1.1 This The First Deposit
Draft Replacement Local Plan has beenwas
prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning
Act 1990 and the Development Plan Regulations 1999. The
Plan covers the whole of the Tendring District and plans
for the period up to 2011.
1.2 All District Councils have
to produce a Local Plan for their area to guide and promote
development in accordance with appropriate policies. It
aims to ensure that new development meets the District's
needs for new homes, jobs, shops and leisure facilities
whilst protecting the special character of its towns,
villages, countryside and coast.
1.3 A Local Plan consists of a
Written Statement and Proposals Map. The Written Statement
contains the strategy for development in the District
together with supporting policies and proposals. The Proposals
Map shows where new development will be encouraged and
where it will be resisted and consists of a plan of the
whole District, with a series of inset maps that provide
greater details for the towns and villages.
1.3a District Councils are required to produce a Local Plan in order to guide and promote development in accordance with appropriate policies. A Local Plan consists of a Written Statement and Proposals Maps. The Written Statement contains the strategy for future development in the district together with supporting policies and proposals, whilst the Proposals Maps show where new development will be encouraged and where it will be resisted. The Proposals Maps consist of a plan of the whole District, with a series of inset maps that provide greater detail within individual towns and villages.
1.3b The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) was enacted on September 28th, 2004. Following this Act, Local Plans will eventually be superseded by a Local Development Document (LDD). However, the Act allows Council’s such as Tendring to continue through the Local Plan process under “transitional arrangements”.
1.3c The first requirement of the new legislation was for Tendring District Council to submit a Local Development Scheme (LDS) to the Government Office by the 28th of March 2005. The Government’s intention is that the LDS will increase public awareness of local planning activity. It has therefore been published on the Council’s website (www.tendringdc.gov.uk). The LDS details the Council’s work programme for the next three years and beyond setting out all the planning documents that will be produced over this time.
1.3d The LDS also clarifies the route that will be taken in transferring from the current Local Plan system to new Local Development Documents (LDDs). LDDs will be significantly shorter documents than current Local Plans and will have a more strategic focus. LDDs will also require earlier and an increased amount of public and community involvement.
1.4 Although the Government wishes to see
all local authorities move from the “old”
planning system of Local Plans to the new system of Local
Development Documents, they also specify that local authorities
should still maintain continuity in the Local Plan process
as a framework for development control. The current
Tendring District Local Plan was adopted in April 1998
and covers covered the period up
to 2001. The District Council is required to plan for
the future to meet local social and economic needs and
reflect new European, National, and Regional
and County Planning Guidance. A Replacement
Local Plan is therefore needed to provide an
updated planning framework for the District up to the
year 2011.
1.5 Even though land may be allocated for a specific use or uses in the Local Plan, planning permission will still be required from the District Council as Planning Authority for new buildings or changes of use. The Local Plan forms one part of the Development Plan for the area which is used as the main starting point in deciding planning applications by providing the guidance for rational and consistent decisions across the District. The Development Plan for the Tendring District currently consists of the following documents:
• The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure
Plan — (Adopted Approved
April 2001)
• The Essex Minerals Local Plan First
Second Review, First Deposit Draft
— Adopted November 1996 (November
2003)
• The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Waste Local Plan
— (Adopted September 2001)
• The Tendring District Local Plan (Adopted April 1998)
1.6 As the Draft Replacement Local Plan moves towards formal adoption, the weight attached to it when making decisions on planning applications increases.
1.7 As the first stage in preparing
this Replacement Local Plan, the District Council published
an Issues Report in March 2000. The Issues Report was
designed to stimulate public debate about the general
principles to be followed by the Replacement Local Plan
by identifying the main planning issues for the District.
1.8 A summary of the Issues Report
was included in the Council's information paper "Tendring
Matters" which is delivered to households and businesses
across the District. Public exhibitions were also held.
Details of the Issues Report consultation process are
contained in the Statement of Publicity and Public Participation
which is available to view at public inspection points
and to purchase from the Council Offices in Weeley.
1.8a The first stage in preparing this Replacement Local Plan was the publication of an Issues Report in March 2000. This Report was designed to stimulate public debate about the main planning issues that should be addressed by the Replacement Local Plan. A summary of the Issues Report was included in the Council's information paper "Tendring Matters" which was delivered to households and businesses throughout the District. Public exhibitions were also held in order to engage the public.
1.9 This document is the First
Deposit Draft of the Replacement Local Plan. It is the
first statutory stage in the plan preparation process
as set out in the 1999 Development Plan Regulations.
1.10 In order for the plan to
be effective it needs the support of local people, businesses,
the development industry and other agencies. The District
Council wants to receive comments on the Plan from the
whole community. Your views are valuable and will be considered
carefully by the Council.
1.11 Comments are invited on the
First Deposit Draft Replacement Local Plan during the
eight week consultation period. The closing date for representations
is shown on the form provided for objecting to or supporting
the Replacement Local Plan. All representations must be
made in writing on the form setting out the policy, paragraph
or map to which it relates and how the Plan should be
changed. A separate form must be used for each policy
or proposal on which you wish to comment. Further details
and guidance on how to make representations are set out
on the representation form.
1.11a The next stage in the Local Plan process was the publication of a First Deposit Draft of the Replacement Local Plan on May 28th, 2004. A number of public exhibitions, parish and town council consultation workshops, and local business workshops were also held across the District so as to maximise the effectiveness of the Local Plan consultation process by gathering a broader range of opinions from the whole Tendring community.
1.11b As a result of the public consultation period over 9,000 representations were received. These representations were then analysed by the Council This Re-Deposit Draft Replacement Local Plan incorporates the changes agreed by Tendring Council in response to the representations received.
1.12 After the closing date for
representations there will be a period to allow for comments
to be assessed and, where appropriate, for negotiation
with objectors. If the District Council considers that
the Plan should be amended in the light of representations
received then a Second Deposit Draft Plan will be produced
detailing the changes. At that stage it is only possible
to make representations on the proposed changes and not
on the original First Deposit Draft Plan. Where objections
remain to the Plan, these will be considered by an independent
Government Inspector who will deal with the objections
either by written representation or at a Public Inquiry.
The Inspector will then make recommendations to the District
Council who will consider what changes may be required
to the Plan to take account of the Inspector's findings
before the Plan is finally adopted. Further Information
about the plan preparation process may be found in the
Government publication "Local Plans and Unitary Development
Plans: A Guide to Procedures" which is available
from the Council Offices in Weeley.
1.13 The Replacement Local Plan is supported by
a number of technical background studies as
follows:
• Tendring District Community Strategy (2005-2011)
• Clacton Town Centre Strategy (2003)
• Draft Conservation Area Character Appraisals (2001)
• District-Wide Retail Study (2000) and Update Study (2003)
• Employment Land Supply Review (stage 1) (2002)
• Employment Land Identification Study (stage 2) (2002)
• Employment Land Identification Study (stage 3) (2003)
• Employment Land Identification Study (stage 4) (2003)
• Employment Land Identification Study (stage 5) (2005)
• Essex Local Transport Plan
• District-Wide Landscape Character Assessment (2001)
• Landscape Character Assessment Greenfield Sites Study (2001)
• Residential Land Availability SurveyMonitoring
Report (2004)
• Replacement Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal
• Tendring District Housing Needs Study (2002)
• Tendring DistrictRecreational
Open Space: Tendring District Study
(2003)
• Children’s Play Area Strategy: Tendring District (2002)
• Playing Pitch Strategy (2002)
• Tendring District Transportation Strategy (2000)
• Tendring Passenger Transport Study (2001)
• Tourism Study (2002)
• Urban Capacity Study (2002)
• Boundary Definition for the Proposed Extension
to the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty Study on the South Side
of the Stour Estuary (2003)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2004)
• Review of Tendring District Local Green Wedge Policy (2004)
• Tendring Housing Comparative Site Assessment Study (2004)
• Tendring Housing Comparative Site Assessment Study Update (2005)
• Housing Technical Paper (2004)
• Housing Technical Paper Update (2005)
• Town Centre Health Checks (1998)
• Replacement Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal (2005)
These documents are available for reference or purchase
from the District Council with the exception of the Essex
Local Transport Plan Residential
Land Availability Survey, which is published by
Essex County Council.
1.14 This Plan is divided into
four parts:
1.15 Outlines the context within
which this Replacement Local Plan has been prepared and
the vision and strategy which underpin the Plan.
1.16 Contains the general policies
and proposals which apply across the whole of the District,
these are divided into community themes, namely:
• Improving the Quality of Life
• Strengthening the Economy and Promoting
Regeneration
• Sustainable and Affordable Housing
• Safer and Healthier Communities
• Sustaining Our Environment
• Sustainable Transportation
1.17 Contains policies which relate
to specific geographical areas. These should always be
read in conjunction with the general district-wide policies
and proposals.
1.18 Shows how the Council will
monitor the implementation of the Plan.
1.18a This Plan can be subdivided into four parts. The first part is the “Context, Vision and Strategy”, which outlines how the Replacement Local Plan is prepared and the vision and strategy that are fundamental to the Plan. The second part of the Plan contains six chapters that accommodate general policies and proposals that apply across the whole of the District. The third part of the Plan is made up from chapters comprising policies on specific geographical areas in the District. The final part of the Plan shows how the Council will monitor the implementation of the Plan.
1.18b All four parts of the Plan need to be taken into account as a whole and not in isolation. For example, the area-specific policies should always be read in conjunction with the district-wide policies as these may also apply. Planning applications will be judged against all of the relevant policies in the Local Plan, the Structure Plan and all material considerations when the Council considers whether to grant planning permission.
1.19 The Local Plan has to reflect
the wider planning policy context provided by European,
National, Regional and County Planning Guidance. The over-arching
theme of strategic planning guidance is that local authorities
should promote sustainable forms of development.
1.20 What is Sustainable Development?
At its heart is the simple idea of ensuring a better quality
of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.
A widely used international definition is: “Development
which meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Although the idea is simple, the task is substantial.
It means meeting four objectives at the same time, in
the UK and the world as a whole:
• social progress, which recognises the needs
of everyone;
• effective protection of the environment;
• prudent use of natural resources; and
• maintenance of high and stable levels of
economic growth and employment.
(Source: Sustainable Development — The UK
Government’s Approach, 1999)
1.21 Sustainable development is
essentially development which meets our current needs
without wasting natural resources or spoiling the environment
for future generations. Sustainable development is more
than just protection of the environment. Conserving our
coast and countryside must be balanced with the need to
use land for development, which could improve people’s
lives, for example by providing homes and jobs.
1.21a The Local Plan has to reflect the broader contexts of European, National and Regional planning guidance, with the over-arching theme of promoting sustainable development (see Appendix 13 for a definition). Sustainable development is one of the main challenges that today’s society faces. Planning can play a vital part in promoting sustainable land-use patterns and better use of resources. For example, developments that will attract many people will need to cope with the additional pressures that ensue, and should be located in or around the edge of existing urban centres or in areas that are well-served by public transport.
1.21b Similarly, in town centres reasonable diversity of use can be proactive in revitalising the town, improving security through increased hours of activity, and ensuring that people have a wider range of facilities available within walking distance or via public transport. Mixed-use development that helps to achieve this aim might allow for lower parking provisions that could subsequently release land for amenity space or lead to pedestrian or cyclist improvements, including the complete pedestrianisation of some streets.
1.21c Where possible it is preferential to utilise previously developed land as this improves the efficiency of land-use and resists the loss of green or open spaces. Where changes occur they should normally be undertaken with the aim of maximising accessibility in order to reduce the number and length of journeys by car and provide for improved public transport, pedestrian, and cycle movement.
1.22 The European context for planning is contained in the European Spatial Development Perspective, May 1999 (ESDP). This is a non-binding document but the Government is keen to encourage the adoption of its principles in the preparation of strategic and local planning policies. The District’s links to mainland Europe via Harwich International Port mean that the European dimension is an important one. Road and rail links to Harwich and the port itself are identified as important parts of the Trans-European transportation network.
1.23 The goals of the ESDP are:
• economic and social cohesion;
• more balanced competitiveness of different European countries and regions; and
• conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage.
1.24 Key themes of the ESDP with implications for the development of local planning policies for Tendring include reducing disparities in economic prosperity and access to services and facilities between areas, better integration of social, economic and environmental considerations and the promotion of a sustainable approach to the management of resources.
1.25 The Government produces legislation,
Planning Policy Guidance notes, Planning Policy
Statements, Circulars and other policy statementslegislation
that have to must be taken into
account in the preparation of the Local Plan. National
planning policies and guidance promote the following approach
to achieving more sustainable patterns of development
In order to improve sustainable patterns of development
National planning policies aim to:
• concentrate development mostly within urban areas, especially in large towns where there are more facilities, jobs and a greater choice of transport;
• use land within settlements in preference to “greenfield” sites, particularly derelict and previously developed land and buildings known as “brownfield” land;
• direct development towards towns and villages which contain a range of facilities and offer a choice of transport;
• promote development with a mix of uses so that people can live much closer to their jobs, shops and other facilities;
• ensure that there is a better balance between employment and housing and put jobs and homes near each other to reduce the need to travel long distances to work;
• encourage better design of new development to create high quality living and working environments and make best use of land resources;
• ensure that the scale of proposed development fits in well with the size and character of existing settlements;
• keep town centres vibrant places in which to live, work, shop and spend leisure time;
• stimulate economic regeneration in areas where there is high unemployment and few job opportunities;
• promote a balanced and healthy rural economy
and identification of a Rural Priority Area in the
eastern part of the District;
• protect open space and areas which are important for nature conservation or built heritage;
• promote energy efficiency and renewable energy and reduce pollution of land, air and water; and
• locate development away from areas of flood risk.
1.25a Current Regional Planning Guidance is contained in RPG9, which was adopted by the Government in March 2001. The key policies of RPG9 that relate to the Tendring District include:
• The identification of Clacton, Harwich and Walton as Priority Areas for Economic Regeneration (PAERs) in recognition of their need for urban renaissance, regeneration and economic diversification;
• Recognition of the importance of investment in Harwich’s port infrastructure and links to other areas in order for the port to grow and prosper, and emphasis on the role the London to Ipswich transportation corridor multi-modal study will have in identifying necessary improvements; and
• The need to balance regeneration with enhancement of the District’s important coastal and estuarine habitats.
1.26 At the regional level, the Replacement
Local Plan has to be consistent with the Sustainable Development
Framework for the East of England, Regional Planning Guidance
and the Regional Economic Development Strategy.
Regional Planning Guidance will be replaced by new Regional
Spatial Strategies following the introduction of the Planning
and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004). The current regional
guidance, RPG9, will be replaced by Regional Spatial
Strategy 14 (RSS14), the “East
of England Plan”, which was published
in December 2004 with a consultation period
that lasted until mid-March 2005. RSS14
is due to undergo public examination
in Autumn 2005 and it is currently
expected that the final RSS will
be adopted in 2006. RSS14 will become
part of the Development Plan for Tendring District superseding
the Replacement Structure Plan.
1.27 The Sustainable Development
Framework sets out a vision for achieving sustainable
development in the region and seeks to achieve an improved
quality of life for all by:
• achieving potential economic growth in a
balanced way;
• fostering a sense of well-being and self-worth;
• innovative and sustainable use of resources;
• a high quality natural and built environment;
and
• spreading the benefits of growth more equally.
1.28 Current Regional Planning
Guidance is contained in RPG9 which was adopted by the
Government in March 2001. The four main development principles
of the RPG are:
• Urban Renaissance and Concentrating Development
— concentrating development in urban areas whilst
making them more attractive places to live, work and spend
time in;
• Economy in the Use of Land — making
better use of available urban land through the location
and design of new development;
• Integrating Land Use and Transport —
directing transport investment to support urban renaissance
and ensuring new development offers a choice of means
of transport; and
• Rural Development - securing a multi-purpose
countryside whilst protecting it from inappropriate development,
and supporting the economic and social regeneration of
rural communities.
1.29 Key policies relating to
the Tendring District include:
• The identification of Clacton, Harwich and
Walton as Priority Areas for Economic Regeneration (PAERs)
in recognition of their need for urban renaissance, regeneration
and economic diversification;
• Recognition of the importance of investment
in Harwich’s port infrastructure and links to other
areas in order for the port to grow and prosper, and emphasis
on the role the London to Ipswich transportation corridor
multi-modal study will have in identifying necessary improvements;
• Support for the Rural Priority Area; and
• The need to balance regeneration with enhancement
of the District’s important coastal and estuarine
habitats.
1.30 The Replacement Local Plan
will also have to support the aspirations of East of England
2010, the Regional Economic Strategy produced by the East
of England Development Agency. The six major themes for
regional economic development up to 2010 are:
• Competitive Businesses and Organisations
for a World Class Region;
• Creativity, Innovation and Enterprise;
• “Investing in Success” Wherever
it is Found;
• “Regeneration Plus” Supporting
our People and our Communities;
• A Clear Identity and an International Profile;
and
• Leading Edge Infrastructure and High Quality
Environment.
1.30a The Replacement Local Plan will also reflect the aspirations of the East of England Development Agency’s regional economic strategy that sets the vision for the sustainable economic development for eastern England. This was produced in 1999 and revised in 2001, but has since been superseded by the new “A Shared Vision: the Regional Economic Strategy for the East of England”. This latest revision of the strategy was published in December 2004. The strategy identifies a number of priorities and related action areas as set out below:
• a skills base that can support a world-class economy;
• growing competitiveness, productivity and entrepreneurship;
• global leadership in developing and realising innovation in science, technology and research;
• high quality places to live, work and visit;
• social inclusion and broad participation in the regional economy;
• making the most from the development of international gateways and national and regional transport corridors;
• a leading information society;
• an exemplar for the efficient use of resources.
1.31 The Replacement Local Plan has to beis
in general conformity with the Adopted Essex and Southend-on-Sea
Replacement Structure Plan. The Structure Plan will
cease to be valid under the provisions of the Planning
and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) during the Replacement
Local Plan’s lifetime. Therefore, Appendix 15 contains
those Structure Plan policies which the District Council
wishes to save as part of this Replacement Local Plan
up to 2011. Specific designations and proposals
relating to the Tendring District include:
• provision for 6,250 dwellings to be provided in the Tendring District between 1996 and 2011;
• provision for 80 hectares of new employment land to be provided in the District between 1996 and 2011;
• identification of Clacton, Harwich and Walton as Priority Areas for Economic Regeneration (PAERs) and Priorities for Coastal Tourism;
• identification of the town centres of Clacton, Frinton and Harwich as principal town centres;
• identification of the A120 as a priority for improvements to inter-urban road, rail and public transport;
• support for the extension of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB to include the south side of the River Stour in Tendring; and
• a set of core policies to achieve sustainable development across the County.
1.32 Where a planning consideration is sufficiently covered by a Structure Plan Policy there is no separate Local Plan Policy because the Structure Plan forms part of the Development Plan for the Tendring District.
1.33 The Tendring District is
a diverse geographical area comprising a mixture of urban,
rural, coastal and estuarine environments. The west of
the District is heavily influenced by proximity to Colchester
which is identified in the Replacement Structure Plan
as a sub-regional centre and offers a wide range of services,
facilities and jobs. The coastal towns to the east have
been affected by changes in the tourism industry, suffer
from levels of high unemployment and have more limited
employment opportunities. The District has links to European
and global markets through Harwich International Port,
but poor north-south communications limit opportunities
for the whole District to benefit from this important
resource.
1.34 Over During the period
of the previous Adopted Local Plan (1992-2001) the District
has seen witnessed many changes.
The District’s two largest holiday parks in Clacton
and Dovercourt were redeveloped for new housing during
the 1990s. There has been redevelopment of a number of
large vacant properties along the seafront in Clacton,
Harwich and Frinton to provide a range of housing units
as well as numerous other developments in the District’s
towns and villages, many on previously developed
land. Retail facilities have been expanded in the
District with the development of the Clacton Factory Shopping
Village and the new superstores have been
built at Parkeston and Little Clacton. The construction
of the Little Clacton bypass and completion
of the Parkeston bypass has improved the environment of
both villages. The District has also benefited from conservation
schemes in Mistley and Harwich as well as a range of regeneration
initiatives in the Rural Development Area, Jaywick,
Walton and Harwich. The special historic and architectural
quality of Clacton seafront has also recently
been recognised by its designation as the District’s
twentieth Conservation Area.
1.35 There will be a need for further change in the future, particularly to encourage new economic development and employment opportunities. The challenge for the Replacement Local Plan is to ensure that appropriate new development is encouraged, is of a high standard and is sustainable. In particular, development needs to be directed towards the right locations, with the right infrastructure to promote economic and social regeneration, whilst also seeking to protect and enhance the built and natural environment and promote a choice of transport use and shorter journeys.
1.36 Improving quality of life
is central to the Council’s vision for the future
of Tendring District. A local strategic partnership of
business and community leaders has drawn up the Community
Strategy for the District which sets out a vision of how
the District should be improved up to 2008.
1.37 The Community Strategy aims
to:
• provide secure employment by being able
to compete in a global economy;
• make the District a safe, healthy and exciting
place in which to live;
• reduce the inequalities between different
population groups and geographical areas;
• secure decent, affordable housing for all;
• preserve and enhance the best features of
the District that make it attractive;
• enable our residents to cope with change
and reach their true potential;
• create stronger, confident communities able
to help themselves and;
• provide first class, easily accessible public
services.
1.38 The Local Strategic Partnership
recognises that in order to achieve this the Community
Strategy must meet the sustainable development challenge
and strike the right balance between social, economic
and environmental objectives. The partners are committed
to working together to facilitate inward investment and
job creation, promote social inclusion and protect the
District’s natural resources and built environment.
1.38a In 2000, all Councils were given a statutory responsibility to prepare a Community Strategy setting out how the social, economic and environmental well being of the residents of their area could be improved. The Tendring Community Strategy was drawn up by the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) of businesses and community leaders. The LSP recognises that the Community Strategy must meet the sustainable development challenge and strike the right balance between social, economic and environmental objectives. The partners are committed to working together to facilitate inward investment and job creation, promote social inclusion and protect the District’s natural resources and built environment.
1.39 The Community Strategy is
divided into five key themes that were developed as a
result of extensive public consultation. They reflect
national and local priorities for change, the driving
forces that make a successful economy and the areas where
the local strategic partners have a common interest and
can add value by working together.
1.40 These five community themes,
their aims and priorities for change, have been used as
the basis for developing the Replacement Local Plan Strategy
to show how the Replacement Local Plan will give effect
to the land use dimensions of the Community Strategy.
In addition, a sixth theme has been introduced, Sustainable
Transportation, to reflect the important role played by
planning in integrating land use and transportation to
help improve travel choice and reduce the need to travel.
1.40a The Community Strategy sets out a vision of how Tendring District should be improved over the period up until 2011 through topical “themes” that reflect national and local priorities for change. The Replacement Local Plan has evolved from these themes, addressing the planning and land-use issues that are encompassed within them. The key themes of the Community Strategy are:
1. Strengthening the Economy and Promoting Regeneration;
2. Reducing the Incidence and Fear of Crime to Produce a Safer Community;
3. Promoting Healthy Living and Narrow the Health Gap to Save Lives;
4. To Improve the Most Disadvantaged Parts of the District Through Neighbourhood Regeneration;
5. To Encourage Lifelong Learning to Develop Everyone’s Potential, Talents and Skills;
6. Improve the Quality and Choice of Transport to Improve Access to Services;
7. Sustaining Our Environment; and
8. Sustainable and Affordable Housing.
1.41 Improving the quality of
life is at the heart of the Community Strategy vision.
It depends on many factors including access to job opportunities,
services and facilities and the creation of healthy, attractive
living and working environments. Delivering better quality
of life requires inter-related solutions that cut across
a number of planning issues. This aim is reflected in
the cross-cutting elements of the Replacement Local Plan
Strategy and has been developed into the core policies
of the Replacement Local Plan.
1.42 In order to improve the quality
of life in a sustainable way the Plan seeks to:
• make efficient use of land within existing
urban areas particularly previously developed land (known
as “brownfield” land) in preference to undeveloped
land (known as “greenfield” land);
• direct development to places where it is
easily accessible by a choice of means of transport and
reduce the need to travel;
• promote development with a mix of uses so
that people can live much closer to jobs, shops and other
facilities, reducing the need to travel and helping to
build communities;
• stimulate social and economic regeneration
in Clacton, Harwich, Walton, Brightlingsea and Mistley
where there are high levels of unemployment and social
deprivation;
• support rural communities and promote a
balanced, healthy rural economy;
• ensure new development creates high quality
environments that work well and are safe and attractive
for residents, businesses and visitors; and
• ensure that the community, environmental
and infrastructure needs generated by new development
are met.
1.43 In order to achieve this
aim the Plan seeks to:
• provide an ongoing supply of employment
land and a positive policy framework to meet the needs
of the local workforce, local business and encourage inward
investment;
• promote the development of facilities at
Harwich International Port and support the Haven Gateway
Initiative;
• promote the tourist opportunities and assets
in the District; and
• keep the District’s town and local
centres vibrant places in which to live, work and spend
leisure time.
1.44 In order to achieve this
aim the Plan seeks to:
• provide sufficient housing land within the
District to meet the Structure Plan provision and ensure
a five year supply is always available;
• ensure the provision of a mix of dwelling
types, sizes and tenures to meet the needs of the whole
community, including the particular needs of elderly persons
and people with disabilities;
• maximise the provision of low cost social
housing to meet the identified housing needs of the District;
and
• concentrate new housing primarily in Clacton
and Harwich where access to jobs, choice of means of transport,
shops and other facilities can be maximised and the largest
supply of available brownfield land exists.
1.45 In order to achieve this
aim the Plan seeks to:
• ensure that new development reduces opportunities
for crime and disorder and contributes towards the creation
of healthier communities;
• ensure that new development and transport
facilities are capable of being accessible to all; and
• support the retention and provision of local
services and community, cultural and recreation facilities.
1.46 In order to achieve this
aim the Plan seeks to:
• use the District’s and wider natural
resources in a sustainable way;
• protect and enhance the District’s
diverse character and rich heritage;
• ensure that new development is of a high
quality, reflects local distinctiveness and fits in well
with the size and character of existing settlements; and
• protect and enhance the natural environment
of the District to ensure that the area’s biodiversity
and landscape are enjoyed by future generations.
1.47 In order to achieve this
aim the Plan seeks to:
• integrate new development with all forms
of transport provision and ensure that the transport needs
generated by new development are met;
• support transportation improvements that
will help facilitate sustained social and economic regeneration;
and
• encourage and support sustainable forms
of transport including water, rail, bus, cycling and walking.
1.48 The Government requires that
all Local Plans are subject to a sustainability appraisal
to ensure that they are moving towards the creation of
more sustainable patterns of development.
1.49 This Plan has been subject
to a sustainability appraisal, which is published as a
separate technical report accompanying this Plan. The
Replacement Local Plan will continue to be tested for
its sustainable development impacts throughout the plan
preparation process.
1.49a The Government requires that all Local Plans be subject to a sustainability appraisal to ensure that they are moving towards the creation of more sustainable patterns of development. This Plan has been subjected to a sustainability appraisal and will continue to be tested for its impact on sustainable development throughout its progress towards adoption.
1.49b The European Directive 2001/42/EC (also known as the SEA Directive) was incorporated into English law on July 21st, 2004. These regulations state that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is now required to assess the environmental effects of certain plans and programmes. The Directive aims to provide a high level of environmental protection and contribute towards the integration of environmental considerations in the preparation and adoption of plans with a view to promoting sustainable development.
1.49c The SEA Directive applies to Local Plans that were in the course of preparation on July 26th, 2004 and that will not be adopted before July 26th 2006. The Replacement Local Plan will therefore require a SEA. The Sustainability Appraisal that accompanies this Plan incorporates the requirements of the SEA Directive.
1.50 The fact that the Plan has
been the subject of a Ssustainability Aappraisal
does not take away the requirement for the detailed appraisal
of individual proposals as they are brought forward throughout
the Plan Period.