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JOINT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

VERSION 2

JULY 2016

Prepared as part of the Local Plan for Christchurch and East Dorset

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Produced by the Planning Policy TeamChristchurch and East Dorset Partnership

Civic OfficesBridge StreetChristchurch

DorsetBH23 1AZ

01202 795175planningpolicy@christchurchanddorset.gov.uk

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1 Introduction

1.1 This is the second Joint Local Development Scheme (LDS) produced as a single document for the Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership. Previously, both Christchurch and East Dorset Councils had produced separate LDS documents, the first having been submitted to the Secretary of State in March 2005. This Joint LDS revises the programme for the production of the Local Plan documents set out in Joint LDS Version 1 of October 2014.

1.2 This document explains how planning policy documents in Christchurch and East Dorset will be prepared over the next three years. It also contains information about the status of existing local plans and Supplementary Planning Guidance which remain in force.

1.3 This Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the documents that will form the Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan. The principal purposes of the LDS are:

To provide a programme for the preparation of the Local Plan over a three year period. A list of the documents that form the Local Plan, contained within a timetable of their production, is shown in section 7 and Annex A.

To provide the local community, and those interested in planning in Christchurch, with a starting point as to what policies apply and when the various stages of the Local Plan will be carried out.

2 What’s new in this revision of the LDS?

2.1 This Local Development Scheme introduces a number changes to previous versions. These changes result from the following:

A decision to progress a full Local Plan Review incorporating previous work on site allocations and Development Management policies. Adoption of the Statement of Community Involvement. Adoption of the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedules for Christchurch and for East Dorset. Adoption of the Heathlands Planning Framework SPD An updated timetable for the Gypsy & Traveller Sites DPD.

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3 What makes up the Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan?

3.1 The Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan is a folder of documents which will, collectively, make up the statutory development plan for Christchurch and East Dorset. This section sets out the content of the Local Plan over the next three years. A timetable for document production is set out in Section 7, and more detailed document profiles are set out in Annex A.

3.2 The Core Strategy sets out the overall spatial planning strategy for the area, providing a vision and key objectives, together with policies which set the spatial context for detailed planning on specific issues. It will also allocate major development sites for employment and new neighbourhoods across Christchurch and East Dorset.

3.3 The South East Dorset Authorities have taken a decision to abandon work on the Heathland Mitigation Joint DPD. The Core Strategy now sets out policies for Heathland protection, and detailed guidance on provision of SANG. This, combined with the Dorset Heathlands Planning Framework SPD now provides a comprehensive policy framework for protection of the Dorset Heathlands within Christchurch and East Dorset, and the need for a bespoke DPD has now ended.

3.4 The Councils will begin work in this LDS on a full Local Plan Review This comprises updating the Core Strategy, and combining it with more detailed site specific allocations and Development Management policies. This document will therefore set out the overall planning framework for the area as well as policies for specific sites for housing, employment, community facilities, open space etc, and general policies for Development Management. This work will, when completed, replace any remaining saved policies from the Christchurch Borough Local Plan 2001, and the East Dorset District Local Plan 2002, some of which remain in force at present.

3.5 Across the County of Dorset, including Bournemouth and Poole, joint working on Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs has been undertaken identifying the need for sites for both transit and resident communities across the County. The Dorset planning authorities are continuing to work together to produce a Joint Gypsy & Traveller Sites DPD. A timetable for this is also set out in the LDS.

3.6 A number of other documents have also been produced as part of the Local Plan. In addition to the Core Strategy, the Councils provide detailed guidance on matters relating to delivery of affordable housing, and to housing space standards in a Housing and Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document. This was adopted in April 2014.

3.7 The Councils have updated their joint Statement of Community Involvement and this has recently been adopted. This document sets out how the community and stakeholders will be involved in the preparation of the Local Plan and on planning applications. Policies in the Local Plan will be monitored during preparation of the Authority Monitoring Report. This report will also assess performance against key local and national indicators.

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3.8 In addition, the adopted policies maps for Christchurch and East Dorset have been revised and updated., These now comprise designations and saved policies from the old Borough and District Local Plans, as well as new policy notations and allocations from the Core Strategy. These policies maps will be revised as required upon the adoption of new policy documents.

3.9 The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charge will support the delivery of development identified in the Core Strategy and subsequent documents through a tariff levied on certain forms of development, primarily residential. The Charging Schedules have recently been adopted and the Councils will begin charging CIL from October 2016.

4 Process of preparation.

4.1 In simple terms, preparation of Development Plan Documents is a five stage process: Production Pre-Submission Submission Examination Adoption

4.2 During the pre-production stage, evidence is gathered to inform the issues which the document will address. This will include both detailed survey work, and consultation with stakeholders and the public to determine issues, and possible options for addressing those issues. At this stage an initial “Regulation 18” issues paper will be produced for consultation, and a further consultation will be held on a draft options plan.

4.3 The Pre-Submission stage is when the policy framework begins to take shape, and the Council presents the public with a draft policy document for consultation, to invite comments prior to submitting it for the Secretary of State’s approval.

4.4 Submission stage is where a final policy document is submitted to the Secretary of State for consideration and approval.

4.5 Following submission, the Secretary of State will appoint an Inspector to hold an examination into the soundness of the DPD. The Inspector will issue a report which makes changes to the document. Once the document has been amended to include the changes set out by the Inspector, the DPD will be adopted.

4.6 A simpler process applies to production of Supplementary Planning Documents, where evidence is gathered to support preparation of a draft document. This document is produced for public consultation, and is then amended and adopted. There is no examination process for SPDs.

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5 Partnership working

5.1 Christchurch Borough Council and East Dorset District Council work in partnership to produce the Local Plan, and have recently created a single planning policy team for the two Councils. This partnership work involves preparation of joint documents, although both Councils adopt documents separately.

5.2 This provides the following benefits:

A. Joint work allows a degree of specialism to be engendered in the overall team, enabling the best use of resources and providing greater in-house expertise.

B. The Councils will combine resources in the gathering of evidence. This will provide significant savings, including when consultants are required. Additionally, it enables a consistent approach to be adopted in the collection and analysis of data.

C. Where joint Documents are prepared this can make best use of resources because:i) Only one document would have to be written, instead of two. ii) Consultation can be combined, thereby saving advertising costs and widening the public response. iii) Stakeholders would only have to respond to one document. iv) There is the potential for only one Public Examination to be held.

5.3 Joint working has already proved successful in preparing and adopting the Core Strategy, the Housing and Affordable Housing SPD, and several evidence studies.

5.4 Aside from this overall joint approach, the Council is committed to partnership working where appropriate on all aspects of the Local Plan process. In respect of the Dorset Heathlands Planning Framework SPD, the Council has already worked in partnership with Natural England and other South East Dorset authorities.

5.5 The production of the Gypsy & Traveller Sites DPD is being undertaken jointly by all the Dorset Authorities.

6 What now makes up the Development Plan for Christchurch and East Dorset?

6.1 Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires that planning applications should be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless other material considerations indicate otherwise. The development plan for Christchurch and East Dorset currently comprises three documents:

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1. The National Planning Policy Framework.2. Any remaining saved policies in the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Structure Plan adopted in 2001;3. The Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan Part 1 (Core Strategy), adopted in April 2014.4. Any remaining saved policies from The Christchurch Local Plan, adopted in 2001. 5. Any remaining saved policies from the East Dorset District Local Plan, adopted in 2002.

6.2 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 allowed for policies from the old Christchurch Borough Local Plan and the East Dorset District Local Plan to be saved for a period of three years from commencement of the Act, which took place on 27th September 2004. As DPDs are adopted, policies of the old Local Plans are being replaced. A number of further policies from the old Local Plans were replaced upon adoption of the Core Strategy.

6.3 To clarify which policies of the old local plans remain in force, a comprehensive schedule of saved, and deleted policies is set out in Appendices 3 (East Dorset) and 4 (Christchurch) of the Core Strategy.

6.4 Existing old style Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) will also continue to be taken into account when making decisions on planning applications, as long as the relevant saved policies in the Local Plan are still in place. A further review of any remaining SPGs will take place as part of production work on the Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan Review.

7 The Local Plan programme.

7.1 The timetable for the Local Plan is set out below in the form of a chart, and detailed tables for the production of each main document are set out in Annex A.

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Year 2019Month J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M

a a a a a a a a a a a b b b b d d d e d d d e f

gg dd dd h e h

a a a a a a a a b d d d e g g g g d d h h e h

a a a a a h c c h

Statement of Community Involvement h a a a a a c c ha d f

b dd g

c e ggcc ee h

Consultation on draft SPD/SCI

Pre Submission public consultation (Reg 27)

Consutlation on formal draft CIL Schedule (Reg 17)

Submit document to the Secretary of State (Reg 30)

Submit CIL to the Secretary of State (Reg 19)Consultation on preliminary draft CIL schedule (Reg 15)

Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule

CIL Public Examination (Reg 21)

Joint Heathland Mitigation SPD

Pre-Examination meetingEvidence gathering/scoping

Public Examination (Reg 31)

Adopt Document

Dorset Gypsy and Traveller Sites Joint Development Plan Document

Consultation to test relevant issues and options (Reg 25)

Local Development Scheme Timetable 2016-20192018

Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan Review

2016 2017

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Annexes

A – Document Profiles

B – Supplementary Planning Guidance

C – Strategic Environmental Assessment & Sustainability Appraisal

D – Resources & risk

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Annex A – Document Profiles.

A1 The following profiles provide a more detailed analysis of the preparation process for each document set out in this revision of the Local Development Scheme.

Document 1 Community Infrastructure Levy Charging SchedulePurpose To set out a schedule of infrastructure requirements needed to support the Core Strategy,

and a tariff of charges to be levied on various types of development.Geographic coverage Christchurch Borough and East Dorset DistrictStatus Charging ScheduleJoint Document No – separate charging schedules.Conformity Core Strategy

Details

Related documents Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations.Production Timescale and key milestones

Commencement of preparation January 2010

Preliminary Draft CIL Schedule consultation

January – March 2013

Committee Reports January 2014

Milestone Formal draft CIL Schedule consultation May/June 2014

Committee Reports November 2014

Milestone Submission December 2014

Pre-examination meeting n/a

Commencement of examination February 2015 & April 2016

Milestone adoption September 2016

Studies required

Development viability study.

Resources required

The document will be prepared mainly by the Councils’ Planning Policy Team, with consultancy advice on viability.

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Document 2 Local Plan ReviewPurpose To provide a comprehensive range of planning policies for Christchurch and East Dorset,

combining the over-arching policy framework from the Core Strategy, with site specific policies and Development Management policies.

Geographic coverage Whole BoroughStatus DPDJoint Document YesConformity National Planning Policy Framework

Details

Related documents SHMA, SHLAA, Workspace Strategy, Retail Study, SFRA, Open space study.Production Timescale and key milestones

Commencement of preparation (Reg 18) September 2016

Initial draft/options consultation September 2017

Committee Reports July 2018

Milestone Pre-Submission Consultation (Reg 19) September 2018

Committee Reports December 2018

Milestone Submission January 2018

Pre-examination meeting September 2016

Commencement of examination June 2019

Milestone adoption December 2019

Studies required

Possible assessment work on specific sites, updated SFRA, updated Retail Study.

Resources required

The DPD will be prepared mainly by the Partnership Planning Policy Team, using existing resources, supported by transport planners from Dorset County Council, and specific consultancy work as required.

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Document 3 Gypsy & Traveller Sites DPDPurpose To allocate sites for transit and residential Gypsy & Traveller pitches.Geographic coverage All of DorsetStatus DPDJoint Document Yes, and with all other Dorset authorities.Conformity National Planning Policy Framework.

Core Strategy

Details

Related documents Dorset Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation AssessmentProduction Timescale and key milestones

Commencement of preparation Summer 2010Issues and Option consultation (Reg 25) November 2011-January 2012

Committee Reports June 2012Milestone Alternative sites consultation September – November 2014

Committee Reports September 2016Milestone Pre- Submission October-November 2016, Submit

Pre-examination meeting April 2017Commencement of examination May 2017

Milestone adoption November 2017Studies required

Detailed site assessment studies.

Resources required

This document was initially prepared by Peter Brett Associates, consultants appointed jointly by the Dorset authorities, assisted by officers from the various Councils. An updated Gypsy and Traveller Needs Assessment was undertaken during 2013, and a further update is programmed for 2016. The remaining preparation stages of the DPD will be undertaken by officers from across the Dorset authorities.

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Document 4 Heathland Mitigation SPDPurpose To update and roll forward the tariff scheme for the mitigation of impacts on Heathland.Geographic coverage South East DorsetStatus SPDJoint Document Yes, with Purbeck, Bournemouth and Poole CouncilsConformity National Planning Policy Framework.

Core Strategy

Details

Production Timescale and key milestonesCommencement of preparation March 2014

Draft Consultation January-February 2015Committee Reports March 2015

Milestone

Milestone This document was then put on hold pending adoption of the Councils’ CIL Charging Schedules.

Committee Reports June 2016Milestone adoption September 2016Studies required

None, but up to date list of mitigation projects forms part of the SPD.

Resources required

Joint officer team from the South East Dorset authorities.

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Document 5 Statement of Community InvolvementPurpose To update and review the Statement of Community Involvement which sets out how the

public and stakeholders will be involved in the preparation of the Local Plan.Geographic coverage n/aStatus LDDJoint Document Yes.Conformity National Planning Policy Framework

Details

Production Timescale and key milestonesCommencement of preparation December 2014

Draft Consultation June-July 2015

Milestone

Milestone

Committee Reports May/June 2016Milestone adoption July 2016Studies required

None.

Resources required

Partnership planning policy team, together with Community Development Officers.

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Annex B – Supplementary Planning Guidance and other non-development plan documents.

B1 The following lists show which Supplementary Planning Guidance documents are currently retained as they are required to support saved policies of the Christchurch Borough Local Plan 2001, and the East Dorset District Local Plan 2002. Retained guidance will continue to be used as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications:

Christchurch Borough Council:

Town Centre Strategy 2003 Borough Character Assessment 2003 Design Advice Note 1: Extending or otherwise altering your home 2003 Magistrates Court Planning Brief 2003 Guidelines for advertisements and shop fronts 2005 Amusement Centres and Amusement Arcades policy 1986 Granny Annexe – Procedure for Planning Considerations 1999 Business Activities from Home 1999 Designing for Accessibility – an essential guide for public buildings 2000 You and your listed building – Advisory Note 2000 Conservation Areas – Advisory Note 2000 Development Related Travel Plans (DCC) 2005

East Dorset District Council:

Conservation Area Appraisals for Almer, Burts Hill, Brog Street/Sleight Lane, Cranborne, Edmondsham, Gussage All Saints, Hampreston, Hinton Martell, Horton, Mapperton, Pamphill, Pentridge, Rowlands Hill, Shapwick, Sturminster Marshall, West Parley, Wimborne Minster, Wimborne St Giles, and Witchampton.

Cranborne Chase Landscape Appraisal Areas of Great Landscape Value Design Requirements for landscaping residential areas Countryside Design Summary Trees and Development Timber Windows – Conservation and Repair

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Pointing with Lime Mortar Historic Buildings – A Fragile Inheritance Flood Risk, Groundwater and Sustainable Drainage Systems Special Character Areas Affordable and Special Housing Needs and the Provision of Small Dwellings

Annex C – Strategic Environmental Assessment & Sustainability Appraisal

C1 European Directive 2001/42/EC requires that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) be prepared for any land use and spatial plan, programme and modification to them. Consequently, SEA will be required for many of the documents set out within the LDS. The planning system requires that all Development Plan Documents should be subject to Sustainability Appraisal. This has a wider scope than the SEA and both will be integrated into the production of the documents.

C2 An SA/SEA Scoping Report was prepared and feedback from stakeholders has been received on the report. The report is published on the Council’s website.

C3 This report will reviewed periodically and will inform preparation of more detailed sustainability appraisal reports on individual DPDs and SPDs. These reports will be used to inform the options preferred for each document.

C4 In addition, the Council also commissioned Land Use Consultants Ltd, to undertake a Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Core Strategy due to the proximity of designated sites to many of the proposals contained in the document.

C5 The Core Strategy has also been subject to Equalities, and to Health Impact Assessments, conducted by officers within the planning policy team. This assessments will be repeated for other parts of the Local Plan.

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Annex D- Resources & Risk

D1 The production of the Local Plan will be undertaken primarily by the joint Planning Policy Team of the Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership. This joint team was formed in April 2014, although previously two separate teams had shared resources to work on the Core Strategy and other documents.

D2 The team has the following resources available:

1 Partnership Planning Policy Manager1 Planning Policy Team Leader1 Senior Planning Officer1 Planning Officer1 Planning Technician1 Housing Development Officer1 GIS Officer1 GIS Support Officer

D3 Additionally, other resources will be used to deal with specialist areas of work to include: Partnership staff, including:

o Development Management officerso Economic Development officerso Housing and Environmental Health officerso Operational Services including Highways, Coast Protection, Leisure and Parks and Countrysideo Legal Services solicitor.

Members of staff from Dorset County Council are used to deal with transport, landscape and ecological issues.

D4 It is likely that specialist and independent work will be required at different stages of the process. In such cases the Council will seek to engage specialists such as nature conservation and professional consultants.

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Involvement of stakeholders and community

D5 The Local Plan will be subject to extensive and continuous consultation. Stakeholders and the community will be engaged in the production of the documents from initial preparation to the final adoption. How this will happen is set out within the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), adopted in July 2016.

Risk Analysis

D6 The main areas of risk in the preparation of the Local Plan are set out in the table below.

S = Severity, L = Likelihood, R = Rate Risk Level: Low Medium High 1 – 4 Low 5 – 9 Medium 10+ - High

Before AfterRiskS L R

Control MeasuresS L R

Comments

Council Resources 3 4 12 Ensure all Councillors understand statutory requirements

Make sure budgets are agreed and in place

Consider ability to review work programme

4 1 4 Budget cuts are likely but Planning legislation reduces threat to this service

Staff turnover/recruitment/illness

4 3 12 Ensure retention policy can compete with other agencies

Minimise staff illness through stress

4 2 8 Loss of staff can occur even if mitigation measures in place

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Risk Before Control Measures After CommentsS L R S L R

Ensure replacement strategy in place if staff leave

Consider review of programme if necessary

Political Decision Making 3 2 3 Ensure all Councillors are well briefed and involved throughout the process

3 1 3

Reliance on Outside Agencies

3 3 9 Contingency plans in place to amend programme if this occurs

3 2 6 Reliance on DCC and other agencies makes this difficult to achieve.

Working in Partnership 4 2 4 Maintain resources at current levels

Ensure all parties understand significance of partnership

Maintain good communication to reduce risk of fracture of joint documents

4 1 4

Legal Challenge 4 2 8 Ensure that 4 1 4 Possibility of legal

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Risk Before Control Measures After CommentsS L R S L R

procedures and evidence gathering are robust

Ensure Local Plan meets all legal requirements

challenge is outside of Council’s control as can be mounted whatever the strength of the case.