Deposit Draft Local Development Plan - Rhondda Cynon Taf

5.22. In addition to larger areas of planned change, the Council recognises thatsmaller-scale developments cumulatively and over time, can have asignificant impact upon the appearance and quality of our communities.Rhondda Cynon Taf registers approximately 2,200 planning applicationsper annum. By ensuring that each proposal appropriately and reasonablycontributes to creating a high quality environment, the Council will ensurethat all proposals contribute to creating quality places.5.23. All new development should be highly accessible. Walking and cycling havean important role to play in the management of movement across theCounty Borough, particularly reducing the number of short trips taken by car.Developers will be required to ensure that new developments encouragewalking and cycling by giving careful consideration to location, design, accessarrangements, travel ‘desire lines’ through a development, and integrationwith existing and potential off-site links. Providing safe and convenientwalking and cycling environments will help tackle health problemsassociated with physical inactivity, and social exclusion factors arising fromcar dependency, poor access to services and public transport facilities.5.24. Encouraging the multiple uses of buildings will further reduce the need totravel and maximise the locational advantages of existing buildings, whichare often at the heart of communities.5.25. The provision for car parking is a major influence on the choice of means oftransport and the pattern of development. The Council will seek to restrictdevelopments that generate a high level of trips (e.g. offices, shops andleisure uses) to locations well served by public transport. Moreover, provisionfor parking will be reduced in line with improvements in public transportaccessibility. Further guidance in respect of Car Parking is contained inSupplementary Planning Guidance on Access, Parking and Circulation.5.26. The Assembly Government promotes the widespread adoption of TravelPlans by businesses, schools, hospitals, tourist attractions, majorresidential developments and other significant travel-generating uses tohelp ensure efficient management of the highway network and promotealternative modes of transport. The need for a travel plan will be identifiedearly on as part of the pre-application or scoping discussions with the LocalPlanning Authority. Detailed guidance in respect of scope and contents ofTravel Plans is contained in Supplementary Planning Guidance on Access,Parking and Design.5.27. Good design can play a key role in reducing the impact of climate changeand help promote a more efficient use of resources. Buildings currentlyaccount of up to half of our CO2 emissions and there is considerable scopefor this to be reduced through more sympathetic and efficient buildingdesign, layout and orientation, the use of sustainable and recycledmaterials and the promotion of on-site micro generation of energy.5.28. The Building Research Establishment has developed the Building ResearchEstablishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) standard forall non-residential buildings and the EcoHomes standard for all domesticbuildings. Both approaches incorporate sustainability credentials andencourage good environmental design, site planning and construction inaddition to reducing running costs through greater energy efficiency. Therequirement to achieve a minimum of a Very Good standard in bothBREEAM and EcoHomes will be monitored and may be increased astechnologies improve. The Council will adopt appropriate recognisedstandards if the existing are superseded. Where the EcoHomes or BREEAMstandards apply, development proposals must be accompanied by anEnergy Statement prepared by an accredited assessor.48Preserving Our Heritage, Building Our Future