Erewash Borough Local Plan

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Erewash Borough Local Plan Replacement has been prepared under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. The Plan comprises a Written Statement and Proposals Map, and applies to the whole of the Borough. As a statutory local plan it has four main functions:

to develop the policies and general proposals of the Approved Derby and Derbyshire Joint Structure Plan and to relate them to precise areas of land on the Proposals Map;
to provide a detailed basis for development control;
to provide a detailed basis for co-ordinating and directing development and other use of land - both public and private;
to bring local planning issues before the public.

Why a Replacement Plan is Needed

1.2

The previous Erewash Borough Local Plan was adopted in 1994 and contained proposals up to 2001, in-line with the Approved Derbyshire Structure Plan, which provides the strategic planning framework within which the local plan must conform.

1.3

Since 1994, there has been a major change of emphasis of Government policy towards sustainable development and this is expressed in the form of Planning Policy Guidance Notes and other advice to local authorities. Consequently, a replacement Derby and Derbyshire Joint Structure Plan provides a new context for development in Erewash, at the strategic level, up to the year 2011, in-line with the Government's Regional Planning Guidance (RPG8) for the East Midlands, which provides a context for the review of Structure Plans.

1.4

Accordingly, there was a need to review the Erewash Borough Local Plan, taking account of revised Structure Plan policies and the latest Government planning guidance (PPGs), rolling the local plan period forward to 2011. As the previous Local Plan expired in 2001, this new Local Plan will ensure that there is an up-to-date, relevant Local Plan for the Borough.

1.5

Sustainable development is a key issue to be addressed in the new Local Plan and it is defined as "ensuring that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs" (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). A policy appertaining to sustainable development can be found within the introduction.

1.6

The plan accords with the eight strategic aims set out in the Council's Statement of Intent, they are:

Developing the local economy;
Promoting equality, social inclusion and accessible environments;
Safeguarding the local environment;
Improving community safety and security;
Improving and promoting the health of local people;
Developing the cultural fabric and improving the quality of life;
Creating and maintaining good quality affordable homes;
Ensuring the provision of good quality local services.

About this Plan

1.7

Policies in the plan are typed in BOLD AND CAPITAL LETTERS and are separately numbered. Before each policy is a "reasoned justification" which explains the thinking behind the policy. Policies are shown on the Proposals Map at the back of the document and each policy is given a separate identifying letter and number.

1.8

The Development Plan for Erewash Borough consists of:

The Adopted Derby and Derbyshire Joint Structure Plan (2001)
The Erewash Borough Local Plan (2005)
The Derby and Derbyshire Minerals Local Plan (2000)
The Derby and Derbyshire Minerals Local Plan (2000)

For brevity, the Derby and Derbyshire Joint Structure Plan will be referred to in this written statement as the Structure Plan.

Sustainable Development

1.9

In 1999, the Government published "A Better Quality of Life - A Strategy for Sustainable Development for the UK". The strategy sets out four key objectives which need to be met at the same time:-

social progress which meets the needs of everyone regardless of race, sex or disability
effective protection of the environment
prudent use of natural resources
maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth

1.10

The strategy is supported by Government guidance set out in 'Planning for Sustainable Development - Towards Better Practice'. This gives advice on how the planning system can help to deliver sustainable development, including how sustainable development principles can be incorporated into development plans. Planning Policy Guidance Note 12 (PPG12) introduced the need for local authorities to carry out an environmental appraisal of development plans. Accordingly, an environmental appraisal was carried out as part of the First Deposit Local Plan and later, a sustainability assessment was published in conjunction with the Second Deposit Local Plan.

1.11

The Regional Planning Guidance for the East Midlands (RPG8) refers to the need to ensure that sustainable development principles are reflected in the spatial development of the region.

1.12

General Development Strategy Policy 1 of the adopted Derby and Derbyshire Joint Structure Plan refers to the need for new development to respect the principles of sustainable development, by contributing to the provision of opportunities for:-

creating energy - efficient development patterns and designs
re-using land and buildings in preference to developing greenfield sites
protecting and improving the built environment
minimising motorised travel
minimising pollution and wastes
minimising the overall need to travel by ensuring convenient access between homes, jobs and services, in locations well served by the public transport network

1.13

The Local Plan can help to achieve a sustainable pattern of development and land use within the Borough, by ensuring that all development proposals are considered against sustainable development principles.

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POLICY LP1 - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL WILL REQUIRE ALL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS TO REFLECT THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, BY:

BEING WELL-RELATED TO EXISTING PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT

RE-USING LAND AND BUILDINGS WHEREVER POSSIBLE IN PREFERENCE TO GREENFIELD LAND

PROTECTING AND ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF THE BUILT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

MINIMISING THE NEED TO TRAVEL BETWEEN HOME, WORK AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOURNEYS OTHER THAN BY CAR

Monitoring and Reviewing the Plan

1.14

Implementation of the policies and proposals in the plan will be carefully monitored in line with the requirements of Planning Policy Guidance Note 12: Development Plans. The objective is to ensure the policies are achieving aims and objectives. There is a need to monitor the local plan in terms of its success or otherwise in meeting national, regional and strategic guidance and policies, and in contributing to delivering the corporate priorities of the Borough Council.

OBJECTIVES	KEY INDICATORS	KEY TARGETS	RELEVANT POLICIES
To ensure that development reflects the principles of sustainable development.	Amount of development on previously developed brownfield land.	At least 60% of housing completion's on previously developed or brownfield land between 2001 - 2011.	LP1, H3, H10, H11, E1,E3, E4, E6, T2, T4, T6, T9, S1, S2, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, R3, R4, R5, H1, EV21.
To ensure that development reflects the principles of good design.	Compatibility with Design Guidance Notes.	100% of development to be compatible.	LP1, H1, H3, H6, H9, E6, S2, S4, S9, S10, S11, S12, , DC1, DC2, DC5, DC7, DC10, GB3, GB7, EV8, EV9, EV10.
To ensure that development is accessible by all sections of the population, including people with disabilities.	Compatibility of development with the aims of the Access Group.	All applications to be acceptable to the Access Officer.	LP1, H6, H7, T3, T7, S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S9, S10, C3.
To secure the provision of or financial contributions towards infrastructure and community benefits which are necessary in conjunction with development.	Number of developments to provide contributions to meet the requirements in the Local Plan.	All developments to provide appropriate contributions to meet the requirements of the Local Plan	LP1, T3, S2, C2, C3, EV12, EV13, T6, EV1, EV10, EV11, H9.
To reflect the principles of community safety by contributing to reducing crime , nuisance and disorder and addressing the fear of crime	Compatibility with the principles of "Secured by Design"	All developments to meet principles of "Secured by Design".	LP1, DC9, H12, T8, S1, S8, S9, S11, DC10.
To improve the health of the community by tackling deprivation, poverty and social exclusion and promoting equality of opportunity.	Additional dwellings provided as affordable housing.	Average of 50 new affordable dwellings completed each year 2001 - 2011.	LP1, H5, H6, T1, R1, C1, C2, C3, H7, H12, T7, R3, R5, R6.
To improve the provision of health, leisure and cultural facilities.	Amount of new open space land brought forward.	61 sq.m of public open space per dwelling or equivalent to be provided.	LP1, H9, T5, T6, T7, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R9, DC3, T3, DC5, R7, R8.
To regenerate the local economy, both within urban and rural areas, by providing new job opportunities in relation to business , industrial, retail, tourism and other employment generating uses.	Amount of new employment land brought forward.	175 hectares provided between 2001 - 2011.	LP1, H1, E1, E2, E4, E5, E6, T1, T2, T4, S1, S8, S9, R8, T3, S2, S3, S6, S7, EV1, EV19, R1, R3, R4, R9, R10, R11.
To protect and enhance the environment, including in relation to landscape, nature conservation and built heritage.	The number of features and sites of national and historical importance that are lost or irrevocably damaged each year by the granting of planning permission.	No loss.	LP1, T5, R1, R2, R4, R6, R10, DC1, DC4, DC9, GB1, GB2, GB3, EV1, EV6, EV7, EV8, EV9, EV10, EV11, EV14, EV15, EV17, EV18, EV19, H12, EV3, EV4, EV5, EV12, EV13, EV16, EV21, R5, DC5, DC8, DC10.

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