1. Wealden Local Plan Presentation to East Sussex Strategic Partnership
06 July 2017
Trevor Scott

2. Introduction What is a Local Plan Background Current issues / Plan
Environment v Growth – the Dilemma
Next steps
Introduction
Explain W&M LP

3. Wealden Local Plan Why do we need a Local Plan
What do the Council need to do
Assess Housing / Commercial / Industrial need
Identify infrastructure requirements
Roads, schools, health, leisure
Environmental considerations
Plan Period
Money, Money, Money

4. Background to the Local Plan
2013 Core Strategy
2015 Strategic Sites document – subsequently withdrawn due in part to judicial review
Review required by Core Strategy (Policy WCS1)
Wealden Local Plan (WLP) - Strategic and local policies covering all policy requirements, including site allocations
When adopted supersedes Core Strategy and 1998 Local Plan
Must meet legal requirements and ‘tests of soundness’
Explain W&M LP

5. Stages of Local Plan Production
Publication of Issues, Options and Recommendations for consultation
October to December 2015
Publication of Proposed Submission Document for representations
Summer 2017
Submission of Local Plan
By end of 2017
Examination
legal compliance
soundness
To be determined by Planning
Inspectorate
Proposed modifications
Assessments
Consultation
Final Report
Adoption by the Council

6. The Dilemma Growth – Government, business, housing need, developers
Environment – CPRE, SWOT, Natural England, Legislation
The public
The Courts……

7. Identified Needs
Housing need from 2013 to 2028 is some 950 dwellings per annum (14,250)
Some 7375 dwellings already granted permission or have been already built
Employment scenarios show relatively limited requirement for employment space based on population projections compared to that previously built

8. Ashdown Forest SAC
Ashdown Forest SPA
400m buffer around AF SPA & SAC
Pevensey Levels SAC
Wealden District Boundary

9. Ashdown Forest AQ and Nitrogen
Monitoring shows that there is damage to the Ashdown Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC), especially close to roads
Our previous preferred option for testing (20,000 houses up until 2036) would deposit further nitrogen above acceptable levels alongside the forest roads
Our current commitments will also deposit significant levels nitrogen, especially alongside the Forest roads
The modelling shows high but tolerable levels across the SAC as a whole
We recognise the need to allow
development across the district if possible

10. Ashdown Forest AQ and Nitrogen
Our approach is therefore to:
Deal with the high levels of nitrogen deposition by provided compensatory habitat having considered alternatives and maximised mitigation
Limit development across the district to a level which will ensure the integrity of the SAC is not prejudiced by excessive nitrogen
deposition
We are discussing our approach with the Minister, Natural England, Ashdown Forest Conservators and neighbouring authorities (Duty to Co-operate)

11. Local Plan Proposals A plan period from 2013 to 2028
Modelling regarding Ashdown Forest shows that we can allow development up to 11,456 in total to 2028 focussed on the south of the district
Regular reviews triggered by further nitrogen monitoring, Hailsham waste water treatment delivery and any necessary A27 upgrades
Employment growth/ employment floorspace provision across the District to a higher level than that required by population growth
Additional retail provision to meet the needs of the growing market

12. Issues South Wealden Growth Area
Delivery of the Ashdown Forest approach
Planning applications while compensation measures are progressed
Duty to Cooperate and other stakeholder consultation
Completion of evidence base and timing of formal consultation

13. Next steps Completion and publication of studies and evidence base
Revised version of draft Wealden Local Plan produced for representation consultation stage
Representation stage consultation
Representations considered and final submission version of the plan produced
Submission to the Planning Inspector
Examination in Public
Adoption

14. Questions