1.1
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to prepare a Local Development Plan (LDP) for the County Borough outside the Brecon Beacon National Park. The LDP will provide the development strategy and spatial policy framework for the LDP area over a fifteen-year period to 2021. The Plan will be used by the Council to guide and control development, providing a basis for consistent and appropriate decision-making. The northernmost part of the County Borough lies within the Brecon Beacons National Park. This area is subject to a separate development plan that is the responsibility of the National Park Authority.
1.2
For convenience, in this document the LDP area is usually referred to as either “Rhondda Cynon Taf” or “the County Borough” which should be taken to mean the County Borough excluding the National Park.
1.3
The LDP will provide a policy framework that integrates and balances the social, economic and environmental issues in order to meet the needs of those people living, working and visiting Rhondda Cynon Taf. The fundamental principles of achieving sustainable development will underpin all land use decisions. The LDP will seek to build a policy framework that protects important elements of the built, natural and cultural environment, improves town centres, provides new sustainable housing, employment and community facilities in appropriate locations, promotes integrated transport and encourage opportunities for sustainable regeneration.
1.4
This chapter sets out the context for the Deposit Draft LDP and describes how it takes into account relevant strategies, policies and programmes. These include the European Union Programmes, People, Places, Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan, Planning Policy Wales and the Council’s Community Plan.
1.5
Chapter Two provides the social, economic and environmental context for the LDP. Based on consultation and the LDP evidence base, the chapter outlines the issues that impact on the future development of the County Borough.
1.6
Chapter Three contains the Council’s Vision and Objectives for the LDP. It outlines the Council’s vision for the development of Rhondda Cynon Taf over the plan period and a detailed framework of land use objectives. The objectives of the plan were developed in partnership with the Council’s LDP Forum and reflect the inter-relationship between people, activity and land use at the local level.
1.7
Chapter Four sets out the Core Strategy for Rhondda Cynon Taf. The chapter outlines the spatial strategy for guiding all future development and land use in the County Borough during the plan period. The chapter also identifies the eight Strategic Sites which are crucial to the implementation of the strategy. Detailed guidance is given in respect of the nature and form of development to take place on each site.
1.8
Chapter Five sets out detailed Rhondda Cynon Taf distinct area wide policies. This chapter includes area wide topic based and non-site specific policies, which provide a framework against which all future planning applications will be considered. The policies are intended to ensure that all development within the County Borough contributes towards achievement of the Vision and Core Strategy.
1.9
Chapter Six sets out ‘locally distinct’ policies for the Northern and Southern Strategy Areas respectively. The policy objectives for the Northern and Southern Strategy Areas are different and reflect the individual characteristics of the areas. The chapter provides detailed policies on issues of identified importance within individual strategy areas.
1.10
Chapter Seven outlines the detailed monitoring framework for the Plan. The chapter provides indicators for each of the core policies and will provide a framework for monitoring the effectiveness of the Plan.
1.11
The Appendices include details of all allocations, evidence base, glossary of terms, a list of sites of importance for nature conservation, statutory designations and details of primary shopping areas.
1.12
Detailed allocation and areas of protection are illustrated on the accompanying proposals and constraints maps.
1.13
Rhondda Cynon Taf covers an area of the South Wales Valleys stretching from the Brecon Beacons in the north, to the outskirts of Cardiff in the south. It comprises a mixture of urban, semi-suburban and rural communities, situated in mountains and lowland farmland.
1.14
Rhondda Cynon Taf is the second largest Local Authority in Wales, formed in 1996 from the former Boroughs of Rhondda, Cynon Valley and Taff Ely (part). The County Borough covers an area of 424 square kilometres with a population of 231,946 (2001). The area has 75 electoral wards, of which 22 are Communities First Areas. Strategic highway links with the wider region are provided by the M4, A470 and A465. A range of bus and rail services provides public transportation links across the region.
1.15
Local Development Plans are intended to streamline the plan making process and promote a proactive, positive approach to managing change and development. Key aims of the new system are to speed up the preparation of the development plan, contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development, ensure plans are monitored and effectively reviewed, achieve more effective community involvement and develop plans that are more appropriate and responsive to changing local needs.
1.16
A key objective of the new planning system is “joining up” with plans and strategies of other organisations and agencies, especially where they relate to the development of land. In developing the Local Development Plan the Council has had regard to relevant Welsh Government, Regional and local strategies and programmes.
1.17
The Welsh Government publishes strategies, legislation, planning policy and technical advice notes, circulars and statements that the Council takes into account in its preparing Local Development Plan. Key Welsh Government strategies include:
1.18
The Environment Strategy for Wales outlines the Welsh Government’s long-term strategy for the environment of Wales, setting out the strategic direction for the next 20 years.
1.19
The purpose of the Strategy is to provide a framework within which to achieve an environment that is clean, healthy, biologically diverse and valued by the people of Wales. The Welsh Government wish to see the Welsh environment thriving and contributing to the economic and social well-being and health of all of the people of Wales.
1.20
The Wales Spatial Plan Update 2008: People, Places, Futures sets out a vision for how each part of Wales should develop economically, socially and environmentally over the next 20 years. The document further develops the concept of a Capital Region and provides a more detailed context for the development of the Rhondda Cynon Taf LDP. The Wales Spatial Plan proposes distinct approaches for the three areas that make up the Capital Region. The three areas are:
• City/Coast;
• Heads of the Valleys Plus, and
• Connections Corridor
1.21
Rhondda Cynon Taf is within the Heads of the Valleys Plus and the Connections Corridor.
1.22
The Spatial Plan Update identifies 14 hub settlements which it sees as vital to the success of the city-region. Included are the Rhondda Cynon Taf settlements of Aberdare, Pontypridd and Llantrisant.
1.23
In addition to the strategy areas and hub settlements the document also identifies three Strategic Opportunity Areas (SOA). The SOAs are centred around:
• The Heads of the Valleys Road (A465);
• Llantrisant and North West Cardiff, and
• St. Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan.
1.24
SOAs offer the potential for development to take place in a sustainable way, which will benefit the region as a whole. The strategic location of Rhondda Cynon Taf means that the County Borough has a crucial role to play in the development of all of the SOAs.
1.25
Economic Renewal: A New Direction is the Welsh Government’s strategic framework for economic development. It sets out a vision for making Wales “one of the best places in the world to live and work.” The strategy outlines the Welsh Government’s five priority areas, which are investing in high quality infrastructure and sustainable infrastructure; making Wales a more attractive place to do business; broadening and deepening the skills base; encouraging innovation and targeting support for businesses.
1.26
Turning Heads – A Strategy for the Heads of the Valleys 2020 outlines a strategy for regenerating the northern valley areas of South East Wales. In Rhondda Cynon Taf the strategy area includes Treorchy, Treherbert, Ferndale, Hirwaun, Mountain Ash and Aberdare. The objectives of the programme reflect those of the Wales Spatial Plan in seeking to ensure:
• An attractive and well used natural, historic and built environment;
• A vibrant economic landscape offering new opportunities;
• A well educated, skilled and healthier population;
• An appealing and coherent tourism and leisure experience, and
• Public confidence in a shared bright future.
1.27
Funding under these priority themes has and will continue to result in significant investment in Rhondda Cynon Taf. During 2006 the Gateways and Greenways project resulted in environmental enhancement work being undertaken along the Cynon Valley River Park. In 2007 work began on the implementation of the Ferndale Regeneration Strategy. Once complete the strategy will result in townscape and public realm improvements. In 2008, investment in Dare Valley Country Park focussed on improved visitor facilities.
1.28
The focus in the Heads of the Valley area will provide an excellent opportunity for the development of the northern valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf and the initiative is fully supported by the Council. The dualling of the A465 in particular will significantly improve communication links from Rhondda Cynon Taf to West Wales and England.
1.29
The Regional Waste Plan (RWP) provides a long-term strategic waste management strategy and land-use planning framework for the sustainable management of waste and recovery of resources in South East Wales.
1.30
The aims of the RWP 1st Review are:
• To minimise adverse impacts on the environment and human health.
• To minimise adverse social and economic impacts and maximise social and economic opportunities.
• To meet the needs of communities and businesses.
• To accord with the legislative requirements, targets, principles and policies set by the European and national legislation and policy framework.
1.31
The RWP 1st Review comprises two main elements:
• The RWP Technology Strategy which provides strategic information on the types of waste management / resource recovery facilities required in South-East Wales; and
• The RWP Spatial Strategy, which provides strategic information on the types of locations likely to be acceptable.
1.32
These two elements have been developed through different processes; they tackle different issues and have been presented separately. The RWP 1st Review does not bring the two elements together in order to identify which technologies should be located at which site or in which Area of Search. The process of combining the two elements is a policy making exercise which can only be undertaken at the local level though the Local Development Plan preparation process.
1.33
The Regional Technical Statement (RTS) has been produced by the South Wales Regional Aggregates Working Party (SWRAWP). Minerals TAN1 sets an overarching objective which seeks to ensure a sustainably managed supply of aggregates (which are essential for construction), striking the balance between environmental, economic and social costs. The RTS has been formulated to help guide individual Local Authorities in South Wales on how to implement these mineral planning policies in the formulation of their individual Local Development Plan (LDP) policies and allocations.
1.34
The South-East Wales Transport Alliance (Sewta) is an alliance of 10 South-East Wales local authorities working with others to deliver better transport in the South-East Wales region. It is constituted as a joint local government committee.
1.35
The Transport Act (Wales) 2006 requires the consortia to produce a regional plan for transport for all modes of travel. Sewta produced an outline of the Regional Transport Plan (RTP) in January 2007. The draft RTP was published for consultation in the summer of 2008 and the final draft RTP was issued in March 2010 following release of the Welsh Government's Wales National Transport Plan (NTP). The NTP and RTPs set out how the Wales Transport Strategy (WTS) will be delivered.
1.36
Sewta’s vision for the RTP is to provide a modern, integrated and sustainable transport system for South-East Wales that increases opportunity, promotes prosperity and protects the environment, where public transport, walking, cycling and sustainable freight provides real travel alternatives.
1.37
The priorities of the RTP will be to:
• Improve access to services, facilities and employment, particularly by public transport, walking and cycling;
• Provide a transport system that increases the use of sustainable modes of travel;
• Reduce the demand for travel;
• Develop an efficient and reliable transport system with reduced levels of congestion and improved transport links within the Sewta region and to the rest of Wales, the UK and Europe;
• Provide a transport system that encourages healthy and active life styles, is safer and supports local communities;
• Reduces significantly the emission of greenhouse gases and air pollution from transportation;
• Ensure that land use development in South-East Wales is supported by sustainable transport measures;
• Make better use of the transport system.
1.38
The Children and Young Peoples Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf was issued in 2008. The plan is designed to meet the needs of children and young people living in our communities through collaboration with local agencies and services for children. By working in partnership with local bodies the plan will endeavour to achieve the Welsh Government’s seven core aims to ensure all children and young people:
• Have a flying start in life;
• Have a comprehensive range of education and learning opportunities;
• Enjoy the best possible health and freedom from abuse, victimisation and exploitation;
• Have access to play, leisure, sporting and cultural activities;
• Are listened to, treated with respect, and have their race and cultural identity recognised;
• Have a safe home and a community that supports physical and emotional well-being;
• Are not disadvantaged by poverty.
1.39
The Community Strategy sets out the vision for Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2020, with clear priorities that need to be focussed on to make that vision a reality. The Community Strategy was developed by all the partners who make up the Partnership Congress, which include the Council, other public sector agencies and the voluntary and community sectors, local businesses and residents groups.
1.40
The Rhondda Cynon Taf Congress of Partners, Local Service Board and Strategic Partnerships will work to deliver the vision for a sustainable Rhondda Cynon Taf by focusing on five core improvement themes:
• Safer Communities;
• Children and Young People;
• Healthier Adults and Communities;
• Economic Regeneration and Transport; and
• Environment and Housing
1.41
For the Council and other public services, the Community Strategy will set the direction for our work over the next five years, with the Strategy being reviewed after five years. The vision will provide the context for all our other strategic strategies and plans, including important partnership plans (such as Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Single Children’s Plan) and individual organisations’ plans (such as the Council’s Corporate Improvement Plan).
1.42
National policy and advice in respect of spatial planning is contained in a range of policy documents, statements, and advice notes. Of particular significance are Planning Policy Wales and the Technical Advice Note series of documents. An up to date list of guidance can be found on the Welsh Government’s website at www.wales.gov.uk .
1.43
The LDP contains a Core Strategy, Core Policies, Area Wide Policies, Northern Strategy Area Policies and Southern Strategy Area Policies.
1.44
The LDP includes a Proposals Map that is presented as 2 individual 1:15000 scale maps. The Proposals Map illustrates those areas of land, which have been specifically allocated for development or are subject to protection through the plan process. Accompanying the Proposals Map is a separate plan that illustrates constraints to development within Rhondda Cynon Taf.
1.45
It should be noted that the Plan does not cover those parts of Rhondda Cynon Taf which fall within the Brecon Beacons National Park.
1.46
The LDP should be read as a whole, many of the Plans objectives, strategies and policies are cross-cutting and inter-related. Decisions on development proposals will have regard to the relevant policies in the Plan and the requirements of National Planning Policy.