2.PLANNING CONTEXT: CORE STRATEGY POLICY

Policy Title Relevance To The Development

Policy CSP. 1

Design, environmental protection and enhancement (strategic objective: providing quality environments)

The design and construction of new development must take into account important characteristics of the environment and conserve, preserve or otherwise respect them in a manner that maintains or enhances their contribution to the environment, including their wider context. New development should demonstrate an efficient use of resources. It should respect wider natural corridors and other natural areas, providing green infrastructure where necessary. There is specific reference to AONBs and to flood risk areas both of which are relevant to particular areas of the study area

Policy CSP. 2

Policy - Climate Change Adaptation

(Strategic objective: thriving sustainable communities)

Proposals for development will be required to demonstrate that their design and layout will reduce the impacts of climatic change as identified in national, regional and local predictions over the lifetime of the development concerned. The following should be addressed in an integrated way, demonstrating that one element benefits another. This includes water management including SuDS and management of flood risk. Heating and cooling Proposals will be required to demonstrate how the development comprehensively utilises passive solar gain and provides cooling for buildings, gardens and communal areas at the appropriate times of the year. Specific reference is made to increasing biodiversity and supporting green infrastructure corridors that link to existing habitat corridors. Developments will be required to make long lasting biodiversity enhancements which could include the creation of new habitats where these would be appropriate.

Policy CSP. 3

Sustainable Energy within Development Proposals (Strategic objective: thriving sustainable communities)

A minimum of 20% energy needs to be on site renewable. This policy is intended to reduce the carbon emissions from new development by ensuring that a proportion of its energy requirements are provided by on site renewable means. The design of the new settlement must be mindful of solar aspect and opportunities for wind power generation in order to reduce its carbon footprint and maximize the use of renewable energy. The positioning of the site is important in reducing emission and should make use of existing infrastructures where possible, such as road and rail networks.

Policy CSP. 4

Development principles, development at settlements (strategic objectives: to promote thriving sustainable communities, facilitate regeneration)

This policy is concerned with how development will contribute to the overall aims of the strategy. It sets out the principle that development should be concentrated at settlements and that it should be of a scale and nature which is compatible with the role of the settlement concerned. It relates to all development, and the requirement for it to be located in accord with the existing settlement pattern and hierarchy. The policy aims to protect the character of the district so that any new development compliments and augments existing settlement and landscape character.

Policy CSP. 5

Housing - strategic objectives: to promote thriving sustainable communities – provide affordable homes

The policy is concerned with providing adequate provision of affordable housing. Priority will be given to development on previously developed land and on sites identified for housing in the development plan. No new greenfield sites will be released unless it can be proven that land is not available from other sources and is needed to meet the plan's requirements. The policy makes reference to making specific provision for an aging population not with separate housing but this should be reflected more in the lifetime suitability of dwellings than their design for a particular stage in life. There is a need for smaller dwellings for one and two persons, and for families generally and for a range of affordable housing. The need for affordable housing is overwhelmingly for housing for social rent. This guidance specifically guides the type and density of the proposed developments dwellings

Policy CSP.

6 Sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople

Policy CSP. 7 Economy (strategic objective: develop the local economy including tourism)

Sites will be provided for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople according to needs identified within the district. There is a shortage of pitches for Travelling Showpeople in the County. The main need appears to be for site(s) close to the M5 and suitable land in the Forest of Dean could help meet this need. The allocations DPD will consider the need for allocated sites but in their absence, proposals will be considered against the Core Strategy and other prevailing guidance. While there is no provision for Gypsies, travellers and show people in the planned new site the plan is mindful of this in choosing a location.

This policy implements part of the Core Strategy's economic objective, setting out the aims of new employment provision. It provides for a more diverse economy and supports improved education and other facilities. It states that it is essential to deliver a more diverse economy if the vitality of the area is to improve. It can also address the overall sustainability, as the high level of out commuting is in part a reflection of the lack of certain types of job opportunities within the district. It is clear that employment and a sustainable economic infrastructure area essential component of a new settlement. Connectivity, services and tourism including heritage-based tourism which respects and helps to conserve the environment will be encouraged along the same lines.

Policy CSP. 8

Policy CSP.9Recreational and amenity land

The policy states that accessible community halls, shops, places of assembly and GP surgeries are often key to the quality of life in a rural community and provide both points of contact and essential services. CSPs 8 and 9 outline the safe guarding of existing green space and heritage landscape and outline the need for community and recreation facilities to be built into new development. Amenity and recreation spaces along with blue and green infrastructure can shape the character of the new development.

CSPs 10 through to 16 outline specific site plans/ capacity across the district including the three largest towns of the district, Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney. The latter area of Lydney is the largest and has the most potential for a larger monocentric development with better access and capacity however there are multiple housing allocations and neighbour hood plans that are key consideration for any future development. These polices are revisited in later in the study and influential in the shortlisting process.