Planning Policy and Strategy

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

• The Planning System
• Planning Policy Services Provided
• Local Development Framework
• Supplementary Planning Guidance

• Development Briefs

• Key Strategies and Projects
• Planning Policies Responses
• Partnership Working
• Planning Policy Advice
• Evidence Studies
• Planning Information

 

The Planning System

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 Strategic Planning & Designy 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 Development Framework

The Council is preparing and adopting a number of Development Plan Documents that will replace the Fareham Borough Local Plan. The Core Strategy has already replaced a number of 'saved' Local Plan policies. The Local Development Framework contains the overall land use and development strategy for the borough and specifice planning policies that will help to deliver the strategy, and provide a framework for Development Control decisions. Policies are included in the Plans in the Framework to translate national planning policies into the local context, address developmentneeds by allocating locations and sites for particular uses. Policies may therefore be site specific or set out criteria for the consideration of particular types of development. Policies also deal with locations or features to be protected from development.

Supplementary Planning Guidance

Further guidance may be provided through Supplementary Planning Documents to amplify the policies contained in the Local Development Framework. Supplementary Planning Documents are also part of the Local Development Framework. Some documents in the form of older Supplementary Planning Guidance may also be material considerations in the determination of planning applications. The guidance may relate to a specific topic, for example, affordable housing, or a specific site in the form of a development brief.

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 Development Framework. Development Briefs adopted by the Council are material considerations in the determination of planning applications.

Key Strategies and Projects

As the Local Development Framework will facilitate a number of the Council's Priorities for Improvement within the Corporate Srategy, the Strategic Planning & Design team contributes to the preparation and delivery of a wide range of key Council strategies.

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 planning related Government consultations, Hampshire Minerals & Waste Development Framework, local plans of neighbouring authorities, plans and strategies prepared by other agencies.

Partnership Working

The preparation of plans requires liaison and partnership working with a wide range of internal and external individuals and organisations where strategies/issues are likely to have land-use implications. As Fareham Borough Council is a member of the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire the Strategic Planning & Design team contributes to the preparation of the South Hampshire Strategy and related planning and design policies, studies and reports.

Planning Policy Advice

The Team provides advice on the interpretation and implications of national, regional, county and local plan policy and guidance to assist with the determination of planning applications. It should be noted that pre-application advice is a chargeable service.

Evidence Studies

Evidence Studies are the documnets used to make up the evidence base for planning policies and proposals to be set out in the various Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents contained in the Local Development Framework.

Planning Information

Where planning data is collected to inform the preparation of plans and policies, such information may be provided to internal and external individuals and organisations, including students. 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. 

Contact

 

For further information please contact Strategic Planning and Design

Tel. 01329 236100

Email: planningpolicy@fareham.gov.uk