Settlement Hierarchy for the Forest of Dean - Forest of Dean District ...

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Forest of Dean District Council | Settlement Hierarchy for the Forest of Dean 16 . Relevant Strategic Policies The RSS accepts that rural areas of the South West, including the smaller towns, villages and surrounding countryside, represent a major asset for the region. Much of these rural areas are made up of villages and small towns not meeting the criteria of Development Policy B. This Draft RSS seeks to present a positive vision of vital and viable rural communities. In order to enable these rural communities to thrive, small amounts of development (particularly economic development) may be appropriate in villages and small towns over the next 20 years. It accepts that many small communities and groups of communities are sustainable and self sustaining; especially where economic development is taking place and employment is available locally and local services, including shops, post offices, schools, health centres and meeting places, are provided together with an adequate supply of affordable housing. It goes on to advise that the scale and nature of development in rural communities needs to be managed more carefully than has been the case over the last 20 years if the most sustainable approach to development is to be delivered across the region. LDDs will need to reflect these differences, based on the analysis of roles and functions set out in Development Policy C. Furthermore it advises that targeted small-scale development for housing in accessible village communities will be appropriate if it is supported by local needs surveys and other parish and village plans. In small towns and villages not meeting all the criteria of Development Policy B, based on an analysis of roles and functions, development will be appropriate where it: Supports small-scale economic activity which fits the scale of the settlement and can accommodate the future growth of business in the development permitted; Extends the range of services available including outreach delivery of services, making use of existing premises where possible; Does not significantly increase traffic on local roads and where traffic implications can be demonstrated to be acceptable; Promotes self containment, strengthens local communities, and helps support key services 34
Forest of Dean District Council | Settlement Hierarchy for the Forest of Dean 16 . Relevant Strategic Policies Development of housing in these settlements will be permitted where it relates to requirements identified in housing market studies and other assessments of local needs for housing verified by the local authority or where housing development is necessary to support employment provision locally. Policy SR14 Section 4 of the document relates to more locationally specific policies. The main SSCTs are covered together with associated towns in the nearby rural area, which will be subject to Development Policy B, but for which some strategic guidance is required to assist LDD preparation and investment decisions by regional agencies. Of particularly relevant to the Forest of Dean is that part which relates to the Cheltenham and Gloucester area. This section advises at paragraph 4.2.44 that: “Gloucester and Cheltenham’s economy continues to be a dominant influence over a number of nearby towns, with substantial levels of inward commuting from towns such as Stroud, the Forest of Dean towns and Tewkesbury and from Southern Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Beyond the links to Gloucester, the Forest of Dean towns (Coleford, Lydney and Cinderford) demonstrate a complex, yet localised nature of commuting to and from each other and with other settlements in Wales and Herefordshire also intimately involved. Collectively, the three Forest towns form a relatively tight network with strong inter-relationships. In these towns there has been a considerable scale of housing development but this has not been matched by local job creation. A key issue to address in the Forest of Dean LDD is that of stimulating economic activity, increasing the opportunity for people to live and work in close proximity. Higher levels of self-containment, a reduction in dependencies with Gloucester and increased provision of services and facilities in the immediate locality will move towards a more sustainable community. Further housing development in the Forest of Dean towns should be clearly linked to increased economic provision.” Policy SR14 goes on to advise that Whilst Gloucester and Cheltenham should accommodate the major part of the development within their areas of functional influence, LDDs should identify where opportunities exist within Stroud, Tewkesbury and the Forest of Dean towns which can be promoted and encouraged for development that will reduce the existing imbalances between population, employment and housing provision and reduce dependence on car-borne commuting. Strategic 35
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