ISSUE 1: Roads, Traffic and Transport, Notably in the Black Isle
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Ross & Cromarty East Local Plan Inquiry THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL ROSS & CROMARTY EAST LOCAL PLAN INQUIRY STATEMENT OF OBSERVATIONS by the DIRECTOR OF PLANNING and DEVELOPMENT ISSUE 1: Roads, Traffic and Transport, notably in the Black Isle 1. Introduction 1.1 The Highland Council (THC) has undertaken to hold a Public Local Inquiry to consider objections lodged by Ferintosh Community Council [CD30/78] and Knockbain Community Council [CD30/123] in respect of Chapter 3: Key Issues paragraphs 3.24 and 3.24 of the Deposit Draft of the above Local Plan on Roads, Traffic and Transport matters, with specific reference to the Black Isle area. 1.2 Objections lodged by AB Bryant [CD30/29], principally in respect of the need to assess the capacity of the High Streets of Avoch, Fortrose and Rosemarkie, are to be dealt with on the basis of a further written submission, which is addressed in more detail in the statement for Issue 30. 1.3 Objections lodged by DJ Pocock [CD30/113] and the Black Isle Forum [CD30/91] on Chapter 3 Commuter Pressure and Key Issues on Roads, Traffic and Transport matters in the Black Isle area are either sustained on the basis of the original submissions lodged in respect of the Deposit Draft Local Plan or not withdrawn. The Council’s responses are contained in the 25 January 2005 Area Planning Committee report on Objections and Representations on the Deposit Draft Local Plan [CD27]. 1.4 THC will call Alan Ogilvie, Principal Planner as the planning witness and Sam MacNaughton, Head of Transport and Infrastructure as the roads and transportation witness. 1.5 THC wishes to submit the productions listed below. References to productions are shown in the text as follows, [CD1]. Quotes from productions are shown as follows, “extract”. [CD1] The Highland Structure Plan: Approved Plan: The Highland Council: March 2001 [CD2] Black Isle Local Plan: Adopted Plan: Highland Regional Council: September 1985 [CD8] Ross & Cromarty East Local Plan: Consultative Draft: The Highland Council: May 2002 [CD9] Ross & Cromarty East Local Plan: Deposit Draft: The Highland Council: October 2003 [CD10] Ross & Cromarty East Local Plan: Statement of Publicity, Consultation and representations: The Highland Council: October 2003 Director of Planning and Development 1 Issue 1 – June/July 2005 Ross & Cromarty East Local Plan Inquiry [CD11] Ross & Cromarty East Local Plan: Proposed Modifications to the Deposit Draft (Prior to Public Local Inquiry): The Highland Council: February 2005 [CD15] SPP3: Planning for Housing: Scottish Executive: February 2003 [CD18] NPPG17: Transport and Planning: Scottish Executive: May 2001 [CD25] Ross & Cromarty Area Planning Committee Item: Representations on the Consultative Draft Local Plan: The Highland Council: 15 September 2003 [CD27] Ross & Cromarty Area Planning Committee Item: Objections and Representations on the Deposit Draft Local Plan: The Highland Council: 25 January 2005 [CD30] Letters of objection and representation to the Deposit Draft Local Plan [THC1/1] Extracts from PAN57: Transport and Planning: Scottish Executive: April 1999 [THC1/2] Developing a Transport Vision for Inverness 2004 – 2031: Atkins on behalf of Inverness & Nairn Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council: Final Report: September 2004 2. Background National Planning Guidance/Advice 2.1 Scottish Planning Policy 3: Planning for Housing [CD15] sets out the Scottish Executive’s planning policies on housing. The following paragraphs are relevant: - 35 refers to the opportunities that the planning of new residential development offers for reducing travel demand in line with the Scottish Executive’s commitment to reduce the demand for travel and reliance on the private car through the effective integration of land use and transport. 36 advises that in planning for the expansion of existing settlements, “preference should be given to locations which can be well integrated with existing and proposed public transport, walking and cycling networks.” 2.2 National Planning Policy Guideline 17: Transport and Planning [CD18] sets out the Scottish Executive’s planning policies on the integration of transport and land use. The following paragraphs are relevant: - 2 refers to the relationship between Local Transport Strategies and development plans and the important role of each in implementing transport strategies and guiding development. More specifically it advises that “the Local Transport Strategy should flow from and in turn be incorporated into the relevant development plans.” 7 refers to the role of land use planning in achieving the Government's broad policy objectives for integrated transport and land use planning in respect of reducing the need to travel, supporting provision of high quality public transport access to development and supporting the management of motorised travel and contributing to sustainable transport objectives. 21 outlines the framework for the key policy tool of delivering better integration of transport and land use planning including a location policy to guide development to places Director of Planning and Development 2 Issue 1 – June/July 2005 Ross & Cromarty East Local Plan Inquiry that support sustainable mode share and the introduction of broader Transport Assessments, Green Transport Plans and planning agreements to promote sustainable transport solutions. 23 expands upon the need to set out sufficient detail in development plans and Local Transport Strategies to provide a transparent basis for negotiation with developers and uses of planning agreements to help deliver more sustainable transport solutions. This is cross- referenced to PAN 57 Paragraphs 11-13. 26 states that “Planning authorities should ensure that their settlement strategy is consistent with the aim of reducing travel demand and puts greater reliance on means of transport other than the private car.” 28 repeats para. 36 of SPP3 in respect of the expansion of existing settlements and built-up areas for housing. 55 states that “local authority support for bus services, passenger rail services or proposals for associated facilities should be consistent with the location policies in development plans. ……………... Where enhancement to public transport services or infrastructure is desirable to serve new development, but would not be provided commercially, a contribution from the developer towards an agreed level of service through the planning authority may be appropriate.” 2.3 In Planning Advice Note 57: Transport and Planning [THC1/1] complements NPPG17. The following paragraphs are relevant: - 2 - 10 cover the transport assessments, placing the onus upon developers /applicants to address the impact of their proposals and to suggest ways of mitigating potential detrimental effects. 11 & 12 advise that development plans should outline the transport priorities referred to in the Local Transport Strategy, together with the likely nature and scope of developer contributions, including schemes for new investment, traffic management and partnerships for improved transport services. It will be for Local Transport Strategies to include details of proposed costs and likely phasing of projects. Highland Structure Plan 2.4 The Highland Structure Plan [CD1] was approved in March 2001. Section 1.3 contains the following relevant strategic issues recognised by THC as priorities in terms of planning for the future development of Highland: - • “Transport pressures - Growth in road traffic has been particularly marked in the Inner Moray Firth area and the increase in car ownership is generally expected to continue in the next two decades in line with national estimates. The problems of public health, road safety, congestion, and atmospheric pollution will increase, but an informed response to these must reflect the rural nature of much of Highland. There is, therefore, likely to be a continued need for improvements to the existing road network. Director of Planning and Development 3 Issue 1 – June/July 2005 Ross & Cromarty East Local Plan Inquiry • Integrated transport - Good passenger and freight transport is essential for business and for permitting access to services. A strategic approach needs to encourage better integration between different modes of transport and to improve critical links.” 2.5 In the Transport and Communications section (2.16) the following extracts are relevant: - Para. 2.16.1 - ….. “A modern efficient communications network is important for the economic prosperity of Highland and to meet communities' social needs. At the same time this should be achieved without having an adverse impact on the environment, either at a local level, through noise and air pollution and congestion, or at a national level through increased energy consumption. The policy framework for transport reflects a number of sustainability objectives and links with other policy sections of the Structure Plan are vital. In order to achieve the Plan's objectives an integrated approach to transport issues is required, addressing both the transport modes themselves and the distribution, location and delivery of employment, housing and other services. …………These transport policies also form the basis of The Council's Transportation Strategy and Local Transport Plans. Although the past two decades or so have witnessed major improvements to road links, much further investment in these and other modes of transport is still required to implement the Structure Plan policies. 2.16.2 - Integrated transport and modal shift – Government policy, as set down in