2.1 The Local Plan provides a comprehensive framework to guide development into the next century, enabling the Borough's needs to be met and new opportunities realised without harming the best of today's environment.
2.2 The Plan is prepared in the context of national planning guidance and is in general conformity with the approved Humberside Structure Plan. Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) 12 - "Development Plans and Regional Planning Guidance" states that in preparing Local Plans, the need to plan for sustainable development has to be considered. Against this, the underlying principle of the planning system is that there should always be a presumption in favour of development unless harm would arise or other considerations indicate otherwise. The Plan, therefore, provides a comprehensive framework of policy guidance to assist the preparation of proposals which will not undermine the principle of sustainability. Appendix 3 of the Plan lists the main sources of national guidance, the relevant elements of which are outlined in the supportive text to Plan Policies.
2.3 Strategic Policies in the Humberside Structure Plan were approved in 1987 and altered in 1993. Appendix 1 and the supportive text to Plan Policies outlines the main thrust of these Policies. Essentially they are based on 6 main aims which are now reflected within the Borough Wide Local Plan:
-to encourage economic activity and seek the creation of new jobs;
-to meet Humberside's housing needs, giving people a choice of where to live within the existing settlement pattern;
-to make the best use of existing resources and to encourage investment where it is most needed;
-to secure a co-ordinated transport system which will serve industry, commerce and the social needs of the County;
-to ensure that as many people as possible have access to a wide range of services. Including shopping, leisure and commuriity facilities; and
-to make the best use of Humberside's environment taking account of the need to conserve and enhance it.
2.4 In quantitative terms the Structure Plan requires that the Local Plan makes provision for 10,500 new dwellings up to 2006. Taking account of existing commitments, this equates to 7,055 new dwellings within this Local Plan period. The Local Plan supports the Structure Plan and national guidance through policies and proposals which direct development towards those areas best suited for accommodating change. An important objective is to assist in meeting the national goal of increasing energy efficiency and reducing harmful gas emissions. Travel by private car is a major contributor to these emissions but could be reduced where planning policies encourage land uses to be located closer together and to be accessed by a variety of transport means. Meeting this goal will require a gradual change in lifestyles and expectations which will be influenced by other factors beyond the scope of planning. But planning policies will facilitate the implementation of these changes and will ensure that the quality of life of Borough residents will be improved.
2.5 In this context, policies seek to direct the majority of development towards the urban areas where it will benefit from and support the main shopping centres, employment areas and recreational facilities and where it will be better served by public transport facilities or will encourage alternative means of transport.
Of the strategic requirement for 7,055 new dwellings up to 2004, 70% is expected to be accommodated in the 4 main towns of Bridlington, Driffield, Pocklington and Market Weighton. A further 20% is expected within the 14 selected settlements, defined in the Structure Plan as capable of accommodating development due to their range of services and infrastructure.
2.6 However, in a predominately rural borough, it is essential to plan for the growth of the rural economy to help to sustain local communities and ensure that local employment, which is so closely tied to the character and appearance of the countryside, continues to prosper. Ensuring this requires provision to be made for new housing, employment and other uses in the rural areas but the location, scale and nature of provision needs to be balanced against its effect on the character of the countryside. The Local Plan has assessed the extent of existing commitments to housing development in the smaller settlements and in defining development limits has sought to ensure that an appropriate level of development can occur within the plan period. As far as is reasonable, employment uses are protected from alternative development pressure and policies promote new rural employment opportunities.
2.7 Whilst much of the Borough's employment provision is concentrated in defined employment areas which are clearly associated with the population centres, a large sector of the economy depends upon tourism. Again, much of this is situated within the resort of Bridlington where tourism spending helps to support the town centre and provides additional vitality to the town. But many tourist facilities, particularly tourist accommodation, are situated in the open countryside where they can have a significant effect on the appearance of the area and the life of small rural communities. Policies strike a balance which will enable the tourist economy to prosper without harm to the environment or the quality of the life of Borough residents.
2.8 The retail sector is likely to continue to be a vital and dynamic element in the national economy and the Local Plan must provide the framework for new opportunities to be realised. Within the Borough's town centres significant opportunities exist for the reuse of vacant premises. The Local Plan identifies new redevelopment sites to accommodate larger scale development where it would help to secure the future vitality of the town centres, support new housing land allocations and would not lead to increased car journeys.
2.9 Recreation proposals are made within the urban areas to ensure that the level of provision keeps pace with likely demand and will be accessible to the widest number of people. In the larger villages recreation provision associated with new development will help to provide a buffer between the countryside and the built environment as well as encouraging the growth of balanced communities which will support local services.
2.10 Central to the principle of sustainable development is the need to encourage more efficient transport patterns. Land allocations have been made where they reflect this objective or other environmental or economic imperatives. The Plan requires all development proposals to be designed to maximise the safety and attraction of alternative means of transport to the private car. In particular, provision for the safe movement of pedestrians will be paramount. Where development cannot be accommodated on allocated land, accessibility will be a prime consideration.
2.11 Protection of the countryside and the attractiveness of the Borough's towns and villages will be advanced through the above strategy. In specific locations, such as Conservation Areas and on the Wolds, detailed policies have been included to ensure that the special character of the area is maintained.