Eden Local Plan � Preferred Opt ions Con sul tation | 2014 -2032 � Join the Conversation on Future Jobs and Housing � www.eden.gov.uk/localplan2014 EdenCouncil EdenDistrictCouncil A Plan for Eden Local Plan 2014 - 2032 Eden Local Plan - Preferred Options This document sets out how we are planning to manage the growth of new jobs, homes and infrastructure in Eden over the next eighteen years and seeks your views. Further information on the Local Plan and planning in Eden can be found on the Council’s website www.eden.gov.uk. Designed and produced by the Planning Policy Section, Department of Communities, Eden District Council. This document can be made available in large print on request Ruth Atkinson Communities Director Mansion House Penrith Cumbria CA11 7YG July 2014 1 Foreword We know that when councils publish plans for consultation there can be a sense that decisions have already been made, and there’s no point in getting involved. This is not the case with this plan. There are some genuine choices that need to be made over planning the future of Eden, given the changes we are anticipating, and we need your help in deciding what to do about them. Over the next twenty years our evidence is telling us that there will be: For those already here, more deaths than births and more moves overseas, meaning a decline in the population based here now A decline in the numbers of young people in the district An increase in the number of people of people over retirement age coming to live in the district Much more demand for housing from smaller households (one and two persons) More demand for housing outside the main urban areas More demand for affordable ie subsidised housing A need for new jobs, particularly higher paid jobs A need for new schools, open space and new infrastructure to support new development How and where we plan for these changes will be vital to preserving the essential characteristics that make the district an outstanding place to live and work. We also can’t ignore change - if we fail to plan the population will still grow, but there may be fewer new houses, fewer jobs and less opportunities for those already here. It would also risk decisions on where new development goes being made on an ad hoc basis by developers, without the benefit of an assessment of all the options available and how they compare. This plan is also our ‘shop window’ - we hope that looking through it we hope you gain a better understanding of where we aim, as a Council, to influence the future of your district. The plan covers every area of work that the Council and County Council are charged with delivering, from housing through economic development, through education, transport, parks and green spaces, waste management, leisure facilities and supporting our communities. Finally, this is a plan that also has to cover the largest non-unitary local authority area in England. Eden has more than 2,100 square kilometres and more than a hundred towns, villages and hamlets, all with a strong sense of community, and all with their own defining characteristics. Feedback from you on our plans so far has also told us that everywhere is different and has different needs and aspirations. We cannot hope to offer detailed policies and allocations for every single place in the district, nor do we think that it is right or practical for the Council to micromanage the future development of all the places and spaces that make Eden what it is. A properly effective plan needs to be rooted in the interests and needs of the people it affects. 2 That is why we hope that this plan, and the technical work that went into it will also provide a springboard for the people of Eden to continue to come together to produce their own neighbourhood plans, plans which fully understand and reflect the needs and views of everyone in the community. We will do everything we can to support you in this. Please let us know what you think. Councillor Malcolm Smith Portfolio Holder - Economy and Environment 3 Contents Foreword 2 Two Page Summary 7 Why have we produced this plan? 7 How is it structured? 7 What are the key points 7 Where does it cover and how long for? 8 What informed the plan? 8 How will we know if it’s working? 8 1. Background to the Plan 9 1.1 About this Plan 9 1.2 Where does this Plan cover? 10 1.3 What happens next 11 2. Context - Issues, Vision and Objectives 12 2.1 Portrait of Eden 12 2.2 Eden District - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and 15 Threats 2.3 Eden in 2032 - The Vision 17 2.4 Objectives 17 3. A Planning Strategy for Eden District 21 3.1 Policy LS1 - Locational Strategy 21 3.2 Policy LS2 - Housing Targets and Distribution 25 3.3 A Town Plan for Penrith 29 3.4 Objectives 30 3.5 Policy PEN1 - A Town Plan for Penrith 31 3.6 Policy PEN2 - Penrith Masterplans 43 3.7 Policy PEN3 - Newton Rigg Campus 44 3.8 A Town Plan for Alston 45 3.9 Objectives 46 3.10 Policy AL1 - A Town Plan for Alston 46 3.11 Policy AL2 - Renovation in Alston Moor 50 3.12 A Town Plan for Appleby 51 3.13 Objectives 52 3.14 Policy AP1 - A Town Plan for Appleby 52 3.15 A Town Plan for Kirkby Stephen 56 3.16 Objectives 57 3.17 Policy KS1 - A Town Plan for Kirkby Stephen 58 3.18 Rural Areas 62 4 3.19 Policy RUR1 - Rural Settlements and the Rural Areas 62 3.20 Policy RUR2 - Re-use of Existing Buildings in Rural Areas 86 3.21 Policy RUR3 - Employment Development and Farm 87 Diversification in Rural Areas 4. Policies Guiding New Development 91 4.1 Development in the Right Place 91 4.2 Policy DEV1 - General Approach to New Development 91 4.3 Policy DEV2 - Water Management and Flood Risk 92 4.4 Policy DEV3 - Transport, Accessibility and Rights of Way 93 4.5 Policy DEV4 - Infrastructure and Implementation 94 4.6 Policy DEV5 - Design of New Development 97 4.7 Decent Homes for All 102 4.8 Policy HS1 - Affordable Housing 102 4.9 Policy HS2 - Housing to Meet Local Needs 104 4.10 Policy HS3 - Essential Dwellings for Workers in the 106 Countryside 4.11 Policy HS4 - Housing Type and Mix 107 4.12 Policy HS5 - Housing for Older People and Those in 107 Need of Support 4.13 Policy HS6 - Community Land Trusts 108 4.14 Policy HS7 - Gypsy and Traveller Sites 109 4.15 A Strong Economy 112 4.16 Policy EC1 - Employment Land Provision 112 4.17 Policy EC2 - Protection of Employment Sites 112 4.18 Policy EC3 - Employment Development in Existing 113 Settlements 4.19 Policy EC4 - Tourism Accommodation 115 4.20 Policy EC5 - Advertising/Signposting 117 4.21 Policy EC6 - Telecommunications Infrastructure 118 4.22 Policy EC7 - Town Centres 119 4.23 A Rich Environment 123 4.24 Policy ENV1 - Protection and Enhancement of the 123 Natural Environment, Biodiversity and Geodiversity 4.25 Policy ENV2 - Protection and Enhancements of 125 Landscapes and Trees 4.26 Policy ENV3 - The North Pennines Area of Outstanding 126 Natural Beauty 4.27 Policy ENV4 - Green Infrastructure Networks and 127 Recreational Land 4.28 Policy ENV5 - Sustainable Buildings 128 5 4.29 Policy ENV6 - Low Carbon Energy Generation 130 4.30 Policy ENV7 - Wind Energy Development 131 4.31 Policy ENV8 - Air Pollution 133 4.32 Policy ENV9 - Land Contamination 134 4.33 Policy ENV10 - Other Forms of Pollution 136 4.34 Policy ENV11 - The Built (Historic) Environment 138 4.35 Thriving Communities 143 4.36 Policy COM1 - Principles for Services and Facilities 144 4.37 Policy COM2 - Open Space, Sport, Leisure and Recreation 146 Facilities 4.38 Policy COM3 - Education and Health 149 Appendices 151 Appendix 1 - Replacement of Saved Policies 151 Appendix 2 - Glossary of Terms 153 Appendix 3 - The Evidence Base 155 Appendix 4 - Transport Assessments and Travel Plans 160 Appendix 5 - Principles for Masterplans 161 Appendix 6 - Policy HS1 - Local Occupancy Criteria - Affordable 162 Housing Only Policy HS2 – Local Connection Criteria – Housing in the Villages and Hamlets listed in Policy LS1 Appendix 7 - Internationally Important Sites for Nature Conservation 163 6 Two Page Summary Why have we produced this plan? It provides a clear planning framework to enable Eden District Council to get on and deliver the vision and objectives unique to its area It indicates what sort of new development will be acceptable in Eden, and where planning permission will (and will) not be granted It provides certainty for developers and utility providers (and others investing in an area) on the best areas to focus It helps partner organisations deliver their own priorities It attracts more funding and investment, both from the private sector and also to the Council through infrastructure investment, developer contributions, growth funding and New Homes bonus, allowing it to invest more in the future of Eden’s communities How is it structured? This draft plan is divided to four parts. Part 1 (this part) is the ‘summary’ part and sets out why we are producing plan, and the process it must follow Part 2 is the ‘context’ part - this includes the background and justification for the plan, looks at what makes Eden unique, and then sets out the vision and objectives it aims to deliver Part 3 is the ‘spatial’ part - this part includes four town plans for our main towns, showing what land we expect to see delivered, and for what.