Planning for Sustainable Development

2.12 The underlying theme of the Local Plan is the need to plan for sustainable development. Provision for development must balance the needs of a growing economy with protecting the built and natural environment. This balance is crucial to the success of any major development. The Borough Council is committed to sustainable development and the Structure Plan provides an important foundation to enable the Local Plan to meet this objective.

2.13 In order to test the sustainability of a development effectively, the Borough Council has carried out a sustainability appraisal of proposals for 15 or more homes or which involve the development of 0.5 hectares or more of land. The details of the Sustainability Appraisal are available separately. In general, all new development will need to:

i) provide or, through planning agreements, fund all necessary social infrastructure required to support the development and create vibrant and successful living and working environments, including sports, recreation and open space areas contributing to the public amenity of the area and benefiting the residents or users of the development;
ii) provide for all necessary physical infrastructure including roads, footpaths, multi-user routes, sewers, water mains, water and sewage treatment plants and sustainable drainage systems;
iii) place no unmanageable strain on infrastructure resources at any time during the development period - infrastructure improvements should occur before or during the development;
iv) assimilate into and enhance the overall landscape and enhance the bio-diversity of the area;
v) encourage sustainable living patterns; and
vi) promote local distinctiveness and character through the use of local materials and local design features.

POLICY DS3: DEVELOPMENT DESIGN AND IMPACT

Proposals for all development, including change of an existing use and the display of advertisements, will be considered favourably where, as appropriate, they:

a) recognise and address the key features, characteristics, landscape/townscape character, local distinctiveness and special qualities of the area and/or building;

b) maintain or create a sense of place and/or local character, particularly restoring or enhancing localities where strong local characteristics are lacking or have been eroded;

c) preserve and enhance the setting of, or views into and out of, a Conservation Area

d) do not involve the loss of large gardens and important open areas which make a significant contribution to the character and appearance of a settlement defined on the Proposals Map as "areas subject to planning restrictions", “recreational open space” and "amenity open space". The absence of such identification does not indicate that a site is suitable for development:

e) do not affect adversely:

• i) the distinctive historic or architectural character of the area and/or building;
  ii) the urban form, in terms of significant street patterns, individual or groups of buildings and open spaces;
  iii) important landscape characteristics and prominent topographical features;
  iv) sites, habitats, species and features of ecological interest;
  v) the amenities of adjacent areas by reason of noise, smell, vibration, overlooking, other pollution or volume or type of vehicular activity generated;
  vi) the highway network, in respect of the movement of traffic and road safety; and
  vii) residential amenity.

f) incorporate:

• i) designs of a scale, density, massing, height and materials compatible with the locality;
  ii) designs and layouts which are safe and take account of public health, crime prevention and community safety;
  iii) safe and convenient access for all potential users, based on the hierarchical approach in Policy T2;
  iv) measures which mitigate the impact of the development on the existing highway network;
  v) the use of appropriate building materials and techniques which respect local tradition, including aspects of detail;
  vi) schemes for the retention of existing and provision of new landscape features;
  vii) necessary and appropriate street lighting and furniture and public art;
  viii) measures which will protect and preserve the natural and built environment; and
  ix) energy conservation features, water and waste storage, collection and recycling arrangements.

g) have appropriate regard to Supplementary Planning Documents, other planning guidance including design guidance, concept statements and/or development briefs adopted by the local planning authority.