2: Policies and Guidance

National Policy and Guidance

2.1 National guidance for transport is set out through the current National Planning Policy Framework (2021) and National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) provides the policy context and guidance to promote sustainable development.

2.2 Section 9 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) strongly promotes sustainable transport that will also in turn contribute to wider sustainability and health objectives through reducing the need to travel and ensuring active travel choices are pursued. National policy refers to a transport system being balanced in favour of sustainable transport modes, giving people a genuine choice about how they travel. It also requires all developments that generate significant amounts of movement to be supported by a Transport Statement or Transport Assessment to determine the likely impact of the proposed development (NPPF, paragraph 113).

2.3 Paragraph 107 of the NPPF specifically addresses car parking. It does not provide suggested standards, but instead sets out that if setting local parking standards for residential and non-residential development, policies should take into account:

a. the accessibility of the development;

b. the type, mix and use of development;

c. the availability of and opportunities for public transport;

d. local car ownership levels; and

e. the need to ensure an adequate provision of spaces for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles.

2.4 Paragraph 108 states "Maximum parking standards for residential and non-residential development should only be set where there is a clear and compelling justification that they are necessary for managing the local road network, or for optimising the density of development in city and town centres and other locations that are well served by public transport....". Further to this, the paragraph explains that for town centres, local authorities should seek to improve the quality of parking so that it is convenient, safe and secure, alongside measures to promote accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

2.5 Regarding parking design, paragraph 110 set outs that in assessing sites for development, it should be ensured that the design of streets, parking areas, other transport elements and the content of associated standards reflects current national guidance, including the National Design Guide and the National Model Design Code.

2.6 The NPPF paragraph 113 sets out that all developments that will generate significant amounts of movement should be required to provide a travel plan, and the application should be supported by a transport statement or transport assessment so that the likely impacts of the proposal can be assessed.

2.7 At paragraph 131, the NPPF highlights that trees make an important contribution to the character and quality of urban environments and can also help mitigate and adapt to climate change. Therefore, planning policies and decisions should ensure that new streets are tree lined.

2.8 The National Design Guideand the National Model Design Code provides detailed guidance on the production of design codes, guides, and policies to promote successful design. They make clear that how parking is arranged has a fundamental effect on the quality of a place or development.

2.9 The Manual for Streets (MfS) still contains relevant principles and highlights a design-led approach is appropriate for all forms of developments. Parking should not be considered in isolation from other design parameters and consideration should be given to the type of parking provided and how it relates to its context.

Local Policy

2.10 The current Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) was adopted in 2011 with minor changes being made in 2013. LTP3 includes a policy objective of working with District authorities to agree coherent policy approaches to parking and recognises that availability of parking has considerable influence on travel choice and if not managed in a coordinated manner can act as a barrier to efforts to widen travel choice. The County is now preparing Local Transport Plan 4 and carried out public consultation earlier this year. The County has identified a set of proposed outcomes for the LTP4 which are grouped under four key themes which are:

• Carbon neutral, resilient Hampshire;
• Respect and protect Hampshire's environment;
• Thriving and prosperous places; and
• Healthy, happy, and inclusive lives.

2.11 The outcomes define what HCC are seeking to achieve and provide the focus for how we collectively progress to considering the right solutions for Hampshire. They help to establish the scale of the challenge, and hence the types of transport interventions and approaches that will be necessary. There are two identified guiding principles for LTP4:

• Significantly reduce dependency on the private car and reduce the overall need to travel
• Create a transport system that supports high quality, prosperous places and puts people first.

2.12 In summary, this approach effectively looks at the delivery of a hierarchy in transport that first looks at ways of reducing the need to travel, and then focuses on options for walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure provision, ahead of the private car.

2.13 The standards set out in this SPD have been updated from those in the previous 2012 Parking Standards SPD, to take account of the step changes in national and local policy, ensuring they achieve sustainable development in the context of climate change and other drivers, and are responsive to local circumstances regarding the availability of parking and accessibility.

2.14 Parking standards required in new development will need to contribute to the delivery of sustainable development and balance the provision of car parking with key drivers of change including climate change, to assist in shifting behaviour of the transport modes currently chosen in the different parts of the District. The strategic direction is set out in the overarching policies of New Forest District Council's Local Plan 2016-2036 Part 1: Planning Strategy (July 2020) provides this, including Policy STR1 that plans for reducing reliance on the car creating options for sustainable travel modes including cycling, walking and public transport. Through the need for physical provision and good design, this is further reinforced by Policy STR7with Council support for major projects that improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, and that also improve public transport, and Policy STR8 that looks to ensure the provision of adequate community services, infrastructure and facilities.

2.15 From this overarching strategic direction, New Forest District Council's Local Development Plan contains the main policies relevant to parking and for which this SPD provides further guidance on their implementation. From Local Plan 2016-2036 Part 1: Planning Strategy (July 2020), this includes:

• Policy CCC2: 'Safe and sustainable travel' which requires new development to provide sufficient car and cycle parking, including secure cycle parking in schools and colleges, workplaces, bus and rail stations, and in shopping areas.
• Policy IMPL2: 'Development standards', which requires the provision in development to enable the convenient installation of charging points for electric vehicles in residential properties and in residential, employee and visitor parking areas. Supporting text to this policy provides further information to ensure new developments are designed to enable the provision of such points
• Policy ENV3: 'Design quality and local distinctiveness' requiring new development to integrate sufficient car and cycle parking spaces so that realistic needs are met in a manner that is not prejudicial to the character and quality of the street, highway safety, emergency or service access or to pedestrian convenience and comfort.

Neighbourhood Plans

2.16 There are currently two Neighbourhood Plans that have been made and adopted in the District, which also address car parking. These form part of the Development Plan for the District and are material consideration for relevant planning applications.

2.17 New Milton Neighbourhood Plan (2021) includes Policy NM4 (Design Quality) that requires development that incorporates well integrated parking that does not dominate the street environment, with consideration also be given to availability of electric vehicle charging points in communal parking areas.

2.18 Hythe and Dibden Neighbourhood Plan (2019) has a similar approach with Policy WEL2, where new developments should be designed so as not to exacerbate, and where possible improve, air pollution, traffic congestion, road safety and parking. New residential developments should provide infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.