Army Basing Programme
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Planning StatementReport GVA 3 Brindleyplace Birmingham B1 2JB Army Basing Programme Garrison ‘Priority Works’ – Perham Down Officers’ Single Living Accommodation January 2015 gva.co.uk Defence Infrastructure Organisation Planning Statement CONTENTS 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 2. The Application Site and Surroundings ....................................................................... 5 3. The Proposed Development ........................................................................................ 8 4. Relevant Planning Policy ........................................................................................... 10 5. Key Planning Issues .................................................................................................... 18 6. Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 30 Appendices Appendix I Wiltshire Council EIA Screening Opinion Appendix II LVIA Viewpoints January 2015 I gva.co.uk Defence Infrastructure Organisation Planning Statement 1. Introduction 1.1 This Planning Statement has been prepared by GVA for Aspire Defence Capital Works (‘Aspire’) in conjunction with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (‘DIO’) on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence (‘the applicant’). Its purpose is to set out the planning case in support of a detailed planning application for a Officers Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block (‘the Proposed Development’) at Swinton Barracks, Perham Down. Background 1.2 In March 2013, the Secretary of State for Defence announced the Regular Army Basing Plan. This set out the future laydown of Army units in the UK consistent with the Army 2020 (‘A2020’) future operating model, and also confirmed the drawdown of all units from Germany by 2020. 1.3 The Plan has since transitioned into a delivery programme known as the Army Basing Programme (‘ABP’). This will affect most areas of the Army, as more than 100 units will either relocate, re-role, convert or disband over the next six years. It is therefore critical to UK Defence. 1.4 As part of the relocation of units, around 4,300 extra Service personnel and their families will be relocated to Salisbury Plain Training Area (‘SPTA’) between now and 2020. To support this move, there is a need for significant investment in the MoD estate to provide new and refurbished facilities to support the units, service personnel and their families. 1.5 DIO has been liaising closely with Wiltshire Council since mid-2012 on preparing and planning for the increase in unit numbers and associated unit moves. This has culminated in the preparation of the Salisbury Plain Masterplan (‘the Masterplan’), which establishes the constraints and opportunities for new development, as well as providing an overview of where development will take place and the additional infrastructure that is needed. January 2015 I gva.co.uk 1 Defence Infrastructure Organisation Planning Statement 1.6 The statutory bodies and other relevant stakeholders have been consulted at every stage of the Masterplan’s preparation, and a series of public consultation events have also been held. In October 2014, Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee confirmed that the completed Masterplan is a material consideration in the determination of subsequent planning applications, such as this one. 1.7 This application is one of a first tranche of applications pursuant to the Masterplan, which seek to secure planning permission for a series of ‘Priority Works’ necessary to facilitate a number of early unit moves and in-situ re-roles, and thus achieve the overall ABP delivery programme. Subsequent apllications will be made for the balance of the ABP development. Land Ownership 1.8 The application site comprises a single parcel of land within the boundary of Swinton Barracks, which is outlined in red on the submitted Site Location Plan. The total application site area is approximately 0.26 hectares. 1.9 All of the land comprising the application site is entirely within the ownership of the applicant. Accordingly, Certificate A has been completed. Form and Content of the Application 1.10 The application is submitted in detailed form and, in addition to this Planning Statement, comprises the following: Duly completed application forms and certificate; Design and Access Statement; Arboricultural Method Statement; and Application plans, including: - Site Location Plan - Existing Site Plan; - Proposed Site Plan - Proposed Elevations; January 2015 I gva.co.uk 2 Defence Infrastructure Organisation Planning Statement - Proposed Floor Plans; - Proposed Roof Plans; and - Levels Information. Environmental Impact Assessment 1.11 The application has previously been ‘Screened’ under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011. A copy of the Council’s formal Screening Opinion is provided at Appendix I. This concludes that the ‘Priority Works’ at Swinton Barracks, including the Proposed Development, do not constitute EIA development. An Environmental Statement has not therefore been submitted in support of this application. Consultation 1.12 The Proposed Development is consistent with the Masterplan, which was subject to extensive stakeholder and public consultation throughout its preparation, including: Regular engagement with Wiltshire Council; Early engagement with statutory bodies and key stakeholders, having particular regard to the sensitive environmental context of the SPTA; Initial public consultation on the scope of the Masterplan (Nov-Dec 2013); and Formal public consultation through a series of exhibitions and the provision of information through the gov.uk and Wiltshire Council websites (Feb-Mar 2014). 1.13 Accordingly, it has been agreed with Wiltshire Council that there is no requirement for additional pre-application public consultation in respect of this application. Report Structure 1.14 Following this introduction, the remainder of the Planning Statement is structured as follows: January 2015 I gva.co.uk 3 Defence Infrastructure Organisation Planning Statement Section 2 describes the application site and its surroundings; Section 3 provides a description of the Proposed Development; Section 4 summarises the relevant planning policy framework; Section 5 considers the planning issues raised by the Proposed Development; and Section 6 highlights the reasons why planning permission should be granted. Contacts 1.15 Should you require any further information, please contact: Nick Harrison Director T 0121 609 8722 E [email protected] January 2015 I gva.co.uk 4 Defence Infrastructure Organisation Planning Statement 2. The Application Site and Surroundings Location 2.1 SPTA is the largest military training area in the UK and consists of around 390 square km of land owned by the MoD. The Plain is a protected habitat of international value and renowned as an historic landscape with many designated heritage assets. The area in and around Salisbury Plain hosts a number of military camps, including Warminster, Bulford, Tidworth, Upavon, Larkhill and Perham Down. 2.2 Swinton Barracks is situated on the eastern edge of the SPTA approximately 2.8km east of Tidworth and 3km south west of Ludgershall. The Camp covers an area of approximately 35.1 hectares, and is accessed from Tidworth Road, which bisects the site east to west. It comprises a mix of living, office, technical and training accommodation, together with other ancillary buildings, hardstanding, parking and sports facilities. 2.3 The application site comprises a single parcel of land within the boundary of the Barracks, which has been used as a military establishment since 1899, when it was initially a temporary military camp. The first permanent military structures were constructed in 1915, and in recent years the site has been substantially redeveloped and modernised under the Project Allenby Connaught (PAC) PFI. Surroundings 2.4 Swinton Barracks is bounded to the north and west by the site of the former Fowler and Busigny Barracks (demolished in 1982), and to the south and east by existing MoD Service Families Accommodation (SFA). Otherwise the site does not adjoin any wider built-up area. 2.5 The Camp lies within the sensitive landscape of Salisbury Plain. This is a predominantly rural setting, comprising a mix of high quality arable and pastoral agricultural fields to the north and east; and rough downland calcareous grassland to the west and south. January 2015 I gva.co.uk 5 Defence Infrastructure Organisation Planning Statement 2.6 The North Wessex Downs AONB lies to the north and east, just over 2kms from the Camp’s northern boundary. 2.7 Substantial areas of woodland also exist to the north of the camp at Collingbourne Wood and to the south at Furze Hill. Other notable areas include the woodland belt aligning with the western boundary of the Camp (which screens views from Lambdown Terrace) and the strand of planting to the northeast near Somme Road. 2.8 The mature trees and mixed woodland plantations in proximity to the Camp combine to create a strong landscape framework, and it is enclosed by a ridge to the west made up of a series of hills (including Windmillhill Down, Pickpit Hill, Furze Hill and Warren Hill). Existing Site Conditions 2.9 In constrast with its surroundings, the Camp is largely enclosed and compact, and heavily characterised by the existing built development of significant