A new vision for developing Wakefield District Local Development Framework Central Wakefield Area Action Plan www.wakefield.gov.uk/ldf Central Wakefield Area Action Plan Information The Central Wakefield Area Action Plan Development Plan Document and its accompanying sustainability appraisal are available to view and download on the Council's web-site at: www.wakefield.gov.uk/ldf. Copies are also available to view at main libraries. If you would like to talk to a planning officer working on the Local Development Framework about any aspect of this document please contact the Spatial Policy Group on (01924) 306763. If you would like an extract or summary of this document on cassette, in large type, in Braille or any other format, please call the Spatial Policy Group on (01924) 306495. Yorkshire Planning Aid provides a free, independent and professional planning advice service to individuals and groups from within the Yorkshire and Humber region who cannot afford professional fees. The organisation may be able to assist groups and individuals who would like support and advice. Please contact the Planning Advice Helpline on 0870 850 9808, email [email protected] www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk for further information. Wakefield Metropolitan District Local Development Framework - Adopted 17 June 2009 Central Wakefield Area Action Plan Wakefield Metropolitan District Local Development Framework - Adopted 17 June 2009 Central Wakefield Area Action Plan 1 Introduction & Explanation 2 The Local Development Framework 2 What is the Central Wakefield Area Action Plan? 2 How does the Central Wakefield Area Action Plan relate to other Plans and Strategies? 3 What is the Plan Area? 4 Sustainability Appraisal 7 Appropriate Assessment 7 Community Engagement 7 2 Conformity to National, Regional & Local Policy 10 National Planning Policy 10 Regional Spatial Strategy 10 Local Guidance 11 3 The Spatial Vision & Objectives for Central Wakefield 16 4 Strategy 20 Introduction 20 Transport 20 Housing 24 Economy and Employment 28 Protecting and Enhancing the Built and Natural Environment 29 Shopping 35 Culture, Leisure, Tourism and the Evening Economy 36 5 Policies 40 General Policies 40 Site Specific Policies 60 6 Delivery & Implementation 76 Delivering the Renaissance Vision 76 Monitoring 77 Timetable 77 Appendices A Monitoring Framework 82 B Glossary 88 C Strategy, Objectives, Policies and Projects 96 Wakefield Metropolitan District Local Development Framework - Adopted 17 June 2009 Central Wakefield Area Action Plan D Plans 102 Wakefield Metropolitan District Local Development Framework - Adopted 17 June 2009 Central Wakefield Area Action Plan Introduction & Explanation Wakefield Metropolitan District Local Development Framework - Adopted 17 June 2009 1 Central Wakefield Area Action Plan 1 Introduction & Explanation The Local Development Framework 1.1 The government have asked us to prepare a new type of plan - known as the Local Development Framework (LDF) - to guide the use of land and new development throughout the district over the next 10 to 20 years. (1) The LDF will, once adopted, replace the Wakefield Unitary Development Plan (UDP) First Alteration – the current development plan for Wakefield. A glossary of terms can be found in Appendix B. 1.2 The LDF is closely linked to Wakefield District Partnership’s Community Strategy (‘Developing Knowledge Communities’). This sets out the overall vision for the district and aims to make the district a more attractive and prosperous place to live, work, and enjoy leisure. 1.3 The Local Development Framework consists of a number of documents covering a different topic or area. The most important of these are called Development Plan Documents (DPDs)(which provide the statutory policies and proposals that will guide all future planning decisions in the district). 1.4 The Central Wakefield Area Action Plan is one of these documents. The other relevant DPDs are shown on Figure 1 overleaf. 1.5 The LDF also includes Supplementary Planning Documents. These provide guidance on how specific policies or sites in the Development Plan Documents will be implemented. What is the Central Wakefield Area Action Plan? 1.6 The Central Wakefield Area Action Plan provides the policy framework for delivering the renaissance of central Wakefield. It also: sets out the spatial vision and objectives for central Wakefield to 2021; sets out the proposals and policies to achieve the vision and the spatial development strategy set out in the Core Strategy; explains how these proposals and policies will be monitored and implemented; identifies areas where there is likely to be significant pressure for change and indicates the type of uses that would be appropriate, such as shopping, leisure and housing; and includes a proposals map showing land allocations and designations within central Wakefield. 1.7 This document also contains a delivery and implementation plan which brings together a range of partners and effective arrangements to assemble sites and deliver projects within central Wakefield. It will also take forward the work already undertaken in central Wakefield through the urban renaissance programme as set out in Chapter 2. 1.8 The area action plan has been prepared to help guide and shape the future growth of central Wakefield. This is because: central Wakefield has been identified as a priority area for regeneration; the area action plan will have statutory status to ensure the effective delivery of proposals set out in Yorkshire Forward’s renaissance programme; central Wakefield has been identified as a key location for new growth within the district and as such there is significant pressure for change and development; the process of development needs to be carefully managed and coordinated to ensure there is sufficient infrastructure and open space provision to meet future growth needs within central Wakefield; central Wakefield includes several areas of potentially significant change which do not have a clear focus and require policy intervention; and government policy requires us to promote city and town centres as the primary focus for new development. 1 Local development frameworks were introduced through the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act of 2004. 2 Wakefield Metropolitan District Local Development Framework - Adopted 17 June 2009 Central Wakefield Area Action Plan How does the Central Wakefield Area Action Plan relate to other Plans and Strategies? 1.9 Development and other relevant proposals within central Wakefield will be considered in the context of the following DPDs. 1.10 The Core Strategy is the over-arching strategic policy document of the LDF and all other documents within the LDF must be in conformity with it. It sets out the spatial vision, objectives, development strategy and strategic policies to guide and control the overall scale of development within Wakefield District until 2026. 1.11 The Development Policies document sets out the detailed policy approach on how individual planning applications will be assessed, including those within central Wakefield. 1.12 The Retailing and Town Centres DPD will identify a hierarchy of centres and include policies for assessing new retail and leisure developments within the district, including those within central Wakefield. 1.13 A proposals map showing land allocations and designations across the whole district is being prepared as part of the LDF. The Central Wakefield Area Action Plan includes a series of plans covering different land allocations and a range of other issues. These form part of the proposals map for the LDF. 1.14 The area action plan replaces the saved policies in the Wakefield UDP First Alteration that specifically relate to central Wakefield (namely WCC1-37). 1.15 Figure 1 below explains how the Central Wakefield Area Action Plan relates to other strategies and programmes and its relationship to other parts of the LDF. Figure 1 Relationship of the Central Wakefield Area Action Plan to other documents 1.16 The area action plan has been prepared in line with the spatial development strategy and strategic policies set out in the Core Strategy, and it is in general conformity with the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for Yorkshire and the Humber (The Yorkshire and Humber Plan). We will use the policies in the area action plan to make decisions about planning applications within central Wakefield. Wakefield Metropolitan District Local Development Framework - Adopted 17 June 2009 3 Central Wakefield Area Action Plan 1.17 The Central Wakefield Area Action Plan should also be read alongside other relevant parts of the LDF. References are made to specific policies and proposals in other relevant parts of the LDF and plans and programmes throughout the document where relevant. 1.18 Table 1 below provides a summary of the document for easy reference. Central Wakefield Area Action Plan Subject Where found in the References Purpose document Introduction and Explanation Chapter 1 Gives a summary of the LDF process and background to the Central Wakefield Area Action Plan Conformity to National, Chapter 2 Sets out the policy context of the Central Regional and Local Policy Wakefield Area Action Plan The Spatial Vision and Chapter 3 Objectives Sets out the vision and objectives for central Objectives for Central 1-10 Wakefield Wakefield Strategy Chapter 4 Sets out the spatial strategy for the regeneration of central Wakefield to achieve the vision and objectives of the area action plan and the LDF. It includes principles and priorities