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Planning Policy and Strategy

The Planning System

Set out below is a brief overview of the planning framework the Council operates within when preparing planning policies and strategies.

 

Town and Country Planning is a statutory function of local government. The purpose of the planning system is to control the use and development of land in the public interest. In carrying out this purpose, the system aims to balance the need for growth with the protection of natural and historic resources and quality of life.

 

The current planning framework is based upon a variety of central government Acts, regulations and guidance, intended to produce what is known as "the plan-led system".  Its objectives are to ensure rational, speedy and consistent decisions, achieve greater certainty and secure public involvement in shaping planning. The plan-led system requires that all planning applications must be determined in accordance with the contents of the Development Plan for the area, unless what are known as "material considerations" indicate that a different view should be taken.

Planning Policy Services Provided

The planning policy team is responsible for delivering a wide range of functions and services to the public, businesses, public, private and voluntary sector organisations and to other departments within the Borough Council. They include:

Local Plan

The Council has prepared, adopted and is currently implementing the Fareham Borough Local Plan. The Local Plan contains the overall land use and development strategy for the borough and specific planning policies that will help to deliver the strategy, and provide a framework for Development Control decisions. This is the key document that is used by development control officers assessing, and the Planning Development Control Committee determining, planning proposals and applications. Policies are included in the Plan in order to translate government and regional and planning guidance, and policies of the Hampshire Structure Plan, into the local context, address important local issues or provide any necessary site specific advice.

Supplementary Planning Guidance

From time to time, the Council publishes Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to amplify the policies contained in the local plan. SPG relate to a range of specific issues, for example, guidance on crime reduction through design, conservation area character assessments, development briefs (which provide detailed guidance on particular development areas or sites), and the Portsmouth Harbour Plan Review (which provides guidance on the future use and management of that area).

Development Briefs

Development Briefs provide detailed guidance on the principles of design, layout and landscaping for the development of the larger sites allocated in the Local Plan. Development Briefs adopted by the Council are material considerations in the determination of planning applications.

Urban Capacity Study

Government guidance on planning for housing (PPG3) seeks to promote more sustainable development patterns, secure an urban renaissance and improve quality of life. It requires Local Planning Authorities to carry out urban housing capacity studies. The studies will inform their development control and forward planning decision making with regard to the location, form and timing of residential development, balanced against competing needs to provide and/or retain land for other uses required by the community, within the urban area.

Housing Position Statement

The Housing Position Statement is an annual report detailing the Council's view on the managed release of housing sites over the next year. It is set against a background of national and strategic guidance and takes account of the latest housing land supply information. The position statement is a site by site assessment of the allocated and identified housing sites that did not have planning permission by the 31st March of that year. The guidance is then used to inform the Council's development control decision making on housing releases.

Towards a Vision

This document is a strategic vision for Fareham, which considers what the area should look like in 25 years when in respect of land-use and transportation. The report aims to provide key principles and a context for future planning policy and guidance towards the year 2025.

Key Strategies and Projects

The Team contributes to the preparation and delivery of a wide range of key Council strategies. For example, the Team provides advice on the spatial aspects of the Community Strategy currently being developed by the Fareham Local Strategic Partnership 'networkfareham'. Similarly, it contributes to the various cross-cutting strategies including those relating to Community Safety, Equalities and Youth.

Planning Policy Responses

The Team provides advice and comment on the implications of planning policy documents and plans produced by others. This includes commenting on:

  • Government Planning Policy Guidance Notes
  • Regional Planning Guidance
  • Hampshire Structure Plan
  • Local plans of neighbouring authorities
  • Other plans and strategies
Partnership Working

The Planning Policy Team works through informal partnerships with a wide range of internal and external individuals and organisations where strategies/issues are likely to have land-use implications. For example, the Council is represented on various county level groups dealing with matters including future strategic planning and planning research.

Planning Policy Advice

The Team provides advice on the interpretation and implications or national, regional, county and local plan policy and guidance to many people and organisations, including:

  • Members of the public
  • Landowners and developers
  • Elected Members of the Council
  • The Planning Development Control Department in connection with planning applications and pre-application inquiries
  • Other internal Departments in connection with proposed strategies and/or development by or on behalf of the Council
Planning Information

The Planning Policy Team provides a planning information service to many internal and external individuals and organisations, including students. Typical of the many queries able to be answered are those relating to the provisions of population and other census statistics, and retail, housing and economic trends. Those wishing to use the service are advised to e-mail, telephone or write to the Team, clearly stating what information is required, and providing contact details in case of queries. It should be noted that it may be necessary to charge for the provisions of photocopying/printing of some information, while some may only be viewed due to copyright restrictions.

Planning Publications

Planning Publications provide a comprehensive list of the current planning documents published by Fareham Borough Council, including Supplementary Planning Guidance, Development Briefs, the Local Plan and Conservation Character Assessments. Purchase prices and web availability are detailed. All documents are available for purchase from the Civic Offices.

 

For further information or advice on any of the above matters please contact:

 

Planning Policy Team

Department of Planning and Transportation

Fareham Borough Council

Civic Offices

Civic Way

Fareham

Hampshire

PO16 7AZ

 

Tel. 01329 236100 - Fax. 01329 822732 - Email. planningpolicy@fareham.gov.uk