Ipswich Local Plan Cycling Strategy Supplementary Planning Document
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Ipswich Local Plan Cycling Strategy Supplementary Planning Document March 2016 Planning and Development Ipswich Borough Council Grafton House, Russell Road Ipswich IP1 2DE (01473) 432019 email: [email protected] website: www.ipswich.gov.uk Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Policy Context 2 3. Cycling in Ipswich 6 4. Objectives for the Supplementary Planning Document 10 5. Cycling Provision in New Development 11 6. Enhancing Ipswich’s Cycle Network 25 7. Submitting a Planning Application 46 Appendix 1: Proposed Submission Policies 48 Appendix 2: Suffolk Guidance for Parking 52 Appendix 3: Town Centre Cycle Parking Audit (2015) 54 Appendix 4: Further Information 59 1.0 Introduction What is a Supplementary Planning Document? 1.1 A Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is a document that provides greater detail on the planning policies that have been adopted in the Ipswich Local Plan. Upon adoption this SPD will become a material consideration and must be considered in the determining of planning applications. What is the purpose of this SPD? 1.2 The primary purpose of the SPD is to provide detailed guidance for anyone intending to develop within Ipswich. It applies to all types of development including residential, employment, commercial and community uses. This SPD sets out how applicants should promote and facilitate cycling from the outset of planning a development. It also sets out the Council’s vision for cycling in Ipswich and identifies strategic cycling routes which the Council would wish to see enhanced, placing on-site provision within the context of the Borough-wide network. 1.3 In this respect it should be noted that the Borough Council is the planning authority and but is not the highways authority. The provision of cycle infrastructure as part of the operation of the highway network is the responsibility of Suffolk County Council. As highways authority Suffolk County Council advise Ipswich Borough Council on the transport elements of planning applications. Suffolk County Council will consider adopting cycle infrastructure on land within new developments through agreement with the landowner/developer. 1.4 This SPD replaces the ‘Cycle Strategy for Ipswich’ supplementary planning guidance (1998). How has this SPD been produced? 1.5 As part of the evidence gathering stage a ‘Call for Ideas’ consultation was held in July and August 2015. A total of 11 individuals and organisations provided comments. In addition, school and college pupils and parents were invited to complete an online cycling to school questionnaire. A total of 190 people (168 parents and 22 pupils) completed the survey. Discussions have also been held with Suffolk County Council as Highways Authority and with Cycle Ipswich, a local cycle campaign group. In identifying appropriate design guidance, reference has also been made to existing design guidance and a list of references is provided in Appendix 4 of this SPD. 1 2.0 Policy Context 2.1 Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 states that decisions on planning applications must be taken in accordance with the development plan unless there are material considerations that indicate otherwise. The development plan for Ipswich is the Core Strategy and Policies development plan document (December 2011) and the saved policies of the Ipswich Local Plan (November 1997). The Core Strategy is currently being reviewed and will be replaced by the Core Strategy and Policies development plan document review. In addition, the Council is also currently producing a Site Allocations and Policies (Incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) development plan document. 2.2 National planning policy is a material consideration in the consideration of planning applications. Current national planning policy is set out mainly within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)1. 2.3 This SPD seeks to add detail to the policies found in the Core Strategy, with the aim being to assist developers in providing for cycling. The guidance contained within the SPD will be material consideration in determining planning policies. Upon adoption of the emerging plans this SPD will be applied to the relevant policies contained within these plans (the proposed submission versions of these policies are contained in Appendix 1 to this SPD). National Planning Policy Framework 2.4 Paragraph 29 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that ‘The transport system needs to be balanced in favour of sustainable transport modes, giving people a real choice about how they travel.’ Paragraph 30 goes on to state that ‘Encouragement should be given to solutions which support reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and reduce congestion. In preparing Local Plans, local planning authorities should therefore support a pattern of development which, where reasonable to do so, facilitates the use of sustainable modes of transport.’ Paragraph 35 states that ‘Plans should protect and exploit opportunities for the use of sustainable transport modes for the movement of goods or people. Therefore, development should be located and designed where practical to…give priority to pedestrian and cycle movements, and have access to high quality public transport facilities; create safe and secure layouts which minimise conflicts between traffic and cyclists or pedestrians, avoiding street clutter and where appropriate establishing home zones.’ Core Strategy and Policies development plan document 2.5 The main policies of the adopted Core Strategy and Policies development plan document of relevance to this SPD are set out below: 1 National Planning Policy Framework - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/6077/2116950.pdf 2 POLICY CS1: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT -CLIMATE CHANGE In Ipswich a comprehensive approach will be taken to tackling climate change and its implications through: a. Requiring all new development to incorporate energy conservation and efficiency measures, to achieve significantly reduced carbon emissions by 2016 for all new residential and major non-residential development; b. Requiring all major developments to achieve a target of at least 15% of their energy requirements to be provided through decentralised renewable or low carbon energy sources where feasible and viable; c. Seeking opportunities to develop renewable energy generating capacity including on Council-owned land; d. Supporting the Suffolk Climate Change Partnership and other appropriate local carbon reduction schemes; e. Implementing the IMPACT Carbon Management scheme and reducing carbon emissions from the Council's own operations by 30% by 2013 and 50% by 2021 from a 2007/08 baseline; f. Supporting the implementation of the Ipswich Flood Defence Strategy by the Environment Agency; and g. Requiring building and infrastructure design to incorporate water conservation, capture, recycling and efficiency measures and sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS). POLICY CS5: IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY Development should be located and designed to minimise the need to travel and to enable access safely and conveniently on foot, by bicycle and by public transport (bus and rail). This will encourage greater use of these modes. The Council will support the implementation of the Ipswich Major Scheme and will work with the Highway Authority to manage travel demand in Ipswich and in doing so will prioritise the introduction of an integrated cycle network. POLICY DM15: TRAVEL DEMAND MANAGEMENT In proposals for the development of 10 or more dwellings or 1,000 sqm or more of non-residential floorspace, or where more than 50 people will be employed, the Council will require: a. a transport assessment to be undertaken including an assessment of the impact on the local highway network with appropriate mitigation measures secured by a planning obligation; b. where likely to have an impact on or be located in an Air Quality Management Area or other sensitive area, an assessment of the air quality impacts of the development with appropriate mitigation measures proposed as necessary; c. a travel plan outlining how the development will ensure high levels of cycling and walking together with public transport use; d. the minimisation of the use and ownership of the car by providing an integrated solution which could include car clubs, well- designed dedicated cycle and pedestrian routes, high quality secure cycle storage and safe and convenient access to public transport within 400 metres of the development; and 3 e. for non-residential developments, high quality shower facilities and lockers to ensure that a modal shift can occur. POLICY DM16: SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT MODES When considering proposals for all other new developments not included in Policy DM15, the Council will expect: a. safe and convenient access to public transport within 400 metres of the site; and b. high quality, secure cycle storage. POLICY DM17: TRANSPORT AND ACCESS IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS Each development proposal will be assessed in terms of: a. its impact on the road network in respect of traffic capacity, highway safety and the environmental impact of generated traffic; b. pedestrian and cycle accessibility to and within the site as well as the wider effects of the development upon pedestrian movement; c. its impacts on rights of way; and d. availability of and access to public transport. Applicants will be required to demonstrate how the development would improve provision and/or how any acceptable adverse impacts would be managed and mitigated. The Council will require the inclusion