Support

Representation ID: 8407

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Axis Land Partnership

Agent: Strutt and Parker

on
cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than deferred, as
evidenced by the statement of common ground; and
d) Consistent with national policy – enabling the delivery of sustainable
development in accordance with the policies in this Framework and other
statements of national planning policy (emphasis added), where relevant.
2.5 These tests need to be applied in a proportionate way to ensure they are consistent with
strategic relevant policies for the area.
2.6 The NPPF notes that:
Significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made
sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport
modes. This can help to reduce congestion and emissions, and improve air quality and
public health (paragraph 105).
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2.7 It advises that, when assessing sites that may be allocated, or specific applications for
development:
(a) appropriate opportunities to promote sustainable transport modes can be – or have
been – taken up, given the type of development and its location;
(b) safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all users;
(c) the design of streets, parking areas, other transport elements and the content of
associated standards reflects current national guidance, including the National
Design Guide and the National Model Design Code: and
(d) any significant impacts from the development on the transport network (in terms of
capacity and congestion), or on highway safety, can be cost effectively mitigated to
an acceptable degree (paragraph 110).
2.8 NPPF further advises (at paragraph 112) that, for development proposals, priority should
be given first to pedestrian and cycle movements, and second – so far as possible – to
facilitating access to high-quality public transport. However, it also recognises (at
paragraph 105) that opportunities to maximise sustainable transport solutions will vary
between urban and rural areas, and this should be taken into account in both plan-making
and decision-making.
2.9 In respect of heritage matters Paragraph 189 notes that:
“These assets are an irreplaceable resource, and should be conserved in a manner
appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the
quality of life of existing and future generations.”
2.10 Paragraph 202 goes on to state:
“Where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance
of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits
(emphasis added) of the proposal including, where appropriate, securing its optimum
viable use.”
Oxford-Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework
2.11 In July 2021 the Government published a consultation document which set out how they
intend to develop a Spatial Framework for the Oxford – Cambridge Arc. The spatial
framework is intended to provide a vision for the Arc to guide future growth in the area to
2050. To ensure that sustainability is embedded in the spatial framework the consultation
also includes a scoping report in respect of the sustainability appraisal. The Arc covers
the county council areas of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire,
Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire. Once approved the spatial framework will form
national planning policy and transport policy for the Arc and local planning and local
transport authorities must have regard to it when preparing local transport and local
development plans and policies. It will also be a material consideration in the
determination of planning applications in the area. This will be the first regional planning
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policy document to be prepared since the abolition of regional plans which signals the
importance that the Government attributes to the Arc.
2.12 The Arc is a national economic priority area which the Government believes has the
potential to be one of the most prosperous, innovative and sustainable economic areas in
the world, and can make a major contribution to national economic recovery following on
from the impact of COVID-19.
2.13 It is intended that the framework will facilitate better planning for economic growth,
supported by new homes and infrastructure, and deliver more sustainable results. It is
intended that it will inform development plans.
2.14 The current consultation closes on 12th October 2021 following which a vision and issues
and options consultation will be published in spring 2022. The finalised spatial framework
will be published for consultation in autumn 2022 with implementation of the final
Framework shortly after.