Chapter 7: LVI Appendix 7.2: Planning Policy APPENDIX 7.2: PLANNING POLICY National Planning Policy National Planning Policy Framework (February 2019)i 7.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised in July 2018 and with minor clarifications made in February 2019, promotes a presumption in favour of sustainable development, defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”, and providing it is in accordance with the relevant up-to-date Local Plan, and policies set out in the NPPF including those identifying restrictions with regard to designated areas, such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Green Belt. 7.2 Paragraph 9 notes that planning policies and decisions should take local circumstances into account to reflect the character, needs and opportunities of each area. 7.3 Paragraph 38 refers to Decision making and states that: “Local planning authorities should approach decisions on proposed development in a positive and creative way. They should use the full range of planning tools available, including brownfield registers and permission in principle, and work proactively with applicants to secure developments that will improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area. Decision-makers at every level should seek to approve applications for sustainable development where possible.” 7.4 NPPF Paragraphs 124 – 132 focus on achieving well-designed spaces and seek to promote good design in the built environment. Planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments: i. will function well and add to the overall quality of the area, not just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development; ii. are visually attractive as a result of good architecture, layout and appropriate and effective landscaping; iii. are sympathetic to local character and history, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation or change (such as increased densities); iv. establish or maintain a strong sense of place, using the arrangement of streets, spaces, building types and materials to create attractive, welcoming and distinctive places to live, work and visit; 24430/A5/R 1 June 2019 Chapter 7: LVI Appendix 7.2: Planning Policy v. optimise the potential of the site to accommodate and sustain an appropriate amount and mix of development (including green and other public space) and support local facilities and transport networks; and vi. create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and which promote health and well- being with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users and where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion and resilience.” 7.5 Paragraph 130 states that permission should be refused for development of poor design that fails to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an area and the way it functions, taking into account any local design standards or style guides in plans or supplementary planning documents. Conversely, where the design of a development accords with clear expectations in plan policies, design should not be used by the decision maker as a valid reason to object to development. 7.6 Chapter 15 relates to conserving and enhancing the natural environment. Paragraph 170 notes that the planning system and decisions should "contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by”: vii. protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, sites of biodiversity or geological value and soils (in a manner commensurate with their statutory status or identified quality in the development plan); viii. recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystems services – including the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, and of trees and woodland; ix. maintaining the character of the undeveloped coast, whilst improving public access to it where appropriate; x. minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures; xi. preventing new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability. Development should, wherever possible, help to improve local environmental conditions such as air and water quality, taking into account relevant information such as river basin management plans; and xii. remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where appropriate”. 24430/A5/R 2 June 2019 Chapter 7: LVI Appendix 7.2: Planning Policy Planning Practice Guidanceii 7.7 To support the policies of the NPPF, the Government has produced Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) covering a number of topics. 7.8 Under the heading of Natural Environment, sub-heading Landscape, Paragraph 1, the PPG supports the use of landscape character assessment as a tool for understanding the character and local distinctiveness of the landscape and identifying the features that give it a sense of place, to help to inform, plan and manage change. The PPG makes reference to Natural England guidance on landscape character assessment. 7.9 Under the heading Design, Paragraph 7, the PPG states that planning should promote local character “by responding to and reinforcing locally distinctive patterns of development, local man-made and natural heritage and culture, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation". The PPG goes on to state: "The successful integration of all forms of new development with their surrounding context is an important design objective, irrespective of whether a site lies on the urban fringe or at the heart of a town centre. When thinking about new development the site’s landform should be taken into account. Natural features and local heritage resources can help give shape to a development and integrate it into the wider area, reinforce and sustain local distinctiveness, reduce its impact on nature and contribute to a sense of place. Views into and out of larger sites should also be carefully considered from the start of the design process". 7.10 Paragraph 17 of the Natural Environment guidance notes that biodiversity enhancement should seek to include: "habitat restoration, re-creation and expansion; improved links between existing sites; buffering of existing important sites; new biodiversity features within development; and securing management for long term enhancement." 7.11 Under the heading of Natural Environment, sub-heading Green Infrastructure, paragraph 27, PPG supports positive planning for networks of multi-functional green space, both urban and rural, which deliver a range of benefits for local communities. 24430/A5/R 3 June 2019 Chapter 7: LVI Appendix 7.2: Planning Policy Local Planning Policy Bassetlaw Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) (Dec 2011)iii 7.12 The Core Strategy sets out a Vision for Bassetlaw, including the following in relation to Harworth Bircotes: "Harworth Bircotes, the District’s third largest settlement, will be the focus for a step change in housing growth and linked employment development, which will take advantage of the opportunities offered by the A1 corridor and proximity to Robin Hood Airport (Doncaster Sheffield). The regeneration of the Harworth Colliery site, along with greenfield extensions will produce well-integrated development..." 7.13 The Vision further states that: "Bassetlaw’s diverse landscapes give rise to a rich variety of species and habitats in both urban and rural areas. Opportunities will be sought to protect and enhance biodiversity and to maintain a high quality natural environment by sensitively integrating new development." 7.14 The Core Strategy sets out a number of Strategic Objectives to achieve the Vision. 7.15 Strategic Objective SO2 states the following: "To provide a range and choice of employment sites in Worksop, Retford, Harworth Bircotes (including the A1 corridor), Carlton- in-Lindrick/Langold and Tuxford." 7.16 Strategic Objective SO7 states the following: "To ensure that all new development enhances the attractiveness and local distinctiveness of the area and, where appropriate, achieves its full potential against national and local design standards." 7.17 Strategic Objective SO8 states the following: "To protect Bassetlaw’s natural environment by maintaining, conserving and enhancing its characteristic landscapes, biodiversity, habitats and species and seeking quantitative and qualitative growth in the green infrastructure network across and beyond the District." 24430/A5/R 4 June 2019 Chapter 7: LVI Appendix 7.2: Planning Policy 7.18 Strategic Objective SO9 states the following: "To protect and enhance Bassetlaw’s heritage assets, identify those of local significance, advance characterisation and understanding of heritage asset significance, reduce the number of heritage assets at risk and ensure that development is managed in a way that sustains or enhances the significance of heritage assets and their setting." 7.19 Strategic Objective SO10 states the following: "To ensure the provision of the essential physical, social and green infrastructure required to support the District’s