Uttlesford District Council Local Plan - Regulation 18 · an independent Sustainability Appraisal (SA) for Section 2 of the Uttlesford Local Plan. This report is the Plans and Programmes

Uttlesford District Council Local Plan - Regulation 18

Sustainability Appraisal (SA):

Environmental Report (Annex A) - June 2017

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Uttlesford District Council

Regulation 18 Local Plan

Sustainability Appraisal: Annex A

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Contents

1. Introduction 4

1.1 Background 4

1.2 Identifying Other Relevant Policies, Plans and Programmes 4

2. List of Relevant Plans and Programmes 6

3. Review of Plans and Programmes 13

3.1 Review of International Plans and Programmes 13

3.2 Review of National Plans and Programmes 21

3.3 Review of Sub-National Plans and Programmes 30

3.4 Review of Local Plans and Programmes 39

3.5 Review of Local Reports and Assessments 51

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Uttlesford District Council commissioned Place Services of Essex County Council to undertake

an independent Sustainability Appraisal (SA) for Section 2 of the Uttlesford Local Plan. This

report is the Plans and Programmes annex to the main SA Environmental Report.

Place Services are acting as consultants for this work; therefore the content of this SA should

not be interpreted or otherwise represented as the formal view of Essex County Council.

This Annex presents a comprehensive description of relevant plans and programmes for the

Plan Area.

1.2 Identifying Other Relevant Policies, Plans and Programmes

The SEA Directive requires the production of the following information:

The baseline information identifies current sustainability issues and problems in the Strategic

Area which should be addressed and provides a basis for predicting and monitoring the effects

of implementing the document.

To ensure the data collected was relevant and captured the full range of sustainability issues it

was categorised under 13 thematic topics. They cover all the topics referred to in Annex 1(f) of

the SEA Directive and follow the order of:

economy and employment;

housing;

population and society;

health;

transport;

cultural heritage;

biodiversity and nature conservation;

landscapes;

“the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution

thereof without implementation of the plan or programme;” Annex 1(b);

“the environmental characteristics of areas likely to be significantly affected;” Annex

1(c); and

“any existing problems which are relevant to the plan or programme including, in

particular, those relating to any areas of a particular environmental importance such as

areas designated pursuant to Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/ECC” Annex 1(d).

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water environment ;

climate and energy;

air;

waste; and

minerals.

The summaries of each topic have been included within the main Environmental Report

document while this annex contains the detailed baseline information.

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2. List of Relevant Plans and Programmes

The following tables offer a reference to the plans and programmes relevant to the Local Plan

and the accompanying SA.

Table 1: List of Plans and Programmes

International Plans and Programmes

European Commission (EC) (2011) A Resource-Efficient Europe – Flagship Initiative Under the Europe 2020

Strategy, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, The European

Economic and Social Committee of the Regions.

European Landscape Convention 2000

European Union Water Framework Directive 2000

European Union Nitrates Directive 1991

European Union Directive on the Landfill of Waste 1999

European Directive concerning urban waste-water treatment 1991

European Union Noise Directive 2002

European Union Floods Directive 2007

European Union Air Quality Directive 2008 (2008/50/EC) and previous directives (96/62/EC; 99/30/EC;

2000/69/EC & 2002/3/EC)

European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds 2009

European Union Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora 1992

European Union Directive on Waste 2008

European Union Biodiversity Strategy to 2020

United Nations Kyoto Protocol

World Commission on Environment and Development ‘Our Common Future’ 1987

The World Summit on Sustainable Development Johannesburg Summit 2002

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Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (the SEA Regulations).

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2010

National Plans and Programmes

Planning Practice Guidance (2014)

The Localism Act 2011

National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012)

The Future of Air Transport White Paper (December 2003) (to be superseded by Developing a sustainable

framework for UK aviation once adopted)

Developing a sustainable framework for UK aviation - Scoping document (March 2011)

Building a Greener Future: Policy Statement (July 2007)

Community Infrastructure Levy An Overview, CLG (9th May 2011)

Underground, Under Threat - Groundwater protection: policy and practice (GP3)

Model Procedures for the Management of Land Contamination – Contaminated Land Report 11 (September

2004)

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

The Education (School Information) (England) (Amendments) Regulations, 2002

Childcare Act, 2006

Flood & Water Management Act 2010

The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (2007)

Safeguarding Our Soils: A Strategy for England (2009)

Natural Environment White Paper: The Natural Choice: Securing the Value of Nature (2011)

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The National Adaptation Programme – Making the Country Resilient to a Changing Climate (2013)

Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (2012)

National Planning Policy for Waste (2014)

Sub-National Plans and Programmes


The Localism Act 2011

National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012)

The Future of Air Transport White Paper (December 2003) (to be superseded by Developing a sustainable

framework for UK aviation once adopted)

Developing a sustainable framework for UK aviation - Scoping document (March 2011)

Building a Greener Future: Policy Statement (July 2007)

Community Infrastructure Levy An Overview, CLG (9th May 2011)

Underground, Under Threat - Groundwater protection: policy and practice (GP3)

Model Procedures for the Management of Land Contamination – Contaminated Land Report 11 (September

2004)

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

The Education (School Information) (England) (Amendments) Regulations, 2002

Childcare Act, 2006

Flood & Water Management Act 2010

The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (2007)

Safeguarding Our Soils: A Strategy for England (2009)

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Natural Environment White Paper: The Natural Choice: Securing the Value of Nature (2011)

The National Adaptation Programme – Making the Country Resilient to a Changing Climate (2013)

Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (2012)

National Planning Policy for Waste (2014)


Local Plans and Programmes

Uttlesford Adopted Local Plan (January 2005) + Saved Policy Direction (December 2007)

Sustainability Appraisal of the Uttlesford Pre-Submission Local Plan (2014)

Uttlesford Core Strategy – Further Consultation on Preferred Options (2010)

Uttlesford Local Development Framework Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment

(2011)

Uttlesford Core Strategy – Comparative Sustainability Assessment (2010)

Uttlesford Sustainability Appraisal of Preferred Options Document (2007)

Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Role of Settlements and Site Allocations

Development Plan Document (2012)

Public Participation on the Role of Settlements and Site Allocations Development Plan Document (2012)

Public Participation on a Development Plan Document Uttlesford Local Plan – Consultation on Additional

Housing Numbers and Sites (2013)

Sustainability Appraisal of the Development Plan Document, Development Management Policies (2012)

Uttlesford Futures Sustainable Community Strategy: A vision for our future 2018 (2008)

Uttlesford District Council Statement of Community Involvement (2015)

Uttlesford District Council Housing Strategy 2012 to 2015

Open Space, Sport Facility and Playing Pitch Strategy (The Landscape Partnership, 2012)

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Uttlesford District Council Accessible Homes and Playspace (2005)

Uttlesford Cycling Strategy (ECC, October 2014)

Uttlesford Districtt Council Homelessness Review and Strategy Action Plan 2008-2013

Uttlesford District Council Climate Local Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2018

Uttlesford District Council Energy and Efficiency and Renewable Energy (2007)

Employment Land Monitoring (UDC, October 2014)

Infrastructure Development Plan (UDC, April 2014)

Local Reports and Assessments

Historic Environment Characterisation Project (2009)

Strategic Housing Market Assessment for London Commuter Belt (East)/M11 Sub-Region (2008)

Affordable Housing Viability Assessment for London Commuter Belt (East)/M11 Sub-Region (2010)

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2013

Housing Supply as at 31 March 2014 (Uttlesford District Council, 2014)

Housing Trajectory and Five-Year Land Supply 2015 (Uttlesford District Council, 2015)

Employer and Business Survey (CN Research, 2009)

Employment Land Review (UDC, 2011)

District Retail Study (Savills, 2012, 2014)

Comparative Transport Analysis - A Transport Analysis of potential Strategic development locations in Uttlesford

(2010)

Uttlesford District Historic Environment Characterisation Project (Essex County Council, 2009)

Historic Settlement Character Assessment (Uttlesford District Council, 2007)

Town and Village Profiles (Uttlesford District Council, January 2012)

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Landscape Character Assessment (Chris Blandford Associates, September 2006)

Local Wildlife Site Review (2007)

Habitats Regulation Assessment of Pre-Submission Draft Local Plan (2014)

Renewable Energy Study of the District of the District (Altechnica, January 2008)

Uttlesford Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (JBA Consulting, March 2008)

Water Cycle Study (Hyder Consulting, January 2010 & November 2012)

Green Belt Boundary Scoping Report (Uttlesford District Council, 2011)

Assessment of Uttlesford District’s Local Plan on Air Quality in Saffron Walden (2013)

Assessment of Development Opportunity Sites (2012)

Assessment of the Draft Allocation at Stanstead Mountfitchet – Land North East of Bury Lodge and its potential

impact on Bishops Stortford (2012)

Affordable Housing Viability Assessment (Levvel, August 2010 & update 2012)

Demographic Forecasts Phases 1-6 (Edge Analytics, Quarter 1 - 2015)

Protected Lanes Assessment (Essex County Council, March 2012)

Developer Contribution Guidance Viability Testing (KIFT Consulting, February 2014)

Gypsy and Traveller Issues and Options Sustainability Appraisal (ECC, December 2014)

Objectively Assessed Housing Need, Technical Assessment (Uttlesford District Council, October 2013)

Housing Supply Windfall Allowance (Uttlesford District Council, 2014)

Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2012 [new assessment commissioned expected 2015])

Great Chesterford Cycle Route Feasibility Study (Essex Highways, April 2014)

Local Plan Highway Impact Assessment (Essex Highways, March 2014)

Sites Viability Assessment (BNP Paribas Real Estate, March 2014)

The Draft Great Dunmow Neighbourhood Plan (and accompanying SEA) (Plan preparation ongoing)

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District’s conservation area appraisals and management plans for Arkesden, Ashdon, Audley End, Bentfield

Green, Clavering, Elmdon, Felsted, Great Canfield, Great Chesterford, Great Dunmow, Great Easton, Great

Hallingbury, Great Sampford, Hadstock, Hatfield Broad Oak, Hazel End, Hempstead, Henham, High Easter, High

Roding, Littlebury, Little Dunmow, Little Easton, Manuden, Newport, Quendon and Rickling, Radwinter, Saffron

Walden, Stansted Mountfitchet, Stebbing, Thaxted, Wendens Ambo, Widdington (between 2007-2015)

Arkesden Parish Plan (2009)

Ashdon Parish Plan (2007)

Birchanger Parish Plan (2006)

Chrishall Parish Plan (2007)

Farnham Parish Plan (2014)

Felsted Parish Plan (2014)

Great Canfield Village Design Statement (2010)

Great Chesterford Parish Plan (2015)

Great Dunmow Town Design Statement (2009)

Hadstock Parish Plan (2007)

Little Bardfield Village Design Statement (2009)

Littlebury Parish Plan (2009)

Newport Village Plan (2010)

Radwinter Parish Plan 2007-2012

Stansted Parish Plan (2011)

Thaxted Village Design Statement (2010)

Wendens Ambo Parish Plan (2012)

White Roding Parish Plan (2009)

Widdington Village Design Statement (2009)

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3. Review of Plans and Programmes

3.1 Review of International Plans and Programmes

Table 2: Review of International Plans and Programmes

International Plans

and Programmes

Purpose / Main Aims and Objectives Relevance to the Local Plan

/ SA

European

Commission (EC)

(2011)

The policy aims to enjoy the benefits of a resource-

efficient and low-carbon economy, through

achieving three conditions:

First, to take coordinated action in a wide

range of policy areas and this action needs

political visibility and support.

Second, act urgently due to long

investment lead-times. While some actions

will have a positive impact on growth and

jobs in the short-term, others require an

upfront investment and have long pay-

back times, but will bring real economic

benefits for the EU economy for decades

to come.

Third, to empower consumers to move to

resource-efficient consumption, to drive

continuous innovation and ensure that

efficiency gains are not lost.

The Local Plan should

incorporate these principles

into the local scale

development strategy in order

to create targets that will

contribute to the targets

outlined by the EU. In this way,

the Local Plan will assist in

facilitating similar benefits as

those described in the EC

policy for the population of

Uttlesford.

European Landscape

Convention 2000

The aims of this Convention are to promote

landscape protection, management and planning,

and to organise European co-operation on

landscape issues.

In order to co-operate on

matters concerning landscape

conservation and protection,

the Local Plan will need to

consult with this policy to inform

practices of development and

avoid substantial harm to

protected landscapes.

European Union

Water Framework

Directive 2000

The framework amalgamates multiple directives

into one to provide the operational tool for water

treatment, setting the objectives for water

protection for the future. Directives included in the

framework are:

the Urban Waste Water Treatment

Treatment and recycling water

in this way is a necessity for

developments over a

population threshold to adhere

to the EU directive. The Local

Plan should include waste

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Directive, providing for secondary

(biological) waste water treatment, and

even more stringent treatment where

necessary.

the Nitrates Directive, addressing water

pollution by nitrates from agriculture.

a new Drinking Water Directive, reviewing

the quality standards and, where

necessary, tightening them (adopted

November 1998),

a Directive for Integrated Pollution and

Prevention Control (IPPC), adopted in

1996, addressing pollution from large

industrial installations.

water provisions and

considerations for the EU water

framework when constructing

new developments to align with

the approach defined in the

directive. Complying with all

aspects and directives ensures

that the Local Plan will not have

a detrimental effect on water

courses in the District.

European Directive

concerning urban

waste-water

treatment 1991

The Directive requires:

The Collection and treatment of waste

water in all agglomerations of more than

2000 population equivalents (p.e.);

Secondary treatment of all discharges from

agglomerations of more than 2000 p.e.,

and more advanced treatment for

agglomerations more than10 000

population equivalents in designated

sensitive areas and their catchments;

A requirement for pre-authorisation of all

discharges of urban wastewater, of

discharges from the food-processing

industry and of industrial discharges into

urban wastewater collection systems;

Monitoring of the performance of treatment

plants and receiving waters; and

Controls of sewage sludge disposal and

re-use, and treated waste water re-use

whenever it is appropriate.

Treatment and recycling water

in this way is a necessity for

developments over a

population threshold to adhere

to the EU directive. The Local

Plan should include waste

water provisions when

constructing new developments

to align with the approach

defined in the directive.

European Union

Nitrates Directive

1991

The Nitrates Directive (1991) aims to protect water

quality across Europe by preventing nitrates from

agricultural sources polluting ground and surface

waters and by promoting the use of good farming

practices.

Treatment of waste water in

this way is a necessity for

developments over a

population size threshold to

adhere to the EU directive. The

Local Plan should include

Nitrate retention provisions

when constructing new

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developments to align with the

approach defined in the

directive.

European Union

Directive on the

Landfill of Waste

1999

The Landfill Directive defines the different

categories of waste (municipal waste, hazardous

waste, non-hazardous waste and inert waste) and

applies to all landfills, defined as waste disposal

sites for the deposit of waste onto or into land.

Landfills are divided into three classes:

landfills for hazardous waste;

landfills for non-hazardous waste;

landfills for inert waste.

The Local Plan should use this

directive to inform the waste

disposal plans for any

developments. Where waste

cannot be recycled, disposal

onto landfill sites must fall

within the criteria defined in this

directive.

European Union

Noise Directive 2002

The aim of this Directive shall be to define a

common approach intended to avoid, prevent or

reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects,

including annoyance, due to exposure to

environmental noise. To that end the following

actions shall be implemented progressively:

(a) the determination of exposure to environmental

noise, through noise mapping, by methods of

assessment common to the Member States;

(b) ensuring that information on environmental

noise and its effects is made available to the public;

(c) adoption of action plans by the Member States,

based upon noise-mapping results, with a view to

preventing and reducing environmental noise

where necessary and particularly where exposure

levels can induce harmful effects on human health

and to preserving environmental noise quality

where it is good.

This Directive shall also aim at providing a basis for

developing Community measures to reduce noise

emitted by the major sources, in particular road

and rail vehicles and infrastructure, aircraft, outdoor

and industrial equipment and mobile machinery.

The Local Plan should adopt

this strategy to noise pollution

when permitting developments

across the district. In special

relation to Stansted Airport and

the M11 as two sources of

significant noise pollution,

considerations should be made

in the Local Plan for the

proximity of developments to

significant sources of noise

pollution and any mitigating

measures which could be

employed to minimise the

impact on the local population.

European Union

Floods Directive

2007

The purpose of this Directive is to establish a

framework for the assessment and management of

flood risks, aiming at the reduction of the adverse

consequences for human health, the environment,

cultural heritage and economic activity associated

with floods in the Community.

Flood risk policy in the Local

Plan should be informed by the

approach within the EU Floods

Directive in order to align with

European practices for flood

prevention and management.

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The Local Plan must contain

significant considerations for

the impact of flooding on the

local population and the most

effective ways to mitigate

against flooding, which can be

extrapolated and applied to a

local context from the EU

directive.

European Union Air

Quality Directive

2008 including

previous versions.

Council Directive 96/62/EC on ambient air quality

assessment and management.

Council Directive 1999/30/EC relating to limit

values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and

oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in

ambient air.

Directive 2000/69/EC of the European Parliament

and of the Council relating to limit values for

benzene and carbon monoxide in ambient air.

Directive 2002/3/EC of the European Parliament

and of the Council relating to ozone in ambient air.

This new Directive includes the following key

elements:

that most of existing legislation be merged

into a single directive (except for the fourth

daughter directive) with no change to

existing air quality objectives*

New air quality objectives for PM2.5 (fine

particles) including the limit value and

exposure related objectives – exposure

concentration obligation and exposure

reduction target

the possibility to discount natural sources

of pollution when assessing compliance

against limit values

possibility for time extensions of three

years (PM10) or up to five years (NO2,

benzene) for complying with limit values,

based on conditions and the assessment

by the European Commission.

* Framework Directive 96/62/EC, 1-3 daughter

Directives 1999/30/EC, 2000/69/EC, 2002/3/EC,

and Decision on Exchange of Information

97/101/EC.

Air quality management

principles relating to the range

of pollutant gases outlines

within the EU Air Quality

Directive are a required

consideration for the Uttlesford

Local Plan to counteract

emissions within the District.


mitigation approaches to

minimise the impact of the

construction of new

developments, increased

energy consumption and road

usage in the locality.

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European Union

Directive on the

Conservation of Wild

Birds 2009

This Directive relates to the conservation of all

species of naturally occurring birds in the wild state

in the European territory of the Member States to

which the Treaty applies. It covers the protection,

management and control of these species and lays

down rules for their exploitation.

It shall apply to birds, their eggs, nests and

habitats.

Conservation of bird species

must be incorporated in

ecological considerations when

assessing the viability of a

development. The Local Plan,

in conjunction with this EU

directive, should evaluate the

impact on bird habitats and

include this consideration in the

environmental assessment of

potential sites.

European Union

Directive on the

Conservation of

Natural Habitats and

of Wild Fauna and

Flora 1992

The aim of this Directive shall be to contribute

towards ensuring bio-diversity through the

conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna

and flora in the European territory of the Member

States to which the Treaty applies.

The Local Plan should seek to

ensure the conservation of

habitats supporting ecological

variance. This directive can

inform the approach utilised in

Uttlesford for the protection of

ecologically significant sites.

European Union

Directive on Waste

2008

This Directive lays down measures to protect the

environment and human health by preventing or

reducing the adverse impacts of the generation

and management of waste and by reducing overall

impacts of resource use and improving the

efficiency of such use.

When planning waste disposal

in Uttlesford, the Local Plan

should consider the possibility

of reducing the impact of waste

on the environment by

consulting this EU directive and

referring to the measures

outlined within the policy.

Through this, adverse effects

on wildlife and humans health

can be minimised.

European Union

Biodiversity Strategy

to 2020

This strategy aims to conserve biodiversity within

Europe in an attempt to achieve the following

target and vision:

2020 headline target

Halting the loss of biodiversity and the

degradation of ecosystem services in the

EU by 2020, and restoring them in so far

as feasible, while stepping up the EU

contribution to averting global biodiversity

loss.

2050 vision

By 2050, European Union biodiversity and

The Local Plan should assess

the impact of developments on

the environment and

biodiversity and include this

consideration as a factor when

evaluating the suitability of a

site for development. This

strategy provides the stance to

development which does not

negatively impact on

biodiversity and the Local Plan

should adopt a similar

approach to selecting

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the ecosystem services it provides — its

natural capital — are protected, valued

and appropriately restored for biodiversity's

intrinsic value and for their essential

contribution to human wellbeing and

economic prosperity, and so that

catastrophic changes caused by the loss

of biodiversity are avoided.

development sites.

United Nations Kyoto

Protocol

This protocol aims to Implement and/or further

elaborate policies and measures for member states

in accordance with its national circumstances, such

as:

Enhancement of energy efficiency in

relevant sectors of the national economy;

Protection and enhancement of sinks and

reservoirs of greenhouse gases not

controlled by the Montreal Protocol, taking

into account its commitments under

relevant international environmental

agreements; promotion of sustainable

forest management practices, afforestation

and reforestation;

Promotion of sustainable forms of

agriculture in light of climate change

considerations;

Research on, and promotion, development

and increased use of, new and renewable

forms of energy, of carbon dioxide

sequestration technologies and of

advanced and innovative environmentally

sound technologies;

Progressive reduction or phasing out of

market imperfections, fiscal incentives, tax

and duty exemptions and subsidies in all

greenhouse gas emitting sectors that run

counter to the objective of the Convention

and application of market instruments;

Encouragement of appropriate reforms in

relevant sectors aimed at promoting

policies and measures which limit or

reduce emissions of greenhouse gases

not controlled by the Montreal Protocol;

Measures to limit and/or reduce emissions

The Local Plan should attempt

to create new developments

that adhere to the low carbon

and low emissions ethos that is

within the Kyoto Protocol. Any

development that utilises new

technologies, techniques or

materials should be included in

the Local Plan where possible

and appropriate.

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of greenhouse gases not controlled by the

Montreal Protocol in the transport sector;

Limitation and/or reduction of methane

emissions through recovery and use in

waste management, as well as in the

production, transport and distribution of

energy

World Commission

on Environment and

Development ‘Our

Common Future’

1987

This report aims were:

to propose long-term environmental strategies for

achieving sustainable development by the year

2000 and beyond; to recommend ways concern for

the environment may be translated into greater co-

operation among developing countries and

between countries at different stages of economic

and social development and lead to the

achievement of common and mutually supportive

objectives that take account of the

interrelationships between people, resources,

environment, and development;

to consider ways and means by which the

international community can deal more

effectively with environment concerns; and

to help define shared perceptions of long-

term environmental issues and the

appropriate efforts needed to deal

successfully with the problems of

protecting and enhancing the environment,

a long term agenda for action during the

coming decades, and aspirational goals for

the world community.

The Local Plan would have to

contribute to the co-operative

effort to reduce the

environmental impacts of

development through policy to

promote more efficient and

carbon neutral techniques and

materials in design and

construction.

The World Summit

on Sustainable

Development

Johannesburg

Summit 2002

The Summit sought to address social,

environmental and economic with particular focus

on the issues facing some of the most deprived

people across the world. It aimed to:

halve the proportion of the world's

population that lives on less than $1 a day;

halve the number of people living without

safe drinking water or basic sanitation; and

reduce mortality rates for infants and

children under five by two thirds, and

maternal mortality by three quarters;

Other provisions address a comprehensive

Despite many of these issues

and aims having limited

relevance to the population in

Uttlesford, who have a

comparatively high level of

wealth and a good quality of

life, issues surrounding climate

change and renewable energy

have significant implications for

development in the District. The

Local Plan should strive to

produce developments of low

carbon housing and reduce

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range of environmental and development

issues, such as climate change, energy,

agriculture, trade, African development,

and small island States. The

Implementation Plan calls for a substantial

increase in use of renewable sources of

energy "with a sense of urgency". Although

it sets no specific targets; implementation

of a new global system for classification

and labelling of chemicals was discussed

in an attempt to restore depleted fish

stocks.

environmental degradation

through responsible design and

construction practices.

Environmental

Assessment of Plans

and Programmes

Regulations (SEA

Regulations)

These regulations transpose the requirements of

the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC) into national law.

The SEA Directive sets out the requirement for an

environmental assessment to be undertaken when

preparing certain plans and programmes and also

details which types of plans and programmes are

likely to be subject to SEA.

The regulations also set out procedures for

preparing the environmental report and

consultation.

Local plans are subject to SEA.

These regulations will help

inform the content of the

environmental report. By

assessing impacts of any

developments on the locality

and investigating alternative

approaches and sites, the

development can meet the

needs of Uttlesford District

while also positively impacting

on the economy, society and

environment where possible.

The Conservation of

Habitats and Species

Regulations

These regulations transpose the Habitats Directive

into national law, and updates and consolidates all

the amendments to the Regulations since they

were first made in 1994.

They set out protection and registry of European

sites, including SACs and SPAs classified under

the Birds Directive. They also make special

provisions for the protection of European marine

sites and the preservation of protected species.

The Local Plan must ensure

the protection of sites of

European Significance in

relation to their flora and fauna,

and enter into the agreement

that compensatory measures

will be required where damage

may occur through

development or the carrying

out of extraction.

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3.2 Review of National Plans and Programmes

Table 3: Review of National Plans and Programmes

National Plans and

Programmes

Purpose / Main Aims and Objectives Relevance to the Local

Plan / SA

Planning Practice

Guidance

This web-based resource provides guidance to

support the National Planning Policy Framework and

its application in practice. It is also easy to link easily

between the National Planning Policy Framework and

relevant planning practice guidance, as well as

between different categories of guidance.

Provides guidance on the

preparation of Local Plans

and accompanying SEA.

Localism Act 2011 The Localism Act provides a general power of

competence for local authorities in England. It gives

these authorities the same power to act that an

individual generally has and provides that the power

may be used in innovative ways, that is, in doing

things that are unlike anything that a local authority –

or any other public body – has done before, or may

currently do. Where an authority can do something

under the power, the starting point is that there are to

be no limits as to how the power can be exercised.

The power, does not need to be exercised for the

benefit of any particular place or group, and can be

exercised anywhere and in any way.

The Localism Act gave new

powers to local authorities to

support a much more

localised approach to

development than had

previously been possible.

Following this, the Local Plan

can utilise statistics and

information relating only to the

District to inform planning

policy and allow the focus to

be primarily concerned with

the benefits for the population

within Uttlesford.

National Planning

Policy Framework

This framework sets out the Government’s planning

policies for England and how these are expected to be

applied. It replaces all Planning Policy Statements and

Planning Policy Guidance.

The framework seeks to contribute to the achievement

of sustainable development by pursuing economic,

environmental and social gains jointly and

simultaneously through the planning system. It defines

planning as having:

an economic role – contributing to building a

strong, responsive and competitive economy,;

a social role – supporting strong, vibrant and

healthy communities; and

The Local Plan must be in

conformity with this national

planning document in order to

ensure development is

approached sustainably.

Therefore, the Local Plan

should be consistent with the

principles and policies set out

in this Framework, including

the presumption in favour of

sustainable development.

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an environmental role – contributing to

protecting and enhancing our natural, built

and historic environment.

The framework sets out 12 core land-use planning

principles that local planning authorities should follow

and provides guidance on preparing Local and

Neighbourhood Plans and on determining planning

applications.

The framework also describes the role of planning in

delivering sustainable development under 14 themes.

These are:

Building a strong, competitive economy

Ensuring the vitality of town centres

Supporting a prosperous rural economy

Promoting sustainable transport

Supporting high quality communications

infrastructure

Delivering a wide choice of high quality homes

Requiring good design

Promoting healthy communities

Protecting Green Belt land

Meeting the challenge of climate change,

flooding and coastal change

Conserving and enhancing the natural

environment

Conserving and enhancing the historic

environment

Facilitating the sustainable use of minerals

A key part of the NPPF is the presumption in favour of

sustainable development which is relevant to both

plan making and decision making.

The Future of Air

Transport White

Paper

This White Paper sets out a strategic framework for

the development of airport capacity in the UK in the

period up to 2030, against a background of wider

developments in air transport.

With Stanstead international

airport within the district’s

boundary this White paper

should be taken into

consideration within the Local

Plan. Any strategic

development of the airport

land must display a balance

between benefits and

impacts, while also

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recognising the importance of

such airport development on

a local and national scale.

Developing a

sustainable

framework for UK

aviation: Scoping

document

This document sets out the Coalition Government’s

priorities for aviation within the UK including their

commitment of preventing a second runway at

Stansted.

The sustainable framework will, when adopted,

replace The Future of Air Transport White Paper

(2003), which contains many elements that are no

longer in line with the current national agenda.

Although this document is not

formally adopted Uttlesford

should have regard to the

Government’s new direction

on aviation contained within it.

Uptake of the new stance is

imminent, so consideration for

Stanstead’s role in the new air

transport framework would be

highly beneficial to the Local

Plan.

Building a Greener

Future: Policy

Statement

This document sets out the Government's intention for

all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 with a major

progressive tightening of the energy efficiency building

regulations - by 25 per cent in 2010 and by 44 per

cent in 2013 - up to the zero carbon target in 2016. In

addition, the government introduced a time-limited

stamp duty land tax relief with effect from 1 October

2007 for new homes built to a zero carbon standard.

The Local Plan should have

regard to this policy statement

and include measures which

seek to achieve the targets

set. New dwellings should

strive to fulfil the aim of zero

carbon housing wherever

possible.

Community

Infrastructure Levy

An Overview

The Community Infrastructure Levy (the levy) came

into force in April 2010. It allows local authorities in

England and Wales to raise funds from developers

undertaking new building projects in their area. The

money can be used to fund a wide range of

infrastructure that is needed as a result of

development.

The Community Infrastructure Levy charging

authorities (charging authorities) in England will be

district and metropolitan district councils, London

borough councils, unitary authorities, national park

authorities, The Broads Authority and the Mayor of

London. These bodies all prepare development plans

for their areas, which are informed by assessments of

the infrastructure needs for which the levy may be

collected.

The Local Plan will need to

set out the districts funding

mechanism for new

infrastructure and community

facilities through the planning

process. The Community

Infrastructure Levy must be

factored into costings of any

developments.

Underground, Under

Threat - Groundwater

protection: policy and

This document sets out the Environment Agency’s

(EA) aims and objectives for groundwater, their

technical approach to its management and protection,

Land use planning can have

negative impacts on

groundwaters. Relevant to the

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practice (GP3) the tools they use to do their work and the main

policies and approach to the application of legislation.

The main aims are:

To encourage co-operation between the EA

and other bodies with statutory responsibilities

for the protection of groundwater;

To promote policies, so that land-users and

potential developers may anticipate how the

EA are likely to respond to a proposal or

activity;

To influence the decisions of other

organisations on issues the EA are concerned

about but which they do not regulate;

To ensure that groundwater protection and

management are consistent with EA’s Vision

for the environment and a sustainable future;

and

To provide vital information and background

on groundwater protection in England and

Wales.

Local Plan, impacts can occur

from urban development and

over-abstraction.

Groundwaters will have to be

a consideration in Local Plan

policy.

Model Procedures for

the Management of

Land Contamination

– Contaminated

Land Report 11

The Model Procedures for the Management of Land

Contamination provides the technical framework for

structured decision making about land contamination.

They encourage the formalisation of outputs from the

process in the form of written records that contain

details of specific project objectives, decisions and

assumptions, as well as recommendations and other

specific outputs.

The Model Procedures have been developed to

provide the technical framework for applying a risk

management process when dealing with land affected

by contamination. The process involves identifying,

making decisions on, and taking appropriate action to

deal with land contamination in a way that is

consistent with government policies and legislation

within the UK.

The technical approach presented in the Model

Procedures is designed to be applicable to a range of

non-regulatory and regulatory contexts that includes:

Development or redevelopment of land under

the planning regime

Regulatory intervention under Part IIA of the

Environment Protection Act 1990 or Part III of

Contaminated land can affect

Local Plan policy where it

may present a risk to a range

of receptors including

humans, ecosystems, water

quality, and property. Not

understanding the risks may

inhibit the development or

redevelopment of land, and in

some cases contribute to

long-term dereliction and

increase pressure to develop

Greenfield land. In addition,

the Local Plan should

endeavour to incorporate best

practice principles provided

by the Model Procedures to

prevent contamination in

Uttlesford for the future and

align with government policy

and legislation.

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the Waste & Contaminated Land (Northern

Ireland) Order 1997

Voluntary investigation and remediation

Managing potential liabilities of those

responsible for individual sites or a portfolio of

sites

Natural Environment

and Rural

Communities Act

This document relates to nature conservation,

biodiversity, SSSIs and Rights of Way amongst others

in regards to a duty to protect, and enforce codes of

conduct in relation to these designated and non-

designated elements of the environment.

The Local Plan can influence

the protection of these

designations and non-

designated elements of the

environments through policy

and appropriate site

allocations.

Countryside and

Rights of Way Act

2000

Further information on Rights of Way in relation to

nature conservation with wildlife protection, SSSIs and

biological diversity amongst other elements of the

environment, including regulations to restrict the

impacts of vehicles on the environment.

The Local Plan can influence

the protection of these

designations and non-

designated elements of the

environments through policy

and appropriate site

allocations.

Planning and

Compulsory

Purchase Act

The PCPA requires local authorities to produce a local

plan to guide future development and change within its

area.

The act aims to promote sustainable development by

requiring a Sustainability Appraisal to be produced for

all local plans, encouraging the integration of social,

environmental and economic considerations into

development documents.

The RPB (in this case the

District Council) must:

a) Carry out an appraisal of

the sustainability of the

proposals in the draft

b) Prepare a report of the

findings of the appraisal

This appraisal informs the

viability of any developments

against economic, social and

environmental effects, in

order to assess the

sustainability of any

developments within the

locality.

The Education

(School Information)

(England)

(Amendments)

Regulations, 2002

Amended version of the Education Regulations which,

among other items of information, requires local

authorities to publish their Sustainable Modes of

Travel Strategy.

The Local Plan contains

sustainable travel objectives

and as such, should be

informed by the travel

methods of school pupils to

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contribute to the achievement

of sustainable travel targets.

Childcare Act 2006 This Act sets out the power and duties of local

authorities and other bodies in England in relation to

the improvement of the well-being of young children;

to make provision about the powers and duties of local

authorities in England and Wales in relation to the

provision of childcare and the provision of information

to parents and other persons; to make provision about

the regulation and inspection of childcare provision in

England.

This act affects the powers of

the local authority available

for use in the Local Plan to

contribute to the health and

social wellbeing of children

and young people within the

District.

Flood & Water

Management Act

2010

This Environment Agency document attempts to

achieve the target of developing, maintaining, applying

and monitoring a strategy for flood and coastal erosion

risk management in England (a “national flood and

coastal erosion risk management strategy”).

This is to ensure a transparent and consistent level of

service when ECC is responding to planning enquires.

As part of a National Framework, a Sustainable

Drainage Design and Adoption Guide has been

produced, working in partnership with other partner

local authorities and establishing an officer working

group.

Working in a partnership to

create county specific flood

risk assessments and

solutions ensures an

appropriate and effective

prevention and mitigation

measures are identified. The

Local Plan should refer to this

information to identify the risk

of flooding for any new

developments and evaluate

the viability of any site

locations.

The Air Quality

Strategy for England,

Scotland, Wales and

Northern Ireland

(2007)

This Air Quality Strategy sets out air quality objectives

and policy options to further improve air quality in the

UK from today into the long term. As well as direct

benefits to public health, these options are intended to

provide important benefits to quality of life and help to

protect our environment.

Air quality in Uttlesford

requires protection from the

strain of further development

and additional housing and

vehicles producing pollutants.

Considerations for air quality

should be present within the

Local Plan, with reduction and

mitigation measures present

where necessary and

possible.

Safeguarding Our

Soils: A Strategy for

England (2009)

By 2030, the strategy aims to have all of England’s

soils to be managed sustainably and degradation

threats tackled successfully. This will improve the

quality of England’s soils and safeguard their ability to

provide essential services for future generations.

agricultural soils will be better managed and

Soil quality has a key role in

water quality, climate change

issues and the historic legacy

and health of the

environment. The Local Plan

should attempt to retain and

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threats to them will be addressed;

soils will play a greater role in the fight against

climate change and in helping us to manage

its impacts;

soils in urban areas will be valued during

development, and construction practices will

ensure vital soil functions can be maintained;

pollution of our soils is prevented, and our

historic legacy of contaminated land is being

dealt with.

protect soil quality within

Uttlesford through

construction techniques.

Through aligning with the

strategy, development in

Uttlesford can occur

responsibly without causing

soil degradation.

Natural Environment

White Paper: The

Natural Choice:

Securing the Value of

Nature (2011)

This document strives to safeguard the environment

through the promotion of a number of aims:

facilitating greater local action to protect and

improve nature;

creating a green economy, in which economic

growth and the health of our natural resources

sustain each other, and markets, business

and Government better reflect the value of

nature;

strengthening the connections between

people and nature to the benefit of both; and

showing leadership in the European Union

and internationally, to protect and enhance

natural assets globally.

The Local Plan would benefit

from incorporating the values

of this document when

planning and constructing

new developments. The

protection of natural assets

and the advancement of a

green economy within the

District would assist in

improving the economic,

social and environmental

situation in the area. The

Local Plan should adopt

these aims in policy for future

development plans.

The National

Adaptation

Programme –

Making the Country

Resilient to a

Changing Climate

(2013)

The programme seeks to address risks associated

with climate change issues through objectives relating

to:

Increasing awareness

Increasing resilience to current extremes

Taking timely action for long-lead time

measures

Addressing major evidence gaps.

At the core of the programme

is the notion of pre-emptive

action to avoid any severe

impacts on the environment.

This should be integrated into

the Local Plan as a strategy

to predict and mitigate

impacts of development and

reduce the environmental

degradation arising from

construction and increased

pollution production.

Planning Policy for

Traveller Sites (2012)

The aims for this policy are:

that local planning authorities should make

their own assessment of need for the

purposes of planning

The Local Plan would need to

include information on the

requirements of land and

provision for Gypsy and

Traveller communities within

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to ensure that local planning authorities,

working collaboratively, develop fair and

effective strategies to meet need through the

identification of land for sites

to encourage local planning authorities to plan

for sites over a reasonable timescale

that plan-making and decision-taking should

protect Green Belt from inappropriate

development

to promote more private traveller site

provision while recognising that there will

always be those travellers who cannot provide

their own sites

that plan-making and decision-taking should

aim to reduce the number of unauthorised

developments and encampments and make

enforcement more effective

for local planning authorities to ensure that

their Local Plan includes fair, realistic and

inclusive policies

to increase the number of traveller sites in

appropriate locations with planning

permission, to address under provision and

maintain an appropriate level of supply

to reduce tensions between settled and

traveller communities in plan-making and

planning decisions

to enable provision of suitable

accommodation from which travellers can

access education, health, welfare and

employment infrastructure

for local planning authorities to have due

regard to the protection of local amenity and

local environment

the District. Despite this, the

Local Plan would also need to

deter unauthorised sites

arising, particularly on

Greenbelt land. By aligning

with this policy, the Gypsy

and Traveller community can

be accommodated and

integrated whilst protecting

the natural environment within

the District.

National Planning

Policy for Waste

(2014)

The Waste Management Plan for England sets out the

Government’s ambition to work towards a more

sustainable and efficient approach to resource use

and management. Positive planning plays a pivotal

role in delivering this country’s waste ambitions

through:

delivery of sustainable development and

resource efficiency, including provision of

modern infrastructure, local employment

The Local Plan should include

the principles and strategies

towards waste management

contained within the National

Planning Policy for Waste.

District level participation is

integral to the success of the

policy and the responsible

treatment of waste. The Local

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opportunities and wider climate change

benefits, by driving waste management up the

waste hierarchy

ensuring that waste management is

considered alongside other spatial planning

concerns, such as housing and transport,

recognising the positive contribution that

waste management can make to the

development of sustainable communities;

providing a framework in which communities

and businesses are engaged with and take

more responsibility for their own waste,

including by enabling waste to be disposed of

or, in the case of mixed municipal waste from

households, recovered, in line with the

proximity principle2;

helping to secure the re-use, recovery or

disposal of waste without endangering human

health and without harming the environment;

and

ensuring the design and layout of new

residential and commercial development and

other infrastructure (such as safe and reliable

transport links) complements sustainable

waste management, including the provision of

appropriate storage and segregation facilities

to facilitate high quality collections of waste.

Plan must promote recycling

and reusing of waste where

possible to alleviate the

pressure on landfill sites and

reduce the impact on the

environment.

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3.3 Review of Sub-National Plans and Programmes

Table 4: Review of Sub-National Plans and Programmes

Sub-National Plans

and Programmes


Plan / SA

Essex and Southend

Replacement

Structure Plan -

Saved Policy

Direction

Saved policies which will be replaced by adoption of

Local Development Documents are:

NR3 – Extension to Suffolk Coast/Heaths

AONB

CC1 – Undeveloped coast – coastal

protection belt

BIW9 – Airport Development

LRT6 – Coastal Water Recreation

EG1 – Proposal for New Power Stations

T2 – Transport Investment Priorities

T4 – Passenger Transport

MIN4 – Sterilisation and Safeguarding of

Mineral Sites

It is expected that those

saved policies relevant to

Uttlesford District will be

replaced by policies within

their Local Plan, with the view

to tailor the policy to be more

relevant to Uttlesford and

address the requirements of

the District through a more

focused approached on

localised development.

Essex Gypsy and

Traveller

Showpeople

Accommodation

Assessment, ORS

This assessment aims to provide more robust

evidence on Gypsy and Traveller accommodation

need at district level in terms of residential, transit and

brisk and mortar sites. It quantifies current and future

accommodation requirements up to 2021.

Number of additional pitches

required should be taken into

consideration when devising

housing planning policies.

The Local Plan should reflect

the requirement of provisions

for Gypsy and Traveller

communities within Uttlesford

alongside housing

developments.

Essex Gypsy and

Traveller

Showpeople

Accommodation

Assessment, ORS

(update, emerging at

time of writing)

This update document refreshed the original

assessment described above to provide more up to

date evidence for the production of the Gypsy and

Traveller Showpeople policy in the Local Plan.

Number of additional pitches

required should be taken into

consideration when devising


The Local Plan should reflect

the requirement of provisions

for Gypsy and Traveller

communities within Uttlesford

alongside housing

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developments.

Looking Back,

Moving Forward -

Assessing the

Housing Needs of

Gypsies and

Travellers in Essex

Assesses the accommodation needs of gypsies and

travellers in Essex and provide reliable evidence base

for allocating sites for Gypsy and Travellers in Local

Development Documents.

Informs the county evidence

base for determining housing

planning policy. The Local

Plan should draw upon the

wider context when

evaluating the need within the

locality in order to fully inform

accommodation provisions for

Gypsy and Traveller

communities within Uttlesford.

Greater Essex

Demographic

Forecasts Phases 1

& 2 & 3

These reports provide the findings of Phases 1, 2 and

3 of the demographic forecasts for Greater Essex. Its

sets out seven scenarios for development that were

tested on each of the 24 local authority districts within

the EPOA study area to enable an evaluation of

alternative growth trajectories for population and

households.

These scenarios will provide the new evidence base to

both support the preparation of Local Plans and to

contribute to other planning activities within each local

area.

This report provides

development scenarios for

Uttlesford District which will

inform the future housing

figures, planning policy and

strategy. The information will

be incorporated into the Local

Plan to assist in providing an

estimation of the required

dwellings for the future.

Local Transport Plan

2011 (LTP3)

Comprises two distinct parts – a long-term Essex

Transport Strategy and a short-term Implementation

Plan. The Strategy’s outcomes/goals are:

Provide connectivity for Essex communities

and international gateways to support

sustainable economic growth and

regeneration

Reduce carbon dioxide emissions and

improve air quality through lifestyle changes,

innovation and technology

Improve safety on the transport network and

enhance and promote a safe travelling

environment

Secure and maintain all transport assets to an

appropriate standard and ensure that the

network is available for use

Provide sustainable access and travel choice

for Essex residents to help create sustainable

communities.

The policies and aims within

both the Local Transport Plan

and those within the Local

Plan should be

complimentary of each other.

Aligning the aims and

objectives will result in higher

levels of cohesion across the

county. There will be benefits

from collaboration with

neighbouring District Councils

as well as Essex County

Council on these aims and

objectives in the form of a

more holistic approach to

transport planning.

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Leading the way

forward: Surface

Access Strategy for

Stansted 2008-2015

This strategy sets a framework and targets for the

development of surface access to support the Airport

to 2015. It also aims to contribute to the climate

change agenda. Targets include:

To achieve and sustain a 43% use by air

passengers of public transport by 2014

(assuming 35mppa)

To encourage rail and bus and coach

operators to maintain or achieve high quality

scores by 2015

To promote the use of rail and bus and coach

services through innovative marketing

campaigns in corridors/ areas where a high

number of ‘kiss and fly’ trips originate by

2015.

To help secure longer-term mode share

improvement to public transport

To improve the environmental performance of

bus and coach services (including charter

services) operating to and from the Airport

To increase the number of companies signed

up to the Airport Travel Plan to 75% by 2010

and 85% by 2015

To undertake employee travel surveys in

2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015

To grow car sharing by 10% a year over the

next 5 years

To deliver the highway-related planning

obligations related to the permitted growth of

the Airport

To agree with the Highways Working Group

the number of vehicles per passenger on-

Airport by 2011 and bring forward a targeted

action plan to reduce this number

To continue to develop the freight quality

partnership on-Airport and to expand this to

include the key delivery companies

To study the feasibility and delivery of the

infrastructure required for delivery of the 2008

Stansted Area Cycling and Walking Strategy

To develop a detailed carbon footprint for

surface access emissions by the end of 2009

Promoting the use of more

sustainable transport modes

and improving accessibility

will be important aspects of

local planning policy. This

strategy for Stansted will

assist in achieving those aims

through the continuation of

such aims into the near

future. It is necessary to

reassess the performance of

Stanstead against ongoing

aims and include any

amendments to the approach

in order to continually improve

air travel sustainability.

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2011 Essex

Biodiversity Action

Plans

The 2011 Plan replaces the first 1999 Biodiversity

Action Plan for Essex setting out targets and actions

at a district level, where appropriate. Groups are

based on habitat types, which will include relevant

species and sub-plans for more specific habitats.

Habitat groups are:

Lowland Farmland

Lakes and Ponds

Rivers

Wetlands

Coastal

Marine

Urban and Brownfield

Woodland

It will be important that the

Local Plan has regard to the

habitats and species within

the district’s boundaries and

supports the targets and

action plans adopted.

Consequently, any

developments in the District

would have measures in

place to reduce impacts on

local biodiversity.

Commissioning

School Places in

Essex (2014-2019)

In the County Council’s publication “Commissioning

School Places in Essex- 2014-19” schools have been

placed into forecast planning groups. These are

groups of schools that serve the children residing in

particular geographical areas of the district. Some

forecast planning groups, such as the primary schools

serving Saffron Walden, are under significant pressure

and require the provision of additional places to meet

the needs of a growing school primary population,

whilst others have some capacity to accommodate

future growth.

The Plan sets out the requirement for places in

maintained primary and secondary schools until 2018,

and identifies the areas where providers will need to

match supply with demand. It provides the context for

the future organisation of school places in Essex and

sets out the principles that need to be given serious

consideration when planning school places.

Provision of education should

be taken into account in

relation to future population

growth and development

within the district in the Local

Plan. A localised focus here

allows the specific age

structure and required school

places in Uttlesford to be

calculated more accurately

compared with being part of a

wider county context.

Stansted Airport

Environmental Noise

Directive Noise

Action Plan 2010-

2015 - Draft for

Consultation

The EU Noise Directive 2002/49/EU and

Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006 SI

(2006) 2238 require airports with over 50,000

movements a year to produce Noise Action Plans.

The proposed Noise Action Plans aim to manage and,

where possible, reduce the impact of noise from the

various aircraft that operate at Stansted Airport. The

action plan considers noise created by aircraft

approaching and taking off from the airport, as well as

Stansted Airport is located

within Uttlesford District

therefore the Local Plan

should have regard to this

action plan for minimising

noise. The Local Plan needs

to address this issue, as high

noise levels can prevent

nearby residents from

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noise created by taxiing aircraft and engine testing

carried out within the airport perimeter.

sleeping and lead to

associated negative health

impacts. Schemes to reduce

noise levels should be

considered in the Local Plan.

ECC Joint Municipal

Waste Management

Strategy 2007-2032

Essex Authorities will work hard to reduce the

amount of waste produced in the first place

and re-use more of the waste that is

produced;

Essex will achieve high levels of recycling,

with an aspiration to achieve collectively 60%

recycling of household waste by 2020.

Essex favours composting technologies such

as anaerobic digestion (AD), for source

segregated organic wastes. AD is a form of

biotreatment and produces a gas which can

be used to generate 100% renewable

electricity;

Whilst we can work on reducing the amount of

waste produced and recycling as much of if it

as possible, there will always be some waste

that still needs to be disposed of. For this we

propose to introduce new treatment plants

using Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT).

MBT processes any ‘black bag’ waste and

recovers further material for recycling. Part of

the remaining material can either be

manufactured into a fuel for energy production

or can be sent to landfill.

Planning policy and

allocations within the Local

Plan should have regard to

the aims set out in this

strategy. Waste management

should be included in the

Local Plan to identify areas

where significant

improvements can be

achieved, specific to the

District of Uttlesford, to assist

in the realisation of the aims

set out in the Essex County

Council Joint Municipal Waste

Management Strategy.

Water for life and

livelihoods River

Basin Management

Plan Anglian River

Basin District

These plans set out the pressures facing the water

environment in the Anglian and Thames River Basin

Districts. In regards to land use planning the plans

looks at a range of challenges, including point source

pollution from sewage treatment, water abstraction

and diffuse pollution from urban sources.

The Local Plan has sufficient

scope to affect the water

environment through policy

and development allocations.

These documents raise

awareness of a range of

issues that can inform the

Local Plan and the SA/SEA.

Water for life and

livelihoods River

Basin Management

Plan Thames River

Basin District

Essex Wildlife Trust

Living Landscape

Essex Wildlife Trust has mapped 89 Living Landscape

areas across Essex covering 7,250 acres of land.

The Local Plan has sufficient

scope to link habitats and

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plans The Essex Living Landscape map aims to reconnect

habitats and local people in the county, to restore

habitats so that wildlife can flourish; restore the

involvement of local people with their countryside so

they can work for it, take pride in it and gain a better

quality of life. In addition, the scheme hopes to

reconnect habitats across the county, removing

restrictions of travel for wildlife and increasing their

chances of survival.

people through policy and

development allocations. This

resource raises awareness of

wildlife issues that can inform

the Local Plan and the

SA/SEA and can be easily

factored into any prospective

developments.

Essex Wildlife Trust

Living Landscape

Statements

Living Landscapes are large landscape scale areas of

the countryside like river valleys, estuaries, forested

ridges, and grass and heath mosaics, which are

ecologically stable and provide a superb range of

habitats for many species of wild plants and animals.

There are over 80 living landscapes areas identified

and over 20 have statements which set out the areas

vision and objectives for protecting and improving the

wildlife and area as a whole.

Local Plan policy should have

regard to these living

landscapes. New

developments arising from

the Local Plan should have a

limited, if any, impact on the

natural landscape and

decrease negative effects of

the constructions on Living

landscapes within Uttlesford.

The Essex Local

Area Agreement –

‘Health and

Opportunity for the

People of Essex’

This document sets out agreed performance targets

for the most important issues over the next three

years, including education, health and access to

services and facilities. Outcomes, focuses and ways in

which targets can be achieved are set out for each

priority.

The Essex-wide priorities held

within this document will

inform the Local Plan and the

SA/SEA, addressing the key

issues across the county

allowing for the set targets to

be met.

Essex Rural

Strategy: 2020 Vision

for Rural Essex

This Strategy seeks to create a vibrant future for rural

Essex, based upon six strategic aims:

Active and caring communities

Improved access to services

Greater availability of affordable housing

A thriving economy

A rich and varied environment

A responsive planning and policy framework

Policies and allocations held

within the Local Plan should

have regard to the six

strategic aims contained

within the strategy. This is

particularly relevant to

Utllesford where such a large

proportion of the District is

rural. As a result, the

character of rural Uttlesford

can be preserved.

ECC Parking

Standards: Design

and Good Practice

Establishes guidance on parking provision for new

development and provides parking standards. The

purpose of this document is to:

Assist the Local Planning Authorities in

Uttlesford District has adopted

this as an SPD which forms

part of their LDF. New

developments resulting from

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determining appropriate standards for their

areas

Advise members of the public in a readily

comprehensible manner

Assist intending developers in preparing plans

for the development of land

Expedite the determination of planning

applications.

the Local Plan will give

consideration to parking

provisions and standards in

order to appropriately serve

the development with vehicle

accessibility.

ECC Development

Management

Policies

Sets out transport development management policies

for Essex which reflect the balance between the need

for new housing and employment opportunities, the

regeneration and growth agenda, and protecting the

transport network for the safe movement of people

and goods.

Aims are:

Protect and maintain a reliable and safe

highway infrastructure.

Improve access to services in both rural and

urban locations.

Offer where possible alternative travel options

to the private car.

Support and enhance public transport

provision.

Address the impact of commercial vehicles on

the highway network and communities.

Support the aims and objectives of the County

Council as the Highway Authority.

Uttlesford District has adopted

this as an SPD which forms

part of their LDF. The Local

Plan should align with these

principles in order to promote

efficient transport

infrastructure and services as

part of the county wide policy.

New developments resulting

from the Local Plan need to

consider transport provisions

to support new housing and

employment constructions.

The Essex Strategy

2008 – 2018

This document represents the latest update of the

monitored outcomes of Indicators relevant to the Local

Area Agreement. The strategy focuses on four broad

aims:

Safety and health

Supportive communities

Education, work and leisure

Protection and enhancement of natural

resources for prosperity

The document provides the

most up to date statistics for a

number of Indicators. Policies

and allocations within the

Local Plan should be

influenced by the aims

contained within the strategy,

particularly those where the

data demonstrates that the

Local Authority is not meeting

monitoring targets.

Sustainable

Drainage Systems

Develop a Design Guide demonstrating how new

developments can accommodate SuDS, the

Utilised by the Local Plan to

ensure a transparent and

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Design and Adoption

Guide 2012

standards expected of any new SuDS scheme to be

suitable for approval and adoption, provide an

overview of the geology and biodiversity of the county

and advice on how SuDS will be maintained and how

they should be ensured to be maintainable.

consistent level of service

when ECC is responding to

planning enquires, a

Sustainable Drainage Design

and Adoption Guide has been

produced, working in

partnership with other partner

local authorities and

establishing an officer working

group.

Essex Minerals Local

Plan 2014

The MLP includes policies that protect operating

mineral sites and facilities, newly allocated mineral

extraction sites and potentially workable but

unallocated mineral deposits from sterilisation as a

result of other development proposals.

ECC is preparing a Guidance Note regarding the

implementation of Policy S8 - Safeguarding mineral

resources and mineral reserves. The purpose of the

guidance will be to –

Assist the Mineral Planning Authority (MPA)

and LPA in implementing the policies of the

adopted Mineral Local Plan (MLP) and

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

which concern mineral safeguarding. This is

particularly relevant for LPAs when assessing

future potential for development as part of the

Local Plan making process.

To create a shared understanding of the

issues and information available to avoid a

duplication of tasks between authorities.

To ensure that a direct link is maintained

between a Neighbourhood Plan and the

NPPF, incorporating both the relevant Local

Plan and the Minerals Local Plan, in

recognition that they are all form part of the

Development Plan.

The Local Plan must include

policy on mineral preservation

in order to align with National

Planning Policy Framework.

The Essex Minerals Local

Plan provides information

regarding issues and duties to

inform the Local Plan

minerals policies.

MAG’s Stansted –

Sustainable

Development Plan

(2015)

This Plan highlioghts the growth potential of the

existing runway, exploring:

The ability to double passenger numbers to

40-45 million within agreed noise and air

quality limits and existing boundary

Supporting extra 10,000 on-site jobs and

As a key employer within the

Plan Area, this Plan is a key

consideration in the SA of any

related policy within the Local

Plan, or any allocations in

close proximity.

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generating £4.6bn in additional economic

benefit

Key enabler of growth in the East of England,

east London and along the burgeoning

London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor

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3.4 Review of Local Plans and Programmes

Table 5: Review of Local Plans and Programmes

Local Plans and

Programmes


Plan / SA

Historic Environment

Characterisation

Project (2009)

This project has been developed to primarily serve as

a tool for Uttlesford District to use in the creation of the

Local Development Framework. The report reveals the

sensitivity, diversity and value of the historic

environment resource within the District. The report

should facilitate the development of positive

approaches to the integration of historic environment

objectives into spatial planning for the District.

In addition to this primary purpose there are a range of

other potential benefits:

Provide the opportunity to safeguard and

enhance the historic environment as an

integrated part of development within

Uttlesford District.

Provide Guidance to Planners at the early

stages of development proposals

Provide a means for local communities to

engage with their historic environment.


produce policy that assists in

the protection of conservation

areas in accordance with the

project findings and actions.

New development should

avoid degrading the natural

environment where possible

and actions should be taken

as part of the Local Plan to

mitigate against negative

impacts of construction and

fuel consumption in the

vicinity of conservation areas.

Uttlesford Adopted

Local Plan (January

2005)

Saved Policy

Direction (December

2007)

This plan provides the basis for all planning decisions

within the district. It contains strategic policies; general

policies on access, design, flood protection, good

neighbourliness, light pollution, infrastructure provision

to support development, nature conservation; and

specific policies relating to the economic activity,

environment, built and natural, housing, leisure and

cultural provision, retailing and services, and transport

and telecommunications. All policies, except two

(Takeley Local Policy 1 & 2) were saved by the

Secretary of State.

Economic Activity objectives: To ensure that

provision is made for enough land to meet the

structure plan requirement and enable the

expansion of existing firms and the

introduction of new employment;

The Adopted Local Plan is the

current statutory planning

document for Uttlesford but it

will be gradually replaced

when the documents within

the new Local Plan are

adopted. Many of the policies

in the 2005 Local Plan will still

be relevant in the new Local

Plan, however some sections

will need modification to

adjust developments to meet

the needs of the current

population as well as

accommodate any changes in

nationwide policy and

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To ensure that a range of employment

opportunities is available at key locations

across the district and that alternative

employment exists other than in the

concentration on the airport at Stansted;

To enable opportunities for local employment

close to where people live, which may

potentially reduce travel to work;

To ensure that development is accessible to

all; and

To help diversify the economy in the rural

area and provide alternative income for farm

based businesses.

Environment, Built and Natural objectives:

To safeguard the character of Uttlesford’s

historic settlements.

To conserve and enhance the historic

buildings in Uttlesford and their setting.

To protect the natural environment for its own

sake, particularly for its biodiversity, and

agricultural, cultural and visual qualities.

To limit sensitive development in areas

subject to high levels of noise from aircraft or

other sources, and avoid deterioration in the

noise environment.

To protect ground and surface water

resources from contamination and over

abstraction.

To protect users of residential properties in

particular from long term exposure to poor

ground level air quality.

To improve the health of the community.

Housing objectives:

To meet the Structure Plan housing

requirement and provide sufficient housing to

meet locally generated requirements;

To concentrate housing development in the

main urban areas and other locations well

related to employment and facilities; and

To meet the need for affordable housing and

retain mixed and balanced communities.

Leisure and Cultural Provision:

legislation.

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To safeguard existing open space within

towns and villages for either formal or informal

recreation.

To enable the provision of community facilities

in villages, which would accommodate

activities central to village life, even where

development would not normally be permitted.

To develop sport and leisure facilities at key

sites and enable outdoor recreation in the

countryside whilst protecting its character and

amenities.

To ensure that play facilities are included in

developments where appropriate.

To support tourism in Uttlesford within the

capacity of its towns and countryside to

accommodate visitors.

To improve access to leisure and cultural

facilities and to ensure that all leisure and

cultural provision is accessible for the benefit

of the whole community to ensure social

inclusion.

Retailing and Services:

To sustain and enhance the vitality and

viability of Saffron Walden as a principal

shopping centre, of Great Dunmow as a

smaller town centre, and of the local centres

of Stansted Mountfitchet and Thaxted;

To promote mixed use commercial

developments in these centres;

To focus retail and mixed use commercial

developments in locations that maximise the

opportunities to use means of transport other

than the private car;

To prevent further loss of retail and other

services in rural areas.

Transport and Telecommunications:

To facilitate the improvement of the transport

and telecommunications network.

To protect the character of the countryside

from inappropriate transport and

telecommunications development.

Uttlesford Pre- The purpose of the draft Local Plan is to set out the The past consultation version

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Submission Local

Plan

long-term spatial vision of how the district plans to

develop and change within the plan period, giving

consideration to local issues such as housing need

and employment growth. The high quality natural and

historic environment features, with part of the vision of

the plan to maintain and enhance this aspect of

Uttlesford.

The plan reflects both national guidance and local

plans and programmes including the NPPF. Policies

within the plan are developed having regard to such

guidance as well as evidence from studies specific to

the district.

of the Local Plan will help

inform further development of

the plan. Multidisciplinary

expertise will provide

contextual information

regarding the requirement to

preserve the natural and built

environment as well as

delivering the housing needs

of the District.

Sustainability

Appraisal of the Pre-

Submission Local

Plan

This report provides a detailed assessment of the

policies contained in the Draft Local Plan to predict the

effects of their implementation and to identify ways to

mitigate significant negative outcomes.


regard of the findings from

previous stages in the SA and

use this information to

improve the mitigation of

negative social,

environmental and economic

impacts of any developments.

The new Local Plan will

contain significant evidence

that considerations have been

made and the best possible

solutions utilised.

Pre-Submission

Local Plan Position

Statement

This statement sets out a preferred direction of travel

on the outstanding issues highlighted during the

consultation of the Draft Local Plan and the

contingencies and risks involved. Issues with the

previous draft are also amended. The aim is to provide

more clarity and certainty of the Councils position

regarding the strategic housing policies and the site

allocations.

This position statement

provides additional

information to the public on

the development of the Local

Plan in between consultations

and will inform the latest

version of the Local Plan.

Additional clarity is achieved

by definitively outlining the

approach to development,

which would be carried into

the new Local Plan where

possible.

Uttlesford Core

Strategy – Further

Consultation on

Preferred Options

This version of the Core Strategy looks at the

outstanding issues raised following the consultation of

Uttlesford Core Strategy - Preferred Options

(November 2007). These are:

Past consultation versions of

the Core Strategy will help


the Local Plan. By integrating

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Options for delivering the balance of the

housing growth;

Development Scenarios for Stansted Airport

Implications for the spatial Strategy: and

Review of the Preferred Options Policies

solutions to the issues raised

into the new Local Plan,

development in the future will

be better informed to meet the

needs of Uttlesford District.

Uttlesford Local

Development

Framework Uttlesford

Core Strategy –

Further Consultation

on Preferred Options

Sustainability

Appraisal

This Sustainability Appraisal looks at the changes

proposed to the objectives and policies published in

the Preferred Options Consultation. It also determines

the scale of development appropriate in the towns and

key villages.



previous stages in the SA.

The scale of developments

would be important to the

Local Plan through the

designation of the likely

outcome of a development on

a town or village. It is then

simple to evaluate the

benefits against the negatives

of any construction and

compare sites to one another.

Uttlesford Core

Strategy -

Comparative

Sustainability

Assessment

This Sustainability Assessment links the previous

sustainability work, the responses from residents, the

evidence base and the information provided by

stakeholders to draw conclusions about the

sustainability and deliverability of the preferred options

and to compare it with other options. It deals

specifically with the new settlement element of Option

4 –3000 homes to the north east of Elsenham



this Sustainability

Assessment. The preferred

development sites can be

included in the Local Plan to

be re-evaluated under

Sustainability Appraisal

criteria to assess their viability

in addressing the current

housing needs in Uttlesford.

They can then be compared

with any new alternative sites

suggested through the

consultation process in the

new Local Plan.

Uttlesford Core

Strategy – Preferred

Options Consultation

This document sets out the Council’s preferred policy

options for consultation and identifies the four broad

options for housing growth. The long-term vision of the

District is described and the strategy and aims for

achieving that vision are put forward.

Past consultation version of

the Core Strategy will help


the Local Plan by providing

the starting point in terms of

policy and development sites.

It is the foundation for the

production of more detailed

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strategy in the Local Plan.

Sustainability

Appraisal of

Preferred Options

Document

This report provides a detailed assessment of the

preferred options to predict the effects of their

implementation and identify ways to mitigate

significant outcomes.

Previous stages of the SA

should be considered within

the Local Plan, owing to the

discussion of positive and

negative outcomes of

development. The report will

inform the Local Plan by

clearly stating negative

impacts as well as suggesting

possible mitigation and even

prevention techniques to

improve the viability of the

development.

Sustainability

Appraisal and

Strategic

Environmental

Assessment of the

Role of Settlements

and Site Allocations

Development Plan

Document

This Sustainability Appraisal looks at the sustainability

of the four housing growth options in light of recent

planning reform and assesses the sustainability of

potential sites put forward for development.



previous stages in the SA of

strategic growth options and

Site Allocations. In addition,

the Local Plan should

incorporate new planning

reforms into previous stages

of the SA to collate up to date

information on proposed

development sites.

Public Participation

on the Role of

Settlements and Site

Allocations

Development Plan

Document

This document identifies available sites for

development which will eventually be included within

the District’s Sites Allocations. It also re-examines the

District’s housing strategy and which is the most

suitable growth option by consulting on the roles and

hierarchy of the towns, key villages and other smaller

villages and reviewing current planning reforms.

Further, the document consults on current

Development Limits and sites for Gypsy and Traveller

communities.


the strategic growth options

and Site Allocations will help

inform future stages of the

Local Plan through the

continued addition and

assessment of possible

development sites. As more

alternative sites are

examined, the final preferred

site in the Local Plan would

definitely be the best possible

choice of location for

development.

Public Participation

on Development

This consultation document contains an updated set of

Development Management Policies for the district and


the Development

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Plan Document,

Development

Management

Policies

documents from which policies, previously included in

the Adopted Local Plan, have been removed.

Management Policies will

help inform future stages of

the Local Plan’s development

through constructive feedback

and modification. The

resulting document, which

would form part of the Local

Plan, will be more robust, with

a better ability to meet the

requirements of the

population of Uttlesford.

Sustainability

Appraisal of the

Development Plan

Document,

Development

Management

Policies

This Sustainability Appraisal assesses the

Development Management Policies in terms of their

social, economic and environmental impacts, provides

recommendations to improve their sustainability and

identifies potential indicators for monitoring.



previous stages in the SA of

the Development

Management Policies to

examine the social,

environmental and economic

impacts of proposed

developments. An informed

decision can them be made

as to the best choice of site,

as well as continually

monitoring the progress and

suggesting improvements to

increase the sustainability of

projects.

Uttlesford Futures

Sustainable

Community Strategy:

A vision for our future

2018

It sets out a long term vision for Uttlesford and its

people with the aim of creating a sustainable

community. Priorities for action are divided into

themes:

Children and young people matter:

Every Child Matters

Gaps in provision of services

Commissioning services

Staying healthy:

Alcohol related hospital admissions

Mortality from breast cancer

Access to services

Sustainability of the voluntary sector

Adult obesity

The Local Plan is an

important component in

delivering the spatial

elements of the Sustainable

Community Strategy and

addressing the issue of

affordable housing. Using

detailed baseline information

compiled as part of the Local

Plan, the most effective

methods for achieving

sustainability across the

themes can be identified and

implemented. In this way, the

Local Plan will best meet the

needs of the District’s

population while also meeting

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Developing business:

Developing high value jobs in small

businesses

Carbon footprint of local businesses

Tackling deprivation and poverty

Local tourism

Feeling safe:

Road safety

Young people and crime

Anti-social behaviour

Core crime

Violent crime

Substance misuse

Feeling safe

Protecting the environment:

Climate change mitigation

Climate change adaptation

Ensuring new development is sustainable

Environmental protection

Waste minimisation

Getting around:

Public and community transport

Cycling and walking facilities

Accessible information on public transport

Condition of the roads

Safer journeys to school

the sustainability criteria of

the Uttlesford Futures

Sustainability Community

Strategy.

UDC Statement of

Community

Involvement

This Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets

out how and when the community will be involved in

the development of the Local Development

Framework which places significant emphasis on early

community involvement.

Members of the community to be involved include

local communities, developers and landowners,

statutory stakeholders, business sector, service

providers and other agencies. The community should

be involved at all stages in the production of LDF

documents by being provided with information,

consulted with and be able to participate in workshops

and forums. The stages of production are listed as:

Public participation during the

preparation of Local Plan

must be consistent with the

commitments made in this

statement. This assists in

community satisfaction with

development plans by

allowing comments from the

Public to inform planning

practice.

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Pre-production - research and evidence

gathering

Production - prepare issues and alternative

options in consultation;

public participation on preferred options, &

preparation & submission of document

Examination - representations submitted &

independent examination

Adoption - adoption of Inspectors

recommendations

UDC Housing

Strategy 2012 to

2015

This strategy sets out the long-term vision for housing

in Uttlesford up to 2015 and beyond. It has three key

objectives:

Maximise the delivery of a range of new

affordable homes to meet diverse needs

Improve the condition of the housing stock

both public and private

Build sustainable and thriving neighbourhoods

and communities and ensure that vulnerable

people are supported in the community

This is the overarching

strategy for housing for plans,

strategies and policies

developed within the District

and therefore will shape the

Local Plan. The issues

addressed and objectives of

the strategy remain relevant

to the Local Plan to continue

to strive to provide sufficient

housing provisions for the


Open Space, Sport

Facility and Playing

Pitch Strategy

A co-ordinated strategy that concentrates on

developing play facilities and services within the

district. The key aims are:

To enable children and young people in the

district to play in a variety of settings i.e.

formal, free and countryside/country parks

To ensure that the value of play spaces are

recognised and protected by the various

agencies involved in planning and

management of spaces

To highlight the importance of play with the

various agencies working with children and

young people

To encourage the development of quality play

provision through provision of good quality

equipment that meets relevant health & safety

standards i.e. ROSPA; relevant workers to

become qualified and trained to engage with

children to gain maximum benefit from play,

and highlight to those responsible for planning

Being active and having

access to play facilities

enhances well-being and

quality of life and should be

taken into consideration

during the preparation of the

Local Plan. In order to meet

the social needs of the

population of Uttlesford, play

strategy and access to open

recreational spaces are

integral components to the

success of developments

aimed at providing social

benefits. The Local Plan

should incorporate the

principles in the play strategy

to ensure as many positive

social impacts result from the

development as possible. It

should consider the results of

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play provision the importance of the quality of

the experience for the child

To continue to encourage partnership working

to maximise benefit of services provided for

children and young people

To promote inclusion for all in access to play

facilities

this study to identify the

amount and quality of

recreational open spaces and

factor in the maintenance and

possibly addition of open

spaces when planning new

developments.

UDC Accessible

Homes and

Playspace

This SPD assists in the provision of housing and play

space which meets the needs of all residents.

Predominantly, the framework promotes inclusive and

sustainable housing development, with a real focus on

the disabled community and accessibility issues. It

gives advice for developers, architects and builders

setting out the Council’s on:

Lifetime Homes

Wheelchair Accessible Housing

Accessible Playspace

This SPD provides a local

stance on the accessibility

issues faced by the disabled

community in Uttlesford. The

Local Plan needs to

incorporate this approach into

housing developments in the

future to avoid excluding

communities from spaces in

Uttlesford and to ensure there

is a high level of social

cohesion within the District.

UDC Homelessness

Review and Strategy

Action Plan

The Review of homelessness within Uttlesford since

the publication of the first Homelessness Strategy has

been used to set the Council’s overall strategic aims in

the area of homelessness.

Strategic priorities are:

To prevent homelessness by providing good

quality advice, early intervention strategies

and increase housing options

To reduce the use of temporary

accommodation including Bed and Breakfast

accommodation for all client groups

To increase services to tackle youth

homelessness and to supply appropriate

accommodation

To provide effective advice and assistance

through partnership working to meet the

needs of vulnerable groups and single

homeless

To develop services and partnership working

through a homelessness partnership

To deliver continuous improvement to

services

This strategy will support the

Local Plan. Planning policies

relating to housing should

have regard to the priorities of

this strategy in order to

promote an inclusive society.

Provisions must be made to

address the issue of

Homelessness and attempt to

diminish instances of people

becoming homeless in the

future.

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Climate Local

Strategy and Action

Plan

This strategy examines the direct impacts of climate

change in Uttlesford as sets out clear objectives to

address the issues. These are to:

Reduce Council carbon emissions and

energy/fuel use and costs across our estate:

reduce energy costs and improve fuel security

Adapting the Council to Climate Change

Impacts: Build climate resilience in our

organisation, across our estate, operations

and services

Reduce district-wide energy consumption and

carbon emissions: Reduce energy

consumption, energy costs and carbon

emissions across the district for residents,

communities and businesses and tackle fuel

poverty to improve health and wellbeing of our

residents

District wide adaptation to Climate Change

Impacts: Support our residents, communities

and businesses in building resilience to

changing weather

Planning policy within the

Local Plan should have

regard to the aims set out in

this strategy. New

developments will need to

align with the targets and

objectives regarding reducing

carbon emissions and waste

production in order to reduce

the impact of the population of

Uttlesford on the surrounding

environment. The Local Plan

should attempt to reduce

carbon emissions for new

housing developments as

much as possible.

UDC Energy

Efficiency and

Renewable Energy

Provides information on measures to improve energy

efficiency in new development. The SPD is designed

to support policies within National Policy regarding

minimising energy consumption in the building

process of housing developments and small scale

renewable schemes to meet local energy needs, as

well as the Adopted Local Plan. It establishes

guidance setting out priorities for reducing energy use

based on the following energy hierarchy:

Avoid unnecessary energy use

Use energy more efficiently

Use renewable energy

Offsetting emissions

This adopted SPD forms part

of the LDF and will support

relevant planning policies.

Considerations for

construction and energy

sources for new

developments would be

included in the Local Plan to

accomplish objectives as set

out in the UDC Energy

Efficiency and Renewable

Energy SPD.

Uttlesford Cycling

Strategy

The aims of the Strategy are to:

Identify potential ways to increase cycling in

the District

Help allocate funding to new cycle schemes

Increase the use of sustainable transport in

the District

Facilitate economic growth and development


the principles within the

cycling strategy in order to

promote sustainable transport

provisions and healthy

lifestyles amongst residents

within the District.

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Employment Land

Monitoring

This report looks at the availability of Employment

Land within the District in terms of allocated land and

land with planning permission for employment uses.

For the purposes of this report employment land is

defined as:

Industrial and Warehouse uses (Use Classes

B1 – B8)

Offices (Use Class B1a )


incorporate the information

within this document into the

decision making process for

future developments. In order

to meet the needs of the

population within the District,

more employment

opportunities could be

required.

Infrastructure

Development Plan

The IDP process features the following stages:

identifying relevant service providers for each

infrastructure type

identifying the plans and strategies for those

service areas

reviewing existing planned capital and

infrastructure investment

liaising with the service providers to identify

the infrastructure requirements related to the

Local Plan development proposals (including

opportunities to deliver new infrastructure or

opportunities for expanding existing provision,

including locations, phasing and costing

where known)

identifying the delivery mechanisms for

infrastructure proposals and assessing the

potential risk to successful delivery

preparation of an IDP and re-consultation with

the service providers on its content as part of

the pre-submission consultation.

The Local Plan will be

required to work in

conjunction with this plan to

achieve the aims set out.

Infrastructure in Uttlesford is

limited with the exception of

Stanstead Airport, so the

Infrastructure Development

Plan will supply effective

locations and methods for the

delivery of improved

infrastructure services across

the District.

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3.5 Review of Local Reports and Assessments

Table 6: Review of Local Reports and Assessments

Local Reports and

Assessments


Plan / SA

Strategic Housing

Market Assessment

for London

Commuter Belt

(East)/M11 Sub-

Region

A joint study with participation from stakeholders and

involvement partners assessing housing need and

demand within districts/boroughs forming the London

Commuter Belt East M11 Sub-region.

The SHMA contributes to local level planning by:

developing an evidence base for Local

Development Documents

assisting with production of Core Strategies

It sets out the approach for

determining housing need

and demand which will inform


The results of the SHMA

outline the condition of the

local housing market within

Uttlesford and highlight the

most effective way to produce

housing to meet the needs of

the residents in the Local

Plan.

Affordable Housing

Viability Assessment

for London

Commuter Belt

(East) /M11 Sub-

Region

A joint study supplementing the SHMA for the London

Commuter Belt East M11 Sub-region.

The purpose of the study is to undertake a strategic

assessment of development viability to inform

planning policy over the lifetime of each Local

Planning Authority’s Core Strategy with regards to

affordable housing provision.

The overall affordable housing targets should ‘reflect

an assessment of the likely economic viability of land

for housing within the area’.

Informs the evidence base for

establishing affordable

housing planning policy. This

adds detail to the findings of

the SHMA and reinforces the

need for the Local Plan to

consider the viability of

developments in this context

to meet housing needs.

Strategic Housing

Land Availability

Assessment

The purpose of the SHLAA is to identify sites in and

around settlements with potential for housing over the

period up to 2027, assess their housing potential and

assess when they are likely to be developed.

The key findings of this report

will inform spatial housing

options and targets. The

Local Plan will utilise the

information provided in the

SHLAA to identify the sites

with the most potential for

delivering housing with the

least negative impacts on the

environment, society and

economy.

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Housing Supply This document sets out the housing supply. It provides

data on total dwelling completions and outstanding

dwellings compared to the requirements of the

Adopted Local Plan, annual number of completions

during the plan period, information on the progress of

each planning application for large sites, a list of

outstanding Rural Exception Sites granted, and a list

of sites without planning permission that contribute to

the housing supply.

Provides context to the

housing supply to identify

where there are needs for

housing. Informs the evidence

base for determining future

housing figures and

establishing housing planning

policy for the Local Plan.

Housing Trajectory

and Five-Year

Supply

This documents sets out the housing completions and

the future trajectory for housing provision the district.

In accordance with Government requirements it also

provides details of the district’s 5-year land supply of

deliverable sites for housing.

Provides information on some

previous years of housing

development to predict future

housing construction. Informs

the evidence base for

determining future housing

figures and establishing

housing planning policy for

the Local Plan.

Employer and

Business Survey

Overall aim of this research was to establish the

business needs of small and medium size enterprises

(SMEs) within the Uttlesford District and whether or

not any help can be given by the Strategic Partnership

to secure the future of local businesses.

The research aimed to identify specific business

needs in terms of the following areas:

Training and recruitment

Environmental sustainability

Provision of business locations

The perception of the Uttlesford district as an

area of employment

Financial Services

Business Rates

Business Networking

Security issues

The findings of this survey will

help inform economic

planning policies within the

Local Plan. The identification

of SMEs within Uttlesford that

would benefit from support

would help provide the Local

Plan with a clear directive on

the condition of the current

business and employment

market and allow planning

policy to create an economic

environment conducive to

growth and prosperity within

the District.

Employment Land

Review

This study was commissioned to identify the need for

land and premises for employment purposes in

Uttlesford District. It considers factories, warehouses

and offices together with other similar uses and makes

recommendations accordingly.

This study was undertaken to

inform the development of the

Local Plan. Areas of

concentrated employment

opportunities, such as

Stanstead Airport, are

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identified and can be focused

on in the Local Plan to boost

employment further in

Uttlesford.

District Retail Study The study reviews existing shopping patterns in the

area, the nature and content of the shopping facilities

within the district and whether there is a need for

additional facilities up until 2031.

This study was produced to

inform the Local Plan on

aspects such as retail

employment opportunities.

The development of any

additional retail areas would

first need to refer to this study

to determine if there is

demand.

Comparative

Transport Analysis -

A Transport Analysis

of potential Strategic

development

locations in Uttlesford

A comparative assessment of a number of strategic

development locations with regards to transport. The

purpose of this report is to set out the likely

Highway/Transport requirements for each proposed

location. The report does not conclude which option is

best as there are more factors to consider than just

Highways/ Transportation; however it does provide an

overview of requirements and potential issues of each

location.

The findings of this analysis

provide an initial guide on

development options for

transport. The Local Plan

should incorporate this

information into the evaluation

of potential transport

developments for the future.

Uttlesford District

Historic Environment

Characterisation

Project

This document assesses the historic environment to

come to some conclusions about the sensitivity,

diversity and value of the historic environment

resource within the district. The Historic Environment

has been assessed using character assessments of

the urban, landscape and archaeological resource of

Uttlesford. The results of these studies were then

combined to create large Historic Environment

Character Areas.

This study have been

undertaken to primarily inform

the Local Plan. Uttlesford as a

District highly value the

importance of a wealth of

historic listed buildings and

scheduled monuments. The

historic environment is

integral to the cultural

heritage of the area and so

the Local Plan should utilise

this source of information to

avoid damaging the historic

environment with new

developments.

Historic Settlement

Character

Assessment - Great

Chesterford, Great

This project provides a detailed assessment of the

historic environment within seven of the district’s

settlements to enable effective management and

conservation so that the historic environment can

Information derived from

these assessments identifies

elements of the historic

environment of Uttlesford

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Dunmow, Henham,

Newport, Saffron

Walden, Stansted

and Thaxted

make a contribution to shaping sustainable

communities. Six settlements were initially assessed

and Thaxted was assessed later in 2009.

within each of the major

settlements. This will inform

the Local Plan by allowing

direct investigation of impacts

of any new developments on

the built historic environment

in each individual settlement

and avoid the degradation of

the cultural heritage of

Uttlesford.

Town and Village

Profiles - Great

Chesterford, Great

Dunmow, Elsenham,

Hatfield Heath,

Newport, Saffron

Walden, Stansted

Mountfitchet, Takeley

and Thaxted.

These profiles provide information on housing,

employment, infrastructure and transport, minerals

and waste, the historic environment and recreational

land for the two towns and the seven Key Villages in

the district.

Key statistics relating to

seven key villages within

Uttlesford allow small scale

examination of the

environmental, social and

economic condition of the

District. The Local Plan

should refer to the data set

most relevant to the site of

any new developments and

interpret the needs of each

village as well as the District.

Braintree,

Brentwood,

Chelmsford, Maldon

and Uttlesford

Landscape

Character

Assessments

This document is a study of Landscape Character

Areas and types within the administrative areas of

Braintree, Basildon, Chelmsford, Maldon and

Uttlesford. The study includes all the rural area up to

and including the urban edge and, where they exist,

river valleys and other green corridors extending into

urban areas. The key objectives are:

Provide a baseline inventory and description

of landscape character by Type and Area at a

scale of 1:25,000

Identify key issues, sensitivities to change and

management strategy objectives/guidelines

for each Character Area

Ensure that Landscape Character Areas and

Types join up seamlessly across

administrative boundaries, including with

existing character assessment studies carried

out by neighbouring authorities outside of the

Study Area

To liaise with and understand the issues and

concerns of the key stakeholder organisations

The assessments provide a

baseline data set to evaluate

any proposed sites for

development within Uttlesford.

The Local Plan should consult

with the character

assessments of the rural

areas of Uttlesford to inform

the decision making process

of selecting a development

site. The assessments will

deliver information on the

vulnerability and susceptibility

of a site to environmental

damage and allow

developments to be

constructed in the most

preferable location.

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in relation to the landscape characterisation

process.

Local Wildlife Site

Review

This report comprises two main initiatives:

To re-assess a specific list of Local Wildlife

Sites against the current selection criteria

To search for other potential sites within the

landscape corridors connecting these existing

sites, to determine whether or not any

additional sites might be adopted.

The Local Plan should refer to

this review to locate any

protected wildlife sites within

the vicinity of proposed

development sites. The

impacts of the development

can then be easily examined

and an informed decision can

be made regarding the

environmental viability.

Habitats Regulation

Assessment of Pre

Submission Draft

Local Plan

The HRA screening stage determines whether any of

the site allocations, strategic policies or development

management policies are likely to have a significant

effect on any of the following:

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

Special Protection Area (SPA)

Or Ramsar site

The HRA screening stage

informs the development of

the Local Plan by determining

if the plan conforms to

national and European

legislation.

Renewable Energy

Study of the District

This study examines the options for reducing carbon

dioxide emissions from energy consumption in the

households within Uttlesford. It looks at the

opportunities for using renewable resources.

Relating to national policy,

carbon emissions and

renewable energy are a focal

point for the framework of

future developments. The

Local Plan needs to

investigate ways of producing

housing in an environmentally

sustainable manner. This

study provides evidence for

the utilisation of the

renewable energy potential in

Uttlesford, which can be

incorporated into new

developments.

Uttlesford Strategic

Flood Risk

Assessment

The key objectives of the SFRA are:

To investigate and identify the extent of flood

risk to the area

To supplement current flood policy guidelines

and to provide a straightforward risk based

approach to development control in the local

Planning policy must have

regard to the current and

future risk of flooding from a

combination of sources. This

assessment informs the

evidence base in determining

future development options,

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area

To assist in the making of the spatial planning

decisions required to inform the Local

Development Framework.

by delineating areas at

varying risk of a variety of

flooding types to allow the

Local Plan to focus

development away from flood

risk zones where possible.

Uttlesford District

Water Cycle Study -

Stage 1: Scoping

and Outline Study

and Stage 2

A Water Cycle Study examines water supply,

wastewater collection and wastewater treatment

infrastructure at the District level against proposed

sites of new development. In this way, viable sites can

be identified and compared, focusing on the water

cycle.

A Water Cycle Study (WCS)

is required for the production

of a Local Plan to ensure that

the water supply, wastewater

collection and wastewater

treatment infrastructure in the

District can accommodate the

required growth levels, whilst

minimising flood risk and

impact on the water

environment.

Green Belt Boundary

Scoping Report

This report assesses the potential scope for the

prospect of changing the boundary of the Metropolitan

Green Belt in Uttlesford District. It states that there is

no scope to warrant a change to the Green Belt

boundary in the district to accommodate development

within the context of the emerging local development

framework.

The local Plan must not

construct any new

developments within the

Green Belt following the

conclusions of this report. It

re-affirmed the Green Belt

within the District and

prevented any developments

from occurring on previously

undeveloped land in this

zone.

Air Quality Progress

Report for Uttlesford

District Council

This progress report is required in the intervening

years between the three-yearly Updating and

Screening Assessment reports. Its purpose is to

maintain continuity in the Local Air Quality

Management process and identify areas which exceed

the air quality objectives. This report documents the

results of additional monitoring following the

identification of two locations outside the existing

AQMAs exceeding the annual mean objective of NO2

earlier in previous years.

The Local Plan may have to

make adjustments to existing

developments as well as new

developments if air quality in

an area is poor. An Air Quality

Action Plan (AQAP) may be

required which would impact

on the size and type of

development possible within

the vicinity of the plan.

Further Assessment

of Air Quality Saffron

Walden

Reports on air quality in the central part of Saffron

Walden and proposes revoking the existing AQMAs

and replacing them with one larger AQMA.

The Local Plan may have to

make adjustments to existing

developments as well as new

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developments if air quality in

an area is poor.

Developments are unlikely to

progress if the proposed site

is within the AQMA and so

the Local Plan should consult

the assessment to delineate

the border of the AQMA.

Some developments may be

possible depending on the

size and type but are unlikely

to be selected as a preferred

site.

Assessment of

Development

Opportunity Sites

This document is an assessment of the Development

Opportunity Sites identified in Uttlesford DC’s Report

of Representations on Employment and Retail. For

each of the sites identified, their location, potential for

possible redevelopment and viability are assessed.

The three sites identified are located in Saffron

Walden, Great Dunmow and Stansted Mountfitchet.

The Local Plan could adopt

the findings of the

assessments into the site

selection decision making

process in order to assist in

the identification of the most

viable and effective

development locations to

meet the needs of the


Urban Design

Assessment of

Development

Opportunity Sites

This report follows on from the previously

commissioned “Assessment of Development

Opportunity Sites” report undertaken by Carter Jonas.

This report takes the findings of the Carter Jonas

document and begins to establish urban design

development principles and options for each site

including future uses.

The documents sets out the principles for the future

development of the site, ensuring that any

development fits into the surrounding context, while

providing the towns identified with a suitable mix of

uses which meet the needs and requirements of the

areas.

By outlining the parameters of

possible developments in

each preferred site, the

assessment informs the Local

Plan of the most viable site

option. It also provides the

constraints on development

style, ensuring that new

buildings conform to the

existing built environment and

do not damage the cultural

heritage of Uttlesford.

Assessment of the

Draft Allocation at

Stansted

Mountfitchet - Land

North East of Bury

Lodge Lane and its

This document assesses the possible impacts of

removing the airport-only use restriction at Stansted

Business Park, specifically what effects such a policy

would have on existing nearby business parks in the

absence of such a use restriction.

This report will help decide

the suitability of a policy

removing the use restriction at

Stansted Business Park. The

Local Plan can then decide if

the inclusion of such a policy

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potential impact on

Bishops Stortford

would be beneficial to

development in this area.

Affordable Housing

Viability Update

This document is an update of the 2010 Affordable

Housing study undertaken by Levvel. It provides

commentary on a number of issues including the

impact of the NPPF and the effects of policy on

development viability. It also discusses housing

market conditions at the time of publication.

This study will help inform

housing policies within the

Local Plan by discussing the

possible impacts of

development and allow an

assessment on viability to be

undertaken.

Demographic

Forecasts

This report provides demographic forecasts and

analysis for the 12 Local Planning Authorities in

Essex, as well as the two unitary authorities of

Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock. This data is intended

to replace the demographic services provided by the

East of England Regional Assembly following the

revocation of the RSS.

This report will help inform the

evidence base supporting the

Local Plan. A more localised

focus on the data allows the

Local Plan to examine the

demographic situation within

Uttlesford more accurately

and plan provisions and

services. Developments can

then be tailored to match the

age structure and associated

needs within the District.

Protected Lanes

Assessment

Uttlesford’s Protected Lanes Analysis was undertaken

to assess the Districts existing Protected Lanes using

the new Protected Lanes criteria developed at a

County level. Using the new criteria, each Protected

Lane was checked against the threshold for

determining Protected Lane status.

This document provides

supporting information for the

District’s Local Plan policies

regarding Protected Lanes.

Developer

Contribution

Guidance Viability

Testing (KIFT

Consulting)

This report assess the financial viability and

deliverability of affordable housing models; providing

assistance and guidance to land owners, developers,

registered providers and local authorities on their

financial modelling of affordable housing to maximise

their projects.


incorporate these financial

models to assess the

affordability of new housing

developments. With this

information, housing can be

targeted to accommodate

specific needs of the


Gypsy and Traveller

Issues and Options

Sustainability

Appraisal

This Sustainability Appraisal looks at existing provision

across Essex and assesses the accommodation and

housing related needs of Gypsies, Travellers and

Travelling Showpeople. The Appraisal examines the

The Local Plan will identify

sufficient suitable residential

sites to meet the long term

needs of Gypsies, Travellers

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social, environmental and economic impacts of Gypsy

and Traveller development sites to evaluate whether

the development aligns with sustainability principles.

and Travelling Showpeople. It

will assist in setting out a

clear delivery strategy for the

Local Plan, identifying how

much development is to

happen, where, and by what

means it will be delivered.

Objectively Assessed

Housing Need,

Technical

Assessment

The assessment collates data relating to economic

growth, job availability and population growth to

predict the future housing need in Uttlesford. There is

also a consideration for the type of housing required,

predominantly focused on affordable provisions to

appropriately align with the demand in the District.


the conclusions from this

assessment to inform the

housing developments for the

future. Indicating that

affordable housing will lacking

in the future for Uttlesford

means the Local Plan can

focus developments on this

type of housing provision.

Housing Supply

Windfall Allowance

(Uttlesford District

Council, 2014)

The Windfall Allowance document provides a

numerical estimate for unexpected development sites

arising after the Local Plan examination of sites has

been completed. Statistics on the number and types of

Windfall sites, as well as the number of Windfall sites

that were developed on since 2001, was collected to

provide a prediction of the possible figures for this

Local Plan.

The Local Plan should make

some allowances to

accommodate a small

number of Windfall sites into

figures and statistics where

possible and make

allowances on housing

provisions based on the

conclusions of the document.

Strategic Housing

Market Assessment

(2012 [new

assessment

commissioned

expected 2015])

A joint study with participation from stakeholders and

involvement partners assessing housing need and

demand for Uttlesford District.

The SHMA framework consists of an evidence base

and a process. The process included consultation and

involvement partners and stakeholders to develop a

housing market partnership (HMP). This process

enabled those involved to share and pool information,

intelligence and will help to ensure that SHMA findings

are regularly reviewed; assist in the analysis and

interpretation of housing market intelligence; and

consider the implications of the assessment.

The SHMA contributes to

local level planning by

developing an evidence base

for Local Development

Documents assisting with

production of Core Strategies.

Through developing an

understanding of the specific

housing requirements of

Utllesford, the Local Plan can

strive to deliver appropriate

and suitable accommodation

provisions for residents within

the District.

Great Chesterford This document is a feasibility study to examine what The proposed cycle route

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Cycle Route

Feasibility Study

(Essex Highways,

April 2014)

cycle infrastructure can be implemented for the village

of Great Chesterford. The primary purpose of this is to

connect Great Chesterford with the nearby village of

Littlebury and on to Saffron Walden to the south and

additionally to connect with any proposed cycle

network development in Cambridgeshire to the north.

The primary aims of any cycle network improvements

are as follows:

Improved Cycle and Pedestrian Safety by

providing safe routes between Great

Chesterford, Saffron Walden and

Cambridgeshire

Link schools – lack of footways and cycle

ways prevents non-motorised travel

particularly between Littlebury and Great

Chesterford.

Encourage leisure access to the countryside

by bike

Improve cycle links to Employment to reduce

dependency on car travel

would travel through

Uttlesford, increasing cycling

infrastructure in the District.

The local Plan should

incorporate this study into the

infrastructure development

plans in order to assess the

viability of the development as

well as examine the positive

and negative impacts.

Local Plan Highway

Impact Assessment

(Essex Highways,

March 2014)

This assessment examined the existing situation of

highway infrastructure in key locations of Uttlesford

and then assessed the implications of the additional

housing required for the Local Plan in highway terms

at key junctions and specific links. If areas of highways

were at risk of reduced efficiency and displayed an

inability to support the additional housing

developments, mitigation measures were identified

and evaluated as possible solutions.

Incorporating the findings of

this assessment into the Local

Plan would assist in the

identification of necessary

highway improvements to

accommodate additional road

users as well as considering

potential measures which

could diminish the impact on

highway efficiency.

Sites Viability

Assessment (BNP

Paribas Real Estate,

March 2014)

This report tests the economic viability of fourteen

major proposed developments in Uttlesford District

and their ability to meet planning policy requirements

of Uttlesford District Council. The study tests the

cumulative impact of the Council’s requirements, in

line with the requirements of the National Planning

Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Local Housing

Delivery Group guidance.

Economic viability is crucial to

the Local Plan’s ability to

deliver affordable housing

provisions to the population of

Uttlesford. The Local Plan

should include the figures

presented in this assessment

to ensure developments meet

the required parentage of

affordable housing outputs.

District’s Each Appraisal has identified a number of elements The Local Plan should

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conservation area

appraisals and

management plans

(between 2007-2015)

that detract from the relevant Conservation Area and

proposes a course of action. The aim of the appraisals

is then to execute the actions in order to protect and

preserve areas of natural significance through

mitigation measures.

incorporate the conservation

boundaries into the site

selection decision making

process. By achieving this,

any vulnerable areas of

significance can be protected

and development can occur

without degrading the natural

environment.

The Draft Great

Dunmow

Neighbourhood Plan

(and accompanying

SEA) (Plan

preparation ongoing)

The Great Dunmow Neighbourhood Plan proposes

the allocation of 500 additional houses across two

sites at ‘Land South of Stortford Road’ (400units) and

the ‘Helena Romanes School Site’ (100units). These

two sites are not planned for in the adopted Local Plan

(2005) and do not have planning permission.

The Plan has been developed through extensive

consultation with the people of Great Dunmow and

others with an interest in the town.

The Plan is for the parish as a whole and looks at a

wide range of issues, including:

How development should be laid out and

organised;

How connectivity can be incorporated within

the town and with the surrounding

countryside, and how walking and cycling can

be encouraged;

How the heritage assets of Great Dunmow

can be preserved and maintained;

What open spaces, play facilities and

community facilities are required;

How the parish can fulfil its stewardship of the

natural environment;

What sports’ facilities are required;

What infrastructure is required;

How healthcare and education provision will

meet the changing demand for their services.

Neighbourhoods plan should

support the strategic

development needs set out in

the Local Plan and plan

positively to support local

development. Through

addressing the development

and use of land,

neighbourhood planning can

inspire local people and

businesses to consider

innovative ways to improve

their neighbourhood. They

may identify specific action or

policies featured in the Local

Plan to deliver these

improvements. With Great

Dunmow being one of the

larger towns within Uttlesford,

the neighbourhood plan will

inform the Local Plan

accurately on the needs in

this area of the District.

Arkesden Parish

Plan (2009)

Ashdon Parish Plan

(2007)

Birchanger Parish

The Parish Plans set out a vision for the future of the

parish and identifies the actions needed to achieve

that vision. It is aimed specifically at rural parishes and

the challenges they face in maintaining viable and vital

communities and is part of the Government’s Rural

Cultural heritage and the build

historic environment are

fundamental elements of the

identity of Uttlesford. Parish

Plans inform the Local Plan

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Plan (2006)

Chrishall Parish Plan

(2007)

Farnham Parish Plan

(2014)

Felsted Parish Plan

(2014)

Great Chesterford

Parish Plan (2015)

Hadstock Parish Plan

(2007)

Littlebury Parish Plan

(2009)

Newport Village Plan

(2010)

Radwinter Parish

Plan 2007-2012

Stansted Parish Plan

(2011)

Wendens Ambo

Parish Plan (2012)

White Roding Parish

Plan (2009)

Strategy, published in July 2004.

The emphasis of this document is very much on

community planning, covering social, environmental

and economic issues, rather than on planning for

housing and development.

The main aims of the document are:

describe the unique make-up and character of

their village,

identify their needs and desires for

improvement and future development and

define a plan of action to achieve the

objectives identified.

by highlighting the distinct

areas needing to be

conserved and give an

indication of considerations to

align new developments with

the historic and cultural

qualities of the surrounding

built environment. Further to

this, social cohesion and

community well-being will

benefit if Parish Plans are

included in the Local Plan.

Great Canfield

Village Design

Statement (2010)

Great Dunmow Town

Design Statement

(2009)

Little Bardfield

Village Design

Statement (2009)

Thaxted Village

Design Statement

(2010)

Widdington Village

Design Statement

(2009)

The aim of the Town or Village Design Statements is

to make sure that the layout and design of new

development in Dunmow meets the highest standards

of design, complements the existing character and

results in a safe, attractive and rewarding environment

for all the community.

The character of the urban town or village is

determined through a detailed assessment of various

character areas within the town against a list of

characteristics e.g. main types of building and

materials, key features, trees, open space, floorscape,

signs, boundaries, building types, building height,

materials, roof, walls, and windows.


the character profiles of

existing buildings and

structures within Uttlesford in

order to ensure new

developments align with the

qualities and features of the

area. In this way,

developments from the Local

Plan would not compromise

the cultural heritage of

Uttlesford.

Place Services

Essex County Council

County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1QH

T: +44 (0)333 013 6840

E: [email protected]

www.placeservices.co.uk

June 2017