The aim of the planning system is to maintain and improve our society through planned development and conservation. This helps to provide an attractive environment in which to live, work and play. Planning ensures buildings and uses are appropriately located and that they are well designed. This is known as 'sustainable' planning.
The Local Development Framework ( LDF ) is the term used to describe the development plans affecting a local area. It is often referred to as The Local Plan. The plans affecting the borough are being produced by the council in consultation with the community and other key stakeholders, such as healthcare providers and businesses.
The LDF is important as it sets out how our borough will look and feel in the future. The plans will influence planning applications and they will also ensure that there is space for the new housing and employment that we must provide.
The planning system has to balance different views and often make difficult decisions but an integral part to formulating a LDF is community involvement and consultation, this is reiterated through the introduction of the Localism Actl 2011. The Act aims to give power back to local communiteies and authorities through the introduction of 'Neighbourhood Planning'.
The LDF is a portfolio containing a series of planning documents that guide the development of the local area. This portfolio consists of a series of Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs).
DPDs guide the development of the local area. Planning decisions are made in accordance with these documents which are subject to examination by an independent inspector. SPD’s supplement the policies outlined within DPD’s.
Additional monitoring reports and a large number of evidence base documents will also be produced in the LDF.
Havant Borough Council's LDF is expected to consist of the documents illustrated below.
Core Strategy
(adopted March 2011)
The Core Strategy is the principal document and it covers the period until 2026. It includes an overall vision of how the area and the places within it should develop. It also sets objectives to ensure the overall vision is delivered. Some sites of significant importance are identified in the Core Strategy, these are called 'strategic sites'.
The policies that are used in determining planning applications, Development Management Policies, are also set within this document.
Development Delivery (Allocations) Plan (also known as the Allocations Plan)
This plan will detail the allocation of land for development or land allocated for other types of uses. Strategic sites will not be identified in this plan as they feature in the Core Strategy. Housing, employment, recreation, town centres and various other forms of allocation will be identified. Work to prepare the Allocations Plan is now underway.
Proposals Map
This map will show policies and proposals that are site specific including the strategic sites, other sites allocated for development through the Development Delivery Plan, town centre boundaries, etc. It will also show constraints such as nature designations and flood risk.
The adopted proposals map will reflect the most up-to-date plan for the borough and will be updated when new policies and proposals are adopted.
Residential Car Parking and Cycle Provision SPD
(Adopted March 2010)
This Supplementary Planning Document ( SPD ) provides the details of car parking space requirements and other considerations relevant for parking provision on residential developments.
Housing SPD
(Adopted July 2011)
The Housing SPD expands on Core Strategy Policy CS9: Housing and provides further advice in relation to housing, which is considered necessary to plan for the right type, size and tenure of housing within the borough in order to meet its needs. The document also provides significant advice in respect of the council’s approach to affordable housing provision.
Borough Design Guide SPD
(Adopted December 2011)
This SPD provides further detail on key design expectations and considerations.
Other Supplementary Planning Documents
Further information on all the Supplementary Planning Documents can be found here.
Annual Monitoring Report ( AMR )
This report details progress on the LDF and progress against certain indicators. The AMR also includes an update on housing delivery.
Statement of Community Involvement ( SCI )
This document outlines how we will consult over planning applications and plans.
Sustainability Appraisals ( SA )
This assesses the positive and negative impacts of individual documents on social, economic and environmental factors. A SA is required on many LDF documents.
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
Introduced in April 2010, CIL enables local authorities to charge developers a fee when carrying out new development within their local area. This fee is then utilised to fund a range of infrastructure to support local communities and neighbourhoods. This can include; schools, health centres, transport schemes and flood defences.
This system of charging is flexible enough to enable local authorities to determine what this money should be used for. Charging authorities are required to set out a ‘Charging Schedule’ setting out the CIL rates that they intend to charge. Havant Borough Council are currently producing a Charging Schedule setting out infrastructure priorities for funds raised by CIL. This is intended for adoption by December 2012.
Havant Borough Council's LDF will not be the only plan to impact and influence development in our borough. There are two levels of plan: a regional plan and the locally produced LDF .
Each region of England is covered by a plan called a Regional Spatial Strategy ( RSS ). The one relevant to the South East is called the South East Plan. The South East Plan looks at issues such as how many homes are needed to meet the future needs of people in the region and whether the region needs a new major shopping centre or transport infrastructure.
The locally produced LDF for our borough must take forward the work of the South East Plan and ensure the requirements it identifies for the borough are provided.
Some of the key points that the South East Plan requires the council to plan for are: -
The Localism Act abolished the RSS we are awaiting this legislation to be enacted.
In addition to the local and regional planning levels there is also National Planning Policy and Guidance covering many different aspects such as flood risk, mobile phone masts and development in the countryside. The current system of Planning Policy Guidance (PPG)/Planning Policy Statements (PPS) provide national planning guidance relating to a range of issues. These are also taken into account and policies at the local level should not contradict national policy and guidance. Planning reforms aim to change this current system by introducing a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This document is intended to reduce complexity within the planning system making it more accessible and actively promoting sustainable growth and development. Consultation for the draft NPPF closed on October 17 2011. We are awaiting details of the final NPPF .
You can sign up for the quarterly LDF email newsletter which will keep you informed of forthcoming public consultation and exhibitions. Please let us know your contact details by completing the online form or telephoning us.
Regular updates are also published in 'Serving You', the council's quarterly magazine, delivered to every home in the borough.
Tel: (023) 9244 6539
Email: policy.design@havant.gov.uk
Write to:
Planning Policy Team
Havant Borough Council
Public Service Plaza
Civic Centre Road
Havant
Hants
PO9 2AX
The team will be happy to discuss any queries that you may have so please do not hesitate to contact us.