Draft PPS4 Planning for Prosperous Communities

EXTRACT:

Key issues to be welcomed:

1. The early review of policy statements & integration of national policy on economic development into a streamlined broad policy framework for planning economic growth in urban & rural areas is a more comprehensive and cohesive approach to planning for local economies than has previously been the case.

2. The recognition of the linkage between urban & rural economy and that there is no such thing as a separate rural economy and the acknowledgement of the importance of small scale economic development serving rural settlements.

3. The structure of the draft which separates policy at plan making and policy directed at decision making with both being supported by appropriate evidence and which has become a familiar part of the preparation of Core Strategies and significant planning applications.

4. The encouragement for a flexible evidence based approach to economic development requiring provision for a diverse range and type of businesses that focuses on regeneration and areas of need.

5. The shift in focus on outcomes through planning positively & proactively for economic development and the recognition of the role planning can have in delivering jobs, investment and improved productivity.

6. Maintaining a strong focus on accessible centres and Town Centre first in pursuit of sustainable development principles through emphasising the importance of cities & towns by safeguarding town centres that are key drivers of the economy and the centres of community life is to be welcomed along with the retention of the sequential test.

7. Maintaining this commitment to strong town centres should not be lost through the merging of the documents; looking at the impact test in an holistic way and on encouraging competitiveness and diversity.

8. Clarification of the role of housing is welcome and that whilst house building can be regarded as a form of economic activity the government's policies are contained separately in PPS3 and clarification that whilst a broad range of business activities is implied for business sites, it is not the intention to encourage town centre uses on them.

9. The retention of the ‘needs' test at the development plan stage is welcome as it provides an element of certainty and enables planning to be undertaken in an integrated manner, taking into account socio-economic change over the plan period and ensures a plan led process.

To read the full response click here and to see the response to tjhe consultation questions click here