Local Plan Main Modifications Consultation
Policy SP2: Strategy for Sustainable Development to meet identified needs
| Local Plan page number | Policy or paragraph Local Plan | Proposed Change | Justification | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
32 |
Policy SP2: criterion 4 |
Enhance existing economic strengths by delivering 49.41 [removed] 48.51 [added] hectares of land for economic development |
Justified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
32 |
Policy SP2: criterion 6 |
Protect and enhance heritage, green and and blue [added] infrastructure, and ecological networks whilst adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change |
Effective | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
33 |
Policy SP2: new supporting text |
[New supporting text to be inserted after paragraph 4.11 under Building a strong and competitive economy sub-heading] The ELR provided a series of scenarios to provide a range of estimates for the future need for employment land in the borough. As set out in the Employment Land Technical Paper (2024 update) [EMP2], the Council has selected Scenario 3 (policy-on labour demand) for the Plan. The scenario has been adjusted for the plan period and to add a safety margin and replacement of losses allowance. This resulted in a need figure of 41.70 ha over the plan period. Table 1 shows the overall supply of employment land within the Local Plan portfolio, inclusive of land that is already committed i.e. in existing employment use or consented for employment use:
Table 1 The overall supply of employment land The Council has assessed that 16.63 ha of land is available and deliverable within existing areas of employment land. Within the Port of Tyne estate (allocated for specialist port and river-related development- Policy SP19) the Council has assessed that 24.48 ha of land is available and deliverable. The 51.25 ha of land for specialist advanced manufacturing is currently allocated within the International Advanced Manufacturing Park Area Action Plan (2017) (IAMP AAP). The IAMP is located on land to the north of Nissan’s existing car manufacturing plant, located within the administrative areas of Sunderland and South Tyneside. IAMP covers 150ha and supports principal uses directly related to the Automotive and Advanced Manufacturing sectors. The International Advanced Manufacturing Park Area Action Plan (2017) provides the planning policy framework for IAMP and forms part of the Development Plan for South Tyneside and Sunderland City Council. The employment land allocated within IAMP is fully committed and therefore does not contribute towards the supply of available and deliverable employment land allocated within the Local Plan. Therefore, the Council has assessed 41.8 ha of employment land as being available and deliverable within its existing portfolio of employment sites. As set out in the Green Belt Exceptional Circumstances paper (2024) the Council has determined that exceptional circumstances exist to alter the Green Belt boundary in order to allocate 6.71 ha of land at Wardley Colliery for general economic development. Therefore, a total of 48.51ha of land will be delivered for economic development. Table 2 sets out the overall supply/demand balance for employment land:
Table 2 The overall supply/demand balance for employment land [added] |
Justified Effective |
What to consider when making a representation
What are the tests of soundness and legal compliance?
The purpose of the examination is to consider whether the local plan complies with relevant legal requirements for producing local plans, including the duty to cooperate, and meets the national tests of ‘soundness’ for local plans set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Therefore, representations submitted at this stage must only be made on these grounds and, where relevant, be supported with evidence to demonstrate why these tests have not been met.
Legal compliance
To be legally compliant the plan has to be prepared in accordance with the duty to cooperate and legal and procedural requirements, including the 2011 Localism Act and Town and County Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).
Soundness
The inspector conducting the examination in public has to be satisfied that the local plan is ‘sound’; namely that it is:
• Positively prepared – the plan should be prepared based on a strategy which seeks to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements, including unmet requirements from neighbouring authorities where it is reasonable to do so and consistent with achieving sustainable development.
• Justified – the plan should be the most appropriate strategy, when considered against the reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence.
• Effective – the plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities, and
• Consistent with national policy – the plan should enable the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the NPPF.