Core strategy

New Forest National Park Local Development Framework

Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD

December 2010

Further information

The Core Strategy can be viewed on the National Park Authority’s website at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk.

For any further information about the Strategy, including requests for copies in another format such as large-print, Braille or any alternative language, please contact:

New Forest National Park Authority,
South Efford House,
Milford Road, Lymington,
Hampshire SO41 0JD

Email: policyandplans@newforestnpa.gov.uk
Telephone: 01590 646600

Maps and photographs

The maps and photographs contained in this document are subject to copyright and should not be reproduced without permission from the New Forest National Park Authority. Please note that all the maps are designed to be used for illustrative purposes only and are not to scale.

Printed on 80% recycled fibre and 20% chlorine free pulp, sourced from well-managed forests and controlled sources by FSC accredited printers.

Designed and published by the New Forest National Park Authority, December 2010.

Contents

1. Foreword
2. Chapter 1. Introduction
3. 2. Spatial Portrait of the New Forest National Park
4. 3. Vision and Strategic Objectives
5. 4. Spatial Strategy
6. 5. Protecting and Enhancing the Natural Environment
7. 6. Protecting and Enhancing the Built Environment
8. 7. Vibrant Communities
9. 8. A Sustainable Local Economy
10. 9. Transport and Access
11. 10. Monitoring and Implementation
12. Annex 1. List of Local Plan policies superseded by Core Strategy
13. Annex 2. Links between the New Forest National Park Core Strategy and Sustainable Community Strategies
14. Annex 3. Glossary

Foreword

The Core Strategy is a key part of the Authority’s Local Development Framework and sets out the planning framework for the National Park for the period up to 2026. The New Forest was designated as a National Park in 2005 and this Core Strategy provides for the first time a consistent set of planning policies covering the whole of the National Park, including a number of more detailed development management policies to guide planning decisions in the Park.

The New Forest has long been recognised as a special and important place. The Forest is one of the most valuable areas for nature conservation in Europe and its open landscape, coastline and unique beauty have inspired generations of local people and visitors alike.

Yet the Forest is the smallest and most densely populated national park in Britain and is very close to major and expanding urban areas to the east and west. In preparing this strategy, the Authority is seeking to conserve and enhance the special qualities that make the New Forest the place it is whilst at the same time ensuring that what development does take place is focused on catering for the needs of local people. It has also been prepared to be in general conformity with national planning guidance contained with the Government’s Planning Policy Statements and Guidance Notes.

Importantly, the Core Strategy takes into account the response to the public consultation in 2008 and the subsequent discussions with a wide range of interested organisations and individuals.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed to the preparation of this document.

Julian Johnson
Chairman
New Forest National Park Authority

List of Core Strategy (CP) and Development Management (DP) Policies

• CP1 Nature Conservation Sites of International Importance
• CP2 The Natural Environment
• DP1 General Development Principles
• DP2 Safeguarding and Improving Water Resources
• CP3 Green Infrastructure
• DP3 Open Space
• CP4 Climate Change
• DP4 Flooding and the Coast
• DP5 Coastal Development
• CP5 Renewable Energy
• CP6 Pollution
• CP7 The Built Environment
• CP8 Local Distinctiveness
• DP6 Design Principles
• CP9 Defined Villages
• DP7 Change of Use from Retail in the Defined Villages
• DP8 Retail Development outside the Defined Villages
• CP10 Local Community Facilities
• CP11 Affordable Housing
• CP12 New Residential Development
• DP9 Residential Density in the Defined Villages
• DP10 Replacement Dwellings
• DP11 Extensions to Dwellings
• DP12 Outbuildings
• DP13 Agricultural, Forestry and Other Occupational Dwellings
• DP14 Removal of Agricultural Occupancy Conditions
• CP13 Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
• DP15 Infrastructure Provision and Developer Contributions
• CP14 Business and Employment Development
• CP15 Existing Employment Sites
• DP16 Redevelopment of Existing Employment Sites
• DP17 Extensions to Non Residential Buildings and Uses
• CP16 Tourism Development
• DP18 Extensions to Holiday Parks and Camp Sites
• CP17 The Land-based Economy
• DP19 Re-use of Buildings outside the Defined Villages
• DP20 Agricultural and Forestry Buildings
• DP21 Recreational Horse Keeping
• DP22 Field Shelters and Stables
• DP23 Maneges
• CP18 Transport Infrastructure
• CP19 Access

Chapter 1: Introduction

What is the Core Strategy and the Local Development Framework?

1.1 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced a new system for development plans in England, replacing the previous system of Local Plans. Authorities now produce Local Development Frameworks comprising a series of planning documents and the Core Strategy is a key document in the Local Development Framework (LDF). The Core Strategy makes decisions about what will happen where within the New Forest National Park.

1.2 The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005 and includes land within three local authority areas (New Forest District, Wiltshire Council, and Test Valley Borough), two counties (Hampshire and Wiltshire), and two Government regions (South East and South West). The National Park Authority assumed full planning responsibilities in April 2006 and inherited over 1,000 existing planning policies contained in the plans prepared by the constituent local authorities. This Core Strategy provides the first set of consistent National Park-wide planning policies for the New Forest and replaces the saved policies contained in the various planning documents covering the National Park – as set out in more detail in Annex 1.

Core Strategy role and documents

1.3 The Authority’s Core Strategy will deliver the long term planning vision for the National Park. The Core Strategy provides a planning policy framework up to 2026 consistent with the statutory National Park purposes and sets the context for the preparation of other planning policy documents within the LDF.

1.4 The Core Strategy includes both core policies and development management policies to take forward the vision, objectives and spatial strategy for the National Park. The development management policies help to deliver the core policies by providing further detailed guidance against which planning applications will be assessed.

1.5 It is also important to note that national planning policy contained in Planning Policy Guidance Notes, Planning Policy Statements and relevant legislation also form material considerations when determining planning applications in the National Park.

National and Local Planning Context

1.7 Designated in 2005, the New Forest became the first National Park to be created in England for nearly 50 years and the first in the South East region. The National Park operates within a detailed planning policy and legislative framework.

Statutory National Park purposes

1.8 National Parks have two statutory purposes and a duty that set out the main reasons for their designation and describe the overall focus for their management. The two National Park purposes as set out in the Environment Act 1995 are:

• to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park; and
• to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public.

1.9 National Park Authorities also have a duty, in pursuing the Park purposes, to “seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.”

1.10 All relevant authorities are required to take the two purposes into account in any work that may affect the area and make every effort to reconcile any conflict between the two. If such efforts fail, then only as a measure of last resort should the first purpose take precedence.

National Planning Policy Context

1.11 National planning policy for National Parks is set out primarily in Planning Policy Statement 7 (PPS7) ‘Sustainable Development in Rural Areas’. PPS7 confirms that National Parks have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty and that the conservation of the natural beauty of the landscape and countryside should be given great weight in planning policies and development control decisions in these areas. Planning policies should also support suitably located and designed development necessary to facilitate the economic and social well-being of these designated areas and their communities, including adequate housing to meet identified local needs.

1.12 Major developments should not take place in these designated areas, except in exceptional circumstances; major development proposals should be demonstrated to be in the public interest before being allowed to proceed.

1.13 Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4) ‘Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth’ seeks to concentrate development in rural areas in or near to the main villages where employment, housing and local services can be provided close together.

Local Planning Context

1.14 The New Forest attained National Park status for planning purposes in 1994 with the acknowledgement of the special character of the New Forest Heritage Area. The relevant Structure Plan and Local Plan policies for the constituent areas have long provided a planning framework; this Core Strategy builds on that framework.

Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework

1.15 The National Park Authority is a Minerals and Waste Planning Authority, and is preparing the Minerals and Waste Development Framework jointly with Hampshire County Council, and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils. The Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and New Forest National Park Minerals and Waste Core Strategy was adopted in 2007, and states that there will be no large scale minerals and waste development within the National Park other than in exceptional circumstances. The Minerals and Waste Core Strategy contains development management policies and forms part of the statutory ‘development plan’ for the New Forest National Park and there is no need therefore to repeat the policies in this Core Strategy. A Development Plan Document setting out sites for future mineral extraction, and waste management sites is currently being prepared.

Relationship with surrounding areas

1.16 What happens in the New Forest National Park is clearly affected by surrounding urban areas, including the South East Dorset and South Hampshire conurbations and Salisbury to the north. Major housing and employment development planned in these surrounding areas will affect visitor, traffic and other pressures on the Park. The Core Strategy has taken these relationships into account.

Links to other plans and strategies

Relationship with the New Forest National Park Management Plan (2010)

1.19 The Management Plan is the overarching strategic document for the National Park and is intended to guide the work of all organisations which operate within the National Park (not just the Authority). The Core Strategy must reflect the National Park Management Plan (2010) which sets out the vision for the future of the Park and the overall policy approach for the area.

Parish Plans

1.20 Parish Plans prepared by local communities have been and will be used to inform the Core Strategy where appropriate and the Authority will seek to support communities implementing improvements through other plans and guidance such as the Design Guide SPD.

Relationship with the Sustainable Community Strategies

1.22 The Authority’s LDF reflects the relevant priorities set out in the five relevant Community Strategies prepared by the constituent authorities: New Forest District, Test Valley, Salisbury and South Wiltshire, Hampshire County, and Wiltshire. The LDF delivers the spatial aspirations of these strategies within the context of the statutory National Park purposes.

Chapter 2: Spatial portrait of the New Forest National Park

2.1 The New Forest is a place of outstanding natural beauty. First created around 1079 as a royal hunting Forest it has survived for over 900 years to become a highly valued part of the national heritage. It is a unique mixture of ancient woodland, heather-covered heath, wide lawns, boggy mires, rivers and streams, picturesque villages and unspoilt coastline.

Area and Population

2.3 The National Park covers 567 square kilometres (220 square miles), making the New Forest the smallest national park in the UK. The National Park has an estimated population of 34,935 people, making it the UK’s most densely populated National Park (61 persons per km2). The housing stock within the National Park amounts to 14,927 dwellings (based on 2001 Census data), of which an estimated 3% are second homes or holiday lets.

Landscape Character

2.4 The New Forest Landscape Character Assessment (2000) describes 21 character areas in the Park. At the heart of the New Forest is an extensive area of unenclosed woodland, grassland and heath which is of international nature conservation importance and is maintained largely by the grazing of commoners’ stock.

Nature Conservation

2.5 In total 56% of the National Park is designated of international value for nature conservation – a far higher proportion than any other English National Park. The New Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar sites cover more than 29,000 hectares in the core of the National Park, including the most extensive area of heathland and valley mire in lowland Europe.

Cultural Heritage

2.6 The National Park contains more than 340 Bronze Age barrows, a number of fine Iron Age hill forts, numerous remnants of medieval and later buildings, enclosures and other earthworks. The National Park has 214 Scheduled Ancient Monuments, 610 listed buildings and 17 designated Conservation Areas, plus three which straddle the Park boundary with New Forest District.

Access and Recreation

2.7 The New Forest is a major recreational resource, with 42 km of coastline, 325 km of Public Rights of Way (PROW), and over 30,000 hectares of accessible land (more than 50% of the area of the National Park). Major attractions including Lepe Country Park, Calshot Activities Centre, the National Motor Museum, Paulton’s Park, and the villages of Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu and Burley attract visitors throughout the year.

Communities and Settlement Pattern

2.9 There are 37 parish and town councils wholly or partly within the National Park. This Core Strategy retains the existing basic settlement hierarchy within the Park with Ashurst, Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Sway identified as defined villages due to their character, population and the range of facilities and services they provide.

Economy

2.11 Whilst the National Park is predominantly rural in nature, the economy is diverse and is highly integrated with its surrounding areas. The most important employment sectors are distribution, hotels and restaurants, supported by tourism, followed by public administration, education and health, and finance and business services. A small proportion of employment is found in traditional rural land-use activities such as farming, forestry and commoning, which remain vital in maintaining land management practices that conserve the landscape character.

Transport

2.13 The National Park is crossed by several major routes which carry high volumes of traffic. The A31 is the most heavily used road in the National Park, carrying up to 77,000 vehicles daily and effectively cuts the area in two. The National Park is well-served for long-distance rail travel, with stations at Ashurst, Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst and Sway. There are a number of scheduled public bus services but many rural settlements are less well-served.

Minerals and Waste

2.16 Within the National Park there are a number of existing small-scale operational mineral extraction and waste management sites, including a landfill site at Pound Bottom in the north of the Park. These sites are likely to continue for at least part of the lifetime of this Core Strategy.

Challenges for the Local Development Framework

2.18 The Core Strategy must respond to a number of major issues and trends that are likely to affect the National Park and its special qualities over the next 20 years, including:

• climate change impacts (sea-level rise, more hot dry summers, more extreme weather events);
• loss of local distinctiveness and suburbanisation pressures;
• threats to traditional land management and commoning due to affordability and changing markets;
• economic growth in surrounding areas bringing pressures for development, additional traffic and recreational pressure;
• societal changes including ageing population and continued reliance on the private car.

Chapter 3: Vision and Strategic Objectives

3.1 The Vision and Objectives for the Core Strategy set out how the New Forest National Park will look by the end of the plan period – 2026, and how this will be achieved.

Special Qualities

3.4 The Vision has been informed by the ‘Special Qualities’ of the National Park identified through public consultation in 2007. These include:

• the New Forest’s outstanding natural beauty: ancient woodland, heathland, bog, coastal views;
• an extraordinary diversity of plants and animals and international habitats;
• a unique historic cultural and archaeological heritage;
• an historic commoning system that maintains much of what people know as the New Forest;
• the iconic New Forest pony together with other grazing animals;
• tranquillity in many parts of the Park;
• wonderful opportunities for quiet recreation, learning and discovery with unmatched open access;
• a healthy environment: fresh air, clean water, local produce;
• strong and distinctive local communities.

Spatial Vision

In 2026 the New Forest’s outstanding natural beauty has been safeguarded and enhanced. Sites of international, national and local importance for nature conservation and the National Park as a whole continue to host a variety of wildlife and habitats. The New Forest remains an area with a unique and immediately recognisable sense of place, with a mosaic of distinctive landscapes and habitats including lowland heath, mire, ancient woodland, the Solent coastline and farmed landscapes. Tranquillity and a feeling of naturalness pervade large parts of the National Park.

At the same time it is a place where people can enjoy the wonderful opportunities for quiet recreation, learning and discovery. Recreation and visitor pressures have been successfully managed through a shared understanding of the issues that affect the Forest. Traditional land management practices, particularly commoning, are supported and continue to thrive and shape the Forest’s landscape and cultural identity. The impacts of climate change are better understood and are being actively addressed through adaptation and change but without compromising the special qualities of the New Forest. People live and work sustainably and everyone contributes in appropriate ways to keeping the New Forest a special place for present and future generations.

The limited development that has taken place within the National Park has been focussed on catering for the socio-economic needs of local people rather than meeting external demand. Small scale housing development within the defined villages of Ashurst, Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Sway has provided a mix of open market and affordable housing, with rural exceptions schemes having provided local affordable housing in settlements across the rest of the National Park. The inherent characteristics and local distinctiveness of the individual villages has been retained and enhanced through the highest standards of design that respect the natural and built heritage of the Park. The rural economy has been supported by small scale employment development that does not conflict with the special qualities of the National Park. The communities within the National Park continue to look to adjoining areas, including the urban areas in South Hampshire and South East Dorset, for a range of services and the relationship with adjoining areas has been managed to the mutual benefit of all areas.

Strategic Objectives

3.6 Nine strategic objectives have been developed to work towards achieving the Vision for the New Forest National Park over the lifetime of this Core Strategy, within the overarching remit of the delivery of the Park’s two statutory purposes and related socio-economic duty. These objectives address the main issues and challenges identified for the National Park up to 2026 and beyond. They broadly are to:

1. Protect and enhance the natural environment of the National Park, including the natural beauty of the landscape and the range of habitats and species.
2. Conserve and enhance local distinctiveness of the built environment.
3. Plan for likely impacts of climate change and reduce the environmental footprint.
4. Strengthen well-being, identity and sustainability of rural communities.
5. Promote affordable housing to meet local needs.
6. Develop a diverse and sustainable economy contributing to local well-being.
7. Encourage land management that sustains the Park’s special qualities.
8. Support sustainable tourism and recreation.
9. Reduce the impacts of traffic and support sustainable transport alternatives.

Chapter 4: Spatial Strategy

4.1 The strategic direction for the National Park over the period to 2026 is underpinned by the delivery of the Park’s two purposes and the related socio-economic duty. The emphasis is on small-scale proposals for development that reflect the area’s diverse character and distinctiveness and meet the needs of local communities.

Countryside, Coast and Sensitive Landscapes

4.3 The wider countryside, coast and sensitive landscapes of the New Forest represent a significant proportion of the National Park. The outstanding natural landscape beauty of the New Forest is the principle reason for its designation as a National Park and, in accordance with the statutory Park purposes, the Core Strategy seeks to conserve and enhance the natural beauty and wildlife of the National Park.

Rural Settlements

4.5 The National Park is a rural area with small and dispersed settlements that have a limited range of facilities, services and transport accessibility. The level of development in the rural settlements will be relatively limited, focusing on retaining facilities and providing essential local services where needed, and allowing affordable housing through rural exceptions sites.

Defined Villages

4.8 Appropriate small scale employment and housing development to meet the needs of the local communities will be supported in the four current defined villages of Ashurst, Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Sway, continuing policies in the previous Local Plan. Development will be carefully designed and of a scale which will contribute to the essentially rural character of the villages.

4.9 Due to the high house prices in the New Forest, the level of local need, the low rate of development, and the significant existing dwelling stock, the Authority will seek at least 50% of new residential developments within the defined villages to be for local affordable housing needs. The remainder will be open market housing.

Surrounding Urban Areas

4.12 The Park is surrounded by towns and cities that provide major shopping, leisure and cultural facilities for New Forest residents and visitors. These urban areas will continue to fulfil these functions for Park communities, while small-scale local community facilities and services in the Park will be supported to sustain socio-economic well-being.

Settlement Hierarchy

4.13 The proposed settlement hierarchy that underpins the spatial strategy for the National Park is based on an audit of community facilities and services in the Park’s settlements and an assessment of future capacity for development. It recognises the role played by larger settlements outside the Park which fulfil higher order functions for Park residents.

Chapter 5: Protecting and Enhancing the Natural Environment

5.1 This chapter takes forward the spatial objectives for protecting and enhancing the natural environment of the National Park.

5.2 The New Forest National Park has the highest proportion of area covered by nature designations of any other English National Park and is internationally recognised as one of the largest areas of heathland in Europe.

Strategic Objective for Protecting the Forest’s Natural Environment

Protect and enhance the natural environment of the National Park, including the natural beauty of the landscape and the range of habitats and species.

Policy CP1: Nature Conservation Sites of International Importance

Development which may affect the integrity of an internationally important site for nature conservation (either individually or in combination with other plans and projects) will not be permitted unless:

1. there is no alternative solution; and
2. there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest for the development.

In particular, any new housing that is proposed to be located within 400m of the boundary of the New Forest Special Protection Area (SPA) will be required to demonstrate that adequate measures are put in place to avoid or mitigate any potential adverse effects on the ecological integrity of the SPA.

Policy CP2: The Natural Environment

Proposals should protect, maintain and enhance nationally, regionally and locally important sites and features of the natural environment, including habitats and species of biodiversity importance, geological features and the water environment.

Development which would harm the notified special interest feature of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or the nature conservation interest of other nationally important nature conservation sites will normally be refused. Development proposals which adversely affect locally designated sites, features or species identified in the Hampshire or other local Biodiversity Action Plans will be refused unless the Authority is satisfied that:

• An alternative site, habitat or feature, of equivalent value, is provided;
• There are no alternative solutions; and
• There are overriding reasons which outweigh the harm.

Opportunities to enhance ecological or geological assets should be maximised, particularly in line with local Biodiversity Action Plan priorities.

Policy DP1: General Development Principles

All new development and uses of land within the New Forest National Park must uphold and promote the principles of sustainable development. New development proposals must demonstrate high quality design and construction which enhances local character and distinctiveness. This includes:

• development appropriate and sympathetic in terms of scale, appearance, form, siting and layout;
• respect for natural and built environment, landscape character and biodiversity, and where appropriate provision for new tree planting;
• use of materials appropriate to the site and its setting;
• no adverse impact on amenity in terms of visual intrusion, overlooking or shading;
• no adverse impacts associated with traffic or pollution (including noise and light pollution).

New development must also comply with required standards for car parking, open space and the Code for Sustainable Homes (minimum standards staged to achieve zero carbon from 2016) and BREEAM for commercial buildings.

Water Resources

Policy DP2: Safeguarding and Improving Water Resources - Development will not be permitted if it risks harm to the quality and yield of water resources, including abstraction sites, groundwater, rivers, streams and still waters.

Green Infrastructure and Open Space

Policy CP3: Green Infrastructure - Proposals which create, maintain and enhance a network of green infrastructure will be supported, particularly where they:

• encourage connectivity between different habitats and sites; or
• relieve recreational pressures on internationally important nature conservation sites.

The Authority will work with adjoining authorities and partners to develop green infrastructure for the National Park and to ensure the impacts of development within and outside the Park’s boundary do not affect the Park, especially internationally important nature conservation designations. This will include implementing the Authority’s Recreation Management Strategy.

Policy DP3: Open Space - Proposals that result in the loss of existing open space will not be permitted. Development should either provide for the enhancement of existing open space and amenity areas, or provide on-site open space to the minimum provision standard of 3.5 hectares of public open space per 1,000 population.

Climate Change

Strategic Objective: Plan for the likely impacts of climate change, particularly on the Special Qualities of the area and reduce the overall environmental footprint of the National Park.

Policy DP4: Flooding and the Coast - Development proposals will not be permitted if they would increase the risk of coastal or fluvial flooding or coastal erosion; do not comply with the sequential test or are inappropriate in high flood risk areas; or are not compatible with the appropriate Shoreline Management Plan and Coastal Defence Strategy. Appropriate developments will require a flood risk assessment.

Policy CP4: Climate Change - The Authority will support proposals to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts through avoiding development in areas at highest risk of flooding; locating development to reduce the need to travel by car; sustainable design and construction including improved water and energy efficiency; increasing small scale renewable and low carbon energy generation; reducing the overall environmental footprint; and enabling wildlife and habitats to adapt to climate change.

Renewable Energy

Policy CP5: Renewable Energy - Development proposals for, or incorporating, renewable energy schemes that contribute towards national renewable energy targets will be permitted where they are small-scale; located and designed to reduce visual impacts; and do not have significant impacts on the special qualities of the National Park.

Pollution

Policy CP6: Pollution - Opportunities should be taken to control and reduce the impacts of noise, visual intrusion, nuisance and other unacceptable environmental impacts on the National Park and its special qualities. This includes reducing light pollution on the ‘dark skies’ of the National Park, except where outweighed by overriding public safety considerations.

Chapter 6: Protecting and Enhancing the Built Environment

6.1 This chapter sets policies for protecting and enhancing the built environment and local distinctiveness.

Strategic Objective for the Built Environment

Conserve and enhance the wealth of individual characteristics that contribute to the local distinctiveness of the built environment of the New Forest.

Policy CP7: The Built Environment - Proposals should protect, maintain or enhance nationally, regionally and locally important sites and features of the built environment, including local vernacular buildings, archaeological sites and designed landscapes.

Policy CP8: Local Distinctiveness - Built development and changes of use which would individually or cumulatively erode the Park’s local character or result in a gradual suburbanising effect within the National Park will not be permitted.

Policy DP6: Design Principles - All new development will be required to achieve the highest standards for the design, external appearance and location of new development within the National Park, with particular regard to enhancing the built heritage; designing out crime (Secured by Design); accessibility; lifetime homes principles where appropriate; and sustainable design and construction practices.

Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

The Authority is developing a framework for the management of conservation areas in the National Park including character appraisals and management plans. Development affecting listed buildings and conservation areas will be carefully controlled in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 5.

Telecommunications

6.19 Telecommunication proposals will be considered according to national guidance. High priority should be given to safeguarding areas of particular importance such as National Parks; proposals should be sensitively designed and sited and applicants must demonstrate no suitable alternative locations.

Chapter 7: Vibrant Communities

7.1 This chapter addresses strengthening the well-being and sustainability of rural communities and promoting affordable housing to meet local needs.

Strategic Objectives for Communities

• Strengthen the well-being, identity and sustainability of rural communities and the pride of local people in their area; and
• Promote affordable housing to meet local needs and maintain the vibrant communities of the National Park.

Parish Plans

7.6 A number of parishes have produced Parish Plans which identify local issues and action plans. The Authority will support Parish Plans and Village Design Statements where appropriate.

Defined Villages

Policy CP9: Defined Villages - The Authority will support small-scale development proposals to meet local needs, including employment, retail and community facilities within the four ‘Defined Villages’ of Ashurst, Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Sway provided that the proposals conform with other policies in the Core Strategy.

Retail in the Defined Villages

Policy DP7: Change of Use from Retail in the Defined Villages - The change of use of ground floor premises from retail to financial and professional services or food and drink uses within the local shopping frontages of the ‘Defined Villages’ will be permitted provided that it will not result in the proportion of retail units in the shopping frontages of Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst being reduced to less than 50%; and in the frontages of Ashurst and Sway to less than 40%.

Policy DP8: Retail Development outside the Defined Villages - Outside the defined villages small-scale convenience shops within rural settlements that serve local needs, and elsewhere farm shops that are part of a farm diversification, will be permitted together with small scale extensions of existing shops, provided they do not extend into open countryside or have adverse impacts on adjoining uses.

Community Facilities and Services

Policy CP10: Local Community Facilities - The Authority will support the retention of existing community facilities throughout the National Park and prevent their loss or redevelopment where they contribute to the sustainability of local communities. The Authority will support the development of local community facilities where the proposal is of clear and direct benefit to the local village or rural community.

Housing

7.17 The New Forest District, Wiltshire and Test Valley Borough Councils remain the housing authorities for their respective areas of the National Park. The Authority’s primary role is to guide appropriate development to meet local housing needs and in particular ensure affordable housing is more readily available for those with a local connection.

7.18 Under the revoked Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East (2009) the New Forest National Park had an annual housing requirement of 11 dwellings per annum, totalling 220 dwellings over the period 2006 to 2026. The Authority considers the figure of 11 dwellings per annum deliverable and retains this requirement in the Core Strategy.

Affordable Housing

Policy CP11: Affordable Housing - The development of affordable housing to meet local needs will be permitted:

• Within or adjacent to the four defined villages of Ashurst, Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Sway, or
• Across the National Park through the release of “exceptions” sites within or adjacent to other villages, provided that:

Within the four defined villages at least 50% of the residential development on all sites should be affordable housing, with the remainder being open market housing. Proposals for single dwellings within the defined villages will be required to make an affordable housing contribution to be used in the local area, rather than on site provision.

Across the rest of the National Park small-scale affordable housing developments may be permitted as “exceptions” on sites in or adjoining villages to meet identified local needs, subject to meeting identified criteria including securing dwellings in perpetuity for local needs.

Policy CP12: New Residential Development - An additional 220 dwellings will be required within the New Forest National Park between 2006 and 2026. To meet this requirement, new residential development will be permitted within the National Park to maintain the vitality of local communities and support local services, where the proposal is within the defined villages, or replacement, extension, agricultural/forestry worker dwellings, or affordable housing for local needs in accordance with policies.

Replacement Dwellings, Extensions and Outbuildings

Policy DP10: Replacement Dwellings - The replacement of existing dwellings will be permitted except where the existing dwelling is the result of temporary permissions or makes a positive contribution to the historic character. Replacement dwellings should generally be of a similar footprint, scale and size as the existing dwelling. Limits on habitable floorspace are set for small dwellings (100 sq. m) and other exceptional circumstances are specified.

Policy DP11: Extensions to Dwellings - Extensions will be permitted provided they are appropriate. Small dwellings may be extended up to a total habitable floorspace not exceeding 100 sq. m (120 sq. m in exceptional cases). Other dwellings outside defined villages should not increase floorspace by more than 30% without exceptional reason. Special definitions of ‘orignal dwelling’, ‘existing dwelling’ and ‘small dwelling’ are provided for policy implementation.

Policy DP12: Outbuildings - Domestic outbuildings will be permitted where they are located within the residential curtilage; required for purposes incidental to the main dwelling; and are not providing additional habitable accommodation. Outbuildings used for home-based businesses are acceptable where there is no change of use or adverse impacts.

Agricultural, Forestry and Occupational Dwellings

Policy DP13: Agricultural, Forestry and Other Occupational Dwellings - Permission will be granted for an agricultural, forestry and other occupational worker’s dwelling provided tests in Annex A of PPS7 are met and: no other dwellings on the holding have been sold separately; the size of the proposed dwelling would not exceed 120 sq. m habitable floorspace; and where practicable conversion of existing buildings is considered first. Temporary accommodation may be considered where viability evidence is inconclusive.

Policy DP14: Removal of Agricultural Occupancy Conditions - An agricultural occupancy condition restricting occupancy will not be removed unless the Authority is satisfied that the long term need for the dwelling has ceased and there is no continuing need for persons employed in agriculture or forestry in the locality. Marketing and evidence will be required to demonstrate that need has ceased.

Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople

Policy CP13: Gypsies, Travellers, and Travelling Showpeople - Proposals for the provision of permanent and/or transit accommodation to meet an established need will be supported within the National Park where it can be demonstrated there is a need for the site to be located within the National Park, and where impacts on landscape, highways, on-site facilities, proximity to local services and amenities and neighbour amenity can be satisfactorily addressed.

Infrastructure Provision

Policy DP15: Infrastructure Provision and Developer Contributions - Development proposals shall make provision through planning contributions for the infrastructure necessary to secure that the development is acceptable in planning terms. Where appropriate financial contributions for the provision of infrastructure off-site will be sought. Contributions will be secured through legal agreement (Section 106) or other mechanisms taking account of viability.

Chapter 8: A Sustainable Local Economy

8.1 This chapter sets the strategic objectives for supporting a sustainable local economy, land management and tourism.

Strategic Objective for a Sustainable Economy

Develop a diverse and sustainable economy that contributes to the well-being of local communities.

Policy CP14: Business and Employment Development - Small scale employment development will be permitted within the four defined villages. Outside these villages small scale employment development that helps the well-being of local communities will be permitted through re-use or extension of existing buildings, redevelopment of existing employment sites, farm diversification schemes and home-working. Particular encouragement will be given to businesses that help maintain the land-based economy and cultural heritage of the National Park or contribute to understanding and enjoyment of the Park’s Special Qualities.

Policy CP15: Existing Employment Sites - Existing employment sites will be retained throughout the National Park to contribute to the sustainability of local communities.

Policy DP16: Redevelopment of Existing Employment Sites - Redevelopment of established employment sites for industrial, office, business and low key storage uses will be permitted where there would be environmental benefits, comprehensive treatment of the site, no material increase in floorspace or impacts, appropriate scale/design/materials, and the redevelopment is contained within the existing site boundary.

Policy DP17: Extensions to Non Residential Buildings and Uses - The limited extension of existing non residential buildings and uses (including agricultural, business, community and tourism uses but excluding holiday parks and camp sites) will be permitted where it would not materially increase the level of impact and is contained within the existing site boundary.

Tourism

Strategic Objective for Tourism - Support development which encourages sustainable tourism and recreation, and provides opportunities for enjoying the Park’s special qualities.

Policy CP16: Tourism Development - Tourism development will be supported where it provides opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park in a way that either enhances, or does not detract from, the special qualities. This will be facilitated by supporting small scale visitor facilities and accommodation using new or existing buildings in the four defined villages or through re-use of existing buildings as part of farm diversification; retaining existing serviced visitor accommodation where it contributes to sustainability of local communities; and supporting opportunities to relieve visitor pressures where this would assist conservation of important nature sites.

Policy DP18: Extensions to Holiday Parks and Camp Sites - Extensions to existing holiday parks, touring caravan or camping sites will only be permitted to enable the removal of pitches from sensitive areas by relocating part of a site to a less sensitive area adjoining an existing site, providing overall environmental benefits, no increase in overall site capacity, restoration of vacated areas to appropriate landscape and relinquishment of any existing use rights.

The land-based economy

Strategic Objective - Encourage land management that sustains the special qualities of the National Park.

Policy CP17: The Land-based Economy - Land-based businesses that help maintain the overall character and cultural identity of the National Park will be supported by working with key organisations to ensure the future viability of commoning (including enabling affordable housing for commoners and maintaining supply of land for back-up grazing), and by supporting farming and forestry that would be beneficial to the Forest through provision of agricultural and forestry buildings, farm diversification where it sustains the business and is low impact, and helping to support markets for local produce and products.

Policy DP19: Re-use of Buildings outside the Defined Villages - The re-use of buildings outside defined villages will be permitted where the proposal would not result in the loss of an employment use or community facility, would not involve a residential use (other than in accordance with policy CP12), the building is appropriate in scale and appearance and capable of conversion without significant extension or detriment, and in the case of agricultural or forestry buildings the building must be genuinely redundant.

Policy DP20: Agricultural and Forestry Buildings - Permission will be granted for buildings required for agriculture or forestry purposes where there is a functional need and scale is commensurate, the building is designed for the purpose, the site is related to existing buildings unless exceptional circumstances apply, and they do not involve large or obtrusive structures or generate activity detrimental to the Park.

Policy DP21: Recreational Horse Keeping - Permission will be granted for recreational horse keeping provided that the proposal does not have an adverse impact on the landscape or nature conservation interests; harmfully increase riding pressures on the Open Forest; or result in the loss of back-up grazing land.

Policy DP22: Field Shelters and Stables - Permission will be granted for field shelters provided the building is sensitively sited, simple in appearance and modest in scale, and constructed of appropriate materials. The same considerations apply to stables though these should be located close to existing buildings.

Policy DP23: Maneges - The development of outdoor maneges will be permitted provided they do not result in detrimental impact on landscape and ecology and do not involve installation of lighting. Indoor maneges will not be permitted other than in accordance with policy DP19 (re-use of buildings).

Chapter 9: Transport and Access

9.1 The National Park has an extensive road network, with several major trunk routes and a number of A-roads that carry high volumes of traffic from commuters, residents and visitors alike.

Strategic Objective for Transport

Reduce the impacts of traffic on the special qualities of the National Park and support a range of sustainable transport alternatives within the Park.

Policy CP18: Transport Infrastructure - Further development of the strategic transport network will only be supported where: it is an integral part of a longer term strategy to address traffic congestion on the A31; or alternative solutions including potential traffic demand management measures have been explored and are not feasible or appropriate.

Policy CP19: Access - The Authority will promote safer access and more sustainable forms of transport to and within the National Park for enjoyment, health and well-being, where appropriate by supporting local transport initiatives such as the New Forest Tour; community transport initiatives; improvements to make existing paths, tracks and roads safer and more user friendly; and opportunities for the creation of a more joined-up network of core routes for non-motorised transport.

Chapter 10: Monitoring and Implementation

10.1 As the local planning authority the National Park Authority is required to produce an Annual Monitoring Report to assess the effectiveness of the Core Strategy and Development Management policies and assess whether they are achieving the intended objectives and targets, or if trends indicate an early review of one or more policies is necessary.

Implementation and Delivery

10.3 There are about a dozen key organisations involved in the day-to-day administration and management of the National Park, including statutory agencies (county councils, Natural England, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency), district and borough councils, parish and town councils and local land managers. The Authority will work in partnership with these organisations to implement the policies in the Core Strategy.

Monitoring

The Core Strategy sets out a series of indicators and targets to monitor progress towards the strategic objectives. These cover themes including protection of designated sites, biodiversity, sustainable construction standards (BREEAM, Code for Sustainable Homes), open space provision, water quality, design and heritage protection, climate change resilience and renewable energy, affordable housing, employment site retention, land management and recreation pressures, visitor facilities, transport and access measures.

Annex 1: List of Local Plan policies superseded by Core Strategy

The Core Strategy replaces a wide range of saved policies from the former local plans prepared by the constituent authorities. The full list of superseded policies is extensive and was included in the original document as a reference table.

(Annex 1 contains a long table of policies from the New Forest Local Plan First Alteration 2001-2011 (adopted August 2005), Salisbury District Local Plan 2001-2011 (adopted June 2003) and Test Valley Borough Local Plan Review 2001-2011 (adopted 2006). It lists policy reference codes, descriptions and indicates which Core Strategy or Development Management policy replaces each saved policy.)

Annex 2: Links between the Core Strategy and Sustainable Community Strategies

Annex 2 summarises how the Core Strategy objectives relate to the priority themes and objectives identified in the five Sustainable Community Strategies covering the New Forest National Park (New Forest District, Test Valley, Salisbury and South Wiltshire, Hampshire County, and Wiltshire). The Annex maps links between objectives on natural environment, built environment, climate change, affordable housing, local economy and access to services.

Annex 3: Glossary

The Core Strategy includes a glossary of technical terms used throughout the document. Selected glossary entries include:

• Affordable Housing – housing provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market; includes social rented and intermediate housing forms.
• Ancient Woodland – woodlands continuously since at least 1600, of high nature conservation and cultural heritage value.
• Back-up grazing – enclosed pasture land used to support commoning (overwintering, raising stock, hay/silage, etc.).
• BREEAM – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method for non-residential buildings.
• Code for Sustainable Homes – a multi-criteria sustainability standard for new dwellings (levels 1–6).
• Commoners – persons eligible to exercise rights of common in the New Forest.
• Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings, SSSI, SAC, SPA, Ramsar – statutory designations for protection of built and natural heritage.
• Green Infrastructure – planned and managed network of open spaces providing multifunctional benefits.
• Open Forest – unenclosed Crown Lands and adjacent commons subject to common rights.
• Perambulation – the boundary within which commoners’ stock are able to roam freely as defined in the New Forest Act 1964.
• Secured by Design – national police initiative focusing on designing out crime in new development.

If you would like to receive this publication in another format such as large print, Braille or any alternative language, please contact the Policy Team: policyandplans@newforestnpa.gov.uk or call 01590 646610.

Website: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk