Blaby District New Local Plan Options Document 2021
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Blaby District Council New Local Plan Options Options for Spatial Strategy, Sites and Strategic Policies January 2021 1 Contents Overview .................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 5 Emerging Strategic Objectives ................................................................................. 13 Strategic Policies: Spatial Strategy .......................................................................... 15 Spatial Strategy and Location of Development ..................................................... 15 Amount of Housing Growth ............................................................................... 16 Amount of Employment Growth ........................................................................ 18 Locational Strategy ............................................................................................... 20 Strategic Development Sites ................................................................................ 26 Small Sites Requirement ...................................................................................... 28 Strategic Greenfield Designations ........................................................................ 29 Urban Design Quality and Place Making .............................................................. 30 Reasonable Site Options .......................................................................................... 33 Strategic Policies: Other ........................................................................................... 34 Environment and Sustainability Policies ................................................................... 34 Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change .......................................................... 34 Flood Risk ............................................................................................................. 36 Biodiversity and Geodiversity ............................................................................... 37 Heritage Assets .................................................................................................... 38 Environmental Quality Issues ............................................................................... 39 Health and Well-being Policies ................................................................................. 40 Healthy Communities ............................................................................................ 40 Green Infrastructure .............................................................................................. 42 Open space, sport and recreation......................................................................... 43 Local Green Spaces ............................................................................................. 44 Housing Needs Policies ........................................................................................... 45 Mix of Housing ...................................................................................................... 46 Older Person and Specialist Housing ................................................................... 47 Accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers ......................................................... 48 Economy, Retail and Leisure Policies ...................................................................... 50 Employment .......................................................................................................... 50 Retailing, Leisure, and Town Centre Uses ........................................................... 52 2 Tourism ................................................................................................................. 53 Transport, Local Services and Infrastructure Policies .............................................. 54 Transport Infrastructure ........................................................................................ 54 Infrastructure, services and facilities to support growth ........................................ 56 Planning Obligations and Developer Contributions .............................................. 58 Appendix A – Summary of Site Assessments .......................................................... 59 3 Overview 1.1 We are consulting on the new Local Plan Options document which is the second stage in the production of the new Local Plan for the District. We want to hear the views of residents, community groups, businesses and other interested parties. 1.2 Our previous consultation, Blaby District (New) Local Plan Issues and Options document, was back in Summer 2019. This consultation asked for views on whether or not we had identified the correct issues facing the District. We also wanted to know whether any of the potential policy options are the most appropriate for addressing the identified issues we had identified. 1.3 This consultation builds on the previous one. From the previous consultation’s responses and evidence collected we are now ready to start this consultation. However, there are a number of ongoing uncertainties affecting progress on the Local Plan: Housing numbers, including the distribution of Leicester’s unmet need and the Government’s proposals for the “standard methodology” for calculating housing need. Decisions on strategic transport infrastructure. Current planning changes and recent planning reform proposals set out in the Government’s White Paper consultations. 1.4 With these ongoing uncertainties affecting the Local Plan, a focussed consultation is proposed for three key areas: Options for the spatial strategy and location of future development. It sets out the direction that the Council expects to take. Reasonable site options are presented. These are sites promoted to the Council for built development by landowners, developers and site promoters. Initial information about other strategic policies we expect to include in the Local Plan. 1.5 This consultation accords with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 by notifying residents, community groups, businesses and other interested parties of the subject of the Local Plan and inviting comments on what the Local Plan ought to contain. 4 1.6 The sections that follow will explain the background to the New Local Plan: What is the Local Plan? Why we are reviewing the existing Local Plan? Local Plan timetable, consultation and future stages Wider plan and policy background Scope of the consultation. Introduction 2.1 Over the coming decades, Blaby District will undergo change. The population will increase, commuting patterns will change, and businesses will expand and move. In order to help to ensure that the District of Blaby remains a great place to live, work and visit, we are now updating our Local Plan. 2.2 Blaby District Council Places great importance on engaging with individuals and organisations, who have an interest in the District. Community involvement will contribute to shaping the plan to make sure that we can secure the best outcomes for the next 15 to 20 years and beyond. 2.3 Consultation with residents, community groups and businesses will help to better inform where new growth is located, what services and facilities need to be delivered and /or improved and what valued characteristics of the District need to safeguarded. Your responses to the questions we ask in this consultation will help us to prepare a new Local Plan that reflects the needs and requirements of our communities, service providers and other interested parties. 2.4 This document considers a range of planning related issues and potential options. It focuses on the overarching strategic matters and does not go into site specific issues. It will also help to deliver the following priorities for the District, as identified within the Blaby Plan 2018-2021 (the current corporate plan): Live – Strong, healthy, safe, sustainable communities where the most vulnerable are supported. Work – A thriving, prosperous, innovative local economy with a skilled and healthy workforce contributing to the local community. Visit – A strong leisure and tourism sector and well maintained and accessible attractions available in the local area encourage visitors to the district. 5 What is the Local Plan? 2.5 All local authorities are required to develop a Local Plan to deliver sustainable development in their area, which should plan ahead over a minimum 15 year period. Part of the Local Plan’s role is to identify how much development will be built and where to meet the needs of both existing and future communities. This includes the provision of schools, homes, places to shop, work and play. 2.6 Taking part in the Local Plan is the main way for local communities to be able to shape the future growth and development of the District. Once the final version of the Local Plan is adopted it will be used to direct and shape the growth of the District, and, importantly, used to assess planning applications. It will also be used to protect built and natural assets and will help to reinforce local features, character and identity. 2.7 The existing development plan comprises: the Local Plan (Core Strategy) Development Plan Document (2013); the Local Plan (Delivery) Development Plan Document (2019); the Blaby Neighbourhood Plan (2018). These documents all plan for the development of the District