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

Council’s involvement in the Surrey collaboration project and its adoption of the “planning tariff”
approach is supported by a policy LF10 in the SEP. This policy support s the small scale site tariff, and
our proposed approach builds on this.
4.82 It was considered important to address the provision of community facilities at the Local Plan level as it
contributes towards maintaining the sustainability of locations and helps with community cohesion.
However, given the fact that the Government has replaced Circular 05/2005 with the NPPF coupled
with the fact that the CIL Regulations 2010 are being implemented following the adoption of the Local
Plan – it is questionable as to the effectiveness of this policy that largely replicates higher legislation in
terms of CIL, s106 Obligations (Planning Act) and Section 278 (Highways Act).
4.83 To summarise, Policy SP04 requires new development to contribute to the delivery of infrastructure
identified in the IDP whilst promoting partnership working to secure the same.
Strategic Policy 5 (SP05) – Design
4.84 Design has a key role to play in planning, in helping to meet the requirements of sustainable
development, which is a key element of the NPPF and supported by the Sustainable Community
Strategy. As the Borough will see an increase in built development, the Council requires that all
development proposals respect and improve the quality of the environment in the Borough.
Therefore, a Local Plan policy is necessary to require built design to be of a high quality.
4.85 No alternative was put forward for the Built Design, Accessibility and Sustainable Construction policy,
therefore the only policy made available for consideration to SA/SEA is SP05. The policy encourages the
continued replication of the existing form and function of the built environment found in Runnymede,
contributing to local distinctiveness and reducing the potential for crime and fear of crime. The policy
also favours that proposals will be permitted that incorporate measures to minimise energy
consumption.
4.86 At the Issues and Options stage there was considerable support (over 80% agreed or strongly agreed)
with the premise that future development should enhance the built and natural environment with high
quality design.
4.87 The Local Plan considered one policy option for Policy SP05 to deliver its objective, which has been
summarised inTable 27.
Table 27 – SP05 Policy Options Considered
Policy and Alternatives Considered
Assessment
ID.
Policy/Alternative Policy Text
Strategic Policy 5 (SP05) – Design
Policy SP05 encourages the continued replication of the existing form and function of the built
environment found in Runnymede.
‐ Alternatives not considered relevant to this policy.
4.88 The Local Plan promotes no alternatives to Policy SP05, stating that:
“The NPPF establishes that design should contribute positively to making
places better for people. It adds (paragraph 58) that Local Plans should
develop robust and comprehensive policies that set out the quality of
development that will be expected for the area. Policy SP05 sets out how the
Council has provided an approach that reflects local circumstances and links
into the Council’s Urban Area Appraisal 2009. The provision of an alternative
policy approach is not considered appropriate.”
4.89 The policy team do consider that a main alternative approach could have been to rely on the now
outdated government guidance, regional policies, the Surrey Design Guide or the production of
supplementary documents regarding design issues. Having considered the importance of design locally
and taking on board the advice of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE),
the Council considered that it is important to have a policy in the Core Strategy that covers this issue,
and this consideration has transferred to this Local Plan.
Page | 60 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013