WINDFALL AND INFILL HOUSING

A50 The three market towns in West Lindsey and the urban area of Lincoln which falls in the District are considered as two separate categories. Gainsborough and the urban area of Lincoln are locations where the Council will focus the majority of new residential development. Gainsborough is the largest settlement in the District and the urban area of Lincoln falling within West Lindsey is for all intents and purposes part of the built footprint of the county’s only city. These locations have the widest range of life services to sustain residents without the need to travel. The smaller towns of Market Rasen and Caistor also have a wide range of life services to sustain residents but are smaller in scale, size and population. All the above locations act as a service centre for the residents of surrounding smaller settlements.

JUSTIFICATION

A51 The town of Gainsborough and the Urban Area of Lincoln are prime locations for residential housing development in West Lindsey. Proposals will need to re-use previously developed land in line with national sustainability objectives.

A52 It is important that any newly developed housing does not adversely affect the surrounding area, is sympathetically designed to be in keeping with the rest of the settlement and is of an appropriate scale for the area.

A53 No specific numbers regarding the size of developments is necessary in this policy; these are the prime areas expected to be developed.

A54 Because there is a need for affordable housing throughout the District, an element of affordable housing will be required in any new proposal in accordance with the targets and thresholds, and other criteria set out in Local Plan First Review Policy RES 6.

A55 It is essential to consider the cumulative effects of developments in the areas surrounding new proposals to ensure that the addition of new dwellings does not result in an over-intensification of development beyond the environmental capacity of that the settlement can reasonably sustain.

JUSTIFICATION

A56 It is appropriate to limit the number of dwellings permitted in Market Rasen (including Middle Rasen) and Caistor because these market towns are relatively small and would be sensitive to large-scale windfall developments that may come forward. However, the towns provide essential services and facilities for surrounding settlements making them sustainable locations in which to locate modest new residential developments.

A57 A figure of 20 dwellings maximum is considered to be appropriate for windfall proposals in these settlements, which have only some 2000 and 1100 existing dwellings in Market Rasen (including Middle Rasen) and Caistor respectively.

A58 Windfall proposals are expected to be small in scale. Generally the size of sites allocated in the Local Plan First Review is also relatively small. Where any site of a significant size is to be considered to offer potential for housing development, it has been included as an allocation in the Plan, therefore it is not anticipated that large scale windfall opportunities are likely to arise in these two market towns. To allow too high a level of windfall housing will undermine the housing strategy of the Local Plan First Review.

A59 It is important that any newly developed housing is not detrimental to the surrounding area, is sympathetically designed to be in keeping with the remainder of the settlement and in of an appropriate scale for the area.

A60 Because there is a need for affordable housing throughout the District, an element of affordable housing will be required in any new proposal in accordance with the targets and thresholds and other criteria set out in Local Plan First Review Policy RES 6.

A61 It is essential to consider the cumulative effects of developments in the areas surrounding new proposals to ensure that the addition of new dwellings does not result in an unacceptable over intensification of development beyond the capacity of that which the towns can reasonably sustain.

WINDFALL AND INFILL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN PRIMARY, SUBSIDIARY AND SMALL RURAL SETTLEMENTS

A62 The remainder of the settlements outside of the towns has undergone an assessment to establish which settlement category each should be included within. This assessment has taken account of three factors. These are:

· The services and facilities available in each settlement;

· The standard of public transport service to the nearest town or Lincoln;

· The proximity to the nearest town or Lincoln.

A63 Of these three factors the latter two are given significant importance, as the ability to be able to access the wider facilities already required to sustain life services by public transport or by foot/cycle is a key sustainability factor. These two factors were then also considered against the existence of services within the settlement. Full details are contained in Policy STRAT 3.

WINDFALL AND INFILL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN PRIMARY RURAL SETTLEMENTS

A64 Primary Rural Settlements are villages wherein limited small-scale residential development may be permitted in order to help sustain vital and viable rural communities. Villages in this category have been assessed in terms of facilities available within the settlement, the level of public transport service and accessibility to towns or urban areas. Any new housing development should be located in close proximity to services and facilities and/or be served by a good public transport system in order to ensure that sustainability goals are met. These settlements are considered to have scope to absorb some limited new development.

JUSTIFICATION

A65 The number of new dwellings considered to be appropriate will vary from village to village and be dependent on the size of the villages. Developments will need to cater for a range of house types, sizes and tenures. The design and layout of any new development will have to meet the criteria in Policy RES 2.

A66 Though these settlements have been placed in this category because of the range of services and facilities available to sustain the population, it must be established that there is the capacity to sustain the number of new residents who would move to the area before new development can take place.

A67 Proposals should not result in a detrimental impact on the surrounding development. The design of new dwellings should take account of the advice given in the Lincolnshire Design Guide for Residential Areas to ensure that they are in keeping with the surrounding buildings. Some open areas and gap sites significantly contribute to the character and appearance of the scene and settlement. Such important open spaces should be protected from development.

A68 In this policy the term ‘˜Limited-Small-Scale Development’ is envisaged as being proposals of up to 5 dwellings in most circumstances, though in exceptional circumstances may involve proposals in excess of 5 dwellings but normally less than 10 dwellings. An example of such exceptional circumstances would be where a larger development proposal is appropriate and necessary to ensure that previously developed land can economically be brought back into beneficial use.

WINDFALL AND INFILL HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN SUBSIDIARY RURAL SETTLEMENTS

A69 In these settlements the only new housing development which will be permitted is that which meets an identified local need and which constitutes an acceptable form of infilling.

 

JUSTIFICATION

A70 For the purpose of this policy “infill” is defined as a small gap site within an existing substantially built up road frontage within the settlement.

A71 Only development to meet an identified local or community need will be permitted. This policy is a baseline qualification against which the proposal needs to be assessed to prove that a local need exists and there is no alternative option to meet that local need. The application will also need to be considered against all other relevant planning policies. Only within the existing built up area will such infill development be allowed. An element of affordable housing may be required in new proposals.

A72 Infill development does not mean the linking of two separate built up areas within a settlement, separated by a significant gap, or the consolidation of an isolated group of buildings. It would generally be the infilling of a small gap within the existing substantially built uproad frontage. Proposals that extend the built footprint of the village into the surrounding open countryside will not be supported. Particular care will be taken in relation to edge of settlement locations where additional development can be highly intrusive.

A73 Development will only be permitted that will have no detrimental effect to the character and appearance of the locality. This includes the design of the development, which is an essential consideration, and should comply, with the Lincolnshire Design Guide for Residential Areas in order to ensure that it is in keeping with the surrounding settlement. It is also important to retain open space within the settlement, as it is essential for the visual and the leisure amenity of the settlement’s residents.

A74 Residential development in subsidiary rural settlements will only be permitted where the local facilities and services can support new residents. The existing services and facilities are highly unlikely to be able to support large-scale developments; in subsidiary rural settlements residents would need to travel to access them. This would not meet with sustainability goals, which aim to reduce the need to travel by the private car. Larger scale proposals could also cause a significant detrimental impact on the character of the settlement.

WINDFALL AND INFILL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN SMALL RURAL SETTLEMENTS

A75 Small Rural Settlements represent settlements where in principle no new building will be permitted except for individual proposals which meet a clearly defined local need or are affordable exceptions housing as defined in Policy RES 7 or an agricultural housing requirement as defined in Policy RES 10.

JUSTIFICATION

A76 Settlements in this category have very limited facilities and services and little or no public transport facilities. If new dwellings were built on an ad-hoc basis it is anticipated that they would not meet with sustainability goals due to the fact that people would always have to travel to access basic life facilities and services. Thus on the occasions when new dwellings are permitted they will be limited to that required to meet clearly defined local need in accordance with PPG3 (Housing) and emerging PPS3 (Housing). This limiting policy will also help to maintain the rural character of the small settlements in the District that could be easily spoilt by even a modest amount of new development.

A77 On the exceptional occasions where new housing is permitted in these small rural settlements, the design and location of the proposal must meet with the criteria set out elsewhere in this plan to lessen the detrimental impact on the settlement as a whole.

A78 Local Need is not defined clearly by PPG3 (Housing) or emerging PPS3 (Housing), so it is therefore for the Local Plan First Review to state a definition. The definition set out in this Policy tries to set out a reasonable level of connection with the village or locality that will ensure that proposals coming forward under this policy look to meet the needs of the existing local community, as opposed to catering for inward migration. This policy is formulated to enable those people with a strong connection to a particular settlement to remain living there when otherwise, under normal circumstances, they could not afford to. The onus is on the applicant to provide the evidence to demonstrate that they meet the criteria for the defined local need.

A79 An application for development to satisfy a ‘˜defined local need’ will, in the Development Appraisal accompanying it, identify the way in which the applicant meets with one of the criteria of this policy. This policy is a baseline qualification against which the proposal needs to be assessed to prove that a local need exists and there is no alternative option to meet that local need. The application will also need to be considered against all other relevant planning policies.

PHASING OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND THE RELEASE OF LAND

A80 Throughout the District it will be necessary to be selective regarding where and when to develop sites for residential dwellings. Focus, in relation to the release of land, especially for any large-scale proposals, will be placed on the most sustainable areas of the District.

A81 These locations can sustain new residential development on a scale relevant to their size and land has been allocated accordingly. The hierarchy of settlements places the remainder of the District’s settlements into categories depending on the level of services and facilities available and their overall accessibility. Land in the most sustainable locations will be prioritised for residential development in accordance with PPG3 (Housing), the policies of RSS8 and the spatial objectives of the Lincolnshire Structure Plan Review 2004. The use of previously developed land will also be prioritised in order to preserve greenfield sites and bring back ‘˜brownfield land’ into beneficial use.

JUSTIFICATION

A82 Priority will be given to previously developed sites in the most sustainable locations within the district over sites that are in locations deemed less sustainable and/or are greenfield sites. The Council defines the most sustainable locations as the Towns, the Urban Area of Lincoln and the Primary Rural Settlements in the order set out in Policies STRAT 4, 5 and 6.

A83 The application of this policy will take full account of the principles of the Plan, Monitor and Manage approach which involves the preparation of a Plan which is monitored for its effectiveness. Any changes which may be required are made during the management and review of the Plan. The Council publishes the Annual Monitoring Report as part of this it will monitor the take up of land and the levels of housing completions. It will also monitor the availability and take up of previously developed land in particular. This will be used to assess the timing and need in relation to the release of greenfield sites in order to sustain inward investment into the district. This Policy will apply equally to land committed by extant planning permissions where such permission is sought to be renewed.

LONGER TERM DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS

JUSTIFICATION

A84 The Lincoln Eastern by-pass is a key economic regeneration proposal for the City of Lincoln and its environs. The Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands is looking to strengthen the regional role of Lincoln and as such the City will be a key location for major development in the future. Given the long-term nature of the by- pass proposal it is logical to introduce longer term planning on a holistic basis associated with the by-pass.

A85 The land that becomes isolated between the by-pass and the edge of the City will come under pressure for development. The Council recognises that this pressure will occur and that the planning of the road needs to take this into account at an early stage. The land may be needed for a range of uses including housing, employment or transport related uses.

A86 The early release of this land cannot however be justified in terms of the level of housing allocation required. Also as a major greenfield site its release should be held back to allow for the re-development of the key previously developed sites within the City of Lincoln. It is anticipated that this site will not need to be released until towards the end of the Local Plan Firs Review period unless the strategic planning considerations change. The Council and its partners have commissioned a joint strategic planning framework for the Eastern Growth Corridor. Further work will be undertaken in the form of an Area Action Plan devised jointly by Lincoln City Council and West Lindsey.

A87 West Lindsey, North Kesteven, Lincoln City and Lincolnshire County Councils have taken a joint approach to the holistic planning required for the City of Lincoln and its environs. Major urban extensions are planned on the Western and Eastern sides of the City. Both of these growth corridors have major infrastructure requirements and need to be co-ordinated in terms of their release under the principles of Plan, Monitor and Manage. It is anticipated by all four Councils that the Western Growth Corridor site at Swanpool within the City of Lincoln and North Kesteven is the primary major growth site for Lincoln at this stage. Although its release may need to be delayed due to ongoing considerations.

A88 If problems arise in relation to the Swanpool site due to flood assessment or difficulties of infrastructure such as a new junction of the A46 by-pass, then the Lincoln Eastern Growth Corridor may need to be released earlier than anticipated. A land use study is underway in relation to the Eastern Growth Corridor; the Council will consider this further through the Area Action Plan process, or the emerging Sub Regional Strategy for the Lincoln Policy Area.

A88a The assessment of the development potential for the British Sugar site at Bardney will need to address all aspects of land assembly to bring the development proposal forward. This is likely to include the demolition requirements; contaminated land issues and consideration of potential for mixed uses and their type, size and scale. This significant site will offer major strategic longer term development opportunities, but is likely to require public intervention to bring forward.

RENEWAL OF EXISTING PLANNING PERMISSIONS

A89 In West Lindsey there are many sites which are indicated in the Local Plan First Review as commitments due to the fact that the site has the benefit of an extant planning permission. In many cases these sites would not have been included in the Local Plan First Review under the sustainability criteria used to allocate new land or to carry allocations forward if they did not benefit from permission. Therefore when renewals of such permissions are sought they should be considered afresh against the latest policy position set out in this Plan.

JUSTIFICATION

A90 This Local Plan First Review has seen a significant change in policy direction relating to housing development in line with the objectives of PPG3 (Housing). The Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands 2005 and the Lincolnshire Structure Plan Review 2004 has reduced the amount of housing land that is required across Lincolnshire and West Lindsey. As the District has an over supply of housing proposals it is only right that the most sustainable sites should be taken forward.

A91 The existing commitments when being renewed should be tested against the full policies of this plan to ensure that they are only renewed if they meet all the current planning criteria.

DEVELOPMENT IN THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE

A92 The Council has a number of aims regarding the countryside. These include the following:

· To achieve an acceptable balance between the needs of conservation and the demands of development.

· To encourage rural diversification.

· To try and ensure that no development causes permanent damage to the countryside.

· To protect the countryside for its own sake.

A93 In applying policies in the Local Plan First Review the Council considers that all land outside of the settlements listed specifically in Policy STRAT 3 should be treated as part of the ‘˜open countryside’. It is recognised that not all such land is undeveloped. It can have small settlements, scattered housing or other buildings on it.

A94 When considering development in the open countryside the Council will take account of other relevant policies in this Local Plan First Review.

A95 The County Council has development control responsibility for minerals and waste applications which may have an impact on the countryside. Such applications will be judged against the County Council’s Minerals Local Plan and Waste Local Plan.

JUSTIFICATION

A96 The Council believes that the open countryside should be conserved for the sake of its beauty, its diversity of landscape, its wealth of natural and agricultural resources, its biodiversity valueand maintaining its enjoyment its character gives. If development in the open countryside is not strictly controlled, it can quickly and easily have the effect of lessening its open and undeveloped character.

A97 Developments, which in isolation may appear to be acceptable, if repeated can have a cumulative effect, which will lead to sporadic but widespread development in the open countryside harmful to its character.

A98 There are occasions when development must take place in the open countryside. For example when it is the only possible location; or it is desirable for development to take place to diversify the rural economy and allow employment opportunities; or there is a need for recreational, housing or other forms of development to serve local communities.

A99 For the sake of clarity open countryside is defined as being the land that is not within the built footprint of the settlements listed in Policy STRAT 3.

A100 The built footprint is defined for the Towns, the Urban Area of Lincoln and the Primary Rural Settlements by the settlement boundary shown on the Inset Plans. For the Subsidiary and Small Rural Settlements no settlement boundary is shown. The assessment of what is either within the settlement or within the open countryside is a a subjective matter which needs to be considered on an individual case by case basis.

UNDEVELOPED BREAKS BETWEEN SETTLEMENTS AND GREEN WEDGES AROUND LINCOLN

A101 There are a number of settlements in West Lindsey which are very close neighbours. In view of pressures for development in the breaks between such neighbouring settlements, the Council is concerned that the individual and separate communities are not subject to coalescence which is harmful to the individuality of villages and their setting. Also some settlements close to the edge of the City of Lincoln need to be prevented from coalescing with the City.

JUSTIFICATION

A102 The Council will seek to ensure that existing settlements in West Lindsey retain their individual identities and qualities by resisting development pressures likely to result in villages and/or urban areas coalescing. Open areas between settlements are often under threat in this regard. These areas are often especially important to the character of the individual settlements and their setting, as they provide essential access to the countryside and nature for local people. These open areas also contribute to the wider nature conservation and biodiversity value of West Lindsey.

A103 Green Wedges have the specific purpose of protecting the historic setting of the City of Lincoln from inappropriate development on the urban fringes and to preserve links with the open countryside. Development, apart from in exceptional circumstances, will not be permitted on these areas of land as shown on the Proposals Map in line with the Lincolnshire Structure Plan Review 2004 and Local Plan First Review policies.

MIXED-USE ALLOCATIONS

A104 Mixed-use areas can help create vitality and diversity and reduce the need to travel.

Site	Location	Use
Bk(M)1	Officers’ Mess, Brookenby (2.42 Ha)	Low Density Housing around Village Green/Open Area (Housing element-15 dwgs)
Bk(M)4	Community Centre, Brookenby (1.72 Ha)	A1/A2/A3/D1/D2 Community Uses
BW(M)1	Southern Site, Burton Waters (31Ha)	Marina and Associated Housing Commercial and Leisure uses. (Housing element-350 dwgs)
BW(M)2	North-Eastern Site, Burton Waters (6.50 Ha)	Fishing Lake and Associated Leisure Uses
BW(M)3	North-Western Site, Burton Waters (15.25Ha)	Water Sports and Fishing Lakes and Associated Commercial Leisure Facilities, Touring Camping and Caravans, Chalets and Hotel.
G(M)1	Riverside Gainsborough (2.17Ha)	A3/B1/B2/C1/C3 D1/D2/Open Space (Housing element-150 dwgs)
G(M)3	Torr Street/ Beaumont Street, Gainsborough (0.80Ha)	A3/B1/C3/D2 (Housing element-14 dwgs)
G(M)4	Britannia Works, Gainsborough (3.80Ha)	A1/A3/B1/C1/D1/D2 Open Space/Community Uses
G(M)5	Carr Lane Bridge Street, Gainsborough (4.06Ha)	Water Basin Marina and Associated Housing, Commercial and Leisure Uses (Housing element-100 dwgs)
G(M)6	Cross Street, Gainsborough (0.35Ha)	B1/C1/C2/C3/D1/D2 Open Space/Car Parking (Housing element-6 dwgs).
Hp(M)1	Church Farm Harpswell (0.70Ha)	Bio-mass Renewable Energy Demonstration Project with the Conversion of Existing Buildings & Limited New Build into Live / Work Units
HC(M)1	Old Technical Pk Hemswell Cliff (12.53Ha)	A1/A2/A3/B1/B2/C2/ D2
MR(M)3	Union Street, Market Rasen (0.21Ha)	A1/A2/C2/C3 Open Space, Community Uses (Housing element-9 dwgs)
MR(M)4	Waterloo Street, Market Rasen (0.31Ha)	A1/A2/B1/C3 Servicing for Retail Properties on Queen Street (Housing element-15 dwgs)
MR(M)5	Linwood Road, Market Rasen (3.02Ha)	A1/A3/C1/C3/D1/D2/ Transport Interchange, Open space, Visitor Facilities (Housing element-5 dwgs)
PC(M)1	Pingley Camp (3.37Ha)	B1/C3 Low Density Housing (Housing element-10 dwgs)
U(M)1	Church Field Upton (0.94Ha)	Burial Ground, Open Space & Residential Development (Housing element-1 dwg)

JUSTIFICATION

A105 A mixture of uses will be permitted on the above sites in order to create diverse, viable and safe areas within the settlements of the District. The planning status of the following mixed use sites at 1/1/2003 (base date of the plan) was: BW(M)1: 207 dwellings; G(M)1: 59 dwellings and MR(M)5: 4 dwellings.

A106 Mixed-use developments are a vital element in creating sustainable development, particularly within the towns of the District. Many of the mixed-use areas are key locations where regeneration activity is required to improve the urban fabric and to breathe new life back into the area. In general terms the size of the sites will require a mixed-use scheme in order to work commercially and to create a viable development that will also contribute to the vitality of the wider town area.

A107 Other sites allocated under this policy outside of the market towns are locations where either community regeneration and development is urgently required or are locations where exciting new major development schemes are being created as part of the overall economic development of the District.

A108 Applications for single uses in these allocated areas will not be permitted unless they can be justified in terms of their overall contribution to the mixed-use development.

A109 The policy suggests the different types of uses that could be developed on each site. The list is not exhaustive and each proposal will be viewed on its own merits.

A110 Examples of the uses in each of the Use Classes defined in this policy are listed below. For a comprehensive definition of what types of development fall within each class refer to the Town and Country Planning Use Classes Order.

A1	Shops e.g. shops, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices, dry cleaners.
A2	Financial and Professional Services e.g. banks, building societies, estate and employment agencies.
A3	Restaurants and Cafés
A4	Drinking Establishments e.g. public houses and wine bars.
A5	Hot Food Take-away
B1	Business e.g. offices not within A2, research and development of products or processes, light industry.
B2	General Industrial
B8	Storage and Distribution
C1	Hotels including boarding and guest houses.
C2	Residential Institutions e.g. hospitals, nursing homes or residential schools, colleges or training centres
C3	Dwellings Houses
D1	Non-Residential Institutions e.g. Places of worship, church halls, clinics, health centres, day nurseries, museums, libraries, non-residential education and training centres.
D2	Assembly and Leisure e.g. cinemas, swimming baths.

Sui Generis (i.e. not in any of the above Use Classes) e.g. theatre, nightclub, amusement arcade, launderettes, petrol filling stations, motor car showrooms and casinos together with other uses.

NOTE: Policy STRAT 14 was developed before the recent alterations to the Use Classes Order therefore where the policy refers to A3 uses this did at the time also include drinking establishments and take-aways. Whether these uses, now known as A4 and A5, are acceptable will need to be judged on a case by case basis.  Â

EMPLOYMENT ALLOCATIONS

A111 A key aim of Central Government is to encourage continued economic development in a way which is compatible with environmental objectives.  By allocating specific sites in the Local Plan First Review for employment development, developers when wishing to invest in the District will be able to choose from a range of the most appropriate sites.

Site	Location	Area (ha)	Use Classes
B(E)1	Bardney Henry Lane	0.80	B1/B2/B8
Bt(E)1	Blyton Station Rd	0.43	B1/B2/B8
Bk(E)1	Brookenby Technical Park	11.80	B1/B2/B8
C(E)3	Caistor North Kelsey Rd	11.00	B1/B2/B8/A2
G(E)2	Gainsborough Heapham Rd	48.10	B1/B2/B8/A2
G(E)3	Gainsborough Foxby Lane	3.83	B1/A2
GL(E)1	Great Limber Grasby Lane	0.48	B1
HC(E)1	Hemswell Cliff North of A631	17.26	A2/B1/B2/B8
MR(E)1	Market Rasen Gallamore Lane	3.62	B1/B2/B8/A2
N(E)1	Nettleham Deepdale Lane	1.30	B1/B2/B8
N(E)2	Nettleham Lodge Lane	0.77	B1
Og(E)1	Osgodby Main Street	0.63	B1/B2/B8
S(E)1	Saxilby Enterprise Park	10.18	B1/B2/B8
Sr(E)2	Scotter Manton Road	0.77	B1/B2/B8
SS(E)1	Sturton by Stow Tillbridge Lane	2.61	B1/B2/B8
To(E)1Â Â Â Â	Torksey Main Street	2.48	B1/B2

JUSTIFICATION

A112 Gainsborough, Market Rasen and Caistor are well established employment centres with an existing industrial and commercial base.  They are relatively remote from other large urban areas, but are accessible for journey to work purposes from a wide rural hinterland and have a sizeable labour pool. Â

A113 Residential development growth will be aimed, in the most part, at the towns therefore there will be an increase in population, and thus the provision of local employment is of key importance to ensure there is ample opportunity for job creation.Â

A114 Employment land allocations in settlements other than the three principal towns are based on the size, function, character and circumstances of those settlements or historical commitments.  Many have a range of services and facilities which serve not only the settlement but an area surrounding them, therefore employment allocations are considered appropriate.

A115 A number of the employment sites allocated in the rural villages are based around existing employment activity. The expansion of employment activity will help to boost the rural economy, re-use previously developed land and create economies of scale by business clusters being established.

A116 The Council has purposely sought to allocate a range of employment sites both in terms of size, options for use and location to allow for choice. This is designed to allow for a better geographical spread of investment opportunities across the District.Â

A117 The use classes have been defined in the justification of Policy STRAT 14.

RETAIL ALLOCATIONS

A118 It is the firm intention of the Council that local retail facilities are provided in the village of Sudbrooke.

JUSTIFICATION

A119 Sudbrooke has poor retail provision.  The Council considers that Sudbrooke suffers from a lack of shops and services and requires a specific allocation of land to be made for the purpose of providing additional facilities.  This will have the benefit of safeguarding the land from other forms of development, will help create a village centre and give the settlement an economic and social focus which is vital in a settlement of its site.

RECREATIONAL AREA ALLOCATIONS

JUSTIFICATION

A120 Recreation facilities are increasingly regarded as not just desirable, but essential requirements of the local community.  They are important because they help contribute to community identity and the health and well-being of residents.   Finding available, suitable and well-located sites can be difficult. Â

A121 By allocating sites in the Local Plan First Review for the development of recreational facilities the land is protected from other development throughout the period of the Plan.  This will help to ensure the development of these essential recreational facilities as non-recreational uses will not be permitted on these sites unless it can be proven that suitable alternative sites can be provided for recreational use elsewhere within the locality.

A122 The sites identified do not necessarily require facilitating development to occur in order for them to be developed.  They have been identified as schemes that the local communities are already developing.  Allocating the land is the first step in allowing schemes to move forward.

ROADSIDE SERVICE AREAS

JUSTIFICATION

A123 Outside of the main towns, there is a general lack of purpose built roadside refreshment facilities in West Lindsey, which cater for the long or middle distance traveller. Often, such travellers do not wish to use facilities within towns, as they may be unfamiliar with the areas, and usually require quick access to services. Additional travel to services within towns may have adverse effects upon the environment, and the safety and quality of life for those living in the towns.

A124 However, the location of service areas outside of the towns also has consequences.  The character and quality of the locality/environment may be affected, especially before any proposed landscaping measures have reached their full effect.  The development of roadside service areas can introduce new large-scale activity into previously quiet areas of the countryside.

A125 The Council does not wish to encourage the development of too many sites for roadside services, as this may result in a detrimental effect on existing services within the towns and villages, especially in rural areas. Â

A126 In order to meet the need for roadside services whilst protecting the countryside, the Council considers that the location of Caenby Corner as being suitable for the development of such services.  The area which, in the view of the Council, would serve middle and long distance traffic, adjacent to a roundabout, joins two important routes within the District.  Providing that careful consideration is given to the design and landscaping of any proposal, development would not have a detrimental effect upon the character of the countryside.

A127 The Council wishes to ensure that the primary aim of these facilities is fulfilled.  Proposals should provide for a full range of demands to be met, including an environment which would allow drivers to relax and obtain access to refreshments and fuel, without having to unnecessarily enter the District’s towns or villages.

A128 Due to the usual scale and nature of roadside services, the Council will expect that proposals are sympathetically designed, a comprehensive landscaping scheme is implemented, and that the possible effects of night-time lighting within the countryside are minimised.  These measures will allow any new development to become an acceptable and unobtrusive element within the landscape.

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS

A129 The availability of infrastructure is a material consideration in planning terms.  The provision of infrastructure is important for development.  Infrastructure is taken to include community services such as education and health facilities as well as built elements such as roads, water supply and sewers.

JUSTIFICATION

A130 In PPS1 (Delivering Sustainable Development), PPG12 (Development Plans) and PPS12 (Local Development Frameworks) it is indicated that the availability of infrastructure is a material planning consideration in the regulation of development and use of land.  Following the granting of planning permission for development, it will be necessary for the new development to be serviced before it is available for use.  This has consequences for the providers of these services, in terms of their programmes of expansion and improvement work and could influence the timing of development.  When development proposals come forward the Council will liaise with the relevant bodies including the Health and Education Authorities to assess the impact of the proposals and where necessary and appropriate seek suitable contributions to services and facilities to meet the impacts caused by development. This policy will apply to all new development proposals.

SAFEGUARDING ALLOCATED SITES

A131 It is of fundamental importance to the Development Plan strategy that sufficient sites highlighted for development purposes can be completed in accordance with the Plan.  Self-evidently, development will not be able to take place if suitable sites are not available.

JUSTIFICATION

A132 Through the Local Plan First Review, the Council must seek to make adequate provision for development and allocate land for specific purposes.  It is fundamentally important to the development strategy in the Plan that an unnecessary reduction in the range and location of allocated sites is not permitted.

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