Rural Planning and National Parks John Scott Director of Conservation and Planning Peak District National Park Authority 2 November 2018
UK national parks So how green is this land? Are we concreting over it? Continuous urban fabric", applied to areas where 80-100% of the land surface is built on. The actual figure is only 0.1%. Discontinuous urban fabric, places where between 50% and 80% of the land surface is built on, it is still only 5.3% 83% of the population of the UK lives in urban areas
The 10 Point Rural Plan (August 2015)
UK national parks 10% of the country with: 1/3 of the UK s internationally important wildlife sites 1/3 of England s public forest estate 1/5 of England s scheduled monuments Welcome 104 million visitors annually, bringing 6.9bn economic value Economically growing, business turnover is 13bn and 140,000 jobs which grew by 10% between 2012-2014 Glover Review of designated areas 21 st century Hobhouse Review. More or extended NPs or AONBs?
The Rural Economy England s rural areas accounting for around 210 billion, or 16%, of England s total output - similar to that of urban areas. Manufacturing represents 13% of GVA in predominantly rural local authority areas compared with 8% in predominantly urban areas. Service sector is also significant across rural areas with business services representing 10% of rural output. Rural areas host around half a million businesses, over 25% of all registered businesses in England. Rural areas in England - 17.6% of England s total population and 15% of jobs. Knowledge-based and creative industries growing rapidly. Net internal migration from urban to rural areas, including of highly skilled people attracted by the excellent quality of life on offer. In 2013, around 1 million, or 22%, of workers in England s rural areas worked from home (spending at least half of their work time using their home) compared with 12% of workers in urban areas.
The 10 Point Rural Plan to boost rural productivity (2015) Rural areas fully connected to the wider economy 1. Extensive, fast and reliable broadband services 2. High quality, widely available mobile communications 3. Modern transport connections A highly skilled rural workforce 4. Access to high quality education and training 5. Expanded apprenticeships in rural areas Strong conditions for rural business growth 6. Enterprise Zones in rural areas 7. Better regulation and improved planning for rural businesses Easier to live and work in rural areas 8. More housing 9. Increased availability of affordable childcare Greater local control 10. Devolution of power
25 Year Environment Plan 2018 It is this Government s ambition to leave our environment in a better state than we found it. Population growth and economic development will mean more demand for housing and this Government is committed to building many more homes. However, we will ensure that we support development and the environment by embedding the principle that new development should result in net environmental gain with neglected or degraded land returned to health and habitats for wildlife restored or created. Chapter 1: Using and managing land sustainably 1. Embedding an environmental net gain principle for development, including housing and infrastructure
25 Year Environment Plan Our 25-year goals By adopting this Plan we will achieve: 1. Clean air. 2. Clean and plentiful water. 3. Thriving plants and wildlife. 4. A reduced risk of harm from environmental hazards such as flooding and drought. 5. Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently. 6. Enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment. In addition, we will manage pressures on the environment by: 7. Mitigating and adapting to climate change. 8. Minimising waste. 9. Managing exposure to chemicals. 10. Enhancing biosecurity.
25 Year Environment Plan The 25 Year Environment Plan will help boost the productivity by enhancing our natural capital the air, water, soil and ecosystems that support all forms of life since this is an essential basis for economic growth and productivity over the long term..give the environment its due regard as a natural asset indeed a key contributor to the overall economy, use a natural capital approach as a tool to help us make key choices and long-term decisions. expand the net gain approaches used for biodiversity to include wider natural capital benefits, such as flood protection, recreation and improved water and air quality.. target environmental enhancements that are needed most in their areas and give flexibility to developers in providing them.
Relaxations to GPDO What has it achieved? PDRs allowing change of use from agricultural to residential were introduced in April 2014. Part 3 Class Q9 GPDO 2015 - allows change of use from a building last used for agricultural to change to residential use. March 2015 Government clarified the grounds for determining prior approval (location). Approval rate has increased to around two thirds of applications since the guidance was introduced. Extended 2018 Prior approval - transport and highways impacts, noise impacts, contamination risks, flood risks, location and siting, and design or external appearance of the building. Quality of development? Sustainable locations? Loss of affordable housing opportunities?
Change of Use PDRs 2013 Changes of use to B1 Offices to C3 Dwellinghouses Introduced May 2013 despite widespread opposition, inc National Parks. Class O of GPDO 2015. October 2015 the Planning Minister announced that they were to be made permanent. Must now consider impacts of noise from commercial premises on the intended occupiers of the development. 2017 Change of use of Class B1(c) (light industrial) to Dwellings Research has shown poor quality schemes with loss of affordable housing opportunities office and employment sites are relatively limited in rural areas and National Parks, not easy to replace. What happens to balanced communities - dormitory towns and villages?
Mobile and broadband connectivity Is the UK s 4G mobile phone coverage really worse than Romania, Albania and Peru, as a report suggested in 2016? The report by the National Infrastructure Commission used data on how much of the time a person s mobile is connected to 4G. On that measure, the UK scores worse than 53 countries, many of which we might expect to have far worse mobile networks The full NIC report cited figures showing that around 20% of buildings in cities and towns and almost 80% of those in rural areas don t have 4G. Roads are also often digital deserts, with just 8% of A and B roads fully covered, and almost half having none at all. Failure of Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP) 150 million project to cover not spots) in response to market failure 2016 extended PD rights, including in National Parks and AONBs for first time will the market respond?
Mobile Phone mast development 2015 Review of connectivity. Government statement published March 2016 confirmed changes: Extended PDRs to allow taller ground based masts: increased from 15 metres to 25 metres in non-protected areas and a new permitted development right allowing new masts of up to 20 metres in protected areas. Subject to prior approval (56 days). Also allows increase in height of existing masts to 20 metres in both nonprotected and protected areas without prior approval (licence notification (28 days); between 20 metres and 25 metres in non-protected areas with a prior approval; and have a new automatic right to upgrade the infrastructure on their masts in protected areas, to match existing rights in non-protected areas. Height restriction of 20 metres on highways and residential areas to accommodate vehicle lines of sight and pedestrian access. Came into effect 2016
Broadband Infrastructure In Rural Areas Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 Broadband infrastructure (cabinets and poles) no longer covered by GPDO or notification requirements 5 year relaxation to allow superfast broadband network to develop. Code of Best Practice agreed with DCMS, LPAs, NPAs, English Heritage and DEFRA. Made permanent in 2018. Has it made a difference? The final 5% is in rural areas.. Higher speeds not much use when you have NO broadband.
Peak District National Park
Peak District National Park: facts UK s first national park - 1951 555 square miles protected for natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage: 1/3 designated for nature conservation value; 2,900 + listed buildings; 450+ scheduled ancient monuments Accessible National Park: More than 12 million visits per year, within 1 hour of major cities Driver of the rural economy - 38,000 residents and 18,000 jobs
Statutory purposes: National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 amended by Environment Act 1995. Conservation of special qualities Promote understanding and enjoyment Duty to have regard to socioeconomic well-being of communities Planning function helps achieve NP purposes. Policy Differences inside/outside NPPF: highest level of protection and different expectation of growth (no housing targets)
Special qualities Beautiful views created by contrasting landscapes and dramatic geology Internationally important and locally distinctive wildlife and habitats Undeveloped places of tranquillity and dark night skies within reach of millions Landscapes that tell a story of thousands of years of people, farming and industry Characteristic settlements with strong communities and traditions An inspiring space for escape, adventure, discovery and quiet reflection Vital benefits for millions of people that flow beyond the landscape boundary
Peak District NP Local Development Framework Core Strategy October 2011 Saved Local Plan policies 2001 Development Management DPD 2018 Supplementary Planning Documents: Climate Change and Sustainable Building 2013, Design Guide 2007, Alterations and Extensions 2014, Shop Fronts 2014. Neighbourhood Plans (Bradwell, emerging Bakewell, Hartington)
Supporting sustainable communities Improve access to services Support the provision of appropriate housing
Housing in the Peak District National Park
Housing in the Peak District Policy since 1994: affordable housing for local need - Section 106 agreements to control occupancy Open market only where it achieves a NP purpose (conservation or enhancement conversion or brownfield). NO housing allocations, no targets Housing Delivery Test (HDT) does not apply in National Parks OAN pressure on District Councils Duty to Cooperate and MOUs with constituent authorities.
NPPF2 Affordable Housing in the Peak District 71. Local planning authorities should support the development of entrylevel exception sites, suitable for first time buyers (or those looking to rent their first home), BUT FOOTNOTE 34 ADDS: Entry-level exception sites should not be permitted in National Parks (or within the Broads Authority), Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or land designated as Green Belt. Housing Delivery Test does not apply but NP figures feed into District targets
NPPF2: Chapter 15. Conserving and enhancing the natural environment 172. Great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in National Parks, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which have the highest status of protection in relation to these issues. The conservation and enhancement of wildlife and cultural heritage are also important considerations in these areas, and should be given great weight in National Parks and the Broads. The scale and extent of development within these designated areas should be limited. Planning permission should be refused for major development other than in exceptional circumstances, and where it can be demonstrated that the development is in the public interest.
Government policy - protect National Parks with a presumption against fracking but may permit fracking where it is at least 1,200 metres beneath the surface. It has also awarded PEDL licences in 10Km square blocks around the edges of the National Park, giving the licence-holder exclusive exploration rights.
PEDL Licences
Promoting sustainable energy appropriate to National Park landscape Core Strategy policy and Supplementary Planning Documents
RTPI award for excellence in Heritage and Culture 2018 The Stanton Moor Principles
Reflecting on the role of National Parks National Parks have an important role in the overall spatial plan for England 10% of England and Wales Essential to find sustainable opportunities for resident communities But also vital for: Natural capital approach/eco-system services (carbon storage, flood management, etc) Recreation physical and metal well being Natural and cultural heritage a sense of place Food production Energy supply (wind energy, solar farms, AD)?