Forward Planning – Development Plan Monitoring
Heaton Planning provide development plan monitoring services, planning guidance and advice to help developers and individuals through the development plan system. We act on behalf of a number of clients in monitoring the progress of development plans, seeking to protect existing interests as well as promoting future development. We offer a full development plan monitoring package having developed a database that can be adjusted to suit individual clients needs.
Under the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Local Planning Authorities have a requirement to prepare a Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF will comprise of Local Development Documents that will deliver the spatial planning strategy for the Local Planning Authority’s area. The Core Strategy is the key document within the LDF.
The Challenge – in comparison to the old Local Plans there are now more Framework documents and therefore increased administration, consultation, management, reporting and decision making. All these documents need reviewing if you are to develop future interests, which is why it is important to undertake development plan monitoring. The documents that make up the LDF, including Minerals and Waste Development Frameworks, provide planning policy for the next 15 to 20 years. Engagement with the process as early as possible is recommended to protect and promote future interests. The challenge is to protect against overly restrictive policies/designations and to also promote any future areas of development. Where a development proposal site is allocated in the LDF, it is important to ensure the Planning Authority has sufficient evidence and has followed the correct approach to site selection to be able to demonstrate to the Planning Inspectorate that it is a suitable allocation.
The Hazards – The system is front loaded, so it is important to secure involvement and a position from the start, otherwise the ability to participate can be lost. Ongoing development plan monitoring ensures that you do not miss out on important consultation documents. Our experience has shown that it is vital to engage in the process from an early stage and ensure that representations at the LDF submission stage have regard to the detail of the document, are robust and supported with credible evidence. LDF documents are subject to an Examination in Public (EiP) held by a Planning Inspector who takes an inquisitorial role. The report of the Planning Inspector is binding on the Planning Authority and the system is therefore reliant on the approach and performance of the Inspector, who in turn is reliant on the evidence and the representations put before him/her. Heaton Planning take a positive approach to the promotion of our clients interests and seek to influence the process at all stages, including EiP.
Some recent examples of clients we have represented include:
Lafarge Aggregates Ltd – Representations in regard to Northamptonshire Minerals Development Framework – Planning Inspector agreed with Heaton Planning that a blanket approach to prevent mineral working in the undisturbed river valley areas was unjustified and therefore unsound. This approach has now been removed from the Core Strategy. We also undertake development plan monitoring for Lafarge.
Waystone Ltd – Promotion of land for a strategic scale mixed use development including the provision of housing, employment, education, retail and leisure uses. Following promotion of this site by Heaton Planning it has been identified as a Preferred Option within the emerging Bolsover LDF Core Strategy. We also undertake development plan monitoring on behalf of Waystone.
UK Coal – Representations and promotion of surface mine and deep mine development including appearance at EiP on a number of Mineral Development Frameworks across the UK. We also provide ongoing development plan monitoring on behalf of UK Coal.
Lafarge Aggregates Ltd – Representations in regard to Cambridgeshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework – promotion of 2 borrow pit sites to provide material to the proposed A14 improvements. Assembling environmental assessment work and project managing specialists to demonstrate deliverability (as a detailed evidence base). Participation at the Core Strategy EiP in November 2010.
Bullimores Sand & Gravel Ltd – Representations made and a large aggregate site promoted for inclusion in the Northamptonshire Minerals Development Framework. Participation at the EiP. We provide ongoing development plan monitoring to Bullimores for the East Midlands area.
Powerfuel Power & Powerfuel Mining Ltd – Promotion of land for energy infrastructure, spoil disposal and new employment development for inclusion in the Doncaster Local Development Framework Core Strategy.
Lafarge Aggregates Ltd – Nationwide promotion of waste management facilities including: thermal treatment; anaerobic digestion; and recycling facilities through the LDF process.
Private Landowners – Numerous representations promoting land for future housing development within the South Nottinghamshire area.