Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan to 2025 –Discussion Draft April 2016 2 Acknowledgements The Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan has been prepared by group of volunteers, with support from South Lakeland District Council, and Kirkwells Town Planning Consultants. The Parish Council would like to thank the following for their hard work and commitment in the preparation of this Plan: INSERT NAMES? Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan to 2025 –Discussion Draft April 2016 3 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction and Background ................................................................................. 5 2.0 Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan Vision and Objectives ........... 7 3.0 History of Lower Allithwaite Parish ......................................................................... 9 4.0 Lower Allithwaite Parish Today ............................................................................ 11 5.0 Planning Policy Context ........................................................................................ 13 6.0 Neighbourhood Plan Policies ................................................................................ 15 6.1 Built Environment and Heritage Assets ........................................................................ 15 6.2 Green Infrastructure and Landscape Character ............................................................. 18 6.3 Transport including Pedestrian Safety and Countryside Access ..................................... 23 6.4 Housing....................................................................................................................... 27 6.5 Economy and Tourism ................................................................................................. 32 6.6 Community Facilities ................................................................................................... 33 Glossary ......................................................................................................................... 35 Appendix 1 Relevant Planning Policies ............................................................................ 36 Appendix 2 Parish Design Guidance ................................................................................ 37 Appendix 3 Conservation Area Guidance ........................................................................ 38 Appendix 4 South Lakeland Proposals Maps ................................................................... 39 Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan to 2025 –Discussion Draft April 2016 4 Map 1 Lower Allithwaite Designated Neighbourhood Area Insert psma number Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan to 2025 –Discussion Draft April 2016 5 1.0 Introduction and Background 1.1 The Localism Act 2011 gives Parish Councils and other relevant bodies new powers to prepare statutory neighbourhood development plans (NDPs) to help guide development in their local areas. Through neighbourhood plans, local people now have the opportunity to shape new development as planning applications are determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The South Lakeland adopted Core Strategy and saved policies of the old Local Plan (until superseded by the Development Management DPD), South Lakeland Land Allocations DPD and the Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan (once made) will be part of the statutory development plan for the area. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is a material consideration in any planning application determinations. Neighbourhood Plan Process and Preparation 1.2 Lower Allithwaite Parish Council decided to prepare a NDP for Lower Allithwaite in October 2014 and applied to South Lakeland District Council for designation as a neighbourhood area on 15th October 2014. The application for designation was approved by the District Council on 5th February 2015. The designated Neighbourhood Area is the same as the Parish Council Boundary and is shown on Map 1. This includes the villages of Lower Allithwaite, Cartmel and outlying areas. 1.3 A steering group comprising Parish Councillors and local residents was established to progress work on the plan. The steps in preparing at Neighbourhood Development Plan are set out in Figure 1 below. Figure 1 Neighbourhood Development Plan Process Formal Designation Preparing the Plan Consultation (6 weeks) South Lakeland Submit to South DC Consult for Revise Plan Lakeland DC 6 weeks Lower Allithwaite Examination Referendum Neighbourhood Plan made Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan to 2025 –Discussion Draft April 2016 6 1.4 The Lower Allithwaite NDP has been prepared taking into consideration extensive community engagement and involvement through the Lower Allithwaite Community Plan (June 2013) and the Cartmel Township Initiative, the Allithwaite Community Orchard consultation and the Allithwaite P4C Bid consultation. Add in further community engagement as it happens in the future. Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan to 2025 –Discussion Draft April 2016 7 2.0 Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan Vision and Objectives Vision for Lower Allithwaite By 2026 Lower Allithwaite will include two very different villages and a number of small rural settlements scattered throughout the countryside. In Allithwaite the village will be enhanced by a number of developments which are well integrated, linked directly to the village with pedestrian circulation having been significantly enhanced. Traffic management has resulted in a quieter, safer village. In Cartmel, the heritage aspects of the village have been enhanced and protected. Traffic and parking management schemes have improved access to the many businesses and residents, and visitors benefit from improved circulation. Neighbourhood Plan Objectives – SG check and amend 1. To raise awareness of Cartmel’s Conservation Area and protect the built environment both in the villages and in the wider countryside. 2. To protect locally significant green spaces within the villages and in the surrounding countryside from inappropriate development. 3. To protect and enhance existing levels of access to the local countryside. 4. To review parking for residents, businesses and visitors, in order to reduce the congestion caused by inappropriate parking in villages, improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. 5. To promote safer use of the wider road network, to ensure safer pedestrian and cycle access within the Parish, improve and enhance the cycle network, and improve disabled access to the footpath network. 6. To ensure housing stock meets local affordable needs and enables people of all ages to continue to resident within the local area. Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan to 2025 –Discussion Draft April 2016 8 7. Ensure new housing developments are small scale and meet the aspirations of low density and appropriate design. 8. To ensure the proportion of permanent dwellings to holiday homes remains at a level that supports a sustainable local community. Insert objectives on economy, tourism and community facilities. Lower Allithwaite Neighbourhood Development Plan to 2025 –Discussion Draft April 2016 9 3.0 History of Lower Allithwaite Parish 3.1 Lower Allithwaite is a civil parish in the South Lakeland district of the English county of Cumbria. It includes the villages of Allithwaite and Cartmel, the historic Cartmel Priory, Humphrey Head and Cartmel Racecourse. Allithwaite 3.2 Allithwaite is a small village in the Parish, located roughly 1.2 miles (1.9 km) west of Grange- over-Sands. 3.3 The Anglican parish church in the village is St. Mary's Church, built in 1864–65 and designed by the Lancaster architect E. G. Paley. There is a small primary school, Allithwaite Primary C of E School located next to the church. Both church and school were built by a legacy left to the village. Wraysholme Tower 3.4 A mile to the south, Wraysholme Tower is a 15th-century pele tower, used as a barn and cow-house, adjoining a 19th-century farmhouse. The tower was built by the Harrington family of Aldingham. A Michael Harrington acquired a grant of free warren in Allingham in 1315. The tower is 40 feet (12 m) by 28 feet (8.5 m). It has axes north and south and is built of local limestone rubble, with angle quoins. The walls are 4 feet (1.2 m) thick at their base. There is a projecting garderobe, about 7 feet (2.1 m) square, at the south-west corner, where there is a spiral staircase. There was originally an entrance at the north-west corner. Cartmel 3.5 Cartmel is a very attractive village in a beautiful valley setting bounded by the ridges of Hampsfell to the east and Howbarrow to the west. Within the conservation area are many fine listed buildings clustered around the Grade 1 Priory Church of St Mary and St Michael. The river and water meadows running through the heart of the village soften the hard edges of the built environment and are key features which must be protected. 3.6 The village is located 2.2 miles (3.5 km) north-west of Grange-over-Sands and close to the River Eea. The village was once known as Kirkby in Cartmel, as it was the location of the church for the large parish of Cartmel. It is the location of the 12th century Cartmel Priory. Cartmel Priory 3.7 Cartmel Priory church serves as the parish church of Cartmel, Cumbria (formerly in Lancashire). The priory was founded in 1190 by William Marshal, created 1st Earl of Pembroke, intended for the Augustinian