Policy Background Reports

Transcription

1 Supporting Document for Proposed Local Development Plan 2015 East Dunbartonshire Policy Background Reports Strategic Environmental Assessment: Environment Report Action Programme Habitats Regulations Appraisal Equality Impact Assessment Policy Background Reports Evidence Report 1: Addressing Housing Need and Demand in East Dunbartonshire Evidence Report 2: Housing Land Audit 2014 Evidence Report 3: Site Assessments Evidence Report 4: Campsie Fells Statement of Importance Evidence Report 5: Kilpatrick Hills Statement of Importance Evidence Report 6: Retail Capacity Assessment Evidence Report 7: Wind Energy Framework

2 Policy 1: Sustainable Economic Growth This Background Report sets out the evidence base which informs the policy included in the Proposed Plan. It does not aim to repeat information provided in other documents which have informed the plan, and these are referenced as relevant, but brings together the range of information that has been considered in producing the Proposed Plan policies. Summary of Evidence for Policy This section sets out the key documents which provide the evidence base for this policy. Monitoring Statement: sections on housing and mixed uses, town centres and retailing, and economic competitiveness. Main Issues Report: Key Principles Promoting sustainable economic growth, Encouraging regeneration by prioritising brownfield development over greenfield release and Addressing climate change challenges by promoting sustainable development. Also Main Issues 1. Where We Live and 2. Where We Earn Our Living are crucial to the implementation of this policy. Main Issues Report (MIR) Background Reports: 7 Business and Employment Land. MIR Consultation Report of Findings May 2014 pages 12-17, 21 and 22 Issue Reports 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Where we live, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Where we earn our living, 17, 18, 19, 19 and 20 Town Centre Regeneration Name of any Relevant Data Documents: -Business and Industrial Land Survey and Vacant and Derelict Land Survey, -Housing Needs and Demands Assessment Final Housing Needs and Demands Assessment 2015 (Emerging) -National Review of Town Centres (and Government Response) -Retail Capacity Assessment 2014 Policy Topics Covered This section lists the Local Plan 2 policies which are covered by this Proposed Plan policy and any additional new areas of policy not included in Local Plan 2. Relevant Local Plan 2 Policies SPD1 Sustainable Growth New Area of Policy The Government Economic Strategy has added a new area of focus by including the transition to a Low Carbon Economy. East Dunbartonshire Economic Development Strategy What is the Policy Contributing to the Council s Vision? This section sets out how the policy will contribute to the delivery of the Council s and Community Planning Partners vision, which is set out in its Single Outcome Agreement, and the Strategic Development Plan vision.

3 The SOA sets out a series of strategic outcomes, including East Dunbartonshire has an expanding economy with a competitive and diverse business and retail base which is of relevance to this policy. The SOA also seeks to ensure that our communities are sustainable and that residents are equipped to take advantage of the opportunities generated. Supporting Sustainable Economic Growth through including this policy in the LDP will allow the Council to generate an expanding economy, develop a low-carbon economy in East Dunbartonshire, ensure employment opportunities and create a high quality environment which benefits communities health and social opportunities. In order to achieve this we need to ensure that there is an adequate supply of suitable land to support various uses that will ensure that the economy within East Dunbartonshire can grow and thrive. This policy seeks to support that outcome by ensuring a presumption in favour of sustainable economic growth in order to support policies elsewhere in the Local Development Plan which: ensure that an appropriate supply of land is available in order to facilitate the location and growth of businesses within the area; facilitate house building to ensure that we can contribute towards local housing need; encourage the growth of tourism; and support a refreshed role for our town centres. The LDP also seeks to ensure that these sites are well connected, have good public transport links and focus on promotion of those sectors identified by the Scottish Government as growth areas. Glasgow & Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan (2012) Vision The SDP lays out a vision that seeks an alternative economic future for the city-region, which is focussed on a rebalanced economic scenario. Sustainable economic growth must mean that we are supporting the provision of work within the local area, and thus reducing the need for out commuting. The rebalancing of the economy, must seek to support those sectors which are identified as growth areas by the Scottish Government. These include life sciences, tourism, financial and business services, food and drink, and energy. In addition the adapting of our town centres will ensure they can maintain their position as the hearts of our communities, but this must mean a more diverse purpose than simply retail use. To support all of this East Dunbartonshire also needs to contribute towards local housing need and ageing population. This requires the building of affordable houses within the area. Monitoring Statement Information This section sets out the key conclusions of the Monitoring Statement published in 2013 in relation to the Local Plan 2 Policy Analysis Table. The Monitoring Statement was published in 2013 and largely based on 2012 data. Therefore this section also summarises any key changes to this data that has been considered in producing this policy. Summary of Monitoring Statement LP2 Policy Analysis Table SPD 1 Sustainable Growth - The Monitoring Statement indicates that this policy has proved useful and should be retained. However, to bring it more clearly into line with the core purpose expressed by the Scottish Government and the aspirations expressed in both the GCVSDP and the East Dunbartonshire CPP s Single Outcome Agreement the wording has been modified to become Sustainable Economic Growth. Summary of Key Updates to the Monitoring Statement Since the gathering of the data in 2012, the Council and its Community Planning Partners have published an agreed Economic Development Strategy (2013) for the area and have begun monitoring its progress. This has an overarching purpose: To create more high quality jobs for the

4 area by focussing on business creation and growth and the delivery of balanced communities with enhanced infrastructure and services. It seeks to achieve this through the pursuit of three strategic priorities and a series of actions by the partners. The Council has also published a Local Transport Strategy (2013) which impacts on this policy area and which has as one of its objectives: Enhancing the accessibility of services, facilities and businesses in East Dunbartonshire, which promotes social inclusion In addition it has a further objective of: Developing a transport network that supports both the local and wider region through delivering sustainable economic growth and travel, while conserving and enhancing the natural and historic environment where possible. SG Response to Town Centre Action Plan published November 2013 accepted a range of recommendations from its expert group and set out a series of actions to firstly support the principle that public sector bodies should put our town centres at the heart of decision making processes. This included the proposal that more housing in town centres should be encouraged. In addition in the Council has produced a Masterplan for Kirkintilloch (2013). Main Issues Report 2013 Consultation Findings This section includes a summary of the consultation findings from the MIR Report of Findings published in May 2014 of relevance to this policy. The MIR contains a set of key principles which were aimed at guiding the development of the Local Development Plan. Sustainable Economic Growth was one of these principles. The MIR stated that: Achieving sustainable economic growth requires a planning system that enables the development of growth enhancing activities across Scotland and protects and enhances the quality of the natural and built environment as an asset for growth. A majority of responses (55%) supported this principle. A range of comments in support of the principle were received, including: Support the key principles, particularly sustainable economic growth. This will guide and realise the Council s vision for East Dunbartonshire and reflects the policy in GCVSDP; and Support development which promotes sustainable economic growth A total of 25 less favourable comments were received and these included: Environmental designations such as Green Belt need to support sustainable economic growth and therefore need to be flexible to help meet the housing needs of communities. The MIR also considered a range of other policy areas which relate to this policy. These are summarised below, however more detail can be found in the relevant Policy Background Reports. On the issue of Town Centres and retailing 98% of those who responded indicated support for a new approach to town centres, given the attractions of out of town retailing and also new patterns of shopping. A diversification of uses and a town centre first approach were seen as crucial to the regeneration of our towns. In addition, more than 90% of those responding indicated a need for an individually tailored approach to each town centre. Respondents were asked to comment on whether they agreed that a range and choice of business development opportunities should be safeguarded in order to regenerate East Dunbartonshire s economy and provide local jobs. In reply to this question there were a total of 72 respondents, 82% of whom supported the preferred option. More than three quarters of respondents agreed that there was a need for promotion and provision

5 of sustainable transport links to new and existing developments. 80% of respondents felt that priority should be given to those sites which could be sustainably accessed. The development of rail facilities at both Woodilee and Westerhill was mentioned by a small number of respondents. More than 78% of those who responded indicated support for the travel priorities in the MIR, with a similarly high percentage indicating that support should be given to sites which can be sustainably accessed. There were 101 responses to the Councils proposed methodology for the housing land requirement. Of these responses 25 were in favour, 9 were neutral and 67 disagreed with the methodology proposed. Of those disagreeing 25 thought the numbers produced were too low and 29 thought they were too high. Why is the Policy Needed, What is the Evidence, What are the Drivers? This section is meant to summarise the key reasons why the policy is needed and so will draw on the info above. It sets out strategic and/or local reasons. National The Scottish Government s central purpose is sustainable economic growth as laid out in the Economic Strategy. The National Planning Framework is the spatial dimension of that purpose and seeks to provide a framework that ensures each part of the country plays to its strengths. Ensuring that we have the sort of physical and social infrastructure a variety of economic opportunities a stimulating environment, amenities for a wide range of lifestyles, and good connections to other high quality places is the purpose of this Policy. NPF 3 recognizes the importance of our environment as part of our cultural identity, an essential contributor to well-being and an economic opportunity. East Dunbartonshire s excellent environment is something that makes the area attractive both as a place to live and work and, as such, needs to be supported as a means of generating sustainable economic growth in the area. Therefore decisions on development proposals, within the area, need to give proper weight to economic benefits but should not support proposals regardless of their impact on the quality of the environment, which is itself a reason for both people and businesses to be here. Scottish Planning Policy reflects this. SPP indicates that planning should Play a key role in facilitating sustainable economic growth, particularly the creation of new jobs and the strengthening of economic capacity and resilience within communities; It goes on to say that The planning system should support economically, environmentally and socially sustainable places by enabling development that balances the costs and benefits of a proposal over the longer term. In order to create sustainable places policies should be guided by the following principles: giving due weight to net economic benefit; responding to economic issues, challenges and opportunities as outlined in local economic strategies; supporting good design and the six qualities of successful places; making efficient use of existing capacities of land, buildings and infrastructure including supporting town centre and regeneration priorities; supporting delivery of accessible housing, business, retailing and leisure development; supporting delivery of infrastructure, for example transport, education, energy, digital and water; supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation including taking account of flood risk;

6 improving health and well-being by offering opportunities for social interaction and physical activity, including sport and recreation; having regard to the principles for sustainable land use set out in the Land Use Strategy; protecting, enhancing and promoting access to cultural heritage, including the historic environment; protecting, enhancing and promoting access to natural heritage, including green infrastructure, landscape and the wider environment; reducing waste, facilitating its management and promoting resource recovery; and avoiding over-development, protecting the amenity of new and existing development and considering the implications of development for water, air and soil quality. This policy seeks to act in concert with the approach in SPP, by encouraging economic growth within a framework that does not compromise the environment, ensuring that efficient use is made of land and buildings, reducing unnecessary travel as well as encouraging the use of public transport and increased active travel, directing housing, business and community uses to the appropriate places and supporting the renewal and regeneration of our town centres. Scottish Government Low Carbon Economic Strategy: Identifies 60,000 new jobs in the green, low carbon sector, particularly in the Glasgow city region. It seeks the reduction of carbon emissions and the exploitation of low carbon building technologies through all phases of the building process. It goes on to promote measures which reduce the need to travel and facilitate travel by public transport and active travel measures. It looks to encourage industry to develop sustainable practices that promote economic growth and protect the environment by efficient resource use and minimising waste and pollution. This policy and the associated subject policies seek to support the government s approach by supporting development in the key sectors, reducing unnecessary travel, encouraging the design and development of long-life buildings and infrastructure and the retro fit of existing buildings and the direction of developments to brownfield rather than greenfield sites. Regional The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan: supports the government s ambitions for job creation in a rebalanced, low carbon economy. The SDP, through its spatial vision and Sustainable Development Strategy, aims to support that focus and takes the rebalanced scenario as its economic future to support demographic growth. It seeks development in sustainable locations, using recycled land. The SDP adopts a high migration projection as its demographic target. Its Spatial Vision to 2035 aims for key locations to be accessed by a network of sustainable transport, driving the regional low carbon economy. This policy seeks to contribute to that vision by ensuring that sufficient quality and quantity of land is set aside for a range of uses. Local The Single Outcome Agreement has an aim that East Dunbartonshire has an expanding economy with a competitive and diverse business base. It further seeks to ensure that our communities are equipped to take advantage of the opportunities generated. In order to generate this expanding economy we need to ensure that there is an adequate supply of suitable land to support that growing and diversifying business base as well as for other uses, particularly housing. In addition we need to promote an active travel approach and support modal shift to increase the use of public transport. This policy seeks to give that assurance by ensuring an adequate supply of land for this range of uses, which does not damage the environment, for current residents or future generations.

7 An Economic Development Strategy has been agreed and sets out an overall purpose that aims: To create more high quality jobs for the area by focussing on business creation and growth and the delivery of balanced communities with enhanced infrastructure and services. The Strategy has three Strategic Priorities: Support the growth of East Dunbartonshire s competitive and diverse business base; Support the development, diversification and growth of the town and village centres within East Dunbartonshire and capitalise on the area s tourist, leisure and natural attractions; Ensure that the key enablers of the economy are in place to support business to aid economic recovery and growth and economic prosperity providing access to employment opportunities for East Dunbartonshire s workforce, particularly our young people. Part of the mechanism for delivering the purpose and priorities must be a supply of suitable business land, well situated and with good external links. This will eventually help to ensure that East Dunbartonshire continues to be seen as an attractive location for doing business, and that businesses can grow sustainably, taking advantage of a flexible policy framework. It also looks to develop and regenerate our Town Centres and support the need for the area to make a contribution to meeting the supply of affordable housing. How Will the Policy Achieve This? This section identifies the key objectives for the policy. This policy will look to promote sustainable economic growth, by providing a basis for ensuring that proposals for development are judged on whether they: support population and employment growth, by protecting sites allocated for those purposes which are well connected by public transport and active travel; prioritise the use of brownfield over greenbelt land, support a refreshed role for our town centres; bring back into use vacant or derelict land; and encourage the re-use of existing buildings where this is appropriate The policy aims to provide protection for a supply of sites for various sorts of development, which are of the right quality, well connected by public transport and in the right places to encourage the types of development required for the policies and strategies which it supports, including the Economic Strategy, HNDA, NPF, SDP and Single Outcome Agreement and more locally the Single Outcome Agreement and the Economic Development strategy. The Action Programme which will accompany the LDP should be used to ensure that the sites can be developed. This should be reviewed every two years. Sites which remain undelivered following the Action Programme should be re-considered through the MIR for LDP2. The LDP should include a policy to ensure that there is an adequate supply of attractive sites in each of East Dunbartonshire s main communities. The development criteria for these sites should include the Council s revised design principles and accord with good placemaking principles. The new policy should also make specific provision for green sector investment, in order to actively contribute towards the Scottish Government s core purpose, its low carbon agenda, and also the rebalanced scenario envisaged by the SDP.

8 Climate Change Assessment This section assesses how the policy will deliver on climate change legislation and obligations. All Scottish local authorities signed Scotland's Climate Change Declaration committing them to tackling climate change at a local level. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, with an interim target of reducing emissions by at least 42% by Annual greenhouse gas emission targets are set in secondary legislation. Section 44 of the Act places a duty on every public body to act: - in the way best calculated to contribute to the delivery of emissions targets in the Act; - in the way best calculated to help deliver the Scottish Government s climate change adaptation programme; and - in a way that it considers is most sustainable. Para 42 of SPP states: the need to help mitigate the causes of climate change and the need to adapt to its short and long term impacts should be taken into account in all decisions throughout the planning system. Climate Change Requirements In order to achieve sustainable economic growth, planning policy needs to support the government s low carbon economy policy and feed into the sustainable communities spatial framework in the SDP. Mitigation Efforts to mitigate against climate change will be supported by this policy, through: the requirement for using sustainable materials and methods; through the prioritisation of re-use of brownfield land over greenfield sites; the re-use of existing buildings (including consideration of energy efficiency); the remediation of vacant or derelict land; supporting developments in housing, business, retail and leisure, which are accessible sustainably, the development of digital infrastructure which can support more business being done on line and the increase of remote working. Adaptation The policy supports sustainable economic growth that allows for flexible patterns of development that are adaptable to the land use implications of climate change.

9 SEA Policy Assessment This section provides a summary of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) findings relevant to this policy. Alternative Policy Options Policy Option Principal Policy 1 Sustainable Economic Growth Policy Option Description Proposed Plan Preferred Option High Growth A high growth policy approach in the context of East Dunbartonshire would give primacy to economic growth over environmental protection. While it would encourage the use of brownfield sites for a range of uses it would also require the additional allocation of land in order to encourage growth in both population and local employment. Sustainable Economic Growth Priority for Environmental Protection The SOA for East Dunbartonshire identifies generating economic growth and recovery as one of the main challenges in the area. This policy approach would seek to encourage the remediation of vacant or derelict sites and encourage the town centre first principle for all developments. Developments would only be allowed on sites which can be sustainably accessed by public transport and active travel. Re-use of existing buildings would be encouraged where this is appropriate. The use of sustainable methods and materials for building would be supported. Environmental protection would be given primacy. Developments would only be allowed on brownfield land. Economic Growth would not be an overt aim of this policy. The policy is likely to result in less economic growth and as such will not meet the aim of the SOA to reduce the reliance of the area on the surrounding economy for employment opportunities.

10 Policy Options Assessment Assessment Table Guide SEA Preferred Option = Proposed Plan Alternative Option = X Impact Key: Compatible = Incompatible = X Neutral = Uncertain =? SEA Objectives: 1 = To improve human health and community wellbeing. 2 = To protect, conserve and where appropriate enhance the historic environment. 3 = To protect, enhance, create and where necessary restore biodiversity and encourage habitat connectivity. 4 = To protect and where appropriate use high quality and sensitive soils in a sustainable manner and conserve recognised geodiversity assets. 5 = To protect and enhance landscape character, local distinctiveness and scenic value. 6 = To prevent deterioration and where possible enhance the ecological status of water bodies. 7 = To prevent deterioration and where possible enhance air quality. 8 = To contribute towards the reduction of Scottish greenhouse gas outputs in line with government targets. 9 = To reduce and manage flood risk from and to development areas. 10 = To promote sustainable use of natural resources and material assets.

11 Policy Assessment Table 1 Principal Policy 1 Sustainable SEA Objectives Economic Growth High Growth X X X X X Sustainable Economic Growth Environmental Assessment Looks to promote economic growth without taking cognisance of the direct or indirect environmental impact. Potential to remediate contaminated land. Anticipated loss of some agricultural land and pressure on environmental resources. Has potential to require allocation of sites within the greenbelt. Increased pressure on existing resources e.g. sewage treatment works, but high level of growth may justify improvements in existing infrastructure. Potential loss of areas of recreational and amenity value. Adverse impact on landscape character, settlement distinctiveness and community identity. Development opportunities will be balanced, and sustainable patterns of development should protect the wider environment in the longer term. Short term effects will vary according to the level of growth. There is scope for this policy option to provide a greater emphasis on achieving environmental sustainability, through the reuse of buildings and of brownfield land and the deployment of

12 Priority for Local Environmental protection X X X sustainable construction methods and materials used in building projects. This policy approach would prioritise environmental protection in all circumstances. Potential displacement may lead to transfer of environmental impacts to another area, rather than avoidance of impacts altogether. Population decline likely as a result of restrictive development policy. Decline in population could result in decline in services, availability of local jobs and facilities provided locally, potentially leading to increase in need to travel and associated environmental impacts on air quality, noise and dust. May be missed opportunities for environmental enhancement associated with new developments. Would allow growth of biodiversity network, and offer high level of protection to environment at a local level.

13 Risk Assessment This section provides a risk assessment of the policy. Risks Resulting from Implementing the Policy Allocating land for particular uses means that we exclude other uses on those sites. This would limit the land available for alternative uses and, where there is lack of demand from developers, could result in development stalling on those issues. Risks Resulting from Not Having the Policy The SOA makes clear that economic growth remains one of the main challenges in the area. It says that more needs to be done to encourage economic development within East Dunbartonshire to reduce the reliance on the surrounding economy for employment opportunities. If we did not allocate sufficient land to promote sustainable economic growth then East Dunbartonshire runs the risk not having sufficient land available to support various kinds of development, including allowing companies to locate and grow here, which will generate the increase in jobs required; provision of local services, or housing land to contribute towards local needs. Failure to do so would mean that the present pattern of high out-commuting would continue and potentially get worse and that social inclusion would be impacted as people would have reduced ability to access services. However over allocation would also be a risk, towards the failure to contribute towards the compact city model as required by the SDP. By not having a clear policy direction, it is also likely to be much more difficult to guide development to the most sustainable locations. This will inevitably impact upon the regeneration of underperforming areas and in the long term lead to the continued blight on both the urban and rural landscape. It is also likely that there will be an insufficient policy framework in place for protecting and enhancing the natural environment. Ways to Limit Risk Ensure that a sufficient supply of land is allocated to the various uses to allow sustainable economic growth to take place. It will be important to ensure that key sites are protected for specific uses, but recognise that some degree of flexibility, might actually promote development. Options for mixed use developments should be encouraged Council should look at having an infrastructure investment plan to promote available sites which are not being taken up for the proposed uses. Equalities Impact Assessment This section provides an Equality Impact Assessment of the policy. There are no obvious undesirable outcomes, from having this policy, which would affect specific equalities groups. The promotion of sustainable economic growth is being pursued with the aim of increasing the employment opportunities for local people, by ensuring appropriate development of all types and in that sense may have a beneficial result for all of these groups. Policy Wording This section sets out the Proposed Plan policy, including any hooks to Supplementary Guidance.

14 The Council wishes to encourage sustainable economic growth within the area, maintaining a good quality of life and directing appropriate development to the most sustainable locations and allowing people to make sustainable choices. Sustainable economic growth in East Dunbartonshire should facilitate an expanding economy, permanent employment opportunities and balanced communities with a high quality environment within which people can live, work, and access services without compromising the environment for future generations. Sustainable growth will deliver reduced inequality while at the same time reducing emissions and respecting the high quality environment of the area. The policies elsewhere in this plan and their associated land allocations ensure that sustainable economic growth can be delivered. All proposals should support sustainable economic growth by ensuring: *The utilisation of brownfield over greenfield land. *The town centre first principle for developments, particularly where these have a high footfall. Only after it can be reliably demonstrated that no town centre or edge of centre location is suitable and/or available, mixed use developments, will be directed wherever possible, to locations adjacent to existing settlements. *The remediation of vacant or derelict land. *Provision of affordable housing to contribute towards community need. *Development only on those sites which can be accessed sustainably and can contribute to the development of an active travel network. *Provision of permanent employment opportunities through development of business and employment sites. *The development of key sectors such as finance and business services, tourism and green energy. *The re-use of existing buildings for new purposes where appropriate. *The use of sustainable methods and materials in construction to support a low-carbon economy. Sites Required to Deliver this Policy This section lists the sites that are required to deliver this policy, including both sites from Local Plan 2 and new allocations considered through the Main Issues Report. It also explains how they will deliver the policy. This policy is an overarching principle policy and whilst a range of sites are required to deliver sustainable economic growth these sites are listed alongside other policies. Supplementary Guidance This section lists existing Local Plan 2 Planning Guidance Notes of relevance to the policy, the Supplementary Guidance that will be produced to accompany the policy and an explanation of the broad content of this Guidance. Please note that the timetable for the production of the guidance will be set out in the Action Programme and its content will be subject to further refinement during its production. Existing Local Plan 2 Guidance Notes of Relevance Working from Home Supplementary/Planning Guidance No requirement identified. Monitoring the Policy This section provides a list of indicators which will be considered in developing the Monitoring Statement relating to this Local Development Plan.

15 Employment by Industry data within East Dunbartonshire East Dunbartonshire Economic Activity Levels Percentage increase of working age people in employment Percentage increase in the total number of VAT registered businesses Change in the level of commuting independence Re-use of vacant and/or derelict land Increase in job density Additional business and commercial floorspace developed Proposals for developing business land/property Approvals of business space development Town centre vacancy rates Town centre footfall levels House building levels Tourism figures including visitor numbers and spend Actions for Action Programme This section provides information on the actions required to deliver this policy which are included in the Action Programme. Monitoring of employment land through an Employment Land Audit to ensure there is a minimum 5 year supply of effective land for employment uses. Monitor uptake of brownfield land including vacant and derelict land. Monitor the development of key sectors such as finance and business services, tourism and green energy.

16 Policy 2: Design & Placemaking This Background Report sets out the evidence base which informs the policy included in the Proposed Plan. It does not aim to repeat information provided in other documents which have informed the plan, and these are referenced as relevant, but brings together the range of information that has been considered in producing the Proposed Plan policies. Summary of Evidence for Policy This section sets out the key documents which provide the evidence base for this policy. Monitoring Statement, Design Quality section Main Issues Report, page 13 MIR Consultation Findings Creating Places Designing Streets Placemaking: Sharing Innovation in Urban Life Policy Topics Covered This section lists the Local Plan 2 policies which are covered by this Proposed Plan policy and any additional new areas of policy not included in Local Plan 2. Relevant LP2 Policies DQ1 Assessing Proposed Uses part (a) DQ2 Ensuring Design Quality parts (a) (c) (e) (k) DQ2A New Site Developments and Redevelopments DQ2B House Extensions DQ2C Advertisements DQ3 Assessment of Impact parts (2) (3) (5) New Area of Policy Light pollution is an issue that has been raised on a number of occasions since adoption of the Local Plan 2, due to its effect on amenity. This could be addressed within the Placemaking policy or Supplementary Guidance. What is the Policy Contributing to the Council s Vision? This section sets out how the policy will contribute to the delivery of the Council s and Community Planning Partners vision, which is set out in its Single Outcome Agreement, and the Strategic Development Plan vision. East Dunbartonshire Community Planning Partnership, Single Outcome Agreement In terms of the new SOA priorities, the placemaking policy will make a significant contribution to safer and stronger communities, by ensuring the implementation of high quality developments and well-designed places. This will help to increase the sense of place and wellbeing within communities. A policy on placemaking could also help to encourage economic recovery and growth by providing a more attractive built environment for potential investors and new businesses. The new policy also takes forward the MIR principle of ensuring good design and a strong sense of place. It will place good design and placemaking principles at the heart of the development strategy

17 for East Dunbartonshire, which will ultimately help to create stronger communities with an improved sense of identity, a more accessible built environmental and improved quality of life for both visitors and residents. Glasgow & Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan, 2012, Vision The Strategic Development Plan emphasises the importance of supporting a high quality urban fabric as part of its spatial vision to In particular it highlights the need to regenerate run down and excluded communities, with a focus on healthy urban planning. It cites the Clyde Gateway as providing the model for a regeneration programme. The new policy will give greater prominence to the importance of good design in improving the urban fabric and tackling social exclusion in the long term. It will also help to create a greater awareness of the benefits of good planning on human health in comparison with the LP2. Monitoring Statement Information This section sets out the key conclusions of the Monitoring Statement published in 2013 in relation to the Local Plan 2 Policy Analysis Table. The Monitoring Statement was published in 2013 and largely based on 2012 data. Therefore this section also summarises any key changes to this data that has been considered in producing this policy. Summary of Monitoring Statement LP2 Policy Analysis Table DQ 1 Assessing Proposed Uses The principle of protecting amenity and character should be retained in some form. However, there are a number of instances of duplication within other parts of the policy (b) (c) and (d). For example, the impact on open space, ecology, landscape character, natural diversity and business & employment land is addressed by other more specific policies. DQ 2 Ensuring Design Quality - Could be improved by making reference to the need for site water management and the need to minimise the excavation of peat. Criteria (f), (h) & (i) could be deleted as these aspect are addressed under the policy relating to Water Environment & Drainage. Would benefit from referring to the need for applicants to make provision for the storage and collection of waste, with further detail potentially set out in supplementary guidance. This would include encouraging applicants to deal with general development site waste management. DQ2A New Site Developments and Redevelopments - There is a need to identify the types of development the guidance notes apply to. Could be merged with Policy DQ1. DQ2B House Extensions There is a need to identify the types of development the guidance notes apply to. Could be merged with Policy DQ1. DQ2C Advertisements This is a useful policy and is essential in the assessment of advertisement related applications which are relatively common. DQ3 Assessment of Impact (2) (3) (5) The need for any assessments should instead be set out in the relevant topic policies which should specifically identify what impacts should be addressed. Summary of Key Updates to the Monitoring Statement The Designing Places national policy document has been superseded by the new SPP (June 2014), along with the new Creating Places policy document which was published in June However, the overall principles have been retained, including the six key qualities that make successful places.

18 In addition, the NPF3 has been published (June 2014) and places more emphasis on the importance of placemaking in improving overall quality of life. Main Issues Report 2013 Consultation Findings This section includes a summary of the consultation findings from the MIR Report of Findings published in May 2014 of relevance to this policy. One of the five Key Principles identified within the MIR was ensuring good design and a strong sense of place. Responses relating to this key principle, under the Commitments and Key Principles Schedule 4, were generally supportive, particularly in relation to town centres where it was felt that good design and placemaking is critical to their success and regeneration. A number of responses also highlighted the importance of ensuring good design of rural housing that is in keeping with its surroundings and the landscape in general. Finally, it was noted that green infrastructure and green networks can play an important role in achieving sustainable design and good placemaking. Why is the Policy Needed, What is the Evidence, What are the Drivers? This section summarises the key reasons for including this policy in the Proposed Plan. Strategic NPF The NPF 3 emphasises the importance of place to a modern knowledge economy. Well qualified, creative people are attracted to places which offer a variety of economic opportunities, a stimulating environment, amenities for a wide range of lifestyles and good connections to other high quality places. Successful places are seen as having strong, positive identities. The environmental quality, built heritage and cultural life of Scotland s urban areas are therefore strong economic assets and planning policies must place emphasis on supporting and enhancing them. Planning can ensure it enhances quality of life, through good placemaking and lead a move towards new, lower carbon models of urban living. A Policy on Architecture and Placemaking in Scotland Aims to put placemaking at the heart of planning policy. Recognises that distinctive, high quality places and high quality buildings are vitally important to the social, environmental and economic success of our cities, towns and rural communities. SPP One of the principal policies of the SPP is Placemaking, which states that the purpose of the planning system is to create better places. Planning should take every opportunity to create high quality places by taking a design led approach at all levels. Planning should also direct the right development to the right place and support development that is designed to a high quality, which demonstrates the six qualities of successful place. LDPs are therefore required to contribute to high quality places by setting out how they will embed a design led approach. This should include referring to the six qualities of successful places, harness the knowledge of communities and specifying when design tools should be used. SDP Although the SDP does not have a specific placemaking policy, it does outline the need for high quality proposals which are compatible with the Spatial Development Strategy. The quality of the urban fabric is one of the five key components of the Spatial Vision to The SDP emphasises the importance of developing land in a way that will attract economic activity, talented

19 people and key investors. It is also important that places are renewed based upon passive carbon neutral and energy efficient building standards. Designing Places Forms part of the Scottish Government s suite of national planning policy documents and encourages a greater commitment to higher standards of design among public bodies. It requires that development plans include effective design policies supplemented by urban design frameworks, development briefs, and master plans to provide planning and design guidance where necessary. In particular a plan must set out the council s policies on design and the physical form of development. Saying that the council is committed to good design, or that development should respect its context, is not enough. The plan must set out the council s distinctive vision for how its area will develop. It should summarise its appraisals of the most important features of the area s character and identity. The plan should also set out key design policies relating to issues that are particularly important locally, and to specific areas and sites where change is expected. It should explain how the planning process should deal with design, such as by specifying where urban design frameworks are needed and in what circumstances a development brief should be prepared. An effective plan will set out concisely the local authority s priorities in relation to design, leaving the detail to be provided in guidance documents. How Will the Policy Achieve This? This section identifies the key objectives for the policy The Policy should: * ensure that development puts the principles of good placemaking at the heart of the policy development strategy; * place a greater emphasis on the importance of green infrastructure by requiring more imaginative and creative design proposals. This could include a requirement that all new proposals incorporate the six qualities of successful places as set out in Creating Places (2013): Welcoming; Distinctive; Safe and Pleasant; Easy to Move Around; Resource Efficient; and Adaptable. It is envisaged that parts (d) (f) (h) (i) and (j) of Policy DQ2 (which relate to roads & transport and drainage) would be incorporated into other relevant policy areas. Note of LP2 Policy objectives to be included in Supplementary Guidance but no longer in the LDP policy: * Build on the design criteria set out in LP2 policy DQ2 parts (a), (c), (e), and (k). Criterion (b) could also be included to retain the important connection between place and historic environment. Climate Change Assessment This section assesses how the policy will deliver on climate change legislation and obligations. All Scottish local authorities signed Scotland's Climate Change Declaration committing them to tackling climate change at a local level. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, with an interim target of reducing emissions by at least 42% by Annual

20 greenhouse gas emission targets are set in secondary legislation. Section 44 of the Act places a duty on every public body to act: - in the way best calculated to contribute to the delivery of emissions targets in the Act; - in the way best calculated to help deliver the Scottish Government s climate change adaptation programme; and - in a way that it considers is most sustainable. Para 42 of SPP states: the need to help mitigate the causes of climate change and the need to adapt to its short and long term impacts should be taken into account in all decisions throughout the planning system. Climate Change Requirements Largely decarbonised heating for buildings by 2050, through reduced demand, energy efficiency, and renewable and low-carbon heating. Mitigation This policy will establish the Council s commitment to promoting sustainability and will have a central role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Most notably it will require more sustainable and energy efficient designs for all proposed developments. Specifically, the policy will help to reduce energy consumption and contribute towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in line with the commitment to reduce emissions by 42% by 2020 and 80% by It will also help to reduce car use by improving access for pedestrians and cyclists and creating better linkages with the public transport network. Adaptation This policy will be fundamental in terms of ensuring that all new development contributes towards a reduction in carbon emissions through the use of sustainable construction methods, materials and design considerations. This will include requirements relating to site layout and the orientation of new buildings to benefit from passive solar gain. The design process offers the opportunity to reduce emissions, maximise energy efficiency and climate resilience, and deliver buildings that are flexible over the long term. New buildings should be able to withstand extreme weather events, and existing buildings should be retrofitted to meet minimum standards where possible.

21 SEA Policy Assessment This section provides a summary of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) findings relevant to this policy. Alternative Policy Options Policy Option Principal Policy 2 Design & Placemaking Policy Option Description Proposed Plan Preferred Option Design led approach over a certain scale only Comprehensive design led approach to all forms of development Only take a design led approach to those developments over a certain size. This would mean that smaller developments, such as householder applications, would not be bound by the specific requirements of this policy and may reduce the number of barriers to development. Take a design led approach to all forms of development. Put high quality design at the heart of the decision making process. All proposals, regardless of scale or nature, must meet a number of principles in accordance with the placemaking approach set out in national policy.

22 Policy Options Assessment Assessment Table Guide SEA Preferred Option = Proposed Plan Alternative Option = X Impact Key: Compatible = Incompatible = X Neutral = Uncertain =? SEA Objectives: 1 = To improve human health and community wellbeing. 2 = To protect, conserve and where appropriate enhance the historic environment. 3 = To protect, enhance, create and where necessary restore biodiversity and encourage habitat connectivity. 4 = To protect and where appropriate use high quality and sensitive soils in a sustainable manner and conserve recognised geodiversity assets. 5 = To protect and enhance landscape character, local distinctiveness and scenic value. 6 = To prevent deterioration and where possible enhance the ecological status of water bodies. 7 = To prevent deterioration and where possible enhance air quality. 8 = To contribute towards the reduction of Scottish greenhouse gas outputs in line with government targets. 9 = To reduce and manage flood risk from and to development areas. 10 = To promote sustainable use of natural resources and material assets.