DRAFT Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Emerging Local Plan ...

Location Policy 1 (LP01) – Strategy for the Location of Development
4.25 The Local Plan considered three policy options for Policy LP01 to deliver its objective. These have been
summarised in Table 15.
4.26 At the heart of the National Planning Policy Framework is a presumption in favour of sustainable
development, which should be seen as a golden thread running through both plan‐making and
decision‐taking. For the Local Plan this means that local planning authorities should positively seek
opportunities to meet the development needs of their area.
4.27 The policies in the Local Plan are underpinned by the presumption in favour of sustainable
development so that development which is sustainable can be expedited. The Local Plan is based upon
and reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development, with clear policies that will guide
how the presumption should be applied locally.
4.28 Evidence based material has informed the production of the Local Plan. The retail study has
demonstrated the opportunities for investment within the Borough’s town centres to meet future
need. However, the housing and employment land reviews that examined the future requirements in
the Borough concluded that the identified requirements cannot be met solely from within existing
urban areas.
Table 15 – LP01 Policy Options Considered
Policy and Alternatives Considered
Assessment
ID.
Policy/Alternative Policy Text
Location Policy 1 (LP01) – Strategy for the Location of Development
This approach will result in focusing development within the existing urban areas with the
exception of a new centre at DERA.
LP01‐A1 No additional growth but to respond to development schemes as they arise
following the guidance in the NPPF to permit sustainable development. (This ignores
the SCS, excludes DERA for housing as it would remain in the green belt, but it would
include the extant permission for commercial development. However, under the
policy L02 further work is required to consider the consequences of choosing the
housing options that require green belt releases)
LP01‐A2 To focus solely on Addlestone for promoting significant development using the 2012
quanta of developments (that formed the early work on the SCS) and let other areas
respond to development as option 2. This would exclude DERA for housing as it
would remain in the green belt, but it would include the extant permission for
commercial development.
4.29 The approach in LP01 directs new development towards previously developed land within the existing
urban settlements, to the former DERA site at Longcross, and to meet the growth aspirations of Royal
Holloway University of London on the main London Road campus. Full consideration will be given to
the impact on the transport network, to the risk of flooding, and to the potential impact of residential
development on the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area. Proposals will make appropriate
provision for affordable housing. Where relevant, consideration will be given to any effect on areas of
nature conservation importance, and on open space and recreational facilities.
4.30 The approach in LP01 – A1 proposes no additional growth but to respond to development schemes as
they arise following the guidance in the NPPF to permit sustainable development. (This ignores the SCS,
excludes DERA for housing as it would remain in the green belt, but it would include the extant
permission for commercial development).
4.31 The approach in LP01 – A2 focuses solely on Addlestone for promoting significant development using
the 2012 quantum’s of developments (that formed the early work on the SCS) and let other areas
respond to development as option A1. This would exclude DERA for housing as it would remain in the
green belt, but it would include the extant permission for commercial development and focus solely on
Addlestone for major growth.
Page | 52 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013