Information for Developers
As well as the benefits to be had from developing a travel plan voluntarily, the context for developing a travel plan as part of a new development or an extension to a current facility is set out in the Governments Planning Policy Guidance note 13 - Transport (PPG13):
"The Government considers that travel plans should be submitted alongside planning applications which are likely to have significant
transport implications, including those for:
- All major developments comprising jobs, retail, leisure and services;
- Smaller developments which would generate significant amounts of travel in or near Air Quality Management areas
- New and expanding school facilities, - where a travel plan would help address a particular local traffic problem."
Developers should be aware that the County Council’s Local Transport Plan (LTP) seeks to: promote equity, limit traffic growth and improve the safety and amenity of local environments. Where new developments are planned, there needs to be a balance struck between road users, with priority going to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. This makes the development of travel plans an important element of the planning process.
Historically, developers have been required to make contributions to highway improvements to accommodate new traffic levels. The emphasis now is moving towards the collection of contributions from developers to ensure that the full costs of the new development are covered. Contributions could be sought to cover public transport service improvements, bus priority, traffic management, parking controls, highway improvements, improved pedestrian and cycle facilities.
In the case of speculative developments or where the occupier is not known, the developer will be required to submit a draft travel plan or a framework for a travel plan and a planning condition will be imposed, requiring businesses to submit a travel plan prior to occupation.
A guide to development related travel plans
The County Council is keen to develop an approach to dealing with development related travel plans that will be of mutual benefit to both local authorities and developers/ agents.
To assist developers, detailed guidance is being developed. This guidance is currently in working draft format and feedback on it is welcomed. Please contact the Travel Plan Adviser for more information.
The Council’s approach to new development related travel plans is based on the principles of a staged development – the content of the travel plan will become more comprehensive as the nature of the development the characteristics of the likely end user become clearer. Please refer to the Information for businesses section for information about general travel plan content or contact the Travel Plan Adviser. For school extensions or new developments see the information on the school travel plans site. Guidance for residential developments is also being developed and will be included in the final guidance note.
Residential travel plans
Guidance on residential travel planning is contained within the County Councils guidance note. For detailed guidance please refer to the Department for Transports Making residential travel plans work: guidelines for new development.
Travel plan evaluation
The Guide to Development related travel plans contains an assessment table that developers are strongly advised to use to assess a travel plan prior to its submission. Developers may also which to refer to the Department for Transport’s travel plan evaluation software which is freely available and accessible from the Internet on the Department for Transport website. Alternatively, a CD Rom version is available. Developers are encouraged to refer to this software in assessing the content of their travel plan before submitting it to the Council. Developers should aim to achieve a minimum score of 60%.
A subjective assessment of the travel plan will also be undertaken by the Travel Plan Adviser. Where a travel plan does not meet the required standards, appropriate feedback and advice will be given and the Adviser is available to meet with the developer to discuss the travel plan further.
Parking standards
The provision of car parking is an important factor determining travel choices and is a major use of land resources. In Summer 2002 Hampshire County Council published a set of Car parking standards for Hampshire (including Portsmouth & Southampton) and new developments will be expected to provide parking within the (maximum) standards that have been set.
