THE Salisbury Neighbourhood Development Plan could preserve the character of Salisbury and help release more money for infrastructure projects in the city, a councillor has said.
Voters will be going to the polls on February 27 where they will be asked, ‘Do you want Wiltshire Council to use the Neighbourhood Development Plan for Salisbury to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’
Put together by residents, a planning consultant and Salisbury City Council over the past six years, the plan focusses on how future development should take place in Salisbury.
It would allow Salisbury to guide development in the city while complying with Wiltshire Council policies.
The plan encompasses the entire Salisbury City Council area and features future policies such as local housing needs, the city’s green fields and rivers, biodiversity and climate change, tourism, parking, transport, and facilities for sport, health and employment.
Some of the highlights include supporting the development of flats and affordable housing in the city as well as increasing carbon capture.
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Chair of the Salisbury City Council planning committee, councillor Tom Corbin, said if the NDP is adopted, the city would see the contributions developers are required to provide to councils – known as the Community Infrastructure Levy – rise from 15% to 25%.
This could be used to further infrastructure projects in the city.
“Currently as a community we receive 15% of the Community Infrastructure Levy from Wiltshire Council, with the NDP adopted, this will rise to 25%, which is obviously much more beneficial for the local community,” he said.
Councillors are encouraging people to use their vote wisely in the referendum Picture: Salisbury Neighbourhood Development Plan
He added: “Planning laws do change, and you might think that another document will have little value; however the NDP forms an additional layer, which should help developers identify what are acceptable planning proposals and from a proud city perspective, it should help preserve the character and sense of place Salisbury provides for future generations.
“Following its adoption, it will also help release more money from developers to help improve community infrastructure.
Cllr Corbin said that while there is nothing to be done to prevent developers from applying to develop land, the NDP helps shape what is “acceptable development”.
So, what’s in the Salisbury Neighbourhood Development Plan?
We’ve condensed some of the highlights of the plan.
Housing:
Housing developments of 10 houses or more would be required under the plan to provide a maximum of 60% market-rate housing, including market rent and private ownership.
A minimum of 40% affordable housing would also be required, to comprise a minimum of 60% affordable units to be delivered in accordance with current needs.
As a rule, first homes should be 30% discounted from market rate and the provision of flats at either market rate or affordable would be supported in sustainable locations.
The plan states that young people cannot afford to live in Salisbury and start families, with hopes the new requirements would help solve this.
Healthcare facilities:
The plan supports the development of new primary and secondary health care facilities within the central area of the city.
The loss of existing healthcare facilities would be resisted unless a suitable alternative facility is also proposed to meet the needs of that catchment area.
Protecting key views:
A section is devoted to protecting key views in Salisbury, such as views of the cathedral spire and views from Old Sarum into the city, as well as resisting any loss of open areas in The Chequers.
Environment:
The plan includes ideas to increase the tree coverage in the city centre, on main roads, and for any new developments as a way to increase carbon capture.
The plan states that any new development should incorporate blue and green infrastructure – this means plants, trees, open spaces, watercourses, ponds and storm drainage to help increase biodiversity – and that no new development should have a detrimental impact on the green and blue infrastructure that currently exists.
Habitat restoration schemes and local nature recovery are also included in the plan as well as open space provision.
Sounds good but no more anti motorist policies please. There’s been enough pavement widening and loss of parking spaces already.
If they sort out the ring road traffic issues would make a difference