South Hams Friends of the Earth

South Hams FoE Final Response

The DPD fails the test of Soundness 8 – there are no clear mechanisms for implementing and monitoring.

The DPD uses Strategic Objectives and policies to identify aims and indications as a means of monitoring. However, the lack of clearly defined specific, measurable targets for many policies means that there can be no mechanisms that can be applied consistently which is essential for implementation and monitoring.

As a beacon town for sustainability, Totnes, and its surrounding area, should have housing, employment and climate change objectives which reflect this. Objectives for housing and employment should be pursued in ways which minimise the ‘Greenfield land take’, keep the town as compact and walkable as possible, provide for public open space and amenity areas including allotments and set targets for sustainability and renewable energy. Objectives for climate change should take into account carbon reductions and renewable energy targets which should be set and subject to review in the light of national guidance.

More efficient use of land can be made by:

• Increasing residential densities – there is a severe shortage of flats across the District (just 13.5% of dwellings, when 68% of household are one or two people). Totnes town centre should not be regarded as a rural area and is able to support up to 75 dwellings per hectare, as is allowed in built up urban areas, in appropriate areas. 505 of development should be on existing developments or Brownfield sites.
• Mixing housing and employment wherever possible – including the newly allocated employment land.

To achieve soundness in respect of test 8, the vision, which underpins the DPD, and objectives (especiallySO2, SO3, SO5, SO24, SO7, SO13, SO14, SO16 SO18, SO21, SO23) need to be changed to identify specific areas and targets to be achieved.

1. Suggested rewording of the vision – additions in bold text.

“New housing and employment development will provide for high quality, locally distinctive, low carbon, sustainable development and transport systems that meet the needs of the Totnes/Dartington area, particularly for affordable housing, jobs and recreation. Responses to the challenges of climate change will include efficient use of existing resources, and a minimum use of Greenfield land for development purposes achieved through densification and enhancement of the public realm.

For Totnes the focus of the town economically, culturally and socially will be widened from the town centre to include the River Dart. This increased focus, coupled with sustainable transport links, will help to increase the vitality, community identity and self containment of the town as a whole and assist the wellbeing of Bridgetown.

For Dartington the settlement’s sustainability will be enhanced through recognition of its inter-dependence with Totnes while ensuring that local character and identity will be preserved.

Development of the Totnes/Dartington area will recognise and build upon the cultural heritage, creative potential, progressive ideals and skills of the population.

2. Suggested rewording of Strategic Objectives:

SO2: Enable affordable housing (as defined in PPS3) to meet local needs by encouraging development by housing cooperatives, community land trusts, co housing ventures and self build initiatives.

SO3: Secure high quality, locally distinctive, low carbon, sustainable
housing and employment developments taking into consideration opportunities for solar gain. Carbon reductions and renewable energy targets should be set as in the Code for Sustainable Homes and subject to review in the light of national guidance. 100% of housing development should aim for code level 4 by 2010, code level 5 by 2013 and 6 by 2016. All publicly funded, non residential buildings should achieve BREEAM “excellent” from 2008; all private funded, non residential buildings from 2010.

SO5: Provide for housing to include flats at densities not less than 40 dwellings per hectare and rising to 75 dwellings per hectare on suitable sites to ensure an efficient use of land and to reduce the carbon footprint of development without compromising design and layout quality;

SO24: Ensure green infrastructure including providing allotments, play areas and public open space to NPFA standards is integral to development.

SO7: Regenerate the district’s towns, villages and their hinterlands, using 50% previously developed land, especially that which is underused, and retrofitting existing buildings.

SO10: Improve the district’s economic infrastructure with an emphasis on sustainable transport, densification of existing sites, preservation of cultural heritage, minimal use of Greenfield sites;

SO13: Develop an integrated sustainable transport system which will reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases; and includes traffic restraint, extension of public transport and the creation of a fully integrated, permeable cycle path network to link new paths and developments with existing paths and developments.

SO14: Development that generates a high number of trips must include footpaths and cycle ways which link to existing developments and be located where it is accessible to sustainable transport.

SO16: Support the role of Totnes as a market town, especially the town centre and reduce through traffic and promote pedestrian priority and pedestrian areas.

SO18: Conserve and enhance the quality of the locality’s countryside
and river landscape ensure that the area of Greenfield land allocated for housing and employment should be reduced by more intense use of existing sites. 50% of all development should be on existing, or Brownfield sites.

SO21: Promote opportunities for increased sport, recreation and leisure facilities and opportunities in the Totnes and Dartington area including provision for greater enjoyment of the Dart valley. Conserve and enhance existing playing fields.

SO23: Promote low carbon sustainable developments with 100% of energy from renewable resources by 2016 suggest which will help to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases.