1. INTRODUCTION
THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
1.1. The Council, as local planning authority, has a statutory duty to set out its policies and proposals for land use, transport and the environment. This Unitary Development Plan provides a context for a range of initiatives in the private and public sectors, as well as forming the basis for the consideration of applications for planning permission. Under transitional arrangements the plan is ‘saved’ for three years to enable the Council to move to the production of the new style development plan – the Local Development Framework. Further details can be found in the Council’s Local Development Scheme (March 2007).
1.2. To provide continuity from the previous plan on the one hand, and on the other with the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy and the Bridging NewcastleGateshead Housing Market Renewal (Pathfinder) initiative, the plan period of this document is thirteen calendar years from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2016. The Government is concerned about the planning system’s role in providing sufficient high-quality homes to meet the housing needs of all the community and the creation of safer communities as a key quality of life indicator. The Parliamentary Statement of July 2003 indicates that plans should make provision for at least ten years’ potential supply of housing; this plan sets the framework for doing that within the context of the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) framework to 2021
PREPARATION PROCEDURES
1.3 An Issues and Options paper was published for consultation in March 2003. A six week period for public comment included focus group seminars and a series of Joint Advisory Group meetings which facilitated feedback from Councillors.
1.4 In August 2003, stakeholder workshops considered the sustainability credentials of a selected range of issues and options.
1.5 The Council considered all representations made, including the findings of the sustainability workshops, and a Preferred Development Strategy was agreed by the Council in October 2003. Following representations made on the Deposit Draft Replacement Plan, the Council produced a Re-deposit version, which also reflected changes in national and regional policy. All outstanding objections to the plan were heard at a Public Inquiry held from the 3rd October until 8th December 2006. The Council received the report from the Planning Inspector in May 2007.
1.6 This UDP was produced under transitional arrangements. The Inspector’s report was binding and there was no modifications stage. It will carry forward the policies of the Regional Spatial Strategy. The plan was adopted on 19th July 2007 and will be retained or “saved” for three years, pending production of new-style plans within a Local Development Framework.
FUNCTIONS OF THE PLAN
1.7 A UDP must be prepared within the requirements and procedures laid down by statute and by subsequent regulations. Central government additionally issues advice on form and content.
1.8 A UDP has four main functions:
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to state the Council's general policies on development and other use of land in the Borough (including measures for the improvement of the physical environment and the management of traffic);
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to allow public involvement in future planning decisions;
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to define detailed proposals on a proposals map; and
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to provide a basis for development control.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE WRITTEN STATEMENT
1.9 The fundamental structure of a UDP is determined by statute. It must contain a Part I, a separate Part II (which is to include justification for both Parts I and II) and a proposals map.
1.10 The new Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced changes to plan-making regulations. Information has been produced by the Government to assist the transition between the existing and proposed new systems. The structure of this written statement reflects that guidance.
1.11 Part I contains the core policies, stating the general policies and proposals of strategic importance for the Borough. Particular regard has been paid to national and regional policies.
1.12 Part II contains detailed policies and specific proposals which are in general conformity with Part I. Area Action Plans are also contained within this part of the plan, amplifying to a larger scale those areas where the most significant change is likely to occur in the near future.
SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
1.13 The plan concentrates on the most important issues for future development within the Borough. The Council also has other planning policies which apply to specific types of development or areas of the Borough. These are available as Interim Policy Advice. They do not form part of the UDP but seek to amplify the principles set out in the plan in order to provide advice on preparing appropriate development proposals. The Council will convert them to Supplementary Planning Documents where it considers appropriate.
SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL AND STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
1.14 Government guidance in Planning Policy Statement 12 requires local authorities to carry out a full environmental appraisal of their development plan in order to assess the individual and combined impacts of policies and proposals on the environment. In accordance with best practice and in anticipation of the forthcoming Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive and changes to the planning system, the Council extended the process to include social and economic considerations in addition to environmental ones by carrying out a joint Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Sustainability Appraisal is now mandatory for development plans. From July 2004, following the commencement of the European Directive 2001/42/EC “on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment”, known as the Strategic Environmental Assessment or SEA Directive, planning authorities must also conduct an environmental assessment in accordance with the Directive. It is still possible to satisfy both through a single appraisal process, although the existing study has been amended to meet the requirements of the Directive.
1.15 The Council commissioned Scott Wilson, an independent consultant, to carry out the study, the main aim being to deliver more sustainable forms of development. It will seek to achieve integration between social, economic and environmental objectives through the continual appraisal of policies and proposals throughout the plan-making process. This will lead to a continued improvement in sustainability performance and ensure that sustainable development is incorporated into the plan.
1.16 Since the Re-deposit version of the plan was produced, the consultants have reviewed their original findings and analysed the changes that were incorporated.