WHAT IS THE UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

1.1

The Unitary Development Plan (or “UDP” as it is often called) sets down:

•  The Council’s strategy for the physical development of the Borough; and

•  Where development is likely to take place, and which areas are to be protected from development.

1.2

Unitary Development Plans can involve difficult choices about the future of individual pieces of land. Any planning application for development will normally need to be determined in accordance with the Plan. For example, if the Plan allocates land next to your home for development, it is likely that the development shown will eventually occur. Also, if you want to carry out development yourself, the policies of the Plan will help to determine what will be permitted.

 1.3

It is therefore important that the Plan is prepared in consultation with others, generating maximum ownership of the Plan’s proposals amongst the community as a whole.

FORM AND CONTENT OF THE PLAN

1.4

The Plan contains a Written Statement (this document) and a Proposals Map.

The Written Statement

 1.5

The Written Statement is split into Sections A and B:

•  Section A identifies (in chapter 2) the key issues and influences concerning land use and development in Knowsley. Chapter 3 “Vision and Objectives” and chapter 4 “Core Policies” establish the overall vision and objectives of the Plan, and the broad principles governing the nature and location of proposed new development in Knowsley over the period to 2016.

•  Section B identifies (in chapters 5-14) how the strategy will be delivered in relation to individual topic areas such as housing, the economy etc. Each chapter contains a range of policies against which proposals for new development will be assessed. Each policy is marked in bold in the text. Underneath each policy there is an explanation, which clarifies the background and terms used in the policy. The policies fall into two types:

•  Part 1 policies are broad policies, which set the overall strategy for a particular topic. For example, policy H1 (“Strategic Housing Land Requirements”) in the housing chapter sets the overall amount of housing development that needs to be accommodated in Knowsley.

•  Part 2 policies are more detailed. Some Part 2 policies determine the precise location of new development (for example policy H2 in the housing chapter lists specific sites for new housing). Other Part 2 policies provide guidance on how proposed developments in different parts of the Borough or for specific types of development will be determined (for example, policy H5 in the housing chapter provides guidance on new development affecting existing residential areas).           

1.6

To help you understand which policies in section B will relate to any specific development proposal or planning application, there is a standard heading “Policy Links” at the end of the explanation for each policy. This identifies any other policies in the Plan, which are most likely to be relevant.  

1.7

A further chapter (Chapter 15) describes how we will monitor progress and the arrangements for future review of the Plan.

The Proposals Map

1.8

The Proposals Map covers Knowsley in two sections (north and south) and identifies:

•  Areas which are to be protected from most forms of development e.g. Green Belt;

•  Areas which are allocated for development e.g. new sites for housing or industry;

•  Areas which are designated for existing uses e.g. existing Primarily Residential or Primarily Industrial areas; and

•  Action Areas within which the Council proposes that comprehensive development or redevelopment should take place (on which more detail is given below). 

1.9

The “land use” designations and allocations on the Proposals Map link to specific policies in Section B of the Plan, which explain how proposals for development will be considered in that area.

HOW WILL THE UDP BE IMPLEMENTED?

1.10

The UDP will be implemented:

•  Through the assessment of planning and related applications for development; and

•  By guiding and influencing the development activities and use of regeneration funding by the Council and its partners.

1.11

A major emphasis will be placed on working in partnership with others - see list of key partners in Appendix 1.

IMPLICATIONS OF NEW GOVERNMENT PLANNING LEGISLATION ?

1.12

The government has recently (in September 2004) introduced new statutory provisions in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. As a result of this new legislation, the policies of the UDP will (once adopted) be "saved" for up to three years, and possibly (subject to the approval of Government Office for the North West) longer if they are still considered to be up to date. During this three year period the Council will prepare a range of new Local Development Documents, including a new Core Strategy, Statement of Community Involvement and a number of Supplementary Planning Documents. These will progressively supplement and in some cases replace the policies of the UDP. The timetable for the production of new Local Development Documents, and the scope of each document is set down in the Council's Local Development Scheme, dated March 2005. The Local Development Scheme will be reviewed annually and any alterations published in a revision to the Scheme.

1.13

Together with the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West (see chapter 2 "Key Issues and Influences") the UDP will form the statutory Development Plan for Knowsley.

Action Areas and Development Briefs

1.14

There is likely to be considerable change in some parts of Knowsley over the next few years as the Council continues its drive to regenerate the Borough. The Plan identifies some of the areas of greatest likely change as “Action Areas”. The Council has also prepared Development Briefs, which explain in greater detail the proposed development of individual sites, or groups of sites (these can occur either within the Action Areas or elsewhere - see list in Appendix 2). Where necessary, the Council will prepare further Development Briefs to help to implement the policies of this Plan.

1.15

The Council and its partners have already carried out extensive public consultation concerning the options for development in two of the Action Areas (at North Huyton and South Prescot). Further consultation will be carried out by the Council and its partners with regard to the regeneration of specific parts of the Borough, and also the content of individual Development Briefs.

Compulsory Purchase Powers

1.16

The Council is very keen to work in partnership with landowners to implement the proposals set out in this Plan. From time to time, however, it may be necessary to make use of compulsory purchase powers to bring land forward for development. These powers are set out in the planning legislation and enable the Council to acquire land compulsorily where this is necessary to secure the carrying out of development, redevelopment or improvement of land, in the interests of promoting the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the area.

Supplementary Planning Documents

1.17

This Plan sets down policies governing how the Council will assess planning applications for various forms of development. However, the Council takes the view that it would be helpful to provide additional guidance with further technical detail explaining how some of the policies will be implemented. This advice will be provided in Supplementary Planning Documents (or SPDs).

1.18

The Council has already produced advice notes to cover some types of development (e.g. extensions to houses). It is intended to produce SPDs covering these and other forms of development. The SPDs will themselves be made subject to consultation with local people and others to ensure that interested parties can put their views forward to be considered, before the relevant SPD is finally published. For information on the various Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) the Council proposes to produce, please refer to the Local Development Scheme (LDS), approved March 2005.

How can I find out more?

1.19

A glossary is included in Appendix 3 which describes some of the more technical terms used in the Plan. Please feel free to contact the following for further details:

Forward Planning Team
Department of Regeneration and Development
Knowsley Borough Council 
PO Box 26
Municipal Buildings
Archway Road 
Huyton
Knowsley
Merseyside
L36 9FB

Web site address:      http://planning.knowsley.gov.uk
E-mail:              udpplanning@knowsley.gov.uk
Telephone:          0151 443 2302

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