Planning Policy FAQ's
What are planning policies?
Planning policies are those policies used by local Council's, the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State when considering applications for development.
There are national planning policies, prepared by the Department for Communities and Local Government - National Planning Policy
There are also local planning policies, prepared by Castle Point Borough Council. Currently local planning policies are set out in the Adopted Local Plan
When an application for development is submitted to the Council, it is considered against both national and local policies in order to ensure that it complies. Where a development does not comply with one or more of these policies, consideration is given to the level of harm a development would cause if it were to go ahead as proposed.
What is the Development Plan / Local Plan for Castle Point?
The Adopted Local Plan that currently provides planning policy for Castle Point is the Adopted Local Plan 1998.
If you are unable to view documents online hard copies are available to view at the Council Offices, Planning Department, Kiln Road, Benfleet, Essex. SS7 1TF.
Alternatively a hard copy of the Local Plan can be purchased for £60 including postage. Please send a cheque made payable to Castle Point Borough Council to Planning Department, Castle Point Borough Council, Council Offices, Kiln Road, Benfleet, Essex. SS7 1TF (with your name and address).
What is the National Planning Policy Framework?
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out national planning policy. Local planning authorities are required to take the NPPF into account when preparing planning policy and when making decisions on planning applications.
The NPPF sets out a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’. This requires local planning authorities to consider development proposals favourably unless there is likely to be significant and demonstrable harm arising from the proposals.
Where the local plan for an area is out of date or silent on a subject, the policies set out in the NPPF take precedence over local policies, and the presumption on favour of sustainable development applies.
What is a Local Plan?
Local planning authorities have a statutory right under the Town and Country Planning Act, as amended, to prepare a local development plan for their area. Decisions on planning applications should be taken in accordance with the policies set out within the local development plan, unless other material planning considerations indicate otherwise. The NPPF is a material planning consideration.
What planning designations/allocations/constraints affect...location?
The planning designations, allocations and constraints affecting any site within Castle Point are shown on the proposals Adopted Local Plan proposals map.
If you are unable to view documents on-line hard copies are available to view at the Council Offices, Environment Counter, Kiln Road, Benfleet, Essex. SS7 1TF.
Alternatively a hard copy of the Local Plan can be purchased for £60 including postage. Please send a cheque made payable to Castle Point Borough Council to Planning Department, Castle Point Borough Council, Council Offices, Kiln Road, Benfleet, Essex. SS7 1TF (with your name and address).
What is residential design guidance?
Residential Design Guidance sets out minimum standards for residential design in Castle Point in order to ensure a well designed urban environment.
A new Residential Design Guidance was adopted by the Council on the 1st January 2013.
What are Vehicle Parking Standards?
Vehicle Parking Standards are applied when a planning application is made for new development.
The vehicle parking standards set out the number of car parking, bicycle parking and disabled car parking spaces that are required for different types of development.
The Council applies the Essex Vehicle Parking Standards
Is the Canvey Town Centre Masterplan Planning Policy?
The Canvey Town Centre Masterplan was prepared by the Castle Point Regeneration Partnership.
Following consultation with members of the public and other stakeholders in the summer of 2011, the Canvey Town Centre Masterplan was adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document on the 1st July 2012, subject to a number of caveats. The Adoption Statement sets out these caveats, and the process by which any affected person may apply for Judical Review.
The Canvey Town Centre Masterplan may now be treated as a material consideration when planning applications for development in Canvey Town Centre are submitted to the Council.
Is the Hadleigh Town Centre Masterplan Planning Policy?
The Hadleigh Town Centre Masterplan was prepared by the Castle Point Regeneration Partnership.
It has not been through a formal adoption process in order for it to be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document.
It does not therefore form part of the Council's planning policy.
It may however be given some weight as a material planning consideration when applications are made for development within Hadleigh Town Centre.
What is a Sustainability Appraisal?
A sustainability appraisal is an assessment of the likely impacts of a plan or policy on the balance between achieving environmental, economic and social objectives in a way that makes the best use of natural resources. The New Local Plan will be subject to a sustainability appraisal.
The sustainability appraisal is prepared in three stages:
- A scoping report is prepared to assess the context for the sustainability appraisal, identifying the issues affecting the local area and objectives that need to be achieved if a balance between environmental, economic and social outcomes is to be created.
- An options appraisal, considering the relative merits of each policy option against the sustainability objectives identified at the scoping stage.
- A final report, considering how mitigation measures can be used to minimise any impacts the final policies will have on achieving the sustainability objectives.
By using these reports to inform the decision making processes of the New Local Plan, it should ensure that the most sustainable plan is prepared.
What is a Habitats Regulations Assessment?
A Habitats Regulations Assessment, is an assessment undertaken to determine the effects of a plan or programme on sites of nature conservation interest designated under European legislation (European Sites).
There is a European Site in Castle Point - Benfleet and Southend Marshes SPA.
There are a further 9 European Sites within 15km of the boroughs boundary.
Therefore, the New Local Plan will be the subject of a Habitats Regulations Assessment.