Chapter 3
Strategic Policies

'Part 1' of the Plan

3.1 The law prescribes that the Plan should distinguish between policies which set out the general principles and strategy of the Plan (referred to as 'Part 1’) from the more detailed policies and proposals through which it will be implemented (referred to as 'Part 2'). Part 1 of the Plan comprises the Core Strategy policies set out below and related strategic policies included in the following sections of the Plan. This is illustrated in figure 3.1.

 

Spatial Strategy and Development Principles

3.2 The Council's planning strategy is based on the sustainable development aims and objectives set out in Chapter 1, and the regional and strategic planning context described in Chapter 2. The basic principles are set out below in three Core Strategy policies (CS1-CS3). They will guide the Council in its consideration of all development proposals.

 

3.3 The Plan's strategy and policies seek to realise its overall aim by achieving social, economic and environmental benefits as a result of development. However, in relation to individual development proposals, especially for large development, it may not always be possible to achieve gains across the board. Sometimes decision-makers will have to weigh the gains and losses that would result from development - both within and between the social, economic and environmental interests affected. Regional Spatial Strategy refers to these interests as "quality of life capital" and sets out two basic principles which should guide such decisions.

 

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Weighing social, economic and environmental objectives - guiding principles

• Development should show a net gain (or at least a neutral effect) when measured against all the aspects of economic, social and environmental capital affected

   

• There should be no significant loss of or harm to any identified elements of capital which are of particular significance

   

3.4 Policies CS1-CS3 and the other Part 1 policies are intended to assist in making these judgements by identifying the most important economic, social and environmental interests, including those which should be protected from harm.

 

Spatial Strategy

3.5 Policies CS1 and CS2 establish the principles of the spatial strategy to promote a sustainable pattern of development and change in the period up to 2016. The spatial strategy is illustrated in the Key Diagram (Figure 3.2) and consists of two strands:

 

• providing for the Borough's development and infrastructure needs to 2016 in locations where it will do most to assist urban regeneration (Policy CS1), which is the theme of Chapters 4-9 in Section B.

   

• restraining development in locations where it would cause harm to the environment or regeneration (Policy CS2), which is the theme of Chapters 10-14 in Section C.

   

 

3.6 This aspect of the core strategy is supported by the following Part 1 strategic policies in Section B:

 

• Policy UP 1:
  Development in Urban Priority Areas

   

• Policy EDT1:
  Strategic Employment Locations

   

• Policy EDT2:
  Provision of Employment Land

   

• Policy EDT10:
  Bootle Central Area – Development Principles

   

• Policy EDT13:
  Southport Central Area – Development Principles

   

• Policy H1:
  Housing Requirement

   

• Policy H7:
  Housing Renewal, Clearance and Regeneration

   

• Policy R1:
  Retail Development Strategy

   

• Policy T1:
  Transport Network Priorities

   

• Policy EMW1:
  Prudent Use of Resources

   

• Policy EMW6:
  Waste Management Strategy

   

Sustainability Appraisal

No changes made as wording reflects chapter order and Regional Spatial Strategy advice.

 

3.7 This aspect of the Core Strategy is supported by the following Part 1 policies in Section C:

 

• Policy GBC1: The Green Belt

   

• Policy GBC6: Landscape Character

   

• Policy CPZ1: Development in the Coastal Planning Zone

   

Sustainability Appraisal

Sites of geological or landform interest covered under criterion (f). Other minor wording changes made for clarity.

 

Development Principles

3.8 The Council determines on average about 2,000 applications for planning permission a year. Whilst the majority of these are for small scale development, the cumulative effect on the environment can be considerable. In areas of significant change like the urban priority areas, the quality of new development can be a major factor in the success of regeneration initiatives. Policy CS3 sets out the key principles for sustainable development that will guide the Council's decisions. This is the theme of Chapters 15-18 in Section D. Policy EMW1 ‘Prudent Use of Resources‘ in Chapter 9, Section B, is also relevant.

 

3.9 This aspect of the core strategy is supported by the following Part 1 policies in Sections B and D respectively:

 

• Policy EMW1 Prudent Use of Resources

   

• Policy EP1 Managing Environmental Risk.

   

Sustainability appraisal

No change made as sustainable design of sites and buildings issues are dealt with in Section C policies and future Supplementary Planning Documents or Information Notes.

 

3.10 The following three main Sections of the Plan expand on these principles, including further strategic policies and more detailed policies and site specific proposals.

 

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