The emerging Local Plan has reached an advanced stage, with a submission draft published for consultation until 23rd March 2021.
The submission draft acknowledges that a significant uplift in the annualised rate of housing delivery is required across the plan period. This is around four times the previous target set out in the Core Strategy (2011) and around 2.5 times the typical rate of delivery in recent years. The Spatial Strategy maintains the approach established in Core Strategy and encourages regeneration in the town centre. The Plan is premised on the delivery of 9 allocated regeneration sites, albeit there remains scope for significant windfall developments. There are many laudable objectives in the plan, which recognises the distinct characteristics of different parts of the town and the need to adapt to bolster the vitality of the town centre and seafront.
Extract from the Submission draft, courtesy of Worthing Council.
Brett Spiller, Director of Chapman Lily Planning commented; ‘Its good to see the Council grappling with the key challenges of our time and embracing the opportunity presented by regeneration. The Development Management policies introduce stringent accessibility, adaptability and sustainability standards which will cumulatively transform the nature and form of new development in years to come. Whilst all are commendable, it will be interesting to see the potential impact upon viability, noting that the Council are also in the midst of introducing CIL and yet are still likely to take a blended approach, securing financial contributions towards social, economic and environmental infrastructure by means of S106 agreements’.
Emerging policies DM16, DM17 and DM21 impose stringent sustainability standards for major developments including:
-achieving a minimum 20% Co2 reduction through energy efficiency measures, and where achievable a 31% reduction in CO2 based on the 2013 Edition of the 2010 Building Regulations (Part L).
-achieving a 31% reduction (see above) and demonstrate how the design and layout of the development has sought to maximise reductions in carbon emissions in line with the energy hierarchy.
-seeking to achieve an A rating (with a minimum expectation of B rating) Energy Performance Certificate. New housing should achieve a minimum of a ‘C’ rating Energy Performance Certificate.
-introducing measures where appropriate to minimise excessive solar gain and maximise opportunities for passive cooling through natural ventilation and other passive means,
-reducing potential overheating and reliance on energy intensive air conditioning systems and demonstrate this in accordance with the cooling hierarchy.
-meeting the waste hierarchy during construction.
-incorporating renewable and low carbon energy production equipment to meet at least 10% of predicted total energy requirements (after Co2 reductions from energy efficiency measures).
-demonstrating that the heating and cooling systems have been selected in accordance with the heating and cooling hierarchy and that the lowest carbon solution that is feasible is used.
-incorporating water efficiency measures to limit water use to 110 litres/person/day (lpd), and where possible to 100 litres/person/day.
For more information, or assistance on making a representation on the emerging policies please contact us.