Planning in North Lincolnshire

LIFELONG LEARNING AND SKILLS

The council will support improvements in education provision to enable everyone to share North Lincolnshire's growing prosperity by: 1. Assisting in the implementation of the Schools Organisation Plan and School Asset Management Plan 2003 – 2008 by identifying suitable sites that are accessible so that new schools can play their part in creating sustainable communities. 2. Helping to deliver the Building Schools for the Future programme. 3. Supporting the extended role of schools in the community to enable wider community use of school facilities. 4. Working with the Learning and Skills Council, providers of further and higher education, employers and neighbourhood renewal partnerships to identify sites and premises for new or expanded provision for further/higher education, training and lifelong learning. 5. Supporting the development of a Knowledge Campus to deliver locally based higher education facilities in Scunthorpe focussed around John Leggott College, North Lindsey College and the Kingsway Centre and other projects aimed at improving the skills and employability of local people. Where proposals are identified for the development of educational facilities that include school or further/higher education, facilities should be: • Of high quality design, well related to neighbourhood services and amenities, and easily accessible by sustainable transport modes. • Include, where appropriate, provision for community use in addition to their educational use. Proposals for the redevelopment of redundant educational sites should support the creation of sustainable, linked communities including the wider need to protect open spaces and playing pitches.

CULTURE AND TOURISM

A balanced and socially inclusive cultural and evening economy will be promoted within North Lincolnshire by supporting uses such as museums, theatres, restaurants, café bars and leisure uses within Scunthorpe town centre and market towns provided that the proposals: • Are managed to minimise crime, disorder and public concern • Are of a high quality design • Do not have an unacceptable adverse impact on neighbouring uses in terms of noise, traffic and disturbance. Elsewhere, schemes that extend the range of cultural and evening economy uses will be supported where they are consistent with the size and function of the centre. The loss of leisure, arts or cultural facilities will be permitted only where there are overriding regeneration or community benefits from such a development, in which case consideration must be given to the replacement of the facilities elsewhere. Existing tourist facilities and infrastructure will be protected and enhanced and the development and promotion of sustainable tourism focusing on the area's natural and built assets will be supported, particularly the Humber Estuary, Thorne and Crowle Moors and Market Towns.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES

The provision of new community facilities, or the improvement of existing community facilities, which meet the needs of local residents will be supported in principle. Good quality services and facilities will be provided that meet the needs of local communities and are accessible by public transport, cycling or on foot. The provision of new facilities should be focused in the following locations: a) Sites allocated for such purposes, or as part of a mixed use allocation. b) In town centres, market town centres, district centres or local centres subject to policies in the local development documents. c) In market towns, rural settlements and rural settlements in the countryside where the facility is needed to serve the immediate local area and could not be provided elsewhere. d) In residential areas where there is no adverse affect on the amenities of neighbouring properties. The provision of services and facilities will be of the scale appropriate to the type and size of the settlement. The loss of community facilities or land allocated for such purposes will be resisted, unless there is no longer a need for the land or building in any form of community use, or there is an acceptable alternative means of meeting such need. Developers will be expected to make an appropriate contribution towards necessary improvements or additional provision for community services and facilities arising from their development proposals.

SPORT, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE

The council will work with its partners, appropriate agencies and the voluntary sector to ensure the provision of good quality, well maintained leisure, recreation and open space facilities, which meet the needs of the local communities, will be secured and improved. In particular, provision will be sought to address identified deficiencies or that will benefit deprived groups and meet the needs of local communities. Development proposals for new leisure and recreation facilities, children's play facilities and open space or the extension/enhancement of an existing facility should be on a scale appropriate to the type and size of settlement. Wherever possible facilities that attract large numbers of people should be located in the larger settlements and be accessible by walking, cycling and public transport. Proposals will be permitted provided that: 1. There is no adverse impact to nearby properties or habitats, by reason of noise, general disturbance, fumes or external lighting; and 2. The development contributes to meet identified shortfalls in provisions or enhances the quality of existing provision. Development proposals that will result in the loss of an existing leisure, recreation facility, natural green space, open space or playing pitches will not be supported unless: 1. There is currently an excess of provision; or 2. Satisfactory alternative provision equivalent or better quality and quantity in a suitable location is made; or 3. The facility is no longer needed. Developers will be expected to make an appropriate contribution towards necessary improvements or additional provision for recreation facilities and open space arising from their development proposals, in accordance with the standards set out in the LDF. The implementation of new facilities supported by this policy will be permitted subject to other relevant plan policies.

HEALTH CARE PROVISION

The council will support the implementation of health care provision in North Lincolnshire, in order to modernise and improve the primary health care facilities, and to improve the health of residents through safeguarding and enhancing open space, facilities for sports and recreation and improving walking and cycling routes. The council will work with NHS North Lincolnshire to identify sites and premises for health facilities that are accessible by sustainable transport modes, contribute to strengthening sustainable communities and that deliver a new Health and Social Care Centre in Scunthorpe. Proposals for new health care facilities should provide high standards of accessibility to all sectors of the community. The loss of health care facilities or land allocated for such purposes will be resisted, unless there is no longer a need for the land or building in any form of health care use, or there is an acceptable alternative means of meeting such need. Developers will be expected to make an appropriate contribution towards necessary improvements, additional provision improvements or additional provision for health care services and facilities arising from their development proposals, in accordance with the Planning Obligations policy and Developer Contributions SPD. The implementation of new facilities supported by this policy will be permitted subject to other relevant plan policies.

DELIVERING QUALITY DESIGN IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

All new development in North Lincolnshire should be well designed and appropriate for their context. It should contribute to creating a sense of place. The council will encourage contemporary design, provided that it is appropriate for its location and is informed by its surrounding context. Design which is inappropriate to the local area or fails to maximise opportunities for improving the character and quality of the area will not be acceptable. New development in North Lincolnshire should: • Contribute towards creating a positive and strong identity for North Lincolnshire by enhancing and promoting the image of the area through the creation of high quality townscapes and streetscapes. • Ensure it takes account of the existing built heritage from the earliest stages in the design process, in particular terms of scale, density, layout and access. • Incorporate the principles of sustainable development throughout the whole design process. This will include site layout, minimising energy consumption, maximising use of on-site renewable forms of energy whilst mitigating against the impacts of climate change; for instance flood risk. • Create safe and secure environments, which reduce the opportunities for crime and increase the sense of security for local residents through the use of Secured by Design guidance. • Consider the relationship between any buildings and the spaces around them, and how they interact with each other as well as the surrounding area. The function of buildings should also be considered in terms of its appropriateness for the context in which it is located. • Create attractive, accessible and easily distinguished public and private spaces that complement the built form. • Support sustainable living and ensure that a mix of uses, which complement one another are incorporated. • Provide flexibility in that new and existing buildings and spaces are able to respond to future social, technological, environmental and economic needs. • Be easily accessible to all users via recognisable routes, interchanges and landmarks that are suitably connected to public transport links, community facilities and services and individual communities and neighbourhoods in North Lincolnshire. Buildings and spaces should be accessible by all sections of the community, and ensure that the principles of inclusive design are reflected. • Incorporate appropriate landscaping and planting which enhances biodiversity or geological features whilst contributing to the creation of a network of linked greenspaces across the area. Tree planting and landscaping schemes can also assist in minimising the impacts of carbon emissions upon the environment. • Integrate car parking provision within the existing public realm and other pedestrian and cycle routes.

PROVISION AND DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYMENT LAND

The council will support the continued expansion and improvement of North Lincolnshire's economy in order to create a step change in the area's role regionally and nationally. This will be achieved through the identification and allocation in the Housing and Employment Land Allocations DPD of a range of appropriate sites for employment and economic uses that will meet the requirement for an additional 40 hectares of employment land between 2006 and 2021 as identified within the Regional Spatial Strategy. This land will accommodate traditional land use (use classes B1, B2 & B8) as well as key priority growth sectors. Strategic employment sites will be identified in the following broad locations: Scunthorpe – 71 Hectares 1. To support the renaissance of Scunthorpe around 71 hectares will be identified and allocated. Principle locations will be: • Scunthorpe North – B1, B2 and B8 uses • Town Centre – B1 and town centre uses • Scunthorpe West – B1- High quality business park – Lincolnshire Lakes. Market Towns -10 Hectares 2. To support North Lincolnshire's market towns as key hubs of the rural economy. Humberside Airport – 20 Hectares 3. To support the key role of the airport in delivering economic growth both locally and regionally, around 20 hectares will be reserved for economic activities with airport links. Sandtoft Business Park – 58.5 Hectares 4. To support the growing logistics industry in North Lincolnshire and to take advantage of the connections provided by the airports of Humberside and Doncaster Robin Hood, and the South Humber Bank ports, around 59 hectares will be allocated for a logistics and distribution park. The development of this strategic location will be subject to satisfactory access arrangements being put in place. General Provisions To support development elsewhere within North Lincolnshire that meet local employment needs and maximises other special locations. In considering all development proposals for employment purposes in North Lincolnshire, regard should be given to making all locations accessible by range of transport modes in particular by public transport, cycling and walking. Accordingly, travel plans will be required setting out how employment locations will be linked to settlements in the area. Rural Economy To deliver a thriving rural economy by supporting development or activities that assist in rural regeneration and that strengthen or diversify rural businesses.

SOUTH HUMBER BANK STRATEGIC EMPLOYMENT SITE – A BROAD LOCATION

The South Humber Bank Strategic Employment Site (SHBSES) will be reserved for B1, B2 and B8 port related activities to take special advantage of its location, flat topography and adjacent a deep water channel of the River Humber as an extension to Immingham Port and the Humber Sea Terminal. The delivery of the SHBSES will be achieved through the following Plans, Boards and Delivery Groups: South Humber Bank Master Plan (2004); Individual South Humber Bank Infrastructure, Economic and Environmental Studies that up date the South Humber Bank Master Plan where relevant South Humber Bank Gateway Board (formed May 2009) South Humber Bank Gateway Delivery Group and its South Humber Bank Ecology Sub-Group The Plans, Strategies and Investment Decisions and Programmes for the SHBSES should: a) Role and Function of the Site Maintain, increase and enhance the role of Immingham Port as part of the busiest port complex in the UK, by extending port related development northwards from Immingham Port to East Halton Skitter in harmony with the environmental and ecological assets of the Humber Estuary. This will include safeguarding the site frontage to the deep water channel of the River Humber for the development of new port facilities and the development of new pipe routes needing access to the frontage. The deep water channel offers the opportunity of developing a new port along the River Humber frontage between Immingham Port and the Humber Sea Terminal. The role of the South Humber Ports should be strengthened by providing an increased number of jobs particularly giving employment opportunities for North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire residents. b) Economic Development Diversify and develop the economies of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire Council areas within the Humber sub area's economy. This can be achieved in the following ways: by making the most of the multimodal transport links and proposed highway improvements on site and to the port entrance along the A160 from the A180; by enhancing and improving the railway line between the East Coast Main Line at Doncaster and Immingham; by enhancing the established South Humber Ports; by taking the sustainable opportunity to transfer goods by trans-shipping goods from the southern and south eastern UK ports and by offering berths for transporting goods by barge/boat inland along the well connected inland waterways; and by utilising the workforces of the nearby towns of Scunthorpe, Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Attract value added employment port-related activities and maximise opportunities around the ports by enhancing and improving skills. This can be achieved by encouraging the expansion of existing training centres such as CATCH near Immingham and taking opportunities to create new training centres within the South Humber Ports area. These opportunities should also benefit the existing and growing economic clusters of the energy, chemicals and food sectors. This will include the diversification of the energy sector into the development of renewable energy such as biomass opportunities. c) Infrastructure Develop an infrastructure strategy to improve transport accessibility and movement, drainage and flood defence. Improve multimodal land access to the South Humber Ports and develop their complementary roles. The transport strategy includes the delivery of the South Humber Bank Transport Study outcomes within the SHBSES, the Highways Agency A160/A180 Highway Improvement Scheme (top priority in the Regional Transport Priorities) anticipated to begin construction around 2015 and the Network Rail Freight Utilisation Strategy that programmes line speed and signalling improvements between Immingham and Doncaster (being carried out within the current strategy 2007 and 2014) and the Killingholme Loop (that will enable a one way freight rail route into the South Humber Ports) post 2015. In improving transport accessibility, it is vital that the ports can be accessed by a range of transport modes, including public transport, cycling and walking. According, robust travel plans should be developed to show how the area will be linked to surrounding settlements. Development will be assisted by a drainage programme. Works are programmed to start and be completed in 2011. The outcome will be to include surface water and sewage management solutions to accommodate development of the SHBSES without harming the natural environment. Safeguard and improve the flood defences of the SHBSES from tidal flooding through partnership working with the Environment Agency and its Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy (March 2008), North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire Councils, Yorkshire Forward, landowners and industry. This will include managing the predicted effects of climate change in harmony with the development of port related activities by managing and minimising the risk of flooding. d) Environment Protect and enhance the biodiversity and landscape character of the Humber Estuary by harmonising the ecology, nature conservation and landscape with port related development activities. This will be achieved by implementing the South Humber Gateway Conservation Mitigation Strategy Delivery Plan (SHGCMSDP). The SHGCMSDP will identify appropriate areas of mitigation for the loss of offsite SPA and Ramsar waterbird roosting and foraging habitat. These areas will be delineated and safeguarded in the Housing and Employment Land Allocations DPD. The SHGCMSDP will help unlock the economic development opportunity of the South Humber Bank Employment Site whilst ensuring the protection of the Humber Estuary Special Protection Area, SAC and Ramsar site and developing new green infrastructure. The delivery of this SHGCMSDP will link directly to the Green Infrastructure Strategy for North Lincolnshire and will be produced by partnership working with Natural England, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, Yorkshire Forward, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire Councils, landowners and industry. New development will also need to harmonise with the North Killingholme Haven Pits SSSI and the Local Wildlife Sites such as Chase Hill Wood (a proposed Local Nature Reserve) Burkinshaws Covert, Halton Marsh Clay Pits and Rosper Road Ponds.

SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE USE AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The council will actively promote development that utilises natural resources as efficiently and sustainably as possible. This will include: 1. Meeting high water efficiency standards, and incorporating new technologies to recycle and conserve water resources. 2. Requiring the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) where practicable. 3. Supporting the necessary improvement of flood defences and surface water infrastructure required against the actions of climate change, and preventing development in high flood risk areas wherever practicable and possible. 4. Meeting required national reductions of predicted CO2 emissions by at least 34% in 2020 and 80% in 2050 by applying the following measures on development proposals. Requiring all industrial and commercial premises greater than 1000 square metres to provide 20% of their expected energy demand from on site renewable energy until the code for such buildings is applied nationally. Where developers consider these Codes and targets cannot be met on the basis of viability they will be required to provide proof through open book discussions with the council at the planning application stage. 5. Ensuring building design reduces energy consumption by appropriate methods such as high standards of insulation, avoiding development in areas subject to significant effects from shadow, wind and frost, using natural lighting and ventilation, capturing the sun's heat, where appropriate. 6. Supporting development that minimises the consumption and extraction of minerals by making the greatest possible reuse or recycling of materials in new construction, and by making best use of existing buildings and infrastructure. 7. Supporting development that seeks to minimise waste and facilitates recycling and using waste for energy where appropriate. 8. Ensuring that development and land use in areas close to the Humber Estuary and rivers responds appropriately to the character of the area, in the interests of preserving and making best use of limited resources. 9. Supporting development that will help to reduce the need to travel for people using that development. 10. Ensuring development and land use helps to protect people and the environment from unsafe, unhealthy and polluted environments, by protecting and improving the quality of the air, land and water. 11. Supporting renewable sources of energy in appropriate locations, where possible, and ensuring that development maximises the use of combined heat and power, particularly at the South Humber Bank employment site and where energy demands for more than 2MW are required for development. 12. Supporting new technology and development for carbon capture and the best available clean and efficient energy technology, particularly in relation to the heavy industrial users in North Lincolnshire, to help reduce CO2 emissions. 13. Promote the use of a greenspace strategy and a green infrastructure plan, where applicable, which could help reduce the effects of climate change.

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE'S LANDSCAPE, GREENSPACE AND WATERSCAPE

The council will protect, enhance and support a diverse and multi-functional network of landscape, greenspace and waterscape through: 1. Identifying in supporting documents within or evidencing the Local Development Framework, a network of strategically and locally important landscape, greenspace and waterscape areas. Development on or adjacent to these areas will not be permitted where it would result in unacceptable conflict with the function(s) or characteristic of that area. 2. Requiring development proposals to improve the quality and quantity of accessible landscape, greenspace and waterscape, where appropriate. 3. Requiring development proposals to address local deficiencies in accessible landscape, waterscape and greenspace where appropriate. 4. Requiring the protection of trees, hedgerows and historic landscape to be specified where appropriate. The creation and maintenance of the network of landscape, green space and waterscapes will be secured by a range of measures, including protecting open space, creating new open spaces as part of new development, and by using developer contributions to create, improve and maintain green infrastructure assets where appropriate

BIODIVERSITY

The council will promote effective stewardship of North Lincolnshire's wildlife through: 1. Safeguarding national and international protected sites for nature conservation from inappropriate development. 2. Appropriate consideration being given to European and nationally important habitats and species. 3. Maintaining and promoting a North Lincolnshire network of local wildlife sites and corridors, links and stepping stones between areas of natural green space. 4. Ensuring development retains, protects and enhances features of biological and geological interest and provides for the appropriate management of these features. 5. Ensuring development seeks to produce a net gain in biodiversity by designing in wildlife, and ensuring any unavoidable impacts are appropriately mitigated for. 6. Supporting wildlife enhancements that contribute to the habitat restoration targets set out in the North Lincolnshire's Nature Map and in national, regional and local biodiversity action plans. 7. Improving access to and education/interpretation of biodiversity sites for tourism and the local population, providing their ecological integrity is not harmed.

FLOOD RISK

The council will support development proposals that avoid areas of current or future flood risk, and which do not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere. This will involve a risk based sequential approach to determine the suitability of land for development that uses the principle of locating development, where possible, on land that has a lower flood risk, and relates land use to its vulnerability to flood. Development in areas of high flood risk will only be permitted where it meets the following prerequisites: 1. It can be demonstrated that the development provides wider sustainability benefits to the community and the area that outweigh flood risk. 2. The development should be on previously used land. If not, there must be no reasonable alternative developable sites on previously developed land. 3. A flood risk assessment has demonstrated that the development will be safe, without increasing flood risk elsewhere by integrating water management methods into development. Development within the Lincolnshire Lakes area will comply with the flood management principals set out in the Western Scunthorpe Urban Extension Exception Test Strategy. Any further flood management proposals will have to be agreed by both the council and the Environment Agency during the process of the Lincolnshire Lakes Area Action Plan. Development proposals in flood risk areas which come forward in the remainder of North Lincolnshire shall be guided by the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. This will ensure that proposals include site specific flood risk assessments which take into account strategic flood management objectives and properly apply the Sequential

DELIVERING MORE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

In supporting the delivery of the spatial strategy set out in policy CS1, as well as determining how future development needs will be met in North Lincolnshire, a sequential approach will be adopted. Development should be focused on: 1. Previously developed land and buildings within the Scunthorpe urban area, followed by other suitable infill opportunities within the town, then by appropriate greenfield urban extensions 2. Previously developed land and buildings within the defined development limits of North Lincolnshire's Market Towns, followed by other suitable infill opportunities then appropriate small scale greenfield extensions to meet identified local needs 3. Small scale developments within the defined development limits of rural settlements to meet identified local needs. Any development that takes place outside the defined development limits of settlements or in rural settlements in the countryside will be restricted. Only development which is essential to the functioning of the countryside will be allowed to take place. This might include uses such as that related to agriculture, forestry or other uses which require a countryside location or which will contribute to the sustainable development of the tourist industry. A 'sequential approach' will also be applied to ensure that development is, where possible, directed to those areas that have the lowest probability of flooding, taking account the vulnerability of the type of development proposed, its contribution to creating sustainable communities and achieving the sustainable development objectives of the plan. Where development does take place in the flood plain, mitigation measures should be applied to ensure that the development is safe. All future development in North Lincolnshire will be required to contribute towards achieving sustainable development. Proposals should comply with the overall spatial strategy together with the following sustainable development principles: • Be located to minimise the need to travel and to encourage any journeys that remain necessary to be possible by walking, cycling and public transport. It should be compliant with public transport accessibility criteria as set out in the Regional Spatial Strategy • Be located where it can make the best use of existing transport infrastructure and capacity, as well as taking account of capacity constraints and deliverable transport improvements particularly in relation to junctions on the Strategic Road Network • Where large freight movements are involved the use of rail and water transport should be maximised • Contribute towards to the creation of locally distinctive, sustainable, inclusive, healthy and vibrant communities • Contribute to achieving sustainable economic development to support a competitive business and industrial sector • Ensure that everyone has access to health, education, jobs, shops, leisure and other community and cultural facilities that they need for their daily lives • Ensure the appropriate provision of services, facilities and infrastructure to meet the needs of the development, but where appropriate it is to be recognised that a phased approach may not be required on small scale development proposals • To be constructed and operated using a minimum amount of non-renewable resources including increasing the use of renewable energy in construction and operation • Take account of local environmental capacity and to improve air, water and soil quality and minimise the risk and hazards associated with flooding, and • Be designed to a high standard, consistent with policy CS5, and use sustainable construction and design techniques. All change will be managed in an environmentally sustainable way by avoiding/minimising or mitigating development pressure on the area's natural and built environment, its existing utilities and associated infrastructure and areas at risk of flooding. Environmental impacts to or from development that cannot be avoided should be adequately mitigated for it to be acceptable.

SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

The Council will consider new and enhanced facilities for the treatment and management of waste in the following broad strategic areas: • Scunthorpe • South Humber Bank Employment Area • Flixborough Industrial Estate • Power station sites and other high energy usage installations • Farms which will directly use organic agricultural products derived from waste treatment In general a sequential search will be made for the location of waste management facilities from the highest to lowest preference as follows: 1. On-site management of waste where it arises at retail, industrial and commercial locations, particularly in the main urban areas (The Proximity Principle) 2. Pursuit of neighbourhood self-sufficiency, at the lowest practicable level for the waste stream concerned (The Self-Sufficiency Principle) 3. Encouraging co-location of waste facilities - at Materials or Resource Recovery Parks for example 4. Locations at existing mineral extraction and waste landfill sites 5. Locations at established and proposed industrial and business sites 6. Locations in redundant farm buildings and associated land 7. Use of other previously-developed land. The Council will promote sustainable waste management by: • Requiring Site Waste Management Plans for future major developments to minimise waste • Requiring the integration of facilities for waste minimisation, re-use, recycling and composting, in association with the planning, construction and occupation of new development. • Providing guidance on minimising potential social, environmental and economic impacts that are likely to arise in the development of waste infrastructure • Establishing a planning policy framework that identifies suitable locations for waste management.

MINERALS

The Council will safeguard mineral resources in North Lincolnshire from other development that would prejudice future mineral extraction. To achieve this Mineral Safeguarding Areas will be identified in the Minerals and Waste DPD. Based on the geologically mapped resources that are considered to be of current and future economic importance; specifically including all unsterilised deposits of aggregates (sand, gravel, limestone and sandstone), ironstone, silica sand, clay, brickearth, and chalk. Major developments in the Mineral Safeguarding Areas will only be permitted where is has been demonstrated that: a) the mineral is no longer of any value, or b) the mineral can be extracted prior to the development taking place, or c) the development will not inhibit extraction if required in the future, or d) there is an overriding need for the development and prior extraction cannot be reasonably undertaken, or e) the development is allocated in a local development plan document, or f) the development is not incompatible Mineral Safeguarding Areas along with Specific Sites, Preferred Areas, and Areas of Search will be identified as appropriate in the Minerals and Waste DPD, through formal consultation with operators, land owners and others. The council will provide for a steady and adequate supply of minerals to be maintained in accordance with national and regional guidance. Therefore, the council will maintain landbanks of at least: a) 10 years at each individual site for silica sand or in the case of significant new capital investment 15 years or substantially longer for Greenfield sites. b) 7 years for sand gravel c) 10 years for crushed rock The sustainable extraction of minerals will be managed by:

Flood Risk and Water Management

Development in areas of high flood risk will only be permitted where it meets the following prerequisites: 1. It can be demonstrated that the development provides wider sustainability benefits to the community and the area that outweigh flood risk. 2. The development should be on previously used land. If not, there must be no reasonable alternative developable sites on previously developed land. 3. A flood risk assessment has demonstrated that the development will be safe, without increasing flood risk elsewhere by integrating water management methods into development. Development within the Lincolnshire Lakes area will comply with the flood management principals set out in the Western Scunthorpe Urban Extension Exception Test Strategy. Any further flood management proposals will have to be agreed by both the council and the Environment Agency during the process of the Lincolnshire Lakes Area Action Plan. Development proposals in flood risk areas which come forward in the remainder of North Lincolnshire shall be guided by the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. This will ensure that proposals include site specific flood risk assessments which take into account strategic flood management objectives and properly apply the Sequential and, where necessary, Exception Tests. In addition development will be required, wherever practicable, to incorporate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) to manage surface water drainage. The Council will also seek to reduce the increase in flood risk due to climate change through measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT

The council will promote the effective management of North Lincolnshire's historic assets through: • Safeguarding the nationally significant medieval landscapes of the Isle of Axholme (notably the open strip fields and turbaries) and supporting initiatives which seek to realise the potential of these areas as a tourist, educational and environmental resource. • Preserving and enhancing the rich archaeological heritage of North Lincolnshire • Ensuring that development within Epworth (including schemes needed to exploit the economic potential of the Wesleys or manage visitors) safeguards and, where possible, improves the setting of buildings associated with its Methodist heritage. • Ensuring that development within North Lincolnshire's Market Towns safeguards their distinctive character and landscape setting, especially Barton upon Humber, Crowle and Epworth. The council will seek to protect, conserve and enhance North Lincolnshire's historic environment, as well as the character and setting of areas of acknowledged importance including historic buildings, conservation areas, listed buildings (both statutory and locally listed), registered parks and gardens, scheduled ancient monuments and archaeological remains. All new development must respect and enhance the local character and distinctiveness of the area in which it would be situated, particularly in areas with high heritage value. Development proposals should provide archaeological assessments where appropriate.

GYPSIES, TRAVELLERS AND TRAVELLING SHOWPEOPLE SITES

Sites will be identified to meet the demand for approximately 46 residential Gypsy and Traveller pitches between 2007 and 2016 and a further 10 transit pitches jointly across North and North East Lincolnshire within the same period. 1. The following considerations will be taken into account to designate sites for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the General Policies DPD: • Safe and convenient vehicular and pedestrian access to the site including public transport • Be large enough to provide adequate on site facilities for parking, storage, play and residential amenity • Should be well located on the highway network • Be in or near to existing settlements with access to local services, including shops, schools and healthcare • Not have an adverse impact on environmental assets such as landscape, historic environment, biodiversity, open space and green infrastructure, and avoid areas shown as at risk of flooding in the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). • Should not be detrimental to amenities of adjacent occupiers • Must be suitable for such accommodation with a realistic likelihood that the site can come forward within the plan period 2. These criteria are also to be used to assess planning applications in advance of the adoption of the Housing and Employment Land Allocations DPD Previously developed land, derelict land and land on the edge of urban areas will be considered before any rural sites as with all other types of accommodation.

OVERALL HOUSING PROVISION

Between 2010 and 2026, North Lincolnshire's housing requirement is for 12,063 new dwellings to be provided (754 new dwellings per year): Of these new dwellings around 3,482 will be provided from sites that already have planning permission or are under construction. All proposals for housing should include a variety of housing types, sizes and tenures to meet the local housing needs. All new dwellings should be well designed and meet the Codes for Sustainable Homes. The exact housing mix on each site will be determined based on the Strategic Housing Market Assessment - Market Review (November 2008) and any updates to this document. Housing land will be allocated, released and phased to ensure the delivery of additional dwellings remains close to the target identified above. Previously developed land will take priority over greenfield land where it is in a sustainable location. Based on the Annual Monitoring Report findings, allocated sites will be brought forward as required to maintain the five year supply and distribution of land for housing in the most sustainable locations in accordance with the spatial development strategy. To provide flexibility in the delivery of housing the council will allocate contingency sites through the Housing and Employment Land Allocations Development Plan Document to deliver 1,300 additional dwellings within the Scunthorpe Urban Area. If over any continuous three year period the net additional housing requirement varies by more than 20% the allocated contingency sites will be brought forward. Housing development will be required to make efficient use of land but the density of new development should be in keeping with the character of the area and should support the development of sustainable, balanced communities. Dependent upon the location of a development site at least the following net density ranges should be achieved within a residential development site, or the residential element of a mixed use site: Scunthorpe town centre: 45-70 dwellings per hectare Within Scunthorpe and Market Towns development limits: 40-45 dwellings per hectare Within rural settlements and the countryside: 30-35 dwellings per hectare

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSING SITES

The allocation of sites for 12,063 new dwellings will be delivered in accordance with sustainable development principles and the following sequential approach: The principal focus for housing is previously developed land and buildings within the development limits of Scunthorpe followed by a greenfield urban extension to the west of the town. 82% of all new dwellings will be located in and adjacent to the urban area, equating 9,892 new dwellings. A total of 6,000 new dwellings will be provided within the Lincolnshire Lakes area during the plan period, with 1,250 being provided elsewhere within the urban area. Of these new dwellings 2,642 will be provided from sites that already have planning permission or are under construction. The Market Towns of Barton upon Humber, Brigg, Crowle, Kirton in Lindsey and Winterton will have approximately 18% houses built overall equating to 2,171 new dwellings of which 840 will be provided from sites that already have planning permission or are under construction. The overall provision will be divided as follows to enhance the level of services provided or meet the needs of the settlements and its immediate area: Barton upon Humber 6% (724 dwellings) Brigg 7% (844 dwellings) Crowle 1.2% (145 dwellings) Kirton in Lindsey 1.5% (181 dwellings) Winterton 2.3% (277 dwellings) New housing within the rural settlements will create opportunities for small scale infill development that maintains the viability of the settlement and meets identified local needs without increasing the need to travel. In rural settlements in the countryside and in the open countryside outside development limits, housing development will be strictly limited. Consideration will be given to development, which relates to agriculture, forestry or to meet a special need associated with the countryside. All development should not have an adverse impact on the environment or landscape. Urban extensions to support the Scunthorpe Urban Renaissance Programme will be promoted particularly alongside proposals for Lincolnshire Lakes project. To ensure that the scale of the house building is in line with the housing allocation the western urban extension will be phased to release land in such a way as to allow for the control of the pattern and speed of urban growth, co-ordination of infrastructure, and delivery of the previously developed land target and other sustainability objectives. The Lincolnshire Lakes project will be subject to the development and approval of an Area Action Plan. The first priority is to re-use previously developed land and buildings within North Lincolnshire's built up areas which will be promoted by setting a target of 30% of the housing provision on such land. Second priority will be given to other suitable infill opportunities in North Lincolnshire's built up areas. Development on greenfield sites will only be allowed where it can be demonstrated that this will bring additional community benefits, contributing to building sustainable communities and is acceptable in terms of its impact on the high quality environment of the urban space and adjoining countryside. Flood risk will be taken into account, as this will be a determining factor in the distribution and location of housing.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

New residential housing development of 15 or more dwellings in the Scunthorpe urban area, 5 or more dwellings in Market Towns and 3 or more dwellings in rural settlements must make provision for an element of affordable housing which is accessible to those unable to compete in the general housing market. This policy seeks to achieve the following proportion of affordable housing: Scunthorpe urban area and Market Towns 20% Rural settlements 10% A target of 70% of the affordable homes will be provided for rent, with the remaining provided as an intermediate tenure, to be agreed on a site by site basis. Wherever possible, affordable housing should be provided on-site, but an off-site contribution may be acceptable where: a) Management of the affordable housing on-site cannot be secured effectively; or b) Affordable housing provision elsewhere in more suitable settlements is more likely to contribute towards the creation of mixed communities. Where it can be demonstrated that the percentage of affordable housing sought will negatively impact on the delivery of a mixed community, or are subject to exceptional and authenticated site development costs, there may be a case for reducing the affordable housing. This should be proven through open book discussions with the council at planning application stage. Rural Exception Sites Planning permission will be granted for the release of small rural exception sites within or adjacent to the development limits or within rural settlements for 100% affordable housing where a local need has been clearly identified. All proposals must be substantiated by evidence that the scale of development proposed meets the identified needs.

PLANNING OBLIGATIONS

Where a development proposal generates an identified need for additional infrastructure, North Lincolnshire Council will, through the negotiation of planning obligations pursuant to Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and in accordance with guidance set out in Circular 05/2005, seek to ensure that the development proposal: 1. Meets the reasonable cost of new infrastructure and improvements to existing infrastructure made necessary by the proposal in order to support, for example, affordable housing, maintenance payments, highway infrastructure, nature conservation, transport initiatives, utilities, education, community facilities, health, leisure and recreation provision, public art and waste management; and/or 2. Mitigates the impact(s) of the development; and/or 3. Offsets the loss of any significant amenity or resource through compensatory provision elsewhere; and/or 4. Provides for the ongoing maintenance of facilities provided as a result of the development.

SPATIAL STRATEGY: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY

a) Supporting Scunthorpe as the principal urban centre and the main driver of economic growth, by focusing the majority of new development and investment in and around the town to enable it to fulfil its role within the Northern Lincolnshire sub-region. New development, retail opportunities, a new market hall, cultural and leisure facilities as well as enhancements to the public realm and urban fabric will be provided in place within the town centre. The use of high quality and innovative design will be supported in the town centre. Mixed use development will be encouraged in the town centre. Major flagship urban renaissance projects will be delivered to enhance the town and its image. The largest of these is the Lincolnshire Lakes, which will be located to the west of the town creating a major new sustainable waterside setting that will soften the edge and provide an impressive gateway to the town and place it on a new economic trajectory. A knowledge campus will be created that develops the town's existing Further Education offer by bringing together local educational institutions to broaden the opportunities and encourage local people to access higher education. Also a major new state of the art leisure and sports facility will be provided in the form of The Pods that will deliver sports, education and training. Work is also underway to create a new multi-use venue to host live performances, events and conferencing. This development, known as The Baths Hall and regeneration of Doncaster Road, will help to create a quality gateway into the town. b) Supporting the Market Towns of Barton upon Humber, Brigg, Crowle, Epworth, Kirton in Lindsey and Winterton as thriving places to live, work and visit, and as important service centres serving the needs of local communities across North Lincolnshire. North Lincolnshire's Market Towns will continue to provide important services for the area's rural communities and support the higher level services provided by Scunthorpe. Levels of growth and development will be more limited reflecting their position in the settlement hierarchy. All growth will take account of existing infrastructure, environmental constraints and ensure that the distinctive character of the town is protected. An appropriate level and range of new housing development will be provided to support the market towns as sustainable communities. During the plan period, the market towns will provide over 2,171 new dwellings. Small and medium scale employment opportunities will be encouraged to meet the need to provide local jobs. The retention of existing local employment sites will be supported and where appropriate additional land will be allocated. Around 10 hectares of employment land will be provided in the market towns, with the majority being focussed in Barton upon Humber and Brigg. The existing market town will be supported as key locations for shopping and services. Over the plan period limited levels of new retail development will be permitted and should be located within the town centres. The level of development will be dependent on local need and should be in keeping with the historic nature of these centres. Transport links between the market towns and their surrounding settlements will be improved by working with public transport providers to ensure that services are convenient and accessible. The Rural Renaissance programme will be supported in Crowle to improve the fabric of the town centre, market place and to develop the range of services and employment opportunities available. c) Supporting thriving rural communities and a vibrant countryside through the protection and enhancement of local services, creating opportunities for rural economic diversification and the promotion of tourism. Rural settlements will be supported as thriving sustainable communities, with a strong focus on retaining and enhancing existing local services to meet local needs. Development will be limited and should take into account levels of local service provision, infrastructure capacity and accessibility. Any development that takes place should be in keeping with the character and nature of the settlement. In the countryside, support will be given to development that promotes rural economic diversification and small-scale employment opportunities, particularly on previously used land or in existing rural buildings. Tourism development will also be supported, in particular the development of green tourism making the most of the area's important natural and built environments. d) Supporting the development of key strategic employment sites at the South Humber Bank, Humberside Airport and Sandtoft Airfield. The development of the nationally important South Humber Bank ports will be supported by safeguarding around 900ha of land in and around the port complexes for estuary related development as well as to support the continued growth of the chemical and renewable energy industries. To support increased development at the South Humber Bank, the council will work with key partners to deliver improved rail and road access through major upgrades to the rail network in and around the ports and the dualling of the A160 between the A180 and the port. However, development of the ports will need to be considered in light of the legal requirement to protect the adjacent internationally important sites of nature conservation and nearby nationally important archaeological sites. Humberside Airport is a key location for economic growth and as such its growth will be supported. To facilitate further growth around 20 hectares of land will be allocated. This will be for uses related to aviation and those that are ancillary to the airport. The council will also work with partners to improve surface access particularly by public transport. However, development around the airport will need to protect the character and setting of nearby historic assets. To support the growing logistics and distribution sector in North Lincolnshire, the potential of Sandtoft Airfield as a strategic location for a logistics/distribution facility has been identified. This site is ideally placed to take advantage of the ports and nearby airports of Humberside and Doncaster Robin Hood as well as providing an important employment opportunity for the Isle of Axholme. In order to enable the development in this location, the council will work with partners to ensure that appropriate transport infrastructure is developed to provide access. e) Supporting the protection and enhancement of North Lincolnshire's world class natural and built environment to ensure the continued attractiveness of the area as place to live, work and visit. The internationally and nationally designated sites of nature conservation importance of the Humber Estuary and Thorne and Hatfield Moors will be protected and enhanced. In the Humber Estuary area, particularly where the expansion of the South Humber ports is likely to occur, a strategic approach to the creation of new habitats will be adopted. This will ensure that the collective impact of major developments are designed to secure positive environmental benefits from flood management and development proposals. North Lincolnshire's townscapes and historic landscapes will also be protected and enhanced and high quality design encouraged. In particular, the nationally significant historic landscapes of the Isle of Axholme and Crowle Moors will be conserved and their potential as a tourist and educational resource realised. The character and landscape setting of the area's historic market towns will be safeguarded (especially Barton upon Humber, Crowle and Epworth) and the rich archaeological heritage of North Lincolnshire will be preserved and enhanced. The value of regionally and locally important sites will be enhanced and opportunities to improve green infrastructure will be included in all new development.

DEVELOPMENT LIMITS

Development limits will be applied to the Scunthorpe urban area, the Market Towns and Rural Settlements. They will not be applied to rural settlements in the countryside. In applying development limits the following considerations will be taken into account: • Existing development patterns - the development limit will be drawn around the main built up area of the settlement. Scattered, sporadic or dispersed development or buildings separated from the main body of the settlement by areas of undeveloped land, roads or industrial areas will not be included. Where possible, limits should follow clearly defined features or constraints such as roads. • Capacity - the ability of the settlement to accommodate future development based on existing and proposed infrastructure, on its access to facilities and services and levels of public transport. This also includes the availability of previously developed land. • Existing planning consents/development - land with planning consent for residential development or community facilities where development has been implemented. • Character - the limit will be drawn to reflect the need to protect and enhance settlement character. This means protecting areas of open space or land with the characteristics of open countryside within and adjacent to settlements by not including them within development limits. Large rear gardens or paddocks stretching well out the villages built form will also be excluded. Development outside these defined boundaries will be restricted to that which is essential to the functioning of the countryside. This will include uses such as that related to agriculture, forestry or other uses which require a countryside location or that which will contribute to the sustainable development of the tourist industry. The extent of the development limits will be defined in the Housing & Employment Land Allocations Development Plan Documents and shown on the accompanying Proposals Map and settlement insets.

CREATING A RENAISSANCE IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

The Council will work with its partners to promote and secure area wide renaissance in North Lincolnshire through delivering the following major transformational projects: 1. Scunthorpe Town Centre – creation of a vibrant and attractive town centre including new well designed mixed use developments to the east and west of the retail core showcasing the latest in energy efficient design and sustainable construction techniques and an improved public realm 2. Central Park & The Pods, Scunthorpe – development of an iconic sports facility, together with the rejuvenation of Central Park will create a centre for sports, recreation and leisure 3. Knowledge Campus, Scunthorpe - development of a higher education concept working with existing education and business institutions including North Lindsey College, John Leggott College and the Kingsway Centre 4. New Century Garden Town - improvements to open spaces greenways and gateways into Scunthorpe 5. Lincolnshire Lakes - developing a major waterside setting to the west of Scunthorpe providing a high quality environment in which to live and work and a significant wildlife habitat. This will be delivered through the creation a masterplan as part of the development of an Area Action Plan 6. Crowle - development in the Market Place to expand the range and quality of shops and other facilities and improve the quality of the environment. New development supported by this policy must be designed to the highest standards to meet energy efficiency, accessibility and sustainable waste management and construction techniques. All development will meet the highest possible flood risk management standards, including the use of sustainable drainage systems to be incorporated, where practicable and viable.

Minerals Safeguarding and Provision

Based on the geologically mapped resources that are considered to be of current and future economic importance; specifically including all unsterilised deposits of aggregates (sand, gravel, limestone and sandstone), ironstone, silica sand, clay, brickearth, and chalk. Major developments in the Mineral Safeguarding Areas will only be permitted where is has been demonstrated that: a) the mineral is no longer of any value, or b) the mineral can be extracted prior to the development taking place, or c) the development will not inhibit extraction if required in the future, or d) there is an overriding need for the development and prior extraction cannot be reasonably undertaken, or e) the development is allocated in a local development plan document, or f) the development is not incompatible Mineral Safeguarding Areas along with Specific Sites, Preferred Areas, and Areas of Search will be identified as appropriate in the Minerals and Waste DPD, through formal consultation with operators, land owners and others. The council will provide for a steady and adequate supply of minerals to be maintained in accordance with national and regional guidance. Therefore, the council will maintain landbanks of at least: a) 10 years at each individual site for silica sand or in the case of significant new capital investment 15 years or substantially longer for Greenfield sites. b) 7 years for sand gravel c) 10 years for crushed rock The sustainable extraction of minerals will be managed by: a) Reducing the consumption of non-renewable mineral resources by encouraging reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste, particularly from land reclamation schemes, and the by-products of industrial processes, especially power generation and steel manufacture. b) Requiring phased development and progressive restoration of mineral sites c) The use of restoration materials to progressively restore mineral sites. d) Safeguarding natural watercourses. e) Planning applications for mineral extraction to be accompanied by an Environmental Statement where required by guidelines. f) Where appropriate, site restoration will contribute to the attainment of local biodiversity targets.

RETAIL DEVELOPMENT

The Council will work with partner organisations to identify, protect and enhance the following hierarchy of vital and viable town, district, and local centres in North Lincolnshire: 1. Scunthorpe Town Centre To fulfil its sub-regional role, identified in the RSS, Scunthorpe town centre will be main location for all new retail, leisure, cultural and office development. Development will be provided which meets the quantitative and qualitative needs for these uses. To support the Scunthorpe Urban Renaissance Programme the town centre will be subject to major redevelopment with increased comparison and convenience retail floorspace together with an improved market and enhanced cultural facilities. New development should make a positive contribution to improving the town centre's viability and vitality, support the creation of a comfortable, safe, attractive and accessible shopping environment, and improve both the overall mix of land uses in the centre and its connectivity to adjoining areas. 2. Market Town Centres of Barton upon Humber, Brigg, Crowle and Epworth To fulfil their role as key shopping and service centres in North Lincolnshire, the market town centres will be supported as locations for further retail, leisure, cultural and tourism development. Development will only be permitted that meet the needs of the area served by the centre in a sustainable way, is of a scale appropriate to the centre, and that will not adversely impact upon the vitality or viability of other nearby town and district centres. Within the town centres, any new development should respect their historic character. 3. District Centres of Kirton in Lindsey and Winterton To fulfil their role as key shopping and service centres the district centres will be supported as locations for further retail, leisure, cultural and tourism development. Development will only be permitted that is required to meet the needs of the area served by the centre in a sustainable way, is of a scale appropriate to the centre, and that will not adversely impact upon the vitality or viability of other nearby town and district centres. Within the district centres, any new development should be respect their historic character. 4. District Centres of Ashby High Street and Frodingham Road These centres will continue to have an important role in providing shopping and services within the Scunthorpe urban area. However, no proposed development will take place within these centres, unless it can be demonstrated that it is to meet local needs, is of a scale appropriate to the centre and will not adversely impact upon the vitality or viability of other nearby centres. 5. Local Centres/Corner Shops To fulfil their role in providing vital day-to-day shopping facilities for local communities in both urban and rural areas, the retention and enhancement of Local Centres and corner shops will be supported. In supporting the vitality and viability of North Lincolnshire's network of town centres, it will be important to ensure that: • The existing retail character and function of centres is safeguarded. Development that detracts from vitality and viability of the area's town centres will be resisted. • New town centre development complies with the sequential approach to site selection, which prioritises development in existing centres, then edge-of-centre sites, and only then out of centre sites that are accessible by a choice of means of transport. • The scale and type of development reflects the centre's existing and proposed function and its capacity for new development. • The retail function of town centres are protected by way of restricting non-A1 uses particularly within the defined town centres boundaries. • A balanced range of facilities and uses are encouraged within district and local centres in keeping with their size and function to meet the every day needs of th

Local Centres/Corner Shops

To fulfil their role in providing vital day-to-day shopping facilities for local communities in both urban and rural areas, the retention and enhancement of Local Centres and corner shops will be supported. In supporting the vitality and viability of North Lincolnshire's network of town centres, it will be important to ensure that: • The existing retail character and function of centres is safeguarded. Development that detracts from vitality and viability of the area's town centres will be resisted. • New town centre development complies with the sequential approach to site selection, which prioritises development in existing centres, then edge-of-centre sites, and only then out of centre sites that are accessible by a choice of means of transport. • The scale and type of development reflects the centre's existing and proposed function and its capacity for new development. • The retail function of town centres are protected by way of restricting non-A1 uses particularly within the defined town centres boundaries. • A balanced range of facilities and uses are encouraged within district and local centres in keeping with their size and function to meet the every day needs of the local population. Local shops located within smaller settlements, in particular in rural areas will be protected where they are important to the day-to-day needs of people. • Shopping facilities are accessible by a range of means including by car, walking, cycling and public transport. • New developments are of an appropriately high quality design, particularly in the town centre.

PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT

The council will support and promote a sustainable transport system in North Lincolnshire that offers a choice of transport modes and reduces the need to travel through spatial planning and design and by utilising a range of demand and network management tools. Transport Demand Management • Reduce the need to travel and improve accessibility for all as part of all future spatial design within North Lincolnshire • Introduce appropriate demand management measures, to reduce car based travel by ensuring highway safety, improving and encouraging walking and cycling and integrate such measures with a high quality public transport network • Require that transport provision is integrated into the design of all development from the start of any development project • Apply maximum car parking standards and a car parking charging regime within the context of urban and rural renaissance • Support the progressive improvements of a high quality public transport network by working in partnership with public transport operators and community transport providers to ensure a cohesive, flexible approach to improve the public transport network in North Lincolnshire and public transport connections beyond its boundaries. Transport Network Management • Support and encourage a Rural Transport Strategy for the rural parts of North Lincolnshire • Support the improvement and enhancement (significant upgrades) of transport inter-changes (relating to high quality facilities) in North Lincolnshire, principally at Scunthorpe, Barton upon Humber, Brigg and Humberside Airport • Integrate and enhance the whole spectrum of local transport services to feed into, and be complementary with, a high quality public transport network • Support the development of a freight strategy to include lorry parking sites, HGV route management and provision of facilities for (and promote the benefits of) transferring freight delivery from road to rail and/or water transport, wherever practical, particularly in relation to the movement of freight to and from the South Humber Ports and Trent Wharves • Support the progressive introduction of network management technology to maximise existing and future capacity and investment across all transport modes, and to reduce congestion and delay for the benefit of both business and domestic travellers in North Lincolnshire • Establish local, regional and national priorities for transport infrastructure investment • Promote the continuation and improvement of North Lincolnshire's network of safe walking and cycling routes, including the Viking Way, the Public Rights of Way network and the National Cycle Route, as well as the local footway and cycleway network and linking them to key locations in the urban and rural areas of North Lincolnshire (communities, recreational and tourist areas).

STRATEGIC TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSALS

The Council will support strategic infrastructure proposals to enhance North Lincolnshire's internal and external transport connections and provide access to the area's key strategic economic development locations by road, rail, air, water and information technology. In particular, the following key pieces of transport infrastructure and improvements to the area's communications technology will be supported: Strategic Road Schemes 1. The dualling of the A160 South Humber Bank access road between the A180(T) and South Killingholme including associated improvements to junctions along the route and at the port entrance. 2. The longer term dualling or upgrading of the A15 between the M180 junction 4 and the A46(T) Lincoln bypass to enable a more efficient movement of freight between the South Humber Ports and the A1(T) at Newark. 3. Access improvements to Scunthorpe from the west to relieve existing congestion, via improvements to the Berkeley Circle and to provide access to the Lincolnshire Lakes area. 4. Improvements to the A18 and local roads to provide access to proposed logistics park at Sandtoft Airfield. 5. In the longer term, the potential realignment of the A1077 west of South Ferriby, should the Environment Agency no longer continue to maintain all flood defences along the Humber Estuary. Rail Schemes 2. Upgrades to the South Humber Main Line between Doncaster and Immingham and improvements to the Brigg line and in the Wrawby junction area to support access to the South Humber Bank ports. 3. Restoration of the rail access to the northern section of the South Humber Bank Industrial Area to create the Killingholme Loop, through the use of the former rail alignment between Goxhill and the South Humber Bank area. Airport Surface Access 3. Supporting improved international connections at Humberside Airport by ensuring road and rail surface access improvements (from the M180 and the Barnetby to Cleethorpes railway line) are delivered commensurate with the expected growth of the airport. Water Transport Schemes 4. Encouraging increased barge/boat movements inland from the South Humber Bank ports to transfer goods. Scunthorpe Urban Renaissance 5. Supporting transport improvements that will assist in the delivery of the key transformation projects proposed as part of the Scunthorpe Urban Renaissance Programme. This will involve road and potentially rail access improvements to provide better quality access to Scunthorpe and developments such as the Lincolnshire Lakes. Electronic and Telecommunications Technology 6. Supporting the introduction of the latest electronic and telecommunications technology subject to consideration of any impact on the environment and public health. In delivering the key strategic infrastructure schemes and programmes it is vital to ensure that necessary nature conservation, landscape and flood risk issues are addressed and mitigated against, particularly at the South Humber Bank area and potentially at Sandtoft Airfield. It will also be necessary, where relevant and appropriate, for this policy to apply the promotion of sustainable transport measures set out in Policy CS25.