Local Development Framework

West Wiltshire
District Council
Bradley Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire, England
BA14 ORD
Tel. 01225 776655

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Local Development Framework

The Local Development Framework will be a folder containing Local Development Documents setting out local planning policies and proposals for West Wiltshire. All local planning authorities must have a Local Development Framework in place by April 2007.

The West Wiltshire Local Development Framework currently contains the following documents:

Saved Policies

The West Wiltshire District Plan 1st Alteration (opens in new window) was adopted in June 2004. In September 2007 the Government decided to 'save' most of the policies within this Plan until further notice. However, some of the policies within this plan no longer form part of the development plan. Details are attached. Progressively, the District Council will produce new Development Plan Documents to replace the policies and proposals contained within this Plan.

Local Development Scheme

As a first stage in this new system, local planning authorities have to produce a Local Development Scheme. This is a public statement of the Council's programme for the production of planning policy documents over the next 3 years. A revised Local Development Scheme (PDF file, opens in new window) came into effect during May 2007.

It is for each local planning authority to decide which Local Development Documents to produce in the future. However, the Government expects each Council, at an early stage, to plan for the production of the following documents:

Statement of Community Involvement

  • A Statement of Community Involvement - which sets out how the Council will involve the community in the preparation, alteration and continuing review of all Local Development Documents and planning applications;
  • Core Strategy - which sets out the spatial vision and strategy for an area and sets out broad locations (but not sites) for delivering development and transport needs;
  • Proposals Map - which identifies the areas of protection and locations for particular land uses.

Development Plan Documents (DPD)

Leisure and Recreation Development Plan Document

Background

In its Corporate Plan 2006-2010, West Wiltshire District Council has identified ‘better access to recreation’ as a key spotlight area where particular improvement is needed.

A critical first task has been to undertake a fundamental review of leisure and recreation needs within the district. Until these have been assessed, we cannot plan for the future.

In July 2004, consultants Kit Campbell Associates were engaged to carry out a comprehensive leisure and recreation needs assessment for West Wiltshire, and this has now been completed.

The Needs Assessment report and appendices has now been published. Hard copies are available to purchase from the Planning Policy & Conservation section. Alternatively, files are available to download from the links below. (Files will open in a new browser window.)

Preparation of the Development Plan Document

In October 2005 the Council published a document setting out the issues and options for the future as identified by consultants in the Leisure and Recreation Needs Assessment. Consultation with stakeholders took place and a sustainability appraisal of all options was prepared for the Council by consultants TRL Limited. The results helped Council officers to identify possible preferred options for the Leisure and Recreation DPD and further stakeholder consultation took place during spring 2006.

The Council considered all of the options, taking account of feedback from stakeholders and the results of sustainability appraisal and preferred options were published in June 2006 for formal public consultation, together with a list of all options considered and the results of sustainability appraisal.

Having taken account of the results of this consultation period the preferred options were translated into draft policies and a further period of public consultation on preferred options (stage 2) took place between March and May 2007. Again, the document set out all of the options considered to date and invited consultees to promote one of the alternative options or simply suggest changes to the proposed policy wording.

Submission Draft

The Council has prepared a Leisure and Recreation Development Plan Document. This was submitted to the Secretary of State in October 2007 and is to be the subject of a Public Examination from 15 to 18 July 2008 at the District Council offices, Bradley Road,Trowbridge.

Details of the Public Examination, together with all the relevant documents connected with the Leisure and Recreation DPD may be accessed through the following link.

Leisure and Recreation DPD documents

Copies of the DPD Submission Draft, together with background and supporting documents, are available to download from the list below:

The documents are available for inspection at the following locations during normal opening hours:

  • West Wiltshire District Council Offices, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, BA14 0RD
  • The five libraries in Bradford on Avon, Melksham, Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury
  • The town council offices in Bradford on Avon, Melksham, Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury

Background documents can be downloaded from the list below:

For further information and answers to any questions please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01225 776655.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD)

Residential Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document

The Council has adopted a Residential Design Guide which aims to increase awareness and understanding of the principles of good design within residential developments. It is also intended to identify the standard of design expected by the Council in accordance with current national, regional and local policy. The Guide will be taken into account by the Council when determining planning applications.

Copies of the following documents are available to download from the links below. Please note that documents are published in PDF format and will open in a new browser window.

River Biss Public Realm Design and Implementation Plan (PRDIP)

It has been recognised for some time that the river’s regeneration is fundamental to the overall vision for Trowbridge. We have now reached a point where a number of sites along the Biss corridor are coming forward for redevelopment. To ensure that the river is given due consideration, and in the hope of bringing forward enhancement projects, West Wiltshire District Council is working with the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) to develop a public realm design for the length of the River Biss between Biss Meadows and Bradford Road.

Halcrow have been appointed and following a number of targeted consultation exercises, the initial phase of the public consultation on the River Biss Public Realm Design and Implementation Plan is due to start on in March 2008 in the form of 3 exhibitions:

  • 08 March, The Shires Shopping Centre, 9am – 6pm
  • 10 March, The Civic Hall, Trowbridge 10am – 4pm
  • 11 - 17 March, Trowbridge Library (normal opening hours)

Following these exhibitions work will start on the draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The purpose of the SPD is to guide developers and other relevant bodies towards the comprehensive regeneration and enhancement Biss corridor.

A scoping report has been produced, as required, for the supplementary planning document:

It is hoped that the draft River SPD, and accompanying Sustainability Appraisal, will go out to formal public consultation in May, with a view to adoption by September.

Comments on the Scoping Report

Should you wish to submit comments on the content of the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report please submit them to the Council by Monday 24th March 2008.

By Post: Hilary Evans, Planning Policy and Conservation, West Wiltshire District Council, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 0RD.

By email: planningpolicy@westwiltshire.gov.uk

If you would like any further information or paper copies of the documents, please contact Hilary Evans on 01225 776655

Other documents

The production of other Local Development Documents is dependent upon local priorities. These will include Documents which will replace policies in the adopted District Plan and should also include any Supplementary Planning Documents which will provide further guidance on the implementation of current planning policies.

Section Index