Proposed Submission Local Plan Sedgemoor District Council 2017 I
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Proposed Submission Local Plan Sedgemoor District Council 2017 i Consultation Arrangements Consultation Arrangements Purpose of this document This document is the proposed submission draft of the new Local Plan for Sedgemoor. This is the latest stage in the preparation of the Council’s new Local Plan, the key strategic document that will set out the future policy agenda for the long-term development of Sedgemoor between now and 2032. Following consultation in 2015 and 2016 this is a full draft of the proposed Local Plan, including detailed policy wording. This Regulation 19 consultation will run from the end of January to mid March 2017. Representations received during this stage will be submitted with the final submission version of the Local Plan, along with supporting documents, to the Planning Inspectorate. This will be followed by an examination of the plan by an appointed inspector. The examination process is subject to the Planning Inspectorate's time frames and resources, however provided the the Local Plan is found "sound" it is hoped to formally adopt the document in 2018. Once adopted it will supersede the policies currently contained in the Council's Core Strategy (2011-2027). How to comment on this document You can respond online, by post or email. Responses by post or email should use the available representation form which will ensure that your response contains the necessary information. A copy of the representation form can be found at: http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/LocalPlan You may find it easiest and quickest to respond online. This is the preferred method as it provides a clear approach to determining the precise nature of the the objection or support for different parts of the plan. You can register your details and comment directly on the document using our website consultation portal at: http://sedgemoor-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/ Alternatively you can respond by completing the available representation forms. These can be accessed via the Council's website at: http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/LocalPlan and either emailed or posted to us. The consultation period will run between 30th January 2017 and 17th March 2017. Please check the local press and our website for further details, including consultation events being held across the district. This document and supporting information are available to be viewed on the Council's website (www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/LocalPlan). Hard copies of the Local Plan are also available for inspection at the following locations during normal opening hours: Sedgemoor District Council Offices, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater Libraries in Bridgwater, Burnham, Highbridge, Cheddar, North Petherton and Nether Stowey All comments should reach us no later than 5pm on 17th March 2017. Comments completed on the representation forms outside the online consultation system should be emailed to [email protected] ii Sedgemoor District Council 2017 Proposed Submission Local Plan Consultation Arrangements Alternatively, comments sent via post should be addressed to: Policy Team, Strategy & Development, Sedgemoor District Council, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3AR Please note that any representations that you make will be public documents, we cannot accept confidential or anonymous responses. Your comments and name will be published when the consultation is complete, but personal information (such as your address or email address) will remain confidential. All responses will be considered by the Council before submitting this Local Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for examination. If you have any queries regarding the consultation process please do not hesitate to contact the Planning Policy Team on 01278 435544. What can you comment on and how you should respond You can comment on any policy or part of the Local Plan document, or supporting Policies Map and Sustainability Appraisal. You will need to identify which section you are commenting on. Comments on the Policies Map should be made against the corresponding policy or section of the Local Plan document. At this stage of the Plan's preparation the consultation is primarily concerned with the 'soundness' of the document. The inspector will need to know whether you support or object to the Plan and, if you object, what is the basis for your concern. The Inspector will want to know whether the Council has met the legal requirements for the preparation of the Plan and whether it meets the 'test of soundness' which are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. The tests of soundness are set out below: Tests of Soundness The plan should be prepared based on a strategy which seeks to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements, Positively Prepared including unmet requirements from neighbouring authorities where it is reasonable to do so and consistent with achieving sustainable development. The plan should be the most appropriate strategy, when considered Justified against the reasonable alternatives, based on a proportionate evidence base. The plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effective Effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities. Consistent with The plan should enable the delivery of sustainable development in national policy accordance with the policies in the NPPF. Representations at this stage should therefore focus on whether the plan meets the tests listed above. These will be the main areas that the inspector will focus on when examining the plan. In particular if you wish to make a representation seeking a change to the Plan you should: Be clear about which policy, paragraph or other part of the plan your representation relates to; State clearly why you consider the Plan is not sound, having regard to the above tests; Proposed Submission Local Plan Sedgemoor District Council 2017 iii Consultation Arrangements Provide supporting information or evidence to justify why the Plan should be changed; and Put forward as precisely as possible the changes that you consider necessary to make the Plan sound. What happens next? Following this consultation the Council intend to submit the proposed submission plan for Examination. It is then hoped an Examination in Public for the Local Plan can be undertaken summer 2017. The timetable for Local Plan preparation is set out in the Council's Local Development Scheme (available from our website). This is summarised below: Key stages for plan preparation, examination and adoption Plan Preparation Stage Dates Participation in plan preparation Oct - Jan 2016 and June to August 2016 Publication and consultation on proposed submission January/February 2017 document - this stage Submission to Secretary of State June 2017 Examination hearings period November 2017 Adoption and publication Spring 2018 Sedgemoor District Council 2017 Proposed Submission Local Plan Contents 1 Introduction 1 2 Spatial Portrait 4 3 Vision and Priorities 8 4 Strategic Policies 16 5 Place-making Policies 37 Bridgwater 37 Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge 56 Rural Sedgemoor 65 Tier 1 Settlements 65 Tier 2 Settlements 78 Tier 3 Settlements 80 Tier 4 Settlements 83 Tier 5 Settlements and Countryside 86 6 Major Infrastructure Projects 90 7 District Wide Policies 98 Living Sustainably 98 Ensuring Economic Wellbeing 130 Enjoying and Achieving 141 Being Healthy 156 Appendices Appendix 1 - Indicative Plans 170 Appendix 2 - Monitoring Framework 179 Policies Map 185 Proposed Submission Local Plan Sedgemoor District Council 2017 1 Introduction 1 A New Plan for Sedgemoor 1.1 The Council's existing Local Plan (Core Strategy 2006-2027) was adopted in 2011 and has been fundamental in influencing the significant change the District has experienced since then. It now needs a review to respond to new opportunities and pressures such as a rising population, housing growth, boosting the economy and delivering infrastructure for residents and businesses. The Local Plan review also addresses changes as a result of new national and legislation, including the Localism Act (2011) and new national planning policy in the form of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). 1.2 Planning is about making important decisions that affect the environment and character of our towns, villages and countryside and ensuring that development happens in the right place at the right time. These decisions affect how we live and work and how we feel about places. In this context Local Plans are at the heart of the planning system, setting out a positive strategy for delivering sustainable development. 1.3 The Sedgemoor Local Plan 2011-2032 therefore sets out how the District will grow and develop into the future. It includes the vision, priorities and policy framework for future development in the District, including addressing the requirements relating to housing, employment, retail and other facilities and infrastructure. It is a positive strategy for delivering sustainable development and the Council's priorities for new housing, boosting the economy and creating new jobs. Whilst facilitating change the Local Plan will also safeguard and enhance what is good and special about Sedgemoor. It therefore includes important policies on issues such as safeguarding the natural and historic environment, adapting to climate change and securing good design. The Local Plan is a spatial document, setting out clearly in the policies and mapping what will happen, where and when. It also sets out how development will be delivered in terms of supporting infrastructure. Together