STRATEGY

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The planning system regulates the development and use of land in the public interest. The system as a whole, and the preparation of development plans in particular, is the most effective way of reconciling the demand for development and the protection of the environment.

1.2 The RLP is concerned with the development and other use of land including measures for improvement of the physical environment and management of traffic taking account of social and economic considerations.

1.3 There are three sources of policy, which are integrated in the Local Plan:

• Government policy for Sustainable Development and Planning Policy Statements.

• Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) and the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan (RSP) together with the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England

• Locally based service strategies, which reflect the mission of the District Council.

1.4 This RLP affords the opportunity to provide a sustainable framework for the long term development of the District.

The United Kingdom Sustainable Development Strategy

1.5 The UK Strategy sets out a framework for creating more sustainable patterns of development. This is elaborated in Planning Policy Guidance and new Planning Policy Statements. The Government has set four aims for sustainable development nationally¹. These are:

• Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment;
• Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone;
• Effective protection of the environment;
• Prudent use of natural resources.

¹ ADETR, 1999, A Better Quality of Life, a strategy for sustainable development for the United Kingdom

Planning Policy Guidance and Planning Policy Statements

1.6 The Government's planning strategies are set out in Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG's) and the new Planning Policy Statements. These are supplemented by White Papers, Ministerial Statements and Department Circulars. They are material considerations in arriving at decisions on planning applications and appeals and provide guidance for the content of the Local Plan. The RLP was prepared in conformity with the old style PPG notes. Of which two are particularly relevant to the preparation of a Local Plan:

1.7 PPG1 "General policies and Principles" set out the contents of a sustainable planning framework. This should:

1. Provide for the nation's needs for commercial and industrial development, food production, minerals extraction, new homes and other buildings while respecting environmental objectives;

2. Use already developed areas in the most efficient way, while making them more attractive places in which to live and work;

3. Conserve both the cultural heritage and natural resources (including wildlife, landscape, water soil and air quality) taking particular care to safeguard designations of national and international importance; and

4. Shape new development patterns in a way which minimises the need to travel.

1.8 PPG 12 "Development Plans" elaborated on the four objectives of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy and provided guidance on the scope of the Local Plan in addressing them. It also elaborates on transport policies emphasising the relationship between Local Transport Plans and development plans.

1.9 The 2004 Act replaces old Planning Policy Guidance notes with new Planning Policy Statements. PPS 1 and PPS12 have already replaced PPG 1 and PPG12. However, whilst the new PPS' are intended to guide the preparation of new Local Development Frameworks, they new continue the four themes of sustainable development set out above. As such the new PPS's 1 and 12 do not require change to emerging Local Plans which are at an advanced stage of preparation such as the Maldon District Replacement Local Plan.

Strategic Planning Guidance

1.10 The basis for the land use strategy is provided by the Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) and the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan (RSP). The Local Plan is required to be in conformity with the Structure Plan until it is replaced by the East of England Plan. In addition, where local strategies have implications for land use planning, those aspects need to be integrated in a comprehensive land use strategy. It is for the Local Plan to provide a mechanism to enable the strategies to be implemented by controlling development, reserving land for future use and co-ordinating the provision of services.

The Regional Plan

1.11 RPG 9 "Regional Planning Guidance for the South East " published in 1994 provides the regional framework for housing provision in the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan (RSP). Revised guidance published in 2001 establishes a framework for development plans up to 2015.

The Structure Plan

1.12 The Essex and Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan (RSP) provides the strategic policy foundation for planning in the District and together with Local Plans forms the "development plan" for the area. The RSP contains a set of core policies that provide general strategic guidance for sustainable development. These cover the following themes:

• Achieving urban regeneration
• Protecting the natural and built environment
• Encouraging economic success
• Sustainable new development
• Sustainable transport

1.13 The core policies provide a general framework for a more detailed strategy. This sets out broad policies and levels of housing and employment development for each District in an integrated way. Maldon District forms part of "East Essex" together with Tendring District. The strategy for the District recognises the importance of protecting the coast and countryside whilst achieving a better balance between new homes and jobs within the district. Otherwise the relative remoteness of parts of the rural area, the closure of Bradwell Power Station and poor transport connections reinforce the need for strong restraint on development.

1.14 In summary the Structure Plan strategy for the District highlights the following areas for policies in the Local Plan:

• Protection of the coast and countryside;
• Concentrating development within existing development boundaries;
• Making the best use of existing sites within settlements for employment and housing and accommodating the housing requirement of 2800 within existing development boundaries;
• No provision for additional greenfield housing;
• New business, industry and warehousing to address the imbalance between local jobs and resident workforce which results in out commuting and the closure of Bradwell Power Station;
• Improvement of access to the A12 to encourage inward investment;
• Support for Maldon Town Centre as a focus of commercial and social activity;
• The reuse of existing suitable buildings in the countryside for limited local employment;
• Small-scale employment in the countryside as part of farm diversification schemes.

The Regional Spatial Strategy

1.15 The RPG and Structure Plan will be replaced by the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England under the provisions of the 2004 Act. Until the East of England Plan is adopted the old RPG 9 and Replacement Structure Plan form the strategic background to planning in Maldon district and are still material considerations.

The Corporate Strategy

1.16 1.16 The District Council adopted its mission statement for the period 2000-2002 in December 1999 as part of the Corporate Strategy and updated its Corporate Strategy in 2003. The Mission Statement is:

"to deliver high quality services directly or in partnership with others, which are sustainable and responsive to the needs of our communities."

1.17 The statement provides the foundation for a strategy for the Council's activities including the content and preparation of the RLP. The corporate strategy includes two objectives that relate specifically to land use planning:

• To protect and enhance the environment and quality of life thus making the District a safer, healthier and more attractive place to work.

• To increase the prosperity of the District securing wealth and job creation through future economic strength and stability.

1.18 A key feature of the strategy is to ensure that all Council policy and decision making takes account of the future by following "the principle of sustainability" and to measure the effectiveness of this.

1.19 In order to ensure the sustainable development of the District the Council will:

• Protect, maintain and improve upon the quality of the District's natural and built environment;
• Improve the overall standards of health and well being throughout the community;
• Provide and develop opportunities for the whole community to participate in leisure activities;
• Encourage private and public housing which meets local needs in terms of cost (building) and affordability;
• Protect and consolidate the District's traditional and emerging industries;
• Secure private sector investment in the provision of facilities to develop the District's reputation as a premier leisure and business centre.

Other Local Strategies

1.20 The Corporate Plan has been refined by the drawing up of specific strategies, policies and action plans including the Community Strategy some of which have land use implications. Where relevant the objectives and land use proposals of these strategies have been included in the RLP.

THE LOCAL PLAN LAND USE STRATEGY

The Principle of Sustainability

1.21 The RLP is intended to implement Government policy, regional guidance, the provisions of the Structure Plan and work towards achievement of the five principles which underpin the District Council's mission statement. Therefore a strategy for sustainable development on which to base the Local Plan has been drawn up.

1.22 Sustainability is commonly defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (World Commission on Environment and Development 1987).

The Vision

1.23 The function of the land use strategy is to guide new development to sustainable locations (where for example there is a reasonable range of local services and a choice of transport) and to control development in a way that minimises adverse environmental impacts whilst meeting the reasonable needs of residents. Underlying this is the long held belief in the need to protect the countryside and coast from development pressures and create vibrant settlements that meet most day to day needs. This can be summarised in a vision for the planning of the District.

Vision for the planning of Maldon District to 2008

• A well maintained countryside, coast and estuaries protected from damaging development and activities.

• Protection of the District's Environmental, Cultural and Historic character.

• Increasing biodiversity.

• A diverse, competitive local economy which provides a range of local employment and business opportunities.

• Housing with a range of size, type and tenure in sustainable locations.

• Vital and viable market towns and villages.

• Recreation and leisure facilities available to all.

• Accessible services for all residents.

• A choice of transport modes for all purposes.

Summary of the Local Plan Strategy

1.24 The RLP Strategy aims to combine sensitive stewardship of the District's natural and built resources with economic regeneration and growth. As a rural area the District's most important assets are the countryside and coast. These are not only important for their wildlife, landscape character and sense of place, but as a fundamental economic asset for industry and inward investment. Protection of these rural resources by the focussing of development within towns and villages is the keystone of the strategy. The Local Plan therefore requires development to be concentrated within defined settlement development boundaries. The strategy ensures that best use is made of existing public services and infrastructure whilst protecting the countryside.

1.25 The Strategy seeks to combine restraint in housing growth combined with the growth of local jobs with the objective of reducing out commuting for work to other areas of high value employment, particularly in the office sector. If the Plan is to be successful it is important to retain the employment base in both urban and rural locations and introduce opportunities for increased inward investment thereby creating new job opportunities. Attracting inward investment can only be achieved by allocating sites that are of sufficient size, located where there are good transport connections and close to the potential labour force. The protection of rural sites is the counter balance to urban locations, providing opportunities for the more remote rural settlements, retaining local employment and reducing travel distances.

1.26 Transport connections to the A12 and A130 routes are important to the accessibility of employment sites and for the social and service requirements of residents. The strategy therefore seeks improvement of these connections, laying the foundations for future local plans. It also aims to provide for alternative methods of transport particularly in the built up areas.

1.27 Whilst aiming to grow and diversify local employment the Strategy requires restraint in housing growth to that committed by the previous Local Plan Review. This growth will come from sites within existing development boundaries but at a much reduced rate than has historically occurred. This will result in the export of some locally generated households from the District. Provision for the excess demand in households is anticipated in the RSP by the identification of growth in the adjoining Districts of Chelmsford, Braintree and Colchester.

1.28 The strategy of concentration of development within the development boundaries requires policies to enhance the quality of design in the towns and villages including recognising the need for accessibility for all potential users, regardless of age, disability, gender, religion or financial circumstances. Many of these settlements are of outstanding architectural quality and their relative remoteness has limited the impact of development on them in the past. Their location in the countryside or on the coast enhances their value to residents and visitors and is an essential part of the unique economic offer of the Maldon District. The promotion of good design and protection of settlements from intrusive development will help to maintain this irreplaceable asset.

1.29 The towns and larger settlements will continue to provide services for residents and the vitality and viability of the town centres will be protected. The character of the town centres will be retained by careful control of new development. New recreation provision is made where this can be delivered within the life of the Plan.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

1.30 Within this context a sustainable development strategy needs to address local qualities which must be protected for future generations, balanced with the need to improve the social and economic well being of the area. The following strategic objectives are derived from the Strategy and are elaborated on in the following sections of the Plan where detailed policies are set out.

STRATEGIC POLICIES

1.31 Two overarching strategic policies provide the foundation for the Plan.