Planning in South Lakeland

Education and skills

The Core Strategy supports the modernisation and enhancement of provision for education and training through: • Encouraging investment in education and training at existing facilities; • Supporting the development of further and higher education in the district, including Cumbria University and Kendal College; • Working with partners to foster opportunities for skills development and encourage life-long learning; • Supporting links between local businesses and higher and further education establishments; • Supporting the Local Education Authority's school re-organisation programme; • Identifying sites for new schools – to satisfy new needs – which are easily accessible and are well related to their catchments; • Re-using redundant school sites to support regeneration priorities and the creation of sustainable communities; • Ensuring that, where appropriate, development proposals make a contribution to education and training needs. The Council will take account of the views of the local community, undertake assessments of demographics and needs in the local area and make them accessible whilst addressing spatial disparities in services and facilities.

Social and community infrastructure

The Core Strategy seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of all residents. This will be achieved through: • Supporting proposals and activities that protect, retain or enhance existing community assets, or lead to the provision of additional assets that improve community wellbeing; • Supporting the PCT programme for integrated healthcare provision in the District by working with the PCT to identify sites and premises for health care facilities; • Working with partners to support health and social care service delivery through the Closer to Home initiative; • Supporting the co-location of community facilities and services and the dual use of facilities; • Controlling the loss of community facilities; • Supporting (in principle) proposals for a sports village in Kendal; • Encouraging more sustainable settlements and communities, with a rich and diverse community life, recognising that facilities such as village/community halls, open spaces, schools, nurseries, places of worship, public houses, sport and recreation facilities, post offices and convenience stores play an important role in the social and cultural infrastructure of a settlement; • Delivering improvements to foot and cycle paths to support active lifestyles; • Major development and regeneration schemes should ensure that appropriate social and community infrastructure (including health and cultural facilities) is in place from the onset. • Tackling air pollution where necessary through Air Quality Management Plans. • Meeting needs and requirements associated with residential care housing, extra care housing and other types of housing for older people as identified in relevant reports and studies (for example the 2009 Planning4Care Report).

Design

The siting, design, scale and materials of all development should be of a character which maintains or enhances the quality of the landscape or townscape and, where appropriate, should be in keeping with local vernacular tradition. Where necessary, the Council will publish planning and design guidance dealing with particular sites or types of development. Designs that support and enhance local distinctiveness will be encouraged. New developments should protect and enhance key local views and features / characteristics of local importance and incorporate layouts that reinforce specific local distinctiveness.

Protection and enhancement of landscape and settlement character

Proposals for development should be informed by, and be sympathetic to, the distinctive character landscape types identified in the: • Cumbria Landscape Character Guidance and Toolkit • Historic Landscape Character Assessment • The Arnside and Silverdale AONB Landscape and Seascape Assessment • Features identified in relevant settlement studies and local evidence • The Arnside and Silverdale AONB Management Plan Development proposals should demonstrate that their location, scale, design and materials will protect, conserve and, where possible, enhance: • The special qualities of the environment associated with the nationally designated areas of the National Parks and Arnside and Silverdale AONB including their settings; • The special qualities and local distinctiveness of the area; • Distinctive settlement character; • The pattern of distinctive features such as hedges, walls, traditional buildings, woodlands, hay meadows, wetlands, valleys, fells and rivers, and their function as ecological corridors for wildlife; • The setting of, and views into and from the AONB, the National Parks, conservation areas and individual built/manmade features that contribute to landscape and settlement character such as St Anthony's Tower, Kendal Castle and Devil's Bridge in Kirkby Lonsdale. Land will be identified in the Allocations of Land DPD as forming a green gap where: • If developed it would cause or add to the risk of future coalescence of two or more individual settlements between which it is important to retain a distinction. Green Gaps should: • Contribute to maintaining a settlement's identity, landscape setting and character; • Comprise predominantly open land maintaining an 'open' aspect; • Where possible afford recreational and biodiversity opportunities. Development will be supported within green gaps where it is essential for the needs of agriculture, forestry, and local community infrastructure and where it cannot be located elsewhere.

Meeting the employment requirement

The Core Strategy will seek to ensure that around 4 hectares of employment land are allocated per annum between 2010 and 2025. The Council will seek to maintain a rolling provision of five years' worth of high quality, unconstrained land for each employment land market sector, that is readily available for development at any one time. This will be distributed across the District in accordance with the sequential hierarchy in CS1 and linking areas of opportunity and need. It equates to around 20 hectares of land. This will be kept under review to ensure that the Council does not over or under develop sites in relation to the actual scale of economic growth in light of a review of employment trends and needs in the area. Suitable employment related development in existing employment areas, including extensions to premises, will normally be permitted. It will be necessary to ensure that the allocation of any greenfield land for employment use is phased, in order to prioritise the use of previously developed land. SLDC will work with owners and developers of several of the sites with surmountable constraints to bring forth mitigation measures sufficient to make them attractive for commercial use. Due to the relative lack of unconstrained and available sites in the District, it is necessary to strongly enforce policies aimed at safeguarding and maintaining the best employment sites from redevelopment for other uses. Good quality unallocated sites which are currently in employment use will be preserved. Conversely, those sites that have been identified as being uneconomical, severely constrained or otherwise unavailable for future employment use and which satisfy the criteria for release in W4 of the RSS should not be allocated in the Allocations of Land DPD. Consideration will be given to a range of alternative uses. Proposals will be encouraged to improve the quality of the environment, signage, security and accessibility of the sites.

Type of employment land required and sectoral split

Of the total employment land requirement of 60 hectares, 70% will be allocated for General B use and the remaining 30% specifically allocated for high quality B1 employment uses. The delivery of employment land will be allocated in accordance with the following split (based on the distribution of development in CS1): Location | Allocations 2010-15 | 2016-20 | 2020-25 | Total Strategic Employment Site - Kendal | 3 | 3 | 3 | 15 Strategic Employment Site - Ulverston | 2 | 2 | 2 | 15 Local Employment Site - Kendal, Ulverston | 1 | 1 | 1 | 30 Local Employment Site - Grange-over-Sands, Milnthorpe, Kirkby Lonsdale | 3 | 3 | 3 | 30 Local Employment Site - Local Service Centres | 4 | 4 | 4 | 30 Local Employment Site - Other Rural Settlements | 2 | 2 | 2 | 30 Business/Science Park - Kendal | 3 | 3 | 3 | 15 Business/Science Park - Ulverston | 2 | 2 | 2 | 15 Total | 20 | 20 | 20 | 60

Rural economy

Support will be given to the economic needs of rural communities by encouraging: • The provision of broadband in rural areas; • The retention or expansion of appropriate businesses outside the service centres; • The re-use of suitable rural buildings for employment-generating uses; • The provision of live/work units and development of rural business hubs in appropriate locations; • The diversification of the agricultural economy. • Supporting sustainable farming and food production. The Council recognises the environment as a critical driver in the local economy. The Council will support the following projects: • Enhanced training delivery for traditional land-based skills and traditional buildings skills; • The provision of a range of opportunities for geological/environmental training to support local jobs; • Schemes such as the English Woodland Grant Scheme and the Environmental Stewardship Schemes, and ensuring that new enterprises do not preclude/hinder the success of a scheme that is already in operation and that opportunities for the enterprise to support the scheme are taken. Favourable consideration will be given to suitable employment-related development in rural areas where the proposal: • Is of a scale in keeping with its surroundings; • Does not detract from the amenity of residential areas; • Is not detrimental to the character or appearance of the landscape or settlement; and • Does not give rise to unacceptable levels of traffic. Favourable consideration will be given to proposals to convert redundant buildings for employment uses where: • The buildings are structurally sound and capable of conversion without major rebuilding, extension or modification to the existing structure; • Such a use would not detract from the character or appearance of the landscape or settlement and would not be detrimental to the amenities of residential areas; • The building is served by a satisfactory access; and • Services are readily available on site. Planning permission for the conversion of rural buildings to employment generating uses with ancillary living accommodation will be granted provided the proposal accords with the following criteria: • Is well related to the existing road network with direct access off a public road, and the proposals will not create conditions prejudicial to highway safety; • Not be situated in very isolated positions, relative to local services such as shops, schools etc; • Ideally be situated close to public transport routes; • Is of a scale and type appropriate to the locality and would not adversely alter the appearance or character of the surrounding area; • Is of a good standard of design and satisfactorily blends into the locality in terms of design, landscaping and materials; • Concerns a building which is of some architectural merit in its own right, is important to the character of the locality and is structurally sound and capable of the proposed re-use without major re-building; • Shows a domestic curtilage which is minimal, unobtrusive and capable of being screened; • Relates to an employment use which is designed so that it can be used independently of the dwelling space (so that employment potential is not restricted only to occupants of the dwelling space); and • Demonstrates that the building is of sufficient size to accommodate a genuine business use and that any residential accommodation will be ancillary to that use. Proposals for substantial residential accommodation with a token area given over to business use will be considered to be residential development and will therefore fall outside the scope of this policy. 'New build' live/work units, which do not involve the conversion of an important rural building, will generally only be acceptable on infill sites and where it constitutes rounding off.

Opportunities provided by energy and the low carbon economy

The Core Strategy will support the realisation of opportunities provided by energy development and the low carbon economy, through: • Supporting, in principle (where protection of the environment is assured and designated areas are safeguarded), appropriately located schemes which will increase energy production from the full range of renewable sources, including: - Tidal energy; - Wind energy; - Hydro energy; - Biomass/Biogas; - Micro generation – ground and air source heat pumps, solar power, small wind and hydro projects and biomass (wood burning stoves/heating systems); - Decentralised and district heating systems - Low carbon technologies. The Wind Energy SPD will continue to be used in the determination of planning applications. • Supporting the development of environmental/renewable energy technology business clusters in Kendal and Ulverston, capitalising on the existing base of relevant skills and businesses. • Nuclear: - Working in partnership with Cumbria Vision, Credible Nuclear Power Operators (CNPOs), neighbouring authorities and the National Grid to consider future development of new reactors at sites adjacent to Sellafield and connections to the electricity network through National Grid and Electricity Northwest; - Ensuring the supply chain maximises business potential in nuclear industry development. It is acknowledged that there are some energy sources which need to be remote from residential areas and other sensitive land uses. Much of the coastline and upland areas are recognised for their international importance. Projects should avoid significant adverse effects on sites of international nature conservation importance by assessment under the Habitat Regulations. Projects should avoid any harmful environment impacts upon the historic environment.

Sustainable construction, energy efficiency and renewable energy

New residential development and conversions will be required to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes as required by building regulations. These standards require initiatives such as: • Use of low water volume fittings and grey water systems and rainwater harvesting; • Orientation to maximise solar gain; • High levels of insulation; • Adequate provision for separation and storage of waste for recycling; • Use of materials from a sustainable local source in new development. New commercial buildings of more than 1000 sq. m. will normally be required to meet the BREEAM 'very good' standard and by 2013 new buildings will need to achieve the BREEAM 'excellent' standard. The Council will seek to achieve appropriate on-site renewable and low carbon energy sources wherever possible. The most appropriate technology for the site and surrounding area should be used, having due regard to the physical nature of the development such as aspect, building height and the amount of open site open space, and the environmental quality of the surrounding area. The design and access statement accompanying new development will be required to contain a sustainability statement including information necessary to show how the proposed development will contribute to the key planning objectives set out in PPS1 and this Core Strategy. The Council will undertake a study on renewable energy potential and viability, in addition to the Wind Energy SPD already developed jointly with Cumbria County Council, with a view to including targets for energy to come from decentralised and renewable sources within a review of the Core Strategy or subsequent DPD.

Sustainable Development Principles

1. Opportunities must be taken to mitigate against and adapt to climate change including addressing flood risk, improving waste management, improving air quality, strengthening ecosystem services to enhance resilience of the natural environment, minimizing the use of non-renewable resources and increasing the proportion of energy derived from renewables or other more sustainable options; 2. It is vital to protect the countryside for its intrinsic beauty, diversity and natural resources and also for its ecological, geological, cultural and historical, economic, agricultural, recreational and social value; 3. There is a need to take account of and enhance landscape character and features particularly the AONB and coastal areas. The area's role as a setting for and gateway to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks should be developed; 4. There is a need to safeguard the essential character and appearance of those buildings and sites that make a positive contribution to the special architectural or historic interest of the area, including the numerous conservation areas and listed buildings, whilst encouraging the appropriate re-use of buildings or sites which are causing harm; 5. It must be ensured that a high quality, localised and appropriate design is incorporated into all developments to retain distinctive character/sense of place and enhance the existing built environment; 6. Wherever possible, minimise the need to travel and provide a choice of sustainable transport modes for all sections of the community, including the provision of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure to encourage a shift in travel behaviour; 7. Most new developments should be directed to existing service centres where there is adequate service and infrastructure capacity to accommodate the required levels of development. Where necessary, ensure the provision of further physical, social and green infrastructure to support growth; 8. Development should accord with the following sequential approach: • first, using existing buildings (including conversion) within settlements, and previously developed land within settlements; • second, using other suitable infill opportunities within settlements; • third, the development of other land where this is well located in relation to housing, jobs, other services and infrastructure. 9. All developments should help to meet the diverse social and economic needs of our local communities, from more densely populated service centres down to the more remote rural areas; 10. Local housing markets must deliver a broad range of housing, including more that is affordable to help retain more young people in the area as well as meeting the particular needs of the large proportion of residents who are over 60; 11. There is a need to grow the local economy in a sustainable way, supporting the vitality and viability of service centres, fostering local business development and rural diversification and attracting new investment into the area, thus reducing dependency on lower-paid sector jobs and high level jobs in areas outside the district. Support for tourism, which is a key driver of the local economy, needs to be balanced with protecting and enhancing the attractiveness of the area.

Green infrastructure

The Core Strategy will seek to: • Ensure that green infrastructure is an integral part of creating sustainable communities; • Incorporate green infrastructure into new developments, particularly where it can be used to mitigate the negative impacts of the development; • Attain high standards of environmental design that fit with the surrounding countryside and landscape setting; • Protect the countryside from inappropriate development whilst supporting its positive use for agriculture, recreation, biodiversity, health, education and tourism; • Protect and enhance the linkages between open spaces within the service centres, other rural settlements and in the wider countryside, supporting the creation of additions to the footpath network in liaison with Parish Councils; • Protect and enhance important open spaces within settlements to contribute towards an improved network of green corridors of value for wildlife, recreation and the amenity needs of the community; • Protect species and habitats and create new habitats and wildlife corridors where biodiversity conservation and enhancement is affected by development; • Conserve and enhance existing trees and woodlands including requiring the planting of new trees and woodlands on appropriate development sites. • Ensure the protection and enhancement of watercourses and wetlands which are important contributors to the network of blue and green corridors for wildlife, recreation and the amenity needs of the community.

Accessing open space, sport and recreation

The Core Strategy will support the provision of open space, sport and recreation facilities in accordance with the following accessibility standards: Parks and Gardens Provision for Children and Civic Spaces Natural/Semi Natural Greenspace Amenity Greenspaces Kendal and Ulverston: All residents to be within 1200m of high quality parks and gardens; All residents to be within 750m of at least a LEAP sized, high quality equipped play area; All residents to be within 3200m of high quality civic space provision; All residents to be within 900m natural/semi natural provision; All residents to be within 750m of amenity green space Grange, Milnthorpe and Kirkby Lonsdale: All residents to be within 1200m of high quality parks and gardens; All residents to be within 750m of at least a LEAP sized, high quality equipped play area; All residents to be within 3200m of high quality civic space provision; All residents to be within 750m of either natural/semi natural or amenity green space provision Local Service Centres: All residents to be within 1000m of a high quality casual play provision; All residents to be within 900m of either natural/semi natural or amenity green space provision Other Rural Settlements: All residents to be within 900m of at least one type of open space provision

Quantity of open space, sport and recreation

The Core Strategy will support the provision of open space, sport and recreation facilities in accordance with the following standards (figures per 1000 population): Where residential development is proposed/allocated in an area outside the accessibility standard for any given type of open space (see CS8.3a), the quantity standards will be used to ensure that the appropriate provision is made on site, based on the number of people who will be living in the area. Where residential development is proposed/allocated in an area within the accessibility standards for any given type of open space, a financial contribution will be required towards improving the local open space that will serve the local residents. The Core Strategy will support the provision of indoor sports facilities in accordance with identified need, having due regard to the North West Strategic Facility evidence base and localised studies. Provision of further allotments will be based on evidence of demand – as documented through Parish Plans and existing waiting lists.

South Lakeland Biodiversity and Geodiversity Resources

The areas and features within South Lakeland which are formally identified as being of national and international importance are: • Areas of outstanding natural beauty – Arnside and Silversdale • Ramsar sites and / or special areas of conservation and special protection areas – Duddon Estuary; Duddon Mosses; Morecambe Bay; Morecambe Bay Pavements; River Kent and Roundsea Wood and Mosses • National Nature Reserves; Sites of Special Scientific Interest; statutorily protected wildlife species; limestone pavement protected by orders; nationally important archaeological sites whether scheduled or not; registered parks and gardens of historical interested; and listed buildings. Wildlife, geological, geomorphological, landscape and historic environment areas and features which are of particular County importance, or which make a contribution to biodiversity and geological conservation include: • Local Nature Reserves • Local sites (there are County Wildlife Sites and Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites); • Species and habitats listed as principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in the UK (Section 74 of the CROW Act 2000) • UK list of priority habitats and species • Cumbria Biodiversity Action Plan specifies and additional species of conservation importance for the North West Region that occur within Cumbria (to be reviewed) • Cumbria Geodiversity Action Plan sites • Listed buildings, Conservation Areas and their settings; the setting on the Lake District, and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, of the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, of Registered Historic Parks and Gardens and of Scheduled Ancient Monuments; • Distinctive landscape types identified in the Cumbria Landscape Character Guidance and Toolkit, Historic Landscape Character Assessment, Arnside and Silverdale AONB Landscape and Seascape Assessment, features identified in relevant settlement studies and local evidence and the Arnside and Silverdale AONB Management Plan which relate to landscape features of major importance for wildlife that are essential for migration, dispersal and genetic exchange and which encourage the protection, conservation and expansion of the general ecological fabric; • Lakes, tarns and rivers

Coast

The Core Strategy seeks to: • Conserve and enhance the coastal and estuarine landscape and cultural heritage; • Conserve and enhance biodiversity and protect wildlife habitats. Access to the beach and foreshore of Morecambe Bay needs to be controlled to prevent damage to habitats and disturbance, through measures such as restrictions on parking and vehicle access in sensitive areas; • Ensure that the area's natural resources are managed in a sustainable way; • Have regard to the possible effect of climate change, such as sea level rise and increased flood and storm events in determining the location of development and approaches to coastal defence; • Protect the finite resource of the undeveloped coast from unnecessary development; • Provide for new development, including land-based maritime uses for coastal recreation and tourism; • Development proposals should make reference to the Morecambe Bay Strategy and the Morecambe Bay European Marine Site Management Scheme and Action Plan. Natural England needs to be involved in these discussions and delivery; • Provide information to encourage responsible recreation use and help visitors to understand the special features of the protected sites of Morecambe Bay; • Protect the quality of all water bodies, including coastal and transitional waters; • Ensure that thorough and effective assessments of drainage impact and flood risks are carried out; that sustainable approaches to drainage management measures are introduced; and that risk to life and property by flooding is reduced; • Support the strategy for the management/protection of the shoreline as set out in the current Shoreline Management Plan for the North West and North Wales. Where necessary, the Council will support stricter mitigation measures in terms of zoning and byelaw enforcement to ensure the protection of Morecambe Bay SAC.

Development and flood risk

Most new development should be located in flood risk zone 1. Development within the Environment Agency's flood risk zones 2, 3a and 3b will only be acceptable when it is compatible with national policy and when the sequential test and the exception test, where applicable, as set out in PPS25, have been satisfied. All new development will only be permitted if it can be demonstrated that: • It would not have a significant impact on the capacity of an area to store floodwater; • Measures required to manage any flood risk can be implemented; • Surface water is managed in a sustainable way; • Provision is made for the long term maintenance and management of any flood protection and/or mitigation measures; • The benefits of the proposal to the community outweigh the flood risk; • Applications will be considered with regard to South Lakeland District Council's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.

Minerals and waste

The Council will expect development to: • Minimise the production of waste and use recycled aggregate/other materials where possible; • Have good access to recycling facilities and incorporate storage space for recycling collection bins into new houses and businesses where appropriate; • Consider how easily the development site can be incorporated into the recycling and waste collection rounds and the adequacy of access for the collection vehicles. The Council will consider the provision of the necessary waste infrastructure, including the required mechanical and biological treatment plant or transfer station in Kendal, as part of providing employment land in the area.

Historic environment

The Core Strategy supports: • The safeguarding and, where possible, enhancing of historic environment assets, including their characteristic settings and any attributes that contribute to a sense of local distinctiveness. Such assets include listed buildings and features (both statutory and locally listed), conservation areas, scheduled ancient monuments and registered parks and gardens. • Seeking the adaptive reuse of redundant or functionally obsolete listed buildings or important buildings within conservation areas, without harming their essential character. • The preparation of a list of buildings and features of local architectural or historic importance in order to assist in the planning of a prioritised programme of conservation management for such buildings and features. • The production of conservation area management plans to identify and explain how the Council will seek to preserve and enhance the special interest of such areas. • Actions that will ensure the proper conservation of all heritage assets, giving particular priority to those identified as being at risk. • Working with owners of heritage assets to ensure their maintenance and repair accessibility and, where opportunities exist, there use as an educational resource. • Consideration of the introduction of tighter controls within conservation areas and other sites or areas of heritage importance by implementing Article 4 (2) Directions to control certain types of permitted development, which, if unchecked, would cause harm to the special character and appearance of such areas. • The safeguarding and, where possible enhancement of, locally important archaeological sites and features within the historic environment.

Requirement

Applicants will be required to submit all detailed workings, where reasonable, to justify the various components of the Viability Analysis to enable the Council to assess the viability of each individual scheme.

The Development Strategy

Development will be concentrated in the towns of Kendal and Ulverston, which are defined as Principal Service Centres; then in the Key Service Centres of Grange-over-Sands, Kirkby Lonsdale and Milnthorpe; followed by a number of designated Local Service Centres throughout the rural hinterland. The following settlement hierarchy will be used in the Core Strategy: • Approximately 55% of new housing and employment development will be in the Principal Service Centres of Kendal and Ulverston, comprising 35% in Kendal and 20% in Ulverston; • Approximately 13% of new housing and employment development will be in Key Service Centres of Milnthorpe, Kirkby Lonsdale and Grange-over-Sands; • Approximately 21% of new housing and employment development will be in the network of Local Service Centres; • Approximately 11% of new housing and employment development will be in the network of smaller villages and hamlets. In order to adapt to changing circumstance the apportionment of development may need to be flexibly applied. Any changes to the apportionment will be clearly evidenced and monitored through the Annual Monitoring Report. The exact scale and level of development supported will be dependent on individual character, the impact on environmental capacity and infrastructure provision, and the desire to meet the need for affordable housing as locally as possible. As a minimum requirement provision should be made in each Service Centre for: • A supply of new housing over the whole plan period; • An appropriate supply of readily available employment land; • A high level of transport accessibility. The location of new development will avoid areas at risk of flooding in line with the requirements set out in national policy. Priority will be given to the reuse of existing buildings and previously developed land for all new housing development, with a target of ensuring that at least 28% of new housing development takes place on such sites.

Ulverston and Furness area

Prioritising previously developed land and sites within the urban area. Make provision for small-scale housing development, including affordable housing, in the Local Service Centres and smaller rural settlements. Seek to ensure that 35% of housing delivered within Furness Peninsula is affordable and that up to 60% of affordable housing is social rented, based on local need, to be sought and delivered by a variety of means including Registered Social Landlords, public subsidy from the Homes and Communities Agency and developer contributions in accordance with the approach set out in Appendix 1. Expand Ulverston to accommodate in the region of 12 hectares of employment development between 2010 and 2025. Where possible, locate new employment uses (B1 b and c, B2 and B8) where they are not only accessible (or can be made accessible) by walking, cycling and public transport from main residential areas, but also provide good connections to the strategic transport network without any detrimental impact on the town centre network. Support small-scale economic development in the Local Service Centres and smaller rural settlements. Protect and enhance the vitality and viability of Ulverston town centre, including improving pedestrian and cycle access and ensuring effective town centre management. Focussing as far as possible new office development (use class B1 a) in or adjacent to Ulverston town centre. Support the development of new retail provision in the town centre to accommodate both convenience and comparison shopping. Support and enhance tourist attractions, building on the Laurel and Hardy connection, the festival theme and specialist boutique shopping in the town centre. Support improvements to the operation of transport routes linking Furness to the M6 and national rail links. Work with partners on public transport initiatives as part of a comprehensive sustainable transport network within the Furness Area to support the planned growth. Improve footpaths and cycle routes. Safeguard and enhance buildings, sites and areas of heritage and cultural importance such as the Hoad Monument and Birkrigg Stone Circle. Improve parks and green spaces/green infrastructure. Designate (as required) a series of green gaps to prevent the coalescence of individual settlements and thereby protect their individual character and setting. Ensure greenfield development is sympathetic to the landscape character of the Furness Peninsula and individual settlements. Ensure new development safeguards and enhances the natural environment and local biodiversity, notably the SSSIs and SACs within the area, including Morecambe Bay, and County Wildlife Sites, and supports habitat creation. Maintain, and where necessary enhance, sports and community facilities. Provide further infrastructure (including health and education) in accordance with identified need, responding to significant changes in local demographics.

The East (including Milnthorpe and Kirkby Lonsdale)

The Council and its partners will aim to: Housing • Make provision for moderate housing development in Milnthorpe and Kirkby Lonsdale between 2003 and 2025, prioritising previously developed land and sites within the urban areas. • Make provision for small-scale housing development in the Local Service Centres and to a lesser extent in the smaller rural settlements in order to ensure a readily available supply of affordable housing. • Seek to ensure that 35% of housing delivered within the area is restricted to affordable housing. Up to 55% of affordable housing delivered should be social rented, based on local need, to be sought and delivered by a variety of means including registered social landlords, public subsidy from the Homes and Communities Agency and developer contributions in accordance with the approach set out in Appendix 1. Economy • Ensure that effective use is made of the limited amount of commercial/industrial land and buildings in Milnthorpe and Kirkby Lonsdale, promote opportunities for new space targeted at start-up and growing businesses and promote an entrepreneurial culture. • Promote the vitality and viability of Milnthorpe and Kirkby Lonsdale and safeguard their role as Key Service Centres by promoting sites in the centre for development/redevelopment for mixed use including new retail space. • Maintain and enhance the strength of tourism across the area. Access • Work with partners to improve public transport as part of a comprehensive sustainable transport network within the area to support the planned growth. • Deliver improvements to footpaths and cycle routes in the area. • Investigate the potential for cycle hire and linked cycle routes from the rail station at Oxenholme. Environment • Protect and enhance the diverse character and local distinctiveness of the area by promoting high quality design. • Designate (as required) a series of green gaps to prevent the coalescence of individual settlements and thereby protect their individual character and setting. • Protect the network of green infrastructure and important environmental characteristics and, in partnership with landowners, promote their positive use and management. • Ensure that new development safeguards and enhances the natural environment – notably the AONB and international designations within the area, and supports habitat creation. • When considering development proposals within or affecting the setting of the Arnside/Silverdale AONB, give high priority to: - The conservation and enhancement of the character of the landscape, including its historic dimensions. - The protection and, where appropriate, enhancement of flora, fauna and geological features. - Safeguarding these identified attributes from inappropriate change and development. • Safeguard and enhance buildings, sites and areas of heritage and cultural importance utilising the findings of conservation area appraisals and management plans Health and Wellbeing (Sustainable Communities) • Maintain and, where necessary, enhance sports and community facilities. • Provide further infrastructure (including health and education) in accordance with identified need, responding to significant changes in local demographics.

Meeting the housing requirement

8,800 dwellings will be built between 2003 and 2025. These dwellings will be built in locations which accord with the Spatial Strategy (CS1.2) having regard to the needs of each location and their capacity to support additional development. In the interests of managing the housing supply, the number of dwellings that will be delivered across the settlement hierarchy in given periods is summarised in the table opposite. Further information on managing the supply of housing in line with the phased targets is included within the monitoring and implementation framework. Allocations of new residential developments will be identified in the Allocations of Land DPD. Consideration of unallocated sites will be assessed against the following criteria: • The sequential approach to housing development in PPS3 and CS1.1; • The prioritisation and assessment of suitability, availability and achievability of sites within the Council's Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and other available evidence; • In the interests of managing housing supply, the number of dwellings that will be permissible in individual towns and villages in given periods, based on the phased housing targets and the overarching development strategy in CS1.

Dwelling mix and type

The Core Strategy seeks to ensure that: • New developments offer a range of housing sizes and types, taking account of the housing requirement of different groups of society, including the need to deliver low cost market housing as part of the overall housing mix. • All new housing should be easily adaptable for everyone, from young families to older people and individuals with a temporary or permanent physical impairment. The Council will seek housing to be built to Lifetime Homes standards in accordance with its requirement at a national level through building regulations. The provision of purpose-built and/or specialist accommodation for the elderly, in appropriate locations within selected settlements in accordance with CS1, and well served by public transport and local services, will be supported, provided that it does not detract from the character of the surrounding areas or involve the use of land safeguarded for employment purposes where the need for such safeguarding remains. The Council will liaise and negotiate with the County Council Adult Social Care Services how older persons housing needs will be accommodated using findings contained within relevant studies and reports (such as the 2009 Planning4Care Report). Applicants should ensure that plans submitted for planning permission, together with the accompanying access statement, explain how each of the design criteria as required at a national level through building regulations relating to for Lifetime Homes standards has been satisfied in the proposal. The Council will work in partnership with developers and other housing providers to address the housing requirements.

Provision of affordable housing

The Council will consider the appropriateness of allocating sites in every community in the plan area in order to ensure the delivery of affordable housing to meet local need. The percentage of affordable housing to be provided on allocated sites will be dependent on local land supply, housing need and viability, including the potential for allocating sites solely for affordable housing. Planning permission for the erection of new dwellings or conversion of existing buildings to dwellings will be permitted provided that the scheme provides local affordable housing in accordance with the following: • On all schemes of nine or more dwellings in the Principal/Key Service Centres, and three or more dwellings outside of these areas, no less than 35% of the total number of dwellings proposed are affordable. The Council may seek to require a higher percentage on individual sites, based on evidence of need and viability, through the preparation of development plan documents which allocate sites; • The affordable housing provided is made available solely to people in housing need at an affordable cost for the life of the property. The Council will ensure that any planning permission granted is subject to appropriate conditions and/or planning obligations to secure its affordability in perpetuity; • The mix and tenure of affordable housing provided reflects the identified housing needs at the time of the proposal as demonstrated in the Housing Market Assessment and waiting list information. Further targets and requirements are set out in each of the area strategy policies CS2-CS5; • The affordable housing shall be mixed within the development. Exceptionally, a lower requirement for affordable housing will be acceptable where there is clear evidence that it would make the development unviable. Further information on the operation of the affordable housing mechanisms is included within the monitoring and implementation framework (Appendix 1).

Rural exception policy

Housing development proposals outside of the settlement boundaries in the Service Centres, and where it does not constitute infilling or rounding off in the smaller villages and hamlets without boundaries will only be considered where they provide 100% affordable housing under the following exception site criteria: • There is clear evidence of local support for the scheme, having regard to the views of the Parish Councils within the Local Area Partnership • There is clear and robust evidence of housing need. • The housing will be affordable in perpetuity and for people with a local connection. • The scheme is of a scale and style appropriate to its immediate surroundings. • There is clear evidence of the viability of the scheme. • The scheme demonstrates good design that is sympathetic to the local area. The Council will facilitate a rolling programme of Housing Needs Surveys to provide evidence of local need. The Core Strategy also supports the development of Community Land Trusts (CLTs) as a vehicle for the Community Led Affordable Housing. The Council will continue to utilise resources from additional Council Tax from Second Home owners to allocate directly to affordable housing initiatives.

Gypsies and Travellers

Appropriate provision will be made to meet identified need in line with the development strategy in CS1. The following criteria will be used to guide the identification of sites and the determination of planning proposals where specific sites cannot be identified through the Allocations of Land DPD. The criteria will require that proposed sites and allocations demonstrate: 1. The need for an additional site for Gypsies and Travellers within the District; 2. The development will have an acceptable impact on the environment or character of the area or existing surrounding uses; 3. The development includes landscape screening to minimise the impact on the character and amenities of the surrounding area; 4. The development would result in acceptable traffic impact on surrounding minor roads, and adequate access, parking, turning and servicing can be provided; 5. The development can be served by necessary utilities infrastructure; 6. Proposals include the long-term management of the site and any additional uses intended to be carried out from the site; 7. The needs of the users of the sites are accommodated. Conditions will be used to control the nature and level of non-residential uses on the site.

Travelling Show People

Appropriate provision will be made to meet identified need in line with the development strategy in CS1. The following criteria will be used to guide the identification of sites and the determination of planning proposals where specific plots cannot be identified through the Allocations of Land DPD. The criteria will require that proposed sites and allocations demonstrate: 1. The need for an additional plots for Travelling Show People with established business links in the district to have a site; 2. The development will have an acceptable impact on the environment or character of the area or existing surrounding uses; 3. The development includes landscape screening to minimise the impact on the character and amenities of the surrounding area; 4. The development would result in acceptable traffic impact on surrounding minor roads, and adequate access, parking, turning and servicing can be provided; 5. The development can be served by necessary utilities infrastructure; 6. Proposals include the long-term management of the site and any additional uses intended to be carried out from the site; 7. The needs of the users of the sites are accommodated. Conditions will be used to control the nature and level of non-residential uses on the site.

Making effective and efficient use of land and buildings

The Council will seek to make effective and efficient use of land and buildings through the following planning requirements and actions: 1. Seeking to ensure that at least 28% of housing development takes place on previously developed land and buildings. 2. Supporting a strategy to bring previously developed land and buildings and empty housing into housing use. This will include: • Planning to address obstacles to the development of vacant or derelict sites; • Encouraging innovative housing schemes that make effective use of public sector previously developed land; • Seeking to identify and bring into residential use empty housing and buildings in line with local housing and empty homes strategies and, where appropriate, acquiring properties and/or land under Compulsory Purchase. 3. Targeting non statutory organisations which own land in South Lakeland to encourage the release of sites for affordable housing; 4. Meeting the target of an average density of at least 30 dwellings per hectare for all housing developments. Higher densities will be sought on appropriate sites, particularly those: • Close to transport hubs such as bus stations or main bus routes; • In or adjoining Kendal, Ulverston, Grange, Milnthorpe and Kirkby Lonsdale centres. In some circumstances, a lower density below 30 dwellings per hectare will be supported if: • There is proven need; • Environmental constraints mean that it is not suitable for high-density development.

Developer contributions

In accordance with the provisions set out within planning Circular 05/2005, the Council will require new developments to secure improvements which are necessary to make the development acceptable by planning condition or obligations, and these must be phased so as to be in place in accordance with any agreed time frame prior to the occupation of an agreed number of units. Planning obligations may also be required for maintenance payments, to meet the initial running costs of services and facilities and to compensate for loss or damage caused by development. The Council will work with developers and service providers to secure the necessary improvements to the following types of infrastructure and determine the appropriate range and level of provision /contributions: Physical infrastructure, which could include – • Transport relating to highways/roads, rail, waterways, bus/other vehicular public transport, cycle, bridleway and pedestrian access and the securing of Travel Plans; • Waste recycling and management facilities; • Water facilities; • Drainage and flood defence/prevention measures; • Other utilities such as gas, electricity and telecommunications services. Social/Community infrastructure, which could include – • Health Care facilities; • Education including local labour, training initiatives and childcare; • Community facilities (for example libraries, community centres/village halls, cultural, leisure and religious facilities). Green infrastructure, which could include – • Recreation provision (including open space, allotments, play and sport facilities); • Biodiversity; • Enhancement of the public realm, including public art, civic space and the historic environment.

Kendal Strategy

Regeneration • Bring forward coordinated and complementary development within the former canal head area, including improvements to Kendal's riverside, linkages to the town centre and the town's conservation area. Tourism and Economy • Improve and expand tourism and leisure opportunities in Kendal, taking advantage of its location as a gateway to the Lake District National Park and close proximity to national road and rail connections. • Support proposals focusing on renewable technology. Access • Implement the development and mitigation strategy proposed in the Kendal Transport Assessment, including: - Informing the location of site allocations for housing and employment land; - Individual junction improvements and signal optimisation; - Continued and increased encouragement of sustainable travel, including local shuttle services and more regular bus services using developer contributions; - Ensuring that developers of all new significant developments include and duly implement a Travel Plan; - Travel Smart Programmes (information on public transport, walking and cycling, along with improvements to existing facilities); - Supporting a large number of changes to provision and management of car parks. • Safeguard and improve rail access and the existing railway station at Kendal. • Improve accessibility to and within the town centre for non car users and those with mobility problems, including improvements to footpaths and cycle routes. • Improve public transport access to Ulverston and other Key Service Centres in the District and beyond (such as to Windermere/Ambleside, Sedbergh and Kirkby Stephen). Environment • Safeguard and enhance buildings, sites and areas of heritage and cultural importance utilising the findings of the Kendal Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan. • Provide continued support to the Conservation Area Grant scheme and continuing to fund, in partnership with others, the cost of environmental enhancement with the conservation area. • Improve local green infrastructure, including parks, green spaces and allotments. • Designate (as required) a series of green gaps to prevent the coalescence of individual settlements and thereby protect their individual character and setting. • Ensure greenfield development is sympathetic to the landscape character of Kendal and to the historic character and setting of Kendal and may also need to address archaeological impacts. • Ensure that new development safeguards and enhances the natural environment and local biodiversity – notably the SSSIs and SACs within the area, including the River Kent and its tributaries – and opportunities are taken to create new habitats. • Minimise both air pollution through implementation of Air Quality Management Plans and the risk of flooding. Health and Wellbeing (Sustainable Communities) • Maintain and, where necessary, enhance sports and community facilities, including supporting the principle for a Sport Village in Kendal. • Make further provision for infrastructure in line with identified need, including: - Until sewage capacity problems at Kentrigg Walk and Steeles Row, Burneside are resolved, no further development should take place above these sewer bottlenecks that add additional flow to the sewer; - Need for new waste-water treatment infrastructure.

Ulverston Canal Head and corridor

Ulverston Canal Head is designated as a regeneration opportunity area. The Council's objectives to deliver this vision are to: • Promote the positive mixed use regeneration of the canal head which will complement existing activities in the town centre; • Provide a range of employment and business opportunities, which could include tourism related business uses, to provide employment for local people and facilitate economic development in the area; • Encourage residential development, which could increase the population of the area, assist in the revitalisation of Ulverston town centre and meet the wider aims of the Core Strategy; • Enhance and expand the tourism sector by supporting the existing tourist attractions in Ulverston and encouraging the creation of new tourist attractions and tourism infrastructure, which could include a landmark hotel, waterside restaurant, bar café and leisure facilities; • Utilise the canal as a resource for leisure and recreation; • Enhance the environment through improving the landscape and public realm, providing public art and public access to the waterfront areas; • Improve access to the site by sustainable means, such as walking and cycling, and create safe linkages from the railway station and town, and along the canal and the surrounding area; • Improve orientation to and around the site, to enhance visitor awareness of the canal; • Enhance the biodiversity of the site; • Ensure a sequential approach is taken and development type is compatible with flood risk in accordance with national planning policy; • Secure the long-term future and maintenance of the canal; • Create a strategic partnership to guide/deliver development with Ulverston Town Council, South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council, NWDA and Cumbria Vision and Furness Enterprise and key stakeholders including local businesses; • Use the development management process to bring about development that supports the vision. Specific land allocations for the area will be pursued through the Allocations of Land DPD, informed by the Ulverston Canal Head Masterplan and any subsequent review of its contents.

Cartmel Peninsula

The Cartmel Peninsula Strategy includes the following settlements: • Grange-over-Sands (Key Service Centre); • Cartmel, Allithwaite, Cark/Flookburgh (Local Service Centres); • Smaller rural villages and hamlets including Ravenstown and Holker. The Council and its partners will aim to: Regeneration • Regenerate the Berners site in Grange-over-Sands to create a cluster of facilities and attractions including commercial uses, integrated health centre and residential and business space. Housing • Make provision for moderate housing development in Grange-over-Sands between 2003 and 2025, prioritising previously developed land and sites within the urban areas. • Make provision for small scale housing development in the Local Service Centres and in the smaller rural settlements in the Cartmel Peninsula, with a particular focus on affordable housing. • Seek to ensure that 35% of housing delivered within Cartmel Peninsula is restricted to affordable housing. Up to 55% of affordable housing delivered should be social rented based on local need, to be sought and delivered by a variety of means including registered social landlords, public subsidy from the Homes and Communities Agency and developer contributions in accordance with the approach set out in Appendix 1. Economy • Ensure that effective use is made of the limited amount of commercial/industrial land and buildings in Grange, promote opportunities for new space, targeted at start-up and growing businesses, and promote an entrepreneurial culture in Grange-over-Sands. • Promote the vitality and viability of Grange-over-Sands town centre and safeguard its role as a Key Service Centre by promoting sites in the town centre for development/redevelopment for mixed use including new retail space. • Establish a cluster of small spaces/galleries for working artists/craft people in Grange-over-Sands. • Maintain and enhance the strength of tourism across the area. Access • Work with partners to improve public transport as part of a comprehensive sustainable transport network within the Cartmel Peninsula Area to support the planned growth. • Promote the reintroduction of the two footbridges at Clare House Lane and Berners Close in Grange-over-Sands to cross the railway and improve the environment of the network of routes including the Promenade. • Address gaps in cycle routes at Grange-over-Sands. • Deliver improvements to car and cycle parking, security and real-time information at Grange-over-Sands railway station in partnership with Cumbria County Council and the train operators. The potential for cycle hire and linked cycle routes from the rail stations at Grange will be investigated. • Improve the pedestrian experience of Grange town centre and connectivity between either end of town and within the centre. Environment • Protect and enhance the diverse character and local distinctiveness of the area and promote high quality and locally distinctive design. • Designate (as required) a series of green gaps to prevent the coalescence of individual settlements and thereby protect their individual character and setting. • Protect the network of green infrastructure and important environmental characteristics and, in partnership with landowners, promote their positive use and management. • Ensure that new development safeguards and enhances the natural environment – notably the international designations within the area, including Morecambe Bay and Roudsea Wood, and County Wildlife Sites, and opportunities are taken to create new habitats. • Secure the preservation and enhancement of the very distinctive character and appearance of Cartmel village and ensure that its characteristic landscape setting is protected from harmful development. Health and Wellbeing (Sustainable Communities) • Maintain and where necessary enhance sports and community facilities. • Provide further infrastructure in accordance with identified need. • Work with the PCT and stakeholders to support the provision of high quality integrated health facilities.

Town centre and retail strategy

Support will be given to maintaining and enhancing the vitality and viability of the following hierarchy of town and local centres: Retail and other town centre development of a scale appropriate to these roles and in sustainable locations will be supported in each Principal, Key and Local Service Centre, provided that development respects the character of the centre, including its special architectural and historic interest and assists in maintaining its existing retail function. Support will be given for convenience and comparison goods provision, of an appropriate scale, which aids the vitality and viability of Kendal town centre. Support will also be dependent on how it reflects need as identified in the retail study and other evidence. Site selection for retail and other town centre functions should follow prevailing national and regional policies. The Core Strategy will seek to enhance local provision within centres and encourage local sustainable shopping patterns by addressing high levels of leakage to outside areas. The development of additional retail floorspace outside of the town centres will normally be strongly resisted, particularly where vacancy rates in the centres are high. The role of Local Service Centres will be maintained, mainly through environmental improvements and seeking to restrict the loss of services, whilst also supporting development to preserve and enhance the settlement's vitality and viability. The Core Strategy recognises the importance of village shops to rural communities and seeks to take that into account when accessing development proposals that would result in their loss. The Council will also respond positively to proposals for the conversion or extension of shops that are designed to improve their viability. Other elements of the town centre and retail strategy are: • Supporting the diversity of main town centre uses in order to enhance their continued vitality and viability with regard to retail, business, cultural and leisure services; • Supporting the provision of office space and increased town centre residential development (where appropriate) in the Principal and Key Service Centres; • Delivering improvements to the built environment, including streetscape, public realm and infrastructure; • Working with partners to support the active management of the larger town centres; • The designation and management of car parking; • Improvements to the accessibility of the town centre, particularly by: - Promoting better links between the centres and their hinterlands; - Improvements to the pedestrian environment; and - Improvements to the pedestrian and cycle environment; • Encouraging innovative design and improvements in local design quality which help to develop a strong local identity and sense of place. The definition of town centre boundaries, primary retail areas and shopping frontages will be included within the Allocations of Land DPD and shown on the proposals map.

Tourism development

The Core Strategy supports the creation, enhancement and expansion of tourist attractions and tourism infrastructure in accordance with the development strategy in CS1 and the principles for tourism development in the RSS (Policy W7). Kendal is highlighted as a destination with emerging potential for heritage related tourism. Developments that improve high value-added tourism, such as high quality developments in sport and recreation, will be particularly encouraged. Development should be of an appropriate scale and be located where the environment and infrastructure can accommodate the visitor impact. Where a proposal is not readily accessible by public transport, then it will be permitted where it relies of a specific geographical resource or contributions are made to improve accessibility. Particular emphasis is placed on improving the quality of existing visitor accommodation and the need to broaden the range of accommodation provided.

Accessing services

The Council will work with partners to improve accessibility within and beyond the plan area. This will centre on: • Improving bus routes, services and passenger facilities: particularly the key rural bus services that provide the links to Kendal and Ulverston and the neighbouring centres of Lancaster and Barrow; • Regeneration funding and using developer contributions to ensure that access to employment areas in Kendal and Ulverston by public transport and the highway network are upgraded without impacting adversely on local air quality; • Supporting improvements to rural accessibility, including extending demand-responsive transport schemes, such as Rural Wheels; • Improving passenger rail services and facilities; • Developing joint safety programmes; • Encouraging park and ride and managing car parking provision; • Promoting a network of safe cycle and walking routes linking residential areas with employment areas, town and local centres, schools, recreational open space and facilities; • Supporting delivery of the Mobility Plans for the Key Service Centres, which will identify specific actions to improve continuity of provision in the pedestrian network and therefore accessibility to employment and services; • Supporting Parish Councils in the development of community projects which allow services to be delivered locally; • Encouraging the adoption of Work Travel Plans by key agencies and businesses; • Supporting the provision of coach parking where appropriate; • Supporting the transfer of freight movements, particularly improvements to the rail freight network (where practicable); • Supporting essential road infrastructure improvements, including the A590 road links to the M6 to support the economic, tourism and regeneration objectives for the Ulverston and Furness area; • Protecting the route of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal and any associated infrastructure to enable its restoration for navigation.

Transport impact of new development

Development will be designed to reduce the need to travel and to maximise the use of sustainable forms of transport appropriate to its particular location. Development proposals will be considered against the following criteria: • The proposal provides for safe and convenient access on foot, cycle, public and private transport, addressing the needs of all, including those with a disability; • The proposal is capable of being served by safe access to the highway network without detriment to the amenity or character of the locality; • The proposal does not involve direct access on to a Principal Route, unless the type of development requires a Principal Route location; • The expected nature and volume of traffic generated by the proposal could be accommodated by the existing road network without detriment to the amenity or character of the surrounding area, local air quality or highway safety; and • If the proposal would have significant transport implications, it is accompanied by a air quality assessment, transport assessment, the coverage and detail of which reflects the scale of development and the extent of the transport implications, and also, a travel plan. • The proposal incorporates parking standards that are in accordance with any adopted and emerging sub-regional and / or local policy and guidance • Thresholds identified in national guidance and any new regional and / or local guidance relating to when travel assessments and travel plans are required.