RAF Halton SPD

PART 2 - BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Policy Context

5.1 Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP)

The VALP was adopted in September 2021, covering period 2013-2033. The key policies for the allocation of the RAF Halton site are:

• Policy S2 Spatial Strategy for Growth,which allocates 1,000 homes at Halton Camp as the majority of the 1,142 homes planned for Wendover.
• Policy D-HAL003 RAF Halton which allocates the site for at least 1,000 homes during the Plan period, plus associated infrastructure, services and facilities, including a primary school, new local centre, new access routes, if needed, and new green infrastructure. A Masterplan SPD is to be prepared for the site including details of phasing and delivery prior to the site coming forward for development The Policy requires development to comply with all other relevant policies in the VALP, including the principles of development for Aylesbury Garden Town. The full version of Policy D-HAL003 is set out in Appendix 1.

Other policies in the VALP set out a range of requirements and standards for development and are relevant when planning for the redevelopment of RAF Halton. A list of these key polices and a brief summary of their role and purpose is set out in Appendix 1.

5.2 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

Sustainable development lies at the heart of the NPPF. There is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. "For decision-taking this means approving development proposals that accord with an up- to-date development plan without delay" (para 11).

The adopted VALP policies reflect previous iterations of the NPPF. The July 2021 update includes a number of changes to Section 12 (achieving well-designed places) including reference to the need for local authorities to prepare design codes or guidance.

Key chapters and guidance of particular relevance to the development at RAF Halton include:

5. Delivering a sufficient supply of homes: Para 73 stresses the value of larger scale sites in bringing forward large numbers of homes, 'provided they are well located and designed, and supported by the necessary infrastructure and facilities (including a genuine choice of transport modes)'.
6. Building a strong and Competitive Economy

8. Promoting Healthy and Safe Communities:
9. Promoting Sustainable Transport

11. Making Effective Use of Land
12. Achieving well-designed places
13. Protecting Green Belt land
14. Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change
15. Conserving and enhancing the natural environment
16. Conserving and enhancing the historic environment

5.3 National Design Guide, January 2021

The National Design Guide addresses the question of how we recognise well-designed places, by outlining and illustrating the Government's priorities for well-designed places in the form of ten characteristics:

1. Context – enhances the surroundings
2. Identity – attractive and distinctive
3. Built form – a coherent pattern of development
4. Movement – accessible and easy to move around
5. Nature – enhanced and optimised
6. Public spaces – safe, social and inclusive
7. Uses – mixed and integrated
8. Homes and buildings – functional, healthy and sustainable
9. Resources – efficient and resilient
10. Lifespan – made to last

National Model Design code: this document provides guidance to support the preparation of design codes and guides by local planning authorities. It needs to be used alongside the National Design Guide to inform the production of local guides as well as decisions on planning applications.

5.4 Neighbourhood Plans

The Wendover Neighbourhood Plan was made in February 2020. The plan area is also the parish boundary and chapter 6 addresses the redevelopment of the RAF Halton site. The Neighbourhood Plan acknowledges that the site lies outside of the parish boundary and rightly does not include any policy requirements for the redevelopment. However, due to the proximity of the site to the town, issues such as the potential impact of redevelopment on infrastructure, facilities and services in Wendover are of local concern.

Halton Parish Council is currently preparing a Neighbourhood Plan. The plan area covers the Parish boundary and is currently being reviewed to include the area of the RAF Halton camp as this is the subject of strategic policy D- HAL003 in the adopted VALP.

Consultation on the Regulation 14, pre-submission plan took place between January and March 2023. Until it has been 'made' (adopted) it has no weight in the decision-making process. As an indication

The emerging plan's Aims and Objectives include

c. Enable phased growth of the village when RAF Halton closes, balanced with the need to protect the unique Parish environment

g. preserve and enhance the RAF sporting and leisure facilities for the wider community when RAF Halton closes.

The Neighbourhood Plan sets out useful background information on the historic development of RAF Halton and goes on to set out the Parish Council's aspirations for the site's existing sport and leisure facilities once the base closes. Paragraph 28 of the Plan sets out the main points that the redevelopment of RAF Halton must address:

1. All development must be considered in accordance with AONB, Green Belt and AGT Policies, and all Historic Listings.
2. The MOD land that sits outside of the strategic allocation must be identified and managed post 2027 closure to ensure all green areas, including the grass airfield, are retained and protected for the future.
3. It is vital to retain all of the current green spaces, to maintain the rural feel of the Parish whilst absorbing an extra 1,000 dwellings.
4. Provision of Allotments; the Parish currently has none.
5. It is imperative that the excellent sports and leisure facilities should be retained by the Parish Council for the benefit of the Parish and the wider community.
6. It is important to retain and enhance the Parish heritage, from the Rothschild period and 100 years of RAF Halton. This includes securing a future for Halton House, its gardens and parkland; The Trenchard Museum; the McCudden Flight Centre; the First World War Trenches; the historic windows in St Georges Church; the RAF Hangars; the RAF Halton Circle; Pill Boxes and shelters.
7. Housing development must be eco-friendly, sustainable and of high quality, designed to be sympathetic to its setting, referencing the Halton Parish Design Guide.
8. There must be a mix of housing to include retirement and affordable dwellings.
9. Adequate parking provision must be addressed to avoid on road parking.
10. The local roads are not equipped for circa 2,000 extra vehicles. There is a need for safe pedestrian crossings, traffic calming measures, traffic lights on Perch Bridge, pavement enhancements and new cycle routes to Wendover (the closest strategic settlement) will be required.
11. Improved provision of public transport to Wendover and Aylesbury;
12. Supply of local services for the community; importantly a Health Centre and the Nuffield Pavilion as a Community Centre, both at the heart of the extended village.
13. Build an extension to Halton Combined School and create a secure campus which can be accessed safely by pupils on foot or by bicycle.
14. Supply appropriate retail facilities such as a small 'local' supermarket located with the post office to avoid car journeys to Wendover.
15. Develop business and employment opportunities by repurposing the RAF Hangars and their surrounding hard standing.

5.5 Relevant SPDs

Biodiversity Net Gain SPD, adopted July 2022: the SPD sets out guidance on how biodiversity net gain can be delivered in Buckinghamshire. It expands on relevant local plan policies, including Policy NE1 in the adopted VALP setting out best practice in biodiversity and green infrastructure accounting and a methodology for calculating and delivering net gain. The biodiversity net gain assessment process to be followed is set out in a flow diagram (Figure 4) and the SPD provides additional detail for implementing each stage in that process.

Two further SPDs relevant to the redevelopment of RAF Halton are currently being adopted by the Council; both were subject to consultation in November 2022 and both apply solely to the Aylesbury Vale area of Buckinghamshire and therefore apply to RAF Halton.

The Aylesbury Vale Area Design SPD aims to ensure that new development within the Aylesbury Vale area is built to the highest quality, is sustainable, accessible for all and relates well to its surroundings. The SPD sets out a series of design principles which are accompanied by descriptions, illustrations and photographs to demonstrate what is required. The Design SPD, once adopted, should be read alongside the site specific Masterplan SPD for RAF Halton.

The Aylesbury Vale Area Affordable Housing SPD provides guidance and interpretation of the application of affordable housing policy as set out in the adopted Vale of Aylesbury Plan. VALP Policy H1 applies to developments (including allocated sites) of 11 dwellings or more. The SPD provides guidance on phasing, the size of 'clusters' of affordable units, design and accessibility and dwelling size and mix amongst other elements.

5.6 Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation

To avoid adverse public access and disturbance impacts from development on the integrity of the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC at Ashridge Commons and Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Mitigation Strategy³ was published in November 2022 to support the Habitats Regulations Assessment for Dacorum Borough Council; Buckinghamshire Council; Central Bedfordshire Council and St. Albans City and District Council.

The Strategy includes a Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy (SAMMS) intended to manage and avoid impacts at their source and to educate those visiting the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC at Ashridge Commons and woods SSSI. The Strategy sets out a series of costed projects designed to mitigate the likely scale of development that will come forward within the 12.6 km Zone of Influence. The apportionment of the costs of the SAMMS to Buckinghamshire council is £566.23 per dwelling. The Strategy also provides guidance and criteria for the creation of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) to relieve recreational pressures that would otherwise be felt at sites such as Ashridge Commons and Woods SSSI. SANGs go hand in hand with the SAMMS to provide alternative recreational space and gradually educate people as to their impacts whilst improving management at Ashridge.

5.7 Chilterns AONB

The Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 sets out the vision, policies and actions for the management of the Chilterns AONB. It will influence key policies, plans and processes affecting the area, including development plans, neighbourhood development plans, transport plans and green infrastructure strategies.

The Management Plan is a legal requirement under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2005.

The Chilterns Buildings Design Guide, produced in 2010, provides information on the character of the Chilterns AONB; the way in which settlements and other buildings fit into the countryside; the special character of villages; ways in which new buildings can be sympathetically incorporated into the village/countryside setting; design features and details of individual buildings and small developments; materials; landscaping. It is primarily aimed at development within the Chilterns AONB itself but the guidance could be used to ensure that new development adjoining the AONB is carefully designed to the important qualities and appearance of the AONB.