LLooccaall PPllaann Development Management Policies Local Development Document AdoptedPre-Submission July 2013(Preferred Options) Consultation January 2012 CONTENTS Page Introduction 1 Arriving at the Proposed submission Consultation 2 Development Management Policies Residential Design and Layout 3 DM1: Residential Design and Layout 5 Green Belt 7 DM2: Green Belt 8 Historic Environment 10 DM3: The Historic Built Environment 13 Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Renewable Energy 16 DM4: Carbon Dioxide Emissions and On site Renewable Energy 19 Renewable Energy Developments 20 DM5: Renewable Energy Developments 21 Biodiversity, Trees, Woodland, Watercourses and Landscaping 22 DM6: Biodiversity, Trees, Woodland and Landscaping 24 Landscape Character 27 DM7 Landscape Character 28 Flood Risk and Water Resources 30 DM8: Flood Risk and Water Resources 32 Contamination and Pollution 34 DM9: Contamination and Pollution 36 Waste Management 38 DM10: Waste Management 40 Open Space, Sport, Recreation Facilities and Children’s Play Space 42 DM11: Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facilities and Children’s 43 Play Space Community, Leisure and Cultural Facilities 46 DM12: Community, Leisure and Cultural Facilities 47 Parking 49 DM13: Parking 50 Telecommunications 52 DM14: Telecommunications 52 Moorings 53 DM15: Moorings 53 Appendices Appendix 1: Monitoring Framework 54 Appendix 2: Design Criteria 57 Appendix 3: Agricultural and Forestry Dwellings 62 Appendix 4: Noise Exposure Categories for Residential Development 65 Appendix 5: Parking Standards 70 Appendix 6: Glossary and Abbreviations 83 Appendix 7: Planning Policy Statements and Planning Policy Guidance 86 Appendix 8: Schedule of Saved Policies in the Three Rivers Local Plan (2001) 86 Superseded by Development Management Policies i 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Local Plan for Three Rivers will help plan for, and manage development in the District in the next 15 years or so. 1.2 For Three Rivers, the Local Plan will consist of a number of Local Development Documents (LDDs) including: • The Core Strategy: provides the over-arching strategy and policies and the long term vision for Three Rivers • Site Allocations: allocates sites for housing, employment, retail, open space, education and community uses • Development Management Policies: sets out the policies against which planning applications will be assessed • Gypsy and Traveller: allocates sites for Gypsy and Travellers. What is the Development Management Policies Local Development Plan Document? 1.3 The Development Management Policies LDD sets out the criteria against which all planning applications within the District will be considered. The Council considers that these policies will enable the delivery of the objectives and long term vision for Three Rivers set out in the Core Strategy which was adopted by the Council on 17 October 2011. These policies have been informed by a broad evidence base and through a series of consultations. 1.4 The policies within this LDD must be read together with those strategic policies and objectives outlined in the Core Strategy (as well as National 1 Planning Policy). Additional guidance for specific policies will also be provided in the form of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). Details of the relevant SPD or where the Council intends to develop a further SPD in the future is contained within the text of the relevant chapter. 1.5 The Council will use the policies outlined in these documents to provide a consistent approach to the assessment of planning applications within the District. It is, however, emphasised that each application will be assessed on its own merits, taking account of all relevant material considerations. There may be some instances where a proposal may not satisfy all policy criteria, but may be deemed acceptable when considered against all material considerations and based on individual site circumstances. Alternatively, there may be other occasions, where an application satisfies all policy criteria, but due to site circumstances may still be considered unacceptable. 1.6 The Council will continue to monitor and review the policies in this document in order to assess the performance of the policies in relation to meeting the Council’s objectives. Details of the monitoring indicators for each policy can be found in Appendix 1 of this document. 1 National Planning Policy Framework 1 2.0 ARRIVING AT PROPOSED SUBMISSION CONSULTATION STAGE 2.1 This publication document builds on and refines the options consulted on in the Core Strategy Issues and Options (2006), the Core Strategy Supplementary Issues and Options (2007), the Core Strategy Preferred Options (2009) and the Core Strategy Pre-Submission (2012). In arriving at the policies that are set out in this document, the Council has taken into consideration the following: • The views expressed during previous public consultation involving a range of stakeholders in the District including residents, businesses, statutory bodies, local groups and individuals with an interest in Three Rivers (over 1,500 combined responses) • National planning policy requirements and other plans and strategies affecting the area • The long-term priorities for the Three Rivers area as defined by local people and main service providers in the area (Local Strategic Partnership) set out in the Community Strategy • The rigorous testing of options and alternatives primarily through a sustainability appraisal process, taking into account environmental, social and economic impacts of choices • A range of research and technical studies known as the Evidence Base that the Council has compiled in order to understand the needs of the area and the opportunities and constraints that exist. This is available at: http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/EvidenceBase . • The Government’s objectives to achieve sustainable development, whereby development helps to maintain high and stable levels of employment, achieves social progress which recognises the needs of everyone, provides effective protection of the environment and represents prudent use of natural resources. 2.2 PRESUMPTION IN FAVOUR OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT A positive approach to considering development proposals will be taken that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework. Where appropriate, the Council will work proactively with applicants jointly to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in the area. Planning law requires that applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. 2 Planning applications that accord with the policies in the development plan (including, where relevant, with policies in neighbourhood plans) will be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Proposed development that conflicts with the development plan will be refused, unless other material considerations indicate otherwise. Where there are no policies relevant to the application or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision then permission will be granted unless material considerations indicate otherwise – taking into account whether: • Any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole; or • Specific policies in that Framework indicate that development should be restricted. 2 Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and section 70(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 . 2 DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT POLICIES 3.0 RESIDENTIAL DESIGN AND LAYOUT National Context 3.1 The National Planning Policy Framework states that one of the core land-use planning principles is to secure high quality design and a good standard of amenity for all existing and future occupants of land and buildings. Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development is indivisible from good planning and should contribute positively to making places better for people. Design can have a large impact not only on individual buildings but also on the wider ‘public realm’, including our streets, town centres, parks and open spaces. Development of poor design that fails to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an area and the way it functions, should be refused permission. Design and Access Statements 3.2 The Government now requires that Design and Access Statements accompany most planning applications and applications for Listed Building Consent (information on when Design and Access Statements are needed is detailed in the Planning Validation Checklist). This requirement provides an opportunity for the early consideration of design and access. Design and Access Statements should contain relevant information and details compatible with the scale and complexity of the proposal, including: • A full site analysis of existing features and designations • An accurate site survey including landscape features and site levels • The relationship of the site to its surroundings • Existing access for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles • Any features of historical importance. It will need to demonstrate how the proposed development will: • Maximise energy efficiency and address water and drainage requirements • Achieve an