Deposit Draft Local Development Plan - Rhondda Cynon Taf

*Refer to Correction Addendum 11th February 2009*proposals outside and adjoining the defined settlement boundary ofAberdare will not be permitted.Development proposals within and/or adjoining the definedsettlement boundaries around the Strategic Sites defined by PolicyCS 3 will only be permitted where they will not prejudice thedevelopment of the Strategic Sites6.55. In order to ensure the continued provision of new housing in the NorthernStrategy Area, the LDP will seek to maximise the opportunities for smallscaledevelopment on unallocated sites.6.56. The aim of the policy is to provide a framework for the development ofunallocated land within the principal towns, key settlements and smallersettlements of Rhigos, Penywaun, Cwmbach, Aberaman, Penrhwceiber,Abercynon, Ynysybwl, Treherbert, Pentre, Maerdy, Ystrad, Tylorstown,Ynyshir and Cymmer for residential purposes. Past completion rates havedemonstrated that the development of unallocated or ‘windfall’ siteswithin existing settlements can make an important contribution towardsthe housing land bank.6.57. In the Northern Strategy Area, the development of small sites has made animportant contribution to the housing land bank. For this reason thepolicy will, where appropriate, allow for the construction of 10 dwellingson sites of outside but adjoining the defined settlement boundaries.Proposals for new development, outside and adjoining settlementboundaries, must be accompanied by a comprehensive design statement.6.58. Unlike many of the other settlements in the Northern Strategy Area, thePrincipal Town of Aberdare has seen considerable growth over the lastdecade. The allocations contained in Policy will ensure that the settlementcontinues to grow at an appropriate and sustainable rate. Whilst furthergrowth within the defined settlement boundary is encouraged,development outside the boundary will undermine the historic characterof the area, result in the urbanisation of the countryside and potentiallysee additional growth in Aberdare without the necessary infrastructureand services to support a sustainable form of development.6.59. The aim of the policy is to provide a framework for the development ofunallocated land within the principal towns, key settlements and smallersettlements of Rhigos, Penywaun, Cwmbach, Aberaman, Penrhwceiber,Abercynon, Ynysybwl, Treherbert, Pentre, Maerdy, Ystrad, Tylorstown,Ynyshir and Cymmer for residential purposes. Past completion rates havedemonstrated that the development of unallocated or ‘windfall’ siteswithin existing settlements can make an important contribution towardsthe housing land bank.6.60. In the Northern Strategy Area, the development of small sites has made animportant contribution to the housing land bank. For this reason thepolicy will, where appropriate, allow for the construction of housingoutside the defined residential settlement boundaries on sites of 0.3hectares or less which are bounded on at least one side by definedresidential settlement boundaries.6.61. Unlike many of the other settlements in the Northern Strategy Area, thePrincipal Town of Aberdare has seen considerable growth over the lastdecade. The allocations contained in Policy NSA 9 will ensure that thesettlement continues to grow at an appropriate and sustainable rate.Whilst further growth within the defined settlement boundary isencouraged, development outside the boundary will undermine thehistoric character of the area, result in the urbanisation of the countrysideand will not potentially see additional growth in Aberdare without thenecessary infrastructure and services to support a sustainable form ofdevelopment. Outside the defined settlement boundary of Aberdaredevelopment will only be permitted where it accords with therequirements of Policies AW 3 and AW 9.80 Preserving Our Heritage, Building Our Future