Implementation

The policy will be implemented through:

• Major developments⁷⁴ being required to submit a Sustainability Statement. This will besupported by supplementary planning guidance. The purpose of the statement is to show, on a site by site basis, how the varied aspects of the policy are addressed. The policy references use of the National Design Guide (and any subsequent related publications) to ensure good urban design and encourages, but does not require, the use of the Building for a Healthy Life ^[75] design tool, or any equivalents or future successors. This provides flexibility in how applicants produce their sustainability statements for housing developments. The policy also encourages master planning using a community engagement process on larger sites (200 dwellings plus or 20,000 square metres for non-residential development) and requires it on sites of 500 dwellings plus or 50,000 square metres. The purpose of this is to promote effective community engagement in the design of larger schemes. It also includes a requirement for Health Impact Assessments for specific types of development to show how health care needs will be provided for.
• Housing developments of 100 dwellings or more being required to submit a Delivery Statement. This statement is aimed at supporting timely delivery of development, a priority for this plan. It requires developers to set out the timing of the delivery of developments in their statements accompanying planning applications. Where delivery does not happen, it enables the local authorities to consider the use of legal powers to promote delivery, including compulsory purchase.
• All minor developments also being subject to the policy’s requirements. This will be assessed on a case by case basis, taking account of site characteristics and proposed uses. Minor developments are not required to submit a Sustainability Statement. This is in line with the threshold for national requirements for Design and Access statements for major developments only and ensures that planning application submission requirements are proportionate;
• Existing development management policies, which detail some policy aspects such as the locations of areas protected from inappropriate development under landscape policies.
• Supplementary Planning Documents and guidance (see table on previous page).