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Written Statement

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1.1 This is the first revised deposit version of the Warwick District Local Plan Review 1996-2011, referred to as the Local Plan.

1.2 The Local Plan is a land use plan which controls the location and nature of new development within the District. The plan contains policies, designations and allocations which will be used to determine planning applications and applications for conservation area consent, listed building consent and consent for works to protected trees.

1.3 The first revised deposit version means that this is a draft plan and will be the subject of public consultation and inspection at an Inquiry before becoming the adopted Local Plan for Warwick District. Until such time, the previous Warwick District Local Plan (April 1995) will remain operative and used in determining planning decisions. However, the policies within this Local Plan will be given preference where necessary taking into consideration the weight that can be attached to them.

1.4 The Local Plan has been prepared under Part II of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended). Although this Act has now been superseded by the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Government has put in place transitional arrangements to ensure that this local plan can complete all its legal stages and become adopted by the Council as part of the statutory development plan. More details of this are contained in the section "the local plan process" later in this chapter.

The Objectives of the Local Plan

1.5 The overriding objective of the Local Plan is to contribute towards the achievement of the joint vision for Warwick District taken from the Community Plan 2001-2003. The vision is -

"We want Warwick District to be Safe, Healthy, Fair and Prosperous, Now and into the Future"

1.6 The Core Strategy describes how the Local Plan will contribute towards delivering this vision in an integrated manner with reference to the four main aims of sustainable development. These are:-

• to maintain high and stable levels of economic growth;
• effective protection of the environment;
• prudent use of natural resources; and
• social progress which recognises the needs of everyone.

1.7 Sustainable development is the basis for land use planning nationally and another important objective of the Local Plan will be to assist in its achievement. Together, therefore, the policies of the Local Plan will provide for the needs of the community whilst protecting and enhancing the high quality environment.

1.8 In addition, the Local Plan will provide a framework for planning decisions that gives certainty to local people, businesses, service providers and the development industry.

How to use the Local Plan

1.9 The Local Plan comprises this Written Statement and the attached Proposals Map (including inset plans). The Written Statement is divided into chapters containing policies which guide the location and nature of development, including land use designations and allocations. The Proposals Map and Inset Plans define where these policies, designations and allocations will be applicable.

1.10 Applicants proposing development on a particular site or area are encouraged to begin by looking at the Proposals Map to establish which policies of the Written Statement are relevant to the consideration of their development proposal.

1.11 The Proposals Map divides the District into Urban Areas, Town Centres and Rural Areas and there is a chapter relevant to each area. It also identifies whether the site is the subject of a designation (see Designated Areas Policies chapter) and whether there is a specific policy for the site (see Site Specific Policies chapter).

1.12 Applicants are then encouraged to consider the detail of their proposal against the District-Wide policies within the Development Policies and Sustaining Communities chapters.

1.13 Each chapter, with the exception of the Core Strategy, contains policies followed by a brief explanation and advice on how the policy will be used. Each policy is given a unique reference and is in bold text.

1.14 Warwick District Council, referred to as the Council, have tried to make the text as concise and 'user friendly' as possible. The use of planning jargon has been minimised although some planning terminology is necessary for legal and statutory reasons. The Local Plan therefore includes a Glossary to help explain such terminology and also a User Guide to expand on the advice given here.

The Context for the Local Plan

1.15 There are a variety of factors which that influence the content of the Local Plan.

The District

1.16 Warwick District lies within the heart of Warwickshire and due south of the city of Coventry. It covers an area of 28,226 hectares, comprising the four towns of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, Kenilworth and Whitnash set within attractive countryside. Its population was 125,931 at 2001 (Source: National Census).

1.17 Warwick District has a high quality environment with attractive, historic towns surrounded by a pleasant rural area. It benefits from good road and rail links with the major conurbations of the West Midlands and London. It also has a strong local economy, containing a number of major employers and attractions including Warwick Castle, Kenilworth Castle, the Royal Pump Rooms and Stoneleigh Park (National Agricultural Centre). These attributes make Warwick District a popular place to live, work and visit which creates considerable development pressure. This pressure needs to be managed in such a way that maintains and directs growth to areas in need whilst protecting the very qualities which make the District a desirable place to live and work. This represents the challenge for the Local Plan.

The Community

1.18 The Council, in partnership with other public and voluntary service providers, has produced a Community Plan. The Community Plan (2001-2003) identifies the aspirations, needs and priorities of the local community. It therefore has been subject to a range of community planning events and informed by the views of a panel of 1,000 local residents. The Community Plan identifies ten key priorities; Transport, Social Inclusion, Affordable Housing, Community Involvement, Community Safety, Leisure, Health, Education, the Environment and the Economy. Each priority includes aims and actions. The Local Plan can make a significant contribution to each of these key priorities and will assist in the achievement of the Community Plan's vision (see Core Strategy). The Community Plan can be viewed on the District Council website at www.warwickdc.gov.uk.

As a signatory of the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change the Council has set out its commitment to work with other key providers within the local community to contribute at a local level to the delivery of the UK Climate Change Programme

National Planning Legislation and Guidance

1.19 In preparing the Local Plan, the Council is required to have regard to current national policies and guidance issued by the Government. Since 1988, national planning guidance has been issued in the form of Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG's). There are currently twenty five PPG's providing guidance on a broad range of development types and locations. These are now gradually being replaced by Planning Policy Statements (PPS's). Particular importance is attached to PPG1: General Policy and Principles and PPG12: Development Plans which provide specific guidance on local plan content and procedure. A full list of PPG's and PPS's can be viewed on the Planning Portal website at www.planningportal.gov.uk. The brief explanation to each policy found within this Local Plan contains reference to Government guidance where appropriate.

1.20 In December 2001, the Government signalled its intention to undertake a fundamental review of the planning system by publishing a Green Paper. This has subsequently been followed by the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Bill that is presently seeking parliamentary approval. Once it becomes law, it will introduce a new system for development plans replacing the current arrangement of structure and local plans with 'local development frameworks'. In May 2004 Royal assent was given to the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act. This Act introduces widespread changes to the planning system and will see the gradual replacement of structure plans, local plans and unitary development plans with "Local Development Frameworks".

1.21 This local plan will therefore be the last prepared by Warwick District Council. Although the Government is encouraging local planning authorities to begin preparation of Local Development Frameworks, it is keen that authorities such as Warwick District Council that are currently preparing local plans under the old regulations should continue to do so. Accordingly, it has put in place transitional arrangements to enable this local plan to complete all of its legal stages through to adoption. In order to ensure that remaining local plans are adopted as quickly as possible, these transitional arrangements have made some changes to the formal procedures by which the local plan will be adopted. These are set out in the section "The Local Plan Process" later in this chapter.

1.21 It should be noted that this Local Plan is being prepared and taken through to adoption under the current regulations. It is likely, however, that the planning bill will receive royal assent during this parliament and it is possible that any new regulations may alter some of the later stages of the adoption of this Local Plan.

Regional Planning Guidance

1.22 The Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) for the West Midlands was issued by the Secretary of State in April 1998. This guidance sets out broad strategic policies for land use and development at a regional level for the period up to 2011. This has provided the regional context for the Warwickshire Structure Plan 1996-2011 (see below). The guidance can be viewed on the Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM) website at www.go-wm.gov.uk. Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) for the West Midlands was issued by the Secretary of State in June 2004. This guidance sets out broad strategic policies for land use and development for the period up to 2021. Under provisions within the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act this document now has the status of Regional Spatial Strategy and is a formal part of the development plan. This document can be viewed on the website of the West Midlands Regional Assembly at www.wmra.gov.uk

1.23 This RPG is currently being reviewed by the West Midlands Local Government Association. Its replacement will provide a basis for planning the future of the West Midlands region to 2021 and is anticipated to be approved in late 2003. Progress on the replacement RPG can be viewed on the GOWM website. This RPG replaces RPG issued in April 1998 against which the Warwickshire Structure Plan (see below) was prepared. Whilst the Structure Plan has been the main strategic planning document against which this local plan has been prepared, the local plan must now have regard to the policies in the new RPG. In the event of a conflict between the new RPG and the adopted Structure Plan, it is the Council's understanding that the RPG should carry the greater weight.

Warwickshire Structure Plan 1996-2011

1.24 The Warwickshire Structure Plan 1996-2011 (WASP) was adopted by Warwickshire County Council in August 2001. Alongside the Local Plan, and now the Regional Planning Guidance in its role as Regional Spatial Strategy (see above), it forms part of the statutory development plan against which planning decisions should primarily be considered. The WASP contains key strategic policies and provides a framework for local plans at the County level. The policies contain figures for additional housing and employment requirements to 2011. They also define areas where new development should be located and areas which should be protected. The WASP also provides important linkages with the Local Transport Plan (see below) and the Minerals and Waste Local Plans. The WASP can be viewed on the County Council website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk.

1.25 The WASP has a significant impact on the nature and content of this Local Plan and the County Council is required to ensure that it is in 'general conformity' with the policies of the Structure Plan and the Regional Planning Guidance.

Warwickshire Local Transport Plan 2000

1.26 The Local Transport Plan (LTP) is the transport strategy for Warwickshire prepared by the County Council. It describes how an integrated transport system is to be delivered at the local level. The Local Plan will need to address any land use issues arising from the implementation of this Plan. The Local Transport Plan The County Council is currently preparing a new LTP 2005. Details of this and the 2000 LTP can be viewed on the County Council website.

Warwick District Local Plan 1989-2001

1.27 The Council adopted its first district-wide local plan, the Warwick District Local Plan 1989-2001, in 1995. This was written in accordance with the previous Warwickshire Structure Plan Alterations No.1 and therefore is now no longer in conformity with the latest Structure Plan and is not up-to-date. However, many of the policies and designations in the old Local Plan have been rolled forward into this Local Plan.

1.28 The previous Local Plan also set a planning framework for delivering 9,000 new homes and 125 hectares of employment land. This included the allocation of green field sites for approximately 2,800 new homes on the edge of the urban area and the allocation of a 'rural growth point' of 650 homes at the former Hatton Hospital site. It also allocated 50 hectares of green field employment land around the District. In the period since 1995, most of this development has now taken place with significant progress being made on the major allocations.

Warwick District Corporate Strategy and Other Strategies

1.29 The Council published its present Corporate Strategy in 2003. The Strategy sets a number of priorities for the Council which are of relevance to the Local Plan; including the achievement of sustainable development, supporting the vitality of town centres and increasing the amount of affordable housing. Long term targets are set in relation to the development of previously developed land, performance of the town centres and numbers of affordable housing completed.

1.30 The Council has also published a number of other strategies and action plans with partner organisations which that have guided the content of the Local Plan. The Council is committed to developing further strategies over the next four years. The Local Plan has a key role to play in delivering and informing some of these strategies including the Housing Strategy, Crime and Disorder Strategy, Economic Development Strategy, Action Plans for each of the Town Centres, Leisure and Recreation Strategy, Tourism Action Plan, Trees & Woodlands Strategy and Open Space Assessment and Audit.

Background Reports to the Local Plan

1.31 There are a number of pieces of research which have to be undertaken to inform the policies and designations of this Local Plan. Work began on these in late 2000 and to date has involved a direct input from officers of the Council, District Councillors, the general public and a wide range of other stakeholders, statutory consultees and interested parties. The main background reports underpinning the Local Plan are as follows:-

Report of Public Consultation (Local Plan Pre-Deposit Consultation) - September 2002

1.32 In April 2001, the Council undertook a public consultation on the key planning issues facing the District for the period to 2011. This consultation involved a number of activities including the production and distribution of a 'Key Issues Report' sent to over 300 consultees, a questionnaire leaflet distributed to households across the District and a series of public exhibitions, meetings with local groups and themed 'forums' with a range of stakeholders and interested parties. The results of this consultation have informed the policies of the Local Plan and are available to view on the District Council website.

Urban Capacity Study - July 2002

1.33 The Council undertook an Urban Capacity Study in 2002. This was a comprehensive study exploring how much additional housing and employment could be accommodated within the four towns. This has included a detailed analysis of a range of development sites and an estimate of the potential from other less definable sources of urban capacity. This work has influenced the housing and employment policies/allocations within the Local Plan. The Urban Capacity Study can be viewed on the District Council website.

Land Use Monitoring

1.34 The Council annually monitors housing and employment development within the District. The results of this exercise have helped to inform the policies/allocations within this Local Plan and measure our progress towards achieving the targets within the Structure Plan. The Housing Monitoring Report - 2001 2004 has been used as the 'base date' for this Local Plan and can be viewed on the District Council website.

Local Plan Annual Monitoring Report

1.34a One of the requirements of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act is that all planning authorities prepare Annual Monitoring Reports. These become a statutory requirement in 2005, however the Council prepared its first Annual Monitoring Report in December 2004 to measure the effectiveness of the policies within the Local Plan. A copy of the Annual Monitoring Report can be viewed on the Council's website.

Warwick Retail Study Studies - May 2002 and May 2004

1.35 The Council commissioned retail consultants to take a fresh look at a wide range of issues surrounding retailing and the vitality of the District's town centres in 2002. This work has influenced the retail policies within the Town Centres chapter of the Local Plan. Further work was commissioned in 2004 to give the Council a better understanding of the need for further retail floorspace within the district.

Habitat Biodiversity Audit/SINC Study

1.36 For several years, the Council has worked alongside other authorities within Warwickshire and the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust to undertake a habitat biodiversity audit of the County. In particular, this has sought to identify Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). This work has also informed the Urban Capacity Study.

Sustainability Appraisal

1.37 The Council has undertaken undertook a Sustainability Appraisal as part of the process of preparing the Local Plan. This Appraisal, carried out by the Council advised by consultants, has sought to comply with the requirements of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act and the European Union Directive 2001/42/EC on Strategic Environmental Assessments. The purpose of the appraisal was to ensure that the economic, environmental and social implications impacts of policies had been taken into account. It has therefore influenced and enhanced the content of the Local Plan in order to achieve the objective of sustainable development. The Sustainability Appraisal and its methodology can be viewed on the District Council website.

The Local Plan Process

1.38 This Local Plan has been prepared in accordance with the Development Plan Regulations 1999 (as amended by transitional arrangements put in place by Government in 2003) which sets out the prescribed procedure which the Council must follow before the local plan can be adopted. The timetable for this work is set out in the Council's Local Development Scheme which can be viewed on the Council's website. In summary this is as follows:-

1.38a The key stages that the Local Plan must go through are as follows:-

First Deposit Version

1.39 This document is the first deposit version of the Local Plan and will be placed 'on deposit' for formal objections and representations in support to be received. Following the deposit period (six weeks), the Council will consider whether it wishes to make any amendments to meet objections or for other reasons. The Council approved the First Deposit Version of the Local Plan in October 2003 and placed this "on deposit" for formal objections and representations in support between December 2003 and January 2004. Following the deposit period, the Council considered all the comments received.

Revised Deposit Version

1.40 Once any amendments have been made, the Council will place the local plan on deposit for a second time. This will give interested parties an opportunity to make objections/representations in support to any of the changes made to the first deposit version. This document is the re-deposited version of the Local Plan. It makes changes to the First Deposit Version some of which arise in response to objections received during the first deposit period. The Council is placing this plan on deposit for a second time to allow for further representations to be made.

Public Local Inquiry

1.41 In view of the objections made to the local plan the event of any objections being received to either of the deposit versions, the Council will ask has asked the Planning Inspectorate to hold a Public Local Inquiry to consider these objections. This will be chaired by an independent Inspector who will then prepare a report directing how the Local Plan should be amended proposing where they recommend the Local Plan be changed to meet any objections. It should be noted that the Inspector's report will be a binding one. Under previous local plan regulations, the Inspector's report contained a series of recommendations to which the Council was formally required to respond. These responses were advertised as "proposed modifications" to the Local Plan. Upon receipt of a binding report, the Council will normally proceed immediately to adopt the Local Plan. This is one of the key changes made by the Government to expedite the adoption of local plans and allow local planning authorities to move quickly to the new Local Development Frameworks (see earlier in this chapter).

Proposed Modifications

1.42 Following receipt of the Inspectors report and recommendations, which will be made public, the Council will consider whether it wishes to make any further changes to the Local Plan arising from their recommendations. These will be published as proposed modifications and will again be subject to public consultation.

Adopting the Local Plan

1.43 Providing that no further objections to the Local Plan are received, or that these objections do not raise new issues which require either a further round of modifications or a further inquiry. Following receipt of the Inspector's report, the Council will proceed to adopt the Local Plan.

1.44 As noted above, the Government has begun to undertake a fundamental review of the planning system and the development plan process. It is likely that the above regulations will alter and the Council will amend this programme and course of action accordingly.

Building on the Policies of the Local Plan

1.45 The policies, allocations and designation within this Local Plan will, where appropriate, be amplified and expanded upon by the Council through the use of development briefs and supplementary planning guidance Supplementary Planning Documents. The Council's programme for preparing these is set out in its Local Development Scheme which can be viewed on the Council's website.

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