2nd DRAFT

ANNEX TO ITEM 9 FIRST DEPOSIT LOCAL PLAN Proposed Strategic policies

Background Explanatory text to cover ... · Current position on draft regional planning guidance (to 2016) and the future role of . Position after 2011 and options available. The Council’s preconditions for significant further growth, as per statement to the Public Examination into Draft RPG · Approved Bucks Structure Plan still part of development for MKC area; covers period to 2011. Structure Plan strategy is to concentrate development on 3 main urban areas (Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, High Wycombe) · Studies commissioned into city expansion and related issues (1992, 1996, 1998) · Amount of new housing development to accommodate up to 2011 and how it is being provided in the Local Plan · Local Plan Vision and Aims - based on the Directions Paper, approved in January 1999 · Development or strategic principles agreed in the Directions Paper 1. Complete the City - adopt a “sequential approach” to ensure that currently planned development within the existing City boundary is substantially completed before new land use allocations are developed 2. Concentrate new development on the City 3. Intensify and regenerate development at existing activity nodes 4. Maintain the existing balance between housing and jobs in the Borough 5. Encourage more sustainable forms of urban development - in terms of movement, energy use and building conservation · The role of CMK - CMK Review process and sub-groups · Regeneration initiatives - particularly in relation to · The relationship with other key policy documents - particularly SITS and the Local Transport Plan · Policies in this chapter cover the proposed pattern of development and restraint in the Borough; reflect principles agreed in the Directions Paper ______2nd DRAFT

POLICY S1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES

The scale and distribution of development in this Local Plan is based on the following key principles : (a) concentrating new development at Milton Keynes City (b) maintaining the existing balance between jobs and homes in the City (c) seeking to reduce the need for, and length of journeys by car (d) adopting a sequential approach to identifying development opportunities (e) concentrating new development within the City in or around existing centres, and where feasible, along public transport corridors (f) respecting key environmental constraints

Supporting text · Reflects Structure Plan policy, government policy and sustainability objectives; text to include brief comment in relation to each aspect of the policy · Text to define “existing centres” - CMK, town and district centres - and priority of regenerating older town centres. · Policy will also provide a basis for assessing proposals not addressed by specific policies in the Local Plan · Link to, and explain any refinements to, the strategic principles agreed in the Directions Paper ______POLICY S2 MILTON KEYNES CITY

The development boundary proposed for Milton Keynes City is defined on the Proposals Map

Supporting text · Structure Plan Policies BS1 and H2a aim to concentrate most new development in or adjoining the City : proportion of housing development (over and above existing commitments) intended for City, compared to rest of Borough · Boundary includes proposed major new development areas outside the limits of development in the Adopted Local Plan and the former New Town Designated Area · Explanatory note re City 2000 bid : this relates to whole of MKC’s area, whereas “City” in the Local Plan relates to the urban area of Milton Keynes ______2nd DRAFT

POLICY S3 CITY EXPANSION AREAS

The following areas on the edge of the City are proposed for major new development : (1) ...... (2) ...... (3) ...... etc The boundaries of these areas are defined on the Proposals Map

Supporting text · See separate report on expansion areas - policy to list areas agreed by LPSC · Sites originally identified in LD1 and LD2; re-assessed against sustainability indicators which reflect Local Plan aims. Also take into account principles agreed in Directions Paper (p33) - potential to support public transport corridors - proximity to existing centres and facilities - avoiding best and most versatile agricultural land, where possible - avoiding coalescence · Any other reasons why sites have been selected · More land within allocated areas than likely to be needed up to 2011; sequence / timing of development to be managed through planning obligations and Policy S4 · Policies on general and specific requirements for expansion areas will be included elsewhere in the Local Plan ______POLICY S4 SEQUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT

Planning permission for the development of the new City Expansion Areas will be phased to ensure that (a) construction only starts once existing committed development areas are substantially complete (b) new development proceeds in a logical and orderly sequence, moving outwards from existing developed areas towards the City development boundary defined under Policy S2 (c) new development is well related to existing and committed development and facilities (d) new development is linked to the provision of new infrastructure and facilities 2nd DRAFT

Supporting text · Structure Plan Policy H2 (a) : consistent with advice in draft PPG12 (paras 6.12- 6.24) and draft PPG3 (paras 23-30) : important to ensure that new development is well related to infrastructure and facilities; and for local authorities to apply a sequential approach to housing land release. Otherwise, risk of poorly served, isolated pockets of development · Policy H2(a) defines substantially complete as when “no more than about 1600 dwellings remain to be completed” within existing boundary. Need to define what counts towards this total - all remaining identified dwellings with planning permission, or just remaining commitments in grid squares on the East and West Flanks. Report back on this point to 21 October meeting. ______POLICY S5

Within the Local Plan period, Central Milton Keynes will continue to develop as an emerging regional centre and a focus for commercial and cultural development within the City. The key objectives for Central Milton Keynes are to : (a) secure the take up of remaining development opportunities (b) achieve a broader mix of uses, within a finer grain of development (c) around the eastern half of Midsummer Boulevard, promote a higher density of development, leading to a greater intensity of activity (d) reduce the influence of the car in the design and layout of the area (e) encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport for people travelling to and within the area (f) integrate different facilities and areas within the centre

Supporting text · Significant amount of development under construction; some land still to be developed which is largely under the control of English Partnerships · Limit employment development over and above existing commitments, or could have significant impact on jobs / homes balance (increased in-commuting) and potential for regeneration in Bletchley · Draft Retail Strategy Review (Part 2) : need to limit retail development over and above existing commitments, or could have significant sustainability implications - relying on attracting visitors and spending from much wider area (sufficient new floorspace already under construction to serve population growth up to 2011) 2nd DRAFT

· Greater diversity and higher density through more housing, leisure, entertainment and cultural and community uses · CMK as development focus up to 2006, but restrictions necessary if regeneration of Bletchley to be achieved · CMK as focus for achieving transport objectives · Need to integrate separate parts of the centre - promote attractive, safe and convenient links between the station, office area, shops, entertainment facilities and · Confirm that CMK includes Campbell Park grid square · More detailed policies on CMK will be included in a separate CMK chapter (or included in the Town Centres chapter). · Forthcoming Master plans for Midsummer Boulevard and Campbell Park intended to have SPG status. ______POLICY S6 BLETCHLEY

Within the Local Plan period, Bletchley town centre will become a secondary focus for commercial and cultural development within the City. The key objectives for Bletchley are to : (a) upgrade the town centre as a focus for the regeneration of the town as a whole (b) improve access to and within the centre, including bus and rail interchange, and links between different areas within and adjoining the town centre (c) improve retailing, particularly food shopping (d) improve the town centre environment (e) maximise the potential of Bletchley Park, the MK College campus redevelopment and adjoining land (f) promote office development around the railway station

Supporting text · New status as secondary centre within City; consistent with being the second best “activity node” in the Borough after CMK. Potential for development could be enhanced by East / West Rail, but post 2006 · Successful SRB5 bid - “sustainable town” - includes town centre enhancements; town centre as focal point for wider Bletchley regeneration · More detailed policies relating to Bletchley town centre (and other town centres) will be covered by policies in the Town Centres chapter. 2nd DRAFT

POLICY S7 KEY SETTLEMENTS

The following settlements are identified as key settlements, where most development in the rest of the Borough will be concentrated (1) (2) (3) Olney (4) The development boundaries for these settlements are defined on the Proposals Map

Supporting text · Structure Plan Policy H3 allows Local Plans to identify other settlements for “significant housing growth”. Draft PPG3 emphasises the need for new housing to be located in a sustainable way - appropriate sites within urban areas; urban extensions; and a limited amount in “expanded villages” to support local facilities and meet local needs. Must be designed and laid out in character with the village · Order of settlements in policy reflects outcome of 1st stage assessments of accessibility and facilities (see Rural Issues Paper and Directions Paper) · Development boundaries include revisions to previous settlement boundaries and new development sites · Policies on specific sites elsewhere in plan ______POLICY S8 SELECTED VILLAGES

In the selected villages listed below, small scale development is proposed on new sites on the edge of the settlements. Such development should be designed to be sympathetic to the character of the village. (1) ...... (2) ...... (3) ...... etc Development boundaries for these villages are defined on the Proposals Map

Supporting text · Policy subject to further discussion and approval in October; if no villages selected, delete policy at that time · Reasons for development in particular settlements; views expressed by parish councils and public 2nd DRAFT

· Scale of development · Development boundaries include revisions to previous settlement boundaries and new development sites · Specific sites will be covered in policies elsewhere in plan ______POLICY S9 OTHER VILLAGES In the other villages listed below, small scale development, sympathetic to the character of the village, will be allowed within the boundaries defined on the Proposals Map : (1) Astwood (9) New (2) (10) (3) (11) (4) (12) Ravenstone (5) (13) (6) (14) (7) (15) (8) Long Street (16) Weston Underwood

Supporting text · Consistent with Structure Plan Policy H5 and draft PPG3 · Highlight changes (if any) to development boundaries in Adopted Local Plan · Some villages may be included in Policy S8 (and deleted from this policy) · Smaller settlements not listed in this policy do not have development boundaries - e.g. Cold Brayfield, Filgrave, . Proposals for development in these settlements will be assessed against Policy S10 : Open Countryside ______POLICY S10 OPEN COUNTRYSIDE

The open countryside is defined as all land outside the development boundaries defined on the Proposals Map. In the open countryside, planning permission will only be given for development which is essential for agriculture, forestry or countryside recreation

Supporting text · Definition of “open countryside” (as per Adopted Local Plan and Structure Plan Policy OC1) - not just open land 2nd DRAFT

· Existing text from Adopted Local Plan summarised (paras 2.59 - 2.62) · New woodland : will be encouraged as part of major development areas and to link up south east of the City with the Marston Vale Community Forest · “Statements of intent” also include proposed policy for small scale, low environmental impact mixed housing and employment schemes as an exception to Policy S10 ______POLICY S11 AREAS OF ATTRACTIVE LANDSCAPE

The following areas are defined on the Proposals Map as Areas of Attractive Landscape : (1) The Brickhills (2) The Ouse Valley, north of Newport Pagnell Within these areas, development should : (a) avoid damaging the special character of the area (b) enhance important landscape features where possible (c) protect and enhance features of nature conservation value (d) improve public access and opportunities for countryside recreation

Supporting text · Combines Adopted Local Plan Policies DS14 and DS15 · Consistent with Structure Plan Policy · Outcome of landscape assessment, carried out in accordance with advice in PPG7 · Identify changes (if any) to AAL boundaries and reasons · Consistency with boundaries in adjoining areas (Aylesbury Vale, Mid Beds, Borough) ______2nd DRAFT

POLICY S12 LINEAR PARKS

The following areas are defined as Linear Parks on the Proposals Map : (1) The Ouse valley, from the Borough boundary at Passenham to the M1 motorway (2) The Ouzel / Lovat valley, from Water Eaton to the River Ouse, including the valleys of Broughton and Caldecotte Brooks within the City (3) The Loughton Brook valley (4) Emberton Country Park Development proposals in the Linear Parks should contribute to the achieving the following objectives : (a) protecting and improving the landscape (b) protecting and improving the natural environment (c) retaining and improving public access to land and water areas for countryside recreation (d) flood control (e) minimising any adverse impact on local residents and agriculture (f) protecting and interpreting areas of archaeological interest

Supporting text · Based closely on Adopted Local Plan Policy DS12 · Identify new areas of Linear Park as part of expansion areas : - extension of Broughton Brook westwards to M1 (if Area 2 selected). Potential for links eastward to Marston Vale Community Forest · Short explanation of history / principles of Linear Parks based on Adopted Local Plan (paras 2.63 - 2.70) · Policy on Linford Lakes area (DS13) : moved to section dealing with policies on the natural environment ______POLICY S13 AREAS LIABLE TO FLOODING

Areas adjoining the River Ouse and its tributaries are identified on the Proposals Map as liable to flooding. Planning permission will be refused for development within these areas if it would be likely materially to : (a) impede the flow of flood water (b) restrict the capacity of the floodplain to store flood water, or (c) increase the number of people or properties at risk from flooding 2nd DRAFT

Supporting text · Areas identified reflect new floodplain maps produced by the Environment Agency; take into account 1998 Easter floods · Results of surface water drainage study - need for surface water attenuation (balancing lakes) to serve new development, and help reduce risk of flooding downstream · New development allocations (from Policies S3, S7, S8) avoid areas known to be liable to flood ______Intentions for other policies in the Development Strategy chapter of the Adopted Local Plan

DS2 Standards for new development : include revised policy within Design policies DS3 Standards for new development : include revised policy within Design policies DS4 Newton Longville Brickworks : include in major development areas / key sites chapter DS5 Bletchley Park : include revised policy in new chapter on major development areas & key sites DS6 BRML site, : include revised policy in new chapter on major development areas & key sites DS7 Wavendon Tower : include policy in new chapter on major development areas & key sites DS13 Linford Lakes area : include revised policy in chapter dealing with natural environment / countryside policies DS16 Agricultural land : delete - repeats guidance in PPG7. Replace by text reference in policies dealing with natural environment / countryside DS18 Development after 2001 : delete - redundant. Replace by text explaining position / options after 2011