11 March 2010The South East Plan – Regional Spatial Strategy
The Secretary of State published the South East Plan in May 2009. The Plan is the regional framework for managing future development in the South East and replaces previous government planning guidance for the South East in RPG9.
The Plan was prepared by the South East England Regional Assembly, prior to their dissolution and covers the period 2006 – 2026. The Plan sets the standards and principles for the physical development of the region over this 20 year period. It will be used to guide the production of LDFs and strategies by district and unitary councils, whose development plans must be in general conformity with the South East Plan.
The South East Plan can be viewed via the Government Office for the South East website.
Partial Review of the South East Plan: Gypsy and Travellers
A partial review of the South East Plan is currently underway to determine the number of additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches that Local Planning Authorities should plan for over the period 2006 - 2016 through their Local Development Frameworks.
Following consultation in September 2008, the former South East England Regional Assembly agreed its preferred option for distributing future Gypsy and Traveller pitch provision across the region (in March 2009). This preferred option was consulted on by Government between June and September 2009. The Gypsy and Traveller pitch provision consultation document can be viewed on the Government for the South East website.
The proposed policy on Gypsy and Traveller pitch provision will be tested at an Examination in Public (in February 2010) and then considered by Government and published as policy.
The currently proposed policy aims to produce a more even spread of Gypsy and Traveller pitch provision across the region. The proposed policy would require Sevenoaks DC to plan for 19 additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches and one pitch for Travelling Show People over the period 2006 - 2016.
Sevenoaks District Council will identify suitable sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People through the Site Allocations DPD of the Local Development Framework.
National plans and policies
Central Government has set out national planning policy and guidance within Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG), which are being replaced by Planning Policy Statements (PPS). These documents have been prepared by, and can be viewed on the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a precious landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation's interest to safeguard them. There are 40 AONBs in England and Wales, created by the legislation of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949.
The Sevenoaks District has areas of the High Weald AONB and Kent Downs AONB. For further details please visit: www.kentdowns.org.uk
www.highweald.org
More information contact the Planning Policy Team.
