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Local Plan for Pendle Core Strategy Pre-Submission Report September 2014 For an alternative format of this document phone 01282 661330 Pendle Local Plan: Core Strategy Pre-Submission Report 1 Foreword Foreword Pendle is a unique and special place: attractive, diverse, yet constantly changing. We care about our community, so it is important that we recognise the challenges that the future holds, and that we plan for those changes. We live in an age where rapid advances in technology are changing how we communicate, the way we shop, where and how we work and the life choices we make. We are living longer too; and have higher expectations for a future where we expect to enjoy good health and greater prosperity. We must direct future growth to the right locations and carefully manage regeneration activity. We need to provide guidance so that new development benefits those people who live and work in our towns and villages, whilst continuing to protect and enhance those assets that make the area both attractive and locally distinctive. In doing so we must carefully consider the social, economic and environmental impacts of our actions. Only in this way can we hope to realise our vision of making Pendle a better place to live, work, learn, play and visit. The Core Strategy will help us shape the future of Pendle, by addressing issues that are important to our locality as well as matters of wider concern such as climate change. The policies in the Core Strategy have been influenced by the evidence available to us. In particular they address any cross-boundary issues that may influence development in Pendle and reflect the comments you have supplied in response to earlier public consultations. As such, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to comment. We believe that this strategy provides the best possible response to your future needs and aspirations. It takes a balanced approach that helps to achieve the best possible outcome for you, your children and Pendle. I believe that by working together we can show the pride, passion and belief needed to successfully deliver our sustainable vision of Pendle’s future. Councillor Joe Cooney, Leader of Pendle Council, September 2014 Pendle Local Plan: Core Strategy Pre-Submission Report Contents 1 Preface 4 2 About the Core Strategy 5 3 Our Spatial Issues: Pendle Today 15 4 Our Spatial Vision: Pendle Tomorrow 33 5 Our Strategic Objectives: What We Need To Do 35 6 The Key Diagram 38 7 Our Spatial Strategy: Where and How We Will Deliver 40 Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development 42 The Role and Function of Our Towns and Villages 43 Housing Distribution 49 Employment Distribution 52 Retail Distribution 55 Future Infrastructure Requirements 58 8 Our Foundations for a Sustainable Future: Improving the Environment We Live In 61 Protecting and Enhancing Our Natural and Historic Environments 62 Achieving Quality in Design and Conservation 73 Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Generation 81 Promoting Sustainable Travel 86 Pollution, Unstable Land and Waste Management 93 Water Management 98 9 Place Shaping 108 10 Living Creating a Vibrant Housing Market 109 Housing Provision and Delivery 110 Strategic Housing Site 120 Housing Needs 124 Affordable Housing 131 Designing Better Places to Live 138 11 Working: Creating a Dynamic and Competitive Economy 146 Strengthening the Local Economy 147 Employment Land Supply 153 Strategic Employment Site 162 Retailing and Town Centres 166 Tourism, Leisure and Culture 174 Designing Better Places to Work 178 12 Supporting: Creating Healthy and Confident Communities 184 Community Facilities 185 Health and Well-being 190 Education and Training 195 Designing Better Public Places 198 13 Monitoring and Delivery 203 Appendices A Infrastructure Delivery 205 B Replacement Pendle Local Plan (2001-2016) Policies 210 C Glossary 213 D Bibliography and References 222 Pendle Local Plan: Core Strategy Pre-Submission Report Contents E Proposals Map 232 Policies Policy SDP 1 Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development 42 Policy SDP 2 Spatial Development Principles 46 Policy SDP 3 Housing Distribution 50 Policy SDP 4 Employment Distribution 53 Policy SDP 5 Retail Distribution 56 Policy SDP 6 Future Infrastructure Requirements 59 Policy ENV 1 Protecting and Enhancing Our Natural and Historic Environments 69 Policy ENV 2 Achieving Quality in Design and Conservation 76 Policy ENV 3 Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Generation 84 Policy ENV 4 Promoting Sustainable Travel 91 Policy ENV 5 Pollution and Unstable Land 95 Policy ENV 6 Waste Management 96 Policy ENV 7 Water Management 105 Policy LIV 1 Housing Provision and Delivery 117 Policy LIV 2 Strategic Housing Site: Trough Laithe 122 Policy LIV 3 Housing Needs 128 Policy LIV 4 Affordable Housing 134 Policy LIV 5 Designing Better Places to Live 142 Policy WRK 1 Strengthening the Local Economy 150 Policy WRK 2 Employment Land Supply 158 Policy WRK 3 Strategic Employment Site: Lomeshaye 164 Policy WRK 4 Retailing and Town Centres 170 Policy WRK 5 Tourism, Leisure and Culture 176 Policy WRK 6 Designing Better Places to Work 181 Policy SUP 1 Community Facilities 187 Policy SUP 2 Health and Well-being 193 Policy SUP 3 Education and Training 196 Policy SUP 4 Designing Better Public Places 201 4 Pendle Local Plan: Core Strategy Pre-Submission Report 1 Preface 1 Preface 1.1 We are increasingly concerned that our way of life is placing an increasing burden on the planet. But, without change we all face a future that is less certain and less secure. And it is important to manage change if it is to benefit us all. 1.2 Local government helps to shape places through the creative use of its powers and influence to promote the general well-being of a community and its citizens. The National Planning Policy Framework (The Framework) makes it clear that local government has and important role to play in promoting sustainable growth. 1.3 Planning plays a major role in influencing places and the way in which they function, placing it at the heart of the Government's place-shaping agenda. As acknowledged in the Ministerial foreword for The Framework, the planning system is about helping to deliver positive growth through sustainable development, ensuring economic, environmental and social progress for this and future generations. The Framework sets-out what the Government considers to be sustainable development What is Sustainable Development? "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Our Common Future - The Bruntland Report (World Commission on Environment and Development, April 1987) 1.4 Everything we do is about achieving a better future for Pendle and the people, who chose to live, work, learn or visit our community. This means providing: good quality affordable homes that meet the needs of all our residents; educational opportunities that allow our children to reach their full potential; a diverse range of jobs that enable young people to meet their aspirations locally; a selection of shops and services that cater for our daily needs; open space, leisure and cultural facilities that allow us to enjoy rewarding, happy and healthy lifestyles; all connected by an efficient and sustainable transport system. 1.5 Our Pendle Our Future: Pendle’s Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS), reflects the community's vision for improving quality of life in the area and establishes a blueprint for the social, economic and environmental transformation of the borough.(1) 1 Pendle Partnership (2008) Our Pendle Our Future: Pendle's Sustainable Community Strategy. Nelson, Pendle Partnership. Pendle Local Plan: Core Strategy Pre-Submission Report 5 About the Core Strategy 2 2 About the Core Strategy Introduction 2.1 The Core Strategy is the spatial expression of the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS). It represents our approach to managing development and growth in Pendle over the next 15 years. It is the first of two documents that will succeed the Replacement Pendle Local Plan 2001-2016, which was adopted by Pendle Council in May 2006.(2) Why Do We Need It? 2.2 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) introduced significant reforms to the planning system for England and Wales and the format of the statutory Development Plan for the area. The Localism Act (2011) and the National Planning Policy Framework (2012) have introduced further reforms. 2.3 These changes have resulted in a more streamlined planning system(3), which adopts a more proactive approach to managing development, promotes growth and provides increased opportunities for public participation. 2.4 The Core Strategy is the key local component of the statutory Development Plan(4) (Figure 2.1), setting out our vision for the future of Pendle; a clear strategy for the delivery of this vision and the strategic planning policies against which all applications for new development will be assessed. To ensure that decisions on planning applications are both rational and consistent they should be made in accordance with the Development Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise(5). As such the policies and proposals in local planning documents such as Area Action Plans and Neighbourhood Plans, where these are prepared, must be in general conformity with the Core Strategy. 2.5 In turn, the policies in the Core Strategy must be consistent with national planning policy, as set out in the Framework.(6) Published by the Government on 27th March 2012, the Framework replaced over one thousand pages of national policy - previously contained in Planning Policy Statements (PPSs); Planning Policy Guidance notes (PPGs) and some Circulars - with a single 59 page document. 2 In a letter dated 21st April 2009, the Secretary of State issued a direction confirming that policies in the Replacement Pendle Local Plan 2001-2016 could be saved.