LANDSCAPES | VIEWS | DARK NIGHT SKIES | LOCAL ECONOMY | RECREATION AFFORDABLE LOCAL HOUSING | GREEN SPACES SOUTH DOWNS LOCAL PLAN: PREFERRED OPTIONS September 2015 PAGE 2 LOCAL PLAN FOREWORD When it is completed, this draft Local Plan will be the first ever for the As well as building on all that has gone before, a wealth of new evidence South Downs National Park. has been collected for this Preferred Options version of the Local Plan, The nationally important and much loved landscapes that were informing the draft policies set out in this document. The comments established as a national park in 2010 run as a golden thread throughout you make on these draft policies and the text that supports them will this key document. It builds on all the work, community engagement inform the next version of the South Downs Local Plan that will be and robust evidence gathering that underpinned the Partnership submitted to the Secretary of State next year for Examination in Public. Management Plan, which sets out the strategic objectives for the It is therefore very important to us that we hear your views. We don’t National Park, as well as the options consultation version of this Local want to know only what you would like changed but also which draft Plan. policies you support, so we know we are reflecting what people want. The future development of our communities is vitally important, but so So please, let us have your comments so that we can produce a Local too is the ecology and cultural heritage of this very special place. Plan worthy of the South Downs National Park. Development must conserve and enhance them, as well as providing opportunities for all who visit the National Park to enjoy and understand the special qualities that led to its designation. It is also important that the benefits we derive from the National Park’s rich natural resources are protected for future generations and enhanced wherever possible, for the communities living within the National Park as well as for the many communities, large and small around the National Park. Margaret Paren Chair LOCAL PLAN PAGE iii HAVE YOUR SAY The Local Plan Preferred Options consultation will run from 2 September 2015 to 28 October 2015. There are three ways to input into the consultation: Accessing the consultation website: www.southdowns.gov.uk/localplanconsultation Filling in an electronic comment form and emailing it to [email protected] Completing a paper copy comment form or writing to the SDNPA at the following address: Planning Policy South Downs National Park Authority South Downs Centre North Street Midhurst West Sussex GU29 9DH So that your response can be accurately recorded, please let us know which chapter and/or policy you are commenting on. Please note that all representations will be published on the SDNPA website and anonymous comments cannot be accepted. Please do not hesitate to contact the Planning Policy team by email at [email protected] or telephone on 01730 814810 if you have any queries about this consultation. It should be noted that this Local Plan is based on existing legislation, policy and guidance as of July 2015, but may be subject to change as a result of forthcoming legislation, policy or guidance. The South Downs National Park Authority will monitor any changes and will follow legislation, policy and guidance as required. PAGE iv LOCAL PLAN CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 1 Strategic Policy SD14: Green Infrastructure ................................................. 96 2. SPATIAL PORTRAIT – THE NATIONAL PARK TODAY ...................... 13 Strategic Policy SD15: Aquifers ........................................................................ 97 3. VISION AND OBJECTIVES .............................................................................. 25 Strategic Policy SD16: Rivers and Watercourses ...................................... 103 4. CORE POLICIES ................................................................................................. 27 Strategic Policy SD17: Flood Risk Management ......................................... 104 Core Policy SD1: Sustainable Development in the South Downs 6. PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH PLACES – STRATEGIC POLICIES ..... 105 National Park ........................................................................................................ 28 Strategic Policy SD18: Transport and accessibility .................................... 109 Core Policy SD2: Ecosystems Services .......................................................... 34 Strategic Policy SD19: Walking, Cycling and Equestrian Routes ............ 112 Core Policy SD3: Major Development in the South Downs National Strategic Policy SD20: Sustainable Tourism and the Visitor Economy . 117 Park ......................................................................................................................... 36 Strategic Policy SD21: Recreation.................................................................. 118 Achieving the Vision for the National Park across the five Broad Areas ............ 37 7. TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE – STRATEGIC POLICIES ..... 121 Core Policy SD4/CP: The Coastal Plain ......................................................... 43 Strategic Policy SD22: Development Strategy ............................................ 123 Core Policy SD4/ DS: The Dip Slope ............................................................. 45 Strategic Policy SD23: Housing ....................................................................... 129 Core Policy SD4/ WD: The Western Downs ............................................. 46 Strategic Policy SD24: Affordable Housing Provision ............................... 135 Core Policy SD4/SS: The Scarp Slope ............................................................ 48 Strategic Policy SD25: Rural Exception Sites .............................................. 137 Core Policy SD4/WW: The Western Weald .............................................. 49 Strategic Policy SD26: Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling 5. A THRIVING LIVING LANDSCAPE – STRATEGIC POLICIES .............. 51 Showpeople ......................................................................................................... 144 Strategic Policy SD5: Landscape Character................................................... 56 Strategic Policy SD27: Sustaining the Rural Economy ............................... 150 Strategic Policy SD6 Design .............................................................................. 61 Strategic Policy SD28: Employment Land..................................................... 153 Strategic Policy SD7: Safeguarding Views ...................................................... 63 Strategic Policy SD29: Town and Village Centres ...................................... 159 Strategic Policy SD8: Relative Tranquillity ..................................................... 64 Strategic Policy SD30: Strategic Infrastructure Provision ........................ 161 Strategic Policy SD9: Dark Night Skies .......................................................... 70 Strategic Policy SD31: Climate Change and Sustainable Construction. 167 Strategic Policy SD10: The Open Coast ........................................................ 76 8. STRATEGIC SITES ............................................................................................ 169 Strategic Policy SD11: Historic Environment ............................................... 81 Strategic Site Policy SD32: Shoreham Cement Works ............................ 179 Strategic Policy SD12: Biodiversity and Geodiversity ................................. 88 Strategic Site Policy SD33: Syngenta, Fernhurst ......................................... 185 Strategic Policy SD13: International Sites ...................................................... 93 LOCAL PLAN PAGE v Strategic Site Policy SD34: North Street Quarter and adjacent Eastgate Development Management Policy SD38: Energy Performance and area, Lewes ......................................................................................................... 189 Historic Buildings ............................................................................................... 238 9. SITE ALLOCATIONS ...................................................................................... 193 Development Management Policy SD39: Conservation Areas .............. 239 Policy SD-SS03: Land at Old Malling Farm, Lewes .................................... 200 Development Management Policy SD40: Enabling Development .......... 240 Policy SD-WW03: Land at New Road, Midhurst ...................................... 203 Development Management Policy SD41: Archaeology ............................ 242 Policy SD-WW04: Land at Petersfield Road, Midhurst ........................... 204 Development Management Policy SD42: Sustainable Drainage ............. 246 Policy SD-WW05: Land at Lamberts Lane, Midhurst .............................. 205 People Connected with Places ..................................................................................... 248 Policy SD-WW09: Land at Clements Close, Binsted ............................... 207 Development Management Policy SD43: Public Realm and Highway Policy SD-SS02: Land at Kiln Lane, Buriton ................................................ 209 Design ..................................................................................................................