WINCHESTER DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – CORE STRATEGY UPDATE
Alresford Town Partnership, 17 November 2008
The Core Strategy will set out the broad strategic planning framework for the future of Winchester District up to 2026, it will :-
· Set out a vision for the District i.e. how it will change in the future in physical, economic, social and environmental terms.
· Identify the strategic objectives and key policies for realising the vision.
· Identify strategic locations for change and growth, as well as the areas to be protected.
· Set out a framework for implementation and monitoring of policies to measure their success.
The Core Strategy is being developed in a series of stages. So far the key stages have been:
· ‘Front-loading’ exercise involving workshops to identify issues for the future of the District - including an event at Perins School, Alresford in March 2007
· ‘Issues and Options’ document and questionnaire seeking views on the key issues/options - including an event at Perins School, Alresford in January 2008
· Stakeholder workshops to discuss issues in more detail with key stakeholders in each ‘Key Hub’ - including an event at Arlebury Park, Alresford in September 2008
KEY RESULTS OF ‘ISSUES AND OPTIONS’ CONSULTATION FOR ALRESFORD
THE SPATIAL STRATEGY - The Issues and Options document suggested a broad division of the District into three areas:
• Winchester Town
• The Market towns and the rural area (including Alresford)
• The southern part of the District that lies within the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH)
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Is this an appropriate way to sub-divide the District?
Yes 47% No 53%
Total responses = 1063 |
THE SPATIAL STRATEGY: MARKET TOWNS AND RURAL AREA - The Issues and Options document suggested 3 Options for ‘Key Hubs’:
Option 1: Current Planned Boundaries - allowing development only within existing boundaries, including Local Reserve Sites.
Option 2: Consolidation of the Key Hub role - limited growth (up to 150 dwellings) outside the existing boundary, offering opportunities for sustainable development and seeking to maintain the role and function of the hub.
Option 3: Step Change – substantial growth (at least 300 dwellings) beyond existing boundaries, involving sustainable and planned development to create a new specialist/niche role and a local focus for economic and commercial activity.
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Which of the 3 options listed above is the most appropriate for Alresford? |
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Option 1 23% Option 2 60% Option 3 17%
Total responses to Alresford option = 1090 |
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NEXT STAGES
PREFERRED OPTIONS DOCUMENT:
Currently being developed taking account of public comments, evidence base, sustainability appraisal, Government advice, etc. Series of LDF Committee meetings:
21 Oct 08 – Vision, objectives, spatial strategy, housing mix
12 Nov 08 – Settlement hierarchy, affordable housing, options for PUSH area,
climate change, transport, open space/green infrastructure
16 Dec 08 – Settlement hierarchy/development strategy, options for Winchester,
Hedge End SDA, gypsies & travellers, economy/tourism, infrastructure
28 Jan 09 – Strategic allocations
25 Mar 09 – Draft Preferred Options document
FOLLOWED BY:
· Consultation on Preferred Options document April – June 2009
· Consultation on ‘Proposed Submission’ Core Strategy (more notification than consultation) – December 2009
· Submission of Core Strategy to Government for inspection – Summer 2010
· Publication of Inspector’s Report (binding) – Spring 2011
· Adoption of Core Strategy – Autumn 2011
EMERGING APPROACH:
Some key points arising from consideration so far by LDF Committee:
· Concentrate development in larger allocations adjoining the more urban areas (especially in PUSH area)
· Development in market towns and rural area more orientated to meeting local needs (and move away from ‘hubs’ label)
· But local needs are significant and the strategy must achieve 12,740+ dwellings
· 40% affordable housing to be sought on all sites (no lower threshold) with targets for each settlement (possibly on ‘exception’ or reserve sites)
· More emphasis on family housing (2-3 bed rather than 1-2 bed)
· Open space standards to be extended to include allotments, greenspace, and built recreation
· Policies to promote renewable energy use/production (biomass and large-scale wind have most potential) and district heating systems, especially in major development schemes