Tag: Material Planning Considerations

When considering planning applications, councils should be focus on a range of material planning considerations.

Material Planning Considerations: Sustainability

Sustainability in planning involves ensuring that developments meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This consideration encompasses a range of economic, environmental, and social factors aimed at promoting long-term ecological balance, resource efficiency, and quality of life.

Key Components of Sustainability Considerations

Environmental Sustainability
  • Energy Efficiency: Assess the energy performance of buildings, including insulation, heating, cooling, lighting, and the use of renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines.
  • Resource Management: Evaluate the sustainable use of materials, water conservation measures, waste management practices, and strategies for reducing resource consumption.
  • Biodiversity and Green Spaces: Consider the protection and enhancement of biodiversity, including the integration of green spaces, wildlife corridors, and natural habitats within the development.

Economic Sustainability
  • Local Economy Support: Assess how the development supports local businesses, job creation, and economic diversification.
  • Economic Resilience: Evaluate the long-term economic benefits, ensuring that the development contributes to a stable and resilient local economy.
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis: Consider the economic costs and benefits, including lifecycle costs, operational efficiency, and return on investment for both the community and developers.

Social Sustainability
  • Community Well-being: Evaluate the development’s impact on the health, well-being, and quality of life of residents, including access to healthcare, education, and recreational facilities.
  • Social Equity and Inclusion: Assess whether the development promotes social inclusion and equity, providing affordable housing, accessible public spaces, and services for diverse population groups.
  • Community Engagement: Consider the extent to which the development involves and responds to the needs and values of the local community through public consultation and participation.

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
  • Carbon Footprint Reduction: Evaluate measures to minimize the carbon footprint of the development, including energy-efficient design, low-carbon technologies, and sustainable transportation options.
  • Climate Resilience: Assess the development’s resilience to climate change impacts, such as increased temperatures, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels. This includes flood risk management, heat island mitigation, and robust infrastructure design.

Sustainable Transportation
  • Public Transport Access: Evaluate the proximity and accessibility of public transport options, promoting the use of buses, trains, and other sustainable transport modes.
  • Active Transportation: Consider the provision of infrastructure for walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation, including safe pathways, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly designs.
  • Reduced Car Dependency: Assess measures to reduce car dependency, such as car-sharing schemes, reduced parking provision, and incentives for using alternative transport modes.

Green Building and Design
  • Sustainable Design Principles: Evaluate the incorporation of sustainable design principles, such as passive solar design, natural ventilation, and sustainable landscaping.
  • Green Building Certifications: Consider whether the development seeks green building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, or equivalent standards, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.

How Sustainability Considerations Influence Planning Decisions

1. Sustainability Assessments:

  • Detailed sustainability assessments may be required to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of a proposed development. These assessments help identify sustainability strengths and weaknesses and guide mitigation measures.


2. Policy Compliance:

  • Planning authorities ensure that proposed developments comply with local, national, and international sustainability policies and standards. This includes the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), local development plans, and sustainability guidelines.


3. Balancing Sustainability with Other Considerations:

  • Planning authorities must balance sustainability considerations with other material factors, such as economic benefits, heritage conservation, and residential amenity. Developments that demonstrate strong sustainability credentials may be favoured, especially if they align with broader policy objectives.


4. Mitigation and Enhancement Measures:

  • Developers may be required to propose mitigation measures to address sustainability concerns, such as enhancing energy efficiency, incorporating green infrastructure, and providing community benefits. These measures can enhance the overall sustainability of the development.


5 Stakeholder Consultation:

  • Input from stakeholders, including environmental groups, local businesses, and residents, is considered to ensure that sustainability measures are effective and responsive to community needs.

Importance in Planning Applications

1. Environmental Protection:

  • Ensuring sustainable development helps protect natural resources, reduce pollution, and conserve biodiversity, contributing to a healthier environment.


2. Economic Viability:

  • Sustainable developments can enhance economic viability by reducing operational costs, increasing property values, and attracting investment.


3. Social Cohesion and Quality of Life:

  • Promoting social sustainability enhances community cohesion, improves access to services, and supports a high quality of life for residents.


4. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation:

  • Sustainable developments contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience to climate impacts.


5. Legal and Policy Compliance:

  • Adherence to sustainability policies and standards is a legal requirement, ensuring that developments contribute to national and international sustainability goals.


Conclusion


By thoroughly considering sustainability in planning applications, planning authorities can ensure that new developments contribute positively to the environment, economy, and community. This comprehensive approach promotes long-term ecological balance, resource efficiency, and quality of life, aligning with broader goals for sustainable development and climate resilience.

Handout

Material Planning Considerations: Land Use

Land Use refers to the management and modification of natural environments or wilderness into built environments such as settlements and semi-natural habitats. In the context of material planning considerations, land use focuses on the suitability and appropriateness of a particular piece of land for the proposed development, considering existing zoning laws, local plans, and the broader impacts on the community and environment.

Key Components of Land Use Considerations

Zoning and Planning Designations
  • Zoning: Refers to the categorization of land by local authorities for specific types of use, such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or recreational. Zoning laws dictate what types of buildings and activities are permitted on a piece of land.
  • Local Plans: These are documents created by local planning authorities outlining the vision, policies, and proposals for land use in the area. They include detailed maps and policies that guide future development and land use.
  • Green Belts: Areas of open land around cities where development is restricted to preserve the natural environment and prevent urban sprawl.

Current Land Use
  • Assessment of the existing use of the land, whether it’s residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, or undeveloped.
  • Understanding how the current land use interacts with the proposed development is crucial. For example, converting agricultural land to residential use may have different implications than redeveloping an industrial site.

Suitability of the Land
  • Physical Characteristics: Includes topography, soil quality, drainage, flood risk, and stability. These physical characteristics determine whether the land can support the proposed development.
  • Environmental Constraints: Presence of protected habitats, species, or other environmental designations that may limit development.

Impact on Surrounding Area
  • Compatibility: How well the proposed development fits with surrounding land uses. For instance, a high-density residential development may not be suitable next to low-density housing or industrial areas.
  • Infrastructure: Availability and capacity of existing infrastructure such as roads, public transport, water supply, and sewage systems to support the new development.
  • Services and Amenities: Proximity to essential services like schools, healthcare, shops, and recreational facilities.

Strategic Importance
  • Regional and National Policies: Consideration of how the proposed land use aligns with broader regional and national planning policies and strategies, such as housing targets, economic growth, and environmental protection.

Potential Benefits and Detriments
  • Economic Impact: Potential for job creation, investment, and economic growth versus potential loss of agricultural land, open space, or natural habitats.
  • Social Impact: Contribution to housing needs, community facilities, and social infrastructure versus potential impacts on existing communities, such as increased traffic or changes in neighbourhood character.

How Land Use Considerations Influence Planning Decisions

1. Compliance with Zoning and Local Plans:

Planning authorities assess whether the proposed development complies with the zoning regulations and policies outlined in the local plan. Applications that do not comply may be refused unless they offer substantial benefits or meet an unmet need.


2. Assessment of Land Suitability:

Detailed assessment of the physical and environmental characteristics of the land to ensure it is suitable for the proposed development. This includes considering flood risk, soil quality, and environmental constraints.


3. Impact Analysis:

Evaluating the potential impacts of the proposed development on the surrounding area, including compatibility with neighbouring uses, strain on infrastructure and services, and environmental impacts.


4. Balancing Benefits and Detriments:

Weighing the potential economic and social benefits of the development against any negative impacts on the environment, existing land uses, and local communities.


5. Strategic Alignment:

Ensuring that the proposed land use aligns with broader strategic goals and policies at the regional and national levels.

Importance in Planning Applications

1. Sustainable Development:

Ensures that land is used efficiently and sustainably, balancing the needs for development with the protection of natural and built environments.


2. Community Impact:

Helps to safeguard the quality of life for existing and future residents by ensuring that new developments are appropriate for their location and well-integrated with existing communities.


3. Legal and Policy Compliance:

Adherence to zoning laws and planning policies is a legal requirement, and non-compliance can lead to applications being refused or legal challenges.


4. Resource Management:

Effective land use planning helps to manage resources, such as agricultural land, green spaces, and urban areas, ensuring they are used in ways that provide the greatest benefit to society.


By thoroughly considering land use in planning applications, planning authorities can make informed decisions that promote sustainable development, protect the environment, and enhance the quality of life for communities.

Handout

Material Planning Considerations: Local and National Planning Policies

Local and National Planning Policies are critical frameworks that guide the development and use of land in a manner that promotes sustainable growth, protects the environment, and meets the needs of communities. These policies are established at different levels of government and provide specific guidelines and regulations that must be adhered to when considering planning applications.

    Local Planning Policies

    Local Planning Policies are developed by local planning authorities, such as district councils or unitary authorities. These policies are tailored to address the specific needs, priorities, and characteristics of the local area. They are typically found in documents such as the Local Plan, which sets out a long-term vision and framework for future development in the area.

    Key Components:

    1. Local Plan:

    • A comprehensive document that outlines the vision, objectives, and policies for land use and development in the local area over a specified period (usually 15-20 years).
    • It includes allocations for housing, commercial development, infrastructure, green spaces, and other land uses.

    2, Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs):

    • Provide additional guidance on specific issues or sites covered by the Local Plan, such as design standards, conservation areas, or affordable housing.

    3. Neighbourhood Plans:

    • Created by local communities, these plans allow residents to influence development in their area, complementing the Local Plan.

    4. Core Strategy:

    • Part of the Local Plan, the Core Strategy sets out the key policies for delivering sustainable development in the local area.

    5. Area Action Plans:

    • Detailed plans focusing on areas undergoing significant change or development, such as town centres or regeneration areas.

    National Planning Policies

    National Planning Policies are established by the central government and apply across the entire country. These policies provide a consistent framework for planning authorities to follow, ensuring that local planning decisions contribute to national goals for sustainable development, economic growth, and environmental protection.

    Key Components:

    1. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF):

    • A key document that sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these should be applied.
    • It provides a framework within which local plans are produced and includes policies on issues such as housing, economic development, transport, and environmental protection.

    2. Planning Practice Guidance (PPG):

    • A web-based resource that provides additional detailed guidance on various aspects of planning policy, including how to apply the NPPF.

    3. National Policy Statements (NPS):

    • Documents that provide policies for nationally significant infrastructure projects, such as energy, transport, and water resources.

    How They Influence Planning Decisions

    When a planning application is submitted, the local planning authority must consider how the proposal aligns with both local and national planning policies. This involves:

    1. Compliance Check:

    • Assessing whether the proposed development complies with the policies and objectives set out in the Local Plan and any relevant SPDs or Neighbourhood Plans.
    • Ensuring that the proposal aligns with the principles and requirements of the NPPF and PPG.


    2. Policy Weighting:

    • Balancing different policy considerations, especially if there are conflicts between local and national policies or among different local policies.


    3. Material Considerations:

    • Taking into account all relevant policies as part of the broader assessment of material planning considerations, which also include site-specific factors, public opinion, and the impact on the local community and environment.

    Importance in Planning Applications

    1. Sustainable Development:

    Ensures that new developments contribute positively to the sustainability of communities, balancing social, economic, and environmental objectives.


    2. Consistency and Predictability:

    Provides a clear framework for developers and the public, helping to create predictable and consistent decision-making processes.


    3. Local and National Interests:

    Balances the specific needs and characteristics of local areas with broader national priorities and objectives.


    4. Legal Requirement:

    Compliance with these policies is a legal requirement, and failure to adhere can result in planning applications being refused or challenged.

    By understanding and adhering to both local and national planning policies, planning authorities can make informed decisions that promote sustainable development and meet the needs of their communities.

    Handout