oVERVIEW & SCRUTINY BOARD
21st January 2008
Middlesbrough Local Development Framework – Regeneration Development Plan Document Submission Draft
Tim White – Director of Regeneration
1.In 2004 the Government introduced a new planning system that saw local plans and structure plans replaced by LDFs and Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS). Together the Middlesbrough LDF and the RSS for the North East will form the statutory development plan for the town. The LDF will comprise of a series of documents called Local Development Documents (LDDs). One of the the first LDDs to be produced as part of the Middlesbrough LDF was the core strategy. This was the subject of a public examination before an independent planning inspector in November 2007. The Inspector's report is anticipated to be received next month.
2.The core strategy is important because it sets the strategic planning framework for the town over the next fifteen years. Middlesbrough’s core strategy will look forward to 2021. The Regeneration DPD needs to be in conformity with the Core Strategy. It takes the Core Strategy spatial vision and strategy and translates it into more detailed site specific policies and proposals.
3.The Regeneration DPD has already been the subject of extensive public consultation as outlined in the attached Council report of 9th January 2008. This submission draft has been prepared having regard to the requirements of the Middlesbrough LDF Core Strategy, RSS for the North East, Middlesbrough Community Strategy, and the representations submitted as part of the earlier consultations.
4.It is proposed to make a number of changes to the Regeneration DPD for submission, these are detailed in paragraphs 11 to 45 of the attached Council report. The principal changes can be summarised as follows:
i. Greater Middlehaven. These policies have been redrafted to include more detail on the level and type of development to be provided, greater design guidance, and further details on how and when proposals will be implemented;
ii.Housing allocations. These have been updated to reflect changes to planning permissions and new developments. Owing to the rephasing of some of the strategic sites it has been necessary to identify additional housing allocations, particularly for the early plan periods.
iii.Town Centre boundary. The town centre boundary has been redrawn to include more of Greater Middlehaven, and the University estate. This will help support development proposals for both areas. The principal retail area of the town centre has also been extended to incorporated part of Cannon Park to facilitate retail growth.