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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Local Development Framework is a new type of plan that will replace the existing Three Rivers Local Plan 1996-2011 and create a new set of planning documents to help plan for, and manage, development in the District over the next 15 years or so.

1.2 For Three Rivers the Local Development Framework will consist of a number of Development Plan Documents (DPDs) including:

  • The Core Strategy DPD: provides the over-arching strategy and policies and the long-term vision for Three Rivers
  • Site Allocations DPD: allocates sites for housing, employment, retail, open space, education and community uses
  • Development Management Policies DPD: sets out the policies against which planning applications will be assessed.

1.3 A Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) are also carried out to assess the proposals in Development Plan Documents to ensure they contribute to sustainable development. An Appropriate Assessment screening was also carried out and indicated that proposed development would not have a significant impact on any relevant areas.

1.4 In addition to the above, a number of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) will be prepared which will provide additional guidance on policies contained in the Development Plan Documents. Two Supplementary Planning Documents were adopted in December 2007:

  • Sustainable Communities Supplementary Planning Document - this sets out guidance on good principles and good practice for how development in the District can reduce carbon emissions through appropriate design, energy and water efficiency and waste reduction and recycling
  • Open Space, Amenity and Children's Play Space Supplementary Planning Document - this sets out guidance on good principles and good practice for designing open spaces and securing amenity and children's play space as part of appropriate developments in the District.

1.5 The Local Development Framework also includes the Council's adopted Statement of Community Involvement which sets out the Council's approach to how, when and with whom we will consult at various stages of the Local Development Framework process. In addition, the Annual Monitoring Report (produced 31 December each year) provides an assessment of the progress made against targets and the performance of policies in the Local Development Framework.

1.6 Until such time as the other Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents referred to in this Core Strategy are adopted, the Council will continue to have regard to the saved policies of the Three Rivers Local Plan and adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance and Supplementary Planning Documents, together with the current Development Plan and national policy. Appendix 1 sets out which policies of the adopted Local Plan will be replaced by the Core Strategy.

1.7 We have also put together a series of research documents, collectively known as the Evidence Base, establishing an understanding of the needs, opportunities and constraints within the District. To date the following studies have been completed:

  • Urban Housing Capacity Study (January 2005)
  • Employment Land Study (January 2005, update May 2010)
  • Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study (July 2005, update 2010)
  • Gypsy and Travellers' Needs Study (April 2005) and Identification of Potential Sites (September 2006)
  • Retail Capacity Study (March 2007)
  • Transport Background Paper (March 2007, update October 2009)
  • Access to Services and Infrastructure Background Paper (March 2007)
  • Settlement Appraisal Paper (March 2007, update March 2010)
  • Housing Market Needs Background Paper (November 2006)
  • Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (June 2007)
  • Appropriate Assessment report (December 2007)
  • Strategic Housing Market Assessment (April 2010)
  • Development Economics Study (Housing and Viability) (February 2009)
  • Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (November 2008, update April 2010)
  • London Arc Employment Study (February 2009)
  • Hertfordshire Investment and Infrastructure Strategy (November 2009)
  • Green Infrastructure Background Paper (March 2010)
  • Water Cycle Study (May 2010)
  • Low and Zero Carbon Study (May 2010)
  • Infrastructure Delivery Plan (March 2010)
  • Spatial Portrait of Three Rivers (March 2010)
  • Local Policy Context (March 2010)
  • Meeting the Rising Demand for School Places (Hertfordshire County Council, 2010).

1.8 Hertfordshire County Council is responsible for preparing Minerals and Waste Development Plan Documents. These will set out the principles for the amount of mineral extraction and waste treatment that will take place in the County to 2026, identify the locations where the most important of these activities will take place, and contain some broad principles that will apply when planning applications for minerals or waste development are being considered.

Figure 1: Core Strategy Key elements

Figure 1: Core Strategy Key elements



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