2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government's planning policies for England. The NPPF must be taken into account in the preparation of Local and Neighbourhood plans and is a material consideration in planning decisions. One of its core principles is that development should be genuinely plan-led, empowering local people to shape their surroundings, with Local and Neighbourhood plans setting out a positive vision for the future of the area. It is an objective of the NPPF to deliver a wide choice of high quality homes and to boost significantly the supply of housing.
2.2 A revised NPPF was published in July 2018 and was subsequently reviewed in July 2021. Local Plan Part II was submitted under transitional arrangements. The Council expects that significant policy changes will be addressed though a review of Local Plan Part I rather than this Plan (see Future Local Plan Review).
2.3 National planning policy places Local Plans at the heart of the planning system and planning decisions must be taken in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
2.4 The Local Plan Part I is a district-wide plan which sets out a vision for the area, key objectives and a strategy for development over the plan period 2006 to 2029. The Plan was adopted in December 2014 and can therefore be treated as an ‘up-to-date’ plan for the area, prepared in accordance with the NPPF.
2.5 The Local Plan Part I identifies a number of objectives:
2.6 Local Plan Part I establishes a minimum target of 9,635 homes to be built in the district from 2006 – 2029 equating to development of 420 homes a year from 2011-2029. The Plan also identifies a settlement hierarchy which directs development to the five towns in Mendip and identifies ‘Primary’ and ‘Secondary’ villages where more limited development is appropriate. Core Policy 3 (CP3) sets out targets for the level of employment land which needs to be delivered across the district to meet the projected growth in jobs.
2.7 The Mendip Local Plan Part II is not a new plan for the district and does not replace the Policies in the Part I Plan. However, the Part II Plan does provide clarification where appropriate and also addresses matters specifically highlighted for review at this stage in Local Plan Part I.
2.8 The Plan allocates sites for development over the same Plan Period which is 2006 - 2029.
2.9 The additional development management policies align and support the objectives of the Part I Plan. A number of policy areas were considered for inclusion in the Local Plan Part II but are considered to be more appropriate to be addressed in a future Local Plan Review. This will also take into account proposed changes made to the NPPF in 2018 and 2021.
2.10 Local Plan Part II forms part of the Council’s development plan timetable - the Local Development Scheme or LDS - which was agreed in January 2017.
2.11 Following adoption of this Plan, the Council is committed to undertake an immediate review of Local Plan Parts I and II updating strategic and non-strategic policies over a revised plan period.
2.12 The Local Plan Review will take into account the district housing requirement set by the standard method (Local Housing Need) and changes to the NPPF since the Part 1 Plan was adopted.
2.13 In recognition of the significant shortfall in Gypsy and Traveller pitches, at least one site will be allocated through the Local Plan Review unless a site has been identified in a separate document already submitted for examination.
The Council commits to an immediate review of the Local Plan Part I and Part II. One or more documents will be produced which replace, revise or update adopted policies. The review of the Local Plan will commence within 2 months of adoption of the Local Plan Part II. The Council also commit to submit a successor development plan to the Planning Inspectorate within 3 years of commencement.
The replacement Mendip Local Plan will extend the existing Part I plan period by at least 5 years and as a minimum will review the following matters:
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