Spatial vision and outcomes

It is important that a local plan incorporates a vision.  The vision should set out the intended character of the Plan Area and, with objectives, set out how we should deal with critical issues.

Developing a vision for the Local Plan involves looking ahead to what our Plan Area will be like in 15, 20 or even 30 years time, and will likely include:

• a direction of travel as to how the Plan Area will evolve and places are shaped
• the general location of where development will take place and where it will not.

The NPPF expects strategic policies to look ahead at least 15 years post adoption and to ensure that any proposed large-scale development (for example, a new settlement or significant extension to an existing settlement) is set within a vision of at least 30 years. Whilst a 15-year period would likely require a local plan period up to 2043, we are keen to understand what period you think this Plan should cover.

Our current vision for the Plan Area sets out how the areas and settlements within it will contribute towards its delivery, but as we start this review we need to consider what our new vision should be and what are the key issues to be considered.

Consultation questions:

1.  What would you like see as our main focus for our review?

2.  What do you think the key issues will be to deliver a new vision and why?

3.  How should our Plan look to address the 'duty to seek to further the purposes' of the New Forest National Park and the Cranborne Chase National Landscape?

4.  How long ahead should we plan for in the new Plan, and why?

What should the distribution of new development be?

The new Plan will contain policies that set out the overall spatial strategy for the distribution of development.

Our current strategy is to locate and direct new development to accessible locations that help to sustain the vitality and viability of the towns and villages of the Plan Area as the focal points of commercial and community life and as safe, attractive, and accessible locations to use and visit.

The existing settlement hierarchyis defined based on the availability within the settlement or ease of access to services like public transport, employment, schools and health facilities and shops or 'high street' facilities. It also considers the regeneration opportunities in the main towns and coastal communities.

An important issue to address in our review is whether to continue with this spatial development strategy or develop an alternative strategy. Options could include (but not limited to):

• focus development according to the existing settlement pattern, with different scales of development considered appropriate for the town, main village, or small rural village
• an increased focus on brownfield sites and town centre regeneration
• identifying a site for a new settlement in a sustainable location, or other approaches such as a larger number of smaller developments in areas that are linked together
• identifying sites where development could be justified through its special quality and ability to deliver benefits for redefining countryside and settlement edges
• focusing new development on established transport corridors such as the A326 and/or where access to larger existing market towns in possible
• increasing densities on new developments to enable more homes to be delivered on smaller sites
• providing new development within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape (in that part of National Landscape that is within our Plan Area).

Whatever the development strategy proves to be in the final plan, there will always be a need to reinforce and support existing communities to maintain and enhance local services and facilities.

Consultation questions:

5.  In seeking to meet our identified development needs, what should our strategy be?

6.  Is the existing settlement hierarchy appropriate, or are there changes that should be included?

7.  Do you think it is appropriate for us to consider new development within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape?

8.  Are there other strategic options that could help meet the need for development that we should also consider?

Relationship with the New Forest District Council Corporate Plan

Our new Local Plan will take forward the key commitments for the Council as set out in the Corporate Plan, adopted on 3 of April 2024 and provide the spatial dimension to it.

The Corporate Plan sets out the following Vision for New Forest District:

"To secure a better future by supporting opportunities for the people and communities we serve, protecting our unique and special place, and securing a vibrant and prosperous New Forest."

In addition to its Vision, the Corporate Plan sets out nine key commitments (priorities) the Council is making to New Forest District residents. These are divided into three priority themes, 'People,' 'Place,' and 'Prosperity' which are underpinned by the Future New Forest transformation program.

In order to group the large number of issues that need to be discussed in the Local Plan, the remainder of this document sets out the various topics that we believe need to be considered. These are grouped within the context of the Corporate Plan priority themes of People, Place and Prosperity. At this stage it is intended that these themes will be used as our Local Plan develops but we would welcome suggestions on any alternative structure.

Consultation questions:

9. Are our Corporate Plan priorities of 'People', 'Place' and 'Prosperity' appropriate to also be used within the Local Plan?