Site Allocations and Management of Development (SAMDev) Development Plan Document Technical Background Paper March 2014 Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan Technical Background Paper 1. Introduction Introduction Supporting documents Planning Policy context Working with others 2. Housing Housing requirements Distribution of housing Meeting the housing requirement Spatial distribution How the remaining requirement will be met Rates of growth by market town Delivery in the rural areas General Conclusion 3. Development of Settlement Strategies: Scale and location of development Constraints Albrighton Bishops Castle Bridgnorth Broseley Church Stretton Cleobury Mortimer Craven Arms Ellesmere Highley Ludlow Market Drayton Minsterley & Pontesbury Much Wenlock Oswestry Shifnal Shrewsbury Wem 2 Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan Technical Background Paper Whitchurch Site selection methodology 4. Economic Development and Employment Employment land requirements Distribution of employment Meeting the employment requirement 5. Retail Retail and Town Centre Policy Policy MD10a: Managing Town Centre Development Policy MD10b: Town and Rural Centre Impact Assessments 6. Planning approach for the Gypsies and Travellers 7. Approach to planning for Mineral Resources Aggregates and landbanks production guideline Site selection methodology; 8. Implementation and Monitoring Infrastructure delivery Infrastructure and developer contributions Infrastructure and design requirements Infrastructure and phasing of development Monitoring 3 Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan Technical Background Paper 1 INTRODUCTION Introduction 1.1 The purpose of this document is to set out the reasoning behind the settlement strategies and site allocations contained within the Pre Submission Draft Site Allocations and Management of Development (SAMDev) Development Plan Document. 1.2 It forms a background paper, summarising the process that has been undertaken in respect of preparing the SAMDev DPD. As the majority of allocations are for new homes, the document inevitably focuses on the evidence that has been considered in relation to the provision of new housing. However, the SAMDev Plan does also set out the planning approach for the provision of new employment land, retail, gypsy and travellers, and minerals sites. This paper therefore seeks to demonstrate why these policy approaches are included with the SAMDev Plan. 1.3 The SAMDev DPD has been prepared following extensive consultation, which is summarised in the Consultation Statement and published as one of the Submission Documents in accordance with Regulation 17 (d) of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. Supporting Documents 1.4 A number of supporting documents and studies have been used in the preparation of the SAMDev DPD. They are available to download on the Council’s website at: http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/samdev Planning Policy Context 1.5 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published March 2012 and includes a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ where development that meets the aims of the NPPF and the adopted Local Plan would be approved. The Core Strategy adopted in March 2011 is in general conformity with the NPPF and so already partly meets this role, whilst the finalised SAMDev Plan will complete the Local Plan ‘package’ for Shropshire. 1.6 Further to guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), this ‘Local Plan’ for Shropshire has deliberately adopted a localism based planning approach which has been based on active engagement with local communities to identify, and wherever possible agree, local development strategies to deliver sustainable new growth, which are consistent with objectively assessed needs for development and infrastructure. The basis of this strategy was developed, assessed against potential alternatives and agreed in the adopted Core Strategy in 2011. The Core Strategy approach is one of sustainable growth for Shropshire, delivered in a locally responsive manner, with the objective of making communities more resilient and adaptable to the challenges of the 21st century. This approach has been carried forward through the policy approach and settlement strategies in the SAMDev Plan element of the Local Plan, which has a vital role in delivering community led aspirations for sustainable development and in particular providing the opportunity for new development to contribute to locally identified infrastructure needs. As such, 4 Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan Technical Background Paper the SAMDev Plan is consistent with the Core Strategy, in line with the principles of Localism, as promoted by the NPPF and deliverable in a normal housing market, as explained in Section 3. Working with others 1.7 It is recognised that Shropshire’s ‘Local Plan’ cannot be developed in isolation as development impacts on a wide range of services and facilities, some of which may be outside Shropshire’s boundaries. In addition, the Localism Act and National Planning Policy Framework place a duty on local planning authorities to undertake constructive and active engagement on the preparation of development plan documents and other activities related to sustainable development. Whilst this duty focuses on cooperation rather than agreement, there must be a clear focus on genuine, positive and continuous dialogue with partners, with the intention of reaching agreement, wherever possible. 1.8 Evidence regarding this engagement process will be reported as part of a Duty to Co-operate Statement, which will be published when the Plan is submitted. However, the following provides a broad overview of the collaborative work that has been undertaken: 1.9 Other services within the Council: As a Unitary Authority, close collaborative working with service departments within Shropshire Council has formed a standard part of the SAMDev Plan preparation. Whilst specialist input has informed both the policy approach and supporting documentation such as the HRA and LDF Implementation Plan, a key area of input has been the site selection, with other service areas providing detailed technical information to assist in the assessment process. This has included evidence from the following services: Highways and Transport Flood and Water Management Learning and Skills Outdoor Recreation Natural and Historic Environment AONB Partnership Housing Planning Economic Development Property Services Town and Parish Councils 1.10 Discussions with Town and Parish Councils have taken place throughout the preparation of the SAMDev Plan and whilst it has not been possible to achieve agreement in every case, all town and parish councils are aware of the SAMDev proposals, since extensive community focused dialogue has been maintained throughout preparation of the Plan. 1.11 This continual engagement has included formal consultation on the Issues and Options, Preferred Options and Revised Preferred Options stages in addition to 5 Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan Technical Background Paper bespoke workshops, attendance at town and parish council meetings and informal meetings with community representatives, at their request. Neighbouring Authorities: 1.12 Key strategic cross-boundary issues such as housing numbers and employment land allocations have already been addressed through active engagement with neighbouring local authorities in developing the Core Strategy. This level of co- operation has been maintained during the preparation of SAMDev by engaging actively and constructively, on an on-going basis, with neighbouring authorities to identify, analyse and address potential strategic cross boundary issues. This has included formal consultation at Issues and Options, Preferred Options and Revised Preferred Options, which has allowed comment on both the Plan and supporting documentation such as the Sustainability Appraisal. In addition, detailed discussions have been undertaken in relation to the impact of the proposed growth, particularly in relation to infrastructure. Issue based discussions have therefore been ongoing throughout the preparation of the Plan and as part of Shropshire’s wider infrastructure planning approach, through the Place Plan annual review process, as set out in Section 8. Statutory Consultees 1.13 As statutory consultees, partner organisations such as the Environment Agency, Natural England and English Heritage have been formally consulted on all stages of the document, including Issues and Options, Preferred Options and Revised Preferred Options. 1.14 Key pieces of evidence base have also been prepared in partnership with these statutory consultees, including the Water Cycle Study and Clun Nutrient Management Plan. In addition, areas of ongoing work will include close working with these organisations, particularly in relation to the preparation of Supplementary Planning Documents. Infrastructure Providers 1.15 Local and strategic service providers have been fully engaged in the preparation of the SAMDev Plan, through the annual review of the LDF Implementation Plan and accompanying Place Plans, as set out in Section 8. Through this formalised annual review, a process of continual engagement has been established with service providers to establish an evidence base of need and to build consensus on the strategic and local infrastructure priorities associated with new development. The mechanisms and timing of delivery have also