ipswich.gov.uk
Object
Ipswich Borough Council Local Plan Core Strategy and Policies Development Plan Document Review - Final Draft
Representation ID: 26576
Received: 02/03/2020
Respondent: Suffolk County Council
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
DM21 is not in line with national policy in relation to the lack of explanation as to when travel plans are required. The importance of travel plans in achieving modal shift is stated in the SCC Transport Mitigation Strategy for ISPA. A similar approach should be taken with Travel Plans as for Transport Statements and Assessments. The Plan’s explanatory text should refer to the indicative threshold set out in County Council guidance, with the caveat that in some sensitive areas, e.g. affecting Air Quality Management Areas, full travel plans may be required where normally Travel Plan Measures would be acceptable.
Amendments to the policy are recommended below.
Final paragraph of policy: “The Council will expect (delete: major) development proposals to provide a travel plan or travel plan measures where appropriate, to explain how sustainable patterns of travel to and from the site will be achieved.” Amend paragraph 9.21.8 to further explain the travel plan guidance and what is determined to be appropriate. “The County Council's Suffolk Travel Plan Guidance, which contains indicative thresholds, will be used to determine the need for a Travel Plan or Travel Plan Measures. Some smaller sites which do not meet the requirements for a full Travel Plan, but are in sensitive locations may require a full Travel Plan to help mitigate traffic impacts.”