2.PLANNING CONTEXT : National Planning Policy Framework

Forest of Dean Local Plan which includes the Core Strategy and Allocations Plan is guided by the National Planning Policy Framework which in turn refers to internationally agreed guidance. Governments signed up to the United Nations 17 Sustainability Goals.

National Policy.

Planning the development of the new town is in response to the acute need for more housing not just across the Forest of Dean but nationally. The government has a target of 300,000 new homes a year to be built to meet demand. The borough has to meet housing targets. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out how Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) should create their Local Plans and includes a standard method to assess housing need. ( Barton, C. 2021) The number of dwellings to be built in the new town is stipulated to be 5257 (Based on Forest of Dean District Council calculations).

Delivering a sufficient supply of homes

The NPPF acknowledges that small scale development is a vital component of a mixed housing strategic approach and importantly for this development it states that the supply of large numbers of new homes can often be best achieved through planning for larger scale development, such as new settlements (NPPF,2021. 5.73). This supports the nature of this development as it a discrete monocentric development.

Achieving Sustainable Development

Section 2 of the NPPF clearly articulates the importance of sustainability in all aspects of the development it states that the purpose of the planning system itself is to “contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. At a very high level, the objective of sustainable development can be summarised as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. (Resolution 42/187 of the United Nations General Assembly.) (NPPF,2021.2.1). This supports the principles of the new development which are guided by the Garden cities principles. In particular its response to climate change and a commitment to being carbon Zero and incorporating sustainable building processes and materials and incorporating positive energy systems. Achieving a sustainable development is dependent on the implementation of all three of the sustainability objectives; economic, social and environmental sustainability (NPPF,2021, 2.8)

Open space and recreation

Access to a network of high-quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important for the health and well-being of communities. (NPPF,2021, 98.)

Promoting sustainable transport opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use are identified and pursued; (NPPF,2021, 114.)

Making appropriate use of land with appropriate densities

Achieving well-designed places

The creation of high quality, beautiful and sustainable buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve. Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. (NPPF, 2021 12. 126.)

Policy TITLE RELEVANCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT

NPPF,2021.2.1 Achieving sustainable development. all plans should promote a sustainable pattern of development that seeks to: meet the development needs of their area; align growth and infrastructure; improve the environment; mitigate climate change (including by making effective use of land in urban areas) and adapt to its effects;

NPPF, 2021. 6.73 Delivering A Sufficient Supply Of Homes.

Identifying Land For Homes

The policy states that the development should ensure that their size and location will support a sustainable community, with sufficient access to services and employment opportunities within the development itself (without expecting an unrealistic level of self-containment), or in larger towns to which there is good access;

NPPF,2021,2.8)

Sustainability

Objectives

NPPF,2021, 2.8)

Sustainability

Objectives

Economic objective a)– to help build a strong, responsive and competitive economy, by ensuring that sufficient land of the right types is available in the right places and at the right time to support growth, innovation and improved productivity; and by identifying and coordinating the provision of infrastructure;

Social objective b)– to support strong, vibrant and healthy communities, by ensuring that a sufficient number and range of homes can be provided to meet the needs of present and future generations; and by fostering well-designed, beautiful and safe places, with accessible services and open spaces that reflect current and future needs and support communities’ health, social and cultural well-being; and

NPPF,2021, 2.8)

Sustainability Objectives

Environmental objective

C)-to protect and enhance our natural, built and historic environment; including making effective use of land, improving biodiversity, using natural resources prudently, minimising waste and pollution, and mitigating and adapting to climate change, including moving to a low carbon economy.

NPPF (2021) 3.16 Plan Making Plans should be prepared with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development

(NPPF,2021,8. 98.) Open space and recreation

Access to a network of high-quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important for the health and well-being of communities

(NPPF,2021, 114.) Promoting sustainable transport opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use are identified and pursued;

(NPPF, 2021 12. 126.) Achieving welldesigned places

The creation of high quality, beautiful and sustainable buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve. Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities Table