CSD15 6 Doncaster Local Plan Local Plan Form and Content Checklist · 2020-03-03 · Local Plan Form and Content Checklist (Part 2 of PAS Local Plan Route Mapper Toolkit) ... (economic,

1 Checklist Table of Contents

Doncaster Local Plan

Local Plan Form and Content Checklist

(Part 2 of PAS Local Plan Route Mapper Toolkit)

March 2020

(For the Submission version of the Local Plan)

CSD15

6


1. Introduction

1.1. Doncaster’s Local Plan has been formally submitted to the Secretary of State. It will now be examined by an independent Inspector to assess whether the Local Plan has been prepared in accordance with the legal and procedural requirements set out in the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012; and whether the Plan is “sound1”, in accordance with Section 20(5)(b) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

1.2. The starting point for the examination is the assumption that the Council has submitted what it considers to be a “sound” plan. Those seeking changes should demonstrate why the plan is unsound by reference to one or more soundness criteria. The tests of soundness are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (para 352) : see Table 1 below.

1.3. A key part of the Examination will be to test the Local Plan against the requirements of Government planning policy in the NPPF. To facilitate this, the Planning Advisory Service have issued a ‘Local Plan Route Mapper and Toolkit’ (October 2019). Part 2 of this includes a ‘Form and Content’ checklist allowing plan makers to self-assess their plans against the NPPF’s requirements. Doncaster Borough Council has chosen to adapt PAS’ template by expanding it to allow a more thorough analysis of the NPPF’s requirements.

1.4. Completion of the checklist has been undertaken with the NPPF’s soundness tests in mind. The

responses further signpost the reader to a range of other supporting evidence that has been prepared and the processes undertaken to get the Plan to this point. The Council reserves the right to bring forward additional information through the examination process.

1.5.

1 Section 20(5b) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 2 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/3-plan-making

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/3-plan-making


1.6. Table 2 summarises the key stages in preparing the Local Plan to the point of submission. These

stages will be referred to within the checklist. Unless otherwise stated, references to chapters, policies and paragraphs will be drawn from the Doncaster Local Plan Publication Draft Plan (Regulation 19). Documents referred to in this checklist can be found in the Local Plan’s Examination Library: www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/planning/localplanexamination

1.7. This checklist should be read in conjunction with the Council’s separately completed PAS Local Plan Route Mapper Checklist Part 3 (Process Requirements including legal compliance) (CSD16) and Part 4 (Soundness and Quality Assessment) (CSD17); and the Council’s Statement of Common Ground (CSD13).

1.8. Taking the above into account, the following checklist sets out the NPPF’s requirements and provides evidence for how they have been applied to preparation of the Local Plan – this includes Local Plan policy / content and evidence base.

1.9. The NPPF refers to other Government policy, which are also assessed in this Checklist, as well as relevant parts of the Government’s Planning Practice Guidance3.

3 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/planning-practice-guidance

https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/planning/localplanexamination

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/planning-practice-guidance


Table 1: Soundness Tests

Plans are considered ‘sound’ if they are: a) Positively Prepared: providing a strategy which, as a minimum, seeks to meet the area’s

objectively assessed needs; and is informed by agreements with other authorities, so that unmet need from neighbouring areas is accommodated where it is practical to do so and is consistent with achieving sustainable development. This means that the Local Plan should be based on a strategy which seeks to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements, including unmet requirements from neighbouring authorities where it is reasonable to do so and consistent with achieving sustainable development. Planning policies should play an active role in achieving the three overarching (economic, social and environmental) objectives for sustainable development through application of NPPF policies to guide development towards sustainable solutions.

b) Justified: an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives, and based on proportionate evidence. This means that the Local Plan should be based on a robust and credible evidence base involving:

Research / fact finding: the choices made in the Plan are backed up by facts.

Evidence of participation of the local community and others having a stake in the area.

The Local Plan should also provide an appropriate strategy when considered against reasonable alternatives. These alternatives should be realistic and subject to sustainability appraisal.

c) Effective: deliverable over the plan period, and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than deferred, as evidenced by the Statement of Common Ground. This means the Local Plan should be deliverable, requiring evidence of:

Sound infrastructure delivery planning.

Having no regulatory or national planning barriers to delivery.

Delivery partners who are signed up to it.

Coherence with the strategies of neighbouring authorities, including neighbouring marine planning authorities.

The Local Plan should be flexible and able to be monitored.

The Local Plan should indicate who is to be responsible for making sure that the policies and proposals happen and when they will happen. The Plan should be flexible to deal with changing circumstances – these may involve minor changes to respond to the outcome of the monitoring process or more significant changes to respond to problems such as lack of funding for major infrastructure proposals. Although it is important that policies are flexible, the Local Plan should make clear that major changes may require a formal review including public consultation. Any measures which the Council has included to make sure that targets are met should be clearly linked to an ‘Authority Monitoring Report’.

d) Consistent with national policy: enabling the delivery of sustainable development in accordance

with the policies in the NPPF. The NPPF is considered to be the Government’s explanation of what sustainable development means for planning policy. Therefore, compliance with the NPPF is key unless a locally justified departure is clearly evidenced.


Table 2: Key Stages in preparing the Doncaster Local Plan

Doncaster Local Plan Date

Publication Draft – Regulation 19 August 2019

Draft Policies and Proposed Sites (Informal Consultation) – Regulation 18 October 2018

Homes and Settlements Consultation – Regulation 18 March 2016

Vision, Aims and Objectives Consultation – Regulation 18 March 2016

Issues and Options – Regulation 18 July 2015

Checklist Contents

Introduction (NPPF Chapter 1: paras 1-6) ..................................................................................................................... 6

Achieving Sustainable Development (NPPF Chapter 2: paras 7-14) ............................................................................. 7

Plan Making (NPPF Chapter 3: paras 15-37) ............................................................................................................... 11

Delivering a sufficient supply of homes (NPPF Chapter 5: paras 59-79) .................................................................... 17

Building a strong, competitive economy (NPPF Chapter 6: paras 80-84) ................................................................... 27

Ensuring the vitality of town centres (NPPF Chapter 7: paras 85-90) ........................................................................ 32

Promoting healthy and safe communities (NPPF Chapter 8: paras 91-101) .............................................................. 34

Promoting sustainable transport (NPPF Chapter 9: paras 102-111) .......................................................................... 41

Supporting high quality communications (NPPF Chapter 10: paras 112-116) ........................................................... 47

Making effective use of land (NPPF Chapter 11: paras 117-123) ............................................................................... 48

Achieving well-designed places (NPPF Chapter 12: paras 124-132) ........................................................................... 57

Protecting Green Belt land (NPPF Chapter 13: paras 133-147) .................................................................................. 65

Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change (NPPF Chapter 14: paras 148-169) ............ 69

Conserving and enhancing the natural environment (NPPF Chapter 15: paras 170-183) ......................................... 74

Conserving and enhancing the historic environment (NPPF Chapter 16: paras 184-202) ......................................... 80

Facilitating the sustainable use of minerals (NPPF Chapter 17: paras 203-211) ........................................................ 84

Planning Policy for Traveller Sites ................................................................................................................................... 90


Key:

New plan-making requirement of the 2019 NPPF not contained within the previous 2012 version

Revised plan-making requirement of the NPPF, containing some changes from the 2012 version

Requirement of the NPPF which has not changed from the 2012 version in relation to plan-making

Policy Requirement (and reference) Assessment (Policy / Evidence Base)

Introduction (NPPF Chapter 1: paras 1-6)

Include any relevant material that is set out in government policy statement(s) for the area for example a national policy statement(s) for major infrastructure and written ministerial statements (NPPF 5 & 6).

National Planning Policy for Waste (Oct 2014)4 (NPPF para 4); National Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (Aug 2015)5 (NPPF para 4); UK Marine Policy Statement (Sep 2011) (NPPF para 166)6 Sustainable Drainage Systems: Written Statement (Dec 2014)7 (NPPF para 6); Parking Policy: Written Statement (Mar 2015)8 (NPPF para 6); Starter Homes Policy: Written Statement (Mar 2015)9 (NPPF para 6);

National Planning Policy for Waste: Planning for waste in Doncaster is addressed in the Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham Joint Waste Plan, (2012): https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/planning/barnsley-doncaster-rotherham-joint-waste-plan. National Planning Policy for Traveller Sites: see separate assessment below. UK Marine Policy Statement: As set out in the Statement of Common Ground, and in meeting the Duty to Cooperate, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) do not consider there to be any significantly relevant cross-boundary issues arising from the Doncaster Local Plan to warrant agreement on a Statement of Common Ground. They consider issues to do with water quality and flooding in Doncaster fall under the Environment Agency/other local authorities’ remit. Sustainable Drainage Systems: Written Statement: Addressed in response to NPPF para 165 below.

4 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-for-waste 5 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-policy-for-traveller-sites 6 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-marine-policy-statement 7 https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-vote-office/December%202014/18%20December/6.%20DCLG-sustainable-drainage-systems.pdf 8 https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-03-25/HCWS488/ 9 https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm150302/wmstext/150302m0001.htm#1503022000006

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/1-introduction

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-for-waste

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-policy-for-traveller-sites

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-marine-policy-statement

https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-vote-office/December%202014/18%20December/6.%20DCLG-sustainable-drainage-systems.pdf

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-03-25/HCWS488/

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm150302/wmstext/150302m0001.htm#1503022000006

https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/planning/barnsley-doncaster-rotherham-joint-waste-plan

https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/planning/barnsley-doncaster-rotherham-joint-waste-plan

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-for-waste


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-marine-policy-statement

https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-vote-office/December%202014/18%20December/6.%20DCLG-sustainable-drainage-systems.pdf

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2015-03-25/HCWS488/

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm150302/wmstext/150302m0001.htm#1503022000006



Planning for Schools Development Policy (Aug 2011)10. Parking Policy: Written Statement: Addressed in response to NPPF para 106 below. Starter Homes Policy: Written Statement: Starter Homes are one of the types of Affordable Housing Provision defined Annex 2 (Glossary) to the NPPF. Therefore this is addressed in response to various parks of the NPPF covering affordable housing policy requirements. Planning for Schools Development Policy: Addressed in response to NPPF para 94 below.

Achieving Sustainable Development (NPPF Chapter 2: paras 7-14)

Contribute to the achievement of sustainable development (NPPF 8, 9, 16).

Plans should play an active role in guiding development towards sustainable solutions, but in doing so should take local circumstances into account, to reflect the character, needs and opportunities of each area (NPPF 9).

Policy 1: Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development (Strategic Policy) Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy)

The Local Plan’s overall strategy is based on a presumption in favour of sustainable development. The Local Plan is the local interpretation of Government planning policy set out primarily in the NPPF. The fundamental aim of the Local Plan is to guide development towards sustainable solutions and it does this in a myriad of ways through its planning policies. Policies 2 & 3 are arguably two of the more significant policies setting out the overall strategy for the distribution of development across a defined settlement strategy. The policies and accompanying Policies Map, when read as a whole, set out how the Local Plan seeks to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.

The identification and coordination of infrastructure is part of the planning system’s role in achieving sustainable development (NPPF 8a).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 67: Development Viability (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Infrastructure Strategy

10 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-for-schools-development-statement

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-for-schools-development-statement

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/2-achieving-sustainable-development

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/2-achieving-sustainable-development

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-for-schools-development-statement



Plans should be shaped by early, proportionate and effective engagement between plan-makers … and … infrastructure providers and operators (NPPF 16c). Strategic policies should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and quality of development, and make sufficient provision for :.. infrastructure for transport, telecommunications, security, waste management, water supply, wastewater, flood risk and coastal change management, and the provision of minerals and energy (including heat) (NPPF 20b). Strategic policy-making authorities should collaborate to identify the relevant strategic matters which they need to address in their plans. They should also engage with … infrastructure providers… (NPPF 25). Effective and on-going joint working between strategic policy-making authorities and relevant bodies is integral to the production of a positively prepared and justified strategy. In particular, joint working should help to determine where additional infrastructure is necessary, and whether development needs that cannot be met wholly within a particular plan area could be met elsewhere (NPPF 26). Plans should set out the contributions expected from development. This should include setting out the levels and types of affordable housing provision required, along with other infrastructure (such as that needed for education,

The Local Plan’s Visions includes ensuring new development and infrastructure requirements are improved and / or delivered together. Similarly as stated in Policy 2, the Plan’s overall strategy includes a focus on delivering sustainable growth which includes supporting necessary improvements to infrastructure, services and facilities.

To support preparation of the Local Plan, and to aid its implementation, an Infrastructure Delivery Plan has been prepared which should be seen as a living document that will be continually updated to ensure that infrastructure needs are identified and its delivery supported. Appendix 1 to the Main Report includes an Infrastructure Delivery Schedule which shows current infrastructure project information such as location, dates, costs, funding sources and delivery mechanisms, the lead partner, plus risks and dependencies. It also identifies the existing plans and strategies already in place to facilitate and secure delivery.

In addition to the Infrastructure planning work, Whole Plan Viability Testing (2016), independently undertaken by District Valuation Service (Reviewed and updated by CP Viability in 2019), assesses the costs of Local Plan policies, alongside other identified development costs and standards, to demonstrate that development will be viable, including impact of affordable housing policy and other infrastructure requirements. CIL is currently under review and policies are therefore drafted on the basis of contributions via Section 106 Agreements, in line with the CIL Regulations and their limitations on their use. Local Plan policy allows for site specific negotiations where/if viability issues ensue.



health, transport, flood and water management, green and digital infrastructure). Such policies should not undermine the deliverability of the plan (NPPF 34).

Apply the presumption in favour of sustainable development (NPPF 11).

Plans should positively seek opportunities to meet the development needs of their area, and be sufficiently flexible to adapt to rapid change (NPPF 11a).

Policy 1: Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development (Strategic Policy)

The Local Plan’s overall strategy is based on a presumption in favour of sustainable development. Policy 1 is included in the Local Plan to confirm this and explain how the presumption will be applied in practice. The Local Plan is the local interpretation of Government planning policy set out, primarily, in the NPPF. The fundamental aim of the Local Plan is to guide development towards sustainable solutions and it does this in a myriad of ways through its planning policies.

meet the development needs

see Objectively assessed needs

flexible to adapt to rapid change

Para 1.11 : Looking further ahead Policy 67: Development Viability (Strategic Policy) Paras 15.12 – 15.14 : Monitoring Appendix 12 : Monitoring Indicators

The Plan explicitly acknowledges that there are factors beyond its control which need to be monitored to inform the statutory need to consider whether to review the Plan (in whole or in part) every five years. To respond to short term changes, and informed by a Whole Plan Viability Report and sensitivity testing, policies in the Local Plan incorporate flexibility where appropriate (for example, by reference to viability). Some policies take a more explicit approach to change circumstances, such as Policies 2 and 3 which allow for a more flexible approach (with safeguards) for appropriate development in countryside adjacent to certain settlements in the event that a five year housing land supply could not be demonstrated. Policy 6 also identifies Reserve Development Sites, some of which reflect the uncertainty and flexibility necessary to respond to the route of HS2 depending on the outcome of the Government’s Review into the latter phases of the project.



The Plan also includes a commitment to monitoring the performance and effectiveness of the Plan based on relevant indicators given in Appendix 12 via an Annual Monitoring Report which will be produced annually following Local Plan adoption. This will also monitor the significant sustainability effects of the Plan as identified in the Local Plan’s Sustainability Appraisal (i.e. the indicators identified in the Sustainability Appraisal’s Framework – see Appendix E of the Sustainability Appraisal of the Publication Draft Local Plan).

Local Plans should, as a minimum, provide for objectively assessed needs for housing and other uses, as well as any needs that cannot be met within neighbouring areas, unless:

the application of policies within the NPPF that protect areas or assets of particular importance provides a strong reason for restricting the overall scale, type or distribution of development in the plan area; or

any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole

(NPPF 11).

The economic, social and environmental needs of the authority area addressed and clearly presented in a fashion which makes effective use of land and specifically promotes mixed use development, and take account of cross-boundary and strategic issues.

Note: Meeting these needs should be subject to the caveats specified in NPPF 11 (see above).

Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 4: Employment Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Policy 29: Open Space Provision in New Developments Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Policy 65: Providing for Energy Minerals (on-shore Gas and Oil (Hydrocarbons)) Economic Forecasting and Housing Needs Assessment Employment Land Needs Assessment Housing Needs Survey Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment Retail, Leisure and Town Centres Study Forecasting Demand for Aggregates Local Aggregates Assessment Green Space Audit Playing Pitch Strategy Doncaster Infrastructure Plan Statement of Common Ground

The Plan’s provision for the objectively assessed needs of various land uses is set out in robust and up-to-date evidence base – the main evidence for this is listed above. The Economic Forecasts and Housing Needs Assessment 2018 is the up to date assessment of housing need within the borough and is the basis for establishing the Local Plan’s housing requirement. The more recent Housing Needs Survey 2019 then provides a more detailed breakdown of the need by size, type and tenure by different groups, including affordable



Objectively assessed need is informed by agreements with other authorities (NPPF 35a).

Effective and on-going joint working between strategic policy-making authorities and relevant bodies is integral to the production of a positively prepared and justified strategy, in particular, where additional infrastructure is necessary (NPPF 26)

housing. The ‘Statement of Common Ground’ documents that the duty to cooperate has confirmed that the Borough does not need to meet any needs from neighbouring areas and can provide for its own needs within the Borough.

Further explanation of how identification of objectively assessed needs has informed preparation of the Plan and resulted in its proposals for land allocations is given in the Housing Topic Paper and the Employment Land Needs Assessment.

Plan Making (NPPF Chapter 3: paras 15-37)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-making

Provide a positive vision for the future; a framework for addressing housing needs and other economic, social and environmental priorities (NPPF 15).

Chapter 2: About Doncaster Chapter 3: Our Vision for the Future Chapter 15: Implementation and Monitoring Policy 1: Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development (Strategic Policy) Appendix 12: Monitoring Indicators

Local Plan Chapter 2 sets out a spatial portrait of the Borough and an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges facing Doncaster at the time of plan preparation. Similarly, the Sustainability Appraisal includes a baseline analysis used to help identify the Sustainability Issues faced by the Borough.

This led to Local Plan Chapter 3 which sets out a positive vision for the Borough and a series of 20 objectives for how the vision will be achieved and to guide preparation of the Plan’s policies. Together, within national policy in the NPPF, there is a comprehensive suite of policies to meet the Plan’s objectives without attempting to provide a policy for every conceivable eventuality. Appendix 12 (Monitoring Indicators) of the Local Plan tabulates the relevant Local Plan strategic objectives for each policy and how they will be monitored.

The Plan’s Strategy has been developed from consultation and testing, via sustainability appraisal, of reasonable alternative options for the broad distribution of development in the Borough. These included consultation on Issues and Options (2015) and the Homes and Settlement Strategy (2016).

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/3-plan-making

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-making



The Plan’s overall strategic approach, set out in Local Plan Chapter 4, is considered to be an appropriate strategy derived from, and given, the above.

All the policies in the Local Plan should be read together. They are considered to be as internally consistent as possible but as each planning decision needs to be taken based on its own individual circumstances, and can be subject to other material considerations, the Plan cannot cover all scenarios and there may at times be “conflict” between policies. Policy 1 is specifically included to confirm the overall strategy of the Plan is based on a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

How the Local Plan intends to meet the objectively identified needs for housing and other uses is set out above.

Plans should be:

Aspirational and deliverable

Contain clear and unambiguous policies

Accessible through the use of digital tools

Serve a clear purpose avoiding duplication (NPPF 16)

Chapter 2: About Doncaster Chapter 3: Our Vision for the Future Whole Plan Viability Report

The Local Plan includes a positive aspirational vision based on a good understanding of the sustainability issues, and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges facing the Borough. It seeks to contribute to achieving the ambitious plans and ideas set out in Team Doncaster’s ‘Doncaster Growing Together’ to make Doncaster ‘a thriving place to learn, work, live and care”.

Care has been taken to ensure the Plan is viable both in terms of individual policies and when taken as a whole. The viability assessment of the Local Plan is assessed in the Whole Plan Viability Report. The deliverability of land allocations has been assessed in, for example, the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment. Infrastructure requirements and costs have been document in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

This checklist assesses individual Local Plan policies against the requirements of the NPPG and other Government policy and guidance. Completion of the checklist is mindful of assessing whether the policies meet the NPPF’s soundness tests.

The policies have been written as clearly as possible, and tested via both consultation (the Regulation 18 Draft Policies and Proposed Sites informal consultation) and Sustainability Appraisal. The policies in the Local Plan are fully consistent with the NPPF



and duplication of NPPF content has been avoided wherever possible - for example, Local Plan Green Belt policy does not repeat the detailed policy of the NPPF. Policies in the Local Plan are justified in that they add to or aid the implementation of national policies within the local context, and are locally distinctive and as such do not repeat or reformulate national policy.

Preparation, and presentation, of the Local Plan has been achieved through using digital tools and content, and made available by the Council’s website (at: https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/localplan). Consultation and engagement in plan preparation has been facilitated by the Council’s website, social media accounts and email. The Local Plan’s Policies Map is presented digitally as a GIS based interactive map.

Plans should be shaped by early, proportionate and effective engagement between plan-makers and communities, local organisations, businesses, infrastructure providers and operators and statutory consultees (NPPF 16c).

Statement of Community Involvement. Statement of Consultation (Regulation 22 Statement).

Issued in 2015, the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement guided how consultation and engagement should inform the Local Plan. The Regulation 22 Statement of Consultation documents how consultation has actually been undertaken, which bodies and individuals were invited, and who actually made, representations on the Local Plan. It also summarises the issues raised and how these have been taken into account.

Prior to the more formal Regulation 19 Publication stage, various informal consultations were carried out which gave considerable opportunities for interested individuals and organisations to influence plan preparation from the earliest stages of plan preparation.

Consultation Summaries of the responses to each stage of the engagement/ consultation have been made available at each subsequent stage of the local plan’s preparation, including Officer responses where appropriate.

Include strategic policies to address priorities for the development and use of land. They should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and quality of development and make sufficient provision for named items (NPPF 17 & 20).

Chapter 4: Strategic Approach includes six overarching strategic policies and other policies elsewhere In the Plan are identified where they are considered to be strategic.

https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/localplan



a) housing (including affordable housing), employment, retail, leisure and other commercial development;

b) infrastructure for transport, telecommunications, security, waste management, water supply, wastewater, flood risk and coastal change management, and the provision of minerals and energy (including heat);

c) community facilities (such as health, education and cultural infrastructure); and

d) conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and historic environment, including landscapes and green infrastructure, and planning measures to address climate change mitigation and adaptation..

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/water-supply-wastewater-and-water-quality PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/climate-change

Outline which policies are ‘strategic’ policies (NPPF 21) The Local Plan clearly states which policies in the Plan are strategic. A box is included after para 1.10 which explains the role of strategic policies in guiding preparation of neighbourhood plans.

Strategic policies should look ahead over a minimum 15-year period from adoption (NPPF 22)

The Local Plan’s plan period is 2015-2035. The base date is 1 April 2015 but all the information in the Local Plan for land supply (e.g. planning permissions) is as at 1st April 2018). The Plan is expected to be adopted in 2020 to comply with the minimum 15 year period.

Strategic policies should provide a clear strategy for bringing sufficient land forward, and at a sufficient rate, to address objectively assessed needs over the plan period (NPPF 23).

see Objectively assessed needs

Include non-strategic policies to set out more detailed policies for specific areas (NPPF 18 & 28).

The Local Plan clearly states which policies in the Plan are strategic; the remainder are non-strategic.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/water-supply-wastewater-and-water-quality

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/water-supply-wastewater-and-water-quality

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/climate-change



Effective and on-going joint working between strategic policy-making authorities and relevant bodies is integral to the production of a positively prepared and justified strategy, in particular, where additional infrastructure is necessary (NPPF 26)

Statement of Common Ground Doncaster Infrastructure Strategy

The Statement of Common Ground documents the joint-working undertaken to prepare the Local Plan. However, the production and updating of the Statement of Common Ground is an on-going requirement and the Council will continue to engage and work with neighbouring authorities and partners through both the delivery of the Doncaster Local Plan and its evidence base as well as neighbouring local plans and their evidence base.

Following Local Plan adoption, economic, social and environmental issues will continue to be monitored and evidence updated. These will inform the statutory need to consider whether to review the Plan (in whole or part) at least every five years. When the Local Plan is reviewed, the Statement of Common Ground will be reviewed and updated accordingly. A review of the Statement will also be required if agreements on issues included in this Statement are reached at a later stage.

To support preparation of the Local Plan, and to aid its implementation, an Infrastructure Delivery Plan has been prepared which should be seen as a living document that will be continually updated to ensure that infrastructure needs are identified and its delivery supported. Appendix 1 to the Main Report includes an Infrastructure Delivery Schedule which shows current infrastructure project information such as location, dates, costs, funding sources and delivery mechanisms, the lead partner, plus risks and dependencies. It also identifies the existing plans and strategies already in place to facilitate and secure delivery.

Preparation and review of all policies should be underpinned by relevant and up-to-date evidence. This should be adequate and proportionate, focused tightly on supporting and justifying the policies concerned, and take into account relevant market signals (NPPF 31).

This checklist documents the evidence base used to inform preparation of the Local Plan’s policies.

Local plans and spatial development strategies should be informed throughout their preparation by a sustainability appraisal (NPPF 32)

The Local Plan has been informed by Sustainability Appraisal throughout its preparation.



PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-environmental-assessment-and-sustainability-appraisal

Policies should be reviewed to assess whether they need updating at least once every five years, and should then be updated as necessary (NPPF 33)

Para 1.11 : Looking further ahead Policy 67: Development Viability (Strategic Policy) Paras 15.12 – 15.14 : Monitoring Appendix 12 : Monitoring Indicators Sustainability Appraisal

The Plan explicitly acknowledges that there are factors beyond its control which need to be monitored to inform the statutory need to consider whether to review the Plan (in whole or in part) every five years.

The Plan includes a commitment to monitor the performance and effectiveness of the Plan based on relevant indicators given in Appendix 12 via an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) which will be produced annually following Local Plan adoption. This will also monitor the significant sustainability effects of the Plan as identified in the Local Plan’s Sustainability Appraisal (i.e. the indicators identified in the Sustainability Appraisal’s Framework – see Appendix E of the Sustainability Appraisal of the Publication Draft Local Plan).

Governance arrangements will be in place for the AMR to be reported to the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee.

Set out contributions expected from development, and demonstrate that expected contributions will not undermine the deliverability of the Plan (NPPF 34 & 57).

Policy 66: Developer Contributions (Strategic Policy) Policy 67: Development Viability (Strategic Policy) Policy 8: Delivering the Necessary Range of Housing (Strategic Policy) Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 29: Open Space Provision in New Developments Policy 46: Housing Design Standards (Strategic Policy) Policy 53: New Education facilities Whole Plan Viability Testing Report

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-environmental-assessment-and-sustainability-appraisal

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-environmental-assessment-and-sustainability-appraisal



Local Plan Policy 66 clearly sets out the policies which may require developer contributions from relevant development proposals and the developer requirements (Appendix 2) provides some further detail e.g. education and Public Open Space contributions.

The Whole Plan Viability Testing Report has been produced to demonstrate that expected contributions will not undermine the deliverability of the Plan.

Local Plan Policy 67 sets out policy for those occasions where an applicant may seek to justify the need for a viability appraisal as an exception to the principle that testing policies as part of the plan-making stage negates the need for site specific viability assessments as part of subsequent planning applications in the majority of circumstances.

Plan should be based on an appropriate strategy, taking into account reasonable alternatives (NPPF 35b).

Chapter 4 of the Local Plan sets out the Plan’s overall strategy for meeting Doncaster’s needs for development and growth up to 2035.

This Strategy has been developed from consultation and testing, via sustainability appraisal, of reasonable alternative options for the broad distribution of development in the Borough. These included consultation on Issues and Options (2015) and the Homes and Settlement Strategy (2016).

The Plan’s overall strategic approach, set out in Local Plan Chapter 4, is considered to be an appropriate strategy derived from, and given, the above.

Further detail on the evolution of the Strategy is given in the Housing Topic Paper.

Delivering a sufficient supply of homes (NPPF Chapter 5: paras 59-79)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-supply-and-

delivery

A sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward informed by a local housing assessment where it is needed and the standard method for assessing the number of homes

sufficient amount and variety of land

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/5-delivering-a-sufficient-supply-of-homes

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/5-delivering-a-sufficient-supply-of-homes

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-supply-and-delivery

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-supply-and-delivery



required has been used as a minimum unless exception circumstances justify an alternative approach (NPPF 59 & 60)

Any needs that cannot be met within neighbouring authorities has been taken into account in establishing the amount of housing to be planned for (NPPF 60).

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-and-economic-development-needs-assessments

Economic Forecasting and Housing Needs Assessment Employment Land Needs Assessment Housing Needs Survey

Policy 3 sets out the housing and employment land requirements for the Borough derived from the evidence base. The Economic Forecasting and Housing Needs Assessment explains that a housing requirement has been identified which significantly exceeds the Standard method for assessing the number of homes required. The Employment Land Needs Assessment explains the basis for the amount of employment land deemed necessary and the basis for the uplift from the figure identified through the Economic Forecasting to take account of factors such as choice and churn.

needs that cannot be met within neighbouring authorities

The Statement of Common Ground has confirmed that Doncaster is self-contained for the purposes of housing land supply and does not need to take into account any need from neighbouring authorities.

The size type and tenure of housing needed for different groups has been assessed and is reflected in policies (including, but not limited to, those who require affordable housing, families with children, older people, students, people with disabilities, service families, travellers, people who rent their homes and people wishing to commission or build their own homes) (NPPF 61).

PPG: Housing needs of different groups

PPG: Housing for older and disabled people

PPG: Self-build and custom housebuilding

Policy 8: Delivering the Necessary Range of Housing (Strategic Policy) Policy 10: Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 46: Housing Design Standards (Strategic Policy) Appendix 5: Affordable Housing Requirement Value Areas Housing Needs Survey Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment The issue of planning for a mix of housing (including affordable housing) is addressed through the Housing Needs Assessment conclusions which addresses different needs groups, including all of those specifically listed by NPPF para 61. Appendix 4 of the Local Plan sets out an indicative breakdown of dwelling mix and type for settlements based on an annual share of the annual housing requirement.

The HELAA also uses an anticipated mix for specific sites.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-and-economic-development-needs-assessments

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-and-economic-development-needs-assessments

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-needs-of-different-groups

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-for-older-and-disabled-people

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/self-build-and-custom-housebuilding



Policy 12 (Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People) is based on its own specific evidence base in the ‘Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment’.

Policy 70 requires a minimum of 0.4 hectares of land to be made available for self-build homes as part of the Unity development.

Policy 10 (Houses in Multiple Occupation HMOs) acknowledges the important role HMOs play in meeting the housing need of a range of groups. It also acknowledges the growth in HMOs in parts of the Borough and addresses the concerns around the quality of living for occupants in this type of housing.

Where a need for affordable housing is identified, specify the type of affordable housing required (NPPF 62).

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/self-build-and-custom-housebuilding

Policy 8: Delivering the Necessary Range of Housing (Strategic Policy) Appendix 5: Affordable Housing Requirement Value Areas Housing Needs Survey The supporting text to Policy 8 identifies the ratio between affordable homes for rent and low cost home ownership which is 75%/25% respectively and the Housing Needs Survey identifies the preference for property type.

Where need for affordable housing is identified the following matters have been addressed:

Other than in designated rural areas affordable housing is not sought for non-major development (NPPF 63).

10% of housing on major development sites should be for affordable home ownership products subject to exemptions at NPPF 64.

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/build-to-rent

Policy 8: Delivering the Necessary Range of Housing (Strategic Policy) / Appendix 4: Dwelling Mix and Type Policy 66: Developer Contributions (Strategic Policy)

Policy 8 complies with the requirements of NPPF 63.

The stated requirement of NPPF 64 is a national policy requirement. Policy 8 requires higher provision in the circumstances set out.

Local Plan should establish a housing requirement figure for their whole area (NPPF 65).

Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Economic Forecasting and Housing Needs Assessment

Policy 3 sets the housing requirement figure for the whole borough of Doncaster over the plan period and states the requirement as a range with allocations made for the top of the range (and in excess of). The bottom of the range is the Local Housing Need figure as calculated using the standard methodology which will be reviewed an updated



https://www.gov.uk/guidance/build-to-rent



throughout the plan period and the requirement figure proposed for the purposes of calculating 5-Year Housing Land Supply.

Neighbourhood Plan areas have an identified housing requirement figure (NPPF 65)

Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy)

Policy 3 sets out a housing requirement at settlement level for towns and village sin the top 3 tiers of the hierarchy which generally align with Parish/Neighbourhood Plan areas (e.g. Armthorpe; Thorne-Moorends; Rossington; Bawtry; Tickhill; and, Edlington). Some of the largest settlements at the top of the hierarchy are non-Parished, including the majority of the Doncaster Main Urban Area; the Main Towns of Mexborough, Conisbrough-Denaby, and, Adwick-Woodlands; and the Service Town of Carcroft-Skellow. Neighbourhood Plans in these areas would have to come forward by a Neighbourhood Forum and Policy 3 provides a housing requirement again at settlement level.

Identifying land for homes PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-and-economic-land-availability-assessment

Identify and maintain a rolling supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide five years’ worth of housing against their housing requirements; this should include an additional buffer of 5% , 10% or 20% (moved forward from later in the plan period) to ensure choice and competition in the market for land. 10% buffer is used where an annual position statement is used, 20% buffer applies where there has been significant under delivery of housing over the previous three years (NPPF 67 & 73) PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/viability

rolling supply of five years’ housing

Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy)

The Local Plan includes an initial five years supply of specific deliverable sites at Plan adoption. These are shown in the tables supporting Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy) and Figure 3: Local Plan Housing Trajectory. Specific site allocations are shown on the Policies Map. There are a number of supporting documents which help (and will continue to do so after Plan adoption) demonstrate the required housing supply, namely:

5-Year Deliverable Housing Land Supply Statement

Residential Land Availability Report

Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA)

Housing Delivery Test Results

The 5-Year Deliverable Housing Land Supply Statement (and the deliverable supply of sites allocated in the Local Plan for the first 5 years therefore) includes a 10% buffer given the wish to demonstrate through the Examination of the plan an annual position statement.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-and-economic-land-availability-assessment

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-and-economic-land-availability-assessment

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/viability



Identify a supply of developable sites or broad locations for years 6-10 and, where possible, years 11-15 (NPPF 67).

Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy) Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA)

The Local Plan includes a supply of developable housing sites for years 6-10 and 11-13 and identifies sufficient sites to deliver the requirement from the last 2 years of the plan period based on the Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment. Sites are shown on the Policies Map. There are other sources of housing land supply in addition to allocations set out through Policy 6 e.g. small permissions 1-4 units, all permissions from the Defined Villages, housing in line with Policy 7, Policy 6 reserve sites, windfalls, etc.

Measures to bring small and medium sites forward are taken and windfall sites supported including 10% of housing requirement is supplied on sites no larger than 1 ha (subject to caveat in part b of para 68 (NPPF 68). PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/brownfield-land-registers

Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy) Para 4.81: 99 of the allocations identified on the Policies Map are on sites up to 1 hectare in size and equate to 1,297 dwellings. The Local Plan’s housing requirement for the 20-year plan period is expressed as a range. Compared to the top of the range this represents 7% of the requirement. Further to this, the 2018 Brownfield Land Register identifies an additional 10 sites totalling 142 units on sites less than 1 hectare in size which are not proposed as allocations. Collectively this equates to a total of 8% of the requirement being on sites less than 1 hectare. The next update to the Brownfield Register will commit to identify additional small sites to make good the 2% shortfall.

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy & Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) & Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy): These polices identify that there may be opportunities adjacent to the Defined Villages in the east of the Borough (Countryside) for small-medium scale development on sites up to 0.8 hectares.

Policy 11: Residential Policy Areas: This policy supports bringing forward windfall sites within such designated areas (as shown on the Policies Map) which are likely to be small-medium sized sites, often on brownfield sites, and is an efficient use of land.

Allowances for windfall sites as part of anticipated supply should be justified by compelling evidence they will provide a reliable source of supply (NPPF 70).

Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy) Para 4.83: Windfalls have been a significant supply of housing completions for many years (source: Residential Land Availability Reports) averaging 419 per year 1999-2011; 543 per year 2004-11; and 494 per year 2011-15. Excluding windfalls on garden land, windfalls 2011-15 averaged 424. The allocated supply has not been reduced to make allowance for windfalls and so all windfalls will be additional land supply to meet the plan

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/brownfield-land-registers

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/brownfield-land-registers



period requirement. Windfalls will, however, make a significant contribution to 5-year deliverable supply (although the calculation is adjusted to avoid double counting with extant small permissions at the start of the 5 year period and to exclude windfalls on residential garden land).

Entry level exception sites suitable for first time buyers should be supported unless need is already being met (NPPF 71).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy & Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) & Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy)

Local Plans should avoid duplicating national policy and NPPF sets out sufficient detail for such sites i.e. it must be demonstrated that such a need is not already being planned for; they should be on sites not already allocated through the plan; comprise of entry-level homes in line with the definitions in Annex 2 of the Framework; be adjacent to existing settlements; proportionate in size to them; not in the Green Belt ‘half’ of the borough; and, comply with any local design policies and standards.

Notwithstanding this, Local Plan Policies 2 and 3 identify that there may be opportunities adjacent to the Defined Villages in the east of the borough (Countryside) for small-medium scale development on sites up to 0.8 hectares and this policy is inclusive therefore of entry-level exception site opportunities.

Where larger scale development is being proposed this has considered infrastructure, access to services and employment, expectations regarding the quality of development, delivery rates and the necessity for new Green Belt designation (NPPF 72).

Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 4: Employment Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 7: Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Business Park (Strategic Policy) Transport modelling data (local and strategic) Doncaster Employment Land Review (Colliers) Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) The Local Plans Vision and Policy (2) is focussed on sustainable growth and ensuring that new development and infrastructure requirements are improved and/or delivered together

Infrastructure

The Infrastructure Delivery Plan is a ‘living document’ that will be continually updated to

ensure that infrastructure needs are identified and its delivery supported. Appendix 1 to



the Main Report includes an Infrastructure Delivery Schedule which shows current

infrastructure project information such as location, dates, costs, funding sources and

delivery mechanisms, the lead partner, plus risks and dependencies. It also identifies the

existing plans and strategies already in place to facilitate and secure delivery.

Critical Infrastructure Highways: Transport modelling data (local and strategic)

1. Doncaster Local Plan Junction Assessment (AECOM): Assessment of the LP on key highway junctions.

2. Doncaster Local Plan – Local Plan Modelling (Highways England): Assessment of the LP on Motorway junctions (A1m & M18)

Both of the assessments conclude that any negative impacts of LP sites can be mitigated by current planned highway schemes and other potential localised improvements (signalling, lane widening etc.) Sustainable Transport.

Policy 14; ‘Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments’ sets out the

expectations against new development

Flooding and Drainage.

All new development proposals will be considered against the NPPF. Policy 58: ‘Flood

Risk Management’ details the requirements of any proposed new development.

Energy.

Consultation responses from major utilities companies has not highlighted any concerns

resulting from the proposed allocations. The Infrastructure Plan details the proposals for



future improvements by utilities providers (gas, Elec. Water etc.). Local Plan Policy 59:

‘Low Carbon and Renewable Energy’ sets out approach to the increasing the supply of

low carbon and renewable energy.

Telecommunications.

Local Plan Policy 22: Telecommunications and Utilities Infrastructure part B states that all new housing and commercial developments must provide connectivity to the fastest technically available Broadband network. Doncaster is also a partner in the ‘Superfast South Yorkshire’ initiative to implement super-fast fibre connectivity to homes and businesses across the Borough. Other schemes include ‘Gigabit City’ and ‘Openreach Fibre First’ (See Appendix 1 ‘Infrastructure Delivery Schedule’ for detail).

Policy 3 sets out the distribution of growth thus directing development to parts of the

borough/settlements where it has been considered there is access to services and

available infrastructure. Policy 4 ensures that allocations will be developed in accordance

with development requirements set out in Appendix 2 of the Local Plan. In addition to the

transport modelling (for both local and strategic highways), the evidence base considered

access to services and infrastructure. SYPTE have also been consulted and involved

throughout Local Plan preparation. In some cases the employment sites are sufficiently

large enough to provide their own infrastructure and services.

Housing:

Analysis of the allocated supply (Policy 6) identifies 5 sites which are considered as being larger scale (800+ units). All are commitments (or where permission has previously been granted) and 3 (Ref: 843 Manor Farm, Bessacarr; Ref: 836 Carr Lodge, Woodfield; and, Ref: 662 Rossington Colliery) are under construction which has included the provision of supporting infrastructure (such as dualling of White Rose Way/Woodfield Link Road/Great Yorkshire Way/Carr Lodge Academy school etc) and the delivery trajectory based on current monitoring and anticipated build-out rates. The Carr Lodge



Supplementary Planning Document guides latter phases of the development in line with a Masterplan to ensure the overall finished development has been well designed. Masterplans also exist for Manor Farm and Rossington Colliery. The sites have all come forward in sustainable locations well located for access to services and employment opportunities e.g. Balby Carr/Lakeside/Doncaster Town Centre and Iport.

The other 2 sites are both permissioned but not yet under construction:

Ref: 418 Unity, Hatfield-Stainforth - The new M18 J5 Link Road is under construction and Policy 70/Outline permission and the Masterplan identifies other infrastructure requirements (new school, refurbished rail station, improvements to town centre etc.) and is a mixed use scheme co-locating new housing adjacent to employment opportunities. Build-out rates reflect timing of infrastructure delivery and for up to 3 developers on the site;

Ref: 838 Kirk Street/Ramsden Road, Hexthorpe – Extant permission but fresh application now being determined for the site so the delivery trajectory has been pushed back accordingly. A development platform has already been created under the extant permission which was implemented by the previous developer. Site located within easy access to Doncaster Town centre and all of the services and facilities it provides.

None of the Green Belt allocations in the Local Plan are considered as being ‘large’; the highest capacity is 300 dwellings at Carcroft-Skellow (Ref: 165/186 - Crabgate Lane).

Maintaining supply and delivery

Illustrate the expected rate of housing delivery through a trajectory. Consider whether appropriate to identify rate for specific sites (NPPF 73).

Policy 6: Housing Allocations Supporting Tables (see Chapter 16) Figure 3: Local Plan Housing Trajectory 5-Year Deliverable Housing Land Supply Statement Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) Residential Land Availability Report

Local Plan Figure 3 gives the Local Plan Housing Trajectory.



Evidence for this trajectory, and detailed information for all individual sites, based on monitoring of completions and permissions, is given in the supporting tables to Policy 6 which is derived from the evidence base set out above.

Rural Housing

In rural areas be responsive to local circumstances and plan housing development to reflect local needs, particularly for affordable housing, including through rural exception sites where appropriate (NPPF 77).

see NPPF 78 below.

The Local Plan does not include a specific rural exceptions housing policy. Although the Borough of Doncaster is very large (225 square miles) and around 67% of the land-use is in agriculture, due to the very dispersed pattern of settlements there are Main Towns and Service Towns/Villages across the Borough meaning even the smallest of hamlets and smaller Defined Villages are within relatively short reach of a larger populous and the services and facilities provided by such settlements which are considered as being the preferable location for affordable housing to meet identified local needs. Further to this, the current development plan (LDF Core Strategy adopted 2012) includes a rural exceptions sites policy which, in the 7+ years since its adoption, has never been used which itself suggests the need for such sites does not exist in Doncaster and the justification for including such a policy is therefore limited.

In rural areas housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities and identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where this will support local services (NPPF 78).

Local Plan policy for supporting appropriate housing in rural areas is explained in:

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy)

Policies 2,3 and 6 together distribute housing to a large number of settlements including rural towns and villages. Together Policies 2 and 3 also allow for limited development adjacent to defined villages (in exceptional circumstances as defined) which could include provision of affordable housing. This is considered an appropriate strategy directing the majority of development to the Borough’s largest settlements but whilst encouraging limited small-scale development in more rural communities – and limiting isolating development according to national policy in the NPPF.

Avoid development of isolated homes in the countryside unless one or more of the caveats of NPPF 79 apply.

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 26: Development in the Countryside



Proposals for development of isolated homes in the countryside will be considered against NPPF paragraph 79 and Local Plan policy 26.

Building a strong, competitive economy (NPPF Chapter 6: paras 80-84)

Create conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt (NPPF 80).

Chapter 3: Our Vision for the Future Policy 1: Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development (Strategic Policy) Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 4: Employment Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 5: Employment Policy Areas Policy 7: Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Business Park (Strategic Policy) Policy 26: Development in the Countryside Employment Land Need Assessment Employment Land Review Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment Housing and Employment Site Selection Methodology and Results The relevant policies in the Local Plan combine to support the development of new sites in the borough as well as support businesses on existing, successful sites. The approach to site selection has had regard to national, regional and local strategies which aim support diverse economic growth. A number of suitable sites have been allocated (including those with planning permission) in locations in line with Policy 3. These locations are also supported through marketing results/opinion, and demand information, as well as being demonstrated through the relevant evidence base including the HELAA and ELNA. The allocation of at least 481 ha for employment land takes into account competition and choice, churn and loss of land to other uses. This allows for flexibility throughout the plan period. The employment land requirement (at least 481 ha) also allows the sites to deliver more than currently planned for.

Set out a clear economic vision and strategy which positively and proactively encourages sustainable economic growth, having regard to Local Industrial Strategies and

Chapter 3: Our Vision for the Future Policy 1: Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development (Strategic Policy) Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/6-building-a-strong-competitive-economy

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/6-building-a-strong-competitive-economy



other local policies for economic development and regeneration (NPPF 81a).

Employment Land Need Assessment Chapter 3 of the Local Plan sets out its Vision, Aims and Objectives. It explains that they have been informed by the ambitions set out in the Sheffield City Region Growth Plan as well as the Council’s Economic Strategy. Regard has also been given to the Northern Powerhouse. Chapter 4: Strategic Approach describes in broad terms how the Borough will grow and develop within the next 15 years. The overall spatial strategy and settlement hierarchy is given in Policy 2 with further detail on the level and distribution of growth set out in Policy 3 including the delivery of at least 481 hectares of employment land over the plan period to help growth and diversify the Sheffield City Region economy, increase productivity and widen access to learning and training opportunities. The policies have had regard to the content of the Employment Land Need Assessment which summarises and considers the relevant national, regional and local strategies and policies.

Set criteria, or identify strategic sites, for local and inward investment to meet needs over the plan period (NPPF 81b)

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 4: Employment Allocations (Strategic Policy) Employment Land Need Assessment Employment Land Review Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment Housing and Employment Site Selection Methodology and Results

Policy 3 aims to facilitate the delivery of at least 481 hectares of employment land over the plan period and broadly identifies where different types of employment uses should be encouraged according to the Plan’s settlement hierarchy. Policy 4 seeks to achieve this via the actual allocation of specific employment allocations and identification on the Policies Map. This latter policy is supported by Policy 5 which seeks the protect employment uses in defined employment policy areas.

In line with Government Guidance there are three allocated sites which are considered to be ‘strategic sites’, as mentioned in paragraph 4.56 of the Local Plan. These are sites 001, 441 and 941. These sites are necessary in order to meet the strategic priorities set out in paragraph 20 of the NPPF. Without these sites the strategic priorities will not be achieved (this is supported by Advice by Counsel following conference on 14th November 2018).



Seek to address potential barriers to investment, such as inadequate infrastructure, services or housing, or a poor environment (NPPF 81c).

Chapter 3: Our Vision for the Future Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 4: Employment Allocations (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Infrastructure Plan Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA)

Achieving this requirement requires a holistic approach across different topic areas of the Local Plan including overall strategy, housing, employment, infrastructure and environment policies. The Plan’s Vision is compatible with this requirement and numerous policies in the Plan are provided to support the Plan’s economic vision.

The Plan’s overall strategy given in Policy 2 seeks to deliver sustainable growth ‘that meets the needs for new homes and jobs, regenerates places and communities, and supports necessary improvements to infrastructure, services and facilities.’

The Infrastructure Strategy highlights where there is potential investment which will help address barriers to development.

In respect of specific sites, the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) examines the employment sites and assesses whether they are deliverable. It also involved a marketability assessment of the sites.

Be flexible enough to accommodate needs not anticipated in the plan, allow for new and flexible working practices and to enable a rapid response to changes in economic circumstances (NPPF 81d).

Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 4: Employment Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 5: Employment Policy Areas Para 1.11 : Looking further ahead Economic Forecasting and Housing Needs Assessment

Policies 3 and 4 set out the employment land requirement of ‘at least’ 481 ha and then allocate sites to meet that requirement. This allows for a 1% increase in jobs growth and ensures Doncaster retain its ambitious growth target. The 481 ha figure also allows for choice, flexibility and churn. A number of suitable sites have been allocated (including those with planning permission) in locations in line with Policy 3. These locations are also supported through marketing results/opinion, and demand information, as well as being demonstrated through the relevant evidence base including the HELAA and ELNA. The policies allow for flexibility throughout the plan period. The employment land



requirement (at least 481 ha) also allows the sites to deliver more than currently planned for if there is a need/demand.

Policy 5 also looks to secure flexibility as although it aims to retain existing employment sites for B1 b/c, B2 and B8 uses, there may be certain circumstances when other uses will be supported and therefore acceptable.

Policy 46: Housing Design Standards (Strategic Policy)

Successful implementation of Policy 46 would ensure homes are spacious enough to allow for the possibility of working from home.

Recognise and address specific locational requirements of different sectors including making provision for clusters or networks of knowledge and data driven, creative or high technology industries; and for storage and distribution operations at a variety of scales in suitably accessible locations (NPPF 82).

Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 4: Employment Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 5: Employment Policy Areas Economic Forecasting and Housing Needs Assessment Employment Land Need Assessment Employment Land Review

In order to assess the amount of land needed for employment uses, the relevant evidence base took into account the sectors in Doncaster which either currently exist or ones which Doncaster is targeting in order to expand the economy. A number of suitable sites have been allocated (including those with planning permission) in locations in line with Policy 3. These locations are also supported through marketing results/opinion, and demand information, as well as being demonstrated through the relevant evidence base including the HELAA and ELNA. There is a variety of locations and size of sites including iPort and existing sites in the Main Urban Area as well as the Airport and Unity.

Policy 3 sets out the distribution of growth which is broken down in to: logistics; light industry and manufacturing; and offices. The identified distribution strategy for light industry and manufacturing includes rail and advanced manufacturing; local small-scale employment; and low carbon and “green industries”.

Supporting a prosperous rural economy



Enable sustainable growth and expansion of all types of business in rural areas both through conversion of existing buildings and well-designed new buildings (NPPF 83a).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 26: Development in the Countryside Proposals for new development in the Countryside, including those which support the rural economy, will be supported where in accordance with Policy 26 – this includes either through the re-use and conversion of buildings or for new buildings.

Enable the development and diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses (NPPF 83b).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 26: Development in the Countryside Proposals for the development and diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses in the Countryside will be supported where in accordance with Policy 26 – this includes either through the re-use and conversion of buildings or for new buildings. It also allows for new non-residential development to be supported in line with certain criteria.

Enable sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments which respect the character of the countryside (NPPF 83c).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 26: Development in the Countryside Proposals for sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments in the Countryside will be supported where in accordance with Policy 26 – this includes either through the re-use and conversion of buildings or for new buildings. It also allows for new non-residential development to be supported in line with certain criteria.

Enable the retention and development of accessible local services and community facilities (NPPF 83d).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 5: Employment Policy Areas (Strategic Policy) Policy 28: Protecting Open Space and Non Designated Open Space Policy 29: Open Space Provision in New Developments Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy) Policy 52: Protection of Education, Community and Leisure Facilities Policy 53: New Education facilities Policy 54: Provision of new Indoor Recreation and Leisure Facilities Policy 66: Developer Contributions (Strategic Policy)



The Local Plan contains a suite of policies which seek to enable the retention and development of accessible local services and community facilities. They key ones are listed above.

Recognise that local business and community needs in rural areas may need to be located outside settlements and in locations that are not well served by public transport. (NPPF 84).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 26: Development in the Countryside Proposals for new development in the Countryside, including those which support the rural economy, will be supported where in accordance with Policy 26 – this includes either through the re-use and conversion of buildings or for new buildings. It also allows for new non-residential development to be supported in line with certain criteria.

Ensuring the vitality of town centres (NPPF Chapter 7: paras 85-90)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ensuring-the-vitality-

of-town-centres

Policies should support the role that town centres play at the heart of local communities, taking a positive approach to their growth, management and adaptation (NPPF 85). Planning policies should:

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 23: Locating Town Centre Uses (Strategic Policy) Policy 24: Development within Town, District and Local Centres (Strategic Policy) Recognising the importance of town centres, Policy 2 defines a ‘network of centres’ in the Borough to guide appropriate development and their growth, management and adaptation. Together, Policies 23 and 24 set local policy to consider development proposals in town, district and local centres.

define a network and hierarchy of town centres and promote their long term vitality and viability (NPPF 85a)

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 2 defines a network and hierarchy of town centres in the Borough to guide appropriate development and their growth, management and adaptation.

define the extent of town centres and primary shopping centres, and make clear the range of uses permitted in such locations, as part of a positive strategy for the future of each centre (NPPF 85b)

Policy 24: Development within Town, District and Local Centres (Strategic Policy) Policy 68: Doncaster Town Centre (Strategic Policy) Policy 69: Key Doncaster Town Centre and Main Urban Area Mixed-Use Sites (Strategic Policy) Policy 71: Mexborough Town Centre Policy 72: Thorne Town Centre

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/7-ensuring-the-vitality-of-town-centres

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/7-ensuring-the-vitality-of-town-centres

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ensuring-the-vitality-of-town-centres

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ensuring-the-vitality-of-town-centres



Doncaster Retail, Leisure and Town Centres Study (June 2015) Doncaster Urban Centre Masterplan Policy 23 defines the Borough’s town centres and shows them on the Policies Map. Policy 24 defines ‘primary shopping areas’ for town centres in Doncaster, Mexborough and Thorne and shows them on the Policies Map. Other policies in Chapter 16 provide specific policies for Doncaster, Mexborough and Thorne town centres.

retain and enhance existing markets and, where appropriate, re-introduce or create new ones (NPPF 85c)

Policy 69: Key Doncaster Town Centre and Main Urban Area Mixed-Use Sites (Strategic Policy) Policy 69 gives specific support for Doncaster town centre’s market area. Policy 72 provides opportunities to improve connectivity and develop Thorne Market Place reflecting its role as a market town.

allocate a range of suitable sites in town centres to meet the scale and type of development likely to be needed, looking at least ten years ahead (NPPF 85d).

Policy 24: Development within Town, District and Local Centres (Strategic Policy) Policy 68: Doncaster Town Centre (Strategic Policy) Policy 69: Key Doncaster Town Centre and Main Urban Area Mixed-Use Sites (Strategic Policy) Policy 71: Mexborough Town Centre Policy 72: Thorne Town Centre Doncaster Retail, Leisure and Town Centres Study (June 2015) Doncaster Urban Centre Masterplan Policy 69 specifies principles to guide the development of nine specified areas in and around Doncaster Town Centre and Policies 68, 71 and 72 provide specific policies for, respectively, the town centres of Doncaster, Mexborough and Thorne.

where suitable and viable town centre sites are not available for main town centre uses, allocate appropriate edge of centre sites that are well connected to the town centre. If sufficient edge of centre sites cannot be identified, policies should explain how identified needs can be met in other accessible locations that are well connected to the town centre (NPPF 85e)

Policy 23: Locating Town Centre Uses (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Retail, Leisure and Town Centres Study (June 2015) Addendum – Advice on the NPPF Sequential and Impact Assessment Policy 23 includes the local interpretation of the sequential approach and impact assessment. This is to ensure that any development, new planned centres or the expansion of existing centres will not result in a significant adverse impact on existing centres.



recognise that residential development often plays an important role in ensuring the vitality of centres and encourage residential development on appropriate sites (NPPF 85f).

Policy 24: Development within Town, District and Local Centres (Strategic Policy) Policy 68: Doncaster Town Centre (Strategic Policy) Policy 69: Key Doncaster Town Centre and Main Urban Area Mixed-Use Sites (Strategic Policy) Policy 71: Mexborough Town Centre

Policy 24 is the key policy for considerations of development proposals within town, district and local centres. In the defined ‘primary shopping areas’ residential development is an acceptable use in the upper floors of buildings subject to meeting the provisions of Part 1 of the Policy. In other centres residential uses may be accepted where it can be demonstrated that they will not negatively impact upon the vitality and viability of the town centre, with particular regard to the amenity of existing businesses and residents.

Policy 68 has specific mention of homes as part of a broader range of uses that will be supported in Doncaster Town Centre. Residential development is also promoted for named sites in Policy 69 in support of Doncaster Town Centre and wider surrounding area.

Policy 71 also promotes housing in Mexborough Town Centre.

Promoting healthy and safe communities (NPPF Chapter 8: paras 91-101)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/health-and-wellbeing

Policies should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which:

Policy 48: Safe and Secure Places Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy) Policy 48 seeks to ensure that development proposals do not undermine community cohesions by creating environments that promote crime and disorder or the fear of crime. Policy 51 seeks to improve and promote healthy communities by ensuring it is demonstrated that any health and wellbeing impacts have been properly considered when preparing, evaluating and determining development proposals.

promote social interaction, including opportunities for meetings between people who might not otherwise

Policy 8: Delivering the Necessary Range of Housing (Strategic Policy) Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/8-promoting-healthy-and-safe-communities

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/8-promoting-healthy-and-safe-communities

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/health-and-wellbeing



come into contact with each other – for example through mixed-use developments, strong neighbourhood centres, street layouts that allow for easy pedestrian and cycle connections within and between neighbourhoods, and active street frontages (NPPF 91a).

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 17: Cycling in Doncaster Policy 18: Walking in Doncaster Policy 24: Development within Town, District and Local Centres (Strategic Policy) Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 48: Safe and Secure Places Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy) The Local Plan contains a suite of policies that can help create conditions which encourage social interaction either directly or indirectly. For example:

Policy 8 seeks to deliver a wider range and mix of housing, types and tenures which directly provides greater opportunities for mixed and inclusive communities.

Policy 12 seeks to meet the specialist accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers whilst meeting the needs to access key services (and thus interact with the wider community) and also considering the safety and amenity of neighbouring residents.

Policies 14, 17 and 18 all promote social interaction by promoting forms of transport and movement more conducive to such interaction.

Policy 24 seeks the retention of active frontages within primary shopping areas

Polices in the Design Chapter promote developments whose design promotes human scale developments which are integrated and accessible to increase potential for social interaction whilst Policy 51’s encouragement for local services to support health, social and cultural wellbeing provide opportunities for greater social interaction.

are safe and accessible, so that crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion – for example through the use of clear and legible pedestrian routes, and high quality public space, which encourage the active and continual use of public areas (NPPF 91b).

Policy 11: Residential Policy Areas Policy 16: Lorry Parking (Strategic Policy) Policy 17: Cycling in Doncaster Policy 18: Walking in Doncaster Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 48: Safe and Secure Places Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy)



The Local Plan contains a suite of policies that can help ensure developments are safe and accessible reducing actual, or perceived (fear of), crime. The most relevant policy is Policy 48 but other policies, such as those listed above, are also influential. Policy 48 covers key aspects of safety and security and follows Secure By Design principles. The other policies set out above promote safety and security within their relevant policy criteria.

enable and support healthy lifestyles, especially where this would address identified local health and well-being needs – for example through the provision of safe and accessible green infrastructure, sports facilities, local shops, access to healthier food, allotments and layouts that encourage walking and cycling (NPPF 91c).

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 17: Cycling in Doncaster Policy 18: Walking in Doncaster Policy 24: Development within Town, District and Local Centres (Strategic Policy) Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy) Doncaster has relatively high levels of obesity and ill health and the Local Plan seeks to make the Borough a healthier places to live, visit or work. As such numerous policies seek to promote healthier lifestyles either directly or indirectly and reduce health inequalities for people of all ages. Policy 51 is a key strategic policy to promote healthier communities and lifestyles and encourage developments to have positive effects on healthy lifestyles. It should be noted that health is also considered in other policies including those listed above.

To provide the social, recreational and cultural facilities and services the community needs, planning policies and decisions should:

plan positively for the provision and use of shared spaces, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, open space, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments (NPPF 92a).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 24: Development within Town, District and Local Centres (Strategic Policy) Policy 25: Food and Drink Uses Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 28: Protecting Open Space and Non Designated Open Space Policy 29: Open Space Provision in New Developments Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 52: Protection of Education, Community and Leisure Facilities



https://www.gov.uk/guidance/open-space-sports-and-recreation-facilities-public-rights-of-way-and-local-green-space

Policy 53: New Education facilities Policy 54: Provision of new Indoor Recreation and Leisure Facilities The Local Plan contains a suite of policies that together plan positively for the provision and use of shared spaces, community facilities and other local services. At a strategic level, Policy 2 encourages appropriate levels of such provision according to the position of individual settlements in the Plan’s settlement hierarchy. Other policies seek to secure the provision, or retention of existing, spaces, facilities and services for policy considerations such as retail, green infrastructure, open space, design, education, leisure and recreation.

take into account and support the delivery of local strategies to improve health, social and cultural well-being for all sections of the community (NPPF 92b).

Chapter 1: Introduction, paras 1.9-1.10 Chapter 3: Our Vision for the Future Chapter 13: Health, Wellbeing and Our Communities Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-21 The Local Plan, especially Chapter 13, seeks to improve and promote strong, vibrant and healthy communities be ensuring a high quality environment is provided for. Improving the health and wellbeing of the residents requires more than improving access to medical treatment and services, by guiding the use of land and decisions influence the link between the physical and social environment and help create opportunities for improving both physical and mental health.

guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs (NPPF 92c).

Policy 28: Protecting Open Space and Non Designated Open Space Policy 52: Protection of Education, Community and Leisure Facilities Policy 52 is a key Local Plan policy which seeks to protect education, community and leisure facilities whilst Policy 28 seeks to prevent inappropriate loss of open space.

ensure that established shops, facilities and services are able to develop and modernise, and are retained for the benefit of the community (NPPF 92d).

Policy 24: Development within Town, District and Local Centres (Strategic Policy) Policy 28: Protecting Open Space and Non Designated Open Space Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 52: Protection of Education, Community and Leisure Facilities Policy 68: Doncaster Town Centre (Strategic Policy) Policy 71: Mexborough Town Centre Policy 72: Thorne Town Centre






Policy to guard against loss of, and to encourage development of retail shops are included in the Local Plan in respect of Town, District and Local Centres (Policy 24) and for the specific centres of Doncaster, Mexborough and Thorne. Policy 52 is a key Local Plan policy which seeks to protect education, community and leisure facilities whilst Policy 28 seeks to prevent inappropriate loss of open space. Other policies indirectly support this aim by locating development where it can support the financial viability of existing shops, facilities and services by increasing their customer base.

ensure an integrated approach to considering the location of housing, economic uses and community facilities and services (NPPF 92e).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) The overall strategy of the Plan seeks to direct development to the most sustainable settlements and locations in the Borough where community and services are more prevalent in order to facilitate sustainable development. The definition and adoption of a settlement hierarchy recognises the relatively sustainability of settlements to support growth – or where through targeted intervention (by, for example, the provision of new infrastructure) settlements could be allocated for greater growth to increase their relative sustainability. New growth in the form of, primarily, residential uses is distributed according to the settlement hierarchy and retail development is distributed according to a supporting ‘network and hierarchy of centres’.

Consider the benefits of estate regeneration (NPPF 93). The Local Plan hasn’t reproduced this national policy. It is a consideration that can be made in determination of relevant planning applications.

Take a proactive, positive and collaborative approach to ensure availability of a sufficient choice of school places to meet the needs of existing and new communities (NPPF 94)

Policy 52: Protection of Education, Community and Leisure Facilities Policy 53: New Education facilities Policy 66: Developer Contributions (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Infrastructure Strategy The Local Plan includes specific policies for the protection and provision of school places. Under Policy 66 provision of education facilities is a specified type of developer contribution that may be required from relevant development proposals. The provision of school places is a key consideration of the Local Plan’s Infrastructure Strategy and the Education Authority has been actively engaged in preparation of these Local Plan policies.

Promote public safety and take into account wider security and defence requirements (NPPF 95) by:



anticipating and addressing possible malicious threats and natural hazards. Policies for relevant areas (such as town centre and regeneration frameworks), and the layout and design of developments, should be informed by the most up-to-date information available from the police and other agencies about the nature of potential threats and their implications. This includes appropriate and proportionate steps that can be taken to reduce vulnerability, increase resilience and ensure public safety and security (NPPF 95a)

Policy 48: Safe and Secure Places including para 12.35 Policy 56: Contamination and Unstable Land Specific Local Plan policies have been included to ensure public safety is considered in development proposals. Policy 48 aims to ensure that reduction of crime, or the fear of crime, is considered and paragraph 12.35 of the Policy’s explanatory text refers to the specific considerations for higher risk sites from potential malicious threats. In terms of natural hazards, Policy 56 includes requirements to mitigate land instability to ensure it poses no unacceptable risk to future occupiers or the wide environment.

recognising and supporting development required for operational defence and security purposes, and ensuring that operational sites are not affected adversely by the impact of other development proposed in the area (NPPF 95b).

National Policy in this paragraph is not repeated in the Local Plan. The Ministry of Defence have been consulted as part of Plan preparation but have not made specific comments in response.

Open Space and Recreation PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/open-space-sports-and-recreation-facilities-public-rights-of-way-and-local-green-space

Identify specific needs and quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses and opportunities for provision of open space, sports and recreational facilities; and determine what provision is needed, which plans should then seek to accommodate (NPPF 96).

Policy 29: Open Space Provision in New Developments Policy 54: Provision of new Indoor Recreation and Leisure Facilities Doncaster Playing Pitch Strategy (2018) Doncaster Physical Activity and Sport Strategy 2014-2020 Green Space Audit 2013

Robust up-to-date assessment of the need for open space, sport and recreation facilities has been undertaken (see above evidence base documents) to support the preparation and implementation of Policies 29 and 54. Detailed explanation of Policy 29 is given in its accompanying explanatory text.

It is acknowledged the 2013 Green Space Audit is out of date. However, the Audit’s GIS mapping layer has been reviewed to create the open space, sport and recreation policy






areas to implement Policy 29. The Audit is due to be reviewed following local plan adoption and the updated version can then be used to inform Policy 29.

Protect open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, subject to the criteria of NPPF 97.

Policy 28: Protecting Open Space and Non Designated Open Space Policy 52: Protection of Education, Community and Leisure Facilities Policy 54: Provision of new Indoor Recreation and Leisure Facilities Doncaster Playing Pitch Strategy (2018) Doncaster Physical Activity and Sport Strategy 2014-2020 Green Space Audit Policies 28 and 52 provide policy for appropriate protection of existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land from development, with specified exceptions. Policy 28 protects open spaces as required by NPPF para 97. The Green Space Audit evidence base identifies open spaces and shows where Doncaster is sufficient or deficient by type of open space and community profile area.

Planning policies should protect and enhance rights of way and access (NPPF 98)

Policy 19: Development Affecting Public Rights of Way Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 70: Unity Regeneration Project (Strategic Policy) Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2017 Green Infrastructure Strategy Policy 29 specifically allows for consideration of the impact of new development on Public Rights of Way. The wider contribution of rights of way to green infrastructure and wider opportunities for access is considered in Policy 27.

Enable local communities, through local and neighbourhood plans, to identify green areas of particular importance to them – ‘Local Green Space’ (NPPF 99-101).

Policy 28: Protecting Open Space and Non Designated Open Space Green Space Audit 2013 Local Green Space – Methodology and Sites

Part C of Policy 28 states that development proposals on ‘Local Green Space’ will be considered in accordance with national policy and guidance. The policy therefore does not seek to replicate NPPF policy.

The Local Green Space Methodology and Sites paper provides an assessment of all sites submitted to the Council for consideration for allocation as Local Green Space, and concludes which should be allocated. This also provides communities with a means of assessing potential Local Green Space allocations within Neighbourhood Plans. The Green



Space Audit indicates land already considered open space and protected in Policy 28. Three submitted sites have been identified as Local Green Space in the Local Plan.

Promoting sustainable transport (NPPF Chapter 9: paras 102-111)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-evidence-

bases-in-plan-making-and-decision-taking

Consider Transport issues from the earliest stages of plan making so that (NPPF 102):

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 13: Strategic Transport Network (Strategic Policy) Employment Land Needs Assessment The consideration of transport issues, and in particular the promotion of sustainable transport, has been a key part of the Local Plan preparation process. The Issues and Options consultation (Question 8) investigated how the Borough can become more accessible and better connected and asked (Question 3) where new employment opportunities should be provided. The responses received to Question 3 agreed that “major sites for job creation do not always need to close to major residential areas” and that “it is acceptable for some jobs to be provided at locations that are less suitable for new homes (for example at some motorway junctions) provided good transport links are in place”. This approach is carried forward in the Local Plan through the policies and allocations. The large employment sites are located in market attractive locations but consideration has been given to strong accessibility and connectivity between where people live and the jobs, Policy 13 sets out the detailed transport proposals with an emphasis on public transport and road improvements to improve access to jobs. This allows those communities who have high levels of deprivation the chance to access jobs beyond across the borough. The Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report has considered transport issues; and the SA Framework has assessed the emerging Local Plan in terms of improving accessibility to places and services; both from the earliest plan making stages.

Impacts of development on transport networks can be addressed (NPPF 102a).

Policy 13: Strategic Transport Network (Strategic Policy) Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/9-promoting-sustainable-transport

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/9-promoting-sustainable-transport

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-evidence-bases-in-plan-making-and-decision-taking

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-evidence-bases-in-plan-making-and-decision-taking



Policy 13 requires the submission of a Transport Assessment for any developments which generate large volumes of freight traffic. Policy 14 Section B requires new development to provide, as appropriate, Transport Statements, Transport Assessments and Travel Plans.

realise opportunities from transport infrastructure and changing technology and usage (NPPF 102b).

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Appendix 6 EV Charging Policy 14 A – New development shall make appropriate provision for access by sustainable modes of transport. Development to include provision for electric vehicle charging points. Appendix 6 Parking Standards – Additional Standards for Electric Vehicles included for residential developments and public usage.

identify and pursue opportunities to promote walking cycling and public transport (NPPF 102c).

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 17: Cycling in Doncaster Policy 18: Walking in Doncaster Policy 19: Development Affecting Public Rights of Way Policy 20: Access, Design and Layout of Public Rights of Way Policy 21: Public Rights of Way Crossing Roads, Railways, Canals and Rivers Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy) Policy 54: Provision of new Indoor Recreation and Leisure Facilities Policy 14A requires new development to make appropriate provision for access by sustainable modes of transport whilst Policy 17 promotes cycling provision through new routes and improvement of existing routes and Policy 18 promotes walking as a means of active travel as well as for recreation. Policy 19 protects public rights of way whilst Policy 20 requires the needs of all users to be considered within the design and layout of public rights of way within new development. Policy 21 requires appropriate crossings to be provided to improve connectivity for public rights of way crossing roads, railways, canals and rivers. Policy 27, in respect of green infrastructure, requires that public rights of way are protected, restored, maintained, created, enhanced or extended. Policy 51 seeks the promotion of strong, vibrant communities through ensuring high quality developments which maximise access by walking and cycling and Policy 54 ensure leisure facilities are accessible by sustainable means.



identify and account for environmental impacts of traffic and transport infrastructure, including mitigation and net environmental gain (NPPF 102d).

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 66: Developer Contributions (Strategic Policy) Policy 14B requires new development to provide, as appropriate, Transport Statements, Transport Assessments and Travel Plans; whilst Policy 66 states any development which has an unacceptable impact will provide mitigation.

patterns of movement and transport considerations are integral to design and contribute to making high quality places (NPPF 102e)

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 48: Safe and Secure Places Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy) Policy 68: Doncaster Town Centre (Strategic Policy) Policy 71: Mexborough Town Centre Policy 72: Thorne Town Centre Policy 14B requires new development to provide, as appropriate, Transport Statements, Transport Assessments and Travel Plans. Policy 43 addresses the need to ensure movement and transport considerations contribute to good design.

Focus significant development in locations which are or can be made sustainable through limiting need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes - whilst recognising that opportunities to maximise sustainable transport solutions will vary between urban to rural areas (NPPF 103). PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/air-quality--3

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 13: Strategic Transport Network (Strategic Policy) Policy 14B requires new development to provide, as appropriate, Transport Statements, Transport Assessments and Travel Plans. Policy 43 addresses the need to ensure development is connected, walkable and easy for pedestrian and cycle movement with good access to local facilities and public transport services.

Planning policies should:

Support an appropriate mix of uses, and within larger scale sites, to minimise the number and length of journeys (NPPF 104a)

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/air-quality--3



Policy 8: Delivering the Necessary Range of Housing (Strategic Policy) Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 23: Locating Town Centre Uses (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) The Local Plan policies as a whole seek to encourage a mix of development to meet the Borough’s needs. Policy 14B requires new development to provide, as appropriate, Transport Statements, Transport Assessments and Travel Plans. Policy 43 addresses the need to ensure development is connected, walkable and easy for pedestrian and cycle movement with good access to local facilities and public transport services

Align strategies and investments for supporting sustainable transport with development patterns having been prepared with local highways authority and other transport infrastructure providers and operators (NPPF 104b)

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 13: Strategic Transport Network (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Infrastructure Strategy (2019). Implementation of the Strategic Transport Network, via Policy 13, will involve working in partnership with Highways England, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Network Rail, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Transport for the North to deliver improvements to key routes.

Identify and protect sites and routes which may be critical to widen transport choice (NPPF 104c)

The Policies Map safeguards the line of the route of High Speed 2 as it passes through the Borough based on the Secretary of State for transport ‘Safeguarding Direction’. No other routes are specifically safeguarded on the Policies Map – although some, such as the Hatfield Link Road (Policy 13A6), are covered by site allocations.

Provide for high quality walking and cycling networks and supporting facilities (NPPF 104d)

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 17: Cycling in Doncaster Policy 18: Walking in Doncaster Policy 19: Development Affecting Public Rights of Way Policy 14 A requires new development to make appropriate provision for access by sustainable modes of transport, whilst Policy 17 seeks cycling provision through new routes and improvements and Policy 18 promotes walking as a means of active travel as well as for recreation and improved connectivity. Policy 19 protects rights of way and



their integration into the wider network, where appropriate, through liaison with developers.

Provide for any large scale transport facilities that need to be located and the infrastructure and wider development required to support them (NPPF 104e)

Policy 13: Strategic Transport Network (Strategic Policy) Policy 13 requires large scale transport facilities to be located close to the strategic transport network.

Recognise the importance of maintaining a network of general aviation airfields, their need to adapt over time and economic value (NPPF 104f)

Policy 7: Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Business Park (Strategic Policy) Policy 7 seeks specifically to support and encourage growth of the airport and airport estate. It takes account of the importance of the airport to the Borough and City Region and acknowledges the importance that the Government places on airports.

The setting of local car parking standards for residential and non-residential development should take into account (NPPF 105):

- the accessibility of the development (NPPF 105a). - the type, mix and use of development (NPPF 105b). - the availability of and opportunities for public transport

(NPPF 105c). - local car ownership levels (NPPF 105d);

- the need to ensure an adequate provision of spaces for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles (NPPF 105e).

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Appendix 6 - Parking Standards Policy 14 A requires new development to make appropriate provision for access by sustainable modes of transport and to provide for inclusion of electric vehicle charging. Appendix 6 includes additional standards for electric vehicles for residential developments and public usage.

Only set maximum parking standards for residential where there is clear and compellingly justification they are needed for managing the local road network or for optimising the density of development in city and town centres and other locations that are well served by public transport (NPPF 106).

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Appendix 6 - Parking Standards Together Policy 14 and Appendix 6 set minimum parking standards for residential developments with maximum parking standards set only for Doncaster Town Centre.

In town centres, local authorities should seek to improve the quality of parking so that it is convenient, safe and secure, alongside measures to promote accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. (NPPF 106)

Policy 15: Doncaster Town Centre Car Parking (Strategic Policy) Policy 17: Cycling in Doncaster Policy 72: Thorne Town Centre



Policy 15C includes standards for car parking in Doncaster Town Centre whilst Policy 17 seeks improvements to cycle parking provision. Policy 72E includes policy to improve parking and active travel opportunities and create inviting and safe places for pedestrians and cyclists.

Planning policies and decisions should recognise the importance of providing adequate overnight lorry parking facilities, taking into account any local shortages, to reduce the risk of parking in locations that lack proper facilities or could cause a nuisance. Proposals for new or expanded distribution centres should make provision for sufficient lorry parking to cater for their anticipated use (NPPF 107).

Policy 16: Lorry Parking (Strategic Policy) Policy 16 ensures relevant development provides suitable on-site lorry parking facilities.

Considering development proposals

Allocation sites have been assessed to ensure: - promote sustainable transport modes given type of

development and location, - ensure safe and suitable access can be achieved for all

users, - any significant impacts on the transport (in terms of

capacity and congestion) or on highway safety can be cost effectively mitigated to an acceptable degree

(NPPF 108)

Housing & Employment Site Selection Methodology & Results Report Publication Version - June 2019 Transport Modelling – Local Road Network Transport Modelling – Strategic Road Network Transport Modelling – Joint Bassetlaw-Doncaster Feasibility Study Sites have been assessed using a multitude of criteria, including in line with the Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal framework and objectives. More specifically, sites have been assessed against criteria including access to public transport (train and high frequency bus network) and proximity to the core cycle network. Other criteria have considered walk distances to key services and facilities (town/district/neighbourhood centres, primary and secondary schools, GPs etc.). Sites have also been assessed in terms of their impact on the Strategic Road Network. The developer requirements (Appendix 2) sets out principles to ensure site layout and design considerations, including access, take into account the needs of all users. In addition to the site specific assessment, the cumulative impact of proposed sites have been modelled in terms of their impact on both the local highway and strategic road network and this includes identification of any mitigation required.

Development should only be prevented or refused on highways grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 14 B requires new development to provide, as appropriate, Transport Statements, Transport Assessments and Travel Plans to assess highway safety implications.



on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe (NPPF 109).

All developments that will generate significant amounts of movement should be required to provide a travel plan, and the application should be supported by a transport statement or transport assessment so that the likely impacts of the proposal can be assessed (NPPF 111). PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-plans-transport-assessments-and-statements

Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 14 B requires new development to provide, as appropriate, Transport Statements, Transport Assessments and Travel Plans.

Supporting high quality communications (NPPF Chapter 10: paras 112-116)

Planning policies should support the expansion of electronic communications networks, including next generation mobile technology (such as 5G) and full fibre broadband connections. Policies should set out how high quality digital infrastructure, providing access to services from a range of providers, is expected to be delivered and upgraded over time; and should prioritise full fibre connections to existing and new developments (NPPF 112).

Policy 22: Telecommunications and Utilities Infrastructure Doncaster Infrastructure Strategy (2019). Policy 22 supports proposals to extend or improve access to telecommunication networks, including the fastest technically available broadband unless it can be clearly demonstrated this is not possible (for example, due to viability constraints).

The number of communications masts should be kept to a minimum, encouraging the use of existing masts, buildings and structures. Where new sites are required sympathetic design and camouflage is appropriate (NPPF 113).

Policy 22: Telecommunications and Utilities Infrastructure Policy 22 Part E requires that the feasibility of equipment/ site sharing and use of existing buildings or structures be considered.

Local planning authorities should not impose a ban on new telecommunications development in certain areas, impose blanket Article 4 directions over a wide area or a wide range of telecommunications development or insist on minimum distances between new telecommunications development and existing development (NPPF 114).

No such policy or requirements is included in the Local Plan.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-plans-transport-assessments-and-statements

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-plans-transport-assessments-and-statements

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/10-supporting-high-quality-communications-infrastructure

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/10-supporting-high-quality-communications-infrastructure



Making effective use of land (NPPF Chapter 11: paras 117-123)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/effective-use-of-land

Planning policies should promote an efficient use of land in meeting the need for homes and other uses, while safeguarding and improving the environment and ensuring safe and healthy living conditions. The strategy for meeting objectively assessed needs makes as much use as possible of previously developed or ‘brownfield’ land (NPPF 117). See also NPPF 118c.

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Housing & Employment Site Selection Methodology & Results Report Publication Version - June 2019

The Plan’s ‘Overall Strategy’ set out in Policy 2 requires that the development should make the most effective use of previously developed land. The Housing and Employment Site Selection Methodology translates this into action and has assessed such considerations through the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) process and relevant criteria with potential significant positive/positive effects identified for brownfield sites depending on site size. Other SA criteria are also relevant, such as avoidance of agricultural land, contaminated land and unstable land.

The Site Selection process has included consideration of previously developed, contaminated, and unstable land through the Sustainability Appraisal process with sites scoring positively. Larger sites were also identified as having significant positive effects against these criteria. Due to the strong correlation of flood risk zone 3 designation affecting large areas of previously developed land (compounded by already challenging viability), national policies’ sequential avoidance of such environmental constraints has meant that the local plan has not been able to identify a higher percentage of brownfield allocations. The footnote (no 44) to Para 117 also supports this through stating that this last part of the paragraph applies ‘except where this would conflict with other policies in the Framework’. Brownfield sites are however anticipated as still providing a significant contribution to housing supply, especially from windfall development.

In addition to the brownfield residential allocations in the Plan, the 2019 Brownfield Land Register identifies around 50 sites, totalling around 881 units, on sites capable of delivering 5+ dwellings in size which are not proposed as allocations. Again, the guidance is clear however that flood zone 3 sites are not considered as suitable for inclusion on Brownfield Registers unless already permissioned.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/11-making-effective-use-of-land

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/11-making-effective-use-of-land

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/effective-use-of-land



Policy 11: Residential Policy Areas: also ensures land is being used efficiently, which is often previously developed land, and has the necessary safeguards to protect residential amenity and ensure safe and healthy living conditions for both new and existing residents and communities.

The Local Plan’s Annual Monitoring Report will monitor the percentage of development on brownfield/ previously developed land.

Planning policies should (NPPF 118):

encourage multiple benefits from both urban and rural land (NPPF 118a).

Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 30: Ecological Networks (Strategic Policy) Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 7: Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Business Park (Strategic Policy) Policy 11: Residential Policy Areas Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 23: Locating Town Centre Uses (Strategic Policy) Policy 24: Development within Town, District and Local Centres (Strategic Policy) Policy 30: Ecological Networks (Strategic Policy) Policy 34: Landscape (Strategic Policy) Policy 35: Valuing our Historic Environment (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy

The Local Plan seeks to encourage sustainable development which includes, for example, meeting the objectively assessed needs for housing and employment whilst promoting opportunities for other benefits such as maximising green infrastructure and improved access to the countryside, encouraging more sustainable modes of transport or healthier lifestyles. Policy 30 specifically supports proposals which deliver a net gain for biodiversity and Policy 34 seeks to ensure that relevant development proposals conserve, enhance and, where possible, restore landscape character and quality. Various policies seek to promote mixed use development such as Policy 23 (Locating Town Centre Uses) and through new housing allocations (Policy 6). The Local Plan’s design policies seek to



ensure that new development maximises benefits that well designed proposals and places can deliver.

recognise that some undeveloped land can perform many functions, such as for wildlife, recreation, flood risk mitigation, cooling/shading, carbon storage or food production (NPPF 118b).

Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 28: Protecting Open Space and Non Designated Open Space Policy 31: Valuing Biodiversity and Geodiversity (Strategic Policy) Policy 58: Flood Risk Management Policy 61: Protecting and Enhancing Doncaster’s Soil and Water Resources

The Local Plan operates according to the presumption in favour of sustainable development – this adopts a positive approach to meeting the objectively assessed needs of the Borough but also recognises that development should not be provided at any cost. The Local Plan includes policies which will prevent development where the need to protect undeveloped land is paramount due to the many functions it can perform. The above policies, for example, protect land important for green infrastructure, biodiversity, recreation, flood risk and food production.

give substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements for homes and other identified needs, and support appropriate opportunities to remediate despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated or unstable land (NPPF 118c).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Overall Strategy Policy 56: Contamination and Unstable Land

The Plan’s ‘Overall Strategy’ set out in Policy 2 requires that the development should make the most effective use of previously developed land. The Housing and Employment Site Selection Methodology translates this into action and has assessed such considerations through the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) process and relevant criteria with potential significant positive/positive effects identified for brownfield sites depending on site size. Other SA criteria are also relevant, such as avoidance of agricultural land, contaminated land and unstable land.

Due to the strong correlation of flood risk zone 3 designation affecting large areas of previously developed land (compounded by already challenging viability), national policies’ sequential avoidance of such environmental constraints has meant that the local plan has not been able to identify a higher percentage of brownfield allocations. The footnote (no 44) to Para 117 also supports this through stating that this last part of the paragraph applies ‘except where this would conflict with other policies in the Framework’. Brownfield sites are however anticipated as still providing a significant



contribution to housing supply, especially from windfall development. In addition to the brownfield residential allocations in the Plan, the 2018 Brownfield Land Register identifies 10 sites, totalling 142 units, on sites less than 1 hectare in size which are not proposed as allocations (Local Plan para 4.81). Again, the guidance is clear however that flood zone 3 sites are not considered as suitable for inclusion on Brownfield Registers unless already permissioned.

Policy 11: Residential Policy Areas: also ensures land is being used efficiently, which is often previously developed land, and has the necessary safeguards to protect residential amenity and ensure safe and healthy living conditions for both new and existing residents and communities.

The Local Plan’s Annual Monitoring Report will monitor the percentage of development on brownfield/ previously developed land.

promote and support the development of under-utilised land and buildings, especially if this would help to meet identified needs for housing where land supply is constrained and available sites could be used more effectively (NPPF 118d).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Overall Strategy See response above. In addition, other Council Strategies and initiatives have a large role to play in achieving these policy objectives. For example, the Housing Strategy 2015-2025 seeks to make best use of existing stock thgh brining back into effective use empty homes and tackle the 3,500+ empty properties in the borough.

support opportunities to use the airspace above existing residential and commercial premises for new homes. In particular, they should allow upward extensions where the development would be consistent with the prevailing height and form of neighbouring properties and the overall street scene, is well designed (including complying with any local design policies and standards), and can maintain safe access and egress for occupiers (NPPF 118e).

Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Whilst the above listed policies do not specifically mention upward extensions or using the airspace above existing premises, they are considered sufficient to properly assess any such proposals. It is not anticipated that there will be a significant number of such proposals in the Borough to warrant a more specific policy.

Planning policies need to reflect changes in the demand for land. They should be informed by regular reviews of both the land allocated for development in plans, and of land availability. Where the local planning authority considers

Para 1.11 : Looking further ahead Paras 15.12 – 15.14 : Monitoring Appendix 12 : Monitoring Indicators Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment



there to be no reasonable prospect of an application coming forward for the use allocated in a plan they should reallocate the land for a more deliverable use that can help to address identified needs (or, if appropriate, deallocate a site which is undeveloped) (NPPF 120).

The Plan includes a commitment to monitoring the performance and effectiveness of the Plan based on relevant indicators given in Appendix 12 via an Annual Monitoring Report which will be produced annually following Local Plan adoption. This will also monitor the significant sustainability effects of the Plan as identified in the Local Plan’s Sustainability Appraisal (i.e. the indicators identified in the Sustainability Appraisal’s Framework – see Appendix E of the Sustainability Appraisal of the Publication Draft Local Plan).

The HELAA has robustly assessed the deliverability of potential site allocations and selected those where there is a reasonable prospect of them coming forward. This will be kept under review to inform the need for any future Local Plan review.

Achieving appropriate densities

Planning policy should support the efficient use of land taking into account (NPPF 122):

the identified need for different types of housing and other forms of development, and the availability of land suitable for accommodating it (NPPF 122a).

Policy 3: Level and Distribution of Growth (Strategic Policy) Policy 4: Employment Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Policy 29: Open Space Provision in New Developments Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Policy 65: Providing for Energy Minerals (on-shore Gas and Oil (Hydrocarbons)) Economic Forecasting and Housing Needs Assessment Employment Land Needs Assessment Housing Needs Survey Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment Housing & Employment Land Availability Assessment 5-Year Housing Land Supply Statement Housing & Employment Site Selection Methodology Retail, Leisure and Town Centres Study Forecasting Demand for Aggregates Local Aggregates Assessment Green Space Audit Playing Pitch Strategy



Infrastructure Delivery Plan Statement of Common Ground

As per NPPF 11 : The Plan’s provision for the objectively assessed needs of various land uses is set out in robust and up-to-date evidence base – the main evidence for this is listed above. The ‘Statement of Common Ground’ documents that the duty to cooperate has confirmed that the Borough does not need to meet any needs from neighbouring areas and can provide for its own needs within the Borough.

Further explanation of how identification of objectively assessed needs has informed preparation of the Plan and resulted in its proposals for land allocations is given in Topic Paper 4 – Housing and the Employment Land Needs Assessment.

local market conditions and viability (NPPF 122b).

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/viability

Policy 8: Delivering the Necessary Range of Housing (Strategic Policy) Policy 66: Developer Contributions (Strategic Policy) Policy 67: Development Viability (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Residential Land Availability Report 2018 Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment 2018

Care has been taken to ensure the Plan is viable both in terms of individual policies and when taken as a whole. The viability assessment of the Local Plan is assessed in the Whole Plan Viability Report. The deliverability of land allocations has assessed in, for example, the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment. Infrastructure requirements and costs have been documented in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

the availability and capacity of infrastructure and services – both existing and proposed – as well as their potential for further improvement and the scope to promote sustainable travel modes that limit future car use (NPPF 122c).

Policy 13: Strategic Transport Network (Strategic Policy) Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 23: Locating Town Centre Uses (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Infrastructure Strategy (2019). As per NPPF 8a.

The Local Plan’s Visions includes ensuring new development and infrastructure requirements are improved and / or delivered together. Similarly as stated in Policy 2, the Plan’s overall strategy includes a focus on delivering sustainable growth which includes supporting necessary improvements to infrastructure, services and facilities.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/viability



To support preparation of the Local Plan, and to aid its implementation, an Infrastructure Delivery Plan has been prepared which should be seen as a living document that will be continually updated to ensure that infrastructure needs are identified and its delivery supported. Appendix 1 to the Main Report includes an Infrastructure Delivery Schedule which shows current infrastructure project information such as location, dates, costs, funding sources and delivery mechanisms, the lead partner, plus risks and dependencies – . It also identifies the existing plans and strategies already in place to facilitate and secure delivery.

In addition to the Infrastructure planning work, Whole Plan Viability Testing (2016 & updated in 2019), independently undertaken by District Valuation Service and CP Viability, assesses the costs of Local Plan policies, alongside other identified development costs and standards, to demonstrate that development will be viable, including impact of affordable housing policy and other infrastructure requirements. CIL is currently under review and policies are therefore drafted on the basis of contributions via Section 106 Agreements, in line with the CIL Regulations and their limitations on their use. Local Plan policy allows for site specific negotiations where/if viability issues ensue.

the desirability of maintaining an area’s prevailing character and setting (including residential gardens), or of promoting regeneration and change (NPPF 122d).

Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 44: Views, Gateways and Taller Buildings Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 49: Landscaping of New Developments Policy 50: Advertisements and signage

The Local Plan requires consideration of the impact of development on maintaining an area’s prevailing character in the above policies. This requirement is to be balanced against the need to promote regeneration and change when such matters are considered in the determination of planning applications.

The policies have been drafted to create a flexible framework of key considerations that can be applied to different types and scales of development in areas with different



characteristics and contexts, without being prescriptive. Character is the focus of Policy 42, although retaining and improving local character is a common theme throughout all of the above policies.

the importance of securing well-designed, attractive and healthy places (NPPF 122e).

Policy 29: Open Space Provision in New Developments Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 44: Views, Gateways and Taller Buildings Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 46: Housing Design Standards (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 48: Safe and Secure Places Policy 49: Landscaping of New Developments Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy) Policy 55: Pollution Policy 56: Contamination and Unstable Land

The above policies address this requirement of the NPPF. The design policies 42-49 all seek to achieve well designed, attractive and healthy developments and places. Policy 29 seeks to ensure adequate open space or contributions to improvement of open space are provided along with new housing. Policy 51 sets out specific important considerations in creating healthy communities that new development will need to address. Policy 55 and 56 seek to ensure all potential forms of pollution and contamination are identified and made acceptable to support health. The policies have been drafted to create a flexible framework of key considerations that can be applied to different types and scales of development in areas with different characteristics and contexts, without being prescriptive.

Where there is existing or anticipated shortage of land for meeting identified housing needs it is especially important that planning policies building homes at low densities is avoided and that developments make optimal use of sites as follows (NPPF 123):

Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 69: Key Doncaster Town Centre and Main Urban Area Mixed-Use Sites (Strategic Policy)



Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment 2018

The issue of housing density is considered particularly through Policy 6: Housing Allocations. This then translates into housing allocations on the Policies Map. These capacity estimates are derived from the HELAA (incorporating SHLAA) which estimates specific site capacities and general net density assumptions. Average densities are around 30-33 dph which has been informed by stakeholder consultation on key evidence base documents such as the SHLAA and Viability Testing.

Chapter 12: Design and the Built Environment also addresses density through encouraging a contextual design approach to development. Policies 43, 45 and 69 are particularly relevant. Policy 43 part A specifically supports the efficient use of land and maximising density in appropriate locations. Policy 45 part C also specifically supports urban housing intensification in appropriate circumstances. Policy 69 specifically supports high density housing on key mixed use sites.

plans should contain policies to optimise use of land in their area and meet as much of the identified need for housing as possible. Should include use of minimum density standards for city and town centres and other locations well served by public transport. Standards should seek a significant uplift in average density of residential development unless it can be shown there are strong reasons why this would be inappropriate (NPPF 123a).

Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 44: Views, Gateways and Taller Buildings Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 69: Key Doncaster Town Centre and Main Urban Area Mixed-Use Sites (Strategic Policy) Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment 2018

The issue of housing density is considered particularly through Policy 6: Housing Allocations. This then translates into housing allocations on the Policies Map. These capacity estimates are derived from the HELAA (incorporating SHLAA) which estimates specific site capacities and general net density assumptions. The Housing Topic Paper also provides an analysis of achieved densities from recent development over the past few years as a benchmark to support the indicative capacities proposed on allocations.

Chapter 12: Design and the Built Environment also addresses density through encouraging a contextual design approach to development. Policies 43, 44, 45 and 69 are particularly relevant. Policy 43 part A specifically supports the efficient use of land and maximising density in appropriate locations. Policy 44 seeks to manage the impacts of taller dense developments on local character. Policy 45 part C also specifically supports



urban housing intensification in appropriate circumstances. Policy 69 specifically supports high density housing on key mixed use sites.

the use of minimum density standards should also be considered for other parts of the plan area. It may be appropriate to set out a range of densities that reflect the accessibility and potential of different areas, rather than one broad density range (NPPF 123b).

Policy 6: Housing Allocations (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 69: Key Doncaster Town Centre and Main Urban Area Mixed-Use Sites (Strategic Policy) Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment 2018

The sites allocated in Tables H1 and H2 of Policy 6 have been found to be deliverable and/or developable through the HELAA and assessed through the site selections methodology to be the most sustainable and deliverable sites to meet the housing allocation requirement and distribution set out in Policy 3. Site capacities are indicative rather than minimums or maximums; where it is demonstrated that a different density could support a better design solution this will be supported.

Chapter 12: Design and the Built Environment also addresses density through encouraging a contextual design approach to development. Policies 43, 45 and 69 are particularly relevant. Policy 43 part A specifically supports the efficient use of land and maximising density in appropriate locations. Policy 45 part C also specifically supports urban housing intensification in appropriate circumstances. Policy 69 specifically supports high density housing on key mixed use sites.

Achieving well-designed places (NPPF Chapter 12: paras 124-132)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/design

Policy approach should be clear about design expectations and how these will be tested (NPPF 124). Plans should, at the most appropriate level, set out a clear design vision and expectations. Design policies should be developed with local communities so they reflect local aspirations, and are grounded in an understanding and evaluation of each area’s defining characteristics (NPPF 125).

Chapter 12: Design and the Built Environment Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 44: Views, Gateways and Taller Buildings Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 46: Housing Design Standards (Strategic Policy)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/12-achieving-well-designed-places

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/12-achieving-well-designed-places

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/design



Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 48: Safe and Secure Places Policy 49: Landscaping of New Developments Policy 50: Advertisements and signage

The Local Plan includes a dedicated Design Chapter containing nine policies which cover a range of design issues and development types. Core strategic policies which set out the vision for design quality include Policies 42 and 43. Implementation of the policies require development proposals to have sound understanding of local character and distinctiveness, particular policy 42. Character is the focus of Policy 42, although retaining and improving local character is a common theme throughout all of the above policies.

The thematic policies have been drafted to create a flexible framework of key considerations that can be applied to different types and scales of development in areas with different characteristics and contexts, without being overly prescriptive. Policies generally contain an aspirational introductory vision element and clear supporting criteria which set out expectations under the policy theme.

The design policies have been subject to public consultation (including with the Doncaster Design Review Panel) during the local plan preparation process, and comments and representations have informed the wording of policies.

Doncaster has a rich variety of urban environments, so there is no single vernacular or simple solution to reflecting local character. It is therefore difficult for a succinct high level design policy such as those within the local plan to reflect the breadth of variety in the character of Doncaster’s built environment, and if it did policy could be construed as overly prescriptive. Moving forward we want to re-invent our townscape in a positive and distinctive way which meets modern needs, whilst not forgetting existing character or history. The policies have been designed to encourage applicants and designers to be creative in proposing locally inspired and distinctive new places, spaces, art and buildings in collaboration with local communities. To do this, applicants must have a good understanding of the area in which their development will take place, its history and the



design aspirations of local people which will help define what is appropriate in any given locality. Policy 42 in particular sets out a process as to how this can be achieved, and it is envisaged that the process will be supported through the production of more detailed SPD, guides, codes, Neighbourhood Plans and a local version of the National Model Design Code as set out in Policy 43 part.

Plans or SPDs should use visual tools such as design guides and codes with the level of detail and degree of prescription tailored to the circumstances of each place and allow a degree of variety where this would be justified (NPPF 126).

Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 44: Views, Gateways and Taller Buildings

As discussed in the point above, it is not considered appropriate to generally set prescriptive design policies at the Local Plan level, but to set out a strategic policy vision and framework of key considerations alongside an inclusive process to secure better locally specific design. This Local Plan policy framework can be developed at a more localised level through the production of more detailed SPD, guides, codes, Neighbourhood Plans and a local version of the National Model Design Code as set out in Policy 43 part c.

Policy 42 in particular is clear it supports imaginative and innovative design, it sets out a flexible framework and process for understanding the degree to which variety and innovative architecture can be justified.

Planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments:

function well and add to an area’s overall quality over the development’s lifetime (NPPF 127a)

Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 46: Housing Design Standards (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 49: Landscaping of New Developments

The thematic policies have been drafted to create a flexible framework of key considerations that can be applied to different types and scales of development in areas with different characteristics and contexts, without being overly prescriptive. Policies



generally contain an aspirational introductory vision element and clear supporting criteria which set out expectations under the policy theme.

Many of the policy criteria under the design policies seek to ensure that new developments function well and improve the quality of an area, alongside other aesthetic considerations. Strategic policy 43 in particular sets out 12 key qualities that new development will be expected to reflect, most of which are functional design criteria.

Policy 42 part E states that in all cases, applications and design proposals will need to demonstrate an understanding of the context, history, character and appearance of the site, adjacent neighbourhood and the wider area, to inform the appropriate design approach. This alongside the other design policies and criteria will help to ensure new development contributes to adding to the quality of an area.

are visually attractive as a result of good architecture, layout and appropriate and effective landscaping (NPPF 127b).

Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 44: Views, Gateways and Taller Buildings Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 48: Safe and Secure Places Policy 49: Landscaping of New Developments Policy 50: Advertisements and signage

The thematic policies have been drafted to create a flexible framework of key considerations that can be applied to different types and scales of development in areas with different characteristics and contexts, without being overly prescriptive. Policies generally contain an aspirational introductory vision element and clear supporting criteria which set out expectations under the policy theme.

Many of the policy criteria under the design policies seek to ensure that new developments are visually attractive and benefit from good layout and landscaping. Part B of strategic Policy 43 is particularly important in this respect. The first paragraph specifically encourages attractive development and the accompanying 12 criteria include layout and aesthetic considerations. Strategic Policy 43 also encourages high quality and



innovative architecture and sets out a process as to how this can be achieved. Policy 44 is concerned with aesthetic issues, whereby it is encouraging development that improves the character, image and legibility of the Borough.

Policies 45 and 47 both encourage attractive developments and good layout through their policy criteria relating to both residential and non-residential developments. Policy 49 is specifically concerned with landscaping and the accompanying criteria seek to ensure this is appropriate and effective. Quality landscaping is also promoted under other policies including Policies 43, 44, 45, 47. Policy 50 criteria aim to ensure the design of advertisements and signage is appropriate and helps support the creation of attractive places.

are sympathetic to local character and history, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation or change (such as increased densities) (NPPF 127c).

Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 44: Views, Gateways and Taller Buildings Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 49: Landscaping of New Developments Policy 50: Advertisements and signage Policy 69: Key Doncaster Town Centre and Main Urban Area Mixed-Use Sites (Strategic Policy)

The Local Plan requires consideration of the impact of development on maintaining an area’s prevailing character in the above policies. This requirement is to be balanced against the need to promote regeneration and change when such matters are considered in the determination of planning applications.

As such, the policies have been drafted to create a flexible framework of key considerations that can be applied to different types and scales of development in areas with different characteristics and contexts, without being prescriptive. Character is the focus of Policy 42, although retaining and improving local character is a common theme throughout all of the above policies. Policy 42 in particular is clear it supports imaginative



and innovative design, it sets out a flexible framework and process for understanding the degree to which variety and innovative architecture can be justified.

Chapter 12: Design and the Built Environment addresses density through encouraging a contextual design approach to development. Policies 43, 44, 45 and 69 are particularly relevant. Policy 43 part A specifically supports the efficient use of land and maximising density in appropriate locations. Policy 44 seeks to manage the impacts of taller dense developments on local character. Policy 45 part C also specifically supports urban housing intensification in appropriate circumstances. Policy 69 specifically supports high density housing on key mixed use sites.

establish or maintain a strong sense of place, using the arrangement of streets, spaces, building types and materials to create attractive, welcoming and distinctive places to live, work and visit (NPPF 127d).

Policy 34: Landscape (Strategic Policy) Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy) Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 44: Views, Gateways and Taller Buildings Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 48: Safe and Secure Places Policy 49: Landscaping of New Developments

Policy 34 seeks to ensure development conserves, enhances and , where possible, restores distinctive landscape character areas and individual landscape features. This is further strengthened by Policy 49.

Policy 42, and to a large degree Policy 43, are concerned with maintaining and enhancing local distinctiveness and sense of place. Character is the focus of Policy 42, although retaining and improving local character is a common theme throughout all of the above policies. Policy 42 in particular is clear it supports imaginative and distinctive design where appropriate, it sets out a flexible framework and process for understanding the degree to which variety and innovative architecture can be justified.

The design criteria under policies 45, 47, 48 and 49 are concerned with the creation of safe, attractive and welcoming streets, spaces and buildings to live, work and play in.



ptimise the potential of the site to accommodate and sustain an appropriate amount and mix of development (including green and other public space) and support local facilities and transport networks (NPPF 127e).

Policy 29: Open Space Provision in New Developments Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 69: Key Doncaster Town Centre and Main Urban Area Mixed-Use Sites (Strategic Policy)

The above policies address this requirement of the NPPF. The design policies 42-49 all seek to achieve well designed, attractive and healthy developments and places. Policy 29 seeks to ensure adequate open space or contributions to improvement of open space are provided along with new housing.

Chapter 12: Design and the Built Environment addresses density through encouraging a contextual design approach to development. Policies 43, 44, 45 and 69 are particularly relevant. Policy 43 part A specifically supports the efficient use of land and maximising density in appropriate locations. Part B of policy 43 encourages well designed streets and spaces and specifically encourages developments that are vibrant and busy with a mix of uses where appropriate and with connected, walkable layouts that link at and support local facilities and public transport services. These themes and policy criteria are further covered under the development type policies 45 and 47.

Policy 44 seeks to manage the impacts of taller dense developments on local character. Policy 45 part C also specifically supports urban housing intensification in appropriate circumstances. Policy 69 specifically supports high density housing on key mixed use sites.

create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and which promote health and well-being, with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users; and where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion and resilience (NPPF 127f).

Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 48: Safe and Secure Places Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy)



The above policies have been drafted to create a flexible framework of key considerations that can be applied to different types and scales of development in areas with different characteristics and contexts, without being prescriptive.

Part B of Policy 43 encourages well designed and inclusive streets and spaces and specifically encourages developments that are vibrant and busy with a mix of uses where appropriate and with connected, walkable layouts that link at and support local facilities and public transport services. These themes and policy criteria are further covered under the development type policies 45 and 47 which also have criteria which seek to ensure the amenity existing and future occupiers are protected.

The design criteria under policies 45, 47, 48 and 49 are concerned with the creation of safe, attractive and welcoming streets, spaces and buildings to live, work and play in.

Policy 48 solely aims to create safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion.

Policy 51 promotes health and well-being, it sets out specific important considerations in creating healthy communities that new development will need to address.

Planning policies for housing should make use of the Government’s optional technical standards for accessible and adaptable housing, where this would address an identified need for such properties. Policies may also make use of the nationally described space standard, where the need for an internal space standard can be justified (NPPF 127f footnote 46).

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-optional-technical-standards

Policy 46: Housing Design Standards Housing Design Standards Policy Evidence Paper

To improve the quality and choice for all residents, Doncaster Council are aiming to introduce Policy 46 through the Local Plan which will require all new housing to meet the Nationally Described Space Standard as a minimum. In order to provide suitable and genuine housing choices for an ageing population and those with Limiting Long Term Illnesses or Disabilities, at least 65% of all new homes on housing developments of over 0.5 hectare or 10 or more units should meet Building Regulation requirement M4(2) ‘accessible and adaptable dwellings’. In order to provide suitable and genuine housing choices for occupants with more specific needs, at least 5% of all new homes on housing developments of over 0.5 Hectare or 10 or more units should meet Building Regulations requirement M4(3) ‘ wheelchair adaptable dwellings’.

From the 1st October 2015, local authorities had the option of implementing these higher standards. In order to apply the optional standards, the NPPF and National Planning

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-optional-technical-standards

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/housing-optional-technical-standards



Practice Guidance (NPPG) states that a local authority must gather evidence to determine the need for the additional standards in their area. The guidance on the optional technical standards is supported by NPPG on housing for older and disabled people. In line with the NPPF and NPPG these proposed policy requirements are based upon a robust evidence base set out in the Housing Design Standards Policy Evidence Paper which demonstrates the need. It provides the necessary evidence required to satisfy the inclusion of the policy, as set out by the NPPG to ensure the policy is complaint and sound with national policy.

Protecting Green Belt land (NPPF Chapter 13: paras 133-147)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/green-belt

New Green Belts should only be established in exceptional circumstances, for example when planning for larger scale development such as new settlements or major urban extensions. Any proposals for new Green Belts should be set out in strategic policies, which should demonstrate why normal planning and development management policies would not be adequate, any major changes in circumstances, consequences for sustainable development, the need for Green Belt to support adjoining areas, and how new Green Belt would meet other objectives of the Framework NPPF 135 a-e.

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Green Belt Review Green Belt Topic Paper

The Local Plan does not repeat national Green Belt policy set out in the NPPF. Policy 2, Part 6, clarifies that the openness and permanence of Doncaster’s Green Belt and defined on the Policies Map will be preserved. The Green Belt Topic Paper confirms that no new Green Belt will be established in the Local Plan. Exceptional circumstances for removing land from the Green Belt have been justified in the Green Belt Topic Paper.

Once established, Green Belt boundaries should only be altered where exceptional circumstances are fully evidenced and justified, through the preparation or updating of plans. Strategic policies should establish the need for any changes to Green Belt boundaries, having regard to their intended permanence in the long term, so they can endure beyond the plan period (NPPF 136).


The Local Plan does not repeat national Green Belt policy set out in the NPPF. Policy 2, Part 6, clarifies that the openness and permanence of Doncaster’s Green Belt as defined on the Policies Map will be preserved. The existing Green Belt boundary was established in the 1998 UDP, and the Green Belt Topic Paper sets out the exceptional circumstances

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/13-protecting-green-belt-land

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/13-protecting-green-belt-land

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/green-belt



for altering Green Belt boundaries to accommodate some of the housing requirement in certain locations.

Before concluding exceptional circumstances exist to justify changes to Green Belt boundaries the authority should be able to demonstrate that it has examined fully all other reasonable options for meeting its identified need for development: much use as possible of suitable brownfield sites and underutilised land and optimise the density of development including promoting an uplift in minimum density standards in town and city centres and locations well served by public transport (NPPF 137)

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Green Belt Review Green Belt Topic Paper The Local Plan does not repeat national Green Belt policy set out in the NPPF. Policy 2, Part 6, clarifies that the openness and permanence of Doncaster’s Green Belt and defined on the Policies Map will be preserved. The Green Belt Topic Paper sets out the exceptional circumstances for altering Green Belt boundaries to accommodate some of the housing requirement in certain locations. As part of the exceptional circumstance justification set out in this paper, the reasonable options have been explored and the approach explained.

When drawing up or reviewing Green Belt boundaries local planning authorities should take account of the need to promote sustainable patterns of development (consequences of channelling development towards urban areas inside the Green Belt boundary, towards towns and villages inset within the Green Belt or towards locations beyond the outer Green Belt boundary). Where it has been concluded it is necessary to release Green Belt land for development, plans should give first consideration to land which has been previously-developed and/or is well-served by public transport. They should also set out ways in which the impact of removing land from the Green Belt can be offset through compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of remaining Green Belt land (NPPF 138).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Green Belt Review Green Belt Topic Paper The Local Plan does not repeat national Green Belt policy set out in the NPPF. Policy 2, Part 6, clarifies that the openness and permanence of Doncaster’s Green Belt and defined on the Policies Map will be preserved. The Green Belt Topic Paper sets out the exceptional circumstances for altering Green Belt boundaries to accommodate some of the housing requirement in certain locations. The Topic Paper shows that where promoted, brownfield Green Belt land has been considered and the Sustainability Appraisal provides evidence of public transport. Furthermore, the Topic Paper has a section covering compensatory Green Belt both in terms of quality and quantity.

When defining Green Belt boundaries, plans should:

ensure consistency with the development plan’s strategy for meeting identified requirements for sustainable development (NPPF 139a).




The Local Plan does not repeat national Green Belt policy set out in the NPPF. Policy 2, Part 6, clarifies that the openness and permanence of Doncaster’s Green Belt as defined on the Policies Map will be preserved. The Plan’s overall Spatial Strategy (as set out in Policy 2) and accompanying settlement hierarchy sets the basis for the distribution of new development in the Borough.

A number of the settlements in the settlement hierarchy are constrained by a tightly drawn Green Belt. In some settlements this existing Green Belt has not hampered the ability of the Council to identify sites due to the availability of non-Green Belt land. In others, where deemed necessary in accordance with the settlement strategy and informed by the Green Belt Review, some sites have been proposed to be removed from the Green Belt and allocated for housing, however only in the most sustainable settlements and where fully justified by exceptional circumstances.

not include land which it is unnecessary to keep permanently open (NPPF 139b)

Doncaster Green Belt Review Green Belt Topic Paper The Green Belt Review reviewed the non–Green Belt countryside to the east of the borough and concluded there was no reason to extend Green Belt designation to cover this land. The Stage 1 review split the borough into 64 separate parcels and assessed each one, finding that most parcels scored strongly against at least one Green Belt purpose showing that the Green Belt is performing strongly across the borough. It is therefore considered that the land within the Green Belt, with the exception of allocations adjacent to existing settlements is necessary to retain as Green Belt, and that equally there is no need to expand the Green Belt eastwards.

where necessary, identify areas of safeguarded land between the urban area and the Green Belt, in order to meet longer-term development needs stretching well beyond the plan period (NPPF 139c).

Green Belt Topic Paper The Local Plan does not propose to include Safeguarded Land for the reasons given in the Green Belt Topic Paper.

make clear that the safeguarded land is not allocated for development at the present time. Planning permission for the permanent development of safeguarded land should only be granted following an

Green Belt Topic Paper The Local Plan does not propose to include Safeguarded Land for the reasons given in the Green Belt Topic Paper.



update to a plan which proposes the development (NPPF 139d).

be able to demonstrate that Green Belt boundaries will not need to be altered at the end of the plan period (NPPF 139e).

Green Belt Topic Paper Local circumstances have shown that there is no certainty that, even with safeguarded land, the Green Belt boundary will endure beyond the plan period. There are a number of locally specific circumstances which make safeguarding land difficult at this time, and would in any event be unlikely to lead to the Green Belt boundary enduring beyond the plan period. However, it is possible the boundary will endure without safeguarded land being allocated. Justification for lack of safeguarded land is included in the Topic Paper.

define boundaries clearly, using physical features that are readily recognisable and likely to be permanent (NPPF 139f).

Doncaster Green Belt Review Green Belt Topic Paper The Green Belt Topic Paper and Green Belt Review sets the methodology for defining Green Belt boundaries where they have needed to be amended by the Local Plan. This includes clear criteria using physical features that are readily recognisable and likely to be permanent. In the limited number of cases where the boundary is not deemed sufficiently strong and robust in the Green Belt Review, developer requirements make it clear that a strong boundary that is likely to be durable should be made. As explained in the Topic Paper, due to the shift from paper to digital mapping, more accurate plotting of boundaries can be undertaken and therefore in preparing the Policies Map, the boundary has been accurately digitally defined using the intended features to ensure clarity and durability.

If it is necessary to restrict development in a village primarily because of the important contribution which the open character of the village makes to the openness of the Green Belt, the village should be included in the Green Belt. If, however, the character of the village needs to be protected for other reasons, other means should be used, such as conservation area or normal development management policies, and the village should be excluded from the Green Belt (NPPF 140).

Doncaster Green Belt Review Green Belt Topic Paper The Green Belt Topic Paper concluded that there is not sufficient justification or exceptional circumstances to justify altering the existing Green Belt boundaries, and that within the village boundaries there are other means of managing the land use.



Where Green Belt policies are included, these should reflect the need to enhance the beneficial use of the Green Belt Examples include: looking for opportunities to provide access; to provide opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation; to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity; or to improve damaged and derelict land (NPPF 141).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Green Belt Review Green Belt Topic Paper The Local Plan does not repeat national Green Belt policy set out in the NPPF. The Green Belt Topic Paper identifies land at Rossington that will be developed for a country park and brought into the Green Belt.

Proposals affecting the Green Belt

(NPPF 143-147). Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Green Belt Review Green Belt Topic Paper The Local Plan does not repeat national Green Belt policy set out in these paragraphs of the NPPF because it is considered these give sufficient guidance to consider relevant individual planning applications.

Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change (NPPF Chapter 14: paras 148-169)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-and-coastal-

change

Planning for climate change

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/climate-change

Plans should take a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change, taking into account the long-term implications for flood risk, coastal change, water supply, biodiversity and landscapes, and the risk of overheating from rising temperatures.

Policies should support appropriate measures to ensure the future resilience of communities and infrastructure to climate change impacts, such as providing space for physical protection measures, or making provision for the possible

Para 1.11 Looking further ahead: taking account of further changes to national policy Chapter 3 Local Plan Vision and Objectives 17 & 18. Chapter 14: Climate Change, Mineral Resources & Energy Policy 4: Employment Allocations, para 4.55 Policy 13: Strategic Transport Network (Strategic Policy) Policy 14: Promoting Sustainable Transport in New Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 17: Cycling in Doncaster Policy 18: Walking in Doncaster Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/14-meeting-the-challenge-of-climate-change-flooding-and-coastal-change

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-and-coastal-change

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-and-coastal-change

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/climate-change



future relocation of vulnerable development and infrastructure (NPPF 149).

Planning of new development in ways that

(a) avoid increased vulnerability to impacts arising from climate change – ensure risks can be managed through suitable adaptation measures including the planning of green infrastructure (NPPF 150a)

(b) help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as through location, orientation and design. Any local requirements for the sustainability of buildings should reflect the Government’s policy for national technical standards (NPPF 150b).

Policy 32: Local Wildlife and Geological Sites, para 10.42 Policy 43: Good Urban Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 45: Residential Design (Strategic Policy) Policy 47: Design of Non-Residential, Commercial and Employment Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 58: Flood Risk Management Policy 59: Low Carbon and Renewable Energy (Strategic Policy) Policy 60: Wind Energy Developments (Strategic Policy) Climate Change & the Local Plan Topic Paper The Local Plan incorporates policies relating to climate change through a number of topics areas including those set out above. Tackling all these issues collectively, developing ways to monitor positive change, and mitigating against, and adapting to, impacts, will be paramount in responding to the challenge of climate change. The planning system cannot act alone in responding to Climate Change but in the context of being one of Doncaster Council’s key corporate documents will need to ensure it works it tandem with wider corporate strategic documents which includes a proposed setting of a Cos emissions reductions target for the Borough. Local planning policy is also dependant on clear direction being set by Central Government’s planning, and wider, policy. The Climate Change Topic Paper sets out in detail how the Local Plan meets the policy requirements of the NPPF and NPPG.

To help increase the use and supply of renewable and low carbon energy and heat Plans should (NPPF 151): PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy

provide a positive strategy for energy from these sources, that maximises the potential for suitable development, while ensuring that adverse impacts are addressed satisfactorily (including cumulative landscape and visual impacts); (NPPF 151a)

Policy 59: Low Carbon and Renewable Energy (Strategic Policy) Policy 60: Wind Energy Developments (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Study Wind Energy Development Paper

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy



consider identifying suitable areas for renewable and low carbon energy sources, and supporting infrastructure, where this would help secure their development (NPPF 151b).

identify opportunities for development to draw its energy supply from decentralised, renewable or low carbon energy supply systems and for co-locating potential heat customers and suppliers (NPPF 151c)

Policies 59 and 60 together provide a positive strategy and support for development proposals which increase the supply of low carbon and renewable energy. The policies are supported by evidence base papers set out above.

An Area of Search for Wind Energy is identified on the Policies Map and covered under Policy 60. Likewise Heat Opportunity Areas are discussed under Policy 59 and identified on the Policies Map.

Planning and flood risk

Plans should avoid inappropriate development in areas of flood risk by directing development away from areas at highest risk (NPPF 155).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 58: Flood Risk Management Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) Level 1 (November 2015)

A Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment has been published (December 2015) and is the basis for applying the Flood Risk Sequential Test (although due to the time passed since this was commissioned the Site Selection Methodology sets out how the test has been applied based on the SFRA and a more up-to-date assessment using the same approach). The SFRA considers flood risk from all sources. This work identifies the extent of the functional flood plain where national policy identifies only water compatible and essential infrastructure as being appropriate, subject to some ‘checks and balances’.

The Council commissioned a Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for the whole borough. However, due to the lack of detailed hydraulic modelling available (currently being undertaken by the Environment Agency as at 2019) the Council has been advised by the Environment Agency that it is not possible to have a NPPF compliant Level 2 Assessment at this time. The Council is committed to updating the Level 1 SFRA, and re-commissioning the Level 2 SFRA, at a point when all of the EA modelling is available (which will include the effects of the 2016 climate change allowances).

Local Plan policies, including the overall Spatial Strategy approach (set out in Policy 2), seek to direct development away from flood risk areas where possible. Where it can be demonstrated that this is not possible, policies provide the ‘safety net’ to ensure that



development will be safe for its lifetime and not increase flood risk elsewhere taking into account all residual flood risks.

Strategic policies should be informed by a strategic flood risk assessment, and should manage flood risk from all sources. Consider cumulative impacts in, or affecting, local areas susceptible to flooding, and take account of Environment Agency advice and other relevant flood risk management authorities (NPPF 156).

See above response to NPPF 155.

Plans should apply a sequential, risk-based approach to the location of development – taking into account the current and future impacts of climate change to avoid, where possible, flood risk to people and property (NPPF 157). They should do this, and managed any residual risk, by:


applying the sequential test and then, if necessary, the exception test (as per NPPF 159-162) (NPPF 157a).

For the exception test to be passed it should be demonstrated that:

a) the development would provide wider sustainability benefits to the community that outweigh the flood risk (NPPF 160a).

b) the development will be safe for its lifetime taking account of the vulnerability of its users, without increasing flood risk elsewhere, and, where possible, will reduce flood risk overall (NPPF 160b).

Both elements of the exception test should be satisfied for development to be allocated (NPPF 161).


safeguarding land from development that is required, or likely to be required, for current or future flood management (NPPF 157b).

The Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment identifies the extent and detailed boundaries of the functional flood plain (FRZ3b) throughout the borough; this has been agreed in conjunction with the Environment Agency. The Functional Flood Plain is identified on the



Policies Map where national policy will strictly be applied in order to safeguard this area from inappropriate development.

using opportunities provided by new development to reduce the causes and impacts of flooding (where appropriate through the use of natural flood management techniques) (NPPF 157c);

Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy), part A)9 and para 10.6 Policy 57: Drainage, Part E. These techniques are specifically promoted in Local Plan policies 27 and 57.

where climate change is expected to increase flood risk so that some existing development may not be sustainable in the long-term, seeking opportunities to relocate development, including housing, to more sustainable locations (NPPF 157d).

There are large parts of the Borough that are located in areas of high residual flood risk from main river flooding. However, unlike some coastal communities for example in parts of the country, it is not considered that the risks are of that scale or magnitude to be planning to relocate existing housing or communities to more sustainable non-flood risk areas.

Major developments should incorporate sustainable drainage systems unless there is clear evidence that this would be inappropriate (NPPF 165). The systems used should a) take account of advice from the lead local flood

authority b) have appropriate proposed minimum operational

standards c) have maintenance arrangements in place to ensure an

acceptable standard of operation for the lifetime of the development

d) where possible, provide multifunctional benefits).

Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 57: Drainage Policy 57 (and para 14.5) supports sustainable drainage systems and all major development proposals (10+ dwellings or 0.5 hectares for commercial developments) will be expected to make use of them unless there is clear evidence that this would be inappropriate. Implementation will be supported by guidance in the South Yorkshire Interim Local Guidance for Sustainable Drainage Systems June 2015 and Doncaster Council’s Guidance for Developers Producing Drainage Strategies - Appendix A – 2018.

Coastal Change

(NPPF 166-169). Not relevant to Doncaster Local Plan.

As set out in the Statement of Common Group, and in meeting the Duty to Cooperate, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) do not consider there to be any significantly relevant cross-boundary issues arising from the Doncaster Local Plan to warrant agreement on a Statement of Common Ground. They consider issues to do with



water quality and flooding in Doncaster fall under the Environment Agency/other local authorities’ remit.

Conserving and enhancing the natural environment (NPPF Chapter 15: paras 170-183)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/natural-environment

Planning policies should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by:

protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, sites of biodiversity or geological value and soils (in a manner commensurate with their statutory status or identified quality in the development plan) (NPPF 170a).

Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 30: Ecological Networks (Strategic Policy) Policy 31: Valuing Biodiversity and Geodiversity (Strategic Policy) Policy 32: Local Wildlife and Geological Sites Policy 33: Woodlands, Trees and Hedgerows Policy 34: Landscape (Strategic Policy) Policy 61: Protecting and Enhancing Doncaster’s Soil and Water Resources Local Sites Criteria. Landscape Character and Capacity Assessment. This suite of policies seek to protect, and where possible enhance, the natural environment interests identified in NPPF para 170a. Policy 31 protects local, national and internationally designated wildlife sites and geological sites using a range of criteria commensurate with their relative value. Policy 34 seeks for planning decisions to take account of the quality and local distinctiveness of landscape character areas and features in Doncaster.

recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services – including the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, and of trees and woodland (NPPF 170b).

Policy 2: Spatial Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy (Strategic Policy) Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 30: Ecological Networks (Strategic Policy) Policy 33: Woodlands, Trees and Hedgerows Policy 61: Protecting and Enhancing Doncaster’s Soil and Water Resources

In defining “Countryside”, plan preparation has proceeded on the basis of NPPF para 170b that planning decisions should recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside. The Council has not attempted to survey all land in the area defined as

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/15-conserving-and-enhancing-the-natural-environment

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/15-conserving-and-enhancing-the-natural-environment

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/natural-environment



Countryside because the Council does not envisage a methodology could be devised that would have meaningful benefit to help inform choices between allocating land for development and being capable of satisfying the requirements of national planning policy. To do so would require identification of the relative intrinsic character and beauty of countryside – which is an oxymoron given that NPPF para 170b policy is that all countryside, by implication, has intrinsic character and beauty.

The wider benefits of the countryside, derived from natural capital and ecosystem services are recognised in Policies 27, 30, 33 and 61.

maintaining the character of the undeveloped coast, while improving public access to it where appropriate (NPPF 170c).

Not relevant to Doncaster Local Plan.

minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures (NPPF 170d).

Policy 30: Ecological Networks (Strategic Policy) Policy 31: Valuing Biodiversity and Geodiversity (Strategic Policy) Policy 60: Wind Energy Developments (Strategic Policy) Policy 66: Developer Contributions (Strategic Policy) DEFRA Biodiversity Metric: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5850908674228224 Policy 31 of the Local Plan seeks to protect and enhance biodiversity. It sets out the requirement for development to use the DEFRA Metric to demonstrate how they will deliver a minimum 10% net gain in Biodiversity. Policy 30 seeks to enhance ecological networks in the Borough in line with the requirement in the NPPF. The policy requires improvements to contribute to ecological networks based on as series of ‘biodiversity opportunity areas’ in advance of the identification of a Nature Recovery Network (see also NPPF 174a).

preventing new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability. Development should, wherever possible, help to improve local environmental conditions such as air and

Policy 55: Pollution Policy 56: Contamination and Unstable Land Policy 55 seeks to minimise the creation of, or impacts from, all forms of pollution whilst Policy 56 specifically address unstable land.

http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5850908674228224



water quality, taking into account relevant information such as river basin management plans (NPPF 170e).

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-stability PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/noise--2

remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where appropriate (NPPF 170f).

Policy 56: Contamination and Unstable Land Policy 54: Provision of new Indoor Recreation and Leisure Facilities As per NPPF 117 above. The Plan’s ‘Overall Strategy’ set out in Policy 2 requires the development should make the most effective use of previously developed land. The Housing and Employment Site Selection Methodology translates this into action by a number of criteria which relate to re-use of brownfield land, contaminated land, and unstable land with sites that are capable of re-using/remediating such land scoring positively with significant positive effects identified for larger sites. In addition to the brownfield residential allocations in the Plan, the 2019 Brownfield Land Register identifies around 52 sites, totalling 1,200 units on sites which are not proposed as allocations. The Local Plan’s Annual Monitoring Report will monitor the percentage of development on brownfield/ previously developed land. Policy 56 specifically addresses the need for development proposals to mitigate contamination or land instability.

Plans should:

distinguish between the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites.

allocate land with the least environmental or amenity value, where consistent with other policies in the NPPF.

take a strategic approach to maintaining and enhancing networks of habitats and green infrastructure.

plan for the enhancement of natural capital at a catchment or landscape scale across local authority boundaries.

(NPPF 171)

Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 30: Ecological Networks (Strategic Policy) Policy 31: Valuing Biodiversity and Geodiversity (Strategic Policy) Policy 32: Local Wildlife and Geological Sites Policy 33: Woodlands, Trees and Hedgerows Policy 34: Landscape (Strategic Policy) Policy 61: Protecting and Enhancing Doncaster’s Soil and Water Resources Site Selection Methodology Policy 31 recognisees the hierarchy of internationally, nationally, and locally important habitats, sites and species. However, the Policy could be re-worded to more clearly distinguish the differences in dealing with different sites within the hierarchy and so will be amended accordingly.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-stability

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/noise--2



Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality (NPPF 171 footnote 53).

The Local Plan’s site selection methodology seeks to ensure that the most sustainable sites are allocated – which includes giving preference to sites with the least environmental or amenity value (and including, where possible, avoiding the best and most versatile agricultural land).

Policy 27 (Green Infrastructure) and Policy 30 (Ecological Networks) both take a strategic approach to their subject areas and, in doing so, seek the enhancement of natural capital at a catchment/ landscape scale. Landscape scale conservation partnerships, including Nature Improvements Areas (NIAs) and River Catchment Partnerships operate within the Biodiversity Opportunity Areas and plan and deliver strategic conservation objectives. The Dearne Valley Green Heart NIA and Humberhead levels NIA both fall partly within Doncaster. Development proposals in proximity to these areas should look to contribute towards these initiatives, which will be key contributors to Doncaster’s ‘Nature Recovery Network’.

Great weight should be given to protecting the landscape and scenic beauty of National Parks, the Broads and AONBs. (NPPF 172)


Policies for the Heritage Coast areas should be consistent with the special character of such areas and the importance of its conservation (NPPF 173).


Habitats and biodiversity

To protect and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity, plans should:

Identify, map and safeguard components of local wildlife-rich habitats and wider ecological networks, including:

o the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites of importance for biodiversity;

o wildlife corridors and stepping stones that connect them;

Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 30: Ecological Networks (Strategic Policy) Policy 31: Valuing Biodiversity and Geodiversity (Strategic Policy) Policy 32: Local Wildlife and Geological Sites Policy 33: Woodlands, Trees and Hedgerows Policy 34: Landscape (Strategic Policy)

Policy 61: Protecting and Enhancing Doncaster’s Soil and Water Resources



o areas identified by national and local partnerships for habitat management, enhancement, restoration or creation. NPPF 174a

Where areas that are part of the Nature Recovery Network are identified in plans, it may be appropriate to specify the types of development that may be suitable within them (NPPF 174a footnote 57).

The above policies are supported by an extensive evidence base including the Identification and mapping of the natural heritage interests they seek to protect and enhance. Where possible they are shown on the Policies Map. Figures in the Local Plan summarise Doncaster’s Green infrastructure Corridors (Fig 8), Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (Fig 9) and National and International Wildlife Sires (Fig 10).

See also response to NPPF 171.

promote the conservation, restoration and enhancement of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species; and identify and pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gains for biodiversity (NPPF 174b).

Policy 30: Ecological Networks (Strategic Policy) Policy 31: Valuing Biodiversity and Geodiversity (Strategic Policy) Policy 32: Local Wildlife and Geological Sites

Policies 30-32 have been prepared to meet the requirements of NPPF para 174b. Specifically Policy 31 looks to secure long term habitat management plans for sites and habitats of value and provide buffers around wildlife and geological features through the planning process.

Proposals affecting Habitats and Biodiversity (NPPF 175-177).

Paragraphs 175-177 of the NPPF include policy for considering development proposals affect habitats and biodiversity. The Local Plan policies set out above have been included to further elaborate this NPPF policy.

Ground conditions and pollution

Planning policies should ensure that:

a site is suitable for its proposed use taking account of ground conditions, land instability and contamination. This includes risks arising from natural hazards or former activities such as mining, and any proposals for mitigation including land remediation (as well as potential impacts on the natural environment arising from that remediation) (NPPF 178a). PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-stability

Policy 56: Contamination and Unstable Land Policy 56 has been prepared to meet the requirements of NPPF para 178.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-stability



PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-affected-by-contamination

after remediation, as a minimum, land should not be capable of being determined as contaminated land under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (NPPF 178b).

adequate site investigation information, prepared by a competent person, is available to inform these assessments (NPPF 178c).

Planning policies should ensure new development takes into account likely effects (including cumulative) of pollution on health, living conditions and natural environment, as well as the potential sensitivity of the site / wider area to impacts that could arise from the development. Policies should (NPPF 180) :

Policy 55: Pollution Policy 55 seeks to minimise the creation of, or impacts from, all forms of pollution.

mitigate, and reduce to a minimum, potential adverse impacts resulting from noise from new development – and avoid noise giving rise to significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life (NPPF 180a).

identify and protect tranquil areas which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are prized for their recreational and amenity value for this reason (NPPF 180b).

Policy 27: Green Infrastructure (Strategic Policy) Policy 34: Landscape (Strategic Policy) Policy 55: Pollution Appendix 11: Noise No mapping of tranquil areas has been undertaken. However, tranquillity has informed the Landscape Character Study and tranquillity can be taken into account in application of Policies 27 and 34.

Policy 34 requires the conservation, enhancement, and where possible, restoration of tranquillity as part of the contribution to landscape character and local distinctiveness. Policy 27 requires tranquillity to be considered in the preparation of Green Infrastructure masterplans.

Noise pollution is considered as part of Policy 55.

limit the impact of light pollution from artificial light on local amenity, intrinsically dark landscapes and nature conservation (NPPF 180c).

Policy 50: Advertisements and signage Policy 55: Pollution

Consideration of the impact of artificial lighting is required by Policy 55 Part E.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-affected-by-contamination

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-affected-by-contamination



PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/light-pollution

Planning policies should sustain/ contribute towards compliance with relevant limit values or national objectives for pollutants, taking account of Air Quality Management Areas and Clean Air Zones, and the cumulative impacts from individual sites in local areas. Opportunities to improve air quality or mitigate impacts should be identified, such as through traffic and travel management, and green infrastructure provision and enhancement. So far as possible these opportunities should be considered at the plan-making stage, to ensure a strategic approach (NPPF 181). PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/air-quality--3

Policy 55: Pollution Policy 61: Protecting and Enhancing Doncaster’s Soil and Water Resources Site Selection Methodology

Consideration of the impact of air quality is required by Policy 55 Part C, which refers to Air Quality Management Areas and EU limit values.

The site selection methodology includes air quality as one criterion in the selection of housing and employment sites.

Planning policies should ensure new development can be integrated effectively with existing businesses and community facilities. Existing businesses and facilities should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on them as a result of development permitted after they were established. Where the operation of an existing business or community facility could have a significant adverse effect on new development (including changes of use) in its vicinity, the applicant (or ‘agent of change’) should be required to provide suitable mitigation before the development has been completed (NPPF 182).

Policy 5: Employment Policy Areas (Strategic Policy) Policy 24: Development within Town, District and Local Centres (Strategic Policy)

The Local Plan does not seek to introduce specific policy to cover NPPF 182 given that it is considered this national policy can be applied locally to individual planning decisions – the wording of the NPPF paragraph refers to both planning policies and decisions. However, the Local Plan does defines employment policy areas where new development is required to be compatible with existing employment uses.

The focus of planning policies should be on whether proposed development is an acceptable use of land, rather than the control of processes or emissions (where these are subject to separate pollution control regimes). Planning decisions should assume that these regimes will operate effectively (NPPF 183).

Policy 55: Pollution Policy 55 is worded so as not to hinder or repeat separate pollution control regimes than operate in addition to planning policy.

Conserving and enhancing the historic environment (NPPF Chapter 16: paras 184-202)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/light-pollution

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/air-quality--3

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/16-conserving-and-enhancing-the-historic-environment

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/16-conserving-and-enhancing-the-historic-environment



PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/conserving-and-

enhancing-the-historic-environment

Include a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment, including heritage assets most at risk (NPPF 185) taking account of:

Policy 35: Valuing our Historic Environment (Strategic Policy)

The whole suite of historic environment policies (policies 35-41) together with other site specific policies constitute the positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment. However, Policy 35, as the strategic policy, is the main driver for this.

The strategy is based on a clear understanding of the cultural assets in the plan area identified in Policy 35A. Policy 35B focusses on improving the accessibility of, and promoting, the borough’s most significant heritage assets.

Policies 35C (parts 3,4 and 5) promotes a positive strategy for reducing future threats to historic buildings and in particular identifying historic buildings most at risk and developing a strategy to address this. The policy is intended to link with and provide the spatial dimension for the Council’s Heritage Strategy.

This strategic policy is supported by detailed development management policies intended to manage change to heritage assets in a positive way commensurate with their heritage significance.

A full consideration of ‘a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment historic environment’ has to include the conservation dimensions of Policy 7 on the Airport and site specific Policies 68 -72 on our major settlements. Particular mention needs to be made of Policy 70, which covers the Unity development and includes policies for the redevelopment of the redundant listed Hatfield colliery headstocks.

Policy 35C (parts 1 and 2) seeks to improve our understanding and make more public our knowledge of our heritage assets. The designated heritage assets of the borough can be found on interactive maps on the council’s website. In particular, the 42 conservation areas are identified and their heritage significance described in pen portraits or more fully in conservation area appraisals where these exist. There is also a heritage assessment of our parks and gardens that have been identified as of local historic interest.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/conserving-and-enhancing-the-historic-environment




An assessment of potential development sites for impact on heritage assets (archaeological and above ground) has been completed as part of the local plan process. This information will be made publically available and be used to assist in more accurate decision making with regard to the archaeological heritage of the borough.

Policy 39: Historic Parks and Gardens Policy 40: Development Affecting Archaeology Policy 41: Buildings or Structures of Local Historic Interest

As part of a comprehensive strategy for the historic environment these policies cover in whole or in part the identification and treatment in planning applications of undesignated heritage assets. This includes a list of parks and gardens of local historic interest and the preparation of a list of buildings or structures of local historic interest.

desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets, and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation (NPPF 185a)


Policy 35A begins by emphasising that decisions will be made in accordance with the significance led approach enshrined in the heritage policies and guidance of the NPPF and considered best practice. Policy 35C4 develops this further in supporting the viable use of heritage policies.

Policy 36: Understanding and Recording the Historic Environment

Policy 36 reinforces this approach focussing on how this significance is identified and what is expected if harm can be justified in exceptional circumstances.

Policy 37: Listed Buildings Policy 38: Conservation Areas Policy 39: Historic Parks and Gardens Policy 40: Development Affecting Archaeology Policy 41: Buildings or Structures of Local Historic Interest

Policies 37-41 elaborates how this significance can be sustained and/or enhanced with regard to specific types of heritage assets where the NPPF is silent. It is intended to guide decision making in planning applications and distinguishes between different types of designated and undesignated heritage assets



wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that conservation of the historic environment can bring (NPPF 185b).


The supporting text to Policy 35 identifies some of the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that conservation of the historic environment can bring and how this can contribute to the distinct identity of the borough. Policy 35B focusses particularly on improving accessibility to and promoting the enjoyment of the most important heritage assets of the borough and promoting tourism. This dovetails with some of the aims, objectives, and actions of the council’s borough heritage strategy.

desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness (NPPF 185c).


Policy 35A identifies some of the specific heritage assets and types of heritage assets that contribute to the local character and distinct identity of the borough. The emphasis of the policy is that proposals should preserve and/or enhance these elements e.g. promoting limestone buildings and vernacular building types where these are a significant component of local distinctiveness such as in the limestone ridge conservation areas.

The policy will be supported by developer guidance on our website which will further define local distinctiveness and explain how it can be enhanced.

Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy)

Policy 42 goes beyond designated heritage assets and focusses on new development. New development would be expected to identify elements that contribute to local distinctiveness and avoid referencing ‘anywhere neighbourhoods’.

opportunities to draw on contribution made by the historic environment to a place’s character (NPPF 185d).

Policy 35: Valuing our Historic Environment (Strategic Policy) Policy 42: Character and Local Distinctiveness (Strategic Policy)

Policy 35A identifies some of the specific heritage assets and types of heritage assets that contribute to the local character and distinct identity of the borough. These elements vary across the borough and there is further analysis of the components of the historic environment available in the form of conservation area appraisals and assessments of parks and gardens of local historic interest. The Sites and Monuments Record held by the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service is also a useful source. Policy 36A expects proposals affecting the historic environment to be supported and informed by an analysis of the heritage assets affected.



Policy 42 applies this beyond the historic environment and seeks to draw on elements of the existing historic and natural environment to inform development elsewhere in the borough in order to re-inforce local distinctiveness.

Information about the historic environment, gathered as part of policy-making must be publicly accessible - Contained within the historic environment record required by NPPF 187 (NPPF 188).

Policy 35: Valuing our Historic Environment (Strategic Policy) Policy 36: Understanding and Recording the Historic Environment

Policy 35C1 specifically asks that information gathered about the historic environment, as part of the planning process is made publically available. Policy 36B which relates to information gathered for archaeological or historic building recording where harm has been accepted requires that this be widely publicised and how this is to be achieved is explained in the supporting text. The policy requires this information be archived and added to the South Yorkshire Sites and Monuments Record (which is in effect the historic environment record for this area).

Proposals affecting heritage assets. Considering potential impacts.

The development management policies (Policies36-41) cover how different types of designated and undesignated heritage assets are to be treated in planning applications depending on their significance. The policies emphasise identifying harm to heritage significance and avoiding or mitigating harm depending on its extent and effect on the significance of the heritage asset. Policy 36 covers the expectation of recording in the eventuality where harm can be justified.

NPPF 189 – 202 cover planning application proposals and as such are national planning policies but don’t directly state local planning policy is required unlike other parts of the NPPF.

As above

Facilitating the sustainable use of minerals (NPPF Chapter 17: paras 203-211)

PPG: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/conserving-and-

enhancing-the-historic-environment

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Policy 63: Minerals Development Proposals, Borrow Pits and Incidental Extraction Policy 64: Reclamation of Mineral Sites (Restoration and Aftercare) Policy 65: Providing for Energy Minerals (on-shore Gas and Oil (Hydrocarbons))

Planning policies should (NPPF 204):

provide for extraction of mineral resources of local and national importance, but not identify new sites or

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy)

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/17-facilitating-the-sustainable-use-of-minerals

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/17-facilitating-the-sustainable-use-of-minerals





extensions to existing sites for peat extraction (NPPF 204a).

Policy 62 provides the key policy for assessing extraction of mineral resources. It does not identify sites for peat extraction.

so far as practicable, take account of the contribution that substitute or secondary and recycled materials and minerals waste would make to the supply of materials, before considering extraction of primary materials, whilst aiming to source minerals supplies indigenously (NPPF 204b).

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) The Barnsley Doncaster and Rotherham Joint Waste plan takes account of substitute or secondary and recycled materials and minerals waste, however Policy 62 acknowledges their need in relation to the sustainable extraction of mineral resources.

safeguard mineral resources by defining Mineral Safeguarding Areas; and adopt appropriate policies so that known locations of specific minerals resources of local and national importance are not sterilised by non-mineral development where this should be avoided (whilst not creating a presumption that the resources defined will be worked) (NPPF 204c).

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Mineral Safeguarding Areas Policy 62, supporting by evidence base, identifies mineral safeguarding areas. These areas are also shown on the Policies Map.

set out policies to encourage prior extraction of minerals, where practical and environmentally feasible, if it is necessary for non-mineral development to take place (NPPF 204d).

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Policy 62 B)3 includes policy on prior extraction of mineral resources.

safeguard existing, planned and potential sites for: the bulk transport, handling and processing of minerals; the manufacture of concrete and concrete products; and the handling, processing and distribution of substitute, recycled and secondary aggregate material (NPPF 204e);

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Policy 62 includes policy to safeguard existing, planned and potential sites required to support the delivery of minerals. Table 14 lists safeguarded ancillary minerals infrastructure – which are also identified on Policies Map.

set out criteria or requirements to ensure permitted and proposed operations do not have unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment or human health, taking into account cumulative effects of multiple impacts from individual sites and/or a number of sites in a locality (NPPF 204f).

Chapter 10 (Green infrastructure) Chapter 11 (Historic Environment) Policy 51: Health (Strategic Policy) Given that the Local Plan should be read as a whole, the Plan contains a suite of policies which address the adverse impacts of mineral proposals on the natural and historic environment or human health. These include policies in Chapter 10 and 11, whilst Policy 51 is a criteria based policy considering health impacts.



when developing noise limits, recognise some noisy short-term activities, which may otherwise be regarded as unacceptable, are unavoidable to facilitate minerals extraction (NPPF 204g).

Policy 55: Pollution Policy 55B includes policy on noise. With regard to minerals the National Planning Practice Guidance contains clear guidance on acceptable requirements (Paragraph 019 Reference ID: 27-019-20140306) and it is not considered necessary to repeat this in the Local Plan.

ensure that worked land is reclaimed at the earliest opportunity, taking account of aviation safety, and that high quality restoration and aftercare of mineral sites takes place (NPPF 204h).

Policy 64: Reclamation of Mineral Sites (Restoration and Aftercare) Policy 64 addresses this NPPF requirement.

Local Planning authorities should not normally permit other development proposals in Mineral Safeguarding Areas if it might constrain potential future use for mineral working (NPPF 206)

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Policy 62 Part B addresses this NPPF requirement.

Maintaining supply

Minerals planning authorities should plan for a steady and adequate supply of aggregates by (NPPF 207):

preparing annual Local Aggregate Assessments to forecast future demand, based on a rolling average of 10 years’ sales data and other relevant local information, and an assessment of all supply options (NPPF 207a).

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Doncaster and Rotherham Local Aggregates Assessment A Local Aggregates Assessment is produced annually and forms part of the Local Plan’s evidence base, which supports Policy 62. Reference to the Local Aggregates Assessment is made in paragraphs 14.36, 14.43 and 14.50 of the Local Plan.

participating in the operation of an Aggregate Working Party and taking the advice of that party into account when preparing their Local Aggregate Assessment) (NPPF 207b).

Doncaster is a participating member of the Yorkshire and Humber Aggregates Working Party (AWP). The AWP is referenced in paragraphs 14.36, 14.43 and 14.50 of the Local Plan.

making provision for the land-won and other elements of their Local Aggregate Assessment in their mineral plans, taking account of the advice of the Aggregate Working Parties and the National Aggregate Co-ordinating Group as appropriate. Such provision should take the form of specific sites, preferred areas and/or

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy). Doncaster and Rotherham Local Aggregates Assessment Policy 62 provides the key policy for assessing extraction of mineral resources which is informed by the Local Aggregates Assessment. Specific sites, preferred areas and/or areas of search are identified in supporting tables in the Local Plan (Minerals Policy Section) and are identified on the Policies Map.



areas of search and locational criteria as appropriate) (NPPF 207c).

taking account of any published National and Sub National Guidelines on future provision which should be used as a guideline when planning for the future demand for and supply of aggregates) (NPPF 207d).

In preparation of the Local Plan mineral requirements evidence base, Doncaster has acknowledged and used the Minerals Aggregate Supply System, and supporting sections from the NPPF and NPPG, to identify mineral requirements for the Local Plan. Evidence referenced in Minerals Policy supporting text in paragraphs 14.36, 14.43 and 14.50.

using landbanks of aggregate minerals reserves principally as an indicator of the security of aggregate minerals supply, and to indicate the additional provision that needs to be made for new aggregate extraction and alternative supplies in mineral plans (NPPF 207e).

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Doncaster and Rotherham Local Aggregates Assessment Mineral Requirements (including Safeguarding, Areas of Search and Site Selection Methodology summaries) Policy 62 A)3 acknowledges the need to provide a landbank of 10 years for limestone and 7 years for sand and gravel. The Local Aggregates Assessment also identifies the level of reserve and amounts of sharp sand and gravel available in the borough. The LAA acknowledges a depleted sharp sand and gravel reserve and new provision is unlikely to come forward in the future. The Local Plan identifies extensive areas of search to try and address this issue – this is documented in the mineral sites Areas of Search and Site Selection Methodologies for minerals.

maintaining landbanks of at least 7 years for sand and gravel and at least 10 years for crushed rock, whilst ensuring that the capacity of operations to supply a wide range of materials is not compromised (NPPF 207f).

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) As above – response to NPPF 207e.

ensuring that large landbanks bound up in very few sites do not stifle competition) (NPPF 207g).

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) The need to address this requirement is acknowledged in paragraph 14.48 (last sentence) of the supporting text to Policy 62.

calculating and maintaining separate landbanks for any aggregate materials of a specific type or quality which have a distinct and separate market) (NPPF 207h).

Doncaster and Rotherham Local Aggregates Assessment Doncaster has no aggregate materials of a specific type or quality that require separate landbanks, other than those identified in the Local Aggregate Assessment, which are crushed rock and, sand and gravel, which are address in the Local Aggregates Assessment.

Minerals planning authorities should plan for a steady and adequate supply of industrial minerals by (NPPF 208):



co-operating with neighbouring and more distant authorities to ensure an adequate provision of industrial minerals to support their likely use in industrial and manufacturing processes (NPPF 208a)

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Doncaster has one small producer of industrial dolomite mineral (Warmsworth quarry). An ‘Industrial Mineral’ ‘area of search’ (see Table 13) and safeguarding area (see Table 15) is identified on the area of land to west of Warmsworth Quarry. Although industrial dolomite is economically important due to its restricted distribution, the site does not produce a strategically important quantity of material. Further explanatory information is given in paragraph 14.58.

encouraging safeguarding or stockpiling so that important minerals remain available for use (NPPF 208b).

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) See above - response to NPPF 208a. Paragraph 14.58 of the supporting text to Policy 62 states that the Council will plan for industrial minerals by cooperating with other authorities to ensure a steady and adequate provision, support safeguarding / stockpiling important locally sourced minerals and encourage investment in existing plant equipment by allowing for the maintenance of reserves to support appropriate investment.

maintaining a stock of permitted reserves to support the level of actual and proposed investment required for new or existing plant, and the maintenance and improvement of existing plant and equipment (NPPF 208c).

Not applicable to Doncaster (this is aimed at resources such as Etrurian brick clay and manufacturing plants that require massive reserves and investment). However, should local resources increase in strategic importance paragraph 14.58 covers safeguarding, stockpiling and investment.

taking account of the need for provision of brick clay from a number of different sources to enable appropriate blends to be made (NPPF 208d).

Not applicable to Doncaster – does not possess economically viable resources of brick clay.

Oil, gas and coal exploration and extraction

Minerals planning authorities should (NPPF 209):

(NPPF 209a : removed from NPPF by Ministerial Written Statement May 2019).

n/a.

when planning for on-shore oil and gas development, clearly distinguish between, and plan positively for, the three phases of development (exploration, appraisal and production), whilst ensuring appropriate monitoring and site restoration is provided for (NPPF 209b).

Policy 65: Providing for Energy Minerals (on-shore Gas and Oil (Hydrocarbons))

Policy 65 identifies that proposals for exploration, appraisal and production of hydrocarbons will be assessed against relevant policies in the Local Plan, and NPPF / NPPG



Given that the Local Plan should be read as a whole, the Plan contains a suite of policies which address the adverse impacts of mineral proposals on issues such as the natural (Chapter 10) and historic (Chapter 11) environment or on human health (Policy 51).

encourage underground gas and carbon storage and associated infrastructure if local geological circumstances indicate its feasibility (NPPF 209c).

There is no geological evidence to support additional gas storage areas. Should proposals come forward with associated surface development these would be determined in line with policies in the Local Plan and National Policy / Guidance

Although Doncaster has two underground gas storage areas (within the depleted underground gas reservoir situated within the Westphalian B Oak Rocks Sandstone formation). (Location Trumfleet and Lindholme (Hatfield Moors)).

No other gas storage areas are anticipated during the plan period.

indicate any areas where coal extraction and the disposal of colliery spoil may be acceptable (NPPF 209d).

Policy 62: Providing for and Safeguarding Mineral Resources (Strategic Policy) Doncaster Geodiversity Assessment (2007)

Paragraph 14.34 of the Local Plan’s Minerals Section acknowledges that ‘Doncaster is … underlain by significant deep coal reserves, although this is not worked at present.’ Paragraph 14.61 states that within the shallow coal mineral safeguarding area (see Table 15) proposals for coal washing schemes, or prior extraction of shallow coal reserves as part of other development proposals, will be supported in line with national policy.

No proposals have come forward for coal extraction and associated colliery spoil requirements. The Geodiversity Assessment identifies the location of deep and shallow coal within the Borough. Shallow coal reserves have been safeguarded through Policy 62. Should proposals come forward the surface development would be determined in line with policies in the Local Plan and National Policy / Guidance.

encourage the capture and use of methane from coal mines in active and abandoned coalfield areas (NPPF 209e).

Policy 65: Providing for Energy Minerals (on-shore Gas and Oil (Hydrocarbons)) …

It is acknowledged that this requirement has been omitted in the Local Plan minerals section. Text to remedy this (via inclusion in the supporting text to Policy 65) will be proposed as a main modification in the Local Plan.

provide for coal producers to extract separately, and if necessary stockpile, fireclay so that it remains available for use (NPPF 209f).

There are no shallow coal producers in Doncaster and therefore no requirement for associated fireclay.

https://dmbcwebstolive01.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Planning/Documents/Natural%20Environment/Geodiversity/Geodiversity%20Final%20Report.pdf


Planning Policy for Traveller Sites

Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS)11 was published in August 2015 as an update to the 2012 document of the same name.. It should be

read in conjunction with the National Planning Policy Framework, including the implementation policies of that document.

The PPTS states that: “The Government’s overarching aim is to ensure fair and equal treatment for travellers, in a way that facilitates the

traditional and nomadic way of life of travellers while respecting the interests of the settled community.” (para. 3)

Paragraph 4 of PPTS states that the Government’s aims in respect of traveller sites are:

a. that local planning authorities should make their own assessment of need for the purposes of planning b. to ensure that local planning authorities, working collaboratively, develop fair and effective strategies to meet need through the

identification of land for sites c. to encourage local planning authorities to plan for sites over a reasonable timescale d. that plan-making and decision-taking should protect Green Belt from inappropriate development e. to promote more private traveller site provision while recognising that there will always be those travellers who cannot provide their own

sites f. that plan-making and decision-taking should aim to reduce the number of unauthorised developments and encampments and make

enforcement more effective g. for local planning authorities to ensure that their Local Plan includes fair, realistic and inclusive policies h. to increase the number of traveller sites in appropriate locations with planning permission, to address under provision and maintain an

appropriate level of supply i. to reduce tensions between settled and traveller communities in plan-making and planning decisions j. to enable provision of suitable accommodation from which travellers can access education, health, welfare and employment

infrastructure k. for local planning authorities to have due regard to the protection of local amenity and local environment

11 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-policy-for-traveller-sites




Introduction

Policy A: Using evidence to plan positively and manage development

In assembling the evidence base necessary to support their approach, Local Planning Authorities should:

a) pay attention to early and effective engagement with both settled and traveller communities

b) co-operate and work collaboratively with travellers, representative bodies and support groups

c) use robust evidence to establish accommodation needs to inform the preparation of local plans and make planning decisions (PPTS para. 7)

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) The GTANA shows that extensive effort has been made to engage with communities and incorporate the findings from surveys and engagement into the report. Every effort has been made to engage with the travelling community in order to ascertain the level of need that the borough should plan for, which has fed into the Local Plan in Policy 12.

Policy B: Planning for traveller sites

Local Planning Authorities should set pitch targets for gypsies and travellers, and plot targets for travelling show people which will assess the likely permanent and transit needs of travellers in their area, working with neighbouring authorities. (PPTS para. 9)

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) Statement of Common Ground The GTANA takes evidence from a number of sources for both gypsy and traveller need and travelling show people need in order to inform pitch and plot targets. In doing so, the Council has liaised with neighbouring authorities to ascertain any known cross boundary issues or known intentions for gypsy, traveller or travelling show people residents to move between neighbouring authorities.

Local planning authorities should, in producing their Local Plan: a) identify and update annually, a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide 5 years’ worth of sites against their locally set targets b) identify a supply of specific, developable sites, or broad locations for growth, for years 6 to 10 and, where possible, for years 11-15 c) consider production of joint development plans that set targets on a cross-authority basis, to provide more flexibility in identifying sites,

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) The GTANA identifies both the supply of sites and accommodation needs of gypsies, travellers and travelling show people over the plan period, including whether additional sites or yards are needed. Policy 12 includes criteria related to demonstrating proposals do not significantly harm the built or natural environment, or local amenity.



particularly if a local planning authority has special or strict planning constraints across its area (local planning authorities have a duty to cooperate on planning issues that cross administrative boundaries) d) relate the number of pitches or plots to the circumstances of the specific size and location of the site and the surrounding population’s size and density e) protect local amenity and environment. (PPTS para. 10)

Criteria should guide land supply allocations where there is identified need. Where there is no identified need, criteria – based policies should be included to provide the basis for future decision making. Criteria should be fair and facilitate nomadism whilst respecting the interests of the local community. (PPTS para. 11)

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) The GTANA identifies no need to allocate new sites or yards within the plan period. Policy 12(D - F) include criteria that facilitate the delivery of pitches and yards, but also includes checks to ensure proposals are mindful of both the settled community and local amenity.

Where the Local Planning Authority is burdened by a large scale unauthorised site which has significantly increased their need, and the area is subject to strict and special planning constraints, there is no assumption that the Local Planning Authority is required to meet their traveller needs in full.

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) The GTANA shows that this is not an issue in the borough.

Local planning authorities should ensure that traveller sites are sustainable economically, socially and environmentally. Local planning authorities should, therefore, ensure that their policies:

a) promote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community b) promote, in collaboration with commissioners of health services, access to appropriate health services c) ensure that children can attend school on a regular basis d) provide a settled base that reduces both the need for long-distance travelling and possible environmental damage caused by unauthorised encampment e) provide for proper consideration of the effect of local environmental quality (such as noise and air quality) on the health and

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) Policy 12 includes a number of criteria which promote co-existence and balance the interests of the travelling and settled communities. It requires potential applicants to demonstrate that they can meet a number of conditions related to the environment, roads/access, proximity to services, and design / amenity (including on mixed residential / business sites). National flood risk policy is deferred to for matters of flood risk.



well-being of any travellers that may locate there or on others as a result of new development f) avoid placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services g) do not locate sites in areas at high risk of flooding, including functional floodplains, given the particular vulnerability of caravans h) reflect the extent to which traditional lifestyles (whereby some travellers live and work from the same location thereby omitting many travel to work journeys) can contribute to sustainability. (PPTS para. 13)

Policy C: Sites in rural areas and the countryside

When assessing the suitability of sites in rural or semi-rural settings, local planning authorities should ensure that the scale of such sites does not dominate the nearest settled community. (PPTS para. 14)

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) It is not the intention of the Local Plan to replicate National Policy (PPTS), however Policy 12 includes design criteria which relate to the interaction between the travelling and settled communities.

Policy D: Rural Exception Sites

Where there is a lack of affordable land to meet local traveller needs, Local Planning Authorities in rural areas should consider allocation and releasing sites solely for affordable traveller sites. This may include rural exception sites in small rural communities that would not normally be used for traveller sites. Rural exception sites should only be used for affordable traveller sites in perpetuity. Rural exception site policy should seek to address the needs of the local community by accommodating households who are either current residents or have an existing family or employment connection, whilst also ensuring that rural areas continue to develop as sustainable, mixed, inclusive communities. (PPTS para. 15)

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) The GTANA shows that there are a number of available sites within the plan period and no affordability issues have been flagged. It is therefore felt this policy is not particularly pertinent for Doncaster.

Policy E: Traveller sites in the Green Belt

Traveller sites (temporary or permanent) in the Green Belt are inappropriate development. Subject to the best interests of the child, personal circumstances and unmet need are unlikely to clearly outweigh harm to the

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018)



Green Belt and other harm so as to establish very special circumstances. (PPTS para. 16)

Policy 12 supports development outside of the development limits, subject to criteria, where there is an unmet need established in the latest GTANA. This excludes land in the Green Belt from this allowance. The supplementary text explains in what circumstances ‘very exceptional circumstances’ may apply. National Green Belt Policy (NPPF) and Traveller Policy (PPTS) are also deferred to.

Green Belt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional limited alternations to the defined Green Belt boundary should be done through the plan making process and not in response to a planning application. If removed, it should be for a traveller site only.(PPTS para. 17)

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) Traveller sites in the Green Belt are washed over by this designation and it is not felt the need exists to alter this. Policy 12 supplementary text sets out when exceptional circumstances might apply but this would not involve removing a site from the Green Belt.

Policy F: Mixed planning use traveller sites

Local Planning Authorities should consider including traveller sites for mixed residential and business use or consider the scope locating these close to each other if co-locating is not practical. (PPTS para. 18)

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) The Local Plan does not make new allocations for sites or yards, however Policy 12(E) does refer to mixed residential and business use and criteria related to safety and the impact on neighbours.

Local planning authorities should have regard to the need that travelling show people have for mixed-use yards to allow residential accommodation and space for storage of equipment. (PPTS para. 19)

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) Policy 12 (D – F) includes criteria related to the design of sites, including for travelling show people and equipment

Local planning authorities should not permit mixed use on rural exception sites. (PPTS para. 20)

Policy 12 is in accordance with this paragraph.

Policy G: Major Development Projects

Local planning authorities should work with the planning applicant and the affected traveller community to identify a site or sites suitable for relocation of the community if a major development proposal requires the permanent or

Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Policy 70: The Unity Regeneration Project (Strategic Policy)



temporary relocation of a traveller site. Local planning authorities are entitled to expect the applicant to identify and provide an alternative site, providing the development on the original site is authorised. (PPTS para. 21)

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) Policy 12 (D – F) provides a number of criteria for the development of gypsy, traveller and travelling show people sites and yards. Policy 70 (E) relates to the Unity project where such an example has arisen. The policy commits to finding and servicing another site for 20 gypsy and traveller pitches which will be displaced by the Unity development, prior to the overall development of Unity starting.

Policy H: Determining planning applications for traveller sites

PPTS (para. 22 – para. 28) Policy 12: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People (Strategic Policy) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2018) Policy 12 includes a number of criteria to aid decision making on planning applications for travellers sites. It does not seek to replicate national policy in the NPPF and PPTS which also provide guidance on determining planning applications.