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Explore the experience of developing South Kesteven Core Strategy, key policies, employment focus, and lessons learnt for future planning. Dive into the examination process, policy changes, and insights for effective land use planning.
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South Kesteven Core Strategy – Our experience Rachel Armstrong Senior Policy Officer
SKDC Core Strategy • Started preparing it in 2004 • Adopted in July 2010 • 1st adopted in Lincolnshire • Suite of 14 strategic policies covering the district • 2 policies cover employment and commercial/town centre land & development
Key LDF Objective - To broaden and diversify the local economy • Key council objective • Primary element of Grantham Growth Point • Focus on Grantham and other market towns • recognise that the rural economy is important too
Employment Policy development • RSS policy priorities • ELR Oct 2005 (2001-2011) • land requirement • Spatial distribution of land • Rural dimension
Pre-Submission and Examination – Key Issues • ELR out dated -only covered part of plan period and considered B uses only. • Effect of the economic down-turn • What was the approach for leisure and tourism uses? – not PPS4 proof • How did it deal effectively with the Rural Economy • Representations for allocation of Strategic employment sites
ELR Refresh – commissioned before Examination • Cover whole plan period (2006-2026) • Look at land requirements for different locations in different scenarios • Consider non B class employment uses
Conclusions of the draft refresh • Very different from 2005 ELR • Didn’t support the land requirements of the policy • Prepared in light of economic downturn • No real consideration of PPS4 issues especially “other employment uses” • Assessed suitability of sites
So ……. • We asked the consultants to do some more work on it and the final report was delayed until after the examination closed. • We had a very uncomfortable day at examination, BUT we survived and the policy was found sound (with some changes)
Policy Changes • lost a key location on A1 • have some high land requirements which might be difficult to deliver • Not clear whether they are gross or net land requirements? • Other “non-B class uses” issue not really covered in detail • Changes affect DPD and AAP preparation
Examination – Evidence • Evidence informs Inspectors questions • Does it justify and support the policy approach? • Does it demonstrate delivery? • Is it relevant and up to date? • In retrospect our ELR was not robust
Lessons Learnt • Be prepared • Evidence is key • Make sure it covers what you want it to cover • Make sure its time appropriate • Make sure you know what the gaps are and prepare for them to be exposed!