#!*+8+)&19+':!1)#'! $&%!:.+!1#%,".!&$! "#$$%&'!(#)*+'! "#$$%&'!(#)*+'! '+,-./&0%.&&*!1)#'! 232452367! !"#$%&'($'(&)'"**+%,*"'-% INTRODUCTION The Civic Parish of Saffron Walden was designated as the Saffron Walden Neighbourhood Plan Area by Uttlesford District Council on 13 December 2012. A full page map showing the full extent of the parish is below, made using: OS PSMA LICENSE NUMBER: 0100057521 The Saffron Walden Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended). The basic conditions of neighbourhood planning and other considerations have been met as prescribed by Paragraph 8 of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) (the 1990 Act). For further information on the technical legal details concerning the preparation of the plan (to avoid duplication here) please refer to the Basic Conditions Statement which was prepared alongside the plan. The Saffron Walden Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group was established in 2016 and individuals and groups either volunteered or were invited to be part of the NP process. The NP team includes Town Councillors, Town Council officers and a number of local volunteers, each with specialist local knowledge including local heritage, architecture, infrastructure, commerce and the arts. The wide range of skills, experiences and interests of the team helps to ensure that there is a fair and diverse representation of views and opinions helping to form the NP. All the volunteers are Saffron Walden residents, or people living nearby who play an active part in Saffron Walden civic life. The Neighbourhood Plan went through formal and informal consultations. For further information on the technical legal details concerning the consultation of the plan (to avoid duplication here) please refer to the Consultation Statement which was prepared alongside the plan. Uttlesford District Council considered the plan and it was determined that neither a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) nor an Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) would be required for the Saffron Walden Neighbourhood Plan. For further information on the technical legal details concerning the SEA and HRA (to avoid duplication here) please refer to the SEA – HRA Scrrening Determination Statement which was prepared alongside the plan. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. WHAT IS A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN? ................................................................................................................. 4 What is the difference between a Neighbourhood Plan and a Local Plan? ....................................................... 5 What can a Neighbourhood Plan achieve? ........................................................................................................ 6 What is the formal Neighbourhood Plan process? ............................................................................................ 6 How was the Saffron Walden Neighbourhood Plan researched? ...................................................................... 7 2. SAFFRON WALDEN TODAY ................................................................................................................................. 9 History and character of Saffron Walden ........................................................................................................... 9 Development in Saffron Walden over the past decade ................................................................................... 10 The community of Saffron Walden .................................................................................................................. 11 3. SAFFRON WALDEN’S FUTURE ........................................................................................................................... 14 Saffron Walden’s assets – as noted in public consultations ............................................................................ 16 Saffron Walden’s opportunities – as noted in public consultations ................................................................ 16 Saffron Walden’s challenges – as noted in public consultations ..................................................................... 17 Vision statement .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Neighbourhood Plan Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 23 4. FUTURE HOUSING NEED IN SAFFRON WALDEN ............................................................................................... 25 4.1 Saffron Walden Neighbourhood Plan site allocations ....................................................................... 25 Policy SW1 SWNP site allocations ................................................................................................................ 29 Policy SW2 Protection of views.................................................................................................................... 39 Policy SW3 Site allocation - Land at Viceroy Coaches, to rear of 10-12 Bridge Street ................................. 41 4.2 House sizes ......................................................................................................................................... 42 Policy SW4 Housing mix on new developments .......................................................................................... 48 4.3 Affordable housing ............................................................................................................................. 48 Policy SW5 Affordable housing .................................................................................................................... 51 4.4 Housing density .................................................................................................................................. 52 Policy SW6 Housing density ......................................................................................................................... 52 5. TOWN LAYOUT AND DESIGN ............................................................................................................................ 53 5.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 53 5.2 Design considerations for Saffron Walden ......................................................................................... 54 Policy SW7 Design ........................................................................................................................................ 59 5.3 Parking design on new developments ............................................................................................... 61 Policy SW8 Parking on new developments .................................................................................................. 64 5.4 Energy efficient and environmentally sustainable design.................................................................. 64 Policy SW9 Energy efficient and sustainable design .................................................................................... 66 5.5 Accessible and adaptable homes ....................................................................................................... 68 2 Policy SW10 Accessible and adaptable homes ............................................................................................ 70 6. COMMERCIAL PREMISES .................................................................................................................................. 71 6.1 Overview of provision ........................................................................................................................ 71 6.2 Commercial objectives ....................................................................................................................... 72 6.3 Change of class for commercial spaces .............................................................................................. 74 Policy SW11 Town centre uses .................................................................................................................... 78 Policy SW12 Convenience stores in residential neighbourhoods ................................................................ 78 Policy SW13 17 Market Hill & 29-31 Church street ..................................................................................... 79 6.4 Shopfront design ................................................................................................................................ 80 Policy SW14 Shopfront design ..................................................................................................................... 80 6.5 Development and renovation of commercial spaces ......................................................................... 80 Policy SW15 Development of 56 High St ..................................................................................................... 82 Policy SW16 Regeneration of George St ...................................................................................................... 83 Policy SW17 Development of new and existing commercial spaces ........................................................... 83 6.6 Measures to support businesses ........................................................................................................ 83 7. DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY ...................................................................................................................................