‘A Future for Blyth Valley’ Blyth Valley Local Development Framework Development Control Policies Development Plan Document 2007 This document is also available in other languages, large print and audio format upon request. ‘A Future for Blyth Valley’ Development Control Policies Development Plan Document 2007 ‘A Future for Blyth Valley’ Foreword The existing Blyth Valley Local Plan sets out policies and proposals in the District up to 2006. The Council has started to review the plan under the new-style local development framework system so we can take it forward to 2021. The Council released ‘Key Issues’ papers for discussion in 2003 which was the first stage of the review followed by consultation on a set of alternative options in July 2005. The Council consulted on a set of Core Strategy preferred options in September 2005. It was accompanied by the Development Control Policies DPD Preferred Options which contained a set of draft, more detailed development control policies in order to provide the framework for deciding planning applications. The Core Strategy was adopted July 2007 and sets out the overall vision and spatial strategy for the Borough. It provides the framework for the Development Control Policies DPD. The Development Control Policies DPD has been prepared following extensive consultation on a set of Alternative Options in July 2005; Preferred Options in September 2005 and; the ‘Submission Draft’ in April 2006. The Development Control Policies DPD was considered by an independent inspector at an Examination in Public in May 2007. The inspector who considered the Development Control Policies DPD concluded that the document was ‘sound’ and set out a series of binding recommendations in his report of 14 August 2007. Those recommendations have been included in this adopted version of the Development Control Policies DPD. The Development Control Policies DPD will help to guide development in the borough and will help to achieve the vision set out in the Council’s Community Strategy the ‘People’s Plan’. The ‘Peoples’ Plan’ Vision ‘To make Blyth Valley a place of involvement, opportunity and prosperity for all’ Councillor Grant Davey Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration and Housing Blyth Valley Borough Council 4 Development Control Policies Development Plan Document Contents Page Chapter 1 6 Introduction Chapter 2 9 General Development Chapter 3 17 Housing Chapter 4 21 Employment and Regeneration Chapter 5 29 Retail and Town Centres Chapter 6 33 Accessibility Chapter 7 37 Sustainable Communities Chapter 8 43 Environment Appendix A 58 Car Parking Standards Appendix B 63 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision Standards Appendix C 66 Glossary of Terms Appendix D 72 List of Saved/Replacement Policies 5 ‘A Future for Blyth Valley’ 1 Introduction to the new 1.1.4 These documents were considered at local development independent examination in February and framework system May 2007. 1.2 The Development Plan Context 1.1 Background 1.2.1 The Local Development Framework will 1.1.1 The existing Blyth Valley Local Plan be prepared in the context of a series of (adopted 1999) sets out the policies and inter-related Plans which together form proposals for using and developing land 1 part of the statutory Development Plan. in the district. The Council started a The development plan will continue to be review of the plan and released the the starting point when we consider ‘issues papers’ as the first stage of the planning applications to develop and use review in 2003. In September 2004 the land. The Plans are set out below. Government introduced new legislation which has resulted in major changes to Regional Spatial Strategy the development plan system. 1.2.2 The existing ‘Regional Spatial Strategy’ The Council is taking the review forward for the North East (RSS) (2002) (formerly under the new legislation. The Regional Planning Guidance- RPG1) consultation on the Key Issues Paper forms the upper tier of the Development was taken into account in the formulation Plan system. The RSS is currently under of ‘A Future for Blyth Valley’ Core review with the Submission document Strategy Discussion Paper which was released for consultation in June 2005. released for consultation in July 2005. An Examination in Public was held This document set out a range of issues March/April 2006 and the Panel Report and possible other options for was released in August 2006 with development to be considered. proposed modifications to the RSS published in May 2007. 1.1.2 The Core Strategy (adopted July 2007) sets out our overall vision and broad Northumberland and National Park locations for new development in the Joint Structure Plan 1st Alteration borough until 2021 and provides the framework for future Development Plan 1.2.3 The Northumberland County and National Documents. This Development Control Park Joint Structure Plan First Alteration Policies Development Plan Document (2005) forms the basis for sub-regional (DPD) includes a set of generic planning guidance over the next couple development control policies against of years. Under the new planning system which planning applications for new the Structure Plan will be gradually development will be assessed. replaced with the revised RSS when it is adopted in 2007. 1.1.3 The Council consulted on a set of ‘preferred options’ for the Core Strategy Northumberland Minerals and Waste and Development Control Policies in Development Framework September 2005. The responses received to the consultation were taken 1.2.4 Northumberland County Council adopted into account in formulating the its Minerals and Waste Local Plans in ‘submission draft’ documents which were 6 Development Control Policies Development Plan Document 2000. The County are currently reviewing policies would not, individually or the mineral and waste policies through cumulatively, have a significant effect on the new local development framework the integrity of such sites either within or system. The County will be preparing a adjacent to the Borough. joint minerals and waste development framework which will also form part of the 1.4.3 The Habitats Directive provides the Development Plan for the Borough. framework which will inform subsequent land use plans. Appropriate Assessment Blyth Valley District Local Plan will be undertaken on all emerging DPD’s and SPD’s which will include, where 1 1.2.5 The existing Blyth Valley District Local appropriate, criteria based policies to Plan was adopted in 1999 and it provides ensure that any significant impact on the the planning framework for using and integrity of International and European developing land and the consideration of designated sites is avoided, mitigated or planning applications at a local level. The compensated; and inform the scheme local plan will gradually be replaced with level decisions. the Blyth Valley local development framework under the new planning 1.5 Transitional Arrangements system. 1.5.1 The Government has introduced 1.3 Local Development Framework transitional arrangements in order to ease the transition from the old system to 1.3.1 The Local Development Framework the new. (LDF) is the term given to the range of local development documents (LDD) that 1.5.2 Under the transitional arrangements for the Council will produce. These the new planning system, existing local documents will together deliver the plan policies are automatically saved until spatial planning strategy for Blyth Valley. 2007. The local development scheme The glossary at Appendix C sets out a sets out the policies which are to be definition of the various documents in the saved and Appendix D shows which LDF. policies will be replaced by the policies in this document. 1.4 Appropriate Assessment 1.4.1 The new requirements set out in the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive, make sure that planning documents are produced with a view to achieving sustainable development. An environmental report has been issued alongside this plan. 1.4.2 The Development Control Policies DPD has been subject to an Appropriate 1 Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Assessment as required under the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild 1 2 Fauna and Flora (Habitats Directive) European and Domestic Regulations. 2 The Assessment concluded that the Conservation (Natural Habitats) (Amendment) (E&W) Regulations 2007 7 General Development Policies Development Control Policies Development Plan Document 2 General Development Submission of a Planning Application Policies 2.2.5 Applicants will be encouraged to discuss their proposals with a planning officer and 2.1 Introduction relevant statutory agencies before submitting a planning application. 2.1.1 This section sets out detailed policies against which planning applications for all 2.2.6 Pre-application discussions have the types of new development will be benefit of identifying any concerns at an considered. early stage in the process thus assisting 2 in a smoother ride through the planning 2.2 General Consideration of Planning process. Applications 2.2.7 Pre-application discussions will also Local Development Framework highlight the need to submit additional supporting evidence such as Traffic 2.2.1 The policies in this plan must be read in Assessments; Environmental Impact conjunction with all other relevant policies Assessments etc. Where possible in this document and the broader local supporting information will be expected development framework. In particular, ‘up-front’ at the submission stage. policies should be read in conjunction with the ‘Core Strategy’ which sets out 2.3 Location of New Development the overall spatial strategy for the borough and contains policies to guide 2.3.1 Policy SS1 of the ‘Core Strategy’ sets out the broad location of new development the overall regeneration and spatial (SS1). strategy for the borough and sets out in broad terms those locations in the 2.2.2 More site-specific policies will be Borough where the majority of all types of introduced through the Blyth, Cramlington new development will be accommodated, and Seaton Valley Development Plan and also locations where it would be Documents in due course.