GUIDE TO USING THE REVISED DEPOSIT DRAFT UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN This document is the “revised deposit” draft of the Oldham Replacement Unitary Development Plan. The first draft was published in 2001, and changes made to that first draft are indicated in this version as follows: Existing text which is to remain is shown unaltered (policies are shown in bold type and the reasoned justification of the policies in non-bold type). First deposit draft text which has been deleted is shown struck through like this. New text added to the revised deposit draft Plan is shown underlined like this. Text which is retained but moved to another section of the Plan is shown struck through, with the new location indicated in italics like this moved to Section x. A separate form provides details of how to object to, or support, the proposed changes in this revised draft. Oldham Replacement Unitary Development Plan – Revised Deposit Draft, October 2003 1 INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 1.1 The planning system exists to regulate the way land is used and developed, in the interests of the public. The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) is central to the planning process as it aims to balance necessary development*1 with the conservation and improvement of the environment, and the needs and rights of the individual with those of the wider community. 1.2 The UDP sets out the policies the Council will follow when considering applications from prospective developers of land in the Borough over the next ten years, a process known as development control. Section 54A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requires that all planning applications are should be determined in line accordance with the adopted UDP, provided the policies or proposals it contains are relevant and that there are no other unless “material considerations”* to be taken into account indicate otherwise. This is to ensure that planning decisions are made in a rational and consistent manner. 1.3 Applications which are not in line with the UDP’s relevant policies should not be allowed to proceed unless they are justified by material considerations, in which case local planning authorities may decide to grant permission. Applications that depart significantly from UDP policy must be notified to the Secretary of State who may decide to intervene and take the decision directly. 1.3 1.4 The UDP is the only land use plan for Oldham and covers the whole of the Borough apart from the area to the east of Saddleworth, which falls within the Peak District National Park. 1.4 1.5 The UDP is instrumental in the bid to achieve more sustainable development*, for example by influencing the kind of development that brings new homes and jobs without compromising the quality of life of future generations. The Council is committed to achieving more sustainable forms of development across the Borough, both for the benefit of local people and as part of our wider regional, national and international responsibilities. 1.5 1.6 Throughout its preparation this draft review of the UDP has been subject to sustainability appraisal* and a separate report is available that describes this process and the way it has affected the resulting drafts. All policies and proposals, including the main changes proposed between first deposit and revised deposit stages, have been tested against four key sustainability objectives, based on those detailed in the Government Office for the North West’s strategy for sustainable development in the North West, “Action for Sustainability”. These are: a. live - social progress and a better quality of life; b. protect - effective environmental protection; c. save - conserve the region’s natural resources; and 1 An asterisk * denotes a word or term that is defined in the glossary at the back of this document. 1 Oldham Replacement Unitary Development Plan – Revised Deposit Draft, October 2003 d. grow - economic growth and sustainable regional development. 1.6 1.7 The first Oldham UDP, adopted as Council policy in April 1996, looked ahead as far as 2001 and must now be reviewed to ensure it remains up to date and relevant. This document is the first “deposit”* draft of the replacement* Oldham UDP. The review process is well underway, having reach the revised deposit stage. 1.7 1.8 To fulfil its purpose the UDP must reflect the views of the Oldham community. Many of the issues it contains will no doubt generate differences of opinion, which we shall aim to balance as far as possible. We shall be seeking involvement from the public at several stages as the UDP review progresses and have now reached a key consultation stage where during which local people have their first an opportunity to comment on any changes proposed to the first deposit draft UDP’s its policies and proposals. 1.8 1.9 There are several differences between this draft review of the UDP and the Plan currently in use. We have decided not to include the Council’s broader aspirations as these can be found in other documents, for example the Oldham Partnership’s “Oldham Framework” Community Strategy and the Council’s Corporate Plan. OBJECTIVES OF THE UDP 1.9 1.10 The Oldham Local Strategic Partnership, of which the Council is a member, brings together the public, private, and voluntary, community and faith sector organisations that are active within the Borough. The “Oldham Framework” sets out the Partnership’s objectives, which concentrate on: • putting people first: investing in our people; • competing in the wider economy: improving competitiveness and developing wealth; • creating confident communities and quality neighbourhoods: secure places for people to live; and • achieving a quality environment: progress whilst passing on a better environment to our children. It is the responsibility of the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) to produce a Community Strategy, setting out a vision, strategic objectives and targets for the long term future of the Borough. The Community Strategy is underpinned by action plans and strategies, of which the Unitary Development Plan is one. 1.11 The LSP’s vision for Oldham, developed as a result of an in-depth community planning process, is for “a Borough of well educated people who enjoy good quality employment in a healthy environment; a Borough which is a safe home for its people and welcoming to visitors; a thriving attractive Borough in the Pennine Hills; a Borough whose people are secure in their identity, share common values and enjoy equality of treatment; a Borough of racial, cultural and religious diversity whose people live together in peace, respect and friendship.” The priority themes for action set out in Oldham’s Community Strategy 2002–2022 are: Community Safety, Economy, Environment and 2 Oldham Replacement Unitary Development Plan – Revised Deposit Draft, October 2003 Transportation, Health and Social Care, Housing, Learning, Voluntary Sector, and Young People. 1.12 Several of these priority themes have relevance to the draft UDP, but perhaps the most direct link is with the Environment and Transportation theme. The priorities set out under this theme are to: · Raise environmental awareness; · Make Oldham a cleaner and greener place; · Improve youth recreation; · Raise the level of recycling; · Increase the use of public transport and ensure that people are able to access work, education, health and leisure; · Protect wildlife and increase the number of trees; · Help more people participate in planning for the future; · Reduce pollution; · Reduce crime and vandalism; and · Ensure equality for all regardless of race, gender, disability or age. 1.13 Another important priority is housing. The potential exists to deliver significant improvement to the Borough’s housing stock through the Oldham/Rochdale joint pathfinder initiative for the Housing Market Renewal Fund. Under the Economy heading, developing the vibrancy and safety of the Town Centre is a priority, as is raising the image of the Borough and maximising the borough- wide delivery of economic activities and opportunities. 1.14 The Council is committed to a responsible approach to reducing and mitigating the impacts of climate change. It has developed a draft Climate Change Strategy and undertaken a renewable energy study of the Borough, to find out how the area might contribute to meeting regional renewable energy generation targets. The housing renewal and redevelopment that will take place as a result of the allocations in this plan and the Housing Market Renewal Fund pathfinder initiative is viewed as a key opportunity to pursue a step change in the energy performance of dwellings, by incorporating renewable energy technologies. This links to improving health by tackling fuel poverty, and supporting economic diversification and re-skilling through ensuring that local people benefit from any economic opportunities that may arise in this field. 1.15 The outcome measures and targets identified to monitor progress in the priorities for the environment and transportation include a key one for land use planning: the percentage of population within walking distance of basic services and open space to be 60% by 2007. This is also a sustainability indicator used in the sustainability appraisal of the draft UDP. The percentage estimated in 1995 was 53%. This puts the focus strongly on integrating land use and transportation and planning for sustainable neighbourhoods, which combine living, working, playing, and meeting people’s everyday needs. 1.10 1.16 The UDP is one of a range of strategies that together form