Local Development Scheme

May 2019

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Contents

Foreword 1. Introduction

4 2. The Development Plan

5

3. Other Relevant Documents

8

4. Emerging Development Plan Documents

10

5. Resources

14

6. Risk Assessment

14

7. Monitoring of the Local Development Scheme

16

Appendix 1 – Development Plan Document Profile 17

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Foreword

This Local Development Scheme has been prepared by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in its role as Local Planning Authority (LPA). The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, (as amended by section 111 of the Localism Act 2011) requires local planning authorities to prepare and maintain a Local Development Scheme (LDS).

This LDS was approved by the Council on 16 May and was brought into effect from this date. It is available on the Council website at https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/LDS

Should you have any queries about the LDS, please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01256 844844, via email on Local.plan@basingstoke.gov.uk or via post at:

Planning Policy Team Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council London Road Basingstoke Hampshire RG21 4AH

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1 Introduction

1.1 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended by the Localism Act, 2011) (the Act) established a framework for the preparation of planning policy documents.

1.2 Section 15 of the Act states that the LDS must cover the following points:

The local development documents which are to be development plan documents;

the subject matter and geographical area to which each development plan document is to relate;

which documents are to be development plan documents.

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which development plan documents (if any) are to be prepared jointly with one or more other local planning authorities;

any matter or area in respect of which the authority have agreed (or propose to agree) to the constitution of a joint committee (with other Local Planning Authorities);

the timetable for the preparation and revision of the development plan documents;

such other matters as are prescribed.

1.3 This LDS, which supersedes all previous versions, sets out the local planning policy framework for the whole of the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane (see map below), and establishes the timetable for producing new and revised development plan documents (DPDs). It also includes an assessment of identified risks and contingencies as part of ingoing programme management.

2 The Development Plan

2.1 This LDS sets out the programme for the production of DPDs, setting out the timescales for production, including gathering data, consultations, public scrutiny and examination and finally adoption.

2.2 The Development Plan for Basingstoke and Deane comprises of:

Adopted Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan – produced jointly by Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council and South Downs and New Forest National Park Authorities. The Plan, which was adopted in October 2013, contains planning policies for minerals and waste development in Hampshire. The Plan can be viewed via the following link: https://www.hants.gov.uk/landplanningandenvironment/strategic-planning/hampshire-minerals-waste-plan

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Adopted Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan – produced by the borough council and adopted in May 2016. It covers the period 2011-2029. The Plan can be viewed via the following link: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/planningpolicy

Made Neighbourhood Plans – these are prepared by town/parish councils or designated neighbourhood forums to set a locally specific development framework to guide development in their area. The council actively promotes neighbourhood planning, in addition to having a legal duty to support their preparation. At the time of publication of this LDS, nine Neighbourhood Plans have been made and now form part of the development plan for their areas. Made neighbourhood plans in the Borough are listed below:

Since March 2013 the South East Plan no longer forms part of the council’s development plan. However, Policy NRM6 on the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area (SPA) was saved and remains relevant to the Borough.

Neighbourhood Plans

Made Neighbourhood Plans Date Plan was Made

Oakley and Deane Neighbourhood Plan 2011-2029 May 2016

Overton Neighbourhood Development Plan 2016-2029 July 2016

Bramley Neighbourhood Development Plan 2011-2029 March 2017

Sherborne St John Neighbourhood Plan 2011-2029 May 2017

Whitchurch Neighbourhood Development Plan 2014 – 2029 July 2017

Sherfield on Loddon Neighbourhood Development Plan 2011-2029 March 2018

St Mary Bourne Parish Neighbourhood Plan 2016-2029 March 2018

Old Basing Neighbourhood Plan July 2018

Kingsclere Neighbourhood Plan October 2018

2.3 Current maps showing the extent of the neighbourhood areas can be accessed via the following link: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/neighbourhood-planning. In each case, the Neighbourhood Plan covers the extent of the relevant parish.

2.4 In addition to the nine made Neighbourhood Plans, there are a further eight designated areas in the Borough. Neighbourhood Plans for these areas are being actively taken forward by local qualifying bodies and their communities and therefore their timescales for delivery are not set by the Local Planning Authority (LPA). However, the table below shows the potential timescales for the delivery of forthcoming neighbourhood plans, at the time of publication.

Plan Designated Area

Pre-submission Consultation (Reg 14)

Submission consultation (Reg 16)

Referendum Made

Wootton St Lawrence Neighbourhood Plan

Complete Complete Spring 2019 Winter 2019 Spring 2020

Burghclere Neighbourhood Plan

Complete Summer 2019 Winter 2019 Summer 2020

Autumn 2020

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North Waltham Neighbourhood Plan

Complete Autumn 2019 Winter 2019 Summer 2020

Autumn 2020

East Woodhay Neighbourhood Plan

Complete Autumn 2019 Winter 2019 Summer 2020

Autumn 2020

Pamber Neighbourhood Plan

Complete Autumn 2019 Winter 2019 Summer 2020

Autumn 2020

Cliddesden Neighbourhood Plan

Complete Winter 2019 Spring 2020 Autumn 2020 Winter 2020

Highclere Neighbourhood Plan

Complete Winter 2019 Spring 2020 Autumn 2020 Winter 2020

Ashford Hill with Headley Neighbourhood Plan

Complete Autumn 2020 Winter 2020 Summer 2021

Autumn 2021

2.5 A mapped summary of the position with neighbourhood plans in the borough, at the time of the publication, follows:

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3 Other Relevant Documents

Supplementary Planning Documents

3.1 Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) are designed to expand on policies in DPDs and provide additional detail. They can be topic or site based. Whilst they do not have the status of DPDs they are a material consideration in the decision making process of relevant planning applications.

3.2 There is no requirement to include SPDs within a LDS. However, since the LP was

adopted in 2016 the council has adopted a new suite of both site and topic based SPDs to support the implementation of the LP and it is considered helpful to list them here. The new SPDs have replaced outdated guidance where suitable.

3.3 The following table outlines the current suite of adopted and developing SPDs. The

council will continue to produce SPDs where required and relevant timetables will be published on the council’s website. In addition, there is a rolling programme for producing and updating Conservation Area Appraisal SPDs over the next three years. The SPDs can be viewed on the council website via the following link: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/supplementary-planning-documents

Title Content Adoption

Manydown Development Brief SPD

Sets out development principles in relation to site allocation SS3.10 (3,400 homes) to ensure that development is comprehensively planned and suitably developed

December 2016

East of Basingstoke and Redlands Development Brief SPD

Sets out development principles in relation to two site allocations SS3.7 and SS3.9 (615 homes) to ensure that development is comprehensively planned and suitably developed

July 2017

Planning Obligations for Infrastructure SPD

Sets out the scope and scale of planning obligations following the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

March 2018

Housing SPD The SPD supports the housing policies of the adopted Local Plan and provides guidance on such issues as affordable housing, starter homes, housing mix, self-build requirements and housing for the elderly.

July 2018

Parking Standards SPD

Sets out standards for residential and non-residential parking, taking account of expected levels of car ownership in new developments and ensuring that sufficient provision is made for the amount of parking needed with the emphasis on promoting good design. It also sets out standards for cycle, motorcycle and electric vehicle parking.

July 2018

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Design and Sustainability SPD

Provides a positive and ambitious framework for seeking to improve design standards, enhance the well-being of residents and increase the sustainability credentials of the Borough. It addresses a broad range of design and sustainability issues, from strategic design considerations, down to the detailed design of individual buildings and extensions.

July 2018

Landscape and Biodiversity SPD

The SPD explains how landscape, biodiversity and tree considerations should be integrated into the development process to ensure that the Local Plan’s requirements are met and best practice is achieved.

December 2018

Heritage SPD Provides comprehensive guidance to protect and maintain the Borough’s historic environment, and where possible, enhance the role this plays in contributing positively towards the character of the Borough.

March 2019

Cufaude Farm Development Brief SPD

Sets out development principles in relation to LP allocation SS3.8 (350 homes) to ensure that development is comprehensively planned and suitably developed.

March 2019

Golf Course Development Brief SPD

Sets out development principles in relation to LP allocation SS3.11 (1,000 homes) to ensure that development is comprehensively planned and suitably developed.

Due to be adopted in October 2019

Conservation Area SPDs for Basingstoke Town Centre, South View, Kingsclere and Overton.

These SPDs identify, describe and illustrate features and characteristics which justify each area’s designation as a conservation area. The appraisals also contain management plans which will assist in the positive management of change.

Varied

Statement of Community Involvement

3.4 The council has prepared a Statement of Community Involvement which sets out how the council involves the local community in planning issues, setting out who will be consulted, when involvement should take place and which methods will be used. The current SCI was formally adopted by the council in March 2018. This followed extensive consultation on a draft document. A copy of the SCI can be viewed via the following link: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/BD03 .

3.5 There is a statutory duty to review SCIs every five years from their adoption date, as set out in regulation 10A of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning)

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(England) Regulations 2012 (as amended). As such, the council will review the Statement in 2022 to assess whether an update is required.

Community Infrastructure Levy

3.6 The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge on new floorspace that local authorities can choose to introduce on new development to raise money for a wide range of infrastructure needs. These include transport, education, community uses, open spaces and leisure facilities. The council adopted its CIL charging schedule and supporting policies on 22 March 2018 and this was brought into effect on 25 June 2018.

3.7 The charging schedule is based on an assessment of the costs of planned infrastructure related to planned development and the gap between that cost and the available funding from sources other than CIL. It must also take account of viability considerations. Further information on CIL can be found via the link: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/CIL

3.8 It is proposed that a review of CIL rates will be considered alongside and following an update of the Local Plan. Outside of any Local Plan process, a review will take place every three to five years, or in the event that values and prices change significantly following the date of adoption. Any revised charging schedules will need to be approved by the Planning Inspectorate.

Adopted Policies Map

3.9 The adopted policies map illustrates the land use designations, policies and site specific proposals and allocations of the council’s DPDs on an Ordnance Survey base map. This is in accordance with Regulation 9 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, as amended. The current adopted policies maps, which form part of the adopted Local Plan 2016 and also reflect land use designations from Neighbourhood Plans, can be found via the link: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/adopted-policies-map

Authority Monitoring Report

3.10 The council publishes an Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) on an annual basis. The report monitors progress against the LDS, report on public consultations and duty to co-operate consultations, provides an update on neighbourhood planning and considers the effectiveness of the LP, including the extent to which the planning policies set out in the LP are achieving the vision and objectives of the plan. The AMR can be found via the link: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/BD02

4 Emerging Development Plan Documents

Local Plan Update

4.1 National guidance promotes the concept of an on-going cycle of plan making and review, reinforced by the statutory requirement to complete a review of LPs every five years (regulation 10A of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended). Following a review which considered recent changes to national planning policy, including the introduction of a new standardised methodology for local housing need, and also local priorities and circumstances, the

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council has taken the decision to update the current adopted Local Plan (LP) (2011-2029). This will ensure that the Borough’s planning framework remains in a robust position to meet needs and accommodate change in a timely manner. An updated LP will cover a minimum 15 year period from the date of adoption and will set the vision and framework for future development in the Borough, building upon and helping to deliver the council’s Horizon 2050 which sets a wider vision for change and growth in the Borough over the longer period.

4.2 The LP will be a framework for meeting future housing, employment and infrastructure needs, whilst ensuring that the Borough’s rich natural environment and heritage is maintained and enhanced. It will make site specific allocations and designations, as suitable, to meet identified needs, whilst including both strategic and local policies to guide development through the development management process. The update will focus on strategic matters, with the more limited update of local policies to ensure they remain appropriate. The current adopted LP, which is three years old at the time of publication, remains up to date, relevant and necessary in many regards. As such, a complete replacement of all current policies is not considered necessary. However, the opportunity will be taken to consider all policies to ensure they remain robust and in line with updated national guidance and reflect local priorities. This approach will ensure a robust and up-to-date Borough wide framework to guide development and also support the development of future neighbourhood plans.

4.3 Close and effective joint working on relevant cross boundary issues will continue through the LP process to ensure that matters are dealt with rather than deferred. This will be evidenced through the production of a statement(s) of common ground. Cross boundary issues affecting the Borough include the provision of infrastructure, housing, employment, retail and leisure; issues associated with the Atomic Weapon Establishment and the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area; water quality, flooding, supply and sewerage capacity; provision for gypsies and travellers; and highway related matters.

4.4 The diagram below shows how relevant planning documents fit together and how

these relate to the Local Plan, including evidence base and supporting documents.

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Local Plan Timetable

4.5 The proposed timetable for updating the Local Plan is outlined below. The key

milestones are explained further following the table.

Milestone Date

Issues and Options consultation Oct – Dec 2019

Consultation on draft Plan (Reg 18) April-May 2021

Publication of Submission Draft Local Plan (Reg April– May 2022

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19)

Submission Summer 2022

Examination and Main Modifications Autumn 2022 - Spring 2023

Adoption Summer 2023

Issues and Options Consultation

The Issues and Options Consultation will represent the first public stage in the update process. The aim of the Consultation will be to consider the scope of the update, to identify the most important planning-related issues in the area and set out various potential options to address them. This stage is often referred to as ‘regulation 18’ consultation, under the 2012 regulations (along with consultation on the draft plan outlined below), and provides stakeholders with the opportunity to comment on the potential content of the LP and the issues it should cover.

Consultation on draft Local Plan

The second stage (also covered by regulation 18) builds on the work carried out at the Issues and Options stage. The draft Local Plan will set out the council’s preferred options for the updated LP focusing on strategic issues including proposed locations for new development. It may also include updated draft development management policies, where relevant, to deliver the LP’s objectives and spatial strategy. The draft LP will be subject to a formal consultation period of at least six weeks, where interested parties will have the opportunity to comment on whether the draft LP takes the right approach to dealing with relevant issues and, if not, to suggest an alternative approach.

Publication of Submission Draft Local Plan

This is often referred to as ‘regulation 19’ or ‘pre-submission’ consultation. This involves the publication of the proposed Submission draft LP in a form which the council believes to be sound and which it intends to submit for examination. This stage includes a further six week consultation period for interested parties to comment on the proposed Submission draft LP. Such comments must specifically relate to the legal compliance and soundness of the proposed Submission draft LP.

Submission

This is when the draft LP is submitted by the council to the Secretary of State (regulation 22 of the 2012 regulations). The evidence base underpinning the preparation of the draft LP and also the representations made during the Submission draft LP Consultation are also provided to the Secretary of State. The formal examination of the draft Local Plan is triggered by this submission.

Examination and main modifications

The examination involves an independent Planning Inspector testing the draft LP for legal compliance and ‘soundness’. This process includes an examination in public when public hearings are held to explore the issues associated with the draft LP (regulation 24 of the 2012 regulations). Following a full consideration of all of the

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relevant evidence, including any representations made during the Examination, the Inspector issues a report on the draft LP. This sets out whether the draft LP is legally compliant and ‘sound’. The report also sets out any changes the council has requested that the Inspector makes to the draft LP in order for it to be found ‘sound’ (main modifications).

Adoption

The final stage in the process is the formal adoption of the LP by the council (regulation 26 of the 2012 regulations). Once adopted the LP forms part of the development plan for the area.

5 Resources

5.1 The update of the LP will be taken forward primarily by the Planning Policy Team (PPT), which has six officers at varying levels primarily dedicated to planning policy work. The production of the updated LP will be taken forward alongside the Team’s ongoing work )which includes supporting and guiding neighbourhood plans, implementing the adopted Local Plan, monitoring performance and establishing the housing land supply position and performing other statutory duties such as compiling the Brownfield Land Register and maintaining the Self-build Register).

5.2 The PPT will be strengthened through support from other teams across the council as well as external partners and stakeholders. In house specialist officers covering such issues as biodiversity, landscape, conservation, trees, urban design, leisure, environmental health, transport and legal will be utilised. In addition, external resources may be called upon particularly from Hampshire County Council in relation to their statutory duties such as highways and education.

5.3 The updated LP will need to be underpinned by proportionate evidence which is up to date. The council will use specialist consultants to complete key areas of the evidence base and technical background work where either the necessary expertise is not available in–house or where insufficient resources are available to bring forward the necessary work within the required timescales. An assessment of the scope of financial resources to produce an updated LP has been undertaken and provision has been made in the council’s budgets. The Council will take every opportunity to minimise the costs associated with the process of updating the LP, whilst ensuring suitable levels of engagement with stakeholders, including the public, are undertaken.

5.4 The council is satisfied at the time of publication that the necessary resources are, or can be, made available to deliver the timetable set out above, having regard to its previous experience of preparing policy documents over a number of years.

6 Risk Assessment

6.1 In preparing the LDS, an analysis of the principal risks associated with updating the LP has been undertaken. Risks range from local matters, such as local political

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changes and changes in staffing levels, to those of national significance including the publication of new Government policy and guidance. Key areas of risk are outlined below:

Loss of key members of staff, recruitment and retention – the council will continue to invest in developing members of staff to improve their career progression and job satisfaction, reviewing working conditions and assessing team morale. The council will also continue to replace staff as soon as vacancies occur. It should be noted that most authorities across Hampshire, Berkshire and beyond are currently reviewing and updating their LPs, so this will result instretched planning resources across Hampshire, the LEPM3 and wider area. Retention and recruitment of experienced planning policy officers is a shared challenge. Opportunities for sharing of resources and joint procurement of studies will be explored, although this has proved difficult in the past due to different timelines for LP preparation, the political aspect of LP work and the self-contained nature of the Borough. Consultants will also be used, where appropriate.

Delays to production - delays could be caused by a number of issues such as an exceptionally high response rate to public consultations or protracted internal processes for moving through key stages of LP production. The Council will use suitable technology to assist with the analysis of consultation outcomes and draw upon wider Council resources where possible. Suitable new governance arrangements will be put in place to ensure a nimble and transparent LP making process, whilst internal processes will be established which are both supportive and flexible.

Lack of political support – officers will work closely with Councillors to raise awareness and seek to achieve Member involvement at relevant stages of the LP process. Measures will be put in place to ensure high levels of Member engagement in the process, which will help to shape and deliver the LP, with specific Member working groups being established.

Changes in national planning guidance and approach – these may have a significant impact, particularly in relation to strategic housing matters, and may result in a potentially unstable and uncertain foundation on which to base the LP. Robust evidence and an awareness of key changes to national planning policy and guidance will help to address any potential issues, alongside liaison with MHCLG where required.

Joint working and duty to co-operate issues – close working with neighbouring and other relevant authorities, partners and stakeholders will continue, to enable issues to be identified at an early stage. On-going liaison will help to ensure that key matters are considered and addressed through the LP making process. There is also a risk of key partners and statutory bodies not fully engaging in the process andon-going liaison will be required to address this.

Capacity of the Planning Inspectorate – Advance notification of relevant timescales will be provided to help inform the Planning Inspectorate’s relevant work programmes.

Legal challenges - this risk will be minimised by ensuring that documents are sound, stem from a robust evidence base and have been subject to transparent community engagement exercises.

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7 Monitoring of the Local Development Scheme

7.1 Under regulation 34 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 the local planning authority is required to monitor the progress of the LDS as part of a monitoring report. Consequently the council prepares an Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) on an annual basis. Regulation 34 requires that the following are included in the AMR:

the title of the local plans and supplementary planning documents specified in the LPA’s LDS

the timetable specified in the LDS for the preparation of Local Development Documents (LDD)

the stage each LDD has reached

if the preparation of an LDD is behind the timetable set out in the LDS, the reasons for this

date of adoption or approval of LDDs within the period in respect of which the report is made.

7.2 The council will continue to monitor progress against the LDS through its annual

AMR which also assesses the impact of LP policies against LP targets and objectives. Consideration will be given to the need to revise and update the LDS through this monitoring process. The AMR is published on the council website each December and can be viewed via the following link: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/BD02 .

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Appendix 1 – Development Plan Document

Profile

Description

Title Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan

Role and Subject The Local Plan DPD will set out the vision and objectives for the Borough, its spatial strategy, strategic policies including site allocations, and development management policies.

Coverage Borough-wide

Status Development Plan Document

Chain of Conformity The LP needs to accord with relevant legislation, national policy (National Planning Policy Framework requirements) and guidance, and must be positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy.

Authority lead Planning Policy Team

Management arrangements

LP working group, EPH Committee and Cabinet

Resourcing Resources allocated via council budget process

Approach to stakeholder involvement

Consistent with the objectives of the Statement of Community Involvement (2018) and Duty to co-operate

Monitoring Planning Policy Team will lead on monitoring

If you need this information in a different format, for example large print, CD or braille, please contact the council.

©Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council May 2019

www.basingstoke.gov.uk/localplan

01256 844844 | local.plan@basingstoke.gov.uk

@BasingstokeGov | /BasingstokeGov

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