to encourage the maximum use of public transport, cycling and walking, whilst maintaining as far as possible the level of accessibility by car and commercial vehicles necessary for the commercial well-being of the town. It will also include schemes to improve road safety within the town.
5.37 As a result of a Rail Passenger Partnership Bid the Strategic Rail Authority has made funds available to improve Witham Station. New lifts have been installed and improvements to the station forecourt have recently been completed. It is proposed to extend the station footbridge to the car park on the south side of the station, which will improve access to the station for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as car users.
5.38 Increased rail use has led to increased demands for car parking around Witham Station, including on-street parking in residential streets. Most of the car parks serving the station are in private ownership. There is only limited opportunity for increasing surface level car parking. Any substantial increase in car parking capacity is only likely to be achieved through adding decks to existing surface car parks. The increasing levels of car traffic that this would generate will only serve to add to congestion around the station at peak hours. There may be some reduction in demand for parking if the capacity of the Braintree branch line is increased and there is less railheading at Witham for passengers from that area. There may also be scope for reducing parking demand by improving accessibility to the station by public transport, cycling and walking. An accessibility study for the station is therefore proposed to examine the problems and options to deal with them. The existing car park at Cut Throat Lane is allocated for car parking on the Proposals Map.
5.39 The following measures will form the basis of the transport package for the town: - The development of quality bus partnerships for the town bus services to include better waiting facilities, better information about services, and regular and frequent bus services. - The introduction of bus priority measures. - The continued implementation of the footpath and cycleway network in the town, particularly to link residential areas with key destinations such as the railway station, employment areas and the town centres, including a new footpath/cycleway bridge across the railway at Motts Lane. - Improved cycle parking. - Improvements to Witham Railway Station, including improved inter-change with buses, and extension of the footbridge to the station car park - A study to examine access to Witham Station by all modes of transport and the need for additional car parking - Improvements to the Colchester Road/ Eastways junction. - Measures to reduce the number of HGV’s travelling through the town centre.
Halstead
5.40 Halstead has a population of approximately 10,700 and is the third largest town in the District. The A131 Braintree to Sudbury, and the A1124 Colchester to Hedingham routes pass through the town. Bus services are generally restricted to those provided by inter-urban services that terminate in or pass through the town, supplemented by local services to nearby villages. The nearest railway station is in Braintree.
5.41 There are localised traffic problems as a result of traffic passing through the town, and a shortage of off-street car parking in the town centre. 5.42 The Essex Replacement Structure Plan includes the A131 Halstead By-Pass within the County Council’s longer-term programme, although it is acknowledged that schemes in this programme may not be constructed within the period covered by the Structure Plan up to 2011. A route for the by-pass has been identified, but no further work is being carried out at present. The scheme does not fall within the five-year funding period of the Essex Local Transport Plan.
5.43 There is only limited scope in Halstead for promoting sustainable transport measures, and the strategy for the town will therefore be based on improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, and schemes to improve road safety and provide localised traffic relief. The following are the key proposals for which funding is sought: - Measures to encourage cycling and walking. - Improved parking in the town centre. - A study of the traffic problems in the south east of the town. - Improved bus information and bus stops.
Rural Areas
5.44 Braintree District includes a large rural area comprising some 60 parishes. A number of villages lie on the main road routes, which cross the District, whilst many are more isolated being served by a network of country lanes. Through traffic is a problem in a number of villages, particularly Hatfield Peverel, Kelvedon, Feering, Earls Colne, Sible Hedingham, Bradwell, and Gosfield. Recent surveys have also identified structural weaknesses in a number of bridges that serve the rural areas. Restrictions on their use may cause problems for local residents and services.
5.45 There are a number of railway stations in the rural areas; with Kelvedon and Hatfield Peverel on the main London to Colchester/Ipswich line, White Notley and Cressing on the Braintree branch line, and Bures on the Sudbury branch line. Only those villages lying on the main inter urban routes have regular and frequent bus services. Services to other villages are more irregular or non existent. There are a number of opportunities in the rural areas to create long distance cycle routes that could form part of the National Cycle Network.
5.46 The strategy for the rural areas is to accept that for many people and journeys there is no realistic alternative to the car. However not every one has access to a car for all or part of the time and alternative ways of meeting their transport requirements need to be sought. The following measures are proposed for the rural areas: - Continued development of community transport through provision of minibuses for use by community groups, a transport brokerage, and a social car scheme - Support for increased frequency of train services at Hatfield Peverel and Kelvedon, and on the Sudbury and Braintree branch lines - Support for measures to relieve Kelvedon/Feering and Hatfield Peverel from through traffic - Investigation of options for managing traffic growth on the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey - Creation of long distance cycle routes as part of the National Cycle Network, improvements to the Flitch Way and the investigation of links into Haverhill and Sudbury. - Introduction of speed reduction and road safety schemes in villages - Investigate the establishment of ‘Quiet Lanes’ - Production of a strategy for dealing with HGV movements, and implementation of identified schemes - Examination of solutions for structural weaknesses in bridges - Roadside footways - Inter-Urban Schemes
5.47 There are a number of Central Government and County Council inter-urban schemes proposed for this District, as follows: Central Government Schemes: i) Hatfield Peverel to Witham Link Road: A safety scheme to provide a new local road between Witham and Hatfield Peverel, parallel to the A12. This will also include new slip roads to the A12. Compulsory purchase orders were published in January 2001. ii)A120 Braintree to Stansted Improvements: A new dual carriageway between Braintree and Stansted Airport and the M11. The contract for the construction of this road was awarded in July 2001, with completion programmed for 2004.
5.48 The LOIS multi-modal study has included an evaluation of options for improving communications between Braintree and Marks Tey along the A120 corridor. The District Council is neutral on improvements to the A120 East of Braintree. The Council wishes to see an examination and environmental assessment of all options, including an on-line improvement of the existing route and improvements to public transport, before reaching a view.
County Council Schemes 5.49 The following two schemes are included in the Essex Local Transport Plan: i) Braintree Branch Line Improvements: Installation of passing loop at Cressing. Local Transport Plan funding of £350,000 in 2001/02, £7.72m. bid made for Rail Passenger Partnership funding. ii)A131 Great Leighs Bypass: Started year 2000/01 Completed Nov 2002 The line of the proposed Sudbury Western By Pass is also identified on the Proposals Map and is being safeguarded at the request of Suffolk County Council.
Policy RLP 59 Braintree Branch Line Improvement Improvements to the capacity of the Braintree branch line by the installation of a passing loop at Cressing, extensions to the platform lengths, an additional platform at Cressing, additional car parking at Braintree and Freeport, a foot/cycle bridge at Freeport and improvements to the track and signalling will be sought in conjunction with the railway authorities and train operators and through developments which will be served by the route.
Policy RLP 60 New Road Schemes
The following road schemes are proposed in the District and are shown on the Proposals Map and will be safeguarded from development:
Central Government Schemes:
(i) A120 Braintree to Stansted Dualling (ii) Hatfield Peverel to Witham Link Road
County Council Schemes (Inter Urban): (i) A131 Great Leighs By-pass (Completed November 2002) (majority of scheme outside District) (ii) A131 Halstead By-pass
The Sudbury Western By Pass, proposed by Suffolk County Council, is also identified on the Proposals Map.
Other Schemes shown on the Proposal Map - The route of a spine road, serving the Maltings Lane development in Witham, linking Maltings Lane with the B1389 Hatfield Road - A new road link to Albert Road, Witham - A gated private drive, to rear of properties on the east side of Newland Street, Witham. - The dualling of the A131 Great Notley Bypass.
5.50 Other Schemes: i) Railway link between Braintree and Stansted Airport: It was a recommendation of both the Panel Report of the Examination in Public of the Regional Plan for the South East and the Replacement Essex and Southend on Sea Structure Plan that the feasibility of a rail link between Braintree and Stansted Airport should be investigated. This will be examined as part of the North-West Essex Rail Study. The principle of the link is supported by Braintree District Council. ii) Improved bus and coach services on the A120 corridor: A rail link between Braintree and Stansted, if feasible, is likely to be a long-term proposal. In the short and medium term, there is an opportunity to improve bus and coach services along the A120 corridor, to provide more frequent and integrated timetables. The improvement of the A120 between Braintree and Stansted Airport will improve reliability and journey times and make bus and coach services more attractive. The Council will work with bus and coach operators, the County Council and BAA to achieve this. iii) The Maltings Lane development at Witham, of up to 850 dwellings and a business park, includes the construction of a new spine road, which will be funded as part of the development. iv) The road improvement linking to Albert Road, Witham is intended to improve traffic circulation in the vicinity of the station. v) The proposed gated private drive, which would serve the east side of Newland Street, with access from Maldon Road, should not be implemented without the consent of all of the landowners affected by the proposal. vi) Land is reserved for the eventual dualling of the A131 Great Notley Bypass. This scheme is identified on the Proposals Map. It is unlikely to happen in the current plan period.
District Wide Schemes
5.51 There are some issues and schemes that are District-Wide. These are listed below:
National Cycle Network
5.52 The National Cycle Network proposes to link Braintree to Bishops Stortford and Witham via Route 16 and Witham to Colchester and Maldon via Route 16 and Route 1. Route 16 will use the Flitch Way wherever possible and Route 1 is likely to use the Blackwater Rail Trail from Wickham Bishops to Maldon. Sustrans (the national charity responsible for developing the network) are currently developing these routes and the Council will continue to work with them to achieve this.
Safer Routes to Schools
5.53 The Safer Journeys to Schools initiative is a partnership involving schools, parents, pupils, officers and local residents. It aims to encourage parents and children to use alternative means of transport to the car, in order to reduce congestion and pollution. A range of measures including education, enforcement, engineering and public transport improvements exist, which may be used to reduce the risks encountered on the journey to school and make the change easier. Ten Schools within the District were initially involved in the Safer Routes to Schools scheme for 2000/2001, with a further five schools joining the scheme in April 2001. There will also be a number of additional schools in the District joining the scheme each year. The Council will continue to support the Safer Routes to School initiative, along with Travelwise and other education initiatives. Chapter 6 Environmental Resources and Protection
Introduction
6.1 One of the main areas of public concern on the effects of built developments is their environmental impact, whether or not an individual scheme formally requires the submission of an Environmental Statement. This Chapter sets out the Council’s environmental approach to both major and other development, and the Plan’s aims for how environmental protection should become a steadily more significant dimension of land use planning in the District.
6.2 Development invariably consumes a number of resources which are environmental in nature, such as energy and water, and also gives rise to waste products in construction, occupation and ultimately its demolition. This Chapter seeks to carry forward environmental resources conservation objectives into its planning functions, in a way which reflects their relevance to built development.
6.3 The District Council as Planning Authority looks to site owners and to specialist bodies such as the Environment Agency and Essex County Council to play their part in co-ordinating these planning policies with other controls, such as the Integrated Pollution Control and Waste Management regimes, which also bear upon environmental resources and protection issues.
Policy Context
6.4 The Local Plan environmental protection policies and proposals have been prepared in the light of government advice and the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan.
Aims and Objectives
6.5 The aims and objectives of this Plan are derived from the national and county policy context, and the Braintree Quality of Life Plan, published in June 1999.
6.6 The Council’s overall aims in relation to environmental resources and protection are to make sure that energy, water and other natural resources are used efficiently, and to reduce pollution and the amount of refuse created in the District. The construction, occupation and eventual demolition of buildings and other developments account for a substantial proportion of the energy and water consumption and generation of waste and refuse.
Policies
POLLUTION
6.7 Government advice, currently in PPG 23, emphasises the need to separate potentially polluting and other land uses to reduce conflicts. The Environment Agency (EA) has a wide range of powers and duties to control pollution using systems of consents and licences. All new developments are required to gain prior agreement to connect to the public foul/surface water sewers. Development may also be subject to planning restrictions to require prior agreement to connect to a mains sewer (with separate advice to developers on means of treatment). Where connection to the public foul sewer is shown not to be feasible, early consultation with the Environment Agency regarding alternative methods of disposal is advisable.
6.8 The Environment Agency therefore supports a comprehensive policy approach, to ensure that the planning control process addresses all environmental protection issues in built development not clearly covered by other legislation. Developers will be required to have regard to the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations which are designed to prevent, reduce and eliminate pollution at source through the prudent use of natural resources; and intended to help industrial operators move towards greater environmental sustainability.
Policy RLP 61 Development Likely to Give Rise to Pollution, or the Risk of Pollution Planning permission will not be granted for development including changes of use which will, or could potentially, give rise to polluting emissions to land, air and water, or harm to nearby residents including noise, smell, fumes, vibration or other similar consequences, unless: i) adequate preventative measures have been taken to ensure that any discharges or emissions, including those which require the consent of statutory agencies, will not cause harm to land use, including the effects on health and the natural environment; and ii) adequate preventative measures have been taken to ensure that there is not an unacceptable risk of uncontrolled discharges or emissions occurring, which could cause harm to land use, including the effects on health and the natural environment. AIR QUALITY
6.9 The District Council is responsible for enforcing the Local Authority Air Pollution Control (LAAPC), which was introduced by Part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It is also responsible for enforcing smoke, grit and dust controls of the Clean Air Act 1993. Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 sets out the system of local air quality management in which the District Council is required to carry out periodic reviews of air quality in its area and to assess these against stated national objectives. Where such objectives are unlikely to be met, the District Council will be required to designate an Air Quality Management Area and make an action plan for improvements in air quality. Clear links have been established between air quality and land-use planning, with transport identified as the main source of pollutants. By guiding the location of new development, such as industry and housing, reducing the need to travel and promoting transport choices, land use planning will form an important element of a integrated strategy to achieve air quality standards and objectives. Air quality objectives are set by central government and are subject to continuous review. Applicants should refer to the most up to date legislation at the time an application is made. Air quality assessments should use an acceptable modelling or mathematical technique that shows that the current air quality objectives are not likely to be breached, or that the proposal is not likely to cause nuisance to any party.
Policy RLP 62 Air Quality Where the District Council considers that air quality objectives are likely to be prejudiced, as a result of development proposals and/or resultant traffic movements, applicants will be required to submit a specialist assessment. Planning permission will be refused for developments where air quality objectives cannot be met.
DEVELOPMENT ON CONTAMINATED LAND
6.10 As the emphasis in sustainable development moves further towards re-use of previously developed land, the proportion of development sites affected by contamination will increase. This nevertheless provides an opportunity to address long term contamination threats to health and the environment, through the development process. PPG23 spells out the government approach, to treat such land to make it suitable for its actual or intended use. The Council wishes to encourage the use of previously developed land and seeks to secure the appropriate treatment of such sites. Engineering works required to investigate a site may require planning consent. Care must be taken to prevent the disturbance and spreading of any existing contamination on the site. Policy RLP 63 Contaminated Land An applicant proposing development on or near a site where contamination may exist, should carry out a thorough investigation, so as to establish the nature and extent of the contamination. Results should be submitted to the District Council as part of the planning application. Development will not be permitted unless practicable and effective measures are taken to treat, contain or control any contamination so as not to: a) Expose the occupiers of the development and neighbouring land uses, including in the case of housing, the users of gardens, to unacceptable risk; b) Threaten the structural integrity of any building built, or to be built, on or adjoining the site; c) Lead to the contamination of any watercourse, water body or aquifer; d) Cause the contamination of adjoining land or allow such contamination to continue; e) Have an adverse effect upon natural habitats and ecosystems. Where possible contamination should be treated on site. Any permission for development will require that the remedial measures agreed with the authority must be completed as the first stage of the development.
LIGHT POLLUTION
6.11 External lighting is increasingly seen as an intrusive and avoidable source of pollution, in terms of the character of rural and tranquil areas at night, settings of listed buildings and other heritage areas and features, and not least, the potential for loss residential amenity for neighbours in both town and country and distraction for amateur and professional astronomers. Although planning controls do not currently extend to most residential or roadside lighting, the Council seeks to use the detailed design stages of planning applications to achieve external lighting, which minimises these impacts compatible with community safety objectives.
Policy RLP 64 External Lighting
Proposals for external lighting which require planning permission will only be permitted if: 1. The lighting is designed as an integral element of the development; 2. Low energy lighting is used; 3. The alignment of lamps and provision of shielding minimises spillage and glow, including into the night sky; 4. The lighting intensity is no greater than necessary to provide adequate illumination; and 5. There is no significant loss of privacy or amenity to nearby residential properties and no danger to pedestrians and road users; 6. There is no unacceptable harm to natural ecosystems.
FLOOD PROTECTION
6.12 The flooding of land, by rivers and the sea, is an established planning consideration. The issue has been gaining in importance, due to the need to avoid an increasing dependence on engineered defence works, and the rising incidence of inland and coastal flooding. In Braintree District this has taken the form of significant river flooding.
6.13 The Environment Agency has a lead role in strategic flood risk planning, holding information on historic flood events and indicative flood risk area maps. Areas at risk from flooding from a flood event with a 1% annual chance of exceedance are shown on the Proposals Map. Development in the flood plain is not only at risk from flooding itself, but may reduce the amount of land available for storage, which can increase the risk of flooding off-site. In addition, its surface water runoff can increase flood risk through increases in impermeable land. Mitigation works will therefore only enable development in areas at flood risk to proceed where they can successfully manage increased flood risks on- and/or off-site and are effective for the lifetime of the development (normally taken to be 50 years).
The approach to flood protection is set out in PPG25 which stresses that, even where land is considered to be at low risk of flooding, a sequence of precautionary and risk management approaches should be adopted to establish whether the development is acceptable.
6.13.1 The flood plain information on the Proposals maps has been supplied by the Environment Agency. This information is regularly updated by the Environment Agency, therefore it is necessary to check that this is the most recent flood plain alignment.
6.14 The EA has a policy of discouraging the culverting of watercourses, due to difficulties of maintenance and pollution detection, loss and severing of wildlife habitats and higher risks of flooding. The EA will encourage developers to incorporate open water courses within site design for wildlife and the retention of land as buffer strips, so as to maintain a flood channel. Developers are reminded of the benefits of early discussions with the Environment Agency where development may potentially affect watercourses. RLP 65A Flood Risk in Developed and Urban Areas In developed and urban areas, within indicative flood plains, proposals for redevelopment will be accepted, provided that: 1) A full Flood Risk Assessment has been conducted; 2) They do not substantially extend the footprint of the developed area; 3) Any residential or publicly accessible floor area is raised above the 1% annual probability flood level; 4) All ground-floor development below the 1% annual probability flood level is fully flood-proofed. Flood-proofing techniques include using flood-resistant bricks, having power points high up walls and using waterproof sealant on floors and walls; and 5) If the ground level of the site is raised, the developer contributes to the creation of compensatory flood storage capacity elsewhere within the floodplain and to any other necessary flood alleviation measures. Mitigation measures should have no adverse impact on nature conservation interests or the natural landscape.
RLP 65B Flood Risk in Undeveloped Areas Flood protection for any new development in undeveloped areas should be to the appropriate minimum standard of the 1% annual probability flood event level (e.g. the 1 in 100 year event) - and this standard must be maintained for the expected lifetime of the development. Developers will be required to fund whatever mitigation/flood defence improvement works are deemed necessary in the findings of the FRA to achieve the above flood protection. Mitigation measures should have no adverse impact on nature conservation interests or the natural landscape.
Policy RLP65C Functional Floodplains In functional floodplains, which are the unobstructed or active areas where water regularly flows in times of flood, any built development will be wholly exceptional and limited to essential infrastructure that has to be there (such as boat-houses). Such infrastructure should be designed and constructed so as to result in no net loss of flood plain storage, no impedance of flood flows and no increase in flood risk elsewhere. Any applications for development in functional floodplains must be accompanied by a full flood risk assessment. Floodplains should be restored wherever possible.
SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE
6.15 Drainage of surface water from paved areas in planning and highway design has changed little for more than 100 years. When a previously ‘greenfield’ area is first covered by buildings or hard surfaces, the traditional practice of drainage authorities and designers is to remove runoff from roofs, pavements and roadways directly into pipes, to either a separate surface water sewer, or a combined foul and surface sewer. This is designed to minimise flood risk in the immediate vicinity, and does not recognise any disadvantages due to increased pollution, reductions in the quantity of water available to recharge rivers and underground aquifers, or the potential for the retention and recycling of water within a development.
6.16 Circular 30/92, superseded by PPG25, recognises the importance of on-site methods of containing increased run-off from urban development. This is because impermeable surfaces, such as paved areas and roofs increase the quantity and rate of rainfall run-off to watercourses, with cumulatively greater flood risk and contamination (picking up pollutants such as dust, oil, litter and organic material, especially from vehicle areas). The need to ensure long term maintenance of any new storage, or flow control features, is stressed.
6.17 Surface water storage can improve amenity and biodiversity in urban areas, for example new balancing ponds can be viewed as a recreational resource and a wildlife habitat. Where land is thought to be contaminated, measures may be required to prevent leaching of contaminants into surface and ground waters. The sustainability principles on which PPG25 is based also recognise (Appendix E5) the ability to collect a high proportion of rain from roofs and other impermeable surfaces, mainly by butts, and the recycling of waste water for re-use as ‘grey water’ for washing, WC flushing and other non - potable purposes. Other techniques include low-flush toilets and efficient water - using appliances in new development.
6.18 The Environment Agency advises on development and flood risk matters. Advice is currently available on sustainable drainage systems in the Construction Industries Research and Information Association reports C522 (Sustainable Urban Drainage Design Manual) and C523 (Sustainable Urban Drainage Best Practice Manual).
6.19 The Council recommends that advice be sought from drainage engineers to design sustainable drainage schemes and that the Environment Agency and other agencies (including Drainage Undertakers) on potential systems, be consulted on their suitability in specific locations. Arrangements will be expected to be in place to ensure the long term maintenance of sustainable urban drainage systems.
Policy RLP 66 Sustainable Drainage Where appropriate, the District Council will require developers to use Sustainable Drainage techniques such as grass swales, detention/retention ponds and porous paving surfaces, as methods of flood protection, pollution control and aquifer recharge.
WATER EFFICIENCY
Policy RLP 67 Water Efficiency The District Council will require measures that reduce the demand for water in all new developments, including low volume systems and grey water recycling.
WATER RESOURCES
6.20 Longer term water supply is an increasing area for concern, particularly in the plan - making process, as recognised in PPG12. Supply in northern Essex and adjacent parts of East Anglia is recognised by the Environment Agency and the local authorities as a potentially major issue over at least the next two decades. The groundwater resources of Essex are already committed to maintaining river flows and existing abstractions.
The Environment Agency advises that the production of the North Essex Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (CAMS) to manage water resources locally through a holistic approach will begin in April 2004 and should be complete by April 2006.
6.21 Anglian Water Services and the Essex and Suffolk Water Company each supply water within different parts of Braintree District. Whilst it is the water companies’ responsibility to maintain supplies, the Development Plan for the District should require developers, through consultation with the water companies and Environment Agency, to demonstrate that water infrastructure can be made available at a sufficient rate to cater for developments. It is noted that there may be potential supply difficulties in some instances. A similar requirement is contained in the Essex Structure Plan, and is needed to guide individual developments through the District Local Plan Review.
Policy RLP 68 Water Supply, Sewerage and Land Drainage Planning permission will not be given where there is inadequate water supply, sewerage or land drainage systems (including water sources, water and sewage treatment works) available to meet the anticipated demands of the development, unless there is an agreed phasing arrangement between the developer and the relevant service provider, for the provision of the necessary infrastructure. In line with the Environment Agencies’ Pollution prevention guide lines on disposal of sewage, where no mains drainage is available, developers must show that they are proposing adequate facilities to service the development. Where a septic tank is proposed it is essential that a percolation test is carried out, as set out in the EA guidelines. Where agricultural reservoirs are proposed, a bunded area will be required so as to maintain water levels for the benefit of wildlife.
GROUND AND SURFACE WATER PROTECTION
6.22 Groundwaters supply a high proportion of freshwater, for consumption as well as recharging rivers. If polluted, groundwater is very difficult to clean, and potable supplies are affected. Its role in maintenance of aquifers and surface water is also vital.
Policy RLP 69 Water Quality Development will not be permitted which poses an unacceptable risk to the quality of the underlying groundwater, or surface waters.
WASTE MINIMISATION IN DEVELOPMENT#
6.23 The Essex Waste Local Plan is a statutory document, which along with the Structure Plan, Local Plan Review and Minerals Local Plan comprise the Development Plan for the District. The Waste Local Plan is a leading consideration in planning proposals for waste management facilities, and aims to work towards sustainable waste management in the County, through waste minimisation, re-use and recycling and consequent reductions in landfill as a final means of disposal. Essex local authorities have set a minimum target of 60% of waste to be recycled or composted by 2007.
6.24 A large part of this change depends on greater waste minimisation by householders, commercial and other organisations, and the construction and primary sectors. A significant potential also exists in relation to the construction of new development and other building operations, and its subsequent occupation and demolition or removal. This Plan addresses this issue in a practical way, by seeking suitable arrangements for minimising construction waste and the provision of waste separation and storage facilities within schemes. Both major and smaller developments should be accompanied by a statement setting out how the waste issues in construction, occupation and demolition are being addressed.
Policy RLP 70 Waste Minimisation Detailed or reserved matters applications for new development, building or other operations shall be accompanied by a supporting statement and drawings where relevant, demonstrating: _ How waste and waste materials generated by the development are to be minimised, re-used, reclaimed or recycled; _ That the potential pollution from waste is minimised and that unavoidable waste is disposed of, so as to avoid or minimise adverse environmental effects; _ How waste can be minimised during the construction of the development and its eventual demolition or removal. Policy RLP 71 Provision of Space for Recycling New development should incorporate adequate space for internal and external separation, storage and collection, to facilitate the recycling of waste generated within the building(s). For larger developments, including those with a significant public, tourist or customer presence, the development shall include designated space for a waste recycling facility in an accessible location. Supplementary guidance will be produced on the detailed floor space and design requirements for typical built developments.
Proposals for waste reprocessing facilities will be permitted in suitable locations within employment policy areas.
Policy RLP71A Waste Reprocessing Facilities Development proposals involving waste recovery (such as recycling, waste transfer stations and composting) will be permitted in employment policy areas, subject to: i) there being no unacceptable adverse impact on adjoining uses by reason of noise, smell, dust or other airborne pollutants ii) there being no adverse impact on the surrounding road network either in terms of road safety or capacity
RENEWABLE ENERGY SCHEMES
6.25 Braintree Council wishes to increase the use of sources of renewable energy in the District, to contribute towards diversity of supply, the local economy, potentially cheaper sources of fuel and reductions in harmful emissions to the environment. A number of potential sources are available in the District, each referred to within PPG22 - Renewable Energy as increasingly viable and suitable local sources: Solar power; Bio - mass (forestry and farm wastes) Wind turbines Landfill gas Municipal (compost) and industrial waste Other developing sources - including photovoltaics, which is the conversion of light into electrical energy. A number of these, most notably wind turbines, have specific locational requirements, which may give rise to possible conflicts with areas of major landscape, nature conservation, or heritage importance. Within most of the District, however, there are no overriding constraints, which are envisaged as ruling out renewable energy schemes.
Policy RLP 72 Renewable Energy Proposals for renewable energy schemes and the integration o renewable energy generation into new developments, will be encouraged and permitted where no demonstrable harm is caused to landscape, nature conservation, or historic features within or immediately adjacent to the site. Developers are also encouraged to enter into a dialogue with the District Council to identify sites for renewable energy development.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION
6.26 As with schemes specifically designed to act as renewable energy sources for a wider area, so individual new built developments can assist in reducing total energy requirements. The siting, layout and design of development, and also construction methods and materials (with techniques such as Life Cycle Analysis) can all play a part. Active water heating systems and passive solar design are becoming recognised as achievable within both housing and other development schemes.
Policy RLP 73 Energy Efficiency New development proposals shall clearly demonstrate the optimum use of energy conservation and incorporate energy conservation and efficiency measures, including where appropriate passive solar gain or other systems and the use of energy-efficient appliances, in order to contribute to the reduction in their total energy consumption. Chapter 7 Countryside, Nature Conservation and Landscape
Introduction
Policy Context
7.1 The Local Plan countryside, nature conservation and landscape policies and proposals have been prepared in the light of government advice, the Rural White Paper and the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan.
Aims and Objectives
7.2 This Chapter takes into account a range of government advice and publications, notably PPG7: The Countryside - Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development; and PPG9: Nature Conservation. The Essex Structure Plan and the Braintree Quality of Life Plan (June 1999) are the basis for the aims and objectives of the Chapter.
7.3 The Essex Structure Plan Policy CS2 (Protecting the Natural and Built Environment), sets out succinctly the strategic role for Local Planning Authorities in protecting the rural environment. Other relevant Structure Plan policies are C5, NR1, NR4, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8, and NR9. The following are relevant to this Chapter and Braintree generally: _ Giving priority to protecting and enhancing areas designated as having intrinsic environmental quality at international, national and strategic level; _ Sustaining and enhancing the rural environment, including conserving the countryside character and the protection of the countryside for its own sake; _ Enhancing and managing by appropriate use, land in the urban fringe; _ Retaining the best and most versatile land for agriculture except where other sustainability considerations apply ; _ Preserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the area; _ Preserving historic landscape features.
7.4 The Quality of Life Plan also includes the following objectives which act as pointers to key aspects of this Chapter: _ recognition that places are different and distinctive, needing valuing and protection - relevant to landscape as well as townscape character _ to value wildlife in town and country - local as well as national, habitat as well as species _ making opportunities for leisure and sports available to all - including the broad appeal of the countryside for walking and a variety of informal leisure and tourism activity.
Policies
SPECIAL LANDSCAPE AREAS; LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND FEATURES
7.5 A large proportion of the rural area in Braintree District consists of distinctive and attractive landscapes, which should be protected for their own sake. These areas have been defined as Special Landscape Areas, recognised originally through work by Essex County Council specialist staff and which derive their high quality from a combination of natural features including topography, vegetation cover and water and river features. It is proposed to replace the special landscape area designations with landscape character areas, which will cover the whole District. These will describe the distinctive features of each character area and provide guidance for development in the area. Work on the definition of the character areas has recently commenced as part of the review of the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan. These will therefore be incorporated into the Local Plan at its next review.
7.6 Other rural areas also exhibit distinctive individual landscape features, including not only vegetation and water but also walls, and archaeological, geological or geomorphological features. Active conservation and enhancement approaches are encouraged by the Council in both Special Landscape Areas and other areas with distinctive landscape features, through the husbandry of farmers and other owners and when opportunities arise through development proposals.
Policy RLP73A: Countryside The countryside will be protected for its own sake, particularly for its landscapes, natural resources and areas of ecological, historic, archaeological and recreational value. This will be achieved by the restriction of new uses to those appropriate to a rural area, and the strict control of new building in the countryside outside existing settlements to that required to support agriculture, forestry or other rural uses or development. Development should be well related to existing patterns of development and of a scale, siting and design sympathetic to the rural landscape character.
7.7 The Council will encourage the management of features of the landscape, which are of major importance for wild flora and fauna, in accordance with the Conservation Regulations 1994. Policy RLP 74 seeks to protect Special Landscape Areas from inappropriate development, and to secure acceptable design and layout where development is appropriate. Policy RLP 75 is similarly designed to protect and enhance individual landscape features.
Policy RLP 74 Special Landscape Areas Development likely to cause permanent loss or damage to the traditional rural qualities of the countryside, or its essential landscape character will be refused, especially in Special Landscape Areas. Special Landscape Areas are defined as a series of areas of distinctive scenic attraction: The Stour Valley, The Pant Valley, The Colne Valley, The Upper Blackwater, The Chelmer-Blackwater Ridges and Terling, The Pods Brook Valley and the Brain Valley, as defined on the Proposals Map. Any development that is permitted in Special Landscape Areas will be expected to conform to the highest standards of design, siting and layout with materials appropriate to the character of the area, with appropriate landscaping. The conservation and maintenance of features important to the local landscape such as trees, hedges, copses, woodlands and ponds will be encouraged. Planning obligations will be sought to secure the management of new landscape areas.
Policy RLP 75 Landscape Features and Habitats Proposals for new development will be required to include an assessment of their impact on wildlife and should not be detrimental to the distinctive landscape features and habitats of the area such as trees, hedges, woodlands, grasslands, ponds and rivers. Development that would not successfully integrate into the local landscape will not be permitted. All new development will be expected to provide measures for any necessary mitigation of their impact upon wildlife and for the creation and management of appropriate new habitats, with particular attention paid to species and habitats mentioned in National and County Biodiversity Action Plans. Where development is proposed close to existing features, it should be designed and located to ensure that their condition and future retention will not be prejudiced. Additional landscaping including planting of native species of trees and other flora may be required to maintain and enhance these features. TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS, HEDGEROW RETENTION NOTICES
7.8 Trees have a key role in setting the tone of the urban and rural environment. Both individual trees and groups of trees can be significant features in both town and country. It is crucial not only to preserve trees from built development, but also agree suitable detailing of scheme to avoid long term damage to root systems, branches and healthy growth. The policies in this Plan aim to preserve trees, and allow for works in the interest of the long term health of tree where unavoidable, and benefits of development are clear cut, with replacement where felling is unavoidable. Management agreements will be sought under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, where appropriate, to resolve potential conflicts with new uses and activities, and positive support will be given for Forestry Commission Woodland Grants in appropriate cases. All hedgerows are recognised as fundamental features of the countryside and important green corridors within towns and villages and will be protected through the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. Management agreements will also be sought with landowners to ensure their long term maintenance and health.
Policy RLP 76 Trees, Woodlands Grasslands and Hedgerows The Planning Authority will seek to encourage landowners to retain, maintain and plant, in appropriate locations, locally native trees, woodlands, grasslands and hedgerows. The Planning Authority may make grants available in appropriate cases and orders and notices to protect trees, woodlands and hedgerows. New planting of appropriate native species will normally be required to replace the loss of any protected trees, woodland or hedgerow.
SITES, AREAS AND FEATURES OF NATURE CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE
7.9 The Council shares the objectives of the Government and County Council to ensure that the local planning process positively assists the conservation of the abundance and diversity of wildlife. Where there is conflict with essential development and the natural assets are agreed as not ‘critical’ or irreplaceable, acceptable mitigation to minimise the effects on wildlife must be put in place, including effective monitoring.
7.10 In all wildlife sites, there is a need for a check and balance, emphasising management not just protection. It is important to assess overall effects on biodiversity, where the developer or promoter should carry out detailed assessment of losses and gains of the development. Habitats as well as species need to be protected: for example, translocation should be seen only be a last resort. Enhancement and Management Plans for more significant sites will be required, underwritten by Legal Agreements that bear upon all future owners of the land. Proposals affecting nationally important assets, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) will not be permitted.
7.11 There are four SSSI’s in the District; at Glemsford Pits, Foxearth, Chalkney Wood, Earls Colne, Belchers’ and Broadfield Wood, Stisted, and Bovingdon Hall Woods, Gosfield. Applicants with development proposals, which might affect these Sites of Special Scientific Interest should seek advice from, and discuss proposals with English Nature prior to submitting an application to the Council.
7.11a There are three designated local nature reserves; at Brickfields/Long Meadow, Earls Colne; Whetmead, Witham; Brockwell Meadows, Kelvedon; and three proposed local nature reserves at the former Gravel Pits, Gosfield; the disused railway line at Earls Colne; and land adjacent to the River Colne at Sible Hedingham. These are shown on the Proposals Map. The Essex Wildlife Trust has also compiled details of County Wildlife Sites, which are available separately as supplementary planning guidance. Local Nature Reserves and County Wildlife Sites comprise a substantial part of the District’s identified wildlife habitats and significantly contribute to the District’s biodiversity resource. Applicants with proposals, which might affect Local Nature Reserves or County Wildlife Sites should seek advice from, and discuss proposals with, Essex Wildlife Trust and/or Braintree Biodiversity Forum, prior to submitting an application to the Council. Developments which harm their nature conservation role will not normally be permitted. Appropriate compensatory or measures that would need to be provided, would be covered by planning conditions or obligations. The Council will support proposals that would increase the number, size and diversity of Local Nature Reserves and Wildlife Sites.
Policy RLP 77 Sites of Special Scientific Interest Development likely to adversely affect Sites of Special Scientific Interest, either directly or indirectly, will not be permitted.
Policy RLP 78 Local Nature Reserves, Wildlife Sites and Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites. Development likely to have an adverse effect on a Local Nature Reserve, a Wildlife Site, or a Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Site, will not be permitted.
Where appropriate, the authority will consider the use of planning conditions and/or planning obligations to provide mitigation or compensatory measures. PROTECTED SPECIES
7.12 A large and increasing number of species of flora and fauna are afforded statutory protection by UK and EU legislation, from the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 onwards. Their presence on or near to a development site is a material consideration. Applicants will be required to supply protected species survey information and relevant mitigation plans with any planning application. In those exceptional cases where permission is given, where there may be effects on the species and/ or its habitat, conditions or legal agreements will be utilised to replace the habitat, or minimise the impact. Development proposals which may have an effect upon protected species are not only those in rural areas (including the conversion of agricultural buildings) but also other proposals within conservation areas, those affecting listed buildings and other proposals within urban areas.
Policy RLP 81 Protected Species Planning permission will not be granted for development, which would have an adverse impact on badgers, or species protected under various UK and European legislation, or on the objectives and proposals in National or County Biodiversity Action Plans as amended. Where development is proposed that may have an impact on these species, the District Council will require the applicant to carry out a full ecological assessment. Where appropriate, the Planning Authority will impose conditions and/or planning obligations to: a) Facilitate the survival of individual members of the species b) Reduce disturbance to a minimum; and c) Provide supplementary habitats.
ACCESS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE
7.13 Braintree District offers the opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy the countryside, with its mix of urban and rural areas. The Council wishes to improve access to the countryside particularly for walkers, cyclists, and horseriders and by public transport. In the River Stour and Colne Valleys, this is an integral part of the Countryside Management Projects for these areas. Opportunities for countryside access and recreation have also been provided by the creation of the Essex Way, the long distance footpath and at the Marks Hall Estate, north of Coggeshall, where there is a visitor centre and arboretum owned and operated by the Thomas Phillips Price Trust. The Council wishes to extend this approach to other parts of the District.
7.14 Particular routes include the Stour Valley Path and the proposed Colne Valley Path, which will help form regional strategic green routes, that can integrate countryside and urban areas, through green wedges and wildlife corridors. The latter is due to be opened in Autumn 2000 and will link Colchester town centre with Steeple Bumpstead (and with Newmarket via the Stour Valley Path) using existing rights of way. The John Ray Path is a good route connecting Braintree and Witham, as the path runs near to their respective railway stations. Proposals for the National Cycle Network are referred to in the Transport Chapter. Opportunities for the improvement of the bridleway network will be sought through the countryside management projects and as part of new development.
7.14a The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 is the principal legislative framework determining public rights of access to the countryside. It creates a new statutory right of access to open country and registered common land and modernizes the rights of way system. Within the terms of the Act, the District Council will seek to identify opportunities to improve sustainable and fully accessible access to the countryside and to enhance existing visitor facilities. Support and encouragement will be given to measures that seek to improve, extend and link the existing networks of footpaths and bridleways. The District Council will in appropriate circumstances enter into management agreements with landowners, to achieve improved access to the countryside.
EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES
7.15 Where equestrian facilities are proposed, there will be a need to ensure that access can be gained to the bridleway network without the need for horseriders to use heavily trafficked roads. Any buildings should also be sited and designed to ensure that they are compatible with their surroundings.
Policy RLP 83 Equestrian Facilities New riding schools, stable buildings or other equestrian facilities, or extensions to such facilities will be permitted where: (a) There is no significant effect on a Special Landscape Area, other important landscape or nature conservation interests or any adjacent residential area; (b) No alterations to vehicular highways in the area are required; (c) Bridleways and byways in the vicinity are located and designed to accommodate horse riders from the site; and (d) No additional residential accommodation is consequently required to supervise the facilities. Floodlighting will not be allowed in association with such facilities. Proposals for new, or extended residential accommodation, will only be permitted if a submitted business plan demonstrates that there is a convincing case for residential accommodation, and provided that they accord with criteria (a) to (d) above, the accommodation permitted will only be the minimum required to meet the needs of the relevant business.
GREEN WEDGES
7.16 The Strategy underpinning this Plan has three key elements that affect the relationship between the larger towns and their rural hinterland: New development is to be concentrated on Braintree and Witham and to a lesser extent Halstead. Maximum use is to be made of land within urban areas and previously developed land which meets sustainability criteria. The rural as well as the built environment will be protected, conserved, and enhanced.
7.17 The Green Wedges within the District perform a vital local function by demarcating areas of the countryside, which are potentially subject to development pressures. Such areas therefore need protection to avoid the coalescence of built up areas within the District and to maintain the separation of settlements. The towns of Braintree and Witham are located in particularly close proximity to a number of nearby villages, whilst Haverhill, to the north of the District lies close to the village of Sturmer.
7.17.1 The Council have recently commissioned a review of the Green Wedge policy in the Plan and this review confirms the importance of the Green Wedges in preventing coalescence between settlements and avoiding sporadic development. The Green Wedges which contribute to the separation of settlements and function as areas of countryside preventing coalescence are as follows: (i) Land separating Braintree from Rayne, Great Notley, Black Notley and Tye Green; (ii) Land separating Witham from the villages of Rivenhall, Rivenhall End and Hatfield Peverel; (iii) Land between Kelvedon and Feering; and (iv) Land between Haverhill and the village of Sturmer. The location and extent of the Green Wedge is shown on the Proposals Map of the Plan.
Policy RLP 84 Green Wedges Within the areas shown on the Proposals Map, development which either individually or cumulatively would lead to the coalescence of settlements, separated by green wedges, will be refused. Without prejudice to other planning considerations, proposals for development within ‘Green Wedges’ to be carried out by a statutory undertaker will be allowed where it can be shown that they are essential to: a) The maintenance or improvement of an existing service or undertaking; or b) An existing source of employment; or c) The provision of a new service or undertaking, where no other suitable site is available. The Council will encourage the enhancement of the natural environment of areas identified as green wedges, including the formation of nature reserves and nature corridors. Within these areas development will not be permitted where it would adversely affect their open character, visual amenity, informal recreation and wildlife value or compromise the gap between settlements.
RIVER CORRIDORS
7.18 The immediate edges of rivers, and also their open margins for several metres on either side, have a number of important functions for river conservation and recreation and, the Environment Agency accords a high priority to these.
7.19 Plants growing in close proximity to watercourses attract insects specialised in feeding in and on the surface of the water, and animals move and migrate, often at night, along these margins. In some towns, river banks are increasingly the only uninterrupted routes to and from the surrounding countryside. In order to protect this habitat, it is therefore desirable that previously undeveloped floodplain areas should be retained as open space. The EA opposes the construction of culverts as they remove sections of wildlife corridor habitats (see paragraph 6.14) .
7.20 River corridors also have a recreational role, for walking, fishing and other informal activity, which the Council and the Environment Agency wish to encourage, in all areas where there is no direct conflict with nature conservation.
Policy RLP 85 River Corridors Development will not be permitted which would harm the open character, nature conservation importance or recreational importance of the floodplains of the Rivers Stour, Colne, Brain, Pant, Blackwater, Ter Valley and their tributaries and the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.
PROTECTED LANES
7.21 A number of lanes, generally still adopted as public highways, exist within the District, which have a particular historic and landscape value for the character of the countryside. They are enclosed by a combination of mixed deciduous hedges, ditches and raised verges that can be indications of great age. The Council will seek to protect, or influence other agencies such as the Highway Authority to similarly protect, these features and any mature trees alongside them.
7.22 The Council expects the County Council to pursue traffic management measures to bring the volume and speed of traffic, and permissible vehicle weights, down to levels reasonably compatible with their capacity and amenity value, particularly where they are well used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Material increases in traffic due to development proposals will not be permitted. The location of Protected Lanes is shown on the Proposals Map.
Policy RLP 86 Protected Lanes The District Council will seek to conserve the traditional landscape and nature conservation character of roads designated on the Proposals Map as Protected Lanes, including their associated verges, banks and ditches. Any proposals that would adversely affect the physical appearance of these protected lanes, or give rise to a material increase in the amount of traffic using them will not normally be permitted.
AGRICULTURAL LAND
7.23 The quality, affected by consistency, tilth and fertility of arable soils is a well established material consideration in Development Plans and Planning Control. This is reinforced by growing awareness that the concept of ‘critical natural capital’ can be applied to permanent development on good quality farmland. The best and most versatile land is spread around the District, and includes that currently defined as Grades 1, 2 and 3a in Government records.
7.24 Recent policy statements by the Secretary of State confirmed that government departments (MAFF, now DEFRA) would cease to make formal recommendations in individual development cases, but that intrinsic soil quality would continue to be of central importance to decisions on greenfield development on agricultural land. A sequential approach is referred to as potentially appropriate in limited circumstances, where other considerations or national designations obtain, but the Development Strategy for Braintree District seeks concentration on the main towns in any case.
Policy RLP 87 Agricultural Land Development of the best and most versatile agricultural land should only be permitted where opportunities have been assessed for accommodating development on previously developed sites or within existing settlement boundaries. Where development of agricultural land is required, developers should seek to use areas of poorer quality except where other sustainability considerations suggest otherwise.
NEW FARM BUILDINGS
7.25 Many new agricultural buildings, and extensions and alterations do not require express planning permission. Although the Council therefore has limited control over one of the main built environment elements in the countryside, it will promote and encourage high standards for their siting, layout and design. Supplementary Guidance prepared by a Working Group of Essex Districts and the County Council has already been adopted, and this Guidance shows clear and practical ways of enhancing designs for common barn and other farm building types.
7.26 The fullest consideration will be given before permission is contemplated for intensive livestock breeding and other uses raising wider impact issues, where they are to be located in close proximity with dwellings.
Policy RLP 88 Agricultural Buildings New agricultural buildings in the countryside should be of a design that is sympathetic to its surroundings in terms of scale, materials, colour and architectural detail. Normally a condition will be imposed to prevent the change of use of agricultural buildings to intensive livestock use. Chapter 8 Design and Heritage
Introduction
8.1 This Chapter sets out the general design framework for development in the District, and also the Plan’s aims for conservation of the built and archaeological heritage, and the policies and proposals to implement these aims. The Council’s powers and duties call for protection of formally designated areas and buildings and for the continuing assessment and review of the conservation, historic building and archaeological, potential of the whole District.
8.2 A number of detailed policies are contained within the Housing Chapter of the Plan. The function of this Chapter on Design and Heritage is to coordinate those policies with the approach sought for non - residential developments, and to give a local policy context for existing and planned Supplementary Planning Guidance in the design of development.
8.3 As Planning Authority, the District Council looks particularly to site owners to acknowledge their responsibilities where buildings and land are already included in the Statutory List of Historic Buildings, or lie within designated Conservation Areas, Registered Parks and Gardens, or Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Further areas are regarded as Areas of Archaeological Significance, which can raise the potential for preservation, or excavation, where development is proposed.
8.4 In reviewing the District’s heritage, the Council acknowledges the vital role of specialist staff of Essex County Council and English Heritage in providing advice, information and support to enable it to carry out its review, project and development control functions. A wide range of other national and local bodies and voluntary groups also regularly contribute to those functions. The District Museum service is responsible for taking finds and archives from sites within the District and manages these resultant collections under the policies for collections care.
Policy Context
8.5 The Local Plan design and heritage policies and proposals have been prepared in the light of government advice and the Structure Plan. The Local Plan is the main source of detailed heritage and conservation policies, to be read alongside the Structure Plan, which sets the overall policy framework. 8.6 Government advice on design is set out in PPG1, which makes it clear that Development Plans should contain design policies capable of giving sufficient guidance, without being too prescriptive or detailed. This approach is particularly appropriate for Braintree, being a larger, mainly rural, District with towns and settlements of a diverse character. The general framework policy in this Chapter is therefore supported by policies which set out the role of existing Supplementary Planning Guidance, including site development briefs and the Essex Design Guide for Residential and Mixed Use Areas. It also refers to proposed detailed guidance on environmental sustainability.
8.7 For the historic environment, PPG’s 15 and 16 set out the general approach and criteria, which should be taken into account in the preparation of Development Plans and determination of applications affecting listed building, conservation areas, and areas of archaeological interest and importance. In addition, the Council has adopted the Essex Historic Towns document as Supplementary Planning Guidance, and the Plan takes account of the continuing duty to review all aspects of the District’s historic environment.
Aims and Objectives
8.8 The aims and objectives of this Plan are derived from the national and county policy context, and the Braintree Quality of Life Plan, published in June 1999.
Aims
8.9 The Council’s overall aim in relation to the built environment is to create places to be proud of, including areas and sites containing heritage and conservation assets. A number of arts and heritage objectives also relate to promotion and preservation issues.
Objectives
8.10 The following objectives serve as a guide for the formulation of policies in this chapter: _ To recognise the fact that local places are different and distinctive in their own ways, and to ensure that they are valued and protected _ To ensure that places and spaces not only meet people’s needs, but are also pleasing to the eye and encourage a sense of community _ To encourage people to take an interest in their surroundings _ To make sure that energy, water and natural resources are used efficiently, and assist in reducing the amount of refuse created, through design and provision of recycling and other facilities _ To ensure that the local cultural heritage is appropriately preserved for future generations
Policies
DESIGN OF DEVELOPMENT
8.11 Braintree District covers a substantial area, with three main towns and a large number of villages. Each of these settlements, and their component neighbourhoods has a distinctive character, not just the designated Conservation Areas, historic buildings and areas of archaeological importance, but also the other built up areas throughout the District.
8.12 Built development should not only meet people’s needs, but also be pleasing to the eye and encourage a sense of community through public participation in design, and avoid undue use of environmental resources. This represents a holistic challenge for the design of any built development in the District, in both aesthetic and utility terms, as well as a reference to the need for new housing to relate well to a neighbourhood approach to location. The Essex Design Guide for Residential and Mixed Use Areas seeks to promote such qualities in new development, and is an important source of information and advice which informs the Council’s approach to this Chapter and individual schemes. Village design statements provide a further source of guidance on how new development can respect local character by encouraging positive community involvement in the planning process. Their participation and subsequent adoption as Supplementary Planning Guidance continues to be supported by the Council.
8.13 The general principles, which guide the Council’s design approach, can be summarised as: i) Aiming for a high standard of design of buildings, their surrounding open areas, circulation spaces, and other townscape and landscape areas; ii) Avoidance of undue or unacceptable impacts on the amenity of any nearby residential properties; iii) Recognising and reflecting local distinctiveness; iv) Seeking layouts, height, mass and overall elevational designs of buildings and developments, which are in harmony with the character and appearance of the surrounding area; v) Securing the incorporation from the earliest ‘in principle’ stages of all practical means of optimising the environmental sustainability of the development. This would include energy and water efficiency, waste separation and other design and management regimes, which will assist in maintaining such sustainability throughout the construction, occupation and demolition of the development. Supplementary Planning Guidance will be prepared on these aspects. vi) Promotion of sustainable practices in traffic generation and management, and avoidance of significant increases in traffic movement, particularly in residential areas. vii) Taking account of crime reduction and prevention, and the other strategic objectives within this Plan.
8.14 The design principles applicable to all developments are set out in Policy RLP 90. The Housing Chapter of this Plan includes Policy RLP10, on Design and Layout of Housing and Mixed Use Areas, indicating that a site appraisal will be required for all housing developments of 1 hectare or more, including a statement of the design principles adopted. The Council will seek a similar appraisal for all major non - residential developments (buildings over 1,000 square metres, or 1 hectare for other forms of development), in order to demonstrate that the general principles, set out in paragraph 8.13 and Policy RLP 90, have been considered.
Policy RLP 90 Layout and Design of Development The Council seeks a high standard of layout and design in all developments, large and small, in the District. Planning permission will only be granted where the following criteria are met: (i) The scale, density, height and massing of buildings should reflect or enhance local distinctiveness; (ii) Buildings, open areas, circulation spaces, and other townscape and landscape areas shall be of a high standard of design and materials; (iii) There shall be no undue or unacceptable impact on the amenity of any nearby residential properties; (iv)Designs shall recognise and reflect local distinctiveness, and be sensitive to the need to conserve local features of architectural, historic and landscape importance, particularly within Conservation Areas and in proximity to parks and gardens of historic interest, ancient monuments and sites of archaeological importance; (v) The layout, height, mass and overall elevational design of buildings and developments shall be in harmony with the character and appearance of the surrounding area; including their form, scale and impact on the skyline in the locality; (vi) Both the overall planning and detailed design shall incorporate measures to ensure the maximum practical environmental sustainability throughout the construction, occupation and demolition of the development, in relation to energy conservation, water efficiency, waste separation and the use of materials with low overall energy requirements. Supplementary planning guidance will be prepared on these aspects; (vii)Use of the most sustainable modes of transport is promoted in the design and layout of new development, and the resultant traffic generation and its management shall seek to avoid significant increases in traffic movement, particularly in residential areas; (viii)Designs and layouts shall promote a safe and secure environment, crime reduction and prevention and shall encourage the related objective of enhancing personal safety; with the maximum amount of natural surveillance of roads, paths and all other open areas and all open spaces incorporated into schemes; (ix) Landscape design shall promote and enhance local biodiversity; (x)The design and level of any lighting proposals will need to be in context with the local area.
Policy RLP 91 Site Appraisal A site appraisal shall be submitted, either preceding or accompanying the relevant planning application, for all non - residential buildings exceeding 1,000 square metres (gross), or other forms of developments with a site area of 1 hectare or more. This site appraisal shall address each of the principles set out in Policy RLP 90 Layout and Design of Development.
ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
8.15 Ease of physical access into and around buildings, streets and other built features in town and country is a major element in the lives of people who have temporary or permanent mobility impairment. The importance of access to public buildings has been a statutory requirement on Local Planning Authorities since the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons’ Act, 1970, followed by the Town and Country Act 1990. This covers access arrangements to buildings used regularly by members of the public.
8.16 In 1999, further statutory controls were introduced in the Building Regulations (Part M), extending accessibility requirements to dwellings, so that street entrances into houses and their internal layouts are now covered by the Building Regulations. The external location, layout and arrangement of dwellings on a site is a proper matter for planning control. This Plan seeks to ensure that appropriate levels of accessibility are built into all forms of new development, changes of use and major commercial extensions. Traffic management and street furniture are a further source of potential hazards, especially for people with sight or sensory impairment. Although these matters are addressed by the Highways Act 1980, this Plan seeks to remind all public authorities and private organisations carrying out works in the ‘public realm’ of their responsibility to allow for full accessibility, in the interests of both people with disabilities and other users of all ages. A specific policy for dwellings, RLP 23 Accessible Housing and Lifetime Housing, is contained in the Housing Chapter of this Plan.#
Policy RLP 92 Accessibility New buildings, changes of use and major extensions to buildings will only be permitted if the design and layout of their access for the public is fully accessible to people whose mobility is impaired. Provision for such full accessibility should be made in highway, parking, walking, cycling, traffic management and other public realm schemes, and in designing and locating street furniture.
THE PUBLIC REALM IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
8.17 New housing, retail, commercial and other developments usually have both vehicular and pedestrian access, and have a significant cumulative effect on the ‘public realm’. The public realm includes those areas within towns and villages, where people not only circulate and enter buildings, but also browse in shop windows, wait for buses and encounter friends and where some informal childrens’ play occurs. The openness, visibility and overall attractiveness of these public areas has an immediate effect on perceptions of public safety and security, particularly in towns. Built development bordering onto either circulation areas or open spaces should be designed to facilitate natural surveillance of such adjoining open areas. Where external lighting is proposed, for example, in communal parking areas, this will need to be at a level that is appropriate for its context. Different approaches may be required in urban and rural areas.
8.18 Circular 1/94 encourages this proactive approach in the design and layout of developments, and the Essex Police Architectural Liaison Officers are able to give specialist advice on both housing and other schemes.
8.19 In order to maintain open spaces and areas in new developments, not either enclosed as private curtilages, or already intended as highways (vehicular, pedestrian or other), the Council will seek legal or contractual agreements to secure their maintenance into the future.
Policy RLP 93 Public Realm In order to maintain the attractiveness and security of developments, the Council will seek to ensure that land remaining in the public realm and not to be contained within private curtilages or high ways is maintained by the intended owners of the developments providing or abutting such land, through either contractual or legal agreements and any necessary funding to ensure the satisfactory maintenance of such areas in the future.
PUBLIC ART - DESIGN & WORKS
8.20 Public art makes a positive contribution to the environment and the community and can be used to enhance developments, or where appropriate the wider locality. The District Council will encourage developers and promoters to commission individual works of public art, whether free standing, or attached to buildings. ‘Public art’ includes sculpture, durable examples of local crafts, murals, mosaics and water areas and features. It should be positioned where it is easily visible and preferably in close proximity to open public areas, either within the development itself, or within the locality, or wider community, as agreed by the Council. Developers will be encouraged to use artists to work with architects to develop design briefs for both interior, or exterior, features. The extent and scope of such commissioning will be within the terms of Circular 1/97. Major development in this instance is defined as sites of, or over, 1 hectare, or 30 dwellings, or of 1000m2 floorspace.
Policy RLP 94 Public Art In the interests of enhancement of design in the public realm, the Council will seek the promotion of works, or building elements, in the form of public art, or local crafts. Major developments, or other schemes creating or modifying the layout of public places, will make provision for the commissioning of suitable and durable features, or works of public art, or craft. Public involvement will be facilitated.
CONSERVATION AREAS
8.21 There are 37 Conservation Areas within the District and they make an important contribution to the high quality of the built environment. The Council has a duty to preserve and enhance these areas, and to ensure that any new developments, or other works or changes of use, preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the present Conservation Areas, and any future designations. Where developments are cumulatively detracting from the special character or appearance of a Conservation Area, the Council may withdraw permitted development rights.
8.22 Demolition of buildings which by age, vernacular, or distinctive design, group value, or landmark prominence, contribute to the character or appearance of Conservation Areas should not be altered or demolished, unless all other alternative uses and forms of community or other ownership have been fully explored. Similarly, proposals for full or partial change of use of buildings should not conflict with the essential character of a Conservation Area, for instance where there are viable small shops or craft workshops, which impart a sense of community and the traditional local economy. In many cases, such issues will also be affected by the need to maintain the economic and social life of the extensive rural areas in the District. Pre - application advice can be obtained from the Council in conjunction with County Council specialist officers.
8.23 Most of the District’s Conservation Areas contain individual trees and even woodlands that are not the subject of formal Tree Preservation Orders (TPO). Such trees over 75mm in girth are afforded protection by the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act, 1990, but it is still open to owners to make application to fell, lop or otherwise carry out tree works. Where such works, especially but not only felling would result in the reduction or loss of the amenity value in the tree or group, the Council will serve a TPO to act as an immediate protection, so that there is the full control over the form of works proposed and a considered decision can be made in the interests of visual amenity. Where trees are lost, appropriate replacements will be required.
8.24 The Council will seek to carry out enhancement works from time to time in Conservation Areas, particularly where opportunities arise through development proposals. In such cases, public realm visual improvements will be sought through partnership approaches with utilities and developers, to secure suitable funding for the underground replacement of overhead wires and cables, where intrusive roof level ‘wirescapes’ detract from conservation areas and the settings of listed buildings.
Policy RLP 95 Preservation and Enhancement of Conservation Areas The Council will preserve, and encourage the enhancement of, the character and appearance of designated Conservation Areas and their settings, including the buildings, open spaces and areas, landscape and historic features and views into and within the constituent parts of designated areas. Built or other development, within or adjacent to a Conservation Area and affecting its setting, will only be permitted provided that: (a) The proposal does not detract from the character, appearance and essential features of the Conservation Area; (b) Any new development is situated in harmony with the existing street scene and building line, and is sympathetic in size, scale and proportions with its surroundings; (c) Architectural details on buildings of value are retained; (d) Building materials are authentic and complementary to the building’s character. Proposals for development within Conservation Areas will require the submission of a ‘full’ Planning Application. Policy RLP 96 Demolition in Conservation Areas Demolition involving the destruction of (the whole or part of) an unlisted building in a Conservation Area will only be permitted if: (a) The structure to be demolished makes no contribution to the character, or appearance, of the conservation area; or (b) The building is demonstrably beyond reasonable repair due to its structural condition, and clear evidence of efforts to secure viable alternative uses is available and no other forms of community ownership or preservation is possible; and (c) Consent for demolition will only normally be granted in any case where a contract for the redevelopment of the site has been let; (d) Redevelopment proposals make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area.
Policy RLP 97 Changes of Use in Conservation Areas A change of use within a Conservation Area will only be permitted if it makes a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Area and does not alter the appearance or setting of a building or structure other than to preserve or enhance the Area’s character and appearance.
Policy RLP 99 Environmental Improvements in Conservation Areas In Conservation Areas, the Council will encourage and seek environmental improvements, including the provision of appropriate lighting, and particularly for the underground replacement of over head wires and apparatus affecting the setting of Conservation Areas and the setting of listed buildings. In considering development proposals, contributions for such improvements will be sought from developers.
LISTED BUILDINGS
8.25 Buildings listed as being of special architectural or historic interest are subject to additional legislative controls, due to their intrinsic importance and their contribution to the character and appearance of their setting. Listed buildings often comprise or dominate the character of Conservation Areas, lying at the historic core of towns and villages, although a number in the District are in rural locations, where issues affecting their settings can affect wider tracts of land The Department of Culture, Media and Sport publishes the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest and this is held and maintained as a reference document by the Council.
8.26 The need to preserve and, where possible, enhance the cultural heritage means that listed buildings need to be kept under review. The Council will liaise with specialist staff at English Heritage and Essex County Council on any recommendations for additional formal protection or designation, and will consult closely with those bodies on individual proposals. The need to preserve and enhance Locally Listed Buildings, i.e. buildings which are not statutorily listed but which are listed by the local planning authority as of local importance, is also recognised by the Council. The production and subsequent adoption of a list of such buildings as Supplementary Planning Guidance will be supported, despite its non-statutory nature.
8.27 Proposals for the internal or external alteration, extension or change of use of a listed building will be assessed in the light of the impact on their historic character, layout, appearance and wider setting. Applications for total or partial demolition will not be permitted, unless there are very clear circumstances indicating that there are no practical alternatives to demolition, and that the intended development will produce demonstrable community benefits, including design and built environment issues. Historic buildings and structures can often be occupied by mammals or birds protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is therefore imperative for developers to take reasonable precautions to avoid harming them and in some cases, an assessment of potential impacts will need to be undertaken.
Policy RLP 100 Demolition of Listed Buildings Consent for the partial or total demolition of a listed building will only be granted in the most exceptional circumstances, where: (i) the demolition of the building is demonstrably unavoidable for structural safety reasons; and/or (ii) all reasonable efforts have been made to sustain existing uses, find viable new uses, or secure preservation through a form of charitable or community ownership, and that these efforts have failed; and (iii) redevelopment will produce substantial benefits for the community, which would decisively outweigh the loss resulting from demolition; (iv) demolition works are made conditional upon planning permission being granted, and a contract agreed, for redevelopment; and (v) at least one month is permitted to record the listed building before demolition.
Policy RLP 101 Alterations and Extensions and Changes of Use to Buildings of Architectural, Historical or Heritage Importance, and their settings. Development involving internal or external alterations, extensions and partial demolitions to a listed building or structure (including any structures defined as having equivalent status due to being situated within its curtilage), and changes of use will only be permitted if the proposed works or uses; (i) do not harm the setting, character, structural stability and fabric of the building (or structure); and (ii) do not result in the loss of, or significant damage to importance. the building or structure’s historic or architectural elements of special importance, and include the use of appropriate materials and finishes. The Council will seek to preserve and enhance all buildings of architectural, historical or heritage interest and their settings, identified in the local area, by appropriate control over the development, design and use of adjoining land.
LISTED BARNS AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
8.28 For some years there has been concern that residential conversions of barns and other listed farm buildings has diminished their intrinsic historic importance. Internal sub - division to form bedrooms and living areas and new doors and windows and other features formed in prominent elevations are frequently out of scale and character with the original simple design and volume enclosure of a barn.
8.29 The policy adopted by the Council does not favour residential conversions. Alternative uses, such as industrial, office, storage, community or leisure/tourism are seen as less likely to result in sub - division, and also to have a greater potential to contribute to the local rural economy. The approach to diversification of rural activities is amplified further in PPG7 and the 1999 Rural White Paper.
8.30 Tourist accommodation can make a limited contribution to the rural economy, and such accommodation let for a maximum of 4 week periods may be acceptable, where commercial or community uses are not possible and the design and layout is acceptable in terms of its effects on the listed building.
8.31 Conversion to residential accommodation will only be considered as a last resort, as a subordinate part of a conversion to business or commercial use, or where there is no practical prospect of any other use. The Council will require evidence that all other options have been explored, including evidence of sustained and appropriate marketing of the property. Where schemes are acceptable, conditions will be imposed to limit ‘permitted development’ rights in relation to extensions, curtilage outbuildings, fences and means of enclosure, so as to enable prior consideration of their effect on the listed building and its setting. 8.32 All applications for change of use of listed barns and agricultural buildings will need to be made in detail, with a full survey of the existing structure, layout, elevations and sections, to demonstrate that the architectural and historic interest of the building is preserved. The Council and County Archaeological Section should be contacted at a preliminary stage, as an archaeological record may need to be made, particularly where the presence of original roof and other timbers means that some pre - 17th Century barns can constitute examples of ‘standing archaeology’. The relationship between new uses and any remaining farming activities, and availability of parking, servicing/ unloading and connections with utility services will also be relevant.
8.32a This policy only applies to listed barns and other listed agricultural buildings. There are many non-listed buildings in rural areas which have little or no merit. The conversion of these buildings to residential use would effectively amount to the creation of a new dwelling in the countryside, which would be contrary to countryside protection policies (RLP 73A)
Policy RLP 102 Listed Agricultural Buildings Conversion of a listed barn, or other listed former agricultural or rural buildings, to employment or community use will be permitted provide that: (a) The detailed scheme for conversion of the building to the new use would demonstrably secure the preservation of the building without harm to its historic fabric, character and appearance, and its contribution to the group value and/or to the landscape in general; (b) The proposed use would not generate traffic of a magnitude or type that might be likely to cause additional traffic hazards and/or damage to minor roads; (c) The criteria set out in policy RLP 40 are met. Conversion to residential use will only be acceptable where: (i) The applicant has made every reasonable attempt to secure suitable employment or community re-use, and the application is supported by a statement of the efforts which have been made; or (ii) Residential conversion is a subordinate part of the scheme for business re-use of that building or group of buildings; (iii) In either case, the design and traffic issues in criteria (a) and (b) above are fully satisfied.
LISTED BUILDINGS AND SITES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE - ENABLING DEVELOPMENT
8.33 English Heritage and Essex County Council have become concerned that an increasing number of housing, commercial and other developments are being proposed within listed buildings with extensive grounds (or occasionally scheduled monuments or other sites of archaeological importance), on the basis that restoration or improvement of the historic building or archaeological site can be assisted. Endowment for long term maintenance, removal of inappropriate alterations or enhanced public access are also advanced in support of such development, known as ‘enabling development’. There is concern that many such schemes are of a scale which harms, or completely destroys, the historic setting and value of the building or archaeological asset, and are therefore not justified in terms of the environmental costs and benefits involved. Enabling development may also be proposed in relation to nature conservation assets.
8.34 English Heritage has produced a policy statement: ‘Enabling Development and the Conservation of Heritage Assets’, that addresses this issue and advocates a criteria-based policy. The Council will adopt this more explicit assessment of the relationship between claimed benefits of enabling development for repair, restoration or improvement of listed buildings, and the impact on their inherent character, appearance and setting.
Policy RLP 103 Enabling Development ‘Enabling development’ (defined as development within the vicinity of a listed building, or site of archaeological importance) for the claimed purpose of assisting its repair, restoration or improvement will not be permitted, unless it satisfies all of the following criteria: (a) The enabling development will not materially detract from the archaeological, architectural, historic or landscape interest of the asset, or materially harm its setting; (b) The proposal avoids detrimental fragmentation of management of the heritage asset; (c) The enabling development will secure the long term future of the heritage asset, and where applicable, its’ continued use for a sympathetic purpose; (d) The problem arises from the inherent needs of the heritage asset, rather than the circumstances of the present owner, or the purchase price paid; (e) Financial assistance is not available from any other source; (f) It is demonstrated that the amount of enabling development is the minimum necessary to secure the future of the heritage asset, and that its form minimises any harm to the asset; and (g) The value, or benefit, of the survival or enhancement of the heritage asset outweighs the long-term cost to the community (i.e. any harm to the asset) of providing the enabling development. PARKS AND GARDENS OF SPECIAL HISTORIC INTEREST
8.35 A number of historic parks and gardens, many associated with surviving, or demolished, large manor houses, have been identified by English Heritage as worthy of protection and included in a Register. Although inclusion does not convey any additional powers over development, the protection of their special character is a material consideration, to be taken fully into account in any development proposals affecting Registered Parks or Gardens, or their settings.
8.36 The following sites are currently included in the Register for the Braintree District, and are shown on the Proposals Map: Belchamp Hall Faulkbourne Hall Glazenwood, Bradwell Gosfield Hall Hatfield Priory Saling Grove Saling Hall Terling Place
Policy RLP 104 Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest Development will not be permitted, which would materially detract from the historic character, or setting, of sites included in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
SITES AND AREAS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE 8.37 Braintree District has approximately 2700 sites of archaeological interest that are recorded on the Essex County Council’s Essex Heritage Conservation Record (EHCR), of which 42 sites are scheduled as Ancient Monuments (January 2002) under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The sites range from Palaeolithic flint axes through a variety of prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval settlements to post medieval and modern industrial sites and World War 2 and Cold War structures. However the EHCR records represent only a fraction of the total. These sites constitute a finite, non-renewable resource vulnerable to damage. Braintree District Council will seek to protect, enhance and preserve both sites and their settings, and also calls on landowners and occupiers to recognise their stewardship role.
8.38 In order to ensure archaeological issues are properly considered in the planning process, early consultation by the applicant on the archaeological implications of their proposals is recommended. The planning authority will seek to ensure they are fully informed about the nature of the archaeological site and its setting. When investigating and preparing development proposals, the planning authority will expect applicants to adopt the procedures set out in central government planning policy guidance 16: Archaeology and Planning. Advice is available from the Council and specialist County Council staff and early consultation is recommended.
8.39 It may not always be feasible to retain all archaeological remains. Where nationally important structures, or remains, or their settings, are affected by proposed development, there will be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation in situ. In the case of archaeological sites of less than national significance, if preservation is not feasible, formal conditions or Legal Agreements will be imposed to ensure that there is observation, recording, excavation or other appropriate means of retaining knowledge of the archaeological interest of the site.
Policy RLP 105 Ancient Monuments and Sites of Archaeological Importance Where development would adversely affect the physical preservation of Scheduled Ancient Monuments and other nationally important archaeological remains, and their settings, whether scheduled or not, there will be a presumption in favour of their preservation in situ and planning permission will be refused.
Other areas of archaeological significance (i.e. those which, although important locally, are not of national significance) will be preserved. When development affecting such sites is acceptable in principle, mitigation of damage will be sought through the preservation of the remains in situ as a preferred solution. When in situ preservation is not justified, the developer will be required to make adequate provision for excavation and recording before or during development.
Policy RLP 106A Archaeological Evaluation Where important archaeological deposits are thought to be at risk from a proposed development the developer will be required to arrange for an archaeological evaluation to be undertaken prior to the planning decision being made. The evaluation will assess the character, importance and extent of the archaeological deposits and will allow an informed and reasonable decision to be made on the planning application.
Policy RLP 106B Archaeological Excavation and Monitoring Where permission is granted for developments affecting archaeological deposits, conditions will be imposed to ensure that the archaeological remains are properly excavated and recorded prior to the development commencing.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
8.40 A wide range of advertisements falls within a separate statutory control from other forms of development, known as the Advertisement Regulations. The determination of applications under these Regulations, and powers to discontinue the display of unauthorised signs are to be made in the interests of visual amenity and public (including traffic) safety. In order to carry out this duty, the Council seeks to ensure that the siting, design and effects of advertisements are acceptable for the building (if appropriate) and area in which they are sited. Particular attention will be paid to advertisement control in the countryside, where only necessary commercial displays will be approved; and in Conservation Areas, where details of the siting, design and means of any illumination can exert a considerable influence on their character and appearance.
Policy RLP 107 Outdoor Advertisements The Council will carry out its duties in relation to the Control of Advertisements Regulations in the light of the following criteria, designed to ensure that all relevant issues affecting visual amenity and public safety are taken into account: (a) Advertisement displays should be in close proximity to the activities they are advertising. Non - related or free - standing displays will not normally be approved; (b) The area of display of an advertisement should be visually subordinate to the feature of the building (including fascia boards) on which it is located; (c) The proliferation of advertisements on buildings or sites will be opposed, whether external signs or other displays including window posters, or hoardings. (d) Issues of public safety, including traffic safety will be accorded a high priority in decision making. (e) Particular importance must be paid to the luminance, design and siting of outdoor advertisements in sensitive locations such as urban fringes, countryside and residential areas.
Advertisements Affecting Conservation Areas
8.41 Where the display of advertisements is within, or affects the character or appearance of, designated Conservation Areas, the Council will apply the following additional policies:
Policy RLP 108 Fascias and Signs in Conservation Areas The Council will apply the following policies for the control of fascias and signs in Conservation Areas: (a) Large, or unduly deep, fascias will be discouraged as they tend to assume bold proportions, which detract from the vertical emphasis of historic and other buildings, particularly if applied across more than one frontage without an interval. (b) Lettering and symbols should be in scale with both the building and any board, or structure, on which they are located. They should avoid enlarged type faces and cramped spacing. Individual cast metal, or cut out, serif letters are considered appropriate, since they should not detract from the major focal interest of the facade and they have the added advantage of strong definition. (c) Dominant, or overpowering, signs and those which appear unnecessary and repetitive will be resisted. In particular, many national identity signs are disruptive to domestic scale and inappropriate for conservation areas. Hanging signs may be acceptable, where fascia signs are inappropriate. (d) Any undue proliferation of advertisement displays will be opposed and signs above ground floor level will normally be refused. (e) All advertisements should be designed as an integral part of the host building, of a size and design harmonising with the character of the Conservation Area. 5
Policy RLP 109 Illuminated Signs in Conservation Areas The Council will apply the following criteria for the control of illuminated fascia and projecting box signs in Conservation Areas: (a) Wholly illuminated fascia signs, which are badly designed, using high glossed materials and large lettering, out of keeping with the character of the area, or the building on which they are to be displayed, will not be permitted. Well designed and proportioned fascia signs may be considered favourably, depending upon the building and the setting, provided the lettering only is illuminated. (b) Illuminated projecting box signs, which by reason of their size, siting, design and choice of materials, are out of keeping with the building and character of the area, will not be permitted. Well-designed hanging signs using traditional materials and lettering will be considered on their merits, in relation to the buildings and the setting. Any illumination necessary shall take the form of discreet external lighting. Chapter 9 Town Centres, Local Centres and Shopping
Introduction
9.1 The District’s town centres provide the social and economic focus of their communities and it is important that this Plan provides a framework for their vitality and viability to be maintained and enhanced. Local centres within urban neighbourhoods and village shops are of similar importance to their communities. The last ten to fifteen years have seen many changes in retailing, including the growth of regional shopping centres, the growth of out-of-town retail parks, extended opening hours and Sunday trading, and more recently internet shopping. All of these changes have had an effect on existing town and local centres.
9.2 Braintree, Halstead and Witham are classified in the Structure Plan as Principal Town Centres. They do not offer the same amount, or range, of retailing as nearby sub-regional centres such as Colchester, Chelmsford and Lakeside. The town centres in this District rely mainly on convenience shopping and local services to attract people to use them. The larger villages in the District including Coggeshall, Earls Colne, Hatfield Peverel, Kelvedon, Sible Hedingham and Silver End have a range of local shops and services, and some of the smaller villages retain a shop and post office and other services, such as a public house and petrol filling station.
9.3 This Chapter firstly sets out general policies and proposals for the District, and secondly deals with individual settlements.
Policy Background
9.4 The policy context for retailing, town and local centres is provided by PPG6 published in June 1996 and the Structure Plan. The key features of PPG6 are: _ an emphasis on the sequential approach to selecting sites for development _ support for local centres _ promotion of mixed-use development and retention of key town centre uses _ encouraging the development of town centre strategies _ enabling town centre development through development plans and by facilitating site assembly _ attracting investment into upgrading existing buildings and high-quality new development _ encouraging investment in retail, employment, leisure and other key ` town centre uses _ promoting town centre management including maintenance of public areas _ ensuring accessibility by a choice of means of transport _ improving access and traffic management _ making more effective use of town centre car parking, including making sure car parks are attractive and secure _ encouraging high quality design of both urban spaces and buildings
9.5 In the Replacement Structure Plan, Braintree, Halstead and Witham town centres are placed in the second tier of the County’s shopping hierarchy as Principal Town Centres. Policy TCR2 of the Structure Plan sets out the sequential approach to be adopted in determining where proposals for retail and other town centre developments, which attract a large number of people, should be located. Policy TCR3 provides for local planning authorities to support proposals that will strengthen and maintain the role of town centres. Policy TCR4 sets out criteria against which proposals for retail development will be judged. These policies provide a context for, and should be read in conjunction with, the policies and proposals in this Plan.
Objectives
9.6 In planning for the future of retailing, town centres and local centres the Council is seeking to achieve the following objectives: _ to protect and enhance the pivotal roles of Braintree, Halstead and Witham town centres as the economic, social and cultural foci for the District _ to maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of existing town and local centres _ to protect, conserve and enhance the historic character of town and local centres _ to provide for a range of uses in town centres including retailing, employment, leisure, entertainment, culture, and residential to ensure a vibrant environment both in the daytime and in the evening _ to ensure accessibility by all modes of transport and to provide a level and type of car parking appropriate to support the centres _ to maintain and enhance the appearance and environment of town and local centres and to ensure that they are clean, safe and well lit.
Retail Background and Trends
9.7 As indicated above, retailing has seen a number of significant changes in the last ten to fifteen years. To help in planning for the future, the Council commissioned consultants to examine current retailing trends and to advise on a way forward. The consultant’s study included a survey to identify current shopping habits, an examination of the socio-economic characteristics of the District, and an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of, opportunities for and threats to the town centres. The consultant’s report is being published separately. Its recommendations are taken into account when dealing with individual settlements below.
9.8 The anticipated trends in retailing over the plan period are: _ retail concentration, representing the shift of trading from secondary to primary pitch and from independent to multiple traders _ polarisation, with stronger trading performance by regional centres with a full comparison offer either in city centres, or in off-centre locations, at the expense of smaller centres _ consumer preferences primarily in respect of the growing importance of the ‘leisure shop’ undertaken at centres offering an attractive environment and a wide comparison/durable offer. This is combined with the increasing attraction of readily accessible centres with ample, inexpensive and secure car parking and the attraction of a sufficient critical mass of stores open and trading on Sunday, combined with a wide range of leisure and tourist facilities _ the hardening of planning policy to refuse out of centre development proposals and to concentrate all forms of developments, particularly retail and leisure developments, in town centres where advantage can be taken of public transport accessibility furthering the aims of sustainability
9.9 These trends mean that there is likely to be a common pattern of impact on all centres; including the dominance of prime pitch leading to higher vacancies in secondary and tertiary areas; the decline of independent traders and increasing dominance by multiple traders; and an increasing distinction between comparison and convenience shopping destinations.
9.10 As a result, the larger centres will continue to out-perform smaller centres, with those of middle ranking status having the potential to significantly lose trade. Attractive and historic centres are likely to perform better than centres with unpleasant shopping environments.
9.11 Because the District’s town centres do not have a wide range of multiple stores they will face increasing competition from nearby sub-regional centres. If their vitality and viability is to be maintained, it is important that their existing strengths are maintained and that there are policies in place to promote them and increase their attractiveness through environmental improvements and encouraging a wider mix of uses and attractions. General Town Centre Policies
9.12 This section sets out general policies, which will be applied to all of the town centres in the District. These should be read in conjunction with the town centre and retailing policies set out in the Structure Plan, particularly TCR2, 3 and 4.
Town Centres and Shopping Areas
9.13 As indicated above, national planning guidance now places an emphasis on the sequential approach, with a preference for retail and other town centre uses to be located firstly within town centres, secondly on sites at the edge of town centres, thirdly in district and local centres and finally in out-of-centre sites accessible by all modes of transport. Major retail proposals will be judged against this guidance and Structure Plan policy TCR4 and policies RLP109A and 109B below. In this Plan town centres are Braintree, Witham and Halstead Town Centres. District Centres are the main shopping areas at Coggeshall, Earls Colne, Great Notley, Kelvedon, Maltings Lane, Witham, Masefield Road and Kings Park Village, Braintree, Sible Hedingham and Silver End. All other shopping areas are local centres. In order to assist with the application of these policies , the boundaries of the town centres are defined on the Proposals Map. The town centres cover a wider area than the principal shopping area, as they also include other town centre uses. It will be important for the future vitality of town centres that a variety of uses are accommodated, including leisure uses such as pubs and restaurants, residential, office, entertainment and cultural uses. It is important that both the daytime and evening economies are encouraged.
Policy RLP109A Retail and Town Centre Development - The Sequential Approach Proposals for retail and other town centre developments, which attract large numbers of people, should be determined on a sequential basis by applying the following descending order of preference. The need or capacity for development will be taken into account in deciding whether it should be accommodated at successively lower levels in the hierarchy: 1 Town centre sites, where suitable sites or buildings suitable for conversion are available, committed or likely to become available in a reasonable period of time. 2 If development cannot be accommodated within a town centre then it should be located on a suitable site on the edge of a town centre. 3 If development cannot be accommodated on a town centre or edge of centre site then it should be located at a district centre. It there are no suitable district centre sites, opportunities at local centres should be considered. 4 If development cannot be accommodated on sites in town centres, edge of centre locations, district or local centres, and there is a demonstrable need for it, out of centre sites elsewhere within the urban area may be considered, provided they are accessible by a choice of means of transport. Within areas of large-scale new housing development, appropriate provision will be made for local shopping and associated service uses, provided this does not undermine the vitality and viability of any nearby town centre, district or local centre.
Policy RLP109B - Retail Development Retail development proposals should: 1 Not individually, or cumulatively with other recent and committed development, materially affect the vitality and viability of any existing town, district, or local centre; 2 Be accessible by a choice of means of transport; 3 Not give rise to unacceptable problems of access, road safety or traffic congestion; 4 Provide car parking and servicing facilities in accordance with the approach set out in RLP56 and to standards and criteria as set out in Appendix 3, together with facilities for non-car users; 5 Promote high standards of design and not cause unreasonable loss of amenity to adjoining land uses; 6 Not materially prejudice the provision of other major land uses, particularly the supply of land for employment, housing and community uses such as open space. 9.14 Each town centre retains a compact shopping core and it is part of their attractiveness that most shops are within easy reach of each other and from car parks and central bus stops. It is intended that this compactness should be retained and shopping areas are therefore defined on the Proposals Map within which retail uses will be concentrated. Outside of the defined shopping areas proposals, which will result in sporadic and dispersed retail uses, will be resisted. It is also important that within the shopping areas strong retail frontages are not diluted by non-retail uses such as estate agents, banks and building societies (A2 uses).
9.15 The following policies will be applied to the defined town centre and shopping areas:
Town Centres
Policy RLP 110 Town Centre Uses The town centres of Braintree, Halstead and Witham are defined on the Proposals Map. These areas will be used as the basis for applying the sequential approach. Within town centres a diverse range and mix of uses will be encouraged. New uses, which by virtue of their character or appearance, or which generate noise and traffic, that would be harmful to the town centre, or would cause unacceptable disturbance to local residents, will not be permitted.
Shopping Areas
Policy RLP 111 Shopping Areas Shopping areas for Braintree, Witham, Halstead and Coggeshall are defined on the Proposals Map. Within these areas retail uses will normally be encouraged. Proposals for retail development outside these areas, will be considered in accordance with the sequential approach set out in Policy RLP109A .
Policy RLP 112 Retail Frontage Policy Applications for A2 uses, within the areas defined below, will be permitted if the following criteria are met: (a) There should be a balance between retail and non-retail uses and no continuous frontages on non-retail uses. (b) The premises do not have the benefit of rear servicing. The frontage is not prominent in the streetscene. Where non-retail uses are permitted, the occupiers will be required to provide and maintain a window display. The areas to which this policy will be applied are: Braintree - Bank Street, High Street (east of No.74a and Baileys Gant), Great Square, Little Square, Market Street, Market Square, and George Yard. Witham - Newland Street between Collingwood Road and Guithavon Street, the Newlands Precinct and the Grove Shopping Centre.
Accessibility
9.16 It is important that town centres are accessible by all modes of transport and accessible to all people, including those with special needs, although there can sometimes be perceived conflicts between pedestrianisation and the viability of individual shopping streets. In order to deliver this, PPG13 states local authorities should: _ focus major generators of travel demand in town and district centres and near to public transport interchanges _ give priority to people over traffic in town centres, other areas with a mixture of land uses and local neighbourhoods and consider giving more road space to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport in these locations The following policy will therefore be applied.
Policy RLP 113 Accessibility The Council will ensure that town centres are accessible both to those with special needs and requirements (including disabled, blind and partially sighted people and pram and cycle access) and by a range of sustainable transport options. Proposals within town centres that will improve these facilities will be encouraged.
Parking
9.17 The District’s town centres serve extensive rural catchment areas, where public transport is infrequent, or non-existent. It is important therefore that adequate shoppers’ car parking is available. It is considered that car parking in Braintree and Witham is generally adequate to meet current and anticipated demands. Some additional short stay car parking may be required in Halstead and this is dealt with below. Parking standards and policies are referred to in the Transport Chapter. It is also important that secure cycle parking is available at key locations in town and local centres.
Use of Upper Floors
9.18 The upper floors of shops and offices in town centres are often under used. Their use for residential purposes can add to the vitality and viability of town centres, can help with increasing security and can contribute to meeting overall housing requirements. Where use of upper floors for residential uses is not possible, other commercial uses may be considered.
Use of Upper Floors in Town Centres
Policy RLP 114 Upper Floors in Shopping Areas Applications for the residential, or commercial, use of upper floors in the defined shopping area will be encouraged. Applications for uses, which might prejudice or restrict access to upper floors with in the defined shopping areas, will normally be resisted.
Conservation and Design
9.19 The major part of Braintree, Halstead and Witham town centres are included within conservation areas. It is important that any development in the town centre is sympathetic to and enhances the character and appearance of the area. Policies relating to the general principles of development within conservation areas are found in the Design and Heritage Chapter. 9.20 It is particularly important that shopfront design respects the character of conservation areas and policy RLP 115 below will be applied. Regard should also be paid to the following supplementary planning guidance, as appropriate: Shopfronts - Conservation in Essex No.5 Shop Blinds and Awnings Shop Signs - Signs and Lettering - Conservation in Essex No.6
Shopfronts
Policy RLP 115 Shopfronts in Conservation Areas Where applications are submitted for new shopfronts in conservation areas, the local planning authority will use the following guidelines: (a) Display windows should be sub-divided into areas which create proportional harmony and relate to the character and features of the building (b) Traditional materials should be used wherever possible; (c) Inappropriate division of the buildings behind their facades will not be permitted; (d) Where illumination is proposed it should always be provided externally by a maximum of two or three hooded spot lights, or a full length light concealed by a compact hood; (e) Stall risers should always be provided, they should be between 450mm and 700mm high and have a moulded projecting cill to provide a strong junction with the glass; (f) Projecting and hanging signs should be non-illuminated and at or just below fascia level.
RETAIL WAREHOUSING
9.21 In the past ten years there has been an increasing demand for retail warehousing for the sale of bulky non-food goods. These often involve the construction of large showrooms, that cannot be accommodated easily in town centres. The main retail warehousing area in the District is the Braintree Retail Park at Charter Way. Some retail warehousing, up to a maximum of 2.02 hectares in total, is also provided for within the new Maltings Lane Business Park at Witham. No further areas for retail warehousing are proposed in this Plan. Any further proposals will be judged against Structure Plan policy TCR4 and policies RLP 116 and RLP 117.
Policy RLP 116 Retail Warehouse Development Retail warehouse development will be permitted within, or immediately adjoining, town centres. If no such sites are available, then the sequential approach set out in Structure Plan Policy TCR4 will be applied. In addition proposals will be judged against the following criteria: (1) The cumulative effect of the proposed development and other recent and proposed large scale development in the locality on the vitality and viability of any nearby shopping centre as a whole; (2) Development to be confined to the sale of non-food retail products, of a weighty or bulky nature, which could give rise to inconvenience to the public if located within, or adjacent to, town centres, that are proven to be acceptable to retail warehousing and found within established retail warehouse parks; (3) The physical and environmental capacity of the adjacent road network to accommodate the traffic generated; (4) The accessibility of the site by all modes of transport and the preparation of a travel plan (5) The adequacy of vehicle parking and service arrangements; and (6) The effect on the amenities of the area An area at the Braintree Retail Park is allocated for retail warehousing on the Proposals Map. Retail warehousing may also be acceptable within the Maltings Lane Business Park up to a maximum of 2.02 hectares in total. Any proposals within the Braintree Retail Park and Maltings Lane Business Park should comply with the above criteria. Policy RLP 117 Conversions to Retail Warehouse Use The conversion of existing industrial/warehousing premises to non-food retail warehouses, outside defined retail areas, will be judged against the criteria in Policy RLP 116 and the following additional criteria: (1) The extent to which the supply of land and premises for industrial use would be adversely affected by the proposal; (2) The availability of suitable accommodation in defined retail areas. (3) The availability of alternative sites.
BRAINTREE
9.22 Of the three towns in the District, Braintree has seen the most significant changes in retailing over the last ten years. There was considerable debate at the last local plan inquiry in 1993 about the future of foodstores in the town. Since then Sainsburys has extended its store in the town centre, Tesco has refurbished its town centre store and opened new neighbourhood stores at Great Notley and at Kings Park Village. There have been other changes in the town centre, with the evening economy strengthened by the conversion of two town centre premises to public houses and refurbishment of others and the introduction of flats above shops. Other improvements have included environmental improvement and part pedestrianisation of the High Street in 1993, the installation of CCTV, the opening of the Manor Street Car Park, the opening of a new library and a new museum.
9.23 In November 1999, the Freeport Factory Outlet Centre opened at Charter Way, adjacent to the Braintree Retail Park. This has improved the range of fashion and comparison shopping available to the town and has drawn back trade previously lost to other centres, such as Chelmsford and Colchester. Early indications are that linked trips between Freeport and the town centre have helped to increase the numbers of people using the town centre. Planning permission for leisure uses at Freeport, including a multiplex cinema, bowling alley, swimming pool and health club and for a limited extension of retail uses was granted in June 2001. Any proposals for further expansion at Freeport will be considered against Structure Plan Policies TCR2 and TCR4. Land immediately to the north of the existing factory outlet centre could be considered for further non-food retail development in the plan period provided that: _ It did not have an adverse impact on Braintree Town Centre and adjacent town centres. _ A green travel plan was provided and approved by the Council. _ It would not involve an unacceptable level of car parking. _ It would not be contrary to Central Government advice and Structure Plan Policy.
9.24 Consultants advise that the prospect of further retail floorspace in Braintree should be considered carefully, whilst the town and town centre are adjusting to recent retail developments. As far as food shopping is concerned, while recent developments have taken up any identified capacity that existed, updated assessment work indicates that growth in and around Braintree is likely to give rise to some limited quantitative capacity for additional floor space over the plan period. In terms of non-food shopping, there has been insufficient time since the opening of Freeport to fully assess its effects. The situation will need to be monitored, throughout the plan period, whilst new retail patterns settle down. No proposals are therefore put forward in this plan for additional retail floorspace in the town. Any site specific proposals that come forward over the plan period will be assessed against relevant plan policies.
9.25 The suggested strategy for Braintree Town Centre comprises the following elements: _ No new site specific allocations, and any individual proposals to be assessed against relevant plan policies. _ encouraging the prospect of further comparison shopping in the town centre _ continuation of a programme of environmental improvements _ examining opportunities for the New Street/Market Street area _ encouraging cafe culture, particularly in Market Square _ strengthening of links with Freeport to increase linked trips _ protecting certain frontages from non-retail uses _ extending the town centre strategy group into a partnership of all stakeholders, to promote town centre and to implement focused improvements _ pursuing the appointment of a town centre manager
Policy RLP 118 Braintree Town Centre Improvements Areas in Braintree in Market Place, Great Square, the western end of Manor Street and the northern end of Fairfield Road are proposed for environmental improvement and are shown on the proposals map. Proposals which would prejudice these improvements will not be permitted. Contributions towards the improvements and their future maintenance will be sought from developments that are permitted in the town centre and other developments which may have an impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre.
HALSTEAD
9.26 Halstead functions as a country market town, with a range of shops and services. A number of environmental improvements have been carried out, including repaving part of the High Street, the provision of street furniture, heritage lighting and the restoration of the Public Gardens. Halstead town centre has a relatively affluent catchment, a high quality environment, and a number of interesting independent shops. However, as retailing trends have changed in the last ten years, Halstead has been left behind relative to nearby competing centres.
9.27 The main foodstores in Halstead are the Co-op Solar Store and Somerfield. A limited amount of further food retailing within the town may enhance its catchment profile.
9.28 Halstead retains only 14% of the expenditure for non food shopping within its catchment. Given the vacancy rate within the town centre, the limited opportunities for development and the lack of significant demand, it is unlikely that this position will change over the plan period. If demand comes forward from specific retailers then this could be met by the incremental take up of existing space. However, the historic nature of many of the units within the town centre means that it is difficult to accommodate modern retailer requirements.
9.29 There is a development opportunity on land to the east of Halstead High Street. Mixed uses on this site should include housing and shoppers car-parking: There is a need for additional short-stay car parking to serve Halstead Town Centre. This site should provide a minimum of 30 spaces for short-stay parking, with access off The Centre. A development brief will be prepared to provide supplementary planning guidance on the content and layout of development. The Centre (that is, the road east of the High Street, together with a rear parking area is also an area that would benefit from refurbishment or redevelopment and environmental improvement and this is shown as a comprehensive development area on the Proposals Map. Acceptable use at The Centre could include retail, office use and residential.
9.30 Because of the historic nature of Halstead, and the limited demand for further retailing, any strategy for the town centre needs to concentrate on its existing retail structure. It is suggested that the strategy should have the following elements: _ Promotion of Halstead as a tourist centre based on its historic nature and its role as an antique centre _ Further environmental improvements in Bridge Street, Weavers Court and Market Hill _ Investigation of further shoppers car parking _ To widen the town centre partnership to include all stakeholders to develop a strategy for the town and to promote it _ Considering the prospect of a part time or shared town centre manager _ Monitoring the gateway locations to the town
Halstead Town Centre Policies
Policy RLP 119 Land East of Halstead High Street Land East of Halstead High Street is allocated on the Proposals Map as a Comprehensive Development Area. Mixed uses on this site should include shoppers car parking. A development brief is to be agreed with the Council, prior to the commencement of any development.
Policy RLP 121 Environmental Improvements in Halstead Areas in Halstead Town Centre at Bridge Street, Weavers Court, High Street, The Centre and Market Hill are proposed for environmental improvement. Proposals which would prejudice these improvements will not be permitted. Contributions towards the improvements and their future maintenance will be sought from developments that are permitted in the town centre and other developments which may have an impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre.
Policy RLP 122 The Centre, Halstead The Centre (that is, the road, retail/mixed use units and associated rear parking, east of the High Street) is shown as a comprehensive development area on the Proposals Map, where refurbishment, or redevelopment, will be encouraged, for retail, office, residential purposes or a mix of these uses.
WITHAM
9.31 Witham Town Centre provides primarily food and other convenience retailing for the local population. The main shopping areas are Newland Street, the Grove Centre and the Newlands Precinct. There is an off-centre Safeway foodstore in Braintree Road. The environmental quality of the town centre is generally high, with a number of historic buildings. The Grove Centre is relatively modern and of a quality which complements the historic centre. The Newlands Precinct dates from the 1960’s and would benefit from refurbishment, or redevelopment. This is therefore shown as a comprehensive development area on the Proposals Map.
9.32 In general Witham Town Centre exhibits good signs of vitality and viability and overall appears to be relatively healthy. There are some concerns about the current level of vacancies within the town centre, and the concentration of pedestrian flows between the two shopping precincts has diluted flows at the southern and northern ends of Newland Street. However, the introduction of service uses in these areas has added to the diversity of uses in the town centre.
9.33 A capacity assessment has been undertaken by consultants for food retailing in Witham. This has identified some scope for additional food floorspace in Witham town centre. It is suggested that this could, for instance include a new discount foodstore together with an extension to the existing Tesco store. There is also a commitment to 1115 square metres of additional convenience retailing, as part of the new neighbourhood development at Maltings Lane. The comparison sector within Witham is comparatively weak, primarily because of the town’s proximity to Chelmsford and Colchester. It is unlikely that this position will change over the plan period and any growth in this sector is likely to be on an incremental basis.
9.34 It is proposed that a flexible strategy will be adopted for Witham town centre based on the following elements: _ To focus on the existing retailers within Witham town centre, rather than to seek further developments. If new proposals do come forward within the town centre then these will be viewed positively. No specific sites are allocated and any new proposals would need to be located within the existing town centre. _ A strengthening of the town centre partnership, to include all key stakeholders within the town centre to define common goals and to promote the town centre accordingly _ Consideration to be given to a town centre manager, either part-time or shared with another centre _ Further environmental improvements Witham Town Centre Policies
Policy RLP 123 Environmental Improvements in Witham Areas in Witham Town Centre at Newland Street, Newlands Drive Car Park and the Lockrams Lane Car Park are proposed for environmental improvement. Proposals which would prejudice these improvements will not be permitted. Contributions towards the improvements and their future maintenance will be sought from developments that are permitted in the town centre and other developments which may have an impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre.
Policy RLP 124 Newlands Precinct, Witham The Newlands Precinct is shown as a comprehensive development area on the Proposals Map, where refurbishment, or redevelopment will be encouraged, for retail purposes.
Village and Local Centres.
9.35 The District has a number of local centres, both within neighbourhoods in the urban areas and in villages. These provide an important local service providing for top up shopping and for those people who cannot conveniently reach town centre shops. Proposals which would lead to the improvement of such centres will be encouraged. The loss of shops and services in rural areas is a source of concern: Proposals which would lead to their loss will be resisted, unless there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the shop, or service, is not economically viable and all options for its continuance have been fully explored.
Policy RLP 125 Local Shopping Facilities Proposals for new shops in local centres will be permitted where it can be demonstrated that existing facilities are inadequate and additional shops are required to meet the needs of a local neighbourhood, and where the following criteria are met: i) The proposal is of a scale and size appropriate for the area. ii) Parking is provided in accordance with the standards set out in Appendix 3 of this Plan. iii) There would be no adverse impact on residential properties in the immediate area. iv) There is no unacceptable impact on the vitality and viability of existing neighbourhood or town centres. v) There is no unacceptable increase in traffic movements arising from the proposed development or unacceptable implications for highway safety.
Policy RLP 126 Additional Village Shopping The provision of additional shopping facilities in villages, including the expansion, or redevelopment, of existing shops will be given favourable consideration providing there are no overriding environmental or highway constraints.
Policy RLP 127 Maintenance of Rural Services and Facilities Within the rural areas, support will be given to the continuance of services and facilities, in order to maintain community life. Proposals which would lead to the loss of village facilities will not be permitted unless sufficient evidence is provided to demonstrate that they are not viable and that all options for their continuance have been fully explored.
Monitoring Vitality and Viability 9.36 During the plan period the Council will keep the health of the town centres under continuous review. In particular the following indicators will be monitored for each town on an annual basis: i) Number of vacant units in the town centre ii) Number and type of retail and service uses iii) Pedestrian flows at key locations iv) Number and type of car parking spaces v) Availability and frequency of public transport services vi) Retail floorspace In addition, consultants advice will be sought from time to time on rents, yields and retailer demand. Chapter 10 Sport, Recreation and Tourism
Introduction
10.1 This Chapter relates to the provision and retention of sporting, recreational and tourism facilities and to the retention of open space, playing fields and other recreational facilities.
Policy Context
10.2 The policy context for this Chapter is set out in the following documents:- _ The Revision of PPG17 on Sport, Open Space and Recreation and in PPG21 on Tourism. _ Sport England’s Land Use Planning Policy Statement entitled ‘Planning Policies for Sport’, which provides guidance on Local Plan issues. _ The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan, which contains the following relevant leisure, recreation and tourism policies; LRT 1, LRT3, LRT4, LR8, LRT9, LRT10 and in addition policies BE3 and BE4, which deal with the retention of open space and sports grounds and playing fields. _ The Braintree District Quality of Life Plan, which seeks to encourage people to take up leisure activities to improve their physical, emotional and social well-being. _ The National Playing Fields Association Six Acre Standard, which contains guidance on the provision of playing fields. _ Circular 580/01 The Protection of School Playing Fields and Land for City Academies, which introduces measures that strengthen the protection of school playing fields.
Aims _ To ensure that provision is made for sporting, recreation and tourism facilities and good quality open space in sustainable locations, to meet the needs of the District, in order to improve people’s physical and social well-being. _ To ensure that existing sports and recreational facilities, playing fields and open spaces are protected from development. _ To make facilities for sports, recreation and tourism available and accessible to all sections of the community. _ To make urban areas attractive places in which to live.
Objectives _ To ensure that major new development provides adequate sports facilities, through the use of planning agreements and obligations and that small developments should make a contribution to nearby sports, or children’s playing equipment. _ To ensure that new development contains a minimum of 10% of the site areas for public open space and to ensure its future maintenance through the provision of a commuted payment, to meet the needs arising from new development. _ To safeguard existing areas of open space and to promote the provision of additional areas: To provide a standard of 2.43 hectares of outdoor playing space and of 0.4 hectares of informal recreation space per 1,000 population, throughout the urban areas of the District and to meet local needs within the rural areas. _ To ensure that open spaces are located and designed in accessible locations, which minimise the risk of crime and vandalism. _ To provide adequate land, of suitable quality, for allotments in appropriate locations, to meet the needs of the District. _ To protect areas of visually important space, which make an important contribution to the character of towns and villages, from development. _ To improve the quality of parks and open spaces in the District. _ To provide a Country Park near Hatfield Peverel to meet the needs of residents in the southern part of the District. _ To support the use of disused railway lines for recreational and nature conservation purposes. _ To promote sustainable tourism and the provision of visitor attractions in appropriate locations, including town centres, and to improve existing tourist facilities and try to make them accessible to all.
Policies and Proposals
SPORTS AND LEISURE FACILITIES
10.3 The Council will support the provision of an appropriate range of sports, leisure and recreational facilities in suitable and sustainable locations, preferably in town or village centres, which are accessible by public transport, bicycle and on foot, as well as by car. The level of provision should be based on local assessments of need and take account of wider than local requirements for strategic, or specialist facilities.
10.4 A site has been identified for indoor leisure facilities at the Chapel Hill Retail Park in Braintree. It is intended that these facilities will include a cinema, bowling alley and may also include a swimming pool.
10.5 The Council has identified a need for new community swimming pools for Halstead and Braintree to replace the existing pools, which are outdated and in need of major repair. Lottery funding is being sought for the proposed new Halstead pool, which is intended to be provided as a dual use facility at the Ramsey School. It is proposed that the current Halstead pool site at Parsonage Street will be redeveloped for housing, when the new pool is open to the public.
10.6 It is proposed that a new Braintree swimming pool will be provided, either at the Millennium Way leisure site, shown on the Proposals Map, or at the Braintree Leisure Centre in Panfield Lane. It is intended that the existing Riverside Pool in St Johns Avenue would be redeveloped for housing, after the new Braintree swimming pool is open to the public.
Policy RLP 128 Sports and Leisure Facilities Proposals for sports and leisure facilities, which require substantial buildings, including change of use, should normally be located within town or village centres. If no suitable sites within these areas exist, then such developments may be acceptable, as an exception, on edge-of-centre sites provided that: _ they are conveniently accessible by both public and private transport, bicycle and on foot from nearby residential areas _ they are located where there are no overriding traffic problems and access to the development will be safe _ they have no detrimental effect upon residential amenity, or the environment _ they are compatible with other policies in the plan. If there are no suitable sites within town boundaries or village envelopes then sites adjoining urban areas may be considered if they meet the criteria set out above.
Policy RLP 129 Indoor Sport and Leisure Site, Braintree Retail Park A site for indoor sport and leisure facilities, which may include a cinema and bowling alley is allocated at Braintree Retail Park.
Policy RLP 130 Swimming Pool, Millennium Way, Braintree A site for a swimming pool is allocated off Millennium Way, Braintree, as indoor sport and leisure.
Policy RLP 131 Community Swimming Pool, Ramsey School, Halstead A site for a dual use, community swimming pool is proposed at the Ramsey School, Halstead, which is allocated for Education on the Halstead Inset Map.
GOLF COURSES
10.7 There is continued demand for golf courses, driving ranges and associated facilities, which can have a significant effect upon the landscape, particularly if they include large areas of car parking.
10.8 Proposals for new golf courses and associated facilities should comply with guidance set out in the ‘Essex Golf Report’, which was prepared by the Essex Planning Officers Association in 1990 and adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance by this Council in November 1990.
10.9 Proposals for golf facilities affecting Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Registered Parks and Gardens will not be permitted.
10.10The development of unrelated facilities at rural golf clubs, such as hotels, conference facilities and leisure centres will not be permitted, because of their effect upon the countryside and unsustainable locations.
10.11 Golf driving ranges would be more suited to urban fringe, rather than to countryside locations.
Policy RLP 132 Golf Courses In considering proposals for golf courses, the following criteria will be applied: (1) The development of golf courses in highly visible countryside such as prominent sites on scarp slopes, valleys, exposed plateaux and ridges will not be permitted. (2) Golf courses will not be permitted within Sites of Special Scientific Interest, or Registered Parks and Gardens. (3) Golf courses will need to be located so that safe and convenient access can be made to the principal road network, without the need to use long stretches of unsuitable rural lanes and pass through small settlements. (4) On golf courses within a rural location, built development will be restricted to those facilities essentially required to serve the club. The conversion of existing buildings will be preferred. Other large-scale buildings in the countryside, not essentially related to the use of land for golf, will not normally be permitted. (5) Proposals for residential development and holiday accommodation in association with golf courses in rural areas will be firmly resisted.
SPORTS AND RECREATION CAUSING NOISE OR DISTURBANCE
10.12 A number of sporting and recreational activities can give rise to noise and disturbance, which can detrimentally affect ‘noise sensitive’ development such as housing, schools and hospitals. These noise generating activities can include shooting, motor sports, airsports, war games, model aircraft flying and activities using motor boats.
10.13It is important that such noise generating sports are situated in appropriate locations, so that they do not affect noise sensitive development, unless the noise impact can be minimised to an acceptable level. Restrictions will also be imposed upon hours of operation where necessary.
10.14 Locations which could be suitable for noisy sports include sites close to existing noise generating uses, such as dual carriageways and the mainline railway. Other sites, which might be suitable, include existing degraded sites and former mineral workings, that are remote from noise sensitive development, where environmental impact could be minimised to an acceptable extent.
Policy RLP 133 Sports Causing Noise or Disturbance Proposals for sport or leisure facilities and activities likely to cause noise or disturbance will only be permitted if: 1) Harm would not be caused to noise sensitive development by the nature, scale, extent, frequency or timing of the proposal; 2) There would be no unacceptable increase in traffic on minor roads.
FLOODLIGHTING
10.15 Floodlighting is an integral part of some sports facilities, such as tennis courts, golf driving ranges and synthetic pitches. This can provide for additional use of sports facilities, but can be intrusive and lead to residential and other amenity problems, can have a detrimental impact on the countryside, and create light pollution in the night sky. The design of floodlighting will be expected to minimise glare and light spillage from the site and to the night sky.
Policy RLP 134 Floodlighting of Sports Facilities Floodlighting of sports facilities will be permitted, provided that it is not unacceptably intrusive, or has an unacceptable impact upon the surrounding area and it minimises glare and light spillage from the site. Consideration will be given to the effect of light upon local residents, vehicle users, pedestrians, nocturnal fauna and the night sky. Consideration will also be given to limiting the hours of use.
OPEN SPACE
10.16Open space, sport and recreational buildings and land allocated for that purpose on the Proposals Map must not be developed unless they have been shown to be clearly surplus to requirements (This does not include structural landscaping, which should be retained for that purpose.) Land such as parks, recreation grounds, playing fields and allotments should not be regarded as ‘previously developed land’, which can be targeted for housing development.
Policy RLP 135 Formal Recreation Policy Development that would result in the loss, or reduction of formal recreation sites (that is, playing fields and pitches and recreational buildings) allocated on the Proposals Map will not be permitted unless: _ The development is for buildings ancillary to open space; or for non-commercial community uses, or _ The owner of the site demonstrates that they are required to move in order to upgrade their facilities. In this case, alternative open space will be provided, which is of an equivalent, or improved facility and where it is readily accessible to the catchment population of the existing site and there is no resulting loss of visual amenity.
Policy RLP 136 Open Space Standards Development proposals will be considered with regard to the National Playing Fields Association minimum standards for outdoor playing space, of 2.43 hectares per 1000 population. This is broken down into :- Outdoor Sport (Youth and Adult Use) Pitches, greens, courts 1.6 - 1.8 ha per 1,000 population Children’s Playing Space 0.6 - 0.8 ha per 1,000 population Subdivided to :- Outdoor equipped playgrounds/adventure playgrounds 0.2 - 0.3 ha Casual or informal space within housing areas 0.4 - 0.5 ha.
Policy RLP 137 Provision of Open Space in New Housing Developments In proposals for new residential development, the District Council will normally require that a minimum of 10% of land should be made available for open space. This figure includes play areas and space for formal recreation. Open spaces should be adequate in terms of size and location to meet the needs of the development, which they serve. Where open space is to be provided for the benefit of the development itself and is to be dedicated to the Council, a commuted payment will be required to cover future maintenance costs. Appropriate provision of play equipment, or a commuted sum to cover its costs, should also be made. Supplementary Planning Guidance will be prepared on open space standards. Where individual developments would not warrant a directly associated open space provision, but where cumulatively, and over time, there would be a requirement for open space, commuted payments to provide open space will be required.
ALLOTMENTS
10.17Allotments are a valuable resource, both for allotment holders in terms of cultivation and healthy recreation and for the wider community, as open areas within towns and villages, in terms of visual amenity. They can also be seen as a way of helping achieve a more sustainable lifestyle and are in accordance with Local Agenda 21 principles.
10.18Development will not be allowed on allotments identified on the Proposals Map, unless alternative equivalent provision is made, or it can be shown that the allotments are no longer required.
Policy RLP 138 Allotments Development that would result in the loss of an allotment site defined on the Proposals Map will be resisted unless: _ The allotments are replaced by the applicant at a location within an equally convenient walking distance of the site’s potential catchment area and on land of similar quality; or _ It is demonstrated that the allotments are no longer needed now, or in the foreseeable future; _ The development of the allotments would not result in the loss of an area important to visual amenity.
RIVER ROUTES/LINEAR PARKS AND DISUSED RAILWAY LINES
10.19 The Rivers Brain, Colne and Blackwater flow through the towns of Braintree, Halstead, Witham and Sible Hedingham and their valleys are important for informal recreation, wildlife corridors, in places as nature reserves and contain in parts cycle and footpath routes.
10.20 Disused railway lines, which are open to the public are situated between Witham and Maldon; (the Blackwater Rail Trail), between Braintree and Great Dunmow; (the Flitch Way) and in parts of the Colne Valley. These are also important for informal recreation, nature conservation and contain in parts cycle, footpath and bridleway routes.
10.21 The Council intends to protect river routes and disused railway lines from development and these areas are shown as informal recreation and nature reserves on the Proposals Map. The Council will also seek opportunities to extend public access where appropriate. Cycleways and improved footpaths, and where appropriate bridleways, will be provided in locations identified on the Proposals Map. The Council will also seek to improve signposting and waymarking where appropriate.
Policy RLP 139 River Walks/Linear Parks and Disused Railway Lines The Proposals Map defines the river walks/linear parks in Braintree, Halstead, Witham and Sible Hedingham, as informal recreation. Disused railway lines, where recreational use is proposed, (including those sections of the Flitch Way and Blackwater Rail Trail within this District) are also defined as infor- mal recreation. Part of the River Colne at Sible Hedingham and the Colne Valley disused railway line, at White Colne are protected as a nature reserve. Any development that would prejudice the implementation of the river walks/linear parks, or the use of disused railway lines for recreational purposes, will not be permitted. In considering proposals for the development of adjacent land, the District Council will seek opportunities to extend and improve river walks/linear parks and links to them. Cycleways and improved foot paths and bridleways will be provided where appropriate at river walks and disused railway lines.
INFORMAL RECREATION
10.22The Council will support the development of informal recreation in the countryside, the provision of water recreation areas and the provision of Country Parks at Great Notley and Hatfield Peverel, as set out in the policies below.
10.23The Council intends to promote nature conservation and increased access to the countryside, wherever possible. The Colne Valley has large areas of attractive countryside. However, over the years changing farming practices, housing and industrial development have had an effect upon the landscape and wildlife. The Council set up the River Colne Countryside Project in 1989, in partnership with Colchester Borough Council, to seek to offset some of the more damaging effects and to promote the conservation and management of the Colne Valley.
10.24 The Project aims: _ to promote and enable the involvement of local people in sustainable action to care for their environment _ to maintain, protect and enhance the landscape character and biodiversity of the area and to protect cultural and heritage sites _ to improve and promote opportunities for countryside recreation and public access _ to promote awareness and understanding of the countryside and environmental issues _ to secure grant funding and use resources effectively
10.25 The Council is also a partner in the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Project, which covers part of this District and includes land within several other local authorities. The project was set up in 1981 and extended in 1988 and 1992 to help to protect this valuable landscape. It aims to maintain and enhance the special character of the landscape by works including tree and shrub planting, to encourage quiet informal recreation and to promote appreciation of the countryside. The Council supports the provision and maintenance of other walks in the countryside. An example of such a walk is the Ter Valley Walk, which connects Terling Ford to Fuller Street.
Policy RLP 140 Informal Countryside Recreation Areas Facilities for informal countryside recreation including, where appropriate, further provision and extension of country parks and the provision of water recreation facilities will be encouraged in the following locations: _ Stour Valley _ Colne Valley _ Gosfield Lake to Shalford _ Chelmer, Blackwater and Brain Valleys and also in association with the restoration of disused mineral workings. There should also be informal recreation space of 0.4 hectares per 1,000 population within urban areas.
Policy RLP 141 Country Parks The site of the existing Country Park in Great Notley has been identified on the Proposals Map and will be protected for this use. A site for a new Country Park between Hatfield Peverel and Witham is also shown on the Proposals Map and it is proposed to secure its implementation as an after use of sand and gravel extraction.
TOURISM
10.26 The Council recognises the growing importance of tourism to the local economy. There is an identified demand for new tourist accommodation as a result of the expansion of Stansted Airport and the proposed new development at the Essex Showground.
10.27 New hotels are therefore appropriate in the area of the A120 close to Braintree, which is the part of the District most accessible to these tourist generators. Elsewhere, hotels, guest houses and Bed and Breakfast accommodation are more appropriate close to town centres, or where they can be accessed by a variety of different modes of transport. Within the countryside, conversions to holiday accommodation are more appropriate than new buildings.
10.28 During the period of the plan there may be opportunities to increase the number of tourist attractions in the District. These will be encouraged providing that they do not conflict with the surrounding environment.
10.29 The District has a number of villages and towns that are well visited by tourists due to the high quality of the built or historic environment. Such settlements include Finchingfield, Castle Hedingham and Coggeshall. It is important that within these settlements facilities for visitors are maintained and enhanced in order to promote tourism without detracting from the features that make them attractive to visitors.
Policy RLP 142 Touring Caravan and Camping Sites Touring caravan and camping sites will be permitted in appropriate locations, subject to the following criteria: (a) Sites should be well screened in order to minimise the impact upon the local environment (b) Good access should be available to sites without requiring road improvements, which would be harmful to the rural environment (c) Essential services can be provided (d) They would not use the best and most versatile agricultural land (e) They should not cause harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside.
Policy RLP 143 Static Caravans, Chalets or Cabins Static caravans, chalets and cabins will only be permitted where there is no significant impact on the character of a designated area, road safety, landscape, wildlife, or residential amenity and where essential services can be provided. The location of sites must not be in an area liable to flooding, nor cause the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land and should be well screened. In locations where permanent residential use would not normally be permitted, but holiday use is acceptable, conditions will be imposed limiting the period of occupancy to ensure that the units remain available for holiday use.
Policy RLP 144 Additional Tourist Attractions The District Council will encourage the provision of additional tourist attractions where: _ The character and appearance of the locality will not be damaged _ It would have no significant impact on local amenities _ Access is available by a choice of means of transport _ The vehicular access to and from the highway is safe
Policy 144A Tourist Accommodation Proposals for hotels or bed and breakfast accommodation will be permitted within village envelopes and town development boundaries if the character and appearance of the locality will not be damaged. This applies to new building, change of use of an existing building or extension to existing accommodation. Within the countryside, the conversion of existing buildings for tourist accommodation will be encouraged in preference to the construction of new buildings. Large scale development proposals which are out of character with the rural areas will be resisted.
Policy 144B Hotel Policy Sites for high quality design hotels are considered suitable adjacent to the A120 south of Braintree at Great Notley Business Park, and land enclosed by Panners Roundabout, which has been designated a ‘Special Policy Area’. Development will be permitted in these locations where it satisfies amenity, design, environmental and highway criteria.
Policy RLP 145 Visitor Facilities in Villages The District Council will support and promote proposals for improved visitor facilities such as toilets, car parks, information and signage in those villages subject to visitor pressure. Chapter 11 Community Facilities
Introduction
11.1 This Chapter relates to the provision and retention of community facilities, together with the retention of facilities in rural areas. It covers the provision of community halls, educational facilities, places of worship and cemeteries.
Policy Context
11.2 Government advice in PPG12 refers to the need to consider the relationship of the local plan to social needs and problems. It advises local authorities to consider the extent to which they can address the issues of social exclusion through land use planning policies. It states that plans should make provision for education and health facilities, places of worship and other community facilities. Advice is set out in Circular 580/01 on the Protection of School Playing Fields and Land for City Academies. The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan does not include policies relating to the provision of community facilities.
Aims
11.3 To meet the needs of our communities by ensuring that land is allocated and retained for necessary community facilities, in order to provide for the social needs of all.
Objectives
11.4 The objectives of the Plan in relation to community facilities are: _ To seek the retention of local community facilities, where there is a local need for these. _ To allocate land, in sustainable locations, to meet the identified need for additional community facilities. _ To ensure that the provision of community facilities is linked to new development. Private sector funding, will be expected from developers to provide new facilities, where it is required to serve their proposed developments. _ To ensure that the need for additional cemetery provision is met in the Braintree and Bocking urban area.
Policies EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
11.5 The County Council has identified the need for a new primary school as part of the development of the new neighbourhood of up to 850 dwellings, on land off Maltings Lane and Hatfield Road, Witham.
Policy RLP 146 Primary School Site, Witham A site is identified for a new primary school at the new neighbourhood development on land off Maltings Lane, Witham.
11.7 Educational sites, mainly schools, provide vital community facilities in terms of their buildings and their school grounds, which are valuable both in terms of meeting recreational needs and as visual amenity open space. Where sites can be clearly demonstrated to be surplus to existing and future educational requirements within the plan period, the Council would wish to see these utilised for alternative educational or community uses, wherever possible.
11.8 In cases where the educational use is being retained, but land is claimed to be surplus to requirements, the District Council will require clear evidence of assessment against Government standards and projected school rolls. In all cases, account will be taken of any deficiencies in open space provision in the locality, which the site could remedy and the scope for dual use of playing fields. Regard will be paid to advice set out in Circular 580/01 on The Protection of School Playing Fields and Land for City Academies.
Policy RLP 148 Educational Establishments
The change of use or redevelopment of educational establishments and their grounds, identified on the Proposals Map, will not be permitted unless: a) It can be clearly demonstrated that the use of the site is genuinely redundant and no other alternative educational or community use is needed, or can be found; or b) Satisfactory alternative and improved facilities will be provided; or c) The area of the site to be redeveloped is genuinely in excess of Government guidelines for space standards, taking into account future educational projections. In all cases account will be taken in determining an application for development of any deficiencies in public open space requirements in the area and the contribution the site could make to remedying that deficiency. RETENTION OF RURAL FACILITIES
11.9 The District Council recognises the importance of maintaining local community facilities within the rural parts of the District, (that is, outside the three towns of Braintree, Witham and Halstead) to maintain sustainable communities and to reduce the need to travel to urban areas. The retention of these facilities is important to meet community needs, to maintain the vitality of rural communities and to prevent social exclusion. These facilities include shops, public houses, general stores, post offices, banks, petrol stations and doctors surgeries.
11.10 The allocation of land for additional development in these rural communities may not be the solution to retaining local services, as this will not necessarily ensure the retention, or provision of these facilities. The survival of many services may be dependent upon diversification of existing facilities, for example the provision of post office facilities within village halls or public houses and combining petrol stations and general stores and by voluntary initiatives such as community shops and transport.
11.11 The District Council will, wherever possible, having regard to other material planning considerations, seek to retain rural community facilities. Applications for planning permission involving their loss will be resisted, unless exceptional circumstances justifying their loss can be demonstrated, or they are replaced in an equally good, or more sustainable, location.
Policy RLP 149 Protection of Community Services Proposals that would result in the loss of key community facilities, or services, outside the urban areas, will be resisted, unless sufficient evidence is provided to demonstrate that they are not economically viable and that all other options for their continuance have been fully explored, or they are replaced in an equally good, or more sustainable, location.
CEMETERY PROVISION
11.12A need has been identified by the District Council for additional cemetery provision to serve the Braintree and Bocking urban area. It is estimated in 2001 that there is sufficient land remaining to meet future burial needs for approximately four to five years at Braintree and seven years at Bocking Cemeteries. The Institute of Burial and Cremation Administration has calculated the need, on behalf of the Council, for 118 new graves per annum to meet the requirements of the Braintree and Bocking urban catchment area. It has been suggested that a new cemetery should provide for at least 100 years burial needs and preferably 150 years: This would allow a suitable length of time to accommodate family burial plots and structural planting, as well as providing economies of scale in terms of the laying out of roads and the construction of a Chapel of Rest and cemetery dwelling house, if this was required. This would equate to a site of 6 to 9 hectares.
11.13 Land is therefore allocated off Church Lane, Bocking, previously used as College playing fields, to provide for an extension to the Bocking Cemetery, of 2.31 hectares. This should provide for the medium term needs of the District Council for cemetery land. A site of 8.11 hectares is also allocated off Panfield Lane, Braintree for a new cemetery, which will provide for the longer term needs of the Braintree and Bocking urban area and may include a Chapel of Rest and cemetery dwelling house. An area of structural landscaping has also been identified adjacent to the proposed cemetery at Panfield Lane.
Policy RLP 150 Cemetery Extension, Bocking Provision is made for a cemetery extension at land off Church Lane, Bocking.
Policy RLP 151 New Cemetery, Braintree Provision is made for a new cemetery at land off Panfield Lane, Braintree.
PROVISION OF COMMUNITY HALLS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP
11.14A number of the villages and towns in the District, have older community halls, which do not possess the facilities to meet the modern needs of the communities, which they serve. Development will only be permitted if provision is secured for community benefits and infrastructure, which are directly related to the development proposal and where such provision is fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to it.
11.15 Where development creates a need for new, or expanded, community or village hall facilities, developers will be expected to fund, or contribute to this provision. This will range from the expansion of existing halls to the provision of new halls, depending upon the size of the development. Development will only be permitted if provision is secured for community benefits and infrastructure, which are directly related to the development proposals and where such provision is fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to it.
Policy RLP 152 Community and Village Halls Proposals to upgrade and enlarge existing community and village halls or to create new ones, in sustainable locations, will be supported subject to satisfactory siting, design materials and landscaping.
11.16A long-standing need has been identified for a community hall in Coggeshall. A site has been identified for this purpose to the rear of Stoneham Street. This site is considered to be the most suitable location for a community hall as it is close to the town centre and public car park.
Policy RLP 153 Community Uses Site, Coggeshall Land is allocated to the rear of Stoneham Street, Coggeshall for community uses, which is intended as the site for a new community hall.
11.17 A need has been identified by Great Yeldham Parish Council for a new village hall in the centre of the village, as the existing hall does not meet modern requirements. A site has been provided for that purpose west of The Street, through a planning agreement relating to the development of housing at Whitlock Drive. The Parish Council intend to seek Lottery assistance with financing the provision of this hall.
Policy RLP 154 Village Hall Site, Great Yeldham Land is allocated to the west of The Street, Great Yeldham for community uses, which is intended as the location for a new village hall.
11.18 In Halstead, land adjacent to Priory Hall has been identified as a potential residential site, but it is intended that the existing main school buildings and an adjoining area for car parking should be retained for use by the community. A development brief will be required which shall include dedicated parking and structural landscaping to serve the Community Use and the retention of existing mature trees within the site.
Policy RLP 156 Community Uses Site, Colchester Road, Halstead The former Priory Hall School Hall building, Colchester Road, Halstead is allocated for community uses.
11.19 The existing village hall at White Colne is situated on former railway land off Bures Road. The Parish Council wish to ensure that this land remains available for community uses, including the village hall, car parking and a children’s play area.
Policy RLP 157 Community Uses Site, White Colne Land is allocated to the west of Bures Road, White Colne for community uses, to include a village hall, car parking and children’s play area. 11.20 The District Council identified the need for a community hall and place of worship, as part of the development of a new neighbourhood of up to 850 dwellings on land off Maltings Lane and Hatfield Road, Witham in the development brief for that site.
Policy RLP 158 Community Uses Site, off Maltings Lane, Witham Land is allocated within the new neighbourhood, off Maltings Lane, Witham for community uses, which will include a community hall, health facilities and a place of worship.
11.21 The District Council wishes to ensure that the existing hall, and its curtilage adjacent to Bridge Hospital, Hatfield Road, Witham is retained for continued community use.
Policy RLP 158A Community Uses Hatfield Hall, Hatfield Road, Witham The former Bridge Hospital Hall, Hatfield Road, Witham is allocated for continued community uses.
Policy RLP 159 Local Facilities in Rural Areas Proposals to provide village halls and other community facilities for local needs in rural areas may be acceptable on sites outside, but adjacent to, village envelopes if the following criteria are satisfied: _ The site should have no overriding planning or infrastructure constraints; and _ There should normally be Parish Council support for the local community facility Chapter 12 Utilities
Introduction
12.1 Public utility services require infrastructure works and structures for electricity, gas, water supply, sewerage and telecommunications services. The Council will liaise on overall provision, and will generally support development for operational needs, unless there are overriding environmental or other planning objections. Utility services are provided by private sector companies that enjoy a range of permitted development rights, so that the Council has limited control over these operations and uses in many instances. Even where this is the case, however, the Council will request details of siting and appearance and possibly revisions, where there are particular local designations, or similar planning issues.
Policy Context
12.2 The Local Plan Utilities policies and proposals have been prepared in the light of government advice and the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan.
Aims and Objectives
12.3 The Council’s overall aims in relation to utilities provision are to ensure that electricity, telecommunications and other operational development are appropriately sited and designed, with minimum environmental or other effects, including those relating to visual amenity, nature conservation, health, and cultural heritage. The needs of people with impaired mobility or vision are also relevant, especially in the location and design of street furniture.
Policies
12.4 The Council seeks to secure the appropriate use of land in the District, including land in operational use. The re-use or redevelopment of surplus operational land should therefore be discussed at the earliest stage. The Council also has an important role in liaising with utilities providers on the provision and improvement of services, to ensure that location and design are taken into account.
12.5 Express planning permission is not required for proposals for overhead electricity transmission lines. The Council is entitled to be consulted under the Electricity Act 1989, and will seek alterations to siting and design where proposals affect the character or setting of particular planning interests, such as Conservation Areas, sites of archaeological or nature conservation interest. A similar approach will be taken where proposals are made by other utilities providers enjoying permitted development, or equivalent rights.
Policy RLP 160 Utilities Development Proposals for development required for the operational needs of utilities serving the public will be supported and approved where applicable, subject to their acceptability on environmental and amenity grounds in terms of the other policies in this Plan. In considering proposals the Council will take into account existing levels of infrastructure, technical and operational requirements and opportunities for the sharing of sites, facilities and installations.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
12.6 One of the key purposes of PPG8 Telecommunications is to seek to establish a balance between the emerging and rapidly increasing importance of personal telecommunications in national economic and social life, and legitimate environmental, amenity and other planning issues. The need to establish and consolidate networks has resulted in increasing numbers of proposals for masts and other apparatus, whether requiring formal permission (as referred to in the section of PPG8 dealing with larger telecommunications), or the minor developments which enjoy permitted development rights.
12.7 Proposals for new masts and apparatus will only be supported if there are overriding reasons why the sharing of existing installations cannot act as an alternative. In addition, the Council considers that areas with special designations (such as Conservation Areas) do warrant a more critical approach to telecommunications as well as other forms of development. This view is supported in PPG8. There may be particular concerns over siting and design of masts in such designated areas. Whilst arbitrary restrictions such as mast height will not automatically be imposed across the District, proposals raising particular environmental or amenity issues will be treated particularly carefully in terms of long range views and setting issues. Regard will nevertheless be had to technical and operational constraints when considering proposals.
Policy RLP 161 Telecommunications Development Proposals for telecommunications development must first consider the sharing of masts and sites, in order to reduce the proliferation of structures. Where it can be proven that this is not possible, new telecommunications development will be permitted where it accords with the following criteria: (a) its siting, design, height and any screening keep environmental and amenity impacts to a minimum (see (d) below); (b) new masts and other installations are sited and designed to harmonise with any existing structures on the site, especially their height and profile; (c) measures to reduce the proliferation of structures, including mast sharing and additional underground or other infrastructure works, are not practicable; and (d) they preserve or enhance the setting of Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings, and there is no conflict with the settings of archaeological, landscape or nature conservation interest and Registered Parks and Gardens and similar areas with special designations. Permissions will be subject to a condition requiring the removal of all telecommunications apparatus and equipment when its use becomes redundant. Chapter 13 Implementation, Monitoring and Review
Introduction 13.1 Implementation of the policies and proposals of this Plan will be achieved in a variety of ways. Where policies provide guidance for the determination of planning applications these will be implemented by the District Council through the development control process. Where the determination of applications falls to other agencies such as the County Council and the Secretary of State, the District Council will expect those agencies to have regard to the policies and proposals of this Plan in reaching their decisions.
13.2 The implementation of proposals in this Plan which relate to a particular development or action to be carried out by the District Council or other agency will be dependent on a number of factors including the availability of finance and the completion of statutory procedures. Wherever possible an indication of the status and timing of proposals is given in the main text of the plan.
Policies
Infrastructure and Community Facilities
13.3 The development process provides an opportunity for the Council to negotiate improvements to infrastructure and community facilities which may be needed to secure an acceptable balance of uses and form of development. This may include new or improved facilities related to the area, improvements to the local environment, and other benefits directly related to an individual development. The Council will have due regard to the provisions of Circular 1/97 on planning obligations in considering what requirements are appropriate in any individual case. Planning obligations should be fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the proposed development, and not sought to resolve existing deficiencies. Supplementary Planning Guidance will be prepared on the subject of planning agreements and obligations.
Policy RLP 162 Infrastructure and Community Facilities
Developments will be expected to provide improvements to infrastructure and community facilities appropriate to the location, density, scale and nature of the development. Planning agreements will be sought in appropriate cases for developments to include: (a) Safe pedestrian access, amenity space and open areas for the use of the public, including formal recreation space, together with commuted sums to cover ongoing maintenance; (b) Community facilities including community premises, healthcare facilities, contribution (both land and/or finance) for the provision of educational facilities, children’s play space especially in open space deficiency areas, play equipment, crèches, public toilets and recycling facilities; (c) Affordable housing to meet housing need; (d) Access, public transport improvements, shoppers’ parking, provision for pedestrians and cyclists, and Green Travel Plans; (e) Conservation and where appropriate enhancement of historic buildings, open space and the natural environment; (f) Improvements to utility infrastructure.
Environmental Impact
13.4 As well as ensuring a high quality of development and a satisfactory new environment, it is important to ensure that the potential impact of proposals is fully assessed and the environment of the surrounding area protected. The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999 identify categories of major development, which require a statutory Environmental Impact Assessment. Other schemes may raise specific impact issues for example related to ecology, or traffic impact, in which case the Council will require appropriate impact studies to be submitted.
13.5 Development proposals must be considered in the light of the capacity of sewers and sewage treatment, and potential impact on surface water and waste-water discharge, and the quality of surface and groundwater. The Environment Agency has identified parts of the District which are subject to risk of flooding, and advises as appropriate on proposals in these areas and on proposals which could have an impact on flood protection. The Health and Safety Executive advises on developments involving hazardous substances or processes.
13.6 The Environment Act 1995 requires local authorities to carry out air quality reviews to assess whether national air quality objectives will be met and to designate Air Quality Management Areas and draw up Action Plans if action is needed to improve air quality to meet these standards. The National Air Quality Strategy sets levels and targets for various pollutants. Government guidance on Air Quality and Land Use Planning (1997) states that land use planning will form an important component of air quality management by local authorities, and that where proposals result in pollution the Council will need to consider this in relation to the likely effects on air quality generally and air quality management areas. 13.7 Noise, even in busy urban areas, can be a serious problem when certain activities or combinations of uses are inappropriately located in relation to other uses. Noise can take various forms and is difficult to assess as the disturbance and nuisance caused is not just reflected by measurement. Extended hours of operation, outdoor activities, the transmission of sound from within buildings, and the noise associated with traffic and parking can individually, or in combination, cause an unacceptable effect on the amenity of other uses, unless accompanied by suitable mitigation measures. the introduction of noise sensitive uses, particularly housing, in locations adjoining railway lines, heavily trafficked roads, or in close proximity to industrial areas needs to be considered with great care. There is a need not only to ensure that internal noise levels are acceptable but also that, when windows are open or when external areas are used, the standard of amenity is adequate. However, where residential uses introduced into commercial areas such as town centres, or as part of mixed development schemes, standards relating to noise and disturbance that would apply to wholly housing areas would not be appropriate.
13.8 A number of sites have been occupied by industrial activities and utilities, which are likely to have resulted in some contamination of the land. Where these sites are cleared for redevelopment any pollutants will need to be capped or removed, and the Council will need to be satisfied that development can be safely built and occupied.
Policy RLP 163 Environmental Impact Assessment The Council will require the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment in accordance with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999. A transport, retail, pollution, noise or other impact study, and/or a design statement to accompany proposals will be required for development likely to have a significant effect on the surrounding area.
MONITORING
13.9 It is a key requirement of the plan, monitor and manage approach that information is collected on key indicators that will chart the progress of the implementation of the main proposals of the Plan and its success in achieving sustainability objectives. As the proposals and objectives of the Local Plan have been set within the strategic framework of the Structure Plan and Regional Planning Guidance, its monitoring procedures must also relate to this context. Monitoring procedures developed at these higher levels are therefore reflected in the approach and indicators adopted by the Local Plan, and there is specific correlation with the Indicators of Policy Performance contained within Chapter 18 of the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Structure Plan. To this end the Council propose to monitor the following key indicators. Other measures may be added during the lifetime of the Plan, particularly in light of the review of Regional Planning Guidance and the procedures being established by the East of England Local Government Conference.
Key Indicators
Housing - number of completions per annum - type of dwellings completed - percentage of completions on previously developed land - number of planning consents granted - number of affordable homes completed Employment - take up of employment land - number of jobs provided - unemployment rates - details of vacant industrial and commercial premises to include floorspace and rental levels Transport - number of vehicles using selected roads - numbers of rail passengers number of cycle trips on selected roads/cycleways - availability and frequency of public transport services - usage of community transport Environment - loss of agricultural land to built development - loss of Sites of Specific Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserves numbers of Local Nature Reserves and Country Parks Town Centres and Retail - number of vacant units within town centre - number and type of retail and service uses - pedestrian flows at key locations - number and type of car parking spaces Community Facilities - number and type of facilities provided area of outdoor play space per population A report will be produced annually on progress in implementing and monitoring this Plan.
Policy RLP 164 Monitoring The Council will monitor the effectiveness of the Plan’s policies and proposals, and progress towards achieving the targets set on an annual basis. Enforcing Planning Control
13.10Planning controls have been developed over the years to protect the environment, ensure that uses of land and buildings are carried out in the public interest and assist implementation of development plan policies. The activities that can be controlled by planning legislation are:- _ Building works _ Works to Listed Buildings _ The display of advertisements _ Changes of use of land and buildings _ Derelict land or buildings _ Work which does not comply with the conditions of a planning permission.
13.11The Local Planning Authority’s decision whether to take enforcement action against breaches of planning control is discretionary and must always be well founded. Whether it is expedient for the Planning Authority to initiate formal action requires thorough assessment of the relevant factors in every case, having regard to the advice contained in Planning Policy Guidance Note No.18 (PPG18) and Circular 10/97. These indicate that enforcement action should only be taken when it is expedient to do so in the public interest. For example, action should not be taken simply as a punishment because development has taken place without express permission. If it is acceptable in all other respects and would have been granted, had an application been submitted, then no action should be taken.
13.12The Council has agreed a customer’s guide as well as standards and procedures for its enforcement service. These are as follows:- _ The Council aims to acknowledge and investigate all written complaints, regarding breaches of planning control, in accordance with the following priorities/targets: 208 Priority 1 Damage to listed buildings/protected trees/significant unauthorised building works Damage to designated and non-designated nature conservation sites, protected species and habitats. Investigate/site visit/response within one working day
Priority 2 Unauthorised uses/works causing significant impact/distress to neighbours/major breaches of planning policy Complaints received via Members of Parliament or Councillors Investigate/site visits/response within five working days
Priority 3 Minor breaches of control causing limited impact Acknowledge complaint within three working days Investigate/site visits/response within twenty working days _ Complaints received anonymously, or only by telephone may not always be investigated. _ Names and addresses of all complainants will be kept confidential. _ The Council will seek to keep complainants advised of what action is to be taken and key stages in the process. _ Use of delegated powers to progress minor or urgent cases. _ If a complainant remains dissatisfied with a decision taken at officer level not to pursue action on an identified breach, the matter will be referred to the appropriate Area Committee for consideration. _ Maintain a system of cross-checking plans received under Building Regulations for compliance with planning approvals and checking site layout/size/elevations of schemes being supervised by the Council’s Building Control Service. _ Monitor compliance/implementation/maintenance of landscaping conditions.
13.13 It is important for the Planning Authority to have a clear statement of enforcement policy, to provide a framework for taking action. The policy will be used in a way that balances the need to protect public interest and amenity, as well as promoting and implementing the adopted policies contained in this Plan.
Policy RLP 165 Enforcement The Council’s policy for dealing with breaches of planning control is as follows: a) When considering any breach of planning control, the Council will consider whether it would unacceptably affect public amenity, or the existing use of land and buildings, or whether it would conflict with policies contained elsewhere in this plan and will take the appropriate action, including the service of an enforcement notice, a breach of condition notice, or a stop notice. b) In assessing the need for enforcement action in any case, the Council will only take action if it concludes that permission would not have been granted, if an application had been submitted beforehand. c) In deciding to take any enforcement action, the Council will ensure that the necessary action is commensurate with and directly related to the breach, and is not excessive in its requirements.
REVIEW
13.14The Plan cannot possibly anticipate all the changes that are likely to occur between now and the end of the plan period in 2011. There will be a need for flexibility to accommodate unanticipated development, which is nevertheless in accordance with the policies and principles of this Plan. A review of the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan is already underway and this will set out strategic planning guidance for the period up to 2016 or 2021. A review of this Plan will therefore be needed before 2011 to reflect this new guidance and roll the proposals forward. The results of monitoring the main proposals of the Plan, will influence the review of the Local Plan. Nature Conservation Importance and Regionally Amendments to Inset Maps
The amendments are shown on excerpts of Inset Maps, with separate maps showing notations ‘before’ the changes and ‘after’ the changes. Please note that only the changes to the maps are shown, all other detail has been omitted for reasons of clarity.
C1 Bocking St Mary’s Church - Allocate as cemetery/churchyard C2 Bocking Bocking Cemetery - remove gardens from cemetery allocation C3 Bocking Amend floodplain at Bovingdon Road, Bocking C4 Bocking Change informal recreation to visually important space at rear of 39 Bradford Street. Remove part of informal recreation. C5 Borley Parish Designate Rodbridge Picnic Site as a local nature reserve C6 Bradwell Rear of The Street - Designate allotments and informal recreation land C7 Braintree Delete residential allocation rear of Duggers Lane C8 Braintree Mill Hill- Extend residential site; include structural landscaping; include cycleway C9 Braintree Gypsy Corner -Amend informal to formal recreation C10 Braintree Bailey Bridge Road - Amend boundaries of residential allocation C11 Braintree Boleyns Avenue -Amend boundaries of residential allocation C12 Braintree Bartrams Avenue - Amend part of residential allocation to allotments and designate informal recreation C13 Braintree Delete residential allocation at vacant site, Skitts Hill C14 Braintree Panners Roundabout, Braintree/ Great Notley - Amend green wedge to special policy area C15 Braintree Charter Way Business Park Reduce employment policy area and extend formal recreation area C16 Braintree William Julien Courtauld Hospital - Allocate as residential site C17 Braintree St Michaels Hospital- Allocate land as hospital and as residential site. C18 Braintree New Cemetery, Panfield Lane -Identify structural landscaping; extend cemetery to south C19 Braintree Include land rear of 19 Coggeshall Road as residential allocation C20 Braintree Pierrefitte Way -Amend residential allocation C21 Braintree Rayne Road/ Panfield Lane -Extend boundaries of residential allocation C22 Braintree Braintree Railway Station - Include car parks as car parking C23 Braintree Rose Hill -Extend residential allocation C24 Braintree Silks Way/ Mazers Court -Extend residential allocation C25 Braintree South of Braintree Railway Station- Extend allotment designation. C26 Braintree Courtauld Road - Delete part of informal recreation allocation C27 Bulmer Church Pasture - Amend part of visually important space to informal recreation C28 Bulmer Tye School -Extend education designation C29 Bures Hamlet Station Car Park- Designate as car parking C30 Earls Colne Atlas Works, Foundry Lane - Amend boundary of comprehensive development area C31 Earls Colne Gigga Wave site -extension of industrial Airfield development limits and allocations as employment policy area C32 Earls Colne Inclusion of additional structural landscaping Airfield C33 Foxearth St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church- amend cemetery/ churchyard notation C34 Foxearth Former Primary School site -Delete part of education notation and designate part as visually important space C35 Gosfield Bovingdon Hall Woods- Extend site of special scientific interest C36 Great Bardfield War Memorial Green - designate as visually important space C37 Great Notley Great Notley/ White Court- designate village envelope C38 Great Notley Great Notley Business Park - designate hotel site C39 Great Notley Queenborough Lane- Reduce extent of structural landscaping C40 Great Saling Saling Hall- Designate as registered park and garden C41 Halstead Morley Road- Delete residential allocation C42 Halstead Morley Road- Designate allotments C43 Halstead Priory Hall- Extend community use designation C44 Halstead Hawthorn Close - Amend informal recreation designation C45 Halstead Bluebridge Industrial Area -Allocate land north of industrial area for B1, B2 and B8 uses and structural landscaping C46 Halstead Bluebridge Industrial Area -Include B1, B2 and B8 uses and structural landscaping within town development boundary C47 Halstead Butler Road -delete environmental improvements; allocate as car parking and residential site C48 Halstead Pitchards, Beridge Road- delete part of residential allocation C49 Halstead Land East of High Street- Delete Vicarage Garden from residential site; amend residential and car parking allocations to comprehensive development area C50 Halstead 36 Kings Road -Amend residential allocation to employment policy area C51 Halstead Mill Chase, Former Greenwood School Buildings- delete community use designation C52 Halstead United Reform Church - Delete residential allocation C53 Hatfield Peverel Railway Station Car Parks - Designate as car parking C54 Kelvedon Railway Station Car Park - Designate as car parking C55 Kelvedon Deals of Kelvedon - Designate as comprehensive development area C56 Sible Premdor Site- Increase in employment policy area; Hedingham reduction in flood plain; reduction in special landscape area; reduction in local nature reserve area; allocate residential site C57 Silver End Boars Tye Road- Amend employment policy area to comprehensive development area C58 Terling Church Green- Designate as visually important space C59 Witham Blunts Hall Road- Delete residential site and structural landscaping; amend town development boundary; allocate informal recreation land C60 Witham Bridge Hospital -Extend residential allocation C61 Witham Constance Close - Include cycleway between Constance Close and Maldon Road C62 Witham Amend cycleway from Rickstones Road to Rickstones Recreation Ground C63 Great Saling The Green- Designate as visually important space C64 Witham Rear of Maldon Road - Delete residential allocation C65 Witham The Old Vicarage, Chipping Hill- Delete part of visually important space C66 Witham Town centre boundary amendment C67 Witham Mayland Road Car Park - Delete residential allocation C68 Witham Chess Lane - Delete residential allocation C69 Witham Spinks Lane -Amend education notation to exclude house C70 Witham Bellfields - extend education designation C71 Witham Railway Station Area - Allocate White Horse Lane, Easton Road and Cut Throat Lane Car Parks as car parking C72 Witham St Nicholas’ Church - Allocate as cemetery/ churchyard C73 Earls Colne Riverside Business Park- Inclusion of industrial development limit - height restriction. C74 Witham Amend extent of Whetmead Local Nature Reserve C75 Braintree Include former Tabor Middle School as residential allocation in Braintree Town Centre Inset Map C76 Braintree Delete residential allocation at rear of Bradford Street C77 Proposals Map Include Glazenwood, Bradwell as a registered park and garden C78 Braintree / Delete residential allocation at Sun Lido Square Rayne Gardens (now complete) C79 Halstead Delete residential allocations at Nether Court (now complete) C80 Braintree Delete residential allocation at 186 Panfield Lane (now complete) C81 Braintree Delete residential allocation at Hay Lane (now complete) C82 Braintree Delete part of residential allocations at Kings Park Village C83 Braintree Delete residential allocation at The Yard, Rose Hill (now complete) C84 Bocking Delete residential allocation at Rear of Bocking Deanery (now a small site) C85 Great Notley Delete residential allocations in South of Garden Village (now complete) C86 Great Notley Delete some of the residential allocations in North of Garden Village (now complete) C87 Halstead Delete residential allocation at Colne Park (now complete) C88 Braintree Delete residential allocation at The Maltings, Railway Street (now complete) C89 Bocking Floodplain – amend to Environment agency Indicative Floodplain Map 2002 C90 Gosfield- Bovingdon Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest- amend boundary of SSSI to include pond C91 Kelvedon- Extend boundary of Comprehensive Development Area to include land at railway station C92 Braintree- Green wedge at Rayne and Great Notley- amend boundaries C93 Braintree- Green wedge at Great Notley and Black Notley – amend boundaries C94 Braintree- Green wedge at Tye Green- amend boundaries C95 Sturmer Green wedge at Haverhill – amend boundaries C96 Witham- Delete Green Wedge between Witham and Faulkbourne C97 Witham- Green Wedges with Hatfield Peverel- amend boundaries Appendix 1 Schedule of Residential Sites of 12 Dwellings or More as at 31.3.02
Town/ Capacity Address No. of Notes Residential No. of units N. of units Plan Parish Study ID dwelling Land with planning without Availability permission planning s as at Study ID permission 31.3.02 TOWNS: Braintree 1006 Mazers Court/ Silks Way 27 Linked with 1007 (5 units) Brownfield n/a 0 Braintree Town Centre Braintree 1008 St Michael’s Road Builders 13 Site includes part of RLA 2000 site 290 378 0 8 Braintree Yard Brownfield 290 Town Centre Braintree 1028 First Stop Centre 14 Link with 1061 n/a 0 Braintree 1061 38 Brownfield Town Centre Braintree 1047 Riverside Centre 50 (Capacity Study included LA Site 350) n/a 0 0 Braintree Brownfield Town Centre & Braintree Inset Braintree 1048 Swimming pool car park and 80 Part of this site his outline PP for 20 dws BTE 340 20 3 Braintree open space St Johns Avenue 665/98 Brownfield 302 Town Centre& Braintree Inset Braintree 1049 Land adj. 106 South Street 17 Adjoins RLA 2000 site 350; no overlap n/a 0 Braintree Brownfield Town Centre Braintree 1050 Bus Depot, Fairfield Road 27 Brownfield n/a 0 Braintree Town Centre Braintree 1052 Land r/o 19-29 Coggeshall Rd/ 15 Brownfield n/a 0 Braintree Courtauld Road (Capacity Study 41 dwellings) Town Centre Braintree 1053 Thorogoods, Former site 65 50 Brownfield n/a 0 Braintree Railway Street Town Centre Braintree 1058 Land off Pierrefitte Way 20 Link with 1009 Braintree (Capacity Study 18 dwellings) Town Centre Braintree 1060 Land to the rear of Rayne 42 n/a Braintree 1021 Road/ Panfield Lane Town 1026 Centre Braintree 1064 Rear of 20 Rose Hill 47 Brownfield n/a 0 Braintree Town Centre & Braintree Inset Braintree 2100 William Julien Courtauld 38 subject to appropriate alternative provision n/a 0 Braintree Hospital, London Road for displaced health services Inset Braintree 2105 Vacant Petrol Station, Skitts Hill 17 Brownfield n/a 0 Braintree Inset Braintree 2118 Former Tabor High School 176 (Capacity Study 216 dws) 400 0 180 Braintree Brownfield Inset Braintree 2123 Allotments Rear of Bailey 40 Greenfield n/a 0 Braintree Bridge Inset Braintree 2126 Allotments and gardens to the 25 Brownfield n/a 0 Braintree, rear of Boleyn’s Avenue, (Capacity Study 71 dwellings) Bradford Church Lane Street & Braintree Inset Braintree 2127 Daewoo Garage, Notley Road 15 Brownfield n/a 0 Braintree Inset Braintree 2128 Rifle Hill Works, Rifle Hill 25 (Capacity Study 76 dws) 364 25 0 Braintree Brownfield Inset
Braintree n/a Gypsy Corner 120 2040/02 Greenfield 245 0 60 Braintree Inset Braintree n/a Bocking Place 13 689/99 01/105 9 Flats, 301 Bradford 4 Houses Brownfield Street Braintree n/a Bovingdon Road, Bocking 196 1399/83 & 811/88 130 Braintree 156 dws 976/87 40 dws 207 Inset Brownfield Braintree n/a Raines Mill Park 75 1116/81 Total Site capacity 336 98 113 0 Braintree including built units Greenfield Inset Braintree n/a Station Approach Timber Yard 12 Brownfield 349 0 20 Braintree Town Centre Braintree n/a Land south of Mill Hill 385 Detailed consent for 177, amended site 369 0 177 Braintree boundaries Inset Greenfield Braintree n/a Trinovantian Way South 81 Brownfield 399 249 0 Braintree Town Centre & Braintree Inset Braintree n/a Kings Park Village, south of 352 2485/88: total capacity including built = 1350 247 490 0 Braintree Coggeshall Rd Greenfield Inset
Braintree n/a Rear of Gulls Croft/ Bartrams 42 1300/99 437 0 40 Braintree Avenue Inset
Braintree n/a Land next to Braintree bypass/ 40 0.8 ha. (assumed 40 dph) Braintree Cressing Road Greenfield Inset Braintree n/a Land at St Michaels Hospital 145 Assuming 50 dph on 2.9ha site 0 0 Braintree site Rayne Road Inset
Great n/a Garden Village 353 Greenfield Braintree Notley Inset
Total Braintree: 2590
Halstead 3017 The Centre 12 Site has been identified as n/a 0 Halstead Comprehensive Development Area where Town a number of uses will be encouraged. Centre residential element reduced from Capacity Study 30, to take account of potential office uses Halstead 3020 Land at Bois Field Terrace 12 (Capacity Study 21 units) n/a 0 0 Halstead Town Centre Halstead 3032 East of the High St 130 Previously identified for 100 dwellings on Site 17 falls 0 100G Halstead RLA 2000 site 17. fully within site, 53B Town 53 Brownfield- 100 Greenfield but has smaller Centre area Halstead 4016 Bluebridge Garage site, 14 UCS site 4016 = 0.567 ha; rla 2000 site 150= 150 0 14 Halstead Colchester Rd 0.297 ha inset 95/12/FUL Brownfield Halstead 4017 Colne Rd Breakers yard 12 Permission for 18 dwellings made in 1994 154 0 18 Halstead now expired Inset Brownfield Halstead 4024 Pitchards, Beridge Road 12 rla 2000 site 161 is smaller: 0.336 ha; UCS 161 2 0 Halstead site 4024 includes whole plot: 1.117 ha Town Brownfield Centre Halstead 4025 Priory Hall 20 Part of site only; school buildings to be for n/a 0 Halstead Community use Inset Development brief required Brownfield Halstead 4027 Cooks Brewery, Tidings Hill 101 rla 2000 site 177 is smaller: 0.908 ha; 177 28 0 Halstead ucs site 407= 1.795 ha Inset 89 Brownfield 12 Greenfield Halstead n/a Tidings Hill 84 Greenfield 11a, 11b, 11c 49 71 Halstead Inset Halstead n/a Butler Road Car Park 33 Brownfield Halstead Town Centre Total Halstead: 430
Witham 5016B Rear of 57 Newland Street 13 Adjoins rla 2000 site 184 n/a 0 0 Witham Brownfield Town Centre Witham 5048 Rear of 78/84 Newland Street 13 n/a 0 0 Witham Town Centre Witham 6005+ Bridge Hospital site 229 Brownfield 178 0 112 Witham additional Town land Centre & Witham Inset Witham 6022 Land between Constance Close 100 Figure estimated; capacity study allows 124 n/a 0 0 Witham and A12 units assuming 20% buffer area from A12. Inset this has been allocated as structural landscaping. Reduction needed for informal open space Witham 6024 Cross Road 13 Greenfield 1308/00 0 0 Witham Brownfield Inset
Witham n/a South of Maltings Lane 850 Permission now granted following completion 114 0 850 Witham of S106 agreement Inset Greenfield Total Witham 1218
Towns Total 4238 Black n/a Hospital 22 Total Site Capacity 350 46 Black Notley Brownfield Notley Earls n/a Atlas Works Site 104 Brownfield 80 Earls Colne 1022/02 FUL Colne Inset Rayne n/a Foundry site 60 Comprehensive Development Area- part 0 Rayne industry/ part housing. Upgrading of drains Inset required. Brownfield Sible Hed- n/a Rectory Meadow 16 Brownfield 15 Sible Hed- ingham ingham Inset Sible Hed- n/a Land at part of Premdor site. 45 Brownfield n/a Sible Hed- ingham ingham Inset Silver End n/a Joinery Works Boars Tye Road 60 Brownfield Silver End Inset Rural TOTAL: 307 District TOTAL: 4545 Appendix 2 Schedule of Employment Land Availability Schedule of Employment Sites identified for future development as at Autumn 2000 31.03.01, plus sites proposed in the Draft Local Plan Review Revised Draft at Autumn 2001 April, 2003. Location hectares
Braintree: Swinbourne Drive, Springwood Industrial Estate 1.37 Tamdown Way, Springwood Industrial Estate 0.94 Cooper Drive, Springwood Industrial Estate 0.05 Crittall Drive, Springwood Industrial Estate 0.13 Springwood Drive, Springwood Industrial Estate 0.40 Land adjoining Crittall site, Springwood Drive 1.76 Land rear of Barlow Tyrie Springwood Ind’l Estate 1.01 Land adjacent former Crittall’s Social Club, Springwood Industrial Estate 2.42 Charter Way Business Park 5.55 South of Driberg Way, Skitts Hill Industrial Estate 0.22 Great Notley Business Park 14.50 Total Braintree: 28.35 5 Halstead: South of Fifth Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate 0.37 Land north of Fifth Avenue, Bluebridge Ind’l Estate 3.15.15 Land at Second and Fourth Avenue 0.02 Land south of sports ground, Broton Trading Estate 0.37 Fenn Road Depot site * 0.69 * Redevelopment potential following closure of the depot Total Halstead: 4.60 4.60 Witham: 2, Stepfield 0.13 Plot 1, site of 26 Crittall Drive, Industrial Estate West 0.44 12, Crittall Road 0.12 Land adjoining British Gas site, Eastways 0.40 Bell Croft, Eastways 0.40 Phase Four, Eastways 1.29 Adjacent Beautimatic, Eastways 0.96 Phase Two, Waterside Business Park, Eastways 3.04 Plots 3-4, Europa Business Park 0.43 Mayland Road 0.35 Maltings Lane Business Park 10.08 Total Witham: 17.64 Sturmer: Land off Falconer Road 0.42 Bumpstead Road 8.50 Total Sturmer: 8.92
Total Urban: 59.51
Rural sites: Earls Colne Airfield 0.50 Hunnable site Great Yeldham 3.49 Toppesfield Road Great Yeldham 1.45 Atlas Works site, Earls Colne (B1 units = 0.13ha live/work units) 0.39 Blois Road Steeple Bumpstead 0.54 Threshelfords Business Park Feering ** 0.57 **Indicative site area; development brief, to be prepared for remaining land, will confirm the proposed extent of development. Rayne Foundry site *** ***Comprehensive Development Area; mixed uses; total site area - 1.7 ha.
Total Rural: 6.94 (excluding Comprehensive Development Area sites) Total District: 66.45 Appendix 3 Vehicle Parking Standards Essex Planning Officers Association, August 2001
Foreword The provision of car parking is an important area of development control and a key tool in promoting sustainable transport. Previous standards for car parking were produced by Essex County Council in 1987 for the then County of Essex. These standards were produced on the basis of a minimum requirement, with any shortfalls being balanced through ‘commuted payments’ made to the relevant local authority to contribute to public transport infrastructure and services. The publication of the Transport White Paper "A New Deal For Transport: Better For Everyone" in 1998 represented a significant point of change for transport policy and planning. Local authorities are expected to promote sustainability through encouraging modal shift and the use of alternative forms of travel to the car, mainly public transport, walking and cycling. Adopting the principle of maximum parking standards is a means of promoting sustainable development. Whereas previous parking guidance for Essex advocated a minimum benchmark for the number of spaces permitted, the new standards set a maximum limit on the number of spaces provided. This approach is in accordance with Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) which was adopted in March 2001 and Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) published by the Government, including; - PPG3 – Housing (March 2000), and - PPG13 – Transport (March 2001). To take account of this change in policy, the Essex Planning Officers Association appointed a working party to undertake a review of parking standards with the objective of developing maximum standards and promoting sustainable travel patterns. These standards are contained within this document. Details of the composition and terms of reference of the working party are provided on page 2. The Essex and Southend on Sea Replacement Structure Plan provides for the introduction of maximum standards in accordance with Government guidance to be issued as Supplementary Planning Guidance (Policy T12 – Vehicle Parking). The standards form a consistent basis for discussion between applicants for planning permission and the appropriate local planning authority. It is intended that they should be applied throughout Essex, Southend and Thurrock. However, it is recognised that situations may arise where the local economic environment and the availability of alternative means of travel to the car may lead to parking provision that is more appropriate to local circumstances. The main standards are specifically for the parking of cars, but it is emphasised in the document that separate additional provision at an appropriate level should be made for service vehicles delivering goods to any development or operating from that development. Standards for the parking of cycles and motorcycles are included separately. It should be noted that these standards represent minimum permitted provision, rather than maximum, reflecting the sustainable nature of these travel modes. Guidance for the provision of parking for people with disabilities, in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1996, is included in Appendix 2.
Standards For Vehicle Parking In Essex Advisory parking standards for development in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock. The standards are commended for adoption as Supplementary Planning Guidance. Thurrock Council may also wish to consider adoption of the standards in relation to the Thurrock Unitary Development Plan.
Contents Foreword The Need for Vehicle Parking Standards The Application of Vehicle Parking Standards Vehicle Parking Standards: Class A1 – Shops Class A2 – Financial & Professional Services Class A3 – Food & Drink Class B1 – Business Class B2 – General Industrial Class B8 – Storage or Distribution Class C1 – Hotels Class C2 – Residential Institutions Class C3 – Dwelling Houses Class D1 – Non-Residential Institutions Class D2 – Assembly & Leisure Unclassified Uses Cycle Parking Standards Motorcycle Parking Standards Appendix 1: Summary of Parking Standards Appendix 2: Design and Layout (including Disabled Parking Provision) Appendix 3: Design and Layout of Cycle Parking 241 The Need for Vehicle Parking Standards The need for greater control of parking has developed as a result of growth in motor traffic and particularly in the ownership and use of private cars. The number of licensed vehicles of all types on the roads of Britain doubled over a thirty year period to 27 million in 1997. Private cars comprise just over 80% of the 1997 total. This level of vehicle ownership has led to increased levels of congestion and pollution, particularly in more densely populated areas. The publication of the Transport White Paper "A New Deal For Transport: Better For Everyone" by the DETR in 1998 represented a change in policy regarding transport policy and planning. Local authorities are expected to promote sustainability through encouraging modal shift and the use of alternative forms of travel to the car, mainly public transport, walking and cycling. The application of car parking standards to new or extended development is a key tool to contributing to reduced levels of traffic. Local planning and transport authorities produce parking standard guidance to ensure that an appropriate level of off-street parking provision is achieved. The Road Traffic Reduction Act (1997) requires local authorities to assess traffic conditions within their areas and set targets for future traffic levels. The initial Road Traffic Reduction reports for Essex County Council and Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock Unitary Councils are contained within their respective Local Transport Plans, published in July 2000. In October 1999, the Government produced Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 13 (Draft) on Transport. The final version of PPG 13 was produced in March 2001. This recommended the adoption of maximum parking standards by local authorities as a means of promoting sustainability, through limiting the number of spaces provided at new or extended developments. The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan was adopted in April of 2001. Policy T12 - Vehicle Parking, provides for the introduction of maximum standards in accordance with Government guidance. 242 Policy T12 states that: "Provision for vehicle parking will be considered within the context of adopted local plans and Local Transport Plans, and will have regard to the following principles:- _ vehicle and cycle parking provision will be made in accordance with parking standards developed within the context of Regional Planning Guidance and Local Transport Plans and issued as Supplementary Planning Guidance, and taking into account the following factors: a) expression as a range of maximum and operational amounts of parking for broad classes of development and location; b) the degree of accessibility by a range of indicators; c) the degree of road traffic congestion in town centres; d) the economic vitality and viability of town centres and village centres; _ all proposals for new development will be considered against the published parking standards" Publishing guidance on vehicle parking standards is intended to: a) assist the local planning authorities in determining appropriate standards for their areas and advising members of the public in a readily comprehensible manner; b) assist intending developers in preparing plans for the development of land; and, c) expedite the determination of planning applications by ensuring that applications submitted include an acceptable level of car parking provision. 243 The Application of Car Parking Standards The Parking Standards are based on the Town & Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. They are expressed as a range of maximum and operational amounts of parking for broad classes of development in accordance with Policy T12 of the Essex and Southend on Sea Replacement Structure Plan (see above). There are locations within Essex, Southend and Thurrock where the respective District / Borough Council will consider that these guidelines may need to be varied having regard to local circumstances. Minimal private parking provision should be applied to locations such as the town centres of major urban areas, where access to public car parking facilities and alternative forms of transport is good. Conversely, development which is proposed in more rural or isolated areas may be permitted to include greater levels of parking where the car is the only realistic means of access. However, the standards as proposed within this document are intended to provide a consistent and standard framework that can be equitably applied across the Essex, Southend and Thurrock area. All standards relate to the gross floorspace of new or extended development unless otherwise stated. All references to parking spaces refer to car spaces.
Environmental Considerations The local planning authority may consider it desirable that additional land be provided in order that car parking areas may be suitably screened and landscaped. It is considered that such additional provision of land is a matter for negotiation between the intending developer and the local planning authority. The importance of good design is emphasised. Car parking areas are rarely attractive visually and should always be located in such positions as to minimise their impact on the townscape, and in such positions that would encourage their use. They should be designed so that people feel comfortable using them after dark.
Operational and Non-operational Parking In producing car parking standards in the past, several planning authorities have distinguished between operational and non-operational parking requirements, where operational parking space is defined as the space required for vehicles regularly and necessarily involved in the operation of the business for which the premises are used. This includes space for commercial vehicles and for loading and unloading goods, but does not include space for vehicles to be stored, except where this is necessary as part of the business being carried on in the building. Non- operational parking space is reserved for vehicles which do not need to park on site. It has been decided not to follow this format in the present document but to distinguish instead between car parking provision and provision for service vehicles delivering goods to premises or removing goods therefrom. No distinction is made between operational and non- operational car parking in the standards set out in this document. The guidance includes reference to the provision of space for the loading and unloading of service vehicles for each Use Class where applicable. This is considered in further detail below.
Calculation of Parking Requirements It will be noted that most of the standards are related to floorspace area. Thus, where the standard is, for example, one car parking space for every 4m2 of floorspace, and a development has a relevant floorspace of 19m2, a calculation of 4 into 19 gives 4.75 spaces which is rounded down to the nearest whole number to give a total requirement of 4 spaces. Where a development incorporates two or more land uses to which different parking standards are applicable, the standards appropriate for each use should be simultaneously applied in proportion to the extent of the respective use. For example, where a development incorporates housing and offices, each use should be assessed separately according to the appropriate standard, and the aggregated number of resulting parking spaces reflects the maximum number of spaces that should be provided.
Shared Use Provision Where shared use of parking areas can be achieved without conflict (i.e. where uses are clearly separated in terms of time of day or day of the week) this is highly desirable, provided that the provision is within the most demanding standard applicable. This may result in a reduction of the number of parking spaces which a developer provides. 245 Service Vehicles Service vehicles are regarded as those vehicles delivering goods to or removing goods from a premises. It is recognised that servicing requirements may be unique to a particular site. Service traffic varies with the type of enterprise within a given use class (e.g. the traffic serving a furniture shop may be very different in frequency and character from that supplying a supermarket). For this reason, no standard dimensions are provided for parking and turning spaces for service vehicles. It is considered that commercial enterprises should analyse their own requirements in terms of the size, numbers and types of commercial vehicles visiting their premises and should demonstrate to the local authority that any development proposal includes sufficient service vehicle provision to meet normal requirements. Such service provision should be clearly signed and marked to avoid being utilised as an overflow parking area. Mention is made of the need for provision for service vehicles under relevant Use Classes within the car parking standards, but this need should be assumed to exist in all developments visited by service vehicles. The onus is placed on applicants/developers to demonstrate that adequate provision has been made on site for loading, unloading and turning of service vehicles.
Provision for Cycle and Motorcycle Parking Parking standards for cycle and motorcycles are outlined on pages 12 – 14. These are expressed as minimum standards to reflect the sustainable nature of these modes of travel. Guidance on the application of these standards is provided.
Developer Contributions In situations where it was not possible to meet the previously adopted minimum parking standards, developers were expected to provide 'commuted payments' to the local planning authority in situations where sufficient parking could not be supplied on site. In order to assist the change away from private cars, the new guidance expects developers to make contributions to enhance the local transport infrastructure in appropriate planning applications. These contributions will enable any increase in traffic to be accommodated and support the provision of alternative modes of travel where the level of activity at the site is in excess of the maximum parking provision identified. It is expected that further work will be undertaken relating to the issue of developer contributions.
Transport Assessments and Travel Plans You will be required to submit a Transport Assessment with any large-scale development proposal, particularly where the development will have a significant impact on demand for travel. Where proposed developments are likely to create additional employment, you will be required to research, develop and implement a travel plan. Various measures can be included that are designed to offer staff a wider range of travel choices and reduce the number and impact of single occupancy car journeys. Staff can benefit from the provision of facilities such as secure cycle parking and lockers and employers can benefit from a reduction in costs associated with providing car parking spaces, a healthier workforce and good publicity. Essex County Council can offer advice and support on the development and implementation of travel plans. An introductory guide will soon be available which outlines the areas that need to be considered. To receive a copy or to talk to travel plan officer please contact Travel Plan Coordinator 01245 437120. For queries relating to travel plans in Southend-on-sea, please contact on 01702-215329.
MAXIMUM VEHICLE PARKING STANDARDS
USE CLASS A1 - Shops _ retail of goods (other than hot food) _ pet shops / stores _ display of goods for sale _ post office _ ticket sales or a travel agency _ sandwiches or cold food take-away _ hairdressing _ funeral direction _ hire of domestic or personal goods _ washing or cleaning of clothes / fabrics on the premises _ reception of goods to be washed, cleaned or repaired (where sale, display or services is to visiting members of the public) 247 Standard: 1 space per 20m2. An absolute maximum standard of 1 space per 14m2 may be applied to food retail developments. Note: In all cases, adequate provision shall be made for the parking and turning of service vehicles delivering goods to the premises and, where appropriate, delivery vehicles operating from the premises. For Cash & Carry and other Retail Warehouses, including Garden Centres, see Other Standards on Page 11. A Transport Assessment may also be required. Justification: PPG13 recommends the above standard over a threshold of 1,000m2. Previous Essex standards for such uses below this threshold were tighter, but represented minimum provision. This standard should therefore be applied to all developments.
USE CLASS A2 - Financial & Professional Services _ financial services _ professional services (other than health or medical) _ any other services (including betting offices) which it is appropriate to provide within a shopping area, where services are principally provided to members of the public Standard: 1 space per 20m2 Justification: 1987 Essex Standards / PPG13 Retail standard (see Use Class A1 above)
USE CLASS A3 - Food & Drink _ sale of food and / or drink for consumption on the premises _ sale of hot food for consumption off the premises Note: ‘Drive-through’ outlets should be considered under the heading of Roadside restaurants. Standard: Take-away outlets 1 space per 20m2 Pubs and Clubs 1 space per 5m2 Restaurants 1 space per 5m2 Roadside restaurants 1 space per 5m2 Transport cafes 1 lorry space per 2m2 Note: A lower provision may be appropriate in town centre locations where there is good access to alternative forms of transport and existing car parking facilities. Justification: _ Take-away outlets standard based on that for shops (Use Class A1).
USE CLASS B1 - Business _ offices other than a use within Use Class A2 (financial or professional services) _ research and development of products or processes _ any industrial process, being a use which can be carried out in any residential area without detriment to the amenity of that area by reason of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust or grit. Standard: 1 space per 30m2. A Transport Assessment (including a Travel Plan) is likely to be required for new or extended development of
2,500m2 or above.249 Note: In all cases adequate provision shall be made for the parking and turning of service vehicles delivering goods to the premises and, where appropriate, delivery vehicles operating from the premises. Justification: PPG13. 1987 Essex Standards for Industry uses were tighter but represented minimum provision. USE CLASS B2 - General Industrial _ industrial processes other than those falling within Use Class B1 above. Standard: 1 space per 50m2. A Transport Assessment will be required for developments of 5,000m2 or above. Note: In all cases adequate provision shall be made for the parking and turning of service vehicles delivering goods to the premises and, where appropriate, delivery vehicles operating from the premises. Justification: As per Use Class B1 previous.
USE CLASS B8 - Storage or Distribution _ Use for storage or as a distribution centre (not including use as a shop) Standard: 1 space per 150m2. A Transport Assessment will be required for developments of 10,000m2 or above.250 Note: In all cases adequate provision shall be made for the parking and turning of service vehicles delivering goods to the premises and, where appropriate, delivery vehicles operating from the premises. Justification: 1987 Essex Standards were tighter but represented minimum provision.
USE CLASS C1 - Hotels _ Use as a hotel or boarding or guest house where, in each case, no significant amount of care is provided (including Motels) Note: For hostels, see Standards outside Use Classes Order on page 11. Standard: 1 space per bedroom (guest or staff). Provision is expected to be less in town centre locations. Note: A lower provision may be appropriate in town centre locations where there is good access to alternative forms of transport and existing car parking facilities. Justification: 1987 Essex Standards represented as maximum provision.
USE CLASS C2 - Residential Institutions _ for the provision of residential accommodation and care to people in need _ hospital or nursing home _ residential school, college or training centre Standard: Residential care home 1 space per resident staff + 1 space per 3 bed spaces / dwelling units Hospitals 1 space per 4 staff + 1 space per 3 daily visitors Residential education establishments 1 space per resident staff + 1 space per 2 other staff (any parking for students with vehicles should be provided within this figure) Note: A Transport Assessment may be required for new or extended development of 2,500m2 and above. Justification: _ Residential care home: 1987 Essex Standards represented as maximum _ Hospitals: PPG13 standard. To be applied above AND below recommended threshold (2,500m2) particularly where developments below this figure are extensions to existing premises. _ Residential education establishments: Adapted from PPG13 standard for further and higher education.
USE CLASS C3 - Dwelling Houses _ Use as a dwelling house (whether or not as sole main residence): _ by a single person or by people living together as a family _ by residents living together as a single household Standard / Justification: PPG3 advocates an average off-street parking provision of 1.5 spaces per dwelling as a maximum that should be provided, particularly in urban locations. With high density developments in high accessibility areas such as town centres, local authorities are encouraged to allow development with little or no off-street parking, subject to the safeguarding of the character and appearance of the area. The plan area is of a diverse nature and to impose a uniform standard would not be possible or desirable. It also has to be acknowledged that government statements do not seek to restrict the ownership of private cars but offer alternatives to their use. This raises other issues that need to be taken into account when applying the standards. Too rigid application of maximum standards, in existing residential areas, could result in on-street parking raising issues of pedestrian safety and possible obstruction for emergency services. Also, the impact on the living environment must be considered. Nonetheless, local authorities would be expected to apply restraint where possible. In the case of major new developments, an average of 1.5 spaces over an estate may be possible. For main urban areas and locations where access to public transport is good, a maximum of 1 space per dwelling is appropriate. Where an urban location has poor off-peak public transport services, a maximum of 2 spaces per dwelling is appropriate. In rural or suburban locations where services are poor, a maximum of two spaces for three bedroom properties and a maximum of three spaces for four bedroom properties is appropriate.
USE CLASS D1 - Non-Residential Institutions _ Provision of any medical or health services except the use of premises attached to the residence of the consultant or practitioner _ Crèche, day nursery or day centre _ The provision of education _ Museums, including the display of works of art (other than for sale or hire) _ Public libraries or reading rooms _ Public or exhibition halls _ For, or in connection with, public worship or religious instruction Standard: Medical centres 1 space per full-time staff + 2 spaces per consulting room Day care centres 1 space per full-time staff + 1 space per 4 persons attending + an area reserved for collection and delivery of clients. Crèches / Nurseries 1 space per full-time staff + waiting facilities where appropriate. Schools On merit, but as a general guide: (Primary and 1 space per 2 daytime teaching Secondary education) staff. Consideration also to be given to waiting facilities and provision for public / school transport at schools as appropriate. Schools On merit, but as a general guide: (Further and Higher 1 space per 2 daytime teaching education) staff. 1 space per 15 students Waiting facilities where appropriate, including priority area for public / school transport. Art galleries / Museums/ 1 space per 25 m2 Public or Exhibition halls Places of Worship / 1 space per 10m2 Libraries / Reading rooms Note regarding Schools: Developments in urban locations are expected to achieve a lower maximum provision in order to promote more sustainable ways of travelling to school. Transport Assessments and Travel Plans (including Safer Journeys To School) are likely to be required for most applications for development. Justifications: _ Medical centres / Day care centres: Adapted from 1987 Essex Standards. Spaces for staff are more lenient than PPG13 guidance for Hospitals due to economies of size in relation to uses. _ Crèches / Nurseries: 1987 Essex Standard represented as maximum. Provision of waiting facilities may be provided in the form of a lay-by. _ Schools (Primary and Secondary): Use of PPG13 standard for Further and Higher education. Further guidance provided by Essex County Council Learning Services and Property Service Directorates. _ Schools (Further and Higher education): PPG13 _ Art galleries / Museums and Public or Exhibition halls: 1987 Essex Standards were tighter, but represented minimum provision. PPG13 standards for Use Class "D2 including leisure" have been adapted for these uses. _ Libraries / Reading rooms and Places of Worship: 1987 Essex Standards were tighter but represented minimum provision. Similarities have been drawn with Restaurants and Pubs and Clubs, which are often of similar size and people gather socially for short 255 USE CLASS D2 - Assembly & Leisure _ cinemas _ concert halls _ bingo halls and casinos _ dance hall _ swimming bath, skating rink, gymnasium or other area for indoor or outdoor sports or recreations, not involving motorised vehicles or firearms Note: Conference facilities and Stadia are included in Standards outside Use Class Order at the back. Standard: Cinemas - 1 space per 5 seats Other uses - 1 space per 22m2 Justification: PPG13. Provision at such uses will be expected to be lower within urban areas where other parking is located nearby. OTHER STANDARDS The table below outlines standards for uses which are not contained within the Town & Country Planning (Use Class) Order 1987. 256
CYCLE PARKING STANDARDS The cycle parking standards outlined below have been formulated using those developed by Colchester Borough Council, which in turn acknowledges best practice applied by York City Council. The cycle standards should be applied by local authorities to all applications for new or extended development. The provision of convenient secure parking and related facilities is fundamental to attracting modal shift to cycling, particularly from single occupancy motorised journeys made over shorter distances on a regular basis. Parking standards for cycling are therefore represented as the minimum provision required. Travel data contained within the Census assumes a ratio of 5:1 between car and cycle trips, which has been largely adopted for the standards outlined below. They represent a basis for helping to provide sufficient cycle parking facilities throughout Essex, Southend and Thurrock. In addition to the provision of secure parking, developers will be required to demonstrate that they have considered additional needs for cyclists, such as locker, changing and shower facilities. Where it is not possible to provide cycle parking spaces on-site, developers will be expected to make financial contribution towards public provision of such facilities.
For information on the types and dimensions for cycle parking please refer to Appendix 2. More detailed information can be found in the Essex County Council ‘Designing for Cyclists - Guide to Good Practice’ and though the Travel Plan Coordinators.
At large development sites, the exact number of cycle parking spaces applied will depend on the individual characteristics of sites and also be determined in relation to Travel Plan.
Motorcycle parking standards Encouraging the use of powered two-wheeled vehicles (PTW) is a contentious issue. However, the use of such vehicles for short regular journeys also creates significant benefits, most notably in the form of reduced congestion and reduced land use for parking. Parking standards for PTWs are represented as the minimum provision required, which reflects the advantages they have over the car and single occupancy vehicles in particular. As with cycle parking, these standards represent a basis for helping to provide sufficient PTW parking facilities throughout the Essex, Southend and Thurrock area. In addition to the provision of secure parking, developers will be required to demonstrate that they have considered additional needs for PTW users, such as locker, changing and shower facilities. Government transport statistics show that the ratio between car and motorcycle ownership is 1:35. However, with regard to the congestion benefits that the motorcycle provides, a parking standard of one space, plus an additional space for every 10 car parking spaces, should be applied. A strategy for powered two wheeled vehicles in Essex has been published by Essex County Council in 2001. Guidance on providing for PTW users is also available from motorcycle industry groups.
APPENDIX 2: DESIGN AND LAYOUT (inc. Disabled Parking Provision) Acknowledgement is made to Kent County Council for assistance in the formulation of this design guidance. As well as providing an appropriate level of car parking, it is important that new or extended developments incorporate good design for the layout, landscaping and lighting of parking. This should be user-friendly, and not interfere with the public highway or access adjacent to the parking area.
Planning for Pedestrians The needs of pedestrians should be taken into account when designing the layout of car parks. This includes both those who have parked in the car park and those accessing the development on foot. Pedestrian access to the development should be considered and pedestrian desire lines identified. Pedestrian access should then be provided along these routes rather than simply relying on the vehicular access. Within the car park, provision should be made so that pedestrians walk through it easily and safely. The provision of raised footways through the car park and crossing points across main vehicle routes will help to alleviate conflict between pedestrians and vehicles. A tactile distinction should be made between pedestrian areas and vehicular areas, in order that people with visual impairment can distinguish between the two. The provision of raised areas, footway areas and tactile paving at all dropped kerbs should achieve this.
Garage / Parking Bay Size - Preferred bay size for cars 5.5m x 2.4m - Minimum bay size 4.8m x 2.4m - Minimum bay size where spaces are laid ‘end to end’ 6.0m x 2.4m - Minimum garage size for cars 5.0m x 2.5m Notes: - The minimum dimensions for garages are in accordance with the Essex Design Guide. Experience has shown that garages are not likely to be used for the parking of a vehicle unless sufficient space is also incorporated within the garage for storage. Therefore, developers are encouraged to incorporate additional space in garage design. - ‘End to end’ parking relates to parking spaces parallel to, and abutting, a carriageway, aisle or drive to allow vehicles to manoeuvre (or ‘parallel park’) into the bay when adjoining bays are occupied. Minimum bay size for vans 7.5m x 3.5m Minimum bay size for lorries: Articulated 16.0m x 3.5m Rigid 12.0 x 3.5m
Layout of Parking Areas The most economical layout in terms of land usage is 90 degree parking with parallel aisles, and this is referred to as angle parking, which can only conveniently be used in car parks with one way aisles. Examples of parking arrangements are shown below. Where a developer intends to employ a one-way system a clearly marked route for drivers should be set out using suitable signs and surface arrows. Where entry and exit points are one-way, then appropriate signs will be required, and the planning permission will be conditional on this provision. Continued adherence to the entry and exit directions will be expected. At difficult sites this approach will enable safe vehicular access by maintaining appropriate sight lines. Right angled parking spaces immediately adjacent to the public highway with direct access will not be permitted except in the case of private dwellings or industrial development, onto major or minor access roads, where care will be taken to ensure the safety of pedestrians.
Layout of PTW Parking Areas Preferred bay size PTW 2.5m x 1.5m Minimum bay size 2m x 1m With a minimum space of 1m between each bike. Provision should be made in which to secure PTW to, via a number of methods usually requiring some secure fixing to the ground. There are a number of manufacturers of this equipment, and methods chosen may vary with locations. Disabled Parking Provision Guidance on the amount of parking provision that should be supplied for disabled people is outlined in the DETR’s Traffic Advisory Leaflet 5/95 – Parking For Disabled People, published in April 1995. Disabled parking spaces should be at least 3.3m wide and 6.6m long in order to allow the driver or passenger to get in and out of the vehicle safely, and to provide access to the rear of the vehicle for wheelchair storage. Where direct access is provided to a footway at the side or rear, spaces should be at least 2.7m or 4.8m respectively (see diagram below). Parking standard for disabled car parking:
Car Park Used For: Employees and visitors to business premises Car Park Size: Up to 200 Bays Individual bays for each disabled employee plus 2 bays or 5% of total capacity, whichever is the greater Car Park Size: Over 200 Bays: 6 bays plus 2% of total capacity
Car Park Used For: Shopping, recreation and leisure Car Park Size: Up to 200 Bays 3 bays or 6% of the total capacity, whichever is the greater Car Park Size: Over 200 Bays 4 bays plus 4% of total capacity Appendix 4 Schedule of Open Space and Protected Land
Inset No 1 Braintree and Bocking Allotments Queens Road/Dukes Road Land behind Nos. 91 - 101, Coggeshall Road Station Field (part) Rose Hill/Skitts Hill Land rear of Bartram Avenue Informal Recreation Glebe Avenue Meadowside Land opposite Meadowside River Blackwater south (part) Land between Rosemary Ave & Coldnailhurst Ave (part) Blake Drive Twelve Acres (Kings Park) Flitch Way (part) John Ray Linear Park Play area at Clare Road Land at Brise Close Beckers Green Road Lower King Middle King Chelmer Road Wood Way Milton Avenue Goldingham Drive Marlowe Close Land off Parklands West of River Brain (adjacent new housing site) Notley Green, Great Notley + play area Formal Recreation The Tabor School Tabor Avenue (Leisure Centre), Panfield Lane Cricket Ground, St. Peter’s Walk (part) Sports Ground off Julian Court Road (part) Hillside Gardens Crittall Sports Ground King George’s playing field & Beckers Green Sports Grnd Visually Important Space Land off Marshalls Road Ley Wood Windermere Drive Ellen Way (White Courts) Rydal Way (White Courts) Levens Way (White Courts) Churchyard/Cemetery Church Lane Land east of Panfield Lane London Road Cemetery St Mary’s Church, Bocking Country Park Great Notley
Inset No. 10 Braintree Town Centre Allotments Station Field (part) Informal Recreation Weavers Park (part) Flitch Way (part) John Ray Park (part) Formal Recreation Cricket Ground, St. Peter’s Walk (part) Sports Ground off Julian Court Road (part) Churchyard/Cemetery St. Michael’s Churchyard
Inset No. 11 Bradford Street, Braintree Informal Recreation River Blackwater north (part) River Blackwater south (part) Land between Rosemary Ave & Coldnailhurst Avenue (part) Land opposite Meadowside (Wentworth Cres.) (part) Public Gardens Weavers Park (part) Formal Recreation Sports Ground off Julian Court Road (part) Cricket Ground, St. Peter’s Walk (part) Visually Important Space Land at Bradford Bridge Land between Williams Drive/ Rana Drive
Inset no. 2 Witham Allotments Off Conrad Road Cut Throat Lane Informal Recreation Shaw Road Forest Road Community Centre Bramston Green North of Motts Lane Motts Lane/Cut Throat Lane Cut Throat Lane Bramble Road Rosebay Close Spa Road Alan Road River Walk (part) Blackwater Rail Trail (part) Edinburgh Close Formal Recreation The Rickstones High School Rickstones Road Sports Grounds, Spa Road Bramston Sports Ground Maltings Lane Bowling Green, Bridge Street Visually Important Space Bramston Green Land off Highfields Road Land near Guithavon Road Sauls Avenue Land at Olivers Drive (adjacent A12) Witham Lodge (2 areas) Churchyard/Cemetery Manor Road
Inst No. 66 Witham Town Centre Informal Recreation Bramston Green (part) River Walk (part) Maldon Road Recreation Ground Blackwater Rail Trail Brook Walk (part) Formal Recreation Bowling Green, Mill Lane Maldon Road/River View Sports grounds Visually Important Space Chipping Hill Guithavon Valley King’s Chase Churchyard/Cemetery Holy Family and All Saints Church, Guithavon Valley
Inset No. 3 Ashen Churchyard/Cemetery St. Augustine’s Church, The Street
Inset No. 6 Belchamp St. Paul Visually Important Space Gages Road (x 2) Vicarage Road Inset No. 7 Belchamp Walter Visually Important Space Land at North Road inset No. 8 Black Notley Allotments Bedells Avenue Informal Recreation Community Centre, Hospital site Hadfeld Drive, Hospital site Inset No. 9 Bradwell Allotments East of The Street Informal Recreation Playing field, east of The Street inset No.12 Bulmer Visually Important Space Land at The Street Churchyard/Cemetery St. Andrews Church
Inset No. 13 Bulmer Tye Visually Important Space Church Road
Inset No. 14 Bures Hamlet Visually Important Space Cambridge Way
Inset No. 15 Castle Hedingham Informal Recreation Playing field, St. James Street Visually Important Space New Park (x 2) Churchyard/Cemetery St. Nicholas Church, Church Lane
Inset No. 16 Coggeshall Allotments Churchfield Road Informal Recreation Playground at Fabians Close Formal Recreation West Street Visually Important Space Monksdown Road Land behind Wisdom’s Green Land at Jaggards Road (x 2) Land at Tilkey Road Walford Way Land off Church Street Land at Hare Bridge, Friends’ Burial Ground, off Stoneham Street Churchyard/Cemetery Church of St. Peter-ad-Vincent-and cemetery
Inset No. 17 Colne Engaine Visually Important Space Allotment Gardens at Brook Street Churchyard/Cemetery St. Andrews Church, Church Street Inset No. 18 Cornish Hall End Visually Important Space Playground at Church Lane Churchyard/Cemetery St. John’s Church, Church Lane
Inset No. 20 Cressing (Tye Green) Formal Recreation Recreation ground off Jeffreys Road
Inset No. 22 Earls Colne & White Colne West Allotments Burrows Road Formal Recreation Sports Ground, Halstead Road Visually Important Space Flats at Devere Road Devere Road Play area at Devere Road Halstead Road Colne Green, Halstead Road opposite Colne Green, Halstead Road Play area at Hillie Bunnies Shut Lane (x 2) Church Hill Churchyard/Cemetery Cemetery, Hillie Bunnies St. Andrews Church, High Street Graveyard, off Church Hill
Inset No. 23 Earls Colne and White Colne East Visually Important Space Colneford Hill Tey Road
Inset No. 24 Feering Informal Recreation The Green, off Coggeshall Road Formal Recreation Feering C of E Primary School Playing Field Churchyard/Cemetery All Saints Church, off The Street
Inset No. 25 Finchingfield Visually Important Space The Green (x 4) The Causeway The Pightle Churchyard St. John the Baptist Church, Church Hill
Inset No. 26 Foxearth Visually Important Space Opposite Foxearth Primary School Churchyard/Cemetery St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church
Inset No. 27 Gestingthorpe Formal Recreation Sports Ground at Church Street Churchyard/Cemetery St. Mary’s Church, Church Street Inset No. 28 Gosfield Visually Important Space Outside The Firs, The Street The Street The Limes (x 2)
Inset No. 29 Great Bardfield Formal Recreation Recreation Ground, The Walk (part) Visually Important Space Piper’s Meadow Junction of Vine Street and Crown Street Junction of Brook Street and Mill Road Mill Close War Memorial Green Churchyard/Cemetery Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Braintree Road
Inset No. 30 Great Maplestead Churchyard/Cemetery St. Giles Church, Church Street
Inset No. 31 Great Saling Visually Important Space outside Grove Villas Vicarage Close
Inset No. 32 Great Yeldham Informal Recreation Little Hyde Road Visually Important Space Field at North Road
Inset No. 33 Greenstead Green Visually Important Space Playground, Burtons Green Road
Inset No. 34 Halstead Allotments Holmes Road (part) off Fenn Road off Upper Fenn Road North of Colchester Road Informal Recreation Land east of River Colne (NW of Halstead) (part) Hawthorn Close River Colne South (part) Formal Recreation Sports Grounds, Sudbury Road Sports Ground, Upper Fenn Road Sports Ground, off Fenn Road Tidings Hill Recreation Ground, Holmes Road
Inset No. 35 Halstead Town Centre Allotments Hedingham Road Courtauld Close Holmes Road (part) Informal Recreation River Colne north Halstead Public Gardens River Colne south Formal Recreation Playing field, Mill Chase Tennis courts at Halstead Public Gardens Playing field, Kings Road Visually Important Space Land at Mill Chase including Greenwood School playing fields Churchyard/Cemetery St. Andrews Church, Head Street Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Street
Inset No. 36 Hatfield Peverel Informal Recreation Hadfelda Square Formal Recreation Strutt Memorial Recreation Ground Visually Important Space The Green, Maldon Road (x 2)
Inset No. 37 Helions Bumpstead Visually Important Space Camps Road Church Hill Churchyard/Cemetery St. Andrews Church, Church Road
Inset No. 38 Kelvedon Informal Recreation Church Road Formal Recreation Playing field, off The Chase London Road Churchyard/Cemetery St. Mary the Virgin Church, Church Street Cemetery, Church Street
Inset No. 41 Little Yeldham Churchyard/Cemetery St. John the Baptist Church, North End Road
Inset No. 44 Panfield Churchyard/Cemetery St. Mary’s Church, Church End
Inset No. 45 Pebmarsh Churchyard/Cemetery St. John the Baptist Church, The Street
Inset No. 46 Rayne Allotments Shalford Road Informal Recreation Flitch Way (part)
Inset No. 47 Ridgewell Visually Important Space Area around The Green (x 4) Churchyard/Cemetery Ridgewell Congregational Church, Chapel Road St. Lawrence’s Church, Church Lane
Inset No. 48 Rivenhall Visually Important Space Oak Road (x 2) Rickstones Road
Inset No. 50 Shalford Visually Important Space Cliffield (x 2)
Inset No. 52 Sible Hedingham Informal Recreation Rectory Road Recreation Ground, Recreation Road Formal Recreation Football Ground, Oxford Meadow Visually Important Space Christmas Field Brook Meadow Off Rectory Meadow
Inset No. 53 Silver End Allotments Off Silver Street Informal Recreation Silver End Memorial Gardens Formal Recreation Playing field to north of Silver Street Bowling Green, Silver End Memorial Gardens Sports Ground to south of Silver Street
Inset No. 54 Stambourne Chapel End Way Churchyard/Cemetery Stambourne Congregational Church, Chapel End Road Inset No. 56 Steeple Bumpstead Allotments off North Crescent Formal Recreation Camping Close Recreation Ground, Finchingfield Road Visually Important Space North Crescent (x 2) Haverhill Road Lilly Corner at Water Lane (x 2) Churchyard/Cemetery St. Mary’s Church, Church Street
Inset No. 60 Terling Allotments Crow Pond Road Visually Important Space School Green Bramley Cottages, Norman Hill Church Green Gambles Green Flacks Green Churchyard/Cemetery All Saints Church, Church Road New Churchyard Graveyard, The Street Inset No. 62 Toppesfield Churchyard/Cemetery St. Margaret’s Church, Church Lane
Inset No. 63 Wethersfield Visually Important Space Saffron Gardens The Green Churchyard/Cemetery Burial Ground, Saffron Close St. Mary Magdalen’s Church,
Inset No. 64 White Notley Allotments Vicarage Avenue Visually Important Space Vicarage Avenue Churchyard/Cemetery St. Etheldreda’s Church, Church Hill
Inset No. 65 Wickham St. Paul Visually Important Space The Green (x 2) Churchyard/Cemetery Burial Ground, School Road Appendix 5 English Heritage List of Scheduled Monuments in Braintree District List - As at October 2001 Parish Monument No. Title Grid Ref.
Alphamstone 24872 Roman villa south of TL 8788 3539 Alphamstone church Ashen 20768 Ashen House moat TL 7481 4280 and fishpond, 500m north of St. Augustine’s Church Ashen 32416 Long mortuary enclosure TL 7582 4440 and barrows 460m TL 7583 4445 northwest of Mill Farm TL 7594 4438 Birdbrook 20739 Whitley House moated TL 7221 4147 site Black Notley 20769 Moated site and two TL 7621 2070 fishponds at Black Notley churchyard, 20m east of St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church Braintree 87 Bocking windmill TL 763 259 Braintree 32423 Dovecote at the Old TL 7561 2537 Deanery 380m south of Bocking Hall, Braintree Bures Hamlet 20677 Circular cropmark at TL 8961 3441 Ferriers Farm, 190m southwest of Hill Farm Castle Hedingham 3 Hedingham Castle TL 787 359 Coggeshall 29426 Coggeshall Abbey TL 8547 2226 TL 8556 2233 Colne Engaine 190 Monument in Colne Park TL 871 305 Cressing 211 Cressing Temple TL 799 187 Cressing 20744 Henge 300m ENE of TL 7873 1998 Newbarns Farm Earls Colne 20642 Earls Colne Priory TL 8646 2893 Feering 24866 Anglo-Saxon cemetery TL 8691 1906 150m east of Easterford Mill Feering 32415 Long mortuary enclosure TL 8674 2056 and round barrow 160m south west of Frame Farm Finchingfield 20723 Jekyll’s Farm moated site TL 6910 3570 and fishpond Finchingfield 20743 Brockhold Farm TL 6938 3643 moated site Finchingfield 20754 Great Winsey moated TL 6730 3229 site and fishpond, 1.4km south west of Finchingfield Church Finchingfield 20755 Cornish Hall moated site TL 6841 3569 and fishpond, 750m south of Cornish Hall End Church Gestingthorpe 24870 Roman villa 480m south TL 8287 3866 (Wickham St. Paul) east of Hill Farm Gosfield 183 Well house and donkey TL 774 297 wheel at Gosfield Hall Greenstead Green 20732 Clavering’s Farm TL 8209 2677 and Halstead Rural moated site Greenstead Green 20733 Stanstead Hall TL 8271 2889 and Halstead Rural moated site Hatfield Peverel 165 Hatfield Priory TL 796 109 Helions Bumpstead 20742 Helions moated site TL 6456 4124 Pebmarsh 20731 Stanley Hall moated site TL 8365 3272 Ridgewell 20765 Moat Farm, situated 750m TL 7347 4059 south west of St. Lawrence’s Church Ridgewell 20766 Essex Hall moated site, TL 7236 3997 700m ESE of Three Chimneys Farm Ridgewell 20767 West End House moated TL 7336 4082 site, 640m west of St. Lawrence’s Church Rivenhall 20757 Rivenhall long mortuary TL 8470 1668 enclosure Rivenhall 24867 Roman villa, Anglo- TL 8295 1777 Saxon hall, cemetery and church site, around and to the north and east of St. Mary and All Saints Church Sible Hedingham 20730 Moated site south of TL 7780 3435 Rectory Road, 170m east of St. Peter’s Church Steeple Bumpstead 20740 Latchley’s farm moated TL 6715 3959 site and fishponds Steeple Bumpstead 32419 Dovecote at Blois Farm TL 6852 4156 Sturmer 20738 Bowl barrow 500m TL 6883 4428 north-west of Sturmer Hall Sturmer 20761 Sturmer Hall moated site TL 6896 4376 and mill complex TL 6898 4387 Terling 20756 Great Loyes moated site TL 7742 1589 and fishpond Wickham St. Paul 24870 Roman villa 480m south TL 8287 3866 east of Hill Farm Witham 20770 Blunts Hall ringwork TL 8076 1434 Appendix 6 List of Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan referred Policies referred to in Local Plan Review 88 These policies can be viewed in full. Please contact the Planning Policy Group at County Hall, Chelmsford, or view the Structure Plan on the internet, www.essexcc.gov.uk Core Strategy CS2 Protecting the Built and Natural Environment CS5 Sustainable Transport Countryside C5 Rural Areas not in the Green Belt Natural Resources NR1 Landscape Conservation NR4 Landscape Character Assessments NR5 Historic Landscape Features NR6 Nature Conservation Sites NR7 Promoting Biodiversity NR8 Agricultural Land NR9 Woodland and Tree Cover Housing H1 Distribution of Housing Provision H2 Housing Development - The Sequential Approach H4 Development Form of New Residential Development Built Environment BE1 Urban Intensification BE3 Retention of Open Space BE4 Sports Grounds and Playing Fields Business, Industry and Warehousing BIW1 Employment Land Provision BIW2 Ensuring Land Availability BIW3 Business Development - The Sequential Approach BIW4 Safeguarding Employment Land BIW5 Business Location BIW6 Small Firms Location BIW7 London Stansted Airport Town Centres and Retailing TCR1 Strategic Hierarchy of Urban Centres TCR2 Retail and Town Centre Development - Sequential Approach TCR3 Town Centres TCR4 Retail Development Leisure, Recreation and Tourism LRT1 Sports/ Leisure Centres and Major Sports Stadia LRT3 Formal Countryside Recreation Facilities LRT4 Informal Countryside Recreational Areas LRT8 Navigable Waterways LRT9 Large-Scale Tourism Developments LRT10 Tourist Accommodation Appendix 7 Glossary of Terms
Definitions of terms used in the Local Plan Review
INTRODUCTION ‘Development’ ‘means the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operation in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land.’ (Section 55, Town & Country Planning Act 1990) ‘Sustainable Development’ implies an approach to progressing our society in a way which accepts that the natural environment provides the fundamental resources through which society’s needs are met. In making decisions, it requires that equal consideration is given to the impacts of a decision on the natural environment, society and the economy. Through developing in a sustainable manner, society can achieve a better quality of life. Essex and Southend-on-Sea Structure Plan 2001-2011: Part of the statutory Development Plan for the combined Essex and Southend-on-sea area (which includes the Minerals Local Plan and the Waste Local Plan). It provides the county-level strategic guidance for land use planning, including the preparation of the District Local Plan. The Structure Plan makes specific reference to the number of houses and amount of employment development to be provided within the District. Regional Planning Guidance (RPG): Produced by the Secretary of State, RPG provides the regional strategic guidance for land use planning and transportation. Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs): Produced by Central Government, these documents set out the national policy position on issues related to the Planning system. They act as the policy base on which local planning authorities prepare their development plans and may be material to considering planning applications and appeals. Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG): Produced by the Local Planning Authority, these documents are supplementary to the Development Plan and are used to provide additional detail as deemed necessary e.g. The Essex Design Guide for Residential and Mixed Use Areas. Planning Obligation/Section 106 Agreement: A legally binding settlement between a local planning authority and any person interested in land within the area of the local authority, in which development is restricted; specified operations, activities or uses required; or a financial contribution to be made. ‘Greenfield’ site: Land that has not previously been subject to development. ‘Brownfield’ site: Land that has previously been, or currently is, subject to development. Previously developed land is defined as ‘that which is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excluding agricultural or forestry buildings), and associated fixed structure infrastructure’ (Annex C, PPG3)
HOUSING Urban Capacity Study: A review of the land within urban areas, undertaken by independent consultants, to advise the Local Planning Authority on the potential for housing development. Braintree District Housing Strategy: Produced annually by the Local Housing Authority, this sets out the major priorities for public-sector housing provision in the District over a five year period. Affordable Housing: Housing provided with subsidy for people who are unable to resolve their housing requirements in the local housing sector market because of the relationship between housing costs and incomes. Permitted Development rights: The level of development that can take place before planning permission is required, as stated in The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.
EMPLOYMENT ‘Employment’ site: Land developed, or to be developed, for the provision of workplaces. Use Class: The planning classification given to land or buildings depending on their function as defined under the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. Changes in the use of land or buildings within a ‘use class’ are excluded for the definition of development and therefore do not require planning permission. B1 Use: Business Use: _ as an office (except those providing financial and professional services); _ for research and development of products or processes; or _ for any industrial process which can be carried out in an residential area without detriment to the amenity of that area by reason of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust or grit B2 Use: General industrial processes B8 Use: Storage or distribution East Braintree Initiative: The regeneration of east Braintree, including new employment, housing, environmental and road improvements carried out between 1995 and 2001. Braintree Retail Study: A review of the trading patterns and characteristics; position within the regional retail hierarchy, and the growth potential of Braintree, Halstead and Witham, commissioned by the Council and undertaken by independent consultants.
TRANSPORT Essex Local Transport Plan 2001-2006: The document and process by which Essex County Council plans the development of integrated transport in the County over a five year period, and by which District Councils can submit bids for local transport initiatives which require capital funding. A Transportation Strategy for Braintree District 2001-2006: Prepared in parallel with the Essex Local Transport Plan, the Strategy sets out the Council’s approach to developing a sustainable, integrated transport system for the District. This assists Essex County Council in allocating funding for local transport initiatives. Travel Plan: A package of measures adopted by employers to manage and reduce the impact of work-related journeys on our environment. The Highways Agency: The Central Government body responsible for the construction and maintenance of motorways and trunk roads. Safer Journeys to School: An initiative aimed at increasing safety and reducing congestion and pollution by encouraging parents and pupils to use modes of travel other than private car to get to and from school. LOIS London to Ipswich Multi-Modal Study: A study of travel by all modes of transport within the A12 &120 corridor, January 2001-April 2002. Sustrans: A national charitable organisation concerned with the promotion of sustainable transport, responsible, among other things, for developing the National Cycle Network. Locally Determined Programme: Finance made available by Essex County Council for local transport initiatives.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND PROTECTION Environmental Impact Assessment: An evaluation and appraisal procedure carried out prior to a planning authority’s determination on a development proposal, into the potential consequences of that proposal on the natural environment. Swale: Gently sloping depressions planted with native grasses to slow water runoff and facilitate surface water soakaway.
DESIGN AND HERITAGE Listed Building: A building listed by the Secretary of State for the Environment as being of special architectural or historic interest. Tree Preservation Order: Provides protection to individual trees, groups of trees or woodland by prohibiting topping, lopping or felling except by the consent of the Local Planning Authority. Conservation Area: A defined area designated by the Local Authority under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, for which it is considered desirable to preserve and/or enhance an historic interest and/ or a special architectural character. Scheduled Ancient Monument: A building or structure considered by the Secretary of State to be of national importance and given legal protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. Registered Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest: Sites included in the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest compiled and maintained by English Heritage, that make a significant contribution to the diversity of the local and/or national landscape and/or which are of particular historical importance. Structural Landscaping: The treatment of land, usually by including substantial tree and shrub planting, to enhance visual amenity and integrity with surrounding landscape features. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): Land notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as an ecosystem of flora and/or fauna considered by English Heritage to be of significant national value and interest to merit its conservation and management. Local Nature Reserves: Habitat recognised under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 as an ecosystem of flora and/or fauna considered by the Local Authority to be of significant County or District wide value and interest to merit its conservation and management for public enjoyment. Wildlife Sites: Semi-natural habitats identified by Essex Wildlife Trust as important for the conservation of wildlife.
SPORT, RECREATION AND TOURISM Formal Recreation: Recreational activities which use or require dedicated or purpose-built facilities, either in public or private ownership, for example, sports pitches, swimming pools, playing fields, tennis courts, bowling greens. Informal Recreation: Recreational activities which do not make use or require dedicated or purpose-built facilities, either in public or private ownership. Informal recreation land would include trails and walks.
PROPOSALS MAP DESIGNATIONS Development Boundary / Village Envelope: The line around a defined settlement, indicating a limit to the land to be developed within that settlement, and outside of which countryside policies apply. Special Landscape Areas (SLAs): High quality, distinctive and attractive landscapes, defined by specialised staff and derived from their combination of natural features including, topography, vegetation cover and water and river features. Green Wedge: An area of undeveloped land located between settlements, designated to restrict their coalescence and retain a visually distinct open character. Protected Lanes: Minor public roads designated by Essex County Council for their historic significance or the contribution they make to an area’s character. Cyclepath: Either a mandatory or an advisory route along which bicycles may travel, either segregated from pedestrians or as shared users. River Flood-plain: An area of land adjacent of a watercourse, liable to inundation in times of excess flow or spate. ‘Mixed use’ sites: Land developed to consist of a combination and integration of uses including residential, employment and community. Visually Important Space: Open-space which is considered to make a significant contribution to the visual character of an area. Gypsies: Persons of nomadic habit of life whatever their race or origin. Persons who wander or travel for the purpose of making or seeking their livelihood, not including persons who move from place to place without any connection between their movement and their means of livelihood. Comprehensive Development Area: Land defined for development which consists of the removal of the existing use of the land. Special Policy Area: Parcels of land for which specific development objectives exist. These may relate to the density, nature and/or use of the land.