Contact: Antony Payne, ext 6766/Nick Richardson, ext 5429

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council be advised that a statement will be supplied under Section 46 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 stating that the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan Review - First Deposit Draft Plan is in general conformity with the Hampshire County Structure Plan 1996-2011 (Review).

(ii) That the comments set out in paragraphs 4.9 to 4.12 of the attached report to the Environment Policy Review Committee of 4 September 2002 be forwarded to the Borough Council for information.

(iii) That the County Planning Officer and County Surveyor, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment as necessary, be authorised to make appropriate objections or representations on the First Deposit Draft Plan once it has been formally placed on deposit.

2. Reason

2.1 The Local Plan makes provision for future development and conservation in accordance with the Hampshire County Structure Plan 1996-2011 (Review).

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to issue a Statement of Conformity.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7320/AP/NR

Contact: Antony Payne, ext 6766/Nick Richardson, ext 5429

1. Summary

1.1 Basingstoke and Deane Borough's First Deposit Plan was approved by the Borough Council in July 2002 and will be placed on deposit for consultation this autumn, commencing early October. The County Council has been requested to provide a statement of conformity.

1.2 This report considers the draft policies and proposals and recommends that the Executive Member be advised to issue a statement that the Local Plan is in conformity with the County Structure Plan.

2. Procedures

2.1 Before a Local Plan is put on initial deposit, a statement from the County Council is required indicating whether or not the Local Plan is in general conformity with the Structure Plan. A Statement of Non-Conformity counts as an objection to the deposited Local Plan.

2.2 The decision on general conformity is a key decision for the Executive Member for Environment in the County Council's Forward Plan because of its significant effects on communities living or working in the area. The assessment of conformity is, however, largely a straightforward, technical process of comparing the policies and proposals in the Local Plan with the policies in the Structure Plan.

3. Introduction

3.1 The Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan Review - First Deposit Draft Plan covers the period to 2011 and beyond. It has been drafted to be more in line with the recent Planning Green Paper than a `traditional' Local Plan, and so contains less detail and fewer policies than previous Plans. It sets out a vision with overall objectives and contains a Statement of Community Consultation and Engagement. There are five chapter headings:

(i) Location of Development;

(ii) Environment;

(iii) Economy;

(iv) Community/Social; and

(v) Accessibility and Infrastructure.

3.2 The Plan includes the policies to be used for development control purposes, proposed site allocations where development will take place over the Plan period and an `Action Plan' for North Basingstoke in recognition of the many development proposals in this area. The Borough Council has also identified land to the west of Basingstoke as its proposed location for a Major Development Area (MDA) for the period beyond 2011, but states that the MDA would be brought forward through the next review of the Local Plan.

3.3 The draft text of the Plan, as reported to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Councillors, can be found at: http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/services/ planning/localplan/firstdepositdraft.asp. Although there will be some minor changes, the Deposit version of the Plan will be essentially the same.

4. County Planning Officer's Comments

4.1 The policies and proposals in the First Deposit Draft Plan are in general conformity with the Structure Plan. However, the following specific areas are worthy of note as some may attract a recommendation to object when the County Council is invited to consider the First Deposit later this year.

Housing

4.2 The housing supply in the Plan broadly accords with Structure Plan requirements and provides for the full baseline plus reserve requirement in the Plan of 14,060 dwellings. However, it should be noted that some 30% of the supply 2001-2011 is expected to be delivered from brownfield and other sites within the settlements. In recognition that some sites may not come forward within the Plan period, the Plan has included a non-completion allowance (10% of the supply from commitments, brownfield and part brown/part green sites). This provides for a minimum of 645 dwellings that are additional to the baseline plus reserve figure and will help ensure that Structure Plan housing requirements are delivered. The strategic planning authorities will shortly be checking the urban capacity studies produced by local planning authorities and this exercise should confirm that the brownfield component of the Local Plan is both realistic and achievable.

4.3 The Structure Plan requires the Local Plan to identify a reserve housing provision of 2,000 dwellings. However, the Local Plan does not identify sites as baseline or reserve and instead takes a two phase approach to the Plan. Sites are identified as expected to start producing completions either before or after 2005/06. Sites in the second phase constitute the reserve and planning consents will only be released once annual monitoring justifies it. Although this approach is different from that envisaged by the Structure Plan it does broadly conform with it.

4.4 The Structure Plan requires the Local Plan to identify new communities (MDAs) in the period up to 2011 totalling 4,000 dwellings. The Borough Council proposed to meet this by expanding Basingstoke to the north. To this end a Draft North Basingstoke Action Plan has been prepared and will be included within the First Deposit Local Plan.

4.5 The brief aims to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the north Basingstoke community through a mix of regeneration, environmental enhancement and major new development schemes involving consultation with the Local Strategic Partnership and the community.

4.6 Key elements include:

(i) provision for up to 4,000 new dwellings;

(ii) relocation of John Hunt of Everest school;

(iii) local employment site provision;

(iv) new fire station and health centre;

(v) transport improvements; and

(vi) new local centre (shops, community facilities, etc).

4.7 The brief accords with Structure Plan Policy MDA4 (new community at Basingstoke).

4.8 The Borough Council has also identified land to the west of Basingstoke as its proposed location for an MDA for the period beyond 2011, but states that the MDA would be brought forward through the next review of the Local Plan. Although there is no requirement for it to plan for beyond 2011, the Borough Council should be commended for setting out its views on the medium to long term development of Basingstoke.

Nature Conservation

4.9 Policy E7 does not follow national guidance as all the sites, habitats and species have been 'lumped' under the same policy. The Borough Council may wish to discuss this matter further with the County Council.

Archaeology

4.10 There is one concern that may emerge in time regarding the MDA west of Basingstoke, where the proposed road link at Catterns Crossroad, as shown on illustrative plans, is in conflict with a scheduled ancient monument. There will need to be discussion with the County Council on the implications of this as a conflict with the archaeological policy may emerge.

Environment

4.11 Policy E8 (water environment), as written, will be contentious, as it does not conform to PPG25 in that it does not develop and apply strategic guidance and policies in Regional Planning Guidance and the Structure Plan. It also does not apply the sequential test set out in paragraph 30 of PPG25 and omits to show any areas of flood risk on a proposals map. In accordance with PPG25, the promotion of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems should be a policy, not supporting text.

4.12 There is also no policy to put into effect the Borough's objective to protect the rural environment for its own sake.

5. County Surveyor's Comments

5.1 To date, the County Council as highway authority has not commented on any of the numerous sites put forward. An initial prioritisation of the sites is required before resources can be committed to commenting on individual sites. The transport principles are outlined in the Plan and more fully in the Local Transport Plan and the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport. Essentially, sites will be considered if they are accessible, or are capable of being made accessible by modes other than the car. Particular emphasis will be given to sites that support public transport networks and are accessible on foot and by cycle. Larger sites that are car-orientated will compare unfavourably with those sites where the provision of transport by sustainable means is a major consideration.

6. Conclusion

6.1 A Statement of Conformity is required to enable the Borough Council to place the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan Review - First Deposit Draft Plan 2001-2011 on deposit for public consultation. The Plan is in general conformity with the policies of the Hampshire County Structure Plan 1996-2011 (Review) and therefore a Statement of Conformity should be issued.

6.2 There is, however, an opportunity to bring a number of specific issues to the attention of the Borough Council at the same time.

6.3 Once the First Deposit Local Plan is placed on deposit, the County Council can consider a detailed response on the Plan and formally object where considered necessary.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that:

(i) a statement be supplied under Section 46 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, stating that the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan Review - First Deposit Draft Plan 2001-2011 is in general conformity with the Hampshire County Structure Plan 1996-2011 (Review); and

(ii) the comments set out in paragraphs 4.9 to 4.12 be forwarded to the Borough Council for information.

7321/AP