planning strategy

Planning Strategy

The Planning Strategy team undertakes research and monitoring of development activities to assist in the preparation of spatial planning policies, proposals and guidance which will shape the way in which Stroud District is developed in the future.

The service is also responsible for providing advice and guidance on a range of environmental issues such as sustainable development; climate change, energy conservation, biodiversity and building conservation.

Choose a section

Stroud District Local Plan 2005 and Mapping

The Stroud District Local Plan was produced in line with the relevant statutory processes leading to Adoption on 10 November 2005. It remains the key planning policy document for making development control decisions until its policies are replaced through the delivery of the Local Development Framework.

Inspectors Report

The Inspector's report into the Local Plan Inquiry that ran from 15 January 2002 until 3 June 2003 was received on 25 November 2004.

Adopted Local Plan

Stroud District Local Plan - indicates where different buildings, from homes to shops, offices, schools, leisure and health facilities may be built. It forms part of the development plan for the area of Stroud District Council and runs until 2011. The development plan forms the basis for decisions on land use planning affecting this area. It was produced in line with the relevant statutory processes leading to Adoption on 10 November 2005.

Saved and Deleted Local Plan Policies

The Policies of the Local Plan expired on 10 November 2008 unless they were saved by a Direction made by the Secretary of State under the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

A report on the matter was initially considered by the Cabinet of the Council on 10 July 2008.

In turn this was considered by Council on 18 September 2008, including representations received by the Council from Parish and Town Councils on the issue.

Following these meetings the Council applied to the Secretary of State for a Direction and forwarded the Parish and Town Council comments to be considered when making the Direction.

The Secretary of State made a Direction. With the exception of Policy GE4 relating to flooding issues, the Secretary of State agreed with the Council on the policies it proposed to ‘save' and the policies it considered could be deleted. She considered Policy GE4 was covered by provisions in PPS25 and therefore that policy could be deleted. The Direction made by the Secretary of State and a table of Saved / deleted Policies is shown below:

Local Plan Maps

You can download the maps from the Adopted Local Plan here.


Stroud Local Plan: Policies Consultation (March - May 2013)

Frequently Asked Questions About the Local Plan - PDF, 32KB

Stroud Local Plan: Policies Consultation (March - May 2013)

The Council is producing a new Local Plan which will help shape future development within Stroud District until 2031. Previously the Council consulted on a preferred strategy for delivering growth and identified preferred strategic sites for future development. The Council is still considering these issues and will make a decision on these matters later in 2013.

The Council is now consulting on other planning policies which will be included in the Local Plan. These policies will manage and direct development and ensure that future development is high quality and protects, conserves or enhances the environment.

We would like your views on these policies. In particular, we would like to know if you agree with what the policies are trying to achieve or whether changes need to be made to make them better. We would also like to know if there are any new policies which we should include in the Local Plan to address planning matters which you are concerned about.

If you would like to respond, please complete the response form and return it to us by Wednesday 8 May 2013 .

You can view the Policies Consultation document and submit your comments online here: www.stroud.gov.uk/consult

Alternatively you can look at paper copies of the document and pick up a response form at the following locations:

  • Town and parish council offices that open to the public: Berkeley, Cainscross, Cam, Chalford, Dursley, Minchinhampton, Nailsworth, Painswick, Rodborough, Stonehouse, Stroud, Upton St Leonards, Wotton-under-Edge
  • Public libraries at Berkeley, Brockworth, Dursley, Nailsworth, Minchinhampton, Miserden, Quedgeley, Stonehouse, Stroud, Wotton-under-Edge
  • Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill reception There are computers for public internet access here as well
  • The Tourist Information Centre at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud

A Sustainability Appraisal of the policies is now available to view on the consultation webpage and at the above locations.

After May 2013 the Council will consider the comments received and will prepare a full draft Local Plan for formal public consultation during the summer and autumn 2013.

Supplementary Guidance

 

The District Council has initiated three types of supplementary guidance to aid the public in understanding the issues facing the District and assist decision taking on planning applications. According to the processes that they have been through in preparation, different weight is accorded to them in decision taking.

Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG)

This form of guidance was prepared under the pre 2004 planning system. It is existing non-statutory guidance which supplements the Stroud District Local Plan (SDLP) 2005 element of the Development Plan. Only the Policies in the Development Plan have the special status afforded by Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 in deciding planning applications. However, SPG’s may be taken into account as material considerations in determining planning applications. The weight of the SPG in decision taking increases if it has been prepared in consultation with the public and has been the subject of a Council Resolution.

The following documents have been adopted by the Council as SPGs

Supplementary Planning Advice (SPA)

These documents support the planning policies adopted by the Council but have not been subject to the same level of process as either SPGs or SPDs. SPA's sit outside the Local Development Framework. However, they can be referred to for guidance and may be used in decision making. The weight given to them may be more limited than other documents.

IHCA Design Guide

The Industrial Heritage Conservation Area Design Guide was adopted by Council as Supplementary Planning Advice (SPA) on 6th Nov 2008 and forms part of the IHCA Conservation Area Statement. It acts as a practical supplement to the policy and design guidance contained in the IHCA Management Proposals SPD and focuses on ways to preserve or enhance the local distinctiveness and special character of the eight conservation areas covered by the IHCA review through the design of new development – from small home extensions to major development schemes. You can download the Design Guide chapter by chapter:

Please also see the The Industrial Heritage Conservation Area Management Proposals.

Stroud Public Realm Strategy

Stonehouse Design Statement

Approved by the Cabinet on 6 October 2005, The Stonehouse Design Statement, has been produced by a steering group comprised of non-elected residents and Stonehouse town councillors, working in close partnership with officers of the Council.

Nailsworth Design Statement

The Nailsworth Design Statement was adopted by the Council on 16.4.09 and should be regarded as a material consideration in making any development control recommendations or decisions.

Bisley-with-Lypiatt Statement

The Bisley with Lypiatt Parish Village Design Statement was adopted by the Council on 11 th November 2010 (with the exception of the Local Views Sections) and will be a material consideration in Development Control decision making.

Nailsworth Design Statement

Frampton Conservation Area Statement

Longney and Epney Parish Design Statement

The Longney and Epney Parish Design Statement was adopted on 22 September 2011 and will be a material consideration in Development Control decision making. The following external link will take you to the document.

Householders Design Guide

Validation of Planning Applications

Supplementary Advice: Renewable Energy

Woodchester Parish Design Statement (2012)

The Woodchester Parish Design Statement was adopted on 26 April 2012 and will be a material consideration in Development Control decision making.

Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

This form of guidance is prepared under the post 2004 planning system. It must supplement the a part of the Development Plan. Currently the SDLP 2005 plays that role but will increasingly be replaced by development plan documents prepared under the 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act such as the Core Strategy. SPDs (like SPGs) are used to provide further detail to policies and proposals contained in a Development Plan Document. SPDs will form part of the Local Development Framework and they will be an important consideration in determining planning applications.

SPDs may cover a range of issues and can be thematic or site specific. For example, an SPD may be a design guide, development brief or a topic or issue based document.

The following documents have been adopted by the Council as SPDs

The Industrial Heritage Conservation Area Management Proposals

This document was adopted by Council as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on 6th Nov 2008. It forms part of the IHCA Conservation Area Statement and sits within the Stroud District Local Development Framework.

Industrial Heritage Conservation Area Management Proposals

Together with a Summary of Representations report (Reg.18 statement), which sets out key findings of the public consultation:

And the Regulation 19 Adoption Statement:

Neighbourhood Planning

Background

The Localism Act 2011 provides for town and parish councils to be designated as a Neighbourhood. Neighbourhoods have the ability to create Neighbourhood Development Plans; adding a local flavour to the Development Plan (Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework). It may also make Neighbourhood Development Orders which effectively extend permitted development rights within the Parish and allows the building of community led facilities outside of the normal planning framework. For further advice please see the Locality website.

Eastington

Eastington Parish Council has registered it’s interest in becoming a "neighbourhood" under the Localism Act 2011. You can read their letter of application -(PDF) and view the map - (PDF). Before determining the application, Stroud District Council is required to publicise the request on its website and in the local press. To ensure that those interested in planning matters are made aware, the request will be advertised together with the weekly list of planning applications on the Wednesday 15 May. Any comments must received by 28 June 2013; and can be sent to the Planning Service, Ebley Mill, Stroud GL5 4UB or via email to planning@stroud.gov.uk (you must include your name and postal address). Any comments will be a matter of public record and reported to the Environment Committee. As such the names and addresses of those commenting are likely to be included in the committee report and appear on our website.

LDF - Local Development Framework

What is the LDF?

The Local Development Framework (LDF) is a suite of documents which together will guide development within Stroud District. This is crucial part of the planning system. Guidance on the planning system is available on the Government's Planning Portal Website. There are various Documents within the framework. Please view the sections below.

Local Development Scheme

As part of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 the Council has to produce a Local Development Scheme (LDS). The LDS sets out the documents that this Council will be producing in the next three years as part of its Local Development Framework (LDF). It also sets out the timetable for their production and indicates at what stage you can become involved in the LDF preparation process.

The LDS is due to be reviewed in 2013 to take into account changes in the process and to update the detail. The latest LDS, (January 2009 version), was approved by Council (at its meeting 26 February 2009) and approved by the Government Office for the South West (GOSW) on behalf of the Secretary of State. The latest LDS is available below together with previous editions to download:

For current progress on the projects identified in the Local Development Scheme, please contact us on 01453 754143 or email ldf@stroud.gov.uk .

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

Stroud District Council has prepared a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) as part of its Local Development Framework (LDF) for the district. The document proposes the Council's strategy for community involvement in the planning process. It sets out the ways in which we will engage and involve people when we are formulating planning policies for the LDF and considering planning applications. The SCI was adopted by the Council on 8th November 2007.

The Statement of Community Involvement was amended to allow for electronic communication in the first instance and a report was placed before Council's Cabinet in March 2009 and was then referred to Council in April 2009. The full report can be viewed via the link on the Council's Democracy area of the Web site.


The Emerging Stroud District Local Plan 2014

Stroud Local Plan: Policies Consultation (March - May 2013)

The Council is producing a new Local Plan which will help shape future development within Stroud District until 2031. Previously the Council consulted on a preferred strategy for delivering growth and identified preferred strategic sites for future development. The Council is still considering these issues and will make a decision on these matters later in 2013.

The Council is now consulting on other planning policies which will be included in the Local Plan. These policies will manage and direct development and ensure that future development is high quality and protects, conserves or enhances the environment.

We would like your views on these policies. In particular, we would like to know if you agree with what the policies are trying to achieve or whether changes need to be made to make them better. We would also like to know if there are any new policies which we should include in the Local Plan to address planning matters which you are concerned about.

If you would like to respond, please complete the response form and return it to us by Wednesday 8 May 2013.

You can view the Policies Consultation document and submit your comments online here: www.stroud.gov.uk/consult

Alternatively you can look at paper copies of the document and pick up a response form at the following locations:

  • Town and parish council offices that open to the public: Berkeley, Cainscross, Cam, Chalford, Dursley, Minchinhampton, Nailsworth, Painswick, Rodborough, Stonehouse, Stroud, Upton St Leonards, Wotton-under-Edge
  • Public libraries at Berkeley, Brockworth, Dursley, Nailsworth, Minchinhampton, Miserden, Quedgeley, Stonehouse, Stroud, Wotton-under-Edge
  • Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill reception There are computers for public internet access here as well
  • The Tourist Information Centre at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud

A Sustainability Appraisal of the policies is now available to view on the Consultation Hub .

After May 2013 the Council will consider the comments received and will prepare a full draft Local Plan for formal public consultation during the summer and autumn 2013.

Previous consultation on the preparation of the Local Plan was at the Preferred Strategy stage during February / March 2012.

The Preferred Strategy public comments have now been published. To view them please see our Consultation Hub. A report summarising the findings of the consultation has been prepared and discussed at the Council's Planning Advisory Panel (13 December 2012) and Executive (20 December 2012) meetings. A copy of the summary report can be viewed here.

Related documents

Emerging Local Plan Background Information

The new Local Plan will be the key document within the Local Development Framework and will provide the basis for the production of other planning documents. Its role is to set out the vision and policies for the distribution and the management of development across the district. It will identify the overarching objectives for spatial planning in Stroud and will be used by everyone who wants to see how the district will change and what new development will be planned for and managed up to 2031.

What should be in the Local Plan?

The coalition government proposed an overhaul of the planning system through the Localism Act and National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The changes they introduced have implications for the Local Plan. Guidance on plan-making is set out in paragraphs 14, 150-157 of the NPPF.

In response to the NPPF, the Council is proposing to continue to prepare its planning policy framework in the form of a single Local Plan rather than a Core Strategy that is backed up with a suite of other planning policy documents. This will build on the work undertaken to date in preparing the Core Strategy. We will also undertake a review of saved policies from our 2005 Stroud District Local Plan and will review the Localism Act and NPPF to ensure Local Plan policy is in conformity with national policy.

Although the process is still evolving and much has yet to be decided, the final Local Plan is likely to cover these broad topic areas:

  • Spatial Strategy
  • Economy, Employment and Infrastructure
  • Homes and Sustainable Communities
  • Our Natural and Built Environment
  • Development Management Policies

  • Renewable Energy and Climate Change

Frequently Asked Questions About the Local Plan

Emerging Local Plan - What happens next?

The final document won't be adopted until 2014. The agreed timetable is set out in our current Local Development Scheme. However, there has been considerable slippage in this and a revised timetable for the remaining key stages in production of Stroud's Local Plan is set out below. It must be recognised however that this may be subject to change in the light of the Localism Act, the provision of any new regulations for the preparation of plans and the guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Whilst this timetable sets out key stages, there is considerable work necessary to complete these stages.

The Council consulted on the preferred strategy for housing and employment numbers and preferred development locations from the 6 th February to the 2 nd April 2012 . This proposed strategy was based upon the findings of past consultations (including our “Key Issues” consultation in 2009 and “Alternative Strategies” in 2010), a range of evidence studies (all available online - Local Plan Evidence Base and the guiding principle s of government planning policy advice.

The following table sets out the timetable for the preparation of the Emerging Local Plan as at February 2013.

March/May 2013

Review of SDLP policies and public engagement

April/May 2013

Completion of Stroud Infrastructure Delivery Plan (SIDP)

 April 2013 – July 2013

Preparation of ‘Pre-Submission Local Plan

 

Preparation of Statement of Community Involvement

 

Preparation of Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA/SA)

 

Annual ELA/HLA surveys / reports; Update 5 year housing supply; SHLAA Update; SHMA Update

 

Preparation of Evidence Base Studies such as: Habitat Survey; Habitat Regulation Assessment; Settlement Boundary Review; Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Assessment; Public Open Space and Playspace Study.

July – September 2013 Statutory 6 week Regulation 19 public consultation on ‘Pre-Submission Local Plan' and associated documents (final SEA/SA, CIL/SIDP, Statement of Public Consultation)

October - December 2013

Preparation of final submission documents

January 2014

Submission of Local Plan to Secretary of State

May 2014

Examination in public

Summer 2014

Inspectors Report

Summer/Autumn 2014 Adoption of Local Plan

Progress to Date

A brief history of the process so far is given below

Other information about our Local Development Framework is available here.

If you wish to contact the Planning Strategy team about the preparation of the Core Strategy – Local Plan, please use one of these modes of communication.

Phone: 01453 754143

Email : ldf@stroud.gov.uk

Write:
Planning Strategy Team Stroud District Council
Ebley Mill
Ebley Wharf
Stroud
GL5 4UB

Evidence Base (LDF)

The Council is developing an evidence base to support the preparation of the Local Development Framework. A number of studies have been commissioned or are under preparation, in some cases with other authorities and consultants. Where available these may be viewed via the links given on this page. Due to the large amount of external links on this page please email us if you notice a link has been moved.

Housing Evidence

Gloucestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment

The County Council and the Six District Councils have worked together to produce a Strategic Housing Market Assessment for Gloucestershire (SHMA).

Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 3 "Housing" states "Local Development Documents and Regional Spatial Strategies policies should be informed by a robust, shared evidence base, in particular, of housing need and demand, through a Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) and land availability, through a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment". (DCLG Nov 06) This requirement has since been carried forward into the planning system by paragraph 159 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

In order to meet the requirements of PPS3, in 2007 the six Gloucestershire District and Borough Councils and Gloucestershire County Council jointly commissioned consultants to complete a Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) for the Gloucestershire Housing Market Area of the South West Region.

Following stakeholder consultation the suite of SHMA documents was finalised on 16th February 2009. However, an additional chapter (see chapter 16) was added in April 2010 to summarise the results and the policy implications of the 2009 Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) (PDF). The SHMA documents are available to download below.

The Gloucestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment Partnership have produced a Management Summary which outlines the SHMA process and helps explains the relationship of the component documents. It is advisable to read this first.

The SHMA is an evidence base that will continually evolve. The Gloucestershire SHMA Steering Group will update the SHMA when new and relevant information is available.

Gloucestershire Housing Evidence Review

In the past, local planning policy for housing has had to conform with requirements allocated in a 'strategic plan', prepared at county level (in a 'Structure Plan') or more recently at a regional level (in a 'Regional Spatial Strategy'). Through the Localism Act, the Coalition Government is committed to abolishing this approach. District councils now have to decide themselves how much new housing to bring forward and where it should go.

Developing evidence to support these decisions is a technically complex process. In simple terms, this project is the result of local authorities in Gloucestershire recognising the complexities, and wishing to address them in a new way.

The Gloucestershire Housing Evidence Review is a research exercise which will investigate the housing market in Gloucestershire and its relationship to the nature of the local population, the local economy and the presence of 'housing need'. The Review will examine key relationships and patterns of change in the recent past, and will also allow forecasts of the future.

The review consists of three distinct components, which should all be useable alongside each other.

The first component comprises up-to-date and locally derived demographic projections for the Gloucestershire broken down by district. It also includes a modified economically-constrained projection, which takes into account the impact of forecast employment growth upon future populations and household numbers through to 2020. The modified projection combines the POPGROUP forecasting modelling suite with the Cambridge Econometric Local Economy Forecasting Model (LEFM).

The second component of the review is an analysis of past relationships between demographic change, housing and employment. It specifically examines the relationship between housing provision and migration. It also investigates through case studies, local population implications of new build housing and consider the link between housing provision and employment growth, including travel-to-work patterns.

The first two components are now complete and are downloadable in PDF form under the title; Gloucestershire Housing Trend Analysis & Population and household projections (May 2011).

The third and final component is the Gloucestershire Affordability Model. This is an innovative housing market forecasting model based on the statistical analysis of the relationship between aspects of the housing market, labour market and demographics. The model will allow forecasting of housing and labour markets and demographic change, and a variety of indicators of housing 'need', based upon manipulable scenarios for housing policy and economic growth.

The Gloucestershire Housing Evidence Review was commissioned by all of the county's Local Authorities in partnership, with project management being provided by the County Council.

Downloadable documents in PDF form are provided. These cover the overall project in more detail and the output reports for components one and two (May 2011) and component three (Oct 2011).

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)

The SHLAA provides information on opportunities that exist to meet the housing needs within the District. It will be a key component of the evidence base that supports the delivery of sufficient housing land to meet the community's need for more homes.

It will inform the Local Plan DPD (Development Plan Document), which will set out the key elements of the planning framework for Stroud District.

The aims of the SHLAA are:

  • To identify sites with potential for housing
  • To assess their housing potential, and
  • To assess when they are likely to be developed

Although the SHLAA is an important evidence source to inform plan-making it does not, in itself, determine whether a site should be allocated for housing development. The SHLAA process will help to inform the production of local planning policies which will identify suitable areas for future housing development.

The first SHLAA Report was published in March 2010. As part of an annual monitoring process we have updated the information within this report and the 2011 update is available below. We are currently updating this and intend to publish the 2012 version in April 2013.

The Council is no longer accepting new site submissions for assessment as part of the 2013 SHLAA review. Any new sites submitted will be considered in the 2014 review.

For further details contact Susan Deacon on 01453 754327 or susan.deacon@stroud.gov.uk

Progress

Stage Date Supporting Documents

SHLAA update report 2011

December 2011

Final SHLAA report

 January 2010

Two stakeholder workshops held for:

District Councillors

Developers, agents, landowners etc

 

2 July 2009

3 July 2009

Site Assessment Panel

August 2009

Roger Tym and Partners appointed to complete SHLAA

June 2009  
Two “calls” for sites

March 2008

January 2009

 

Desk top survey of potential sites

February 2008

Methodology published

February 2008

Methodology scoping report published

September 2007

Population Growth & Total Housing Requirements Review August 2012

Early work on our Local Plan (formerly Core Strategy) was developed to align with the housing requirements of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West (SWRSS). However, in the light of the demise of the SWRSS, at Council on 22 September 2011 Members agreed to consult on a new housing target of 9,350 homes based upon DCLG Nov 2010 Household Projections. This figure formed part of the Preferred Strategy consultation during February/March 2012. It created considerable debate and challenge with arguments being put forward for both higher and lower figures.

In response, we commissioned an independent consultant to review the population growth and housing requirements for the district based on the latest information available. The consultant engaged, (Dr Keith Woodhead, former Regional Policy Manager and Head of Planning for SW Regional Assembly specialising in demographics; now an independent consultant specialising in strategic planning policy and demographic and economic research), has researched the latest evidence available and addressed the arguments made in these responses concerning the housing requirement. Copies of his reports containing appropriate policy advice to the Council can be viewed below.

Useful Links

Economic Evidence

Stroud Town Centres and Retailing Study

This report has been prepared by GVA Grimley Ltd in response to an instruction by Stroud District Council, dated September 2009, to prepare a Town Centres & Retailing Study for the Stroud administrative area. This study will provide essential background information to assist the Council in the production of a Local Development Framework (LDF).

This study been informed by a number of pieces of empirical research (including household and on-street surveys), plus a detailed analysis of town centre health and current retail expenditure patterns. Arising out of these assessments, the retail context in Stroud District has been identified and a set of key issues in each of the main settlements in the District.

You can view the study and appendices via the links below.

Employment Studies

A new employment land study has been undertaken by AECOM in partnership with BE Group for the Council. A Draft report has been produced and will be discussed at the Planning Advisory Panel on 9 January 2013 prior to the finalisation of the report early in the New Year. A copy of the draft report is available to view below.

Two previous studies were undertaken to provide baseline information to inform the development of Council policy; particularly spatial planning policy for employment purposes, and formulating economic development, marketing and promotion strategies and in the preparation of bids for funding.”

The first was undertaken by White Young Green Planning and Chesterton Plc in Autumn 2003 to assist in developing policy related to the Stroud Valleys and in particular the restoration of the Cotswold Canals.

A second study covering the whole district was undertaken during 2007 by GVA Grimley to provide evidence to inform the preparation of the Council's Core Strategy and other documents in the Local Development Framework (LDF).

You can view the studies via the links below.

Useful Links

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Development Appraisal Study

Stroud District Council (SDC) appointed Christopher Marsh & Co Ltd in 2011 to prepare a Development Appraisal Study to underpin their approach to Community Infrastructure Levy, taking account of Affordable Housing Viability and all other financial variables. CIL was proposed by the previous Government (and has been endorsed by the present Government) as a fairer system for securing financial contributions from landowners and developers to the provision of community infrastructure by public bodies. It replaces what was seen as the inconsistent arrangements that local authorities had introduced to secure developer contributions using individual agreements and policies under s106 of the Town and Country Planning Act. The purpose of this Study is to assess the viability of housing and commercial development in the District. It considers options for affordable housing policy so that the implications of these for CIL can be considered.

Environmental Evidence

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - Level 1

Stroud District Council with the other five district's and the County in Gloucestershire have worked together to produce a Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). The SFRA identifies levels of flood risk from all sources of flooding within the District. The assessment will be used to inform the emerging Local Development Framework and as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

This work allows the flood risk vulnerability and flood zone compatibility to be examined using the Sequential Test set out in PPS 25 "Development and Flood Risk". A Level 2 SFRA has been carried out in order to provide a detailed assessment of the risk of flooding from non-fluvial sources in areas where new development is proposed. It will also be required where the need to apply the exception test is identified. A level 2 SFRA involves a more detailed review of flood hazard (flood probability, flood depth, flood velocity, rate of onset of flooding) taking into account the presence of flood risk management measures such as flood defences. They can also inform the level of detail required for site-specific Flood Risk Assessments (FRA's) by developers.

Countywide information on the SFRA can be found at: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/SFRA

Appendix File Title
  Executive Summary
  Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - main text
A Sign-off Letter - Part 1
A Sign-off Letter - Part 2
B Map Tile Index - Stroud Distric Council
C Sequential Test Process
D Environmental Agency Flood Zones
E Pitt Review Recommendations

Water Course Maps

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Flood Zone Maps Tile B1
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Climate Change Maps Tile C1
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Geology Tile D1
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Historic Flooding Maps Tile E1
Tile E2
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Flood Warning Map Tile F1

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - Level 2

In December 2010, Stroud District Council commissioned Halcrow Group Limited to produce a Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). The study comprises two-dimensional (2D) hydraulic modelling of watercourses at four locations within the District including: Quedgeley, Dursley, Stroud and Sharpness, to produce refined Flood Zone information for Flood Zones 2 (1 in 1000 year), 3a (1 in 100 year), 3a plus climate change (1 in 100 year +20%) and 3b (1 in 20 year).

The study refines and builds upon the work undertaken during the Level 1 SFRA. It serves to address the issues of coarse flood plain mapping recognised in the Level 1 study and further completes the assessment by the provision of Flood Zones where they did previously not exist, in order to better inform the Sequential Test and site selection process, which the Council will undertake as part of its Local Development Framework (LDF).

It also assesses the flood hazard posed by these watercourses as well as the residual risk from partial blockage of selected culverts and, from breach or overtopping of flood defences and canals. In addition, the study includes an assessment of some 125 potential development sites, some of which may be taken forward for development in the future.

The principal purpose of a Level 2 SFRA is to facilitate the application of the Sequential and Exception Tests required by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the accompanying technical guide.

The Environment Agency has been consulted throughout the study to ensure that the approach is robust and meets best practice. The EA sign off letter can be viewed below.

Appendix File Title
  Sign-off Letter - PDF
  Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - Level 2 - PDF
A Site Assessments Site Plans - PDF (Please note this document is 30MB so may take some time to load)
B Sequential Test Process - PDF
C

Hydrological Analysis and Hydraulic Modelling Technical Notes - Dursley - PDF

Hydrological Analysis and Hydraulic Modelling Technical Notes - Quedgeley - PDF

Hydrological Analysis and Hydraulic Modelling Technical Notes - Sharpness - PDF

Hydrological Analysis and Hydraulic Modelling Technical Notes - Stroud - PDF
D Summary of Modelled Extents - PDF

Useful Links

National Planning Guidance

For an overview of National Policy please refer to the relevant pages of https://www.gov.uk

Countywide Planning Evidence

The Inspector's report into the Local Plan Inquiry that ran from 15 January 2002 until 3 June 2003 was received on 25 November 2004.

Sustainability Appraisals

Section 39 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act requires local development documents to be prepared with a view to contributing to the achievement of sustainable development. At the heart of sustainable development is the simple idea of ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations. A widely used definition was drawn up by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987: "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" .

Local planning authorities must comply with European Union Directive 2001/42/EC which requires formal strategic environmental assessment of certain plans and programmes which are likely to have significant effects on the environment.

Sustainability appraisal is a systematic and iterative appraisal process. The main purpose of sustainability appraisal is to appraise the social, environmental and economic effects of plan strategies and policies, from the outset of the preparation process, so that decisions can be made that accord with the objectives of sustainable development. Local planning authorities, in preparing local development documents must fulfil the minimum requirements of sustainability appraisal. It should be started as soon as a new or revised local development document is first considered, and should provide input at each stage when decisions are taken.

Sustainability appraisal should also be used in developing the arrangements for monitoring the implementation of the plan, which should lead to the identification of issues to inform the need for action or the revision/replacement of a local development document.

The scoping report and scoping report feedback and responses following a consultation period in early 2007 are available here.

Since 2007, there have been significant planning changes. To take account of these and changes to our agreed Local Development Scheme projects, the Council determined it was necessary to do a review of the 2007 scoping report and its associated objectives to ensure that they are as current as possible. The review was carried out in Spring 2009. This included a consultation period in early 2009 with statutory consultees. The reports are available here.

Appendices

There are a number of key stages to the sustainability appraisal process set out below.

Development Plan Document Pre- Production Stage

  • A. Setting the context and objectives, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope
  • A1. Identify other relevant plans, programmes and sustainability objectives.
  • A2. Collect baseline information
  • A3. Identify sustainability issues
  • A4. Develop the SA framework
  • A5. Test the plan objectives against the SA framework
  • A6. Consult on the scope of the SA

Development Plan Document Production Stages

  • B. Developing and refining options
    B1. Appraise issues and options
    B2. Consult on the SA of emerging options
  • C. Appraising the effects of the plan
    C1. Predict the effects of the plan, including plan options
    C2. Assess the effects of the plan
    C3. Mitigate adverse effects and maximise beneficial effects
    C4. Develop proposals for monitoring
    C5. Prepare the SA report
  • D. Consulting on the plan and SA report
    D1. Consult on the SA report alongside the plan
    D2. Appraise significant changes
    D3. Decision making and provision of information

Adoption and Monitoring

  • E. Monitor implementation of the plan
    E1. Monitor the significant effects of the plan
    E2. Respond to any adverse effects

Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisals (PDF 496 KB)

Habitat Regulations Assessment

The Habitats Regulations require competent authorities to carry out appropriate assessments in certain circumstances where a plan or project affects a Natura 2000 (European) site. It is required under the European Directive 92/43/EEC on the 'conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora'. Natura 2000 sites are nature conservation sites of European importance and are designated either Special Protection Areas (for birds) or Special Areas of Conservation (for animals and habitats). In addition, Ramsar sites (Internationally Important Wetlands) are treated as if they were Natura 2000 sites in accordance with Government policy.

Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) refers to the whole process, including the Appropriate Assessment (AA) step. Although 'Appropriate Assessment' is often used to refer to the whole process, it is actually one step in the process.

Appropriate assessment is required when a plan or project affects a Natura site and:

  • Is not connected with management of the site for nature conservation, and
  • Is likely to have a significant effect on the site (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects)

This applies to any plan or project which has the potential to affect a Natura site, no matter how far away from that site. An appropriate assessment should focus exclusively on the qualifying interests of the Natura site affected and must consider any impacts on the conservation objectives of the site.

The HRA has been carried out in the continuing absence of formal Government guidance.  DCLG released a consultation paper on AA of Plans in 2006. As yet, no further formal guidance has emerged.

Initially Stroud District Council followed the RSPB Published Guidance at a preliminary stage when Core Strategy options were being considered in 2010. Stroud District Council produced a ‘Core Strategy Topic Paper: Preliminary Habitat Regulations Screening Work' document in February 2010. That document was a high level initial exercise utilising RSPB guidance and advice from Natural England and was not intended to present a complete Habitat Regulations Assessment.

Following discussion with Natural England, this report sets out the Habitat Regulations Assessment Screening (Likely Significant Effects) exercise for the draft Stroud District Local Plan 2006-2026. Contained within the URS report are potential measures that could enable any effects to be screened out.

Annual Monitoring Reports

The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) assesses the implementation of the Local Development Scheme (LDS) and the extent to which policies in the Adopted Stroud District Local Plan and any subsequent Local Development Documents are being successfully implemented.

Monitoring is becoming an increasingly important aspect of policy making. ODPM guidance states that Local Development Framework (LDF) monitoring should adopt a positive, future orientated approach by identifying the key challenges, opportunities and possible ways forward for revising and adjusting spatial planning policies.

According to section 35 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Local Planning Regulation 48 and SEA Regulation 17, authorities must undertake five key monitoring tasks. Within the AMR they are required to:

  • Review actual progress in terms of local development document preparation against the timescale and milestones in the local development scheme.
  • Assess the extent to which policies in local development documents are being implemented.
  • Where policies are not being implemented, explain why and to set out what steps are taken to ensure that the policy is implemented, or whether the policy is to be amended or replaced.
  • Identify the significant effects of implementing policies in local development documents and whether they are as intended.
  • Set out whether policies are to be amended or replaced.

5 Year Housing Supply

The 5 Year Housing Land Supply 2012 document is written as if it was approved by Council on October 3rd 2012.

Employment Land Report

Housing Land Availability

Information is collected annually at 31 March on committed and completed housing developments in the Stroud District and contained in the following reports.

Glossary of Terms

  • The Act: the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
  • Annual monitoring report (AMR): part of the Local Development Framework, the annual monitoring report will assess the implementation of the Local Development Scheme and the extent to which policies in Local Development Documents are being successfully implemented.
  • Area action plan: used to provide a planning framework for areas of change and areas of conservation. Area Action Plans will have the status of Development Plan Documents.
  • Community strategy: local authorities are required by the Local Government Act 2000 to prepare these, with aim of improving the social, environmental and economic well being of their areas. Through the Community Strategy, authorities are expected to co-ordinate the actions of local public, private, voluntary and community sectors. Responsibility for producing Community Strategies may be passed to Local Strategic Partnerships, which include local authority representatives.
  • Core strategy: set out the long-term spatial vision for the local planning authority area, the spatial objectives and strategic policies to deliver that vision. The Core Strategy will have the status of a Development Plan Document. Development plan: as set out in Section 38(6) of the Act, an authority's development plan consists of the relevant Regional Spatial Strategy (or the Spatial Development Strategy in London) and the Development Plan Documents contained within its Local Development Framework.
  • Development plan documents (DPD): spatial planning documents that are subject to independent examination, and together with the relevant Regional Spatial Strategy, will form the development plan for a local authority area for the purposes of the Act. They can include a Core Strategy, Site Specific Allocations of land, and Area Action Plans (where needed). Other Development Plan Documents, including generic Development Control Policies, can be produced. They will all be shown geographically on an adopted proposals map. Individual Development Plan Documents or parts of a document can be reviewed independently from other Development Plan Documents. Each authority must set out the programme for preparing its Development Plan Documents in the Local Development Scheme.
  • Issues and Options: produced during the early production stage of the preparation of Development Plan Documents and may be issued for consultation to meet the requirements of Regulation 25.
  • Local development document (LDD): the collective term in the Act for Development Plan Documents, Supplementary Planning Documents and the Statement of Community Involvement.
  • Local Development Order: allows local planning authorities to introduce local permitted development rights.
  • Local development framework (LDF): the name for the portfolio of Local Development Documents. It consists of Development Plan Documents, Supplementary Planning Documents, a Statement of Community Involvement, the Local Development Scheme and Annual Monitoring Reports. Together these documents will provide the framework for delivering the spatial planning strategy for a local authority area and may also include local development orders and simplified planning zones.
  • Local development scheme (LDS): sets out the programme for preparing Local Development Documents. All authorities must submit a Scheme to the Secretary of State for approval within six months of commencement of the Act.
  • Local strategic partnership (LSP): partnerships of stakeholders who develop ways of involving local people in shaping the future of their neighbourhood in how services are provided. They are often single non-statutory, multi-agency bodies which aim to bring together locally the public, private, community and voluntary sectors.
  • Local transport plan (LTP): 5-year strategy prepared by each local authority for the development of local, integrated transport, supported by a programme of transport improvements. It is used to bid to Government for funding transport improvements.
  • Minerals and waste development framework: in two-tier areas, counties will be responsible for producing Minerals and Waste Development Frameworks and Schemes. The latter will be the equivalent of the Local Development Scheme.
  • Preferred options document: produced as part of the preparation of Development Plan Documents, and is issued for formal public participation as required by Regulation 26.
  • Proposals map: the adopted proposals map illustrates on a base map (reproduced from, or based upon a map base to a registered scale) all the policies contained in Development Plan Documents, together with any saved policies. It must be revised as each new Development Plan Document is adopted, and it should always reflect the up-to-date planning strategy for the area. Proposals for changes to the adopted proposals map accompany submitted development plan documents in the form of a submission proposals map.
  • Regional spatial strategy (RSS): sets out the region's policies in relation to the development and use of land and forms part of the development plan for local planning authorities. Planning Policy Statement 11 'Regional Spatial Strategies' provides detailed guidance on the function and preparation of Regional Spatial Strategies.
  • The Regulations: Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004, and the Town and Country Planning (Transitional Arrangements) Regulations 2004.
  • Saved policies or plans: existing adopted development plans are saved for three years from the date of commencement of the Act. Any policies in old style development plans adopted after commencement of the Act will become saved policies for three years from their adoption or approval. The Local Development Scheme will explain the authority's approach to saved policies.
  • Site specific allocations: allocations of sites for specific or mixed uses or development to be contained in Development Plan Documents. Policies will identify any specific requirements for individual proposals.
  • Statement of community involvement (SCI): sets out the standards which authorities will achieve with regard to involving local communities in the preparation of local development documents and development control decisions. The statement of community Involvement is not a development plan document but is subject to independent examination.
  • Strategic environmental assessment (SEA): a generic term used to describe environmental assessment as applied to policies, plans and programmes. The European 'SEA Directive' (2001/42/EC) requires a formal 'environmental assessment of certain plans and programmes, including those in the field of planning and land use'.
  • Supplementary plan documents (SPD): provide supplementary information in respect of the policies in Development Plan Documents. They do not form part of the Development Plan and are not subject to independent examination.
  • Sustainability appraisal (SA): tool for appraising policies to ensure they reflect sustainable development objectives (i.e. social, environmental and economic factors) and required in the Act to be undertaken for all local development documents.