Planning in East Staffordshire

Role of Neighbourhood Plans

Neighbourhood Planning legislation requires Neighbourhood Development Plans to meet the following basic conditions: • have regard to national policies and advice • contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. • be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan for the area • be compatible with European Union (EU) and European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) obligations. For the purposes of meeting the basic condition, East Staffordshire Borough Council consider the following Local Plan policies to be strategic: • P1 – Principle of Sustainable Development • SP1 – East Staffordshire Approach to Sustainable Development • SP2 – Settlement Hierarchy • SP3 – Provision of Homes and Jobs 2012-2031 • SP4 – Distribution of Housing Growth 2012 - 2031 • SP5 – Distribution of Employment Growth 2012 – 2031 • SP8 – Development outside Settlement Boundaries • SP13 – Burton and Uttoxeter Existing Employment Land Policy • SP14 – Rural Economy • SP16 – Meeting Housing Needs • SP17 – Affordable Housing • SP18 – Residential Development on Exception Sites • SP20 – Town and Local Centres Hierarchy • SP32 - Outdoor sports and Open Space Neighbourhood Plans will be in general conformity with the relevant requirements set out in the strategic policies. Of particular importance is SP2 which seeks to locate new development within existing settlements. Neighbourhood Plans have the ability to: • add settlement boundaries to existing settlements (those listed in SP2), or • extend existing settlement boundaries In addition, Neighbourhood Plans can plan for more growth than set out in the East Staffordshire Local Plan strategic policies. Where Neighbourhood Plans identify a strategy for growth the Borough Council will expect the plan to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate deliverability of the strategy. For all other policies in the Local Plan there is an opportunity for Neighbourhood Plans to identify a specific local approach, which will only be supported by the Local Authority where there is evidence of a specific local circumstance. The Borough Council expects all Neighbourhood Plans to include proposals for monitoring the policies in the plan. Should monitoring indicate that the development is not coming forward as envisaged in the Neighbourhood Plan action will be taken by the Borough Council to bring forward sites through a Development Plan Document in accordance with SP6.

Sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople

In assessing the suitability of sites for residential and mixed use occupation by Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople, and for the purposes of considering planning applications for such sites, proposals will be supported where the following criteria are met: The site affords good access to local services including schools; The site is not at risk of flooding or adjacent to uses likely to endanger the health of occupants such as a refuse tip, sewage treatment works or contaminated land; The development is appropriate in scale compared to the size of the existing settlement; The development will be able to achieve a reasonable level of visual and acoustic privacy both for people living on the site and for those living nearby; The development will provide a high quality frontage onto the street which maintains or enhances the street scene and which integrates the site into the community; The development will be well-laid out to provide adequate space and privacy for residents; The development complies with relevant national planning policies; The development complies with the other relevant policies in this Plan. If and when a need is identified, the Council will set pitch targets and/or plot targets accordingly and will identify a site or sites to meet the need through a Development Plan Document as necessary.

Supporting Communities Locally

To ensure that local communities have sufficient provision of community facilities the Borough Council will work with public, private and voluntary sector providers to meet demonstrable need. Proposals for new community facilities should: be located where they can be accessed on foot, bicycle or public transport, rather than only by car; where possible, be developed as part of mixed-use developments so that facilities are better linked to housing, jobs, shopping, leisure and other local services, in order to minimise travel distances; be proportionate for the community which they will serve be located outside but adjacent to an existing settlement boundary or in close proximity to the community that the facility will serve in line with SP8. Where appropriate, the multi-use of premises for a range of community uses will be encouraged. The Council will approve extensions to existing community facilities, subject to compliance with other Local Plan policies. Proposals which result in the loss of a community facility will not be permitted unless: (i) adequate alternative provision is available within or adjacent to the settlement or will be provided as part of the development process; (ii) all reasonable efforts have been made to preserve the facility or service, including sharing of premises, but it has been satisfactorily demonstrated to the Council that the service is no longer viable and has been actively marketed for a period of at least 6 months; and (iii) the service or facility is in an inherently unsustainable location and the reuse of the site would be a more sustainable solution than the retention of the service or facility.

Outdoor Sports and Open Space Policy

Where appropriate, the Borough Council will seek to deliver new provision and protect and enhance existing outdoor open space and sport facilities by safeguarding sites for the benefit of local communities and applying the standards set out in Appendix 2. Developers will be expected to contribute either by on-site provision and/or a S106/CIL contribution as appropriate. The Council may direct any outdoor sports contribution/provision to the established or proposed Sports Hubs in place of on-site provision where appropriate. Quality and value criteria for playing pitches and outdoor sports will be in accordance with Sport England and National Governing Body technical standards. Quality, and value criteria for open space will measured against the criteria set out in Appendix 2. Support will be given to proposals which address deficiencies in football, cricket and hockey pitches, and to the creation of new facilities where unmet demand or need for improvements have been identified The co-location of facilities will be encouraged so that different types of sporting activities and facilities for sport and recreation can be located next to each other. The Council will support enhanced quantity and quality of sports facilities and the improvement of access to school facilities by working with SCC and school academies and securing community use where opportunities arise and the improvement would meet an identified need. Open space, outdoor sports facilities and recreation land should not be built on unless an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space, buildings or land to be surplus to requirements, the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location or the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the needs for which clearly outweigh the loss. Where such spaces/facilities are lost any replacement must be made available prior to the loss of the original facility. Where appropriate, contribution towards recreational provision from non residential development, in the form of amenity space, which is designed to complement the nature of the development will be sought. Sites within the National Forest will be expected to contribute towards woodland planting in accordance with Strategic Policies 24 and 26 on Green Infrastructure and the National Forest. The Council will support designation of Local Green Space through Neighbourhood Plans where the space has a special character and significance to the local community by virtue of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value or wildlife value.

Indoor sports policy

Making the best use of existing resources The Borough Council will seek to protect and enhance the existing indoor sports facilities throughout the Borough and will work with partners to increase the supply of available sports hall and pool capacity to offset demand on those facilities that are already, or assessed as being at capacity by 2031. New Provision of Sports Halls and Pools The Council will monitor the level of provision and overall capacity of indoor sports facilities to ensure that there remains sufficient capacity throughout the Borough that is accessible to all. Opportunities for additional provision of indoor sports facilities, including pools, will be encouraged and supported either as a standalone facility or as part of another use. Additional provision should be located to avoid over-provision of one particular use in one location. The Council will support enhanced quantity and quality of sports facilities and the improvement of access to school facilities by working with SCC and school academies and securing community use. The delivery of additional facilities will, if necessary be listed in a CIL s.123 List or as part of a S106 agreement if an identified need arises.

Health and Wellbeing

Health and sense of wellbeing is a key part in the delivery of sustainable development as well as improving the health of East Staffordshire Borough's communities. Development proposals should be delivered in order to enhance health, safety and a sense of wellbeing through: Providing high quality design which minimises and mitigates against potential harm from risks such as air, noise, water and light pollution as well as land contamination; Development proposals that maximise the opportunity for movement, social interaction and physical activity, through green infrastructure (networks), sustainable transport routes including facilities for cycle storage, and open spaces, including where possible, community growing spaces such as allotments and community orchards; Development proposals that take account of the need to create socially vibrant and connected communities For major applications, and others deemed appropriate, Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) will be required. The HIA will need to demonstrate how the health and well being of the users and residents of the scheme have been considered, particularly demonstrating how healthy lifestyles and social interaction will be achieved once the scheme is completed.

Design of New Development

Planning permission will normally be granted for development which responds positively to the context of the surrounding area and in itself exhibits a high quality of design and is compliant with the East Staffordshire Design Guide (or any superseding document). In assessing the design of development proposals, the Borough Council will have regard to the following factors where appropriate to the type of development: The layout of the development in terms of its circulation routes and arrangement of buildings and how they relate to such factors in the surrounding area including the pattern of settlements. How the design of the development responds to the historic environment context and conserve and enhance heritage assets, including their setting. How elements of any open spaces, both hard and soft, in the proposed development relate to each other, the proposed buildings, the characteristics of the site and the surrounding landscape's character and appearance, including appropriate public realm. The density and mix of the development in relation to its context and the uses to which the development will be put. The massing of the development in terms of the shape, volume and arrangement of the building or buildings in relation to the context of the development. How the height and massing of the proposed development relates to the height of surrounding development and any vistas, views or skylines. Materials to be used within the development and how they interrelate with each other, their immediate and overall context and any traditional and vernacular materials used in the area. The detailing and construction techniques to be used in the development and how they interrelate with each other, and relate to the immediate and overall context. The impact on the amenity of occupiers of nearby residential properties in terms of loss of light, outlook, or privacy. The extent to which the design of the development takes into account the safety of users and reduces the potential for crime to occur in accordance 'Designing Out Crime' guidance The design and layout of parking areas will be in accordance with the Council's adopted Parking Standards or updated document and will be required to: (i) Minimise the visual impact on the area, and integrate parking into the design to minimise the impact on the design and amenity of existing buildings, particularly on public facing frontages; (ii) Incorporate appropriate landscaping, particularly where necessary to break up larger parking areas; (iii) Provide clearly demarcated parking bays and safe pedestrian routes through the parking area which link with existing routes (iv) Incorporate any required lighting sensitively to avoid adversely affecting the amenities of occupiers of nearby dwellings, or the safe use of the car park itself and adjoining highways (v) Make adequate provision of spaces for disabled users (vi) Make adequate provision for the parking/storage of cycles

Design of New Residential Development, Extensions and Curtilage Buildings

Planning permission for new residential development and/or extensions will normally be granted planning permission where they meet the following criteria and would, in all other respects, be compliant with the East Staffordshire Design Guide (or any superseding document) and other relevant policies in the development plan: • the design and layout would not result in overlooking between principal windows of dwellings; • the development would not result in a material loss of light to principal windows or the private amenity space of adjacent dwellings; • the development would not have an unacceptably overbearing impact on adjacent dwellings; • the design and layout allows outdoor domestic activities to be undertaken in reasonable privacy, bearing in mind the type of dwelling and likely household size of both the existing surrounding dwellings and the proposed dwelling/extension; • buildings constructed within the curtilage for uses that are ancillary to the dwelling are appropriately designed (especially in terms of scale) and sited for their intended ancillary use, paying regard to the size of the dwelling and its curtilage. Where infilling is proposed in the gardens of houses, it will only be permitted where: (i) it would not result in the unacceptable intensification of the area; (ii) it would be sensitively integrated into the townscape or landscape; (iii) it would not be visually obtrusive or poorly screened from neighbouring properties; and (iv) the size of garden to the new dwelling, and existing building is appropriate for the size of the dwelling and reflects the spatial pattern of the area. Outside Settlement Boundaries Extensions to existing dwellings will only be permitted if: • they are modest in relation to the original dwelling and retain its identity or • the extensions are necessary to improve a smaller or substandard dwelling to modern standards and the design criteria in Supplementary Planning Guidance is followed; and • buildings for uses ancillary to the dwelling are modest and designed specifically for that purpose. Extensions of residential curtilages within the countryside will only be permitted where they do not adversely affect landscape character by the intrusion of urban features.

Advertisements

Advertisements will normally be granted consent where the following criteria are met: • The advert is well located in relation to the building or site on which it is to be displayed; • The advert is of a suitable size, colour and design; • The advert is of a design and materials that are acceptable in the locality; • The advert does not stand out as an inappropriate or unduly prominent feature; • The advert does not contribute to visual clutter in the street scene; • The advert does not impact upon the amenity of immediate neighbours; • The advert does not adversely affect the safety of users of any form of transport and pedestrians; • Any proposed illumination is appropriate to the locality and its position on the building or site.

High Quality Design

Development proposals must contribute positively to the area in which they are proposed and: Help to create a sense of place, building on the urban, suburban and rural local character, respecting local patterns of development and the historic environment, and using heritage assets to their best advantage, Provide safe communities, through appropriate use of clearly defined public and private spaces, passive surveillance and active frontages Reinforce character and identity, through local distinctiveness. Enhance the landscape and protect and enhance biodiversity; Aid movement and accessibility by providing clear and legible connections that work with existing routes and streets, and account for pedestrians and cyclists Retain, enhance and expand green infrastructure assets within the development as the basis of the green infrastructure-led development. Present an appropriate layout for new development that integrates with the existing environment and context, including space around dwellings, public and private space and open spaces; Be adaptable in order to enable a change of uses where this is possible; Provide innovative and contemporary architecture where this is appropriate; Within The National Forest, reflect the character of the Forest in their design, through street tree planting, showcasing timber in building construction where appropriate, incorporating wood fuel systems and green roofs, especially in Burton upon Trent, where this will contribute to the town being considered as the Capital of The National Forest. Provide well designed and integrated public art in substantial schemes in the town centres, and in other proposals where it is intended that the public have access into the site or where there is suitable public space within the site. Minimise the production of carbon through sustainable construction and reuse of materials where possible and promote the use of renewable energy source technology solutions where possible; Development proposals should reflect the existing density of its locality and therefore its character and form. Intensification of an existing built area will only be allowed where the development would represent a benefit and would not be harmful to the character and amenity of an area. Developers will be required to demonstrate how they have responded to the above criteria in their applications, and, where appropriate, in master plans, Development Briefs, Concept Statements and Design Codes. Developers should refer to the Council's Supplementary Planning Document on Design for guidance on design matters. The Council will consider referring proposals to a design review panel to secure good design. Such a review will take place at an early stage of the application process and the applicant will be expected to meet any associated costs and respond positively to any recommendations.

The National Football Centre – St. Georges Park

The Local Plan supports the development and operation of St Georges Park as a centre for sports-related training, business development/research and community activities. The Borough Council will work in partnership with St Georges Park to prepare a development brief which sets out a masterplan and delivery plan which will guide the future development of the site. The Borough Council will approve in principle proposals where it can be demonstrated that there are no significant impacts on: 1. the ecological interests within the site 2. the local transport infrastructure; and 3. drainage/surface water run-off. Proposals will also have to: respect the character and quality of the landscape; champion exemplar design and incorporates environmental credentials and sustainable construction; and be in general accordance with a masterplan.

Derby Road, Burton upon Trent, Regeneration Corridor

In order to ensure that the Derby Road, Burton upon Trent site allocation is brought forward in a strategic and comprehensive manner, planning permission will only be granted for development which contributes towards the wider Derby Road regeneration corridor. The principles are that development should: • Provide approximately 250 homes, including a mix of types and tenures; • Provide employment and local community facilities where appropriate; • Create a sustainable, safe and high quality urban development based on principles set out in the Masterplan; • Provide excellent pedestrian routes around and to the development, linking to bus stops along Derby Road; • Create distinctive elevations that front onto Derby Road, and ensuring new buildings relate to existing buildings near the proposed development in terms of their height, scale, form and massing. • Ensure buildings are set back from the highway sufficiently to avoid occupiers experiencing unacceptable air quality standards; • Create distinctive features and local landmark buildings where appropriate to the design and layout; • Use materials that match the local context in terms of type of material, colour, texture and detail with locally sourced traditional materials specifically encouraged; • Create a quality public realm, reflecting Burton upon Trent's position as the capital of the National Forest; • Larger sites should incorporate tree planting and landscaping as required by Strategic Policy 26. This shall include improvements to the public realm and tree planting to the site's frontage reflecting the Derby Road's position as a gateway to The National Forest; • Incorporate quality hard landscaping and highway surfaces and furnishings that are attractive and easy to maintain; • Incorporate the most up to date design codes such as Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM; • Demonstrate how all buildings have incorporated waste recycling facilities and where appropriate existing materials from buildings are recycled onsite.

Burton and Uttoxeter Existing Employment Land Policy

To ensure the provision of a mix of employment types on existing sites, the Council will require a mix of B1, B2 and B8 uses to be provided. Exceptions may be made where: (i) a site is to be entirely or almost entirely developed for the specific requirements of a single user generating a significant number of jobs; or (ii) Where the site size, or general location, limits the suitability of the site to accommodate certain uses, or the ability to accommodate a range of uses. Non B class uses will only be permitted if: (i) The land is no longer required to meet economic development needs; or (ii) The current activity is causing, or could cause, significant harm to the character of the area or the amenities of residents; (iii) The new use is an employment generator which could make a positive contribution to the local economy; and (iv) it would not prevent, or have a significantly detrimental impact upon, the continued primary use of the employment site as a whole for employment use. (v) They are appropriate, compatible waste management uses For employment proposals on sites within the urban area adjacent to non-employment uses, the Council will normally grant permission following the demonstration of environmental sensitivities including traffic and highway impacts on the surrounding areas. Suitable sites for exceptional major job creating investment proposals will be investigated in partnership with the LEP taking into account whether they can be accommodated on existing or proposed sites.

Rural Economy

New provision Within the Tier 1 and 2 settlement boundaries and rural industrial estate boundaries, employment development, including extensions to existing premises, mixed use development which would allow for an element of home working and change of use to employment development will be approved if the development: (i) does not unduly affect the character of the settlement, amenity of neighbouring properties and will not detract from the environment; and (ii) is in accordance with other Development Plan policies. Permission will be given for new employment development outside strategic or local service villages and rural industrial estates if it meets the criteria of Strategic Policy 8, or there are exceptional reasons why it cannot be located in these villages or in established urban employment locations. Before new buildings are proposed, applicants should investigate the viability and suitability of re-using redundant buildings on-site (see 'Re-use of Redundant Rural Buildings SPD) and demonstrate to the Council that none were viable or suitable. Farm diversification proposals will be supported where they can make a long-term contribution to sustaining the agricultural enterprise as a whole and where the proposal is consistent with its rural location in terms of use, setting and scale. Within the National Forest as shown on the Policies Map, development directly related to the woodland economy will be considered favourably where it is of a scale and environmental impact that is compatible with the character of its rural location. Loss of employment The Council will resist proposals which would lead to the loss of sites used for industrial/commercial use or other employment generating uses in the countryside or rural settlements unless there are overriding environmental considerations or another source of employment is being created nearby. Where a new rural business enterprise, or expansion of an existing one, requires on-site residential accommodation the Council may grant permission for temporary residential accommodation only (e.g. a mobile home or caravan) or grant permission for premises to be used for residential purposes for a temporary period only in order to allow time to assess the viability of the business. When this has been demonstrated, permission will be considered for more permanent residential accommodation.

Distribution of Employment Growth 2012 – 2031 (allocations)

The Employment Land Review (ELR) considers the dynamic between supply and demand of employment land. The ELR identifies a shortfall of employment land against identified need. Land is allocated to meet the employment provision of Strategic Policy 3 in accordance with the following distribution: Burton upon Trent Branston Locks 20 ha Uttoxeter Uttoxeter West 10 ha Derby Road 10 ha In general on sites allocated above and sites identified within the ELR, occupation by B1*, B2*, B8* and compatible and appropriate sui generis uses will be permitted. Non B class employment such as hotels or food and drink uses may be acceptable as enabling development where these can form a suitable high quality gateway development and cumulatively take up a small proportion of the total employment area. B8 uses will be permitted where they are required to meet the objectively assessed need in the Borough (as identified in the Employment Land Study) but should also allow for sufficient land to be available to allow quantitative and qualitative choice for B1 and B2 uses. *B1 uses = offices, research and development and light industry, B2 = general industrial, B8 = warehousing and logistics

Designing in Sustainable Construction

The Council actively encourages the design and delivery of low carbon buildings and will permit energy improvements to existing buildings subject to the other policies in this Plan, particularly protecting the amenity of neighbours. It is expected that development will: follow the energy hierarchy of designing out energy demand from the outset, incorporating energy efficiency measures and introducing low carbon energy supply, incorporate the best environmental practice and construction techniques in line with the Governments zero carbon buildings policy use appropriate materials, form, orientation and layout of buildings to maximise the benefits of passive solar heating, cooling, lighting and natural ventilation; incorporate facilities to minimise the use of water and the creation of waste, and which maximise opportunities for recycling; incorporate ecologically sensitive design and features for biodiversity early on within a development scheme, following guidance in 'Biodiversity by Design' or future revisions; where appropriate prepare Site Waste Management Plans to ensure that at least 25% of the total minerals used derive from recycled and reused content; aim to reduce predicted carbon emissions through the generation of decentralised and renewable or low carbon energy generation where practicable; where on site renewable or low carbon energy generation is not practical, a contribution towards an off-site renewable energy or carbon reduction scheme will be acceptable; In developments large enough to make such systems feasible, the viability of decentralised energy systems such as combined heat and power and community heating systems based on renewable and low-carbon energy should be explored. District or shared energy schemes between neighbours should be investigated.

Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Generation

The Council will promote and encourage all technologies and types of renewable and low-carbon energy generation, appropriate to the location in the Borough. This includes schemes that: • form part of proposed new developments (including stand-alone schemes); • are incorporated into existing developments; and • are community-led initiatives. The Borough Council will encourage technologies that provide the greatest renewable energy generation and carbon savings, whilst recognising the need to balance adverse impacts and location restrictions. The Borough Council will prepare a Supplementary Planning Document with advice on the types of renewable energy technology and low carbon design that may be most appropriate in the different types of location in the Borough. Opportunities where development can draw its energy supply from decentralised, renewable or low carbon energy supply systems and for co-locating potential heat customers will be encouraged. To encourage the development of local wood fuel markets, which will, in turn, make it more viable for the woodlands of The National Forest to be brought into management, the Council will support the development of wood fuel systems which take advantage of the abundance of local woodland thinnings. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that fuel is being sourced as locally as possible to the installation with an expectation that fuel is to be sourced from within The National Forest. Renewable and Low-Carbon energy generation applications will be approved if their impacts are (or can be made) acceptable. Therefore all applications are subject to the following considerations: • the degree to which the scale and nature of a proposal reflects the capacity and sensitivity of the landscape, townscape, natural, historical and cultural features and areas to accommodate the development • the degree to which the developer has demonstrated any wider environmental, economic, and social benefits

Blue Infrastructure and water based recreation

Proposals for recreational and tourist development on the boroughs river, canal or lake areas to improve public access and for suitable water sports, including fishing, swimming, rowing and canoeing, will be encouraged provided that they do not adversely affect water quality, carrying capacity of the watercourse, amenity, visual quality, navigation or value as a wildlife habitat of a watercourse, associated wetlands and surrounding environment. Developments should be integrated into the existing footpath, cycleway and public transport network and highway access and parking issues should be satisfactorily resolved. Central Rivers Initiative The Borough Council, as a partner in the Central Rivers Initiative, will continue to support its objectives and work with appropriate partners to help realise the unique economic and tourism benefits of the Trent Valley corridor. Proposals related to the Trent River Corridor will be positively supported and promoted where they: • are of local relevance and significance • are consistent with the Central Rivers Initiative strategy • maximise opportunities for landscape and agricultural restoration which contribute to positive landscape and ecological change • create a network of safe mixed use routes for walking, running, cycling, wheelchair, pushchair and equestrian access which, where possible link to or incorporate other local places of interest • lead to the formation or use of lakes from former gravel quarries which offer a variety of recreation activities. • include tranquil areas for wildlife and quiet activities • contribute towards long term water and habitat management • maximise opportunities for businesses both directly and indirectly • maximise opportunities for landscape and agricultural restoration • do not conflict with other planning policies in this document. For large scale mixed use developments in the Trent Valley Corridor the Council will encourage early consideration of the aims of the Central Rivers Initiative in the design process.

European Sites

Development will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that it will not lead (directly or indirectly) to an adverse effect upon the integrity of a European Site, alone or in combination with other plans or projects. Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC) All development that results in a net increase in dwellings within 15km of Cannock Chase SAC will be required to mitigate any adverse impacts upon the SAC in line with ongoing work by partner authorities to develop a Mitigation and Implementation Strategy. This may include contributions to access management and visitor infrastructure; publicity; education and awareness raising; The effective avoidance and/or mitigation of any identified adverse effects must be demonstrated and secured (e.g. by legal agreement) prior to approval of the development.

Pollution and Contamination

Development proposals will only be granted planning permission where they will not give rise to, or be likely to suffer from, land instability and/or unacceptable levels of pollution in respect of noise or light, or contamination of ground, air or water. New development proposals within the affected coal mining areas will need to take account of coal mining legacy issues and include appropriate mitigation or remedial measures.

Tree Protection

Proposals which relate to both protected and non-protected trees will be subject to the following: Protected trees Felling of protected trees will only be granted consent where either: • the tree is in poor health and/or has lost its intrinsic visual amenity value; or • the tree is causing demonstrable harm/damage to the structural integrity of a building or other built form, and the harm cannot be remedied by other reasonable means. Following felling of protected trees replacement planting will be required unless there are exceptional circumstances which justify waiving this requirement. Works to protected trees will only be granted consent where the tree is of public visual amenity value and the works would not adversely affect the appearance of the tree and the contribution it makes to the visual amenity of the locality. Development will not be permitted that would directly or indirectly damage existing mature or ancient woodland, veteran trees or ancient or species-rich hedgerows. Trees within development sites Proposals where there are existing trees of value on site must ensure that new developments or extensions to existing developments are designed to: • Retain as many existing trees and other natural features as possible; • Minimise harm to existing trees and other natural features either in the short or long term; • Minimise conflict between trees and buildings in the future through the design, layout and construction of the development. Where tree removals are exceptionally agreed, a greater number of replacements will be expected at an appropriate level of maturity to ensure the visual amenity of the locality is not unduly harmed by the loss of established trees. Existing high quality woodland should be retained where possible within development designs to achieve an overall net gain in woodland area.

Green Infrastructure

Major and Minor Green Infrastructure (GI) corridors throughout the Borough, identified in the East Staffordshire Green Infrastructure Study, connect locations of natural heritage, green space, biodiversity or other environmental interest. They will be safeguarded through: a) Not permitting development that compromises their integrity and therefore that of the overall green infrastructure framework; b) Using developer contributions to facilitate improvements to their quality and robustness; and c) Investing in enhancement and restoration where opportunities exist, and the creation of new resources where necessary. Development should contribute towards the creation, enhancement or ongoing management of a series of local GI corridors linking with the Major and Minor GI corridors. In turn, these local GI corridors should be connected through green infrastructure into site-level networks and green spaces. Priorities for the creation or enhancement of green infrastructure are those areas where net gains in the range of functions can be improved, particularly those that: i. improve walking and cycling access to and from the urban core and/or rural service centres and where possible improve the wider network; and/or ii. help to remedy local deficiencies in open space provision and equality, and/or iii. result in the creation, protection and enhancement of biodiversity habitats and/or iv. support the safeguarding of ecological networks, including the restoration and creation of new habitats through the opportunities provided within the Centre Rivers Initiative v. safeguard and enhance heritage assets. As referenced in the East Staffordshire Green Infrastructure Study, the following standards for green infrastructure are to be met: a) Where possible new GI should connect to, and enhance, the existing green infrastructure network of East Staffordshire; b) New green spaces should be designed to serve more than one function to maximise public benefit; c) Developers should agree robust delivery and funding mechanisms with East Staffordshire Borough Council prior to the determination of an application to secure the ongoing management of green infrastructure; d) New green infrastructure should be in keeping with the existing landscape character of development sites, including its habitat type and species selection; e) Where practicable and appropriate in design terms taking into account site context developments should incorporate innovative green infrastructure into the design of buildings such as green roofs and green walls; f) All development should enhance biodiversity habitats and environmental assets through positive management, buffering, extension and linkage; g) All development design should include street trees and urban woodland, including National Forest planting where this is applicable; h) All developments should be served by Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems where feasible. The component features of these systems should be designed and managed to deliver additional green infrastructure benefits, such as wildlife habitat improvement and provision, landscape enhancement and informal recreation. i) Green infrastructure within developments should be designed as a connected network with linear features, such as retained hedgerows and footpaths, linking larger features, such as SUDS ponds and woodlands and other green infrastructure features adjacent to the site including existing footpath and cycleway networks. j) For larger developments, new GI should contribute towards the creation of healthy communities through the incorporation of community growing space such as orchards and allotments within the green infrastructure package of a scheme

National Forest

The Borough Council will support: (i) The implementation of the National Forest Strategy 2014 – 2024 (ii) Conversion of land to woodland and other Forest related habitats and purposes where this complements existing natural and cultural heritage interests; (iii) Enhancement of built development through related landscaping; (iv) The Forest as an exemplar of sustainable development; (v) The development of tourism, leisure, rural diversification and the woodland economy; (vi) New developments that relate well to their National Forest setting Developments shall contribute towards the creation of the Forest by providing on-site or nearby landscaping that meets the National Forest development planting guidelines as set out in the National Forest Company's Guide for Developers and Planners and contained within Appendix 1. Landscaping will generally involve woodland planting, but can also include creation and management of other appropriate habitats, open space provision associated with woodland and the provision of new recreational facilities with a wooded character. The appropriate mix of landscaping features will depend upon the setting and the opportunities that the site presents. The Borough Council recommends that pre-application discussions are held with the National Forest Company. Implementation of planting and landscaping schemes for approved new development in The National Forest will be secured by means of conditions, a legal agreement, or will be a constituent part of the Community Infrastructure Levy. The measures may include, as appropriate: the means and time-scale for implementation; arrangements for the management and maintenance of such landscaped areas, including any open space, by an appropriate person or body. In exceptional circumstances, where planting of this scale cannot be accommodated within or close to the development, the shortfall should be addressed by way of a commuted sum as set out in the NFC's Guide for Developers and Planners. This will be used to either purchase land for tree planting, or create new woodland and/or other habitats, and to provide public access and maintain the site for at least 5 years. Where appropriate and practicable, applicants will be required to identify individual planting projects via negotiation and agreement with the National Forest Company. Measures to secure the proper management of woodlands within The National Forest will be in accordance with the aims of the National Forest Strategy; guidance in National Forest 'Guide for Developers and Planners' interests of visual amenity; desirability of maximising public access where appropriate; principles of good woodland management; maintaining and enhancing the nature conservation resource; retention and enhancement of the landscape character. In addition to meeting the Planting Guidelines, developments will be expected to reflect their Forest setting through their design, character and sustainability. This will include integrating existing green infrastructure into the development, making connections with on-site or adjacent woodland and other habitats, showcasing timber in building design and incorporating renewable energy, especially wood fuel heating systems. Further details on how this can be achieved are set out in the National Forest Company's Design Charter.

Climate Change, Water Body Management and Flooding

Proposals in flood risk areas, or proposals which would affect such areas, will only be permitted where they would not cause unacceptable harm to the following interests: (i) The protection and storage capacity of the flood plain, washlands and other areas at risk from flooding; (ii) Access to watercourses for maintenance; (iii) The characteristics of surface water run-off; (iv) The integrity of fluvial defences; (v) The drainage function of the natural watercourse system; or (vi) The necessity for additional public finances for flood defence works. The Borough Council will require a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) in areas at risk of flooding (land within Flood Zones 2 and 3) and of proposals that have the potential to generate significant volumes of surface water runoff due to their size to assess the impact on the foregoing interests. FRAs for proposals in areas behind the existing defences with need to assess the residual risk of defence failure, either from overtopping or defence breach, and show how, through the design of development, residual risk with be sufficiently mitigated. To alleviate the effects of climate change and meet the objectives of the Water Framework Directive, consideration will be given to the following principles: • Development proposals and strategic plans must give due regard to the aims and objectives of the Humber River Basin Management Plan and shall not pose an obstacle to the meeting of the required ecological status or potential status for any waterbody. • Development proposals must provide adequate development easement for watercourses (culverted or otherwise); • Development proposals must incorporate measures for deculverting and renaturalisation of watercourses where practicable. • All new development should address surface water run-off and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) should be used. Water quality and quantity Development will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that it will not have an adverse impact on surface or ground water in terms of quality and quantity. This should include the requirements of the Water Framework Directive and Habitats Regulations. Development proposals should demonstrate that: • Adequate arrangements are made for the disposal of foul sewage, trade effluent and surface water to prevent a risk of pollution. • There is sufficient water and foul drainage infrastructure capacity to meet the additional requirements arising from a development should be in place. • Measures to reduce demand such as the use of grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting are incorporated into the development. • Foul and surface water run-off are separated Where adequate water resources do not exist, or where the provision of water would be detrimental to the natural environment development will not be permitted. Sustainable Drainage All new development will be expected to incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS). Each system should: • Discharge clean roof water to ground via infiltration techniques such as soakaways, green roofs, permeable surfaces and street trees etc unless demonstrated by an infiltration test that due to ground conditions this is not possible • Limit surface water discharge to the greenfield run-off rate or, where this is demonstrated to not be viable, a reduction from the existing situation; • Protect and enhance wildlife habitats, heritage assets, existing open spaces, amenity areas and landscape value of the site, as well as being sympathetically designed to meet the needs of the local community.

Biodiversity and Geodiversity

In considering proposals for development the Council will seek to protect, maintain and enhance the biodiversity and geodiversity of the Borough through the following measures: • Ensuring that development retains, protects and enhances features of biological or geological interest, and provides for the appropriate management of these features • Ensuring that development produces a net gain in biodiversity in line with UK and/or Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan species, and biodiversity opportunities • Supporting proposals which improve the environment by reclaiming and improving derelict, contaminated, vacant or unsightly land for biodiversity value • Supporting developments with multi-functional benefits, particularly those relating to health, education, social inclusion and environmental protection • Ensuring development does not disturb or damage soils of high environmental value and, where development is proposed, soil resources are conserved and managed in a sustainable way Development proposals that would have a direct or indirect adverse effect on European, national or local designated sites, non-statutory sites or Priority habitats and species will not be permitted unless: • They cannot be located on alternative sites that would cause less or no harm; and • The benefits of the development clearly outweigh the impacts on the feature and the wider habitat network; and • Prevention, mitigation and compensation measures of a comparable or enhanced value are provided.

Locally Significant Landscape

Within the locally significant landscape areas development will not be allowed which would adversely affect the quality, character, appearance or the setting of those areas. Development decisions across the Borough will be informed by the relevant sections of the Landscape Character Assessment for Staffordshire or any subsequent versions, and the Council will expect applicants to demonstrate that they have taken full account of the LCA and its guidelines to produce a scheme which reflects existing landscape character and where possible seeks to enhance landscape quality.

Green Belt and Strategic Green Gaps

The Council will apply the policy guidance as set out in the NPPF in considering any applications for development in the Green Belt, together with all relevant Local Plan policies. Development within Strategic Green Gaps will only be permitted where it would not have a negative impact on the openness of the landscape.

Protecting the Historic Environment: All Heritage Assets, Listed Buildings, and Conservation Areas and Archaeology

The significance of the Borough's historic environment and heritage assets (designated and undesignated) will be protected and enhanced where new development proposals will be expected to make a positive contribution to the fabric and integrity of existing buildings, conservation areas or other non-designated areas where there is distinctive character, strategic views or a sense of place. All heritage assets New development proposals within the historic environment such as within conservation areas or which fixes or adjoins a listed building must respect the context of the character and appearance of such heritage assets in terms of using sound design principles which are stipulated in the Design SPD. The design of new development must be informed by the context of its surroundings and take account of the local character through the Historic Environment Record and/or other relevant sources of information/evidence base. There may be an opportunity to introduce innovative development which complements the existing historic environment through high quality contemporary architecture and energy efficient technology, where such technology would not cause harm to the character, setting or fabric of the heritage asset. The reuse of heritage assets contributes to viable places and should be seen as a positive opportunity. The reuse of a heritage asset should continue in its original function where possible, but where this is not economically viable, a sensitive change of use should be considered which retains the significance of the heritage asset. Development Proposals should articulate how the heritage asset can accommodate the new use without causing significant harm to the context and fabric of the asset. Listed Buildings Alterations, extensions to listed buildings or development within the listed curtilage or that which affects the setting of a listed building will be considered if accompanied with a Statement of Significance which sets out how the proposal would potentially affect the significance of the asset. It is expected that alterations and extensions to listed buildings should generally preserve and enhance the integrity and setting of a listed building without harm. If harm cannot be avoided, then this must be articulated in the Statement of Significance with clear justification as to why harm is not avoidable and how such harm can be mitigated. Development Proposals to reuse vacant listed buildings, such as those that are at risk or neglected, for reuse are supported, subject to appropriate methods of repair and that conversions do not have an undue impact on the existing fabric of the building. The loss of listed buildings or significant fabric of a listed building, a significant building in a conservation area or heritage asset normally constitutes substantial harm and therefore should be considered 'wholly exceptional'. The loss of historic fabric through a development proposal must be clearly justified and the loss of an entire listed building must be accompanied by a structural survey and full economic viability study which should provide evidence as to why the listed building cannot be retained. Where any loss (either fully or partly) has been determined to be justified then suitable mitigation in the form of a record should be made to advance understanding of the heritage asset's significance. Conservation Areas Development will be permitted in conservation areas, including demolition of existing buildings or structures, where it can be demonstrated that it would protect and enhance the character and appearance, including the setting of the conservation area and is in accordance with the principles set out in the Design SPD as well as using guidance set out in relevant Conservation Area Appraisals. Should a Conservation Area Appraisal be absent, then a Character Statement should be submitted. It will be expected that any new development within or adjacent the conservation area will respect the existing character in terms of scale, form, materials and detailing. Key views into and out of the conservation area (some of which may be identified within a Conservation Area Appraisal) will remain uninhibited. Scheduled Monuments, Archaeology & Archaeology Sites Scheduled Monuments are legally protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979). No works are to be carried out on Scheduled Monuments without Scheduled Monument Consent. Applications for consent are submitted to English Heritage in their role as advisors to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport. Scheduled Monuments and other nationally important archaeological sites and their settings should be preserved and development proposals should take account of undesignated archaeological sites and sites of potential archaeological interest. This should be informed by relevant information including the Historic Environment Record (HER), Historic Environment Assessment (HEA) and the Extensive Urban Survey (EUS) (if relevant). Archaeological sites should be subject to appropriate and relevant assessment and field assessment where appropriate especially to determine whether remains should remain in insitu or to be excavated. All subsequent archaeological reports should be deposited with to Staffordshire County Council so that the information is made publicly available.

Protecting the Historic Environment: Other Heritage Assets

Shopfronts and Advertisements Traditional shopfronts which form part of a listed building, on a building within conservation areas or on a building that may be undesignated but is considered as a heritage asset should be retained and repaired. If a replacement shopfront is considered necessary, it should be designed appropriately to relate to its host building and using the correct proportions. New shopfronts should utilise the existing facia and use appropriate materials, finishes and illumination. For shopfronts on listed buildings and on buildings within conservation areas, traditional materials and finishes will be expected. Non-designated heritage assets Should planning permission be granted which includes the loss of an undesignated heritage asset an appropriate level of recording should take place prior to, and/or during, the commencement of works. Setting Planning permission will be permitted for development proposals that can demonstrate that the integrity and setting of a heritage asset will be protected and enhanced, through the use of high quality design, materials with appropriate scale and massing. This could be in the form of new building or new public realm. The roofscape and skyline of the towns of Burton upon Trent and Uttoxeter reinforce the character of not only the respective towns but the approaches to them. These should be protected with the sensitive location of new development and appropriate massing in order to retain an appropriate skyline. New development in villages and rural areas should carefully consider scale, massing and layout (including orientation). This includes new the change of use and new development for historic farmsteads, where the historic layout and form should be preserved and legible. Historic Landscape and townscape character Where Statements of Significance and Environmental Impact Assessments are required the applicant should also assess the impact of new development upon the wider historic landscape character, potential unseen archaeology and local townscape and seek to protect and enhance it where appropriate. The assessment of historic character should also be used to inform the design of any new development and seek opportunities to retain any significant or defining assets of the historic landscape/townscape as part of open space and Green Infrastructure provision where appropriate. Registered parks and Gardens and Other Significant Landscapes Development proposals should consider the setting of a Registered Park and Garden and other significant landscapes in terms of potential overall impact of the wider landscape.

Historic Environment

Development proposals should protect, conserve and enhance heritage assets and their settings, taking account of their significance, as well as the distinctive character of the Borough's townscapes and landscapes. Such heritage assets may consist of undesignated and designated assets including conservation areas, listed buildings, scheduled monuments, archaeological sites, registered parks and gardens and historic landscapes which contribute to the Borough's historic environment and local distinctiveness. This should include the use of high quality design as stipulated in the NPPF and the Borough Council's Design SPD. Development proposals that are likely to have negative impacts on the historic environment should demonstrate how harm can be effectively and justifiably mitigated. Development proposals should be informed by the various information sources and evidence base that are available. The towns of Burton-upon-Trent and Uttoxeter, including their historic retail centres should be a focus for heritage-led regeneration and the repair of key heritage assets will be supported. Such regeneration should be informed by relevant historic environment evidence base. This will be delivered through various initiatives such as through new development proposals or regeneration schemes with key partners such as English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Inner Burton is a focus for regeneration in order to improve poor quality building stock which consists of Victorian terraced housing. Initiatives should therefore consist of effective repair and refurbishment of Victorian housing stock as part of sustainable development with opportunities to introduce innovative energy efficiency technology, which reflects the local historic character.

Replacement dwellings in the countryside

Planning permission for replacement dwellings in the countryside will only be granted where: (i) The proposed new dwelling is not significantly larger than that which it replaces; (ii) The proposed new dwelling is not more intrusive in the landscape than that which it replaces; (iii) Residential use has not been abandoned. (iv) The replacement would not result in the loss of a building which displays the special qualities of a traditional rural building. (v) The replacement dwelling is more energy efficient than the original dwelling and where possible reuses building materials

Meeting Housing Needs

Residential development in the main towns and Strategic Villages shall provide an appropriate dwelling or mix of dwellings given the mix required in that part of the Borough according to the Councils evidence base or other evidence, including Housing for Older People. Residential development elsewhere shall provide a dwelling or a mix of dwellings to best meet local need according to a local housing needs survey or where applicable the Councils evidence base. Developments will also provide Affordable Housing in accordance with Strategic Policy 17 Developments shall be permitted on Exception Sites in accordance with Strategic Policy 18. Different sizes and tenures of housing shall be fully integrated by means of dispersal around the site. All newly erected housing providing ground floor living accommodation shall meet requirement M4(2) of the Building Regulations (accessible and adaptable dwellings). Proposals to develop Extra-care Housing and Retirement Housing on suitable sites will be welcomed. Inclusion of an appropriate number of Self-build Plots within developments will be welcomed.

Affordable Housing

Market housing led residential development that will provide 4 or more dwellings or on a site of 0.14 hectares or more shall provide up to 40% of the dwellings as affordable housing. This threshold may be revised during the lifetime of the plan if national policy changes. The affordable housing required from a particular scheme is the following percentage or the amount which is evidenced by an applicant to be viable. The percentages shown may be revised during the lifetime of the plan in the light of updated viability evidence. o On previously developed land within the built up areas of Burton and Uttoxeter: 25%; o On Greenfield sites within and on the edge of Burton and Uttoxeter: 33%; o On other land; 40%. To evidence what other amount of affordable housing is viable an applicant will need to submit their development appraisal and supporting evidence to the Council on an open book basis and to fund the Council's costs of assessing this. An application for development which extends an earlier permission will be treated together with that permission as one scheme. Planning permission will be subject to agreement to provide the required amount of affordable housing, and on schemes providing less than 40% and likely to be developed in phases over the longer term to agreement of a suitable mechanism to increase the amount of affordable housing provided over time if viability improves. Affordable housing is not required from Self-build Plots of up to 250 square metres in size, from Retirement Housing, or from Market Housing for Rent (definitions in the Glossary). The amount of affordable housing which must be provided on site will be as follows, with the balance commuted off site in accordance with the Housing Choice SPD: o On Burton and Uttoxeter - 13% of dwellings; o On Strategic Village sites, an amount consistent with local need; o On other sites, an amount determined by the housing needs survey. Residential development permitted in accordance with a Made Neighbourhood Plan on a site which is outside a settlement boundary and not a rural exception site shall provide an amount of affordable housing determined as above, or the amount required by the neighbourhood plan if greater. Well-planned affordable housing led residential development providing an appropriate mix of housing will be welcomed. Extra-care developments are expected to include affordable housing alongside market housing in accordance with identified need, subject to the availability of funding including via the Council from commuted sums. On site affordable housing shall be provided as follows: Affordable housing will normally be provided on each phase of a development. The mix on Burton and, Uttoxeter developments shall be agreed with the Council based on the need identified in the Housing Choice SPD. The mix on Strategic Village developments shall be agreed with the Council based on local need The mix on other developments shall be agreed with the Council based on the housing needs survey carried out in accordance with Housing Choice SPD. In accordance with the definitions in the Housing Choice SPD Affordable housing shall be fully integrated by means of dispersal around the site in clusters of no more than eight dwellings so that no street or part of the street is dominated by affordable housing. Affordable housing shall be externally indistinguishable from market housing on the same site.

Residential Development on Exception Sites

Where the Council is satisfied in the light of evidence that there is a need for new affordable housing or Traveller pitches which will not otherwise be met , permission may be granted for a small development to specifically meet that need on a suitable site outside a settlement boundary provided that: Evidence of need is provided in accordance with the Housing Choice SPD; The development will specifically meet the assessed need; The site is within or on the edge of a settlement; The site is within easy reach of local services and facilities; The scale of development is appropriate given the size of the existing settlement; The majority of units (dwellings and pitches) provided on the site will be affordable housing or Traveller pitches to meet the need. A minority of the units provided may deliver a mix of market housing that is appropriate to meet local need based firstly on a housing needs survey and secondly on other evidence of need in that part of the Borough; Permission will be subject to agreement of cascade arrangements to provide priority in perpetuity for local people; Occupation of Traveller pitches will be restricted to Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople; Affordable housing will remain affordable in perpetuity. The development complies with other relevant policies in this Plan.

Provision of Homes and Jobs 2012 – 2031

The Borough Council will provide for 11,648 dwellings over the plan period of 2012-2031. The housing requirement will be delivered in accordance with the following indicative average annual rate: • 466 dwellings per annum for 6 years (2012/2013-2017/2018) • 682 dwellings per annum for 13 years (2018/2019-2030/2031) Provision will be made for 40 hectares of employment land which consists of 30 hectares of new provision B1, B2 and B8 employment land and a continuation of 10 hectares of B1, B2 and B8 employment land.

Distribution of Housing Growth 2012 – 2031

Land is allocated to meet to meet the housing provision of Strategic Policy 3 in accordance with the following distribution: New strategic allocations in the Local Plan Main Towns: Units Burton upon Trent Brownfield Greenfield Branston Depot 483 Bargates/Molson Coors High Street 350 Molson Coors Middle Yard, Hawkins Lane 300 Derby Road 250 Pirelli 300 Land South Of Branston 660 Branston Locks 2580 Tutbury Road/Harehedge Lane 500 Beamhill/Outwoods 950 Guinevere Avenue 100 Total 6473 Uttoxeter Brownfield Greenfield Brookside Industrial Estate 90 JCB, Pinfold Road 257 Uttoxeter West 750 Hazelwalls 400 Total 1497 Barton under Needwood Rolleston on Dove Rocester Tutbury Efflinch Lane 130 College Fields Site 100 Land south of Rocester 90 Burton Road 224 Total 544 Development Requirement The Development Requirement assigned to the Main Towns and Tier 1 and Tier 2 settlements will be delivered within settlement boundaries or in accordance with a Made Neighbourhood Plan. The Development Requirement assigned to Tier 3 settlements and rural areas will be delivered on windfall sites such as on Exception Sites under Strategic Policy 18, in rural areas in accordance with Strategic Policy 8 or in accordance with a Made Neighbourhood Plan. Main Towns (of Burton Upon Trent and Uttoxeter): 1359 Development Requirement (minimum) Tier 1: Strategic Villages: Development Requirement Barton under Needwood 25 Rolleston on Dove 25 Rocester 25 Tutbury 26 Tier 2: Local Service Villages: Development Requirement Abbots Bromley 40 Yoxall 40 Marchington 20 Mayfield 20 Denstone 20 Draycott in the Clay 20 Tier 3: Small Villages, other settlements and the countryside Development Requirement which includes Housing Exceptions and development acceptable in the countryside (Strategic Policies 8 & 18) Include Neighbourhood Plans Including Bramshall, Stramshall, Church Leigh, Hanbury, Ellastone, Newborough, Kingstone, Anslow, Rangemore, Tatenhill, Stubwood, Stanton, Lower Leigh, Withington, Wootton and all other settlements not included in Tiers 1 and 2 above. 250 Grand Total 10,384

Managing the Release of Housing and Employment Land

The release of land for housing and employment will be managed so that it will deliver the level and distribution of development set out in Strategic Policies 3, 4 and 5. The release of land will be dependent on the timely provision of infrastructure necessary to deliver growth. The adequacy of housing and employment supply will be assessed regularly through reviews of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and the Authority's Monitoring Reports. Following the adoption of the plan, the Council will review every five years the evidence base which assesses the current and future levels of need and demand for housing to provide an appropriate basis for longer term housing and employment provision. Where there are significant changes to evidence on need and demand for development or within 5 years of the adoption of the plan, whichever is sooner, the Council will undertake a Local Plan Review. Should monitoring indicate that the Council is falling behind on delivering against development targets or Neighbourhood Plans do not come forward action will be taken to bring forward sites through a Development Plan Document.

Sustainable Urban Extensions

The following allocations are made for Sustainable Urban Extensions (SUEs) in the Borough: Major SUEs: (i) Branston Locks; (ii) Land South of Branston; (iii) Beamhill; and (iv) West of Uttoxeter. Two smaller allocations are also made at: a) Harehedge Lane/Tutbury Road, Burton upon Trent; b) Hazelwalls Farm, Uttoxeter; and All Sustainable Urban Extensions will make provision for: A network of green spaces linking the Sustainable Urban Extension to the wider Green Infrastructure (GI) network. The Council will require the development to meet the principles set out in Strategic Policy 23; A broad balance and range of housing choice, including both market and affordable housing and an appropriate amount of extra-care housing, with density being determined through a design-led approach (see Detailed Policy 3) appropriate to the character of the locality; A range of different employment uses on a specified part of the allocation will be agreed with the applicant, in line with the provision in SP5. An appropriate level of retail, leisure, social, cultural, sport, community and health facilities that meet local needs but do not compete with town centres, and good links to existing facilities in adjacent urban areas; Two tier or Three tier educational needs based on up to date data regarding existing and future school capacity and demand; Well designed, secure cycleways and walking routes serving the local facilities, separate from roads for motor vehicles where appropriate; Housing located within a maximum walking distance of 300m of a frequent and accessible bus service where viable; Development that respects the environment

Education Infrastructure

It is expected that new primary school provision will be located in the following strategic allocations: • Branston Locks, Burton upon Trent • Branston Depot, Burton upon Trent • Land at Beamhill/Upper Outwoods, Burton upon Trent • It is expected that new first school provision for Uttoxeter will be met through the expansion of existing schools and through the identification of a site within the SUE at West of Uttoxeter In addition, it is expected that new primary school provision will be provided by enlarging a local school or located within the following strategic allocation: • Land South of Branston, Burton upon Trent The Council will work in partnership with Staffordshire County Council and Academies to bring forward additional new schools and extensions to existing schools. Proposals for additional schools will be required to demonstrate a need for the development and the proposals role within a wider strategy for education provision. To determine if the location of an education proposal is suitable, applications will be required to demonstrate that the location is accessible for the need for which it is intended to meet. Policy SP1 will provide the framework for assessing suitability and impacts. Further education Schemes for further education, particularly those which contribute to the viability and vitality of centres will generally be supported.

Infrastructure Delivery and Implementation

Working with partners, the Borough Council will ensure that sufficient on and off site physical, social and community infrastructure is provided to support the development identified in this Local Plan. The Borough Council's Infrastructure Delivery Plan will be used to identify the timing, type and number of infrastructure projects required to support the objectives and policies of the strategy as well as the main funding mechanisms and lead agencies responsible for that delivery. The IDP will be reviewed every 5 years to ensure it is up to date and relevant. Monitoring of Infrastructure Provision associated with strategic site applications will be reported in the Authorities Monitoring Report. Infrastructure and services required as a consequence of development, and provision for their maintenance, will be sought from developers and secured by the negotiation of planning obligations, by conditions attached to a planning permission, and/or other agreement, levy or undertaking, all to be agreed before planning permission is granted. In order to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the collection of developer contributions, the Council will introduce a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Before CIL is adopted, Planning Obligations will continue to be the basis to secure developer contributions. The level of contributions will be determined on a case by case basis taking account of the statutory tests. If an applicant wishes to demonstrate that the level of contributions being sought will threaten the viability of the proposal the Council will consider the merits of the case subject to a requirement for a financial viability appraisal. The Council will safeguard land for future infrastructure provision through a Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) if necessary.

Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development

When considering development proposals the Council will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework. The Council will always seek to work proactively with applicants to: find solutions which result in the approval of development proposals wherever possible; and secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in the area. Planning applications that accord with the policies in this Local Plan (and, where relevant, with policies in "made" neighbourhood plans, i.e. those that have been brought into legal force by the Council) will be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Where the development plan is absent, silent or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise – taking into account whether: any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole; or specific policies in the National Planning Policy Framework indicate that development should be restricted.

East Staffordshire Approach to Sustainable Development

In line with Principle 1, development proposals will be required to demonstrate the principles of sustainable development and will be assessed against the presumption in favour of sustainable development as interpreted and applied locally to East Staffordshire Borough Council. In assessing whether a development proposal or allocation is as sustainable as possible, the Council will apply the following principles depending on the type of application or development proposed: located on, or with good links to, the strategic highway network, and should not result in vehicles harming residential amenity, causing highway safety issues or harming the character of open countryside; it is convenient and safe to walk, cycle and travel by public transport between (and for larger sites, around) the site and existing homes, workplaces, shops, education, health, recreation, leisure, and community facilities and between any new on-site provision; retains, enhances, expands and connects existing green infrastructure assets into networks within the site and within the wider landscape; re-uses existing buildings where this is practicable and desirable in terms of the contribution the buildings make to their setting integrated with the character of the landscape and townscape, provides for archaeological investigation where this is appropriate and conserves and enhances buildings of heritage importance, setting and historic landscape character; designed to protect the amenity of the occupiers of residential properties nearby, and any future occupiers of the development through good design and landscaping; high quality design which incorporates energy efficient considerations and renewable energy technologies; developed without incurring unacceptable flood risk or drainage problems and uses Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) where appropriate; does not harm biodiversity, but rather enhances it wherever possible, including increasing tree-cover, especially as part of the National Forest; creates well designed and located publicly accessible open space; would demonstrably help to support the viability of local facilities, businesses and the local community or where new development attracts new businesses and facilities to an area this does not harm the viability of existing local facilities or businesses; would contribute towards the creation of sustainable communities through the provision of a mix of housing types and tenures; uses locally sourced, sustainable or recycled construction materials (including wood products from the National Forest where this is appropriate), sustainable waste management practices and minimises construction waste; safeguards the long term capability of best and most versatile agricultural land (Grade 1, 2 and 3a in the Agricultural Land Classification) as a resource for the future; and would result in the removal of contamination and other environmental problems associated with the site.

Settlement Hierarchy

Development will be directed towards the most sustainable locations in accordance with the following settlement hierarchy: Main Towns Burton upon Trent and Uttoxeter Tier 1: Strategic Villages Tutbury, Barton under Needwood, Rolleston on Dove and Rocester Tier 2: Local Service Villages Abbots Bromley, Yoxall, Marchington, Mayfield, Denstone and Draycott in the Clay. Tier 3: Small Villages and other settlements Including Bramshall, Stramshall, Church Leigh, Hanbury, Ellastone, Newborough, Kingstone, Anslow, Rangemore, Tatenhill, Stubwood, Stanton, Lower Leigh, Withington, Wootton and all other settlements not included in Tiers 1 and 2 above. New development should be concentrated within the settlement boundary of the Main Towns, Strategic Villages, Local Service Villages and Rural Industrial Estates, as shown on the policies maps. Tier 3 Small Villages and other settlements (without settlement boundaries) and employment areas without boundaries are treated as open countryside where development will be permitted only in exceptional circumstances as set out in NP1 and Strategic Policies 8, 14, 15, 18, 20 and 21.

Development Outside Settlement Boundaries

Development outside settlement boundaries will not be permitted unless it is: Essential to the support and viability of an existing lawful business or the creation of a new business appropriate in the countryside in terms of type of operation, size and impact and supported by relevant justification for a rural location; or Providing facilities for the use of the general public or local community close to an existing settlement which is reasonably accessible on foot, by bicycle or by public transport; or In accordance with a 'made' (i.e. legally in force) Neighbourhood Plan; or Development under the Rural Exception Sites policy (see Policy 18 on Exception Sites); or Appropriate re-use of Rural Buildings following guidance set out in the Rural Buildings SPD; or Infrastructure development where an overriding need for the development to be located in the countryside can be demonstrated; or Development necessary to secure a significant improvement to the landscape or the conservation of a feature of acknowledged importance; or Provision for renewable energy generation, of a scale and design appropriate to its location. Otherwise appropriate in the countryside. Proposals falling within one of these categories will be judged against the following criteria where applicable: The proposed development must not adversely affect the amenities enjoyed by existing land users, including, in the case of proposals for development close to an existing settlement, the occupiers of residential and other property within that settlement. Proposals do not introduce considerable urban form Proximity to settlements where there are advantages of sustainable linkages, but this should not create unacceptable urban extensions or create the opportunity for unacceptable backfill between the development and the urban area The detailed siting of the proposed development and its associated environmental impact are compatible with the character of the surrounding area. The design of the buildings, structures and materials are visually well-related to the proposed site and its setting with careful choice of materials, landscaping, massing of buildings and attention to local architecture and roofscape design. Landscaping associated with the proposal takes into account both the immediate impact and distant views of the development. The proposed development will not have an adverse impact on the transport and highway network and provides adequate access for all necessary users The need to maintain land of high agricultural value for food production Development proposals that may affect farmsteads and their setting should be assessed using the relevant evidence base including the farmsteads mapping and landscape characterisation. Where major residential sites are consented and implemented outside but adjacent to the settlement boundary they will be excluded from this policy and for the purposes of decision making on future proposals such as extensions or replacement dwellings will be considered within the built urban area.

Bargates and Molson Coors Strategic Area

The Strategic Site Area comprises two separate site allocations. The principles are that development should: • Contribute positively to a phased approach for the whole area • Include uses appropriate for the area, particularly retail, office, residential and leisure • Include a layout that supports linkages to the Washlands and the High Street • Provide good linkages to public transport • Demonstrate a mix of housing types and tenures • Be designed to open up to the Washlands and encourage public use • Provide sufficient parking spaces for existing and proposed uses • Is of high quality design, reflecting the character of the area, surrounding buildings, the riverside setting, conservation area and listed buildings • Is supported by a Flood Risk Assessment • Includes opportunities for ecological improvements

Tourism, culture and leisure development

New tourism and cultural developments, including the improvement of existing and development of facilities, will be assessed according to the extent to which they support the local economy and promote the distinctive character and quality of the Borough. The Borough Council will maximise opportunities to develop and promote tourism by approving in principle proposals which: respect the character and quality of the landscape and built form of the Borough's towns and villages, including heritage assets; champion exemplar design, environmental credentials and sustainable construction appropriate to their context; make positive use of the natural assets of the Borough such as The National Forest, without harming their intrinsic qualities or adversely affecting the natural environment and designated features of the built environment, including their settings, biodiversity, geodiversity or visual amenity; and do not adversely affect the local transport infrastructure or residential amenity, or mitigate such effects where they are likely to arise. Those activities attracting large numbers of people should be directed towards the accessible locations of the Borough's towns, unless the tourism initiative requires a countryside location or setting or is directly related to a specific tourist destination. Development of tourist facilities in the countryside will be limited to those that make use of the natural environment in a sustainable manner. Tourist accommodation should be provided within existing settlements where it can make use of existing infrastructure and facilities. New tourist accommodation outside settlements will only be acceptable where it will have good accessibility to existing infrastructure, and will not have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the countryside, features of historic or landscape value, biodiversity, or the amenities of nearby residents. Leisure, cultural and tourism development which supports the existing rail and canal network will also be encouraged.

Town and Local Centres Hierarchy

Across the Overall Catchment Area (OCA) there is a requirement for 21,100 sq m of comparison goods floorspace and 5,750 sq m of convenience goods floorspace. The Borough's town, local and rural centres will be supported and strengthened to ensure that they continue to be the focus of communities. Additional minimum floorspace requirements are set out for the centres of Burton and Uttoxeter and as a whole for the rest of the local and rural centres across East Staffordshire. Town Centres Burton Additional comparison goods floorspace of approximately 14,800 sq m across the plan period and a share of the additional convenience floorspace of 4,025 sq m identified across the Overall Catchment Area (OCA). Uttoxeter Additional comparison goods floorspace of approximately 4,200 sq m across the whole plan period and a share of the 4,025 sq m of convenience floorspace across the Overall Catchment Area (OCA). Local Centres These centres are of varying size offering a basic level of convenience shopping and service function for the immediate residential areas. No specific additional retail floorspace requirements are identified in these centres. Rural Centres (Tier 1 Strategic Villages) Centres of varying size offering a basic level of shopping and service function for the village and immediate rural hinterland. These facilities will be protected and will share a proportion of the 1,050 sq m of comparison goods identified for 'other locations across the OCA'.

Managing Town and Local Centres

Town Centres As well as new retail floorspace, suitable uses that support and promote both day time and night time economies include: offices; residential; cultural; leisure; and educational uses. Other uses may also be appropriate if they contribute to the overall attractiveness and vitality of the town centres. New development should: • Safeguard the retail character and function of the town centre and not detract from its vitality and viability; • Where appropriate contribute towards delivering improved pedestrian and cycling links to the Washlands • Be designed to meet a very high standard of quality, respecting and reflecting the town centre's historic environment and helping to improve the sense of place and legibility to the Town Centre experience • Meet the principles set out in the Council's Public Realm Implementation Plan including opportunities to incorporate green infrastructure in designing the public realm within and around the development • Develop leisure, community and cultural activities and the evening economy, • Respect and enhance the historic fabric, encouraging housing opportunities, • Encourage a mix of uses Sequentially the Council will expect proposals for town centre uses to be sited within defined town centres. Applications for such uses on sites outside town centres will be subject to the sequential test. An impact assessment will be required for planning applications for town centre uses outside the defined town centre boundary when the floorspace proposed meets the following local floorspace thresholds: • Burton – 1,500 sq.m gross or more of convenience retail floorspace, or 750 sq.m gross or more of comparison retail floorspace. • Uttoxeter – 750 sq.m gross or more of convenience retail floorspace, or 500 sq.m gross or more of comparison retail floorspace. Retail Frontages Within the primary retail frontages of Burton upon Trent and Uttoxeter the Council will only permit Class A1 (retail) use at ground floor level unless it can be demonstrated that the proposed use will enhance the vitality of the primary retail area with a use that complements the main function of shopping and does not lead to the overconcentration of non A1 uses. In secondary frontages, the Council will accept a wider range of changes at ground floor level to uses that complements the function of the town centre as a whole. Local Centres Planning permission for the provision or extension of local shopping facilities in existing local centres will normally be granted provided: • the scale of provision is to meet local needs only, • the site is readily accessible on foot or by bicycle • the intensification of any one use does not become detr

Accessibility and Sustainable Transport

The Council is committed to developing a well integrated community connected by a sustainable transport system which connects people to jobs, services and community facilities. This will be achieved encouraging the use of sustainable modes of transport and by taking the following steps: Supporting measures which facilitate the modal shift to public transport, cycling and walking demonstrated in a travel plan; Supporting and supporting traffic management measures and environmental improvements which increase safety, improve air quality, and make our towns and villages more attractive; Promoting electronic communications allowing businesses to operate throughout the borough reducing the need to travel; Ensuring development proposals provide appropriate infrastructure measures to mitigate the adverse effects of development traffic and other environmental and safety impacts (individually or cumulatively); Securing appropriate provision or contributions towards the cost of any necessary highway improvements, provision of public transport services and facilities, and walking and cycling facilities in line with the most up to date Staffordshire County Council Integrated Transport Strategy; Requiring developments which are likely to have an impact on the wider highway infrastructure to be accompanied by a transport assessment clearly setting out how the likely impacts of the development will be addressed. Rail Network Any planning application which may increase the level of pedestrian and/or vehicular usage at a level crossing should be supported by a full Transport Assessment assessing impact and mitigation measures including assessment of closure as a first principle. The developer is required to fund any qualitative improvements required to the level crossing identified as a direct result of the development proposed. Network Rail will not allow new level crossings except in exceptional circumstances whereby it may be replacement or relocation.