Draft Core Strategy and Policies Focused Review
(2) CHAPTER 2: The DELETED: New Planning System
2.1 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (the ‘Act’) DELETED: has resulted in major changes to the way the planning policy system operates. The INSERTED: previous DELETED: old system of Regional Planning Guidance, Structure Plans, Local Plans and Supplementary Planning Guidance INSERTED: was DELETED: is in the process of being replaced with a INSERTED: newer DELETED: new system based around a Regional Spatial Strategy, Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents.
The introduction of the Localism Act in 2011 removed the Regional Spatial Strategy element of this newer system and introduced the concept of neighbourhood plans for local communities to produce in accordance with the strategic elements of the Local Plan.
2.2 Section 38(6) of the Act states that:
“... for the purpose of any determination to be made under the planning Acts the determination must be made in accordance with the (development) plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.”
2.3 The development plan for Ipswich will comprise DELETED: the Regional Spatial Strategy, which is adopted by the Government, and various Development Plan Documents, which will be adopted by the Borough Council as part of the Local INSERTED: Plan DELETED: Development Framework. DELETED: Further information on the Regional Spatial Strategy is contained in Chapter 3..
2.4 The Local Development Scheme for Ipswich sets out the documents, processes and timescales involved with the Local INSERTED: Plan DELETED: Development Framework.
2.5 The components of the Ipswich Local INSERTED: Plan DELETED: Development Framework are illustrated in Diagram 2. The adopted Local Plan Proposals Map will remain extant until replaced through other development plan documents (DPDs) to be prepared as part of the Ipswich Local INSERTED: Plan DELETED: Development Framework.
Notes to diagram
- The Statement of Community Involvement, adopted on 11 September 2007, sets out how people will be involved within the planning process, INSERTED: although this document is currently subject to review
- The Core Strategy and Policies development plan document (i.e. this document) sets out the strategy for the development of the town and also includes policies that will seek to guide and INSERTED: manage DELETED: control development;
-
DELETED:
The IP-One Area Action Plan and proposals map will set out the vision for an urban renaissance for a large part of central Ipswich. It will locate specific land uses as well as providing design guidelines;
- The Site Allocations and Policies INSERTED: (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) development plan document and INSERTED: policies DELETED: proposals map will highlight land that is the subject of designations that means it will be protected, and identify allocations of land for specific types of development. INSERTED: It will also set out the vision for an urban renaissance for a large part of central Ipswich and provide design guidelines
- Supplementary Planning Documents can be theme-based documents providing additional detail to support the implementation of policies in the development plan documents, or site development briefs.
Diagram 2
Ipswich Local Development Scheme
(Replaces previous Diagram 2)
2.6 A key element of the DELETED: new planning system is the requirement to undertake sustainability appraisal and strategic environmental assessment as documents are produced. The sustainability appraisal involves assessing policies and proposals against social, economic and environmental objectives to identify possible negative impacts. Policies are modified in response to the results, to ensure that harmful impacts are avoided or mitigated. Strategic Environmental Assessment focuses solely on environmental impacts. A Sustainability Appraisal Report setting out the Council’s work in both areas INSERTED: will be DELETED: is published INSERTED: for consultation alongside this document.
2.7 Another requirement is an Appropriate Assessment of the plan under the Habitats Directive. This is an assessment of the potential effects of a proposed plan on sites of European importance for nature conservation. These include sites, often known as Natura 2000 sites, designated as Special Areas of Conservation (for habitats, and species except birds) or Special Protection Areas (for birds). Government policy in INSERTED: the National Planning Policy Framework DELETED: Planning Policy Statement 9 applies the same protection to Ramsar sites also. The Orwell and Stour Estuaries are designated as a Special Protection Area and Ramsar Site.
2.8 A plan may only be approved if it can be shown that it will not adversely affect the integrity of a European designated habitat. A report published alongside this document explains the findings of the Appropriate Assessment. The findings have also shaped the final document. Where policies or proposals have been included in order to address the findings of the Appropriate Assessment, it is explained in the reasoned justification.
2.9 The Government published the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in March 2012. This document introduces a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which is included in Policy CS1 of this document. The NPPF also introduces the requirement of local planning authorities to ‘use their evidence base to ensure that their Local Plan meets the full objectively assessed needs for market and affordable housing in the housing market area, as far as is consistent with the policies set out in this Framework, including identifying key sites which are critical to the delivery of the housing strategy over the plan period’ to 20311.
INSERTED: 1 National Planning Policy Framework, paragraph 47, p. 12
