Agenda item

A report is attached, there will also be a presentation at the meeting.

The Deputy Head of Planning Policy and Highway Development Control & Transport Policy Manager introduced this item to the Panel and gave a presentation. A summary is set out below.

Role of the Local Plan Partial Update

Spatial Development Strategy (SDS): 2022 – 2042

New Local Plan: 2022 – 2038

•  New Planning Policy Framework to deliver the SDS

•  New spatial Strategy

•  New Plan period

•  New targets e.g. the housing requirement, employment land, renewable energy and ecology

•  Planning Reform

Local Plan Partial Update - To 2029 (adopt 2022)

•  The Climate emergency (eg facilitate renewable energy regeneration, retrofitting, parking standards, 

•  The nature emergency (Biodiversity Net Gain)

•  Address the shortfall in Housing Land Supply

•  The green recovery (including Milsom Quarter and protecting employment land)

•  Houses in multiple occupation

•  University campuses and student accommodation

•  Remove P&R sites from Green Belt

•  Green Belt Villages

•  NB the scope and extent of changes of a partial update are limited

Key SPDs Timetable

·  Draft SPDs – consult alongside LPPU in August/September

·  Sustainable Construction & Retrofitting SPD – adopt autumn/winter

·  Transport SPD – adopt alongside LPPU

LPPU: Options Consultation feedback

•  Around 2,350 comments (1,800 standard/petition style comments on Bath Rec or Whitchurch)

•  Key relevant issues raised included:

•  Support for zero carbon development policy and reducing carbon via retrofitting

•  Flexibility needed in policies

•  Impact on viability/affordable housing delivery

•  Biodiversity Net Gain – maximise

•  Sustainable transport modes should be considered first, but don’t be inflexible for rural areas

The Climate Emergency

LPPU will include policy changes addressing the 3 climate emergency priority areas for action:

·  Energy efficiency improvements to buildings

·  Local renewable energy generation

·  Sustainable Transport - increased shift towards walking, cycling and mass transit

Sustainable Transport

Update existing policies to:

•  Strengthen focus on sustainable travel

•  Ensure development transport choices are required to place sustainable modes first

•  Increased linkages between transport, health, equality and inclusivity

•  Embed Liveable Neighbourhoods measures and principles

•  Ensure active travel benefits of Green Infrastructure are delivered

•  Require ULEV charging infrastructure provided in new development

P&R sites in the Green Belt

Removal of the Park & Rides sites from the Green Belt (if exceptional circumstances to change the Green Belt are accepted by the Inspector) and broadening their role to become transport interchanges with solar canopies.

The Ecological Emergency

•  Updating adopted nature conservation policies so that they even better protect irreplaceable habitats and facilitate nature recovery

•  Bringing forward a new policy (in advance of the national requirement) for developers to deliver at least 10 % Biodiversity Net Gain as part of development

Supplementary Planning Documents

•  Transport SPD:

•  Parking

•  Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles

•  Walking & Cycling Infrastructure Design

•  Travel Plans

•  Sustainable Construction & Retrofitting SPD

Parking standards

•  Residential (Origin) Parking changed to Maximum Standards

•  Achieve low car developments where conditions exist to do so, i.e. excellent accessibility, car clubs, Controlled Parking Zones

•  Avoid over-provision, as can occur with minimum standards.

•  Sufficient parking to limit risk of overspill.

Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicles

•  Specifications for standards for connections and sockets.

•  Suitable capacity in electricity network, may involve sub-stations.

•  Avoid petrol/diesel cars abusing EV spaces.

Sustainable Construction/Retrofitting SPD

Summary of the Scope of Review

•  Combining the SPDs

•  Updating the presentation (photos, illustrations and format)

•  Updating the wording – more positive focus on what can be achieved & how

•  Updating the technological information

•  Adding a new section on fuel poverty/affordable warmth

Councillor Shelley Bromley commented that she was encouraged to see the work planned in relation to retrofitting and asked about the availability of grants to residents.

The Deputy Head of Planning Policy said that they will work closely with the Housing team and will seek to set out funding/grant options on the website alongside the SPD.

Councillor Joel Hirst said that he was impressed with the scope and direction of the work. He added that the vision for the developments of the Park & Rides was exciting and that availability of electric bikes from these sites would be an enhancement. He asked how would retrofitting be viewed with regard to Listed Buildings.

The Deputy Head of Planning Policy replied that there is strong legislation in place in terms of Listed Building Consent. He added that each application would be looked at on its own merits and that it is intended that the revised SPD will provide practical and positive guidance for owners of such properties in seeking to retrofit energy efficiency measures.

Councillor Dr Yukteshwar Kumar asked if the Council were planning to provide Electric Vehicle charging on main roads in the future.

The Highway Development Control & Transport Policy Manager replied that she felt that Electric Vehicle charging on main roads would be unlikely.

Councillor Joanna Wright asked how B&NES were looking to address the projected increase of people living in the area over the coming years (especially those in the 20-30 age group) and how could this housing need be made affordable.

The Deputy Head of Planning Policy replied that decisions would be underpinned by information from within the Local Housing Needs Assessment. He added that this was a key issue for the Council and it would be important for planning policy to help steer the right provision in the right areas.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked why it appears some areas were deemed to have low potential for the development of renewable energy and others high potential.

The Deputy Head of Planning Policy replied that an assessment of landscape sensitivity and potential across the District has been undertaken and this takes account of and identifies potential opportunities for mitigating impact.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien commented that she was concerned with some elements of the report as Keynsham is not always provided with a direct bus service and residents in some of the new developments, around two miles from the centre, will need a vehicle to travel to work.

The Highway Development Control & Transport Policy Manager replied that the SPD will look to address this in more detail and that figures would be based on current patterns of ownership.

The Chair commented that she felt that it was a good vision for the future and thanked the officers for their report and presentation on behalf of the Panel.