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

Policy and Alternatives Considered
Assessment
ID.
SP08‐A1
Policy/Alternative Policy Text
In view of the scale of provision to be made on the former DERA site a relaxed
attitude will be taken towards the loss of employment land for alternative uses.
Appropriate development of employment sites will be expected to follow the
principles of sustainable development.
4.106 The approach in SP08 promotes the continued safeguarding of existing employment sites and supports
employment generating development in the town centres of Addlestone, Chertsey and Egham,
providing there is no loss of retail floorspace. Also promotes the proposed employment floorspace at
the former DERA site to meet a significant part of the identified need for additional floorspace. Travel
plans will be encouraged to include approaches aimed at reducing travel journeys during peak times.
4.107 SP08‐A1 takes a relaxed attitude towards the loss of employment land for alternative uses in view of
the scale of provision to be made on the former DERA site. The appropriate development of
employment sites will be expected to follow the principles of sustainable development.
Strategic Policy 9 (SP09) – Sustainable Transport
4.108 In the issues and options public consultation, over half of the respondents to transport related
questions agreed residential development should make a financial contribution towards improving the
Yellow Bus Scheme. Over half also agreed that all development should make a financial contribution
towards improving existing (or providing new) bus services.
4.109 Nearly half agreed that development should make a contribution towards improving paths, and cycle
routes, and almost two thirds of the respondents agreed that large commercial developments, public
buildings, and schools should have Travel Plans. Respondents also supported the suggestion that
development should contribute towards improving the travelling facilities and services at railways
stations.
4.110 Specific comments also suggested that reducing car parking provision would only reduce travel demand
by car if alternative arrangements such as car sharing were made. Points were also raised about the
need to improve connectivity across the borough and with cross boundary areas.
4.111 On the basis of its consultations, the Council considered it necessary to include a sustainable transport
policy for Runnymede. An alternative would have been to prepare a sustainability principles policy.
However, as transport is considered to be such a major issue for Runnymede, the approach was taken
to set out the key elements or criterion required in order to work towards creating sustainable
development.
4.112 The purpose of the policy approach is therefore to improve accessibility by sustainable modes of
transport to town centres, local centres, and facilities needed on an everyday basis to reduce reliance
on the private car.
4.113 The Local Plan considered one policy option for Policy SP09 to deliver its objective, and summarised in
Table 31.
Table 31 – SP09 Policy Options Considered
Policy and Alternatives Considered
Assessment
ID.
Policy/Alternative Policy Text
Strategic Policy 9 (SP09) – Sustainable Transport
Policy SP09 effectively outlines a set of 8 ‘good to have’ criteria that will “…achieve sustainability…”
that could apply to any location within the borough.
‐ Alternatives not considered relevant to this policy.
4.114 To summarise, Policy SP09 effectively outlines a set of 8 ‘good to have’ criteria that will “…achieve
sustainability…” that could apply to any location within the borough.
Strategic Policy 10 (SP10) – Development and Flood Risk
Page | 63 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013