Dartmoor Local Plan 2018-2036 Final Draft (Regulation 19 consultation) September 2019 Mid Devon Dartmoor Northumberland National Park Lake District North York Moors Teignbridge Yorkshire Dales West Devon Peak District The Broads South Exmoor South Downs Hams New Forest Dartmoor National Park is one of 10 National Parks in England, it covers an area of 954 square kilometres and is the largest open space in southern England. Dartmoor is home to 34,000 people. Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) was established in 1997 as an independent governmental body to conserve and enhance the National Park’s natural beauty, wildlife, cultural heritage and special qualities, and promote their enjoyment and understanding. DNPA is the Local Planning Authority for the National Park, including the areas of Teignbridge, West Devon, Mid Devon and the South Hams within its boundary. Contents About the Local Plan 6 About this consultation 8 The Local Plan Timeline 9 Using the Local Plan 10 1 Vision, Spatial Strategy, and Planning Applications 12 1.1 National Park purposes and Special Qualities 14 1.2 The Vision for Dartmoor National Park 17 1.3 Sustainable Development in Dartmoor National Park 18 1.4 Spatial Strategy 20 1.5 Major Development 23 1.6 Design 24 1.7 Amenity 28 1.8 Higher risk development and sites 29 2 Environment 30 2.2 Landscape 32 2.3 Biodiversity and Geodiversity 35 2.4 Dartmoor’s moorland, heathland and woodland 43 3 2.5 Tranquillity and dark night skies 44 5 Economy 102 2.6 The Historic and Cultural Environment 46 5.2 Non-residential Business and Tourism Development 105 2.7 Water Environment 54 5.3 Town Centre Development 107 5.4 Tourist Accommodation 112 3 Housing 56 5.5 Agriculture, forestry and rural land-based 3.1 Housing development in Dartmoor National Park 59 business development 115 3.2 Different types of housing 62 5.6 Farm Diversification 117 3.3 Definition of a Local Person 64 5.7 Equestrian development 119 3.4 Definition of Affordable Housing 65 6 Minerals, Waste and Energy 3.5 Financial contributions in lieu of on-site Affordable 122 Housing provision 67 6.1 Minerals Development 124 3.6 Housing in classified settlements 68 6.2 Waste development 127 3.7 Custom and Self-Build Housing 72 6.3 Energy development 129 3.8 Householder Development 76 3.9 Rural Workers’ Housing 81 7 Towns, Villages and Development Sites 130 3.10 Gypsy and traveller accommodation 85 7.1 Settlements, site development and community plans 131 3.11 Low Impact Residential Development 86 7.2 Settlements 134 7.3 Local Centres 134 4 Communities, Services and Infrastructure 88 7.4 Rural Settlements 150 4.1 Community Services and Facilities 90 4.2 Public open space and sports facilities 91 4.3 Transport 93 4.4 Signs and Advertisements 98 4.5 Telecommunications 99 4.6 The Access Network 100 4 Appendices 169 Appendix A: Monitoring 169 Appendix B: List of Policies 171 Appendix C: List of Policies that will be superceded by the adoption of this plan 173 Dartmoor National Park Authority Appendix D: Glossary 177 Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot Appendix E: Land Use Class Order 184 Devon, TQ13 9JQ [email protected] +44 (0)1626832093 www.dartmoor.gov.uk/localplanreview facebook/DartmoorPlan twitter@DartmoorPlan © Crown Copyright 2019 All images © DNPA unless otherwise stated. Plans and maps contained within this document are based upon Ordnance Survey material and data © Crown copyright and database right 2019 You can ask for copy of this document in large print or another format. We will aim to provide for your needs as soon as possible. 5 About the Local Plan ● control things which are not ‘development’, such as vegetation cover or land management; This is the Regulation 19 Draft Local Plan (Development Plan) for Dartmoor National Park 2018 - 2036. This document is the second ● decide the availability, quality or frequency of public transport; formal step in the review of Dartmoor’s Local Plan which will in time or replace the Core Strategy (2008), Development Management and please everyone, all of the time. The Local Plan must strike a Delivery DPD (2013), and Minerals and Waste Plan (2004). ● balance in the best interests of the National Park as a whole. The Dartmoor National Park Local Plan guides what development can With a range of views of how this is achieved it is the purpose and cannot happen in Dartmoor National Park. of the planning system to make a judgement, which some may agree with and some may not. The Local Plan: The Local Plan is the starting point for all planning decisions in the conserves and enhances the National Park’s ‘Special Qualities’, ● National Park. Planning decisions must be made in line with the Local and protects special areas and features within it from harmful Plan, unless material planning considerations indicate otherwise. development; This Local Plan is consistent with National Policy (the National Planning decides the type and amount of development required to meet ● Policy Framework1) and reflects a range of other relevant legislation the needs of Dartmoor communities and businesses (e.g. housing, and guidance. Most crucially, this Local Plan is a key way in which employment, open space, essential infrastructure); we pursue National Park purposes, and the duty. The Local Plan ● identifies where development can take place; sits alongside the National Park Management Plan, which is a key document setting out how joint strategy and partnership working will encourages redevelopment of vacant buildings or land, or other ● shape Dartmoor in the future. areas; The overall strategy, and the policies contained within the Local Plan helps reduce the National Park’s contribution to climate change; ● must strike a careful balance between: and ● pursuing National Park purposes; ● reduces the need to travel by providing land for homes, schools, shops and businesses close together. ● supporting the duty to foster the economic and social wellbeing of communities; The Local Plan cannot: ● delivering sustainable development; ● force development to go ahead, this is decided by land owners and developers, and influenced by economic conditions; ● meeting the aims of government policy and guidance; and ● decide which businesses undertake development or occupy ● supporting and engaging local communities and all with an premises; interest in Dartmoor, in how decisions are made and places are changed to meet their needs. ● prevent businesses, schools, hospitals or other services from closing; 6 1 National Planning Policy Framework (MHCLG, 2019) The Local Plan has been prepared taking into account the Duty to The Authority will produce a monitoring report at least annually in order Co-operate2, with strategic cross-boundary issues considered jointly to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the Local Plan policies. This will with neighbouring Local Planning Authorities and other partners. The measure policy performance against a series of indicators and targets National Park Authority also seeks to influence adjoining Authorities in which are set out in the Monitoring section (Appendix A). pursuit of National Park purposes. Neighbourhood Plans must be consistent with the strategic policies of this Local Plan. Neighbourhood Plans which are in force, will be a material planning consideration when making decisions on planning applications. 2 The Duty to Cooperate is a legal test that requires co-operation between local planning authorities and other public bodies to maximise the effectiveness of strategic policies in Local Plans. 7 About this consultation Where can I view the draft Plan in hard copy? At Parish and Town Council offices, libraries, visitor centres and Local This consultation sees the publication of the final draft of the Dartmoor Authority headquarters (a full list of locations can be found on our Local Plan, giving you the opportunity to read the document and website). share your comments with us. It aims to ensure the plan may be found sound by an Inspector at examination stage. The final draft will be www.datmoor.gov.uk/localplanreview published on 16 September 2019, with the consultation period running How is the Local Plan drafted? until 1 November 2019. Production of the finalt draft local plan has been guided by previous Following this consultation, provided comments do not highlight that community engagement and consultation, as well as considerable major changes to the plan are necessary, we will submit this final draft research and evidence gathering. The policies in the plan must be and your comments for examination in early 2020. based on evidence, all of which you can view in the ‘background evidence’ section of our website. Below are some questions to consider when commenting on the plan: What makes a successful local plan? ● Are there any policies you particularly support, and why? Government guidance1 states that to be adopted, a plan must be Are there any policies which you consider not to be ‘sound’? If so, ● deemed ‘sound’, meaning it should be: why and what needs changing for the Plan to be found sound? Positively prepared (meeting the area’s needs; informed by Please note this Plan has been several years in the making, so issues ● agreements with other authorities) not raised previously should be supported by clear reasoning and evidence to justify changes. ● Justified (appropriate; taking into account reasonable alternatives; based on proportionate evidence) How can I comment? Effective (deliverable over the plan period; based on effective Using the online form or downloading the questions to complete and ● joint working with other local authorities on cross-boundary return by email or post. We can only accept comments in writing. strategic matters) www.datmoor.gov.uk/localplanreview ● Consistent with national policy Who should comment? Everyone and anyone who cares about Dartmoor - don’t miss this opportunity to help us plan for the future of the National Park.