Land use and transportation
| Strategy | Land Use and Transport Integration |
|---|---|
| Status | Longer-Term Context |
| LTP Objectives | All |
| Supporting Strategies | Local Development Frameworks |
| Main Partners | Borough and District Councils, Local Delivery Vehicles |
| Key Actions | Fully link local development policy/delivery to transport |
| Further Information | Contact us or the relevant District Council |
Decisions over land use are fundamental to the implementation of the transport policies of a county council. Although it is estimated that decisions over land use only affect 2% of the built environment per year, over a period of time, this can cumulatively amount to a significant proportion. It is essential that decisions regarding land use take into account the principles of sustainability and choice in transport that are embedded in this LTP2.
This strategy will be particularly important to Bedfordshire with the anticipated increases in population promoted by Government in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands area.
The Government identifies "good transport services and communication linking people to jobs, schools, health and other services" as a key characteristic of a sustainable community. Specifically on transport it should offer:
- transport facilities, including public transport, that help people travel within and between communities and reduce dependence on cars;
- facilities to encourage safe local walking and cycling; and
- an appropriate level of local parking facilities in line with local plans to manage road traffic demand.
An integrated approach to policy making is essential. Planning Policy Guidance 13 Transport encourages integration not only with the land use planning process but also between different types of transport, with policies for the environment and with policies for education, health and wealth creation. Our public involvement exercises also identify improving accessibility to key services as a priority, and as part of work towards this there should be better integration of land use and transport in decision making (see the 'Accessibility Strategy' in this chapter).
Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development makes it clear that “planning should facilitate and promote sustainable development and inclusive patterns of urban and rural development by:
- making suitable land available for development in line with economic, social and environmental objectives to improve people’s quality of life;
- contributing to sustainable economic development;
- protecting and enhancing the natural and historic environment, the quality and character of the countryside, and existing communities;
- ensuring high quality development through good and inclusive design, and the efficient use of resources; and
- ensuring that development supports existing communities and contributes to the creation of safe, sustainable, liveable and mixed communities with good access to jobs and services for all members of the community.”
Adequate and appropriate transport provision is crucial for all of the above. The close integration of the land use and transport planning process at the regional and sub-regional levels has already been discussed in the Chapter 2. The crucial test is whether this can now be transferred to the more local level through the new local development plan process and the associated development control mechanisms. A suggested way forward is outlined below in the ‘Area Frameworks’ section.
Area Transport Frameworks
During LTP1, area transport frameworks were developed for Biggleswade and Leighton Linslade. Area frameworks help to support the planning and development control process and have particular (though not exclusive) relevance for areas outside the growth area which may be subject to different transport pressures such as lack of infrastructure investment. These frameworks also provide guidance on priorities for LTP and other investment in transport. We will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to develop area frameworks in locations where appropriate. This will be informed by particular local transport issues and priorities as identified in our involvement exercises (see Appendix B).
In progressing area transport frameworks it will be necessary to fully integrate them with the emerging Local Development Frameworks discussed in Chapter 2, to respond to current planning strategies and any outstanding development proposals. This will help ensure that strategic transport improvements adequately reflect the requirements from specific development proposals. It will also facilitate integration between transport and the wider social, environmental and economic objectives of the more inclusive approach advocated for the new development plan system and by national planning guidance.
A key issue will be ensuring that appropriate integrated planning and transport strategies exist to bring forward the major growth proposals in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy for Bedford/Kempston/northern Marston Vale and Luton/Dunstable/Houghton Regis/Leighton Linslade. This could be a development of the area framework approach used for specific settlements.
An effective and efficient transport system is vital for mobility, attracting and retaining investment and protecting amenity. The location and nature of development affects the pattern, volume and modes of travel. By planning land use and transportation patterns in a more integrated manner the need to travel can be reduced and a more effective transport system can be achieved compatible with the aims of sustainability. Crucial aims of an integrated approach that could be developed by an area framework mechanism include:
- the development of a road and public transport network that is fully integrated with the national and strategic network and allows efficient and effective movement through and within an area;
- the promotion of a sustainable transport network, and measures such as park and ride and bus priority schemes, which help minimise the use of non-renewable resources and the impact on the environment;
- the reduction of peak hour congestion to optimise accessibility;
- the provision of appropriate levels of parking;
- the encouragement of development, especially that generating large traffic volumes, in areas highly accessible by means other than the car;
- the implementation of appropriate traffic management schemes; and
- the promotion of access and mobility for all, especially the more vulnerable user groups such as motor cyclists, cyclists, pedestrians and disabled people.
The provision of adequate and appropriate social and community infrastructure for the growth areas is crucial in delivering truly sustainable communities. As referred to above, transport infrastructure is a critical component of this and a comprehensive integrated planning and transport strategy for such areas will provide the context to help ensure that the full range of funding sources are exploited to assist implementation. Such sources include regional bids under public expenditure spending reviews, the LTP, the Government’s Community Infrastructure Fund and developer contributions under planning obligations legislation.
A crucial matter is ensuring that appropriate finance is available to secure both the strategic and the local infrastructure needed to service development. The current review of the planning obligations process associated with the Government’s consultation on a possible planning gain supplement, and more local considerations of a tariff or roof tax, such as the Milton Keynes approach, introduce a degree of uncertainty over future mechanisms for delivering developer contributions. It is important, however, that in the interim current mechanisms are fully utilised to make sure that both strategic and local infrastructure is fully funded. Growth area specific integrated planning and transport strategies offer a possible way forward in making sure the Government’s sustainable communities ambitions in Bedfordshire are realised.
A further significant issue that follows from the form and location of Bedfordshire is the importance of cross-boundary transport. Joint area transport strategy statements including Bedfordshire have been produced by the LTP authorities for:
- The Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Area – particularly focusing on common and cross-boundary transport issues arising from the strategy;
- The East of England – where we have developed common approaches to interpretation of the Regional Transport Strategy, a common methodology on strategic issues such as climate change, as well as dealing with specific cross-boundary issues; and
- Leighton Linslade, where we have worked with Buckinghamshire and local stakeholders on a joint framework to make the most of the opportunities that the Linslade Western Bypass will bring by supporting this with measures in and around the town.
The joint statements for the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Area and for Leighton Linslade are provided in Appendix O.