National Planning Policy Framework Member Briefing 1 st May 2012

1. National Planning Policy FrameworkMember Briefing1st May 2012 Mark Russell Planning Advisory Service

2. Planning Advisory Service • Part of Local Government Association • Training and support, learning events and online resources • Help local authorities understand and respond to planning reform • Free of charge

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4. Agenda • Purpose for session: • Introduction to NPPF • Summary produced • What next? • Seeking any outstanding questions in order to produce FAQ’s • Email address for queries • New areas of work – CV team • National training/briefings/advice to come

5. Introduction to the National Planning Policy Framework • Status • Sustainable development – 3 Dimensions and 12 Core Principles • Plan making • Development management • Housing • Implications for Cotswold District

6. Status • A statement of national policy • Local and neighbourhood plans must take account of it • A material consideration in planning decisions • Sits within existing legislative framework – Localism Act, Planning Acts, etc. • Replaces all PPSs, PPGs, MPGs, Circular 05/05, Letters to CPOs

7. Sustainable development • Presumption in favour of Sustainable Development • Definition? Policies in NPPF “taken as a whole” • Planning system has 3 dimensions: • An economic role • A social role • An environmental role

8. An economic role Town centres and shopping Jobs Landscape Training

9. A social role Affordable housing scheme - Southrop New development and design

10. An environmental role Landscape/ countryside Trees Conservation Biodiversity

12. 12 Core Principles • A plan-led system through local and neighbourhood plans • A creative exercise • Respond positively to growth • Seek high quality design • Take account of different roles and characters of areas • Support transition to low carbon economy

13. 12 Core Principles • Conserve and enhance the natural environment • Reuse previously developed land • Promote mixed use development • Conserve heritage assets • Support public transport, walking and cycling • Deliver community and cultural facilities

14. Plan led system - Local plans • Starting point for decision making • Must be consistent with NPPF • Can be reviewed in whole or part, but keep uptodate • Put in place as quickly as possible, to provide strategy for neighbourhood plans • Proactively engage with the community – a collective vision • Set out strategic priorities • Meet the “full, objectively assessed needs” of the area • Integrate approach to housing, employment and other uses

15. Plan led system - Implementation • Due weight to be given to existing plan policies • Depends upon the degree of consistency with the NPPF • Planning team assessing existing policies • From March 2012, can give weight to emerging plans, depending upon • Stage of preparation • Significance of objections • Degree of consistency with NPPF

16. Current Development plan • RPG10 (until revoked) • Glos Structure Plan (until revoked) • Cotswold District Local Plan • Minerals and Waste Local Plans • “Saved policies” • Cotswold new Local Plan (Core Strategy) • Draft documents

17. A plan-led system – The Duty to Cooperate • With neighbouring authorities (and two tier authorities) • On cross boundary issues • On “larger than local” issues – e.g. strategic priorities • Consider different geographic areas e.g. travel-to-work areas • Different ways suggested: • 1) Joint committee • 2) Jointly prepared strategy • 3) Memorandum of understanding • Provide evidence of continuous co-operation – a test

18. A plan-led system – Neighbourhood plans • Must be consistent with NPPF • Must reflect and support Local Plan strategic priorities • Cannot promote less development than in Local Plan • Once in place, takes precedence over non-strategic policies in Local Plan • Email enquiries: neighbourhood.planning@cotswold.gov.uk

19. Decision making • Seek to approve applications for sustainable development • Determine applications in accordance with the development plan • “unless material considerations indicate otherwise” • The NPPF is a material consideration • Encourage pre-application discussions • Publicise information requirements • Consider planning performance agreements

20. Encourage community engagement • Cotswold DC working with communities to shape schemes What…. How….

21. Five year land supply • Local authorities must maintain 5 year supply of housing land • + 5% buffer “to ensure choice and competition in the market” • +20% buffer “where…a record of persistent under delivery” • Sites identified in Local Plan to 2011 • Can consider windfall sites if “compelling evidence” of supply • Currently, Cotswold District has c.4 years supply - shortfall • Dynamic situation –reviewed annually • Strategy being devised to combat current/ future shortfall

22. Key issues for Cotswold District Council • What does Sustainable Development mean for the Cotswolds? • AONB status/weight • Design – how promote/judge good Quality • Infrastructure required to support (CIL) • Housing (& Gypsy and Traveller) need and delivery • Local Plan Status

23. What next? National NPPF has reduced policy down to 59 pages only, but….. • National policy statements for major infrastructure • National Waste Management Plan for England • Planning policy for traveller sites • Technical guidance on flood risk and minerals • Further technical guidance to come…

24. What next? National • NPPF contains 7 different definitions of “weight” • Need for guidance and support • New enhanced role for Planning Advisory Service www.pas.gov.uk • Package of support being developed • Likely to be a number of appeals and legal challenges

25. What next? Local Cotswold DC planning team: • Assessing consistency of existing policies with the NPPF • Looking at potential of windfall sites to help with housing supply • Bringing forward a new Local Plan (Core Strategy) • Working with communities to help shape development • Working with councillors to understand the changes to the planning system • Putting together FAQs • Further questions? NPPF@cotswold.gov.uk

26. National Planning Policy FrameworkMember Briefing1st May 2012 Mark Russell Planning Advisory Service