Benson Parish Neighbourhood Plan October 2017 Benson Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2018-2033 Benson Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2018–2033 This Neighbourhood Plan is published by Benson Parish Council for Final Submission Consultation under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 and in accordance with EU Directive 2001/42. October 2017 2 of 90 Submission Version 1 October 2017 Benson Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2018-2033 Table of Contents Benson Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2018–2033 ............................................................. 2 1. Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 6 Our Ambitions........................................................................................................... 6 Sustainable Development ......................................................................................... 6 The Benson Relief Road .......................................................................................... 7 2. Foreword .................................................................................................................. 8 Our Vision ................................................................................................................ 8 3. List of Policies .......................................................................................................... 9 4. Introduction & Background ..................................................................................... 11 The Pre-Submission Plan ....................................................................................... 12 5. The Neighbourhood Area ....................................................................................... 13 6. Planning Policy Context .......................................................................................... 15 7. Community Views on Planning ............................................................................... 19 8. Vision and Objectives ............................................................................................. 21 Vision ..................................................................................................................... 21 Objectives .............................................................................................................. 21 9. Land Use Policies ................................................................................................... 23 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 23 Housing Allocation Policy ....................................................................................... 23 Site Allocations ....................................................................................................... 25 Land to the north of Littleworth Road (Site BEN1 Phase 2) ..................................... 26 Land off Hale Road (Site BEN2) ............................................................................. 30 Land North and North East of The Sands (Sites BEN 3 / BEN4) ............................. 33 Land to the south of St Helen’s Avenue (Site BEN7) .............................................. 36 10. Conservation and Heritage ..................................................................................... 38 11. Design .................................................................................................................... 41 12. Infrastructure Policies ............................................................................................. 43 Transport ................................................................................................................ 43 Transport Policies ................................................................................................... 44 Submission Version 1 3 of 90 October 2017 Benson Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2018-2033 Traffic Flow & Pinch Points ..................................................................................... 44 Parking ................................................................................................................... 49 Sustainable Transport ............................................................................................ 50 Accessibility ............................................................................................................ 51 Public Transport ..................................................................................................... 52 River Transport ....................................................................................................... 53 Air Transport ........................................................................................................... 53 Pedestrians & Cyclists ............................................................................................ 53 Sustainable Travel .................................................................................................. 54 Road Safety ............................................................................................................ 54 13. Community Facilities' Policies ................................................................................ 58 Education ............................................................................................................... 62 Key Issues .............................................................................................................. 65 Benson Library ....................................................................................................... 65 Village Centre ........................................................................................................ 67 Assets of Community Value ................................................................................... 68 Burial Ground ......................................................................................................... 69 Doctors Surgery ..................................................................................................... 69 Phone and Broadband Provision ............................................................................ 70 Allotments .............................................................................................................. 71 Outdoor Recreation ................................................................................................ 72 14. Environmental Policies ........................................................................................... 74 Introduction to Green Infrastructure ........................................................................ 74 Benson Community Views on Green Infrastructure ................................................ 75 Benson’s Approach to Green Infrastructure ............................................................ 76 Strategy for People and Nature in Benson ............................................................. 76 Local Green Spaces and Connections to the Wider Countryside ........................... 77 Protecting Existing Green Spaces .......................................................................... 77 Creating New Green Spaces .................................................................................. 79 Biodiversity – Nature in Benson ............................................................................. 80 Context ................................................................................................................... 80 4 of 90 Submission Version 1 October 2017 Benson Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2018-2033 Summary of Assets ................................................................................................. 81 Landscape Setting and Character .......................................................................... 83 Distinctiveness of Settlements ................................................................................ 83 Important Views ...................................................................................................... 84 Scope for development ........................................................................................... 86 Drainage and Flood Risk Management .................................................................. 88 Note on Agriculture ................................................................................................. 89 15. Appendices ............................................................................................................ 90 Appendix A – Sites Assessment ............................................................................. 90 Appendix B – Design Statement ............................................................................. 90 Appendix C – Heritage Study ................................................................................. 90 Appendix D – Community Questionnaire Report .................................................... 90 Appendix E – Character Assessment ..................................................................... 90 Appendix F – Transport Assessment ...................................................................... 90 Appendix G – Parking Plan..................................................................................... 90 Appendix H – Map of Sustainable Transport .......................................................... 90 Appendix I – Community Facilities .........................................................................