Home | Living | Planning | The Adopted Planning Policies | Adopted Local Plan 2006 | Appendix 1 - Hampshire County Structure Plan Review (1996-2011)

Appendix 1 - Hampshire County Structure Plan Review (1996-2011)

The following policies from the adopted Structure Plan are particularly relevant to Portsmouth.  Development proposals, however, will be considered against all relevant policies in the Structure Plan and applicants/developers should refer to the entirety of the plan and not rely on this summary.

UB1  Priority will be given in local plans to policies and proposals which achieve urban regeneration by:

1. the redevelopment of derelict, outworn or underused land or buildings;
2. an appropriate mix of land uses and activities, particularly in town centres and residential areas;
3. retaining, enhancing or creating open spaces, features important to the townscape and important urban wildlife habitats;
4. improving the condition and/or settings of buildings of architectural or historic interest;
5. maintaining and/or improving local community identity;
6. improving air quality and reducing the consumption of energy and water; and
7. reducing the conflict between people and traffic and environmental disturbance from vehicles.

UB2  Policies for urban regeneration will, within the constraints imposed by the existing and proposed transport infrastructure, establish the appropriate mix of uses to meet the needs for local jobs and housing; maintain the vitality and viability of town centres; and provide facilities for recreation, tourism and cultural facilities.
 
UB3  All development permitted in accordance with other policies of this Plan should be appropriate in design, scale, layout and density to its surroundings and contribute to the quality of the built environment.

ED1  Development and redevelopment, which would maintain and enhance the provision of educational facilities for higher education and further education will be permitted provided such development:

1. takes place within the built-up areas as defined in local plans;
2. when appropriate is well related to existing higher and further education facilities;
3. respects the scale and nature of the local townscape, particularly the setting and buildings of architectural or historic interest;
4. can be well served by public transport, walking and cycling (as part of a campus transport strategy); and
5. only exceptionally results in the net loss of existing dwelling stock.

ED2  Development of purpose-built student accommodation within the built-up areas will be permitted provided that it:

1. is either within easy walking or cycling distance of academic facilities or can be well served by public transport (as part of a campus transport strategy);
2. respects the scale and nature of the local townscape; and
3. does not result in the significant net loss of existing dwelling stock.

S1  Planning permission will be granted for development which maintains and/or enhances the vitality and viability of the town centres of:

…….
Cosham
…….
Fratton
…….
North End
…….
Portsmouth
…….
Southsea

by:

1. supporting the primary shopping function of centres;
2. diversifying land uses in the centres, in particular: employment and educational opportunities; leisure, entertainment and cultural facilities; residential accommodation;
3. maintaining or improving the amenity and environment including the protection, enhancement or provision of open space; and
4. improving access, safety and security for public transport, pedestrians, cyclists and people with special needs.

The boundaries of town centres and development appropriate to the use and function of each will be determined in local plans.

S2  Local plans will promote policies to maintain and/or enhance the vitality and viability of district, local and village centres and ensure, where possible, adequate provision is made for local shops to meet day-to-day shopping requirements. The boundaries of district, local and village centres will be defined in local plans.

S3  In allocating sites for retail development in local plans, local planning authorities will ensure that, where possible, all types of retail development locate within town centres or, where suitable town centre sites are not available, on edge-of-centre sites. Only in the absence of edge-of-centre sites will out-of-centre sites be considered. In assessing the scope for further retail development the following factors will be taken into account:

1. the scale, location and choice of existing shopping facilities, their use and function and the likely impact of new retail development on their vitality and viability;
2. the requirement for different types of shopping provision;
3. the results of monitoring the supply and take up of retail floorspace; and
4. current retail market trends and retailer requirements.

S4  Planning permission will not be granted for retail development outside town centres except where:

1. there is an identified need for additional shopping provision which cannot appropriately be met on sites within town centres, on the edge of centres, or allocated in local plans; and
2. the proposal would not individually or cumulatively with other recently completed or outstanding retail development undermine the vitality and viability of any existing or proposed town centre; and
3. the site is accessible by public transport, is not likely to significantly increase the number and length of car journeys and makes adequate provision for access by cyclists and pedestrians; and
4. the development is not proposed on sites allocated for housing, employment and open space unless the local planning authority is satisfied that the need for such allocated uses no longer exists.

Where appropriate, conditions may be attached to restrict the main range of goods to be sold and to control the number and size of shopping units.

TC1  Telecommunications development will be permitted provided all possible steps have been taken to minimise the environmental effects of the proposal.
Where there would be a conflict with environmental objectives, it will need to be demonstrated that:

1. there is no reasonable possibility of sharing existing facilities;
2. there are no satisfactory alternative sites available;
3. in the case of radio antennas and masts, there is no reasonable possibility of erecting an antenna on an existing building or other structure.

The need to safeguard areas of particular environmental sensitivity will, in some circumstances, outweigh the benefits of permitting telecommunications development.

T2  Within the integrated transportation strategies, parking policies will be promoted with the aim of reducing the dependency on car use and encouraging the use of alternative modes of transport.  Development proposals will be required to conform to parking policies and standards which will take into account strategic and local objectives.

T3  Planning permission will be granted for transport infrastructure and facilities which:

1. encourage the movement of freight by rail and sea;
2. promote improvements for public transport, walking and cycling; and
3. reduce the adverse effects of road traffic;

provided that the development is compatible with the other policies of this Plan.

T4  In considering locations for development in local plans or applications for development, local authorities should ensure that:

1. development sites within existing and proposed built-up areas are served, or are capable of being served by walking, cycling and public transport to meet the objectives of the relevant integrated transport strategy; and
2. developments likely to attract large numbers of trips are located where choice in transport mode can be provided, including public transport.

T5  Planning permission will only be granted for development in accordance with other policies in this plan where the local planning authority is satisfied that the transportation requirements of the development can be accommodated. Developers will be expected to contribute towards any transport improvements directly related to the development.

T11  Land will be safeguarded in local plans for the South Hampshire Rapid Transit, a mainly track based public transport system to serve the urban communities of Southern Hampshire.

The initial elements of the scheme will be in the following corridors:

1. Fareham-Gosport-Portsmouth - to be constructed in the Plan period;
2. Portsmouth-Waterlooville - to be undertaken in the Plan period;
   ….

T14  Where appropriate, land for the following major transportation schemes will be safeguarded in the South East Hampshire Strategy Area:

for implementation:

• A2030, Eastern Road, Portsmouth, (A27-A288), transport improvements
• park-and-ride to serve Portsmouth
• new rail stations
• South East Hampshire cycle network
• South Hampshire Rapid Transit system: Fareham-Gosport-Portsmouth; Portsmouth-Waterlooville
• A2030 Fratton Goods Yard Link Road, Portsmouth

for abandonment as Major Highway Scheme but for continued safeguarding for other transportation uses:

• A3 London Road, Cosham and Waterlooville.

H2  Provision will be made in local plans for the development of 80,290 additional dwellings in Hampshire between April 1996 and March 2011, with the following distribution between the Districts:

 …………
 Portsmouth 9,000
 …………

H5  Within the provisions of Policy H1, land will be allocated in local plans for housing development on land vacant, under-used, derelict or released from its former use; or on new sites adjacent to existing built-up areas, provided that:

1. it can be well served by existing, or proposed public transport routes; and
2. either by itself, or cumulatively with other existing or proposed development in the vicinity, does not:

(a)  conflict with the transport policies in this Plan: or
(b)  overload or require extensive improvements to social, community or basic infrastructure; and

iii.  retains formal or informal open space and respects the character of the surrounding area; and
iv.  it would not cause significant harm to other interests of acknowledged importance; and
v. it does not result in the significant loss of land suitable for employment or other uses.

H6  Within the provision of Policy H1, planning permission may be granted for development which brings back into use offices and/or under-used space in buildings for housing purposes or makes more efficient use of the existing housing stock provided that:

1. it reflects the character of the neighbourhood;
2. it does not have a significantly detrimental effect on overall environmental quality;
3. the necessary infrastructure can be provided in accordance with other policies of this Plan; and
4. it does not result in the significant loss of land suitable for employment or other uses.

H7  Provision will be made in local plans for a range of housing densities, types, sizes and tenures to meet specific needs, including those of:

• the elderly
• people with disability
• the Care in the Community policy
• single people, and people living alone
• newly forming households/young couples.

H8  Within the provisions of Policy H1 where there is an identified need for affordable housing local planning authorities will, before granting permission for housing development, negotiate with developers the proportion of new housing that will be available to people who cannot afford to occupy houses generally available on the open market. The proportion of affordable housing on any particular site will be determined on a site by site basis taking into account the overall level of need for such housing, the local housing market and site suitability. Local planning authorities will need to make arrangements, where appropriate, to ensure the housing is occupied only by people falling within particular categories of need for affordable housing.

H11  To make the best and most economical use of land, sites which unexpectedly become available for development and redevelopment over the plan period and which are suitable for housing development, and are not for the time being identified in a local plan, will be considered on their merits having regard to overall land availability and the other relevant policies of this Plan.

R1  In built-up areas, development which improves or extends the range of tourist, recreational, sporting, social or cultural facilities will be permitted subject to the requirements of the transport and environment policies of the Plan.  Permission will not be granted for any development which would result in the loss of either, recreational and sporting facilities, or of open space for which there is a need, unless alternative provision is made of at least equivalent value (in terms of quality, quantity and accessibility).

R2  Before granting planning permission for new housing development, local planning authorities should be satisfied that sufficient open space, recreational and play facilities will be provided either:

1. on-site for an individual housing development; or,
2. on a cumulative basis (i.e. in association with other such open spaces to be provided), to serve the development and other adjacent or nearby housing schemes.

Areas of acknowledged open space deficiency will be identified in local plans. Within these areas, local planning authorities should negotiate to seek a higher provision of public open space to offset the identified deficiencies.

R7  In built-up areas developments which improve hotel, conference facilities and other serviced accommodation will be supported provided they are consistent with the environment and transport policies of this Plan.

C7  Permission will not be granted for development involving the reclamation of land from the sea or the reclamation, excavation or permanent flooding of intertidal areas of conservation value unless it can be demonstrated that the proposal:

1. has no undesirable hydrological effects locally, or on the coast as a whole;
2. would not damage the landscape character or sites of historic, archaeological or nature conservation interest; and
3. is well related to the existing built-up area.

E10  Development which is likely to harm the nature conservation interest of Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Ramsar Sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, or National Nature Reserves will not be permitted, unless the need for development is shown to outweigh the adverse impact, taking into account the protection given to the designation concerned in legislation or government guidance.

E11 Development which is likely to have an adverse impact on Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation will not be permitted unless the local planning authorities are satisfied that the need for the development outweighs that impact. Where development is permitted the local planning authorities will need to be satisfied that sufficient provision is made to minimise the damage and provide appropriate compensatory measures