Planning Statement, Prepared by Ethical Partnership
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Construction of a publicly accessible landmark at Cold Law, Kirkwhelpington, Northumberland Planning Statement Ethical Planning (North East) Ltd February 2020 Ascendant: the Elizabeth Landmark Planning Statement Responsibility Notice We accept no responsibility of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report, or any part thereof, is made known. This Statement has been prepared by Ethical Planning (North East) Ltd with all reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of the contract with the client, incorporation of our General Terms and Condition of Business and taking account of the resources devoted to us by agreement with the client. Any such party relies on the report at its own risk. Copyright Notice This document is the property of Ethical Planning (North East) Ltd and may not be reproduced or used without permission Client: Viscount T. Devonport Author: JR Approved for issue by: ARC Revision History: V7 Version Filename Date Author Approved for Issue V7 425_Elizabeth Landmark Planning Statement FINAL_260220 26/02/2020 JR ARC Ethical Planning (North East) is a limited company registered in England and Wales and trading as ethical partnership. Commission Notice We have been appointed by Viscount T. Devonport Contact for further information T: 00 44 191 209 2564 E: [email protected] © Ethical Planning (North East) Ltd. 2 Ascendant: the Elizabeth Landmark Planning Statement Contents Section 1. Introduction 6 Applicant and Agent 6 Purpose of this Statement 6 Previous Application and Consultation with LPA 6 Conditional Permission 6 Supporting Information 6 2. Site Description and Surroundings 8 Introduction 8 Boundaries 8 Surroundings 8 Planning History 9 3. Area Context and History 10 Managed landscape, heritage and industry 10 4. The Proposed Development 13 Introduction 13 Proposed Development 13 Description of Proposed Development 13 Transport 14 Design and Art Form 15 Existing land uses 16 Landscaping, Boundary Treatment 16 Biodiversity Net Gain 16 Flood Risk and Drainage Strategy 16 Noise 17 Air quality 17 Material changes to the scheme 18 5. Transport 19 Introduction 19 Pre-Application 19 Baseline Survey 19 Findings of Report 19 Assessment of potential impacts 19 Mitigation 20 Conclusion 20 6. Ecology 21 Introduction 21 Pre-Application 21 Baseline survey 21 © Ethical Planning (North East) Ltd. 3 Ascendant: the Elizabeth Landmark Planning Statement Findings or report of survey 21 Assessment of potential impacts 22 Mitigation 23 Conclusion 24 7. Archaeology 25 Introduction 25 Pre-Application 25 Baseline survey 25 Findings or report of survey 26 Assessment of potential impacts 27 Mitigation 27 Conclusion 27 8. Landscape and Visual Impact 28 Introduction 28 Pre-Application 28 Baseline survey 28 Findings or report of survey 28 Assessment of potential impacts 29 Mitigation 29 Conclusion 29 9. Economic Impact 30 Introduction 30 Rationale 30 Findings of Report 30 Conclusion 31 10. Visitor Strategy 32 Introduction 32 Findings of report 32 Conclusions 32 11. Community Engagement 33 Introduction 33 Initial competition 33 Website, social media and online petition 33 Local press 33 Questionnaire 34 Letters of support 34 Community writing 34 Conclusion 34 12. Planning Policy Context 35 Introduction 35 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 35 Achieving sustainable development 36 © Ethical Planning (North East) Ltd. 4 Ascendant: the Elizabeth Landmark Planning Statement Thematic Policies 38 Local Plan(s) 40 Emerging Local Plan 40 Other relevant strategic documents: Northumberland Economic Strategy 2019-2024 41 13. The Planning Case for the Development 42 Introduction 42 Principle of development 42 Economic benefits 43 Transport and accessibility 44 Landscape 44 Design principles 46 Ecology 47 Heritage assets 49 Summary 49 14. Planning Conclusions 50 Introduction 50 Accordance with local and national policies 50 Conditions 50 Additional information 50 15. Appendices 51 Appendix 1: Schedule of Information submitted in support of the application 51 © Ethical Planning (North East) Ltd. 5 Ascendant: the Elizabeth Landmark Planning Statement 1. Introduction Applicant and Agent Ethical Partnership has been instructed on behalf of Viscount T. Devonport to prepare a planning application for the construction on a publicly accessible landmark, commissioned to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II and the Commonwealth on land at Cold Law, near Kirkwhelpington, Northumberland. Purpose of this Statement Ethical Partnership has been commissioned to prepare and submit this planning application on behalf of Viscount T. Devonport; and as part of this to prepare this planning statement in support of the application. The purpose of this statement is to describe the proposed development, and then to summarise the benefits and demonstrate how the proposals accord with the relevant national and local planning policies. It will also describe the ways in which the development has evolved following consultation with the Local Planning Authority and other stakeholders. Previous Application and Consultation with LPA The scheme presented herein was the subject of an application for planning permission in 2019 (19/00247/FUL). In resubmitting this application, the applicant has sought advice from the Local Planning Authority on the scope, nature and scale of amendments to the previously submitted scheme. This planning application takes account of advice that has been sought and obtained from officers of the Local Planning Authority. Conditional Permission The Local Planning Authority is requested, wherever possible, to minimise the imposition of pre-commencement conditions to allow for the discharge of conditions in a phased manner. To that end, we would welcome early discussion in this regard. Supporting Information Engagement with stakeholders and dialogue with Local Planning Authority officers has informed the nature, extent and scope of the information being submitted in support of the application. Please see Appendix 1 for the drawings and documents that form the application submission. If the Local Planning Authority are of the view that additional information is required to inform the determination of the application, this will be provided as expeditiously as possible upon request. © Ethical Planning (North East) Ltd. 6 Ascendant: the Elizabeth Landmark Planning Statement The applicant wishes to assist the Local Planning Authority to determine the application as expeditiously as possible and to this end members of the project team will attend meetings with officers as required. © Ethical Planning (North East) Ltd. 7 Ascendant: the Elizabeth Landmark Planning Statement 2. Site Description and Surroundings Introduction Planning permission is sought for the construction of a landmark sculpture and associated development on land at Cold Law, north of the C195 road which links the A696 at Knowesgate with the A68 at Ridsdale. The sculpture (consisting of rock slot and blade) will sit on the summit of Cold Law, which reaches a height of 281m AOD. Other aspects of the scheme (access paths, viewing area, car park, blue-green infrastructure) are positioned purposefully at different levels on the topography of the hill in order to create a series of views and experiences. Boundaries The site boundaries are shown in red on drawing 1131_01 Site Location Plan. The site boundaries enclose the topographical form of Cold Law. When viewed on plan, the site is an irregular hexagon form, with the C195 forming the western boundary of the site, running in a SE – NW direction. The site area is approximately 9.5 hectares. Surroundings The site is located in open countryside. The surrounding area is primarily open grassland, which is used for grazing. Immediately adjacent to the NW site boundary is a stone sheep fold typical of the farming and agricultural heritage of the area. To the north of the site is the historic (disused) North British Railway, beyond which is further open countryside comprising a patchwork of fields, wooded areas and Lisless Burn. To the east, the historic North British Railway follows the topographical form of the area; beyond which is woodland and a number of wind turbines. Beyond this is a collection of buildings associated with the Ray Estate, further open grassland and wooded areas. To the south, the C195 continues in a Northwest-Southeast direction and bisects the open land comprising the site, Stiddlehill Common and Hepple Heugh. South of the C195 is Risey Burn. Historic map analysis also reveals a former quarry site between the C195 and the site boundary. To the west is the C195 road which is bounded by a combination of post and wire fencing and dry stone wall. Stiddlehill Common and Chesterhope common lie between the site and the nearest settlement at Ridsdale, located on the A68 approximately 2km east-south-east of the site. © Ethical Planning (North East) Ltd. 8 Ascendant: the Elizabeth Landmark Planning Statement Figure 2.1 – Site Location Planning History A desk-based search of planning applications and permissions pertaining to the application site has identified the following application for planning permission (referenced above in paragraph 1.4.1): Date Proposal Location Reference Decision July 2019 Construction of a publicly accessible Land at Cold Law, 19/00247/FUL Refused landmark, commissioned to Kirkwhelpington, commemorate Queen Elizabeth II and the Northumberland Commonwealth There are no other known applications for planning permission on the site. In the surrounding area, applications for planning