Rugby Borough Development Plan

Adopted Local Plan - July 2006 - Written Statement - Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Rugby Borough Local Plan forms part of the ‘development plan’ for the Borough. Together with the Warwickshire Structure Plan (WASP) and the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) it sets out the framework by which development should take place.

1.2 The current Borough Local Plan was adopted in 1997 and there is a pressing need for the plan to be reviewed to reflect new government guidance, the Regional Spatial Strategy, the WASP and other issues.

1.3 This Local Plan covers the period 1996 – 2011 although in respect of housing, provision is made to 2016 and once adopted the policies contained within it will be used in the assessment of planning applications within the Borough. Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires that where an adopted or approved development plan contains relevant policies, an application for planning permission shall be determined in accordance with the development plan unless other material considerations indicate otherwise.

1.4 Once adopted this plan will form part of the development plan for Rugby Borough. The development plan for the Borough currently comprises

• The Regional Spatial Strategy 2004
• The Warwickshire Structure Plan 2001
• The Rugby Borough Local Plan 1997
• The Warwickshire Minerals Local Plan 1995
• The Warwickshire Waste Local Plan 1999

How to use the Plan

1.5 The Local Plan Review comprises the Proposals Map (including insets) and this Written Statement. The Proposals Map identifies the proposals contained within the Written Statement, including those sites which are allocated for development and designated areas to which specific policies apply.

1.6 The Written Statement is divided into a number of Chapters, each of which contain policies and proposals to guide development control decisions. The Written Statement also includes an explanation of each policy and proposal. Policies are distinguished in the text by the use of unique references and the use of bold text.

1.7 There is a General Principles Chapter at the beginning of the Plan which contains many development control policies that are likely to apply to many developments. The Environment and Transport Chapters then follow. These chapters establish the Council’s approach to development where it is likely to have an impact on the environment and/or have transport implications. Again these chapters can cross and impact upon many different forms of development. Thereafter there are a number of ‘topic’ based Chapters, such as for ‘Housing’ or ‘Economic Development.’ These contain more specific policies which are important in considering the Council’s overall approach to that particular type of development.

All development proposals will be assessed against each of the policies of the Plan, other than those policies which clearly state that they apply only to specific types of development or specific areas. It is important that the Plan is read as a whole and policies are not considered in isolation. Where there are obvious links to other policies these are cross referenced for assistance. However it should not be assumed that it is only those policies that are cross referenced which will apply.

Those policies which are general in nature are not cross referenced to other policies as they can apply to many forms of development. Therefore cross referencing is not provided for policies within the General Principles, Environment and Transport Chapters as many of the policies will apply to all forms of development.

The Local Plan Process

1.8 This Local Plan is prepared under legislation governing the preparation of Local Plans. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act came into force in September 2004. The Act makes provision for authorities who have begun preparation of Local Plans to continue with their preparation under the ‘transitional arrangements’.

1.9 The Rugby Borough Local Plan Review therefore continued to adoption as a Local Plan. However, under the ‘transitional arrangements’, there were some changes to the procedures followed in producing the Plan. The key change was that at the end of the Plan preparation process the Inspector’s report was binding on the Council.

1.10 The adopted Local Plan will be saved for a period of three years, by which time it will gradually be replaced by revised documents – Local Development Documents. The Council has an approved Local Development Scheme which sets out the Council’s proposed work programme for the next three years.

1.11 This Plan was published for formal consultation (First Deposit and Redeposit Stages). The Council considered all representations received during the deposit periods.

1.12 The Council sought to resolve as many of the objections as possible through negotiation. However, after these stages there were still objections that could not be resolved. Therefore, a public local inquiry was held from January to March 2006, conducted by an Independent Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. The Inspector submitted a binding report to the Council in June 2006. The Council then adopted the Plan in July 2006.

1.13 A summary of the Local Plan process and indicative timescale is shown below.

Local Plan Review process & indicative timetable

Key Issues Consultation Phase
March 2001 & June 2003

First Deposit Plan
May 2004

Analysis of responses

Redeposit Plan
May 2005

Analysis of Responses
Pre inquiry changes (where appropriate)

Public Local Inquiry
January – March 2006

Inspectors Report received
June 2006

Local Plan Review adopted
July 2006

Sustainability Appraisal

1.14 A sustainability appraisal of the Plan has been undertaken and is available. Recommendations from the appraisal have been taken into account in preparing the redeposit plan.

Monitoring

1.15 The Borough Council will produce an annual monitoring report in order to establish progress towards implementing the policies and proposals. A Monitoring Schedule has been produced to supplement this Local Plan. The schedule indicates the areas of the Plan which will be monitored.

The Community Plan and Other Strategies

1.16 The Borough Council and its partners in the public and voluntary sectors, has prepared the second Community Plan for the Borough. The Community Plan applies to the area, not to the Council or any one particular organisation. It identifies the aspirations, needs and priorities of the community, and helps co-ordinate the actions of all the partners.

1.17 The Community Plan identifies 6 key areas in which changes and resources should be concentrated to achieve the overall vision, these are:
• The economy, the overall vision is one of a prosperous Borough;
• The environment, the development of the Borough should be informed by environmental considerations;
• The rural areas, there should be reasonable access to local services;
• Inclusiveness, all residents should be given the opportunity to participate in civic life;
• Rugby town centre; the centre should be a vibrant place and a desirable place to shop and live;
• Market town role; the Borough should develop its primary town as a traditional market town.

1.18 The Local Plan can make a contribution in each of these key areas and should therefore assist in the achievement of the Community Plan’s vision.

1.19 The Local Plan also has links with a number of other strategies and plans which are prepared by the Council and other agencies and authorities. These include:
• The Regional Housing Strategy
• The Regional Economic Strategy
• The Regional Cultural Strategy
• The Regional Energy Strategy
• Warwickshire Cultural Strategy
• The Economic Prosperity Strategy
• The Local Environment Strategy
• The Housing Strategy
• The Sustainability Strategy
• The Contaminated Land Strategy
• The Open Space Strategy
• The Cultural Strategy

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