B2 - Village Development Supplementary Planning Document

1. Introduction

1.1 Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) were introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) as part of reforms to the planning system. One of the functions of an SPD is to provide further detail/guidance on policies and proposals within the development plan. SPDs must be consistent with national planning policies as well as local policies set out in the development plan.

1.2 This SPD is one of a suite of SPDs that have been prepared in accordance with the Local Planning Regulations (SI 2012 No.767) and National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework), conforming and responding to all relevant local and national policies, and based upon a robust and up-to-date evidence base. This SPD forms part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) for South Ribble. It should be considered alongside policy in the Central Lancashire Core Strategy and the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Development Plan Documents (DPDs) - now referred to as the Local Plan. The SPD guidance should therefore be taken into consideration from the earliest stages of the development process of any site, including any purchase negotiations and preparation of schemes seeking pre-application guidance.

1.3 This SPD on Policy B2 - Village Development has been produced in accordance with all national and local regulations, policy and guidance in mind. Once adopted, this SPD should be afforded significant weight as a material consideration in determining planning applications.

2. The Purpose of this Supplementary Planning Document

2.1 The South Ribble Local Plan allocates land for "village development" throughout the life of the plan period. The purpose of these sites is to allow for the development needs of villages which are tightly constrained by Greenbelt. The policy requires that any application for development on these sites provides evidence as to the local need for the development that is proposed.

2.2 During the application process for recent applications on sites allocated under Policy B2, it became apparent that there was confusion over both the aims of the policy and evidence required to support development on these designations and in particular what constituted 'Local Need'.

2.3 This policy is a 'positively prepared' in accordance with advice in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) - it doesn't seek to prevent development but allows for it in appropriate circumstances. The applicant, in accordance with the policy needs to provide evidence to demonstrate a 'local need' for the development.

2.4 In order to provide greater clarity as to what evidence is required to demonstrate local need, it is this SPD which will set out the requirements for applicants, in terms of the evidence that we will require them to submit in association with their application for development on any site which is subject to Policy B2.

3. Policy Context National Planning Policy Framework

3.1 The NPPF promotes a presumption in favour of sustainable development and supports sustainable economic development to deliver, amongst other things, homes.

3.2 Paragraph 180 affirms that new development should "ensure that new development is appropriate for its location taking into account the likely effects (including cumulative effects) of pollution on health, living conditions and the natural environment, as well as the potential sensitivity of the site or the wider area to impacts could arise from the development" Central Lancashire Core Strategy

3.3 The Central Lancashire Core Strategy (2012) forms part of the Local Development Framework, and sets out the direction and strategy for development and conservation to the year 2026 and beyond. The Core Strategy can be viewed at www.southribble.gov.uk.

3.4 Relevant policies include:

• Policy 1 - entitled 'Locating Growth' and encourages the focussing of growth and investment in the Key Service Centres of Chorley and Leyland and the other main urban areas in South Ribble.
• Policy 4: Housing Delivery seeks to ensure that sufficient housing land is identified over the 2010-2026 period.
• Policy 5 - Housing Density states: "The authorities will secure densities of development which are in keeping with local areas and which will have no detrimental impact on the amenity, character, appearance, distinctiveness and environmental quality of an area, consideration will also be given to making efficient use of land."
• Policy 6 - Housing Quality aims at improving the quality of housing.
• Policy 7 - Affordable and Special Needs Housing supports the delivery of affordable and special housing.
• Policy 17 - Design of New Buildings expects the design and new buildings to take account of the character and appearance of the local area and effectively mirrors Policy G17 in the South Ribble Local Plan.

South Ribble Local Plan

3.5 Policy B2 in the South Ribble Local Plan safeguards sites in the villages of Much Hoole, New Longton, Coupe Green and Mellor Brook for a development to meet a local need which cannot be satisfied elsewhere within the settlement. The Policy requires that evidence of the local need for the development is provided.

3.6 Policy B2 does not rank the listed acceptable uses by preference, but requires that the application be supported by appropriate evidence to demonstrate the local need for the development that is being proposed.

3.7 The Local Plan can be viewed at www.southribble.gov.uk