POLICY STR1
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Development in Somerset and the Exmoor National Park should:

• be of high quality, good design and reflect local distinctiveness;
• develop a pattern of land use and transport which minimises the length of journeys and the need to travel and maximises the potential for the use of public transport, cycling and walking;
• minimise the use of non renewable resources;
• conserve biodiversity and environmental assets, particularly nationally and internationally designated areas;
• ensure access to housing, employment and services;
• give priority to the continued use of previously developed land and buildings;
• enable access for people with disabilities.

POLICY STR2
TOWNS

Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, Chard, Crewkerne, Frome, Glastonbury, Ilminster, Minehead, Shepton Mallet, Street, Taunton, Wellington, Wells, Wincanton and Yeovil are identified as Towns. They will function as locations for employment and shopping, cultural, community and education services and residential use. Taunton and Yeovil will provide a sub-regional role for certain services including, shopping and financial & administrative services.

POLICY STR3
RURAL CENTRES AND VILLAGES

Settlements which act as focal points for local employment and shopping, social and community activity in their areas should be identified as Rural Centres. Settlements which provide limited local services should be identified as Villages.

POLICY STR4
DEVELOPMENT IN TOWNS

New development should be focused on the Towns where provision for such development should be made in accordance with their role and function, individual characteristics and constraints. Priority should be given to the re-use of previously developed land and to the encouragement of mixed use development.

POLICY STR5
DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL CENTRES AND VILLAGES

Development in Rural centres and Villages should be such as will sustain and enhance their role and will be commensurate with their size and accessibility, and appropriate to their character and physical identity.

POLICY STR6
DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE TOWNS, RURAL CENTRES AND VILLAGES

Development outside Towns, Rural Centres and Villages should be strictly controlled and restricted to that which benefits economic activity, maintains or enhances the environment and does not foster growth in the need to travel.

POLICY STR7
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGY

To ensure that development in Somerset and the Exmoor National Park is implemented in a way that meets the sustainable development aims of the strategy, development should fairly and reasonably contribute towards the provision of relevant community services and facilities, environmental improvements & infrastructure, that are directly related to and necessary for the development to proceed.

POLICY 1
NATURE CONSERVATION

The biodiversity of Somerset and the Exmoor National Park should be maintained and enhanced. The greatest protection will be afforded to nature conservation sites of international and national importance.

In addition, Local Plans should include policies to maintain and enhance sites and features of local nature conservation importance including landscape features which provide wildlife corridors, links or stepping stones between habitats.

POLICY 2
EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK

In the Exmoor National Park;

• the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage; and
• the promotion of opportunities for public understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area,

should be given priority over other planning considerations. In cases of conflict between these purposes, greater weight should be attached to the first. Due regard should be had to fostering the economic and social well being of local communities.

Provision for development should only be made where it would not conflict with the purposes of the National Park designation. Provision should only be made for major development where there is an overriding need in terms of national considerations that cannot be met in any other way.

Particular care will also be taken to ensure that no development is permitted outside the National Park which would damage its natural beauty, character and special qualities or otherwise prejudice the achievement of National Park purposes.

POLICY 3
AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

In Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty the conservation of the natural beauty of the landscape should be given priority over other planning considerations. Regard should also be had to fostering the economic or social well being of the locality. Provision should only be made for major industrial or commercial development where it is in the national interest and there is a lack of alternative sites. Particular care should be taken to ensure that any development proposed does not damage the landscape character of the area.

POLICY 4
LEVELS AND MOORS

The biodiversity and unique character of the Somerset Levels and Moors should be maintained and enhanced.

POLICY 5
LANDSCAPE CHARACTER.

The distinctive character of the countryside of Somerset and the Exmoor National Park should be safeguarded for its own sake. Particular regard should be had to the distinctive features of the countryside in landscape, cultural heritage and nature conservation terms in the provision for development.

POLICY 6
BRISTOL/BATH GREEN BELT

A small area of Somerset lying to the north-east of Norton St Philip will be left permanently open as part of the Bristol-Bath Greenbelt which aims to prevent the unrestricted sprawl of Bristol, Bath, Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge and the coalescence of settlements.

POLICY 7
AGRICULTURAL LAND

Subject to the overall aims of the strategy, provision should not be made for permanent development, excluding forestry and agriculture, involving the best and most versatile agricultural land (Grades 1, 2 & 3a) unless there are no alternative sites on lower quality agricultural land and there is an overriding need for the development in that location. Where land in Grades 1, 2 and 3a does need to be developed and there is a choice between different grades, development should be directed towards land of the lowest grade.

POLICY 8
OUTSTANDING HERITAGE SETTLEMENTS

The special character of the Outstanding Heritage Settlements identified below, should be respected.

Axbridge
Beckington
Bishop's Lydeard
Bridgwater
Bruton
Castle Cary
Chard
Crewkerne
Dunster
East Coker
Frome
Glastonbury
Hinton St George
Ilchester
Ilminster
Langport
Lympsham
Marston Magna
Martock
Mells
Milborne Port
Milverton
Minehead
Montacute
Muchelney
Nether Stowey
North Curry
Norton St Philip
Norton Sub Hamdon
Nunney
Porlock Weir
Shepton Mallet
Somerton
South Petherton
Stogursey
Stoke Sub Hamdon
Taunton
Watchet
Wedmore
Wellington
Wells
Wincanton
Wiveliscombe

POLICY 9
THE BUILT HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT

The setting, local distinctiveness and variety of buildings and structures of architectural or historic interest should be maintained and where possible be enhanced. The character or appearance of Conservation Areas should be preserved or enhanced.

POLICY 10
HISTORIC LANDSCAPES

Development proposals which affect a registered historic landscape (historic parks, gardens and battlefields) should take account of their impact on the character of that landscape.

POLICY 11
AREAS OF HIGH ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL

Development proposals should take account of identified Areas of High Archaeological Potential or, elsewhere where there is reason to believe that important remains exist, so that appropriate assessment and necessary protection can be afforded to any archaeological remains identified.

POLICY 12
NATIONALLY IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS

There should be a presumption in favour of the physical preservation in situ of nationally important archaeological remains. The setting and amenity value of the archaeological remains should be protected.

POLICY 13
LOCALLY IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS

Development proposals which affect locally important archaeological remains should take account of the relative importance of the remains. If the preservation in situ of the archaeological remains cannot be justified, arrangements should be sought to record those parts of the site that would be destroyed or altered.

POLICY 14
ARCHAEOLOGICAL STRATEGIES

Development proposals in Towns, Rural Centres and Villages should ensure that, where appropriate, the protection of archaeological remains is undertaken.

Axbridge
Bridgwater
Bruton
Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge
Castle Cary
Chard
Cheddar
Crewkerne
Crowcombe
Downend
Dulverton
Dunster
Frog Lane
Frome
Glastonbury
Ilchester
Ilminster
Langport
Lower Weare
Lyng and Athelney
Martock
Milborne Port
Milverton
Minehead
Montacute
Nether Stowey
Newport
North Petherton
Norton St Philip
Rackley
Shepton Mallet
Somerton
South Petherton
Stoford
Stogumber
Stogursey
Street
Taunton
Watchet
Wedmore
Wellington
Wells
Williton
Wincanton
Wiveliscombe
Yeovil

POLICY 15
COASTAL DEVELOPMENT

Provision for any development along the coast, including the Exmoor Heritage Coast, should be made within Towns, Rural Centres and Villages. Where development requires an undeveloped coastal location it should respect the natural beauty, biodiversity and geology of the coast and be essential in that location. New coastal developments should minimise the risk of flooding, erosion and landslip.

POLICY 16
PROVISION OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL, WAREHOUSE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Provision will be made for about 405 Hectares of land for industrial, warehouse and business development purposes over the period 1991 - 2011. This will include activities within classes B1, B2 and B8 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. The distribution of the overall allocation will be as follows:

Provision should be made for the inclusion of such uses in mixed-use development sites where appropriate. Where such uses are included, only those allocation elements that are within use classes B1, B2 and/or B8 can be counted against the relevant allocation total for that District.

In the Exmoor National Park provision should only be for an appropriate scale of development to meet local social and economic needs.

POLICY 17
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS

Industrial, commercial and business activities which are major generators of travel demand and are part of a mixed-use development should be provided for in town centre locations and sites which are highly accessible by means of transport other than the private car.

POLICY 18
LOCATION OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL, WAREHOUSING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

When determining the location of land for employment generating activities, in the context of other policies in the plan, consideration should be given to the following:

• where significant levels of freight traffic are likely to be generated, sites should be located close to the existing County or National road network or rail facilities;
• activities which are environmentally compatible with other land uses may be located within or adjoining such existing or proposed uses;
• activities which are not compatible with other land uses should be located where their impact on the local environment can be mitigated;
• large developments with high employment density activities should be located close to established public transport nodes.

POLICY 19
EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUNITY PROVISION IN RURAL AREAS

In rural areas provision should be made for development which creates or enhances local employment, shopping or community facilities, including development necessary for the purposes of agriculture and development associated with the diversification of agricultural units.

POLICY 20
THE RETAIL FRAMEWORK

Retail development should be well related to settlements. The overall scale of retail facilities in, or adjacent to, any particular settlement should be commensurate with the strategic importance attributed to that settlement by the strategic policies of the plan.

In providing for development which has the potential to create change in the pattern of shopping centres, the vitality and viability of existing town and local centres, including centres providing local shopping facilities in rural areas, should be prime considerations.

POLICY 21
TOWN CENTRE USES

The functional centres of Towns and Rural Centres will be the primary focal points of new facilities particularly for shopping, leisure, entertainment and, financial and administrative services, which need to be accessible to a wide range of the population and are suitable for access by a choice of means of transport. In identifying sites for such development, a sequential approach, that respects the sustainable development principles of this plan, should investigate opportunities in the following order:

1 in town centres,

2 in edge-of-town centre locations,

3 in local centres, and only then,

4 in new locations within or well related to the settlements concerned, that are accessible by a choice of means of transport.

Consideration should be given to the impact that the development might have on the vitality and viability of the existing Town or Rural Centre and other similar settlements nearby, and to measures necessary to maintain a balance between them.

POLICY 22
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN SETTLEMENTS

Provision should be made for the development of tourist attractions and accommodation in settlements or defined Tourism Development Areas. New developments which would generate substantial transport movements should be accessible by public transport.

POLICY 23
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Outside of settlements or defined Tourism Development Areas, the priority is to improve existing attractions and accommodation and to mitigate the environmental impact of existing development. This should be set in the context of the following considerations:

• provision for the extension of existing tourism development should be made where net environmental improvement would result by way of the relocation of sites away from sensitive areas or by the provision of better layouts or landscaping;
• provision for tourism development that facilitates farm diversification should be made where it is compatible with the rural location
• new development which would generate substantial transport movements should normally be accessible by public transport.

POLICY 24
MINERAL SAFEGUARDING

Significant known or locally important mineral resources and the infrastructure for, and associated with, the transport of minerals should be safeguarded from sterilisation by other development.

POLICY 25
AGGREGATE PRODUCTION

The working of limestone and other hard rocks for the production of construction aggregates will be centred on the East Mendip Area. The release of further resources will seek to achieve a balance between the environmental impacts and economic and other benefits of extraction.

POLICY 26
MINERAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK AND AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

Provision for the extraction of minerals in the Exmoor National Park and Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty should only be made where it is in the national interest or meets the local requirement for traditional building materials. Any such provision will be considered in the context of:

• the need for the development in terms of national considerations of mineral supply and the supply of traditional building materials;
• whether alternative supplies can be made available at reasonable cost or that the need can be met in some other way;
• the environmental impact and the extent to which impact can be minimised.

POLICY 27
MINERALS LANDBANKS

A landbank of permitted reserves of aggregate minerals will be maintained in accordance with national minerals policy guidance.

POLICY 28
LEVEL OF MINERAL OUTPUT

Subject to acceptability on environmental, transport and economic grounds, land will be made available for mineral working to maintain an adequate supply of minerals to contribute to national, regional and local needs.

POLICY 29
PEAT WORKING

The working of peat will be limited to designated production zones between Glastonbury and Wedmore where;

• the site has little or no nature conservation or archaeological value;
• the deposits are economically viable;
• the site is likely to become available during the plan period.

POLICY 30
RECLAMATION AND AFTER-USE

Proposals for the extraction of mineral resources should provide for a reclamation scheme which must be beneficial to the local area and be environmentally acceptable.

POLICY 31
RECYCLING MINERAL WASTE

The recycling of mineral waste for use as aggregate, where not otherwise required in connection with future reclamation or landscape proposals and the provision of necessary plant should be favourably considered in the provision for minerals extraction

POLICY 32
EXTRACTION CRITERIA

Provision for the extraction of minerals other than crushed rock or peat should be made where they:

• can be carried out consistently with objectives of sustainability for mineral planning;
• achieve an acceptable balance between the environmental costs and economic benefits of extraction;
• take account of what planning controls should be imposed to minimise any adverse impacts on the environment;
• are adequately related to the highways network and other transport infrastructure, where only a small number of lorries require access.

POLICY 33
PROVISION FOR HOUSING

Provision will be made for about 44,800 dwellings over the period 1991 - 2011. This requirement will be distributed in accordance with the strategy as follows:

*(The provision for West Somerset includes about 250 dwellings to be identified within the part of the Exmoor National Park that is in Somerset).

In addition to the district distribution, provision for about 100 dwellings will be identified within that part of the Exmoor National Park that is in Devon.

In the Exmoor National Park provision for new residential development should only be made where it would help to meet local social or economic needs and be of a scale in keeping with the size and character of the settlement, and the rural character of the surrounding area.

POLICY 34
PHASING

Land for residential development may be released on a phased basis where it accords with the objectives of Policy STR1.

POLICY 35
AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Provision will be made for securing housing to meet the needs of those without the means to buy or rent on the open market. This provision shall meet an identified local need and should be available and affordable to successive occupiers.

POLICY 36
SITES FOR GYPSIES AND TRAVELLING PEOPLE

The provision of sites for Gypsies and other travelling people should be made where the site is within reasonable distance of a settlement providing local services and facilities.

POLICY 37
FACILITIES FOR SPORT AND RECREATION WITHIN SETTLEMENTS

Provision should be made for the protection, maintenance and improvement of the range of facilities for sport and recreation, where they are compatible with the size and function of the settlement involved. New developments which would generate substantial transport movements should be accessible by public transport.

POLICY 38
SPORT AND RECREATION IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Outside of settlements, provision may be made for sport and recreation facilities, provided that they are compatible with the amenity, landscape and environment of the area. Additionally, protection should be afforded to land accessible to the public and associated public access routes, including bridleways and green lanes. New developments which would generate substantial transport movements should be accessible by public transport.

POLICY 39
TRANSPORT AND DEVELOPMENT

Proposals for development should be considered having regard to:

• the management of demand for transport;
• achieving a shift in transport modes to alternatives to the private car and lorry wherever possible; and
• the need for improvements to transport infrastructure.

POLICY 40
TOWN STRATEGIES

In Towns a range of measures should be implemented to facilitate more sustainable modes of transport and reduce reliance on the private car in order to improve the living and working environment. Such transport measures should complement development proposals.

POLICY 41
CORRIDOR STRATEGIES

The following transport corridors are of strategic importance:

• Taunton/Bridgwater to Minehead.
• Wellington/Taunton/ Bridgwater (Exeter - Bristol).
• Taunton/ Bridgwater to Street, Glastonbury, Wells/Shepton Mallet.
• Taunton to Yeovil and the Dorset boundary.
• Shepton Mallet to Yeovil and the Dorset boundary.
• Cheddar to Frome and the Wiltshire boundary.
• Exeter to Andover/Salisbury.

Within these corridors, transport will be managed in order to:

• achieve transfer to more sustainable transport modes;
• improve safety and environmental conditions;
• enhance the centres of settlements along the corridor.

Where no suitable alternative solutions are available, provision may be made for local bypasses or highway improvements.

POLICY 42
WALKING

Facilities for pedestrians should be improved by maintaining and extending the footpath network, particularly between residential areas, shops, community facilities, workplaces and schools and by ensuring that improvements to the highway provide for safe use.

POLICY 43
ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Facilities for people who are mobility impaired should be improved by maintaining and extending the network of suitable footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes and by facilitating ease of access to other transport infrastructure and new development.

POLICY 44
CYCLING

Urban and longer distance facilities for cyclists should be improved by maintaining and extending the cycle network between residential areas and schools, shops, community facilities and workplaces, and by making the best use of existing highway infrastructure. Improvements to the highway should provide for safe use by cyclists.

POLICY 45
BUS

Facilities for buses should be improved. This should include measures to give priority to buses and to introduce park and ride systems where these are the most sustainable option.

POLICY 46
RAIL OPERATION

Rail operations should be improved by:

• identifying and protecting sites, particularly for employment purposes, in Towns and settlements adjacent or well related to the rail network;
• strictly controlling development which would prejudice the future use or expansion of the rail network; and
• identifying opportunities to build or reopen rail facilities and freight terminals.

POLICY 47
INTERCHANGE FACILITIES

Provision should be made for the improvement or development of interchange facilities between different modes of transport.

POLICY 48
ACCESS AND PARKING.

Developments which generate significant transport movements should be located where provision may be made for access by walking, cycling and public transport. The level of parking provision in settlements should reflect their functions, the potential for the use of alternatives to the private car and the need to prevent harmful competitive provision of parking.

The level of car parking provision associated with new development should:

• first, take account of the potential for access and provide for alternatives to the private car, and then,
• should be no more than is necessary to enable development to proceed.

POLICY 49
TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS OF NEW DEVELOPMENT

Proposals for development should be compatible with the existing transport infrastructure, or, if not, provision should be made for improvements to infrastructure to enable development to proceed. In particular development should:

• provide access for pedestrians, people with disabilities, cyclists and public transport;
• provide safe access to roads of adequate standard within the route hierarchy and, unless the special need for and benefit of a particular development would warrant an exception, not derive access directly from a National Primary or County Route; and,
• in the case of development which will generate significant freight traffic, be located close to rail facilities and/or National Primary Routes or suitable County Routes subject to satisfying other Structure Plan policy requirements.

POLICY 50
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Traffic management schemes which improve safety, travel conditions and the environment should be implemented to make the best possible use of the highway network. Such schemes should remove or reduce heavy or unnecessary vehicles from settlements or sensitive environments and improve conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

POLICY 51
ROAD HIERARCHY

The road hierarchy will consist of National Primary Routes and County Routes, Distributor Roads and Local Roads. The extent of each type of route/road referred to is that which falls within area of the strategic planning authorities of Somerset County Council and the Exmoor National Park Authority, unless otherwise stated (in brackets).

National Primary Routes comprise:-

M5 Motorway
A30 (Queensway North Roundabout - A3088 Bunford Lane South)
A36 Trunk Road
A37
A38 (Edithmead Roundabout - North Somerset Unitary Authority boundary)
*A38 (A358 Creech Castle Junction - Obridge Roundabout)
*A38 (Dunball Roundabout - A39 Taunton Road/Broadway Junction)
A39 (A38 Dunball Roundabout - A361 Glastonbury)
*A39 (A38 Taunton Road/Broadway Junction - Minehead)
A303 Trunk Road
A358 (M5, Junction 25 - A303 Southfields Roundabout)
*A358 (M5, Junction 25 - Williton)
A361 (A39 Glastonbury - Wiltshire county boundary)
A3088 (A30 Bunford Lane South - A303 Cartgate)

* These roads are awaiting DETR consideration to be upgraded to National Routes.

County Routes comprise:-

A30 (Excluding section defined as National Route)
A38 (Edithmead Roundabout - Devon county boundary excluding section defined as National Route)
A38 (M5, Junction 26 - Chelston Roundabout)
A39 (Minehead - Exmoor National Park boundary, Blackmoor Gate)
A39 (A38 Bridgwater - Crandon Bridge)
A39 (A361 Glastonbury - A37)
A356
A357
A358 (A303 Southfields Roundabout - Devon county boundary)
A359
A361 (A38 Walford Cross - A39 Pipers Inn, Ashcott)
A362
A366 (A362 - A36)
A367
A370
A371
A372
A378
A396
A399
A3065 (A38 Cornishway Roundabout, Taunton - A358 Roundabout near Cross Keys PH, Taunton)
A3066 (A356 Misterton - Dorset county boundary)
A3088 (Bunford Lane Central - Henford Roundabout)
A3098
A3259 (A38 Monkton Elm - Priorswood Roundabout, Taunton)
B3081 (A359 Bruton - Leigh Common)
B3081 (A371 Wincanton - Stoney Stoke)
B3081 (A303 - Dorset county boundary)
B3090 (A361 Marston Roundabout -
A361 Cemetary Lane)
B3092
B3109
B3136 (A371 Shepton Mallet - A361 Pilton)
B3139 (A366 - A38 Highbridge)
B3140 (A38 - Burnham-on-Sea)
B3145
B3151 (A371 Cheddar - A39 Glastonbury)
B3151 (A39 Street - A372 Red Post)
B3153
B3165 (A30 Crewkerne - Dorset county boundary)
B3167
B3168 (A303 Southfields Roundabout - A378)
B3170
B3187 (B3277 Milverton - Chelston Roundabout)
B3190 (B3191 Five Bells - A39 Washford Cross)
B3190 (B3191 Raleigh's Cross westward - B3224)
B3191 (B3190 Raleigh's Cross - Watchet)
B3222
B3223 (B3224 - A39 Hillsford Bridge)
B3224
B3234
B3227 (A358 Cross Keys PH - Devon county boundary)
B3358 (B3223 Simonsbath - Exmoor National Park boundary, Yelland Cross)

Classified Un-numbered Roads:-

A37 - A362 via Long Cross, Chantry and Whatley
A39 Cannington - Hinkley Point
A39 Pipers Inn - B3151 Marshall's Elm
A359 Bruton - A371
A361 Holwell - Whatley
A362 Oldford via Spring Gardens Seaward Way, Minehead

(Remaining public highways within the Plan area fall into the categories of Distributor Roads and Local Roads)

POLICY 52
FREIGHT TRAFFIC (LORRIES IN THE ENVIRONMENT)

Traffic, and particularly lorries, should be encouraged to use National Primary Routes wherever possible through appropriate measures such as positive signing and by discouraging the use of unsuitable roads through traffic management schemes.

POLICY 53
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS ROAD SCHEMES

The following Trunk Road schemes are in the course of evaluation by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions:-

• A303 Sparkford - Ilchester Improvement;
• A303 Ilminster Bypass Improvement.
• A303 Ilminster - Marsh.

POLICY 54
TRANSPORT PROPOSALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

New transport proposals and improvements, particularly road schemes must take into account the need to:-

• minimise the impact of proposals through mitigation and compensation measures,
• improve or conserve the natural and built environment,
• avoid the risk of pollution to the water environment, including water resources,
• minimise the consumption of resources both in construction and operation,
• minimise conflict with adjoining land uses.

POLICY 55
MAJOR HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS

The County Route networks should be maintained and improved where necessary, in the context of the resources available and priorities afforded to other transport investment. The following major road improvement schemes will be implemented before 2011:

Taunton-highway improvements:

• Taunton Inner Relief Road.
• Silk Mills Crossing.

Bridgwater-highway improvements:

• Bridgwater Northern Distributor Road
• Colley Lane- Southern Exit Route .

POLICY 56
ROADSIDE FACILITIES

Provision should be made for roadside facilities on National Primary Routes where they are not in conflict with other policies of the Structure Plan.

POLICY 57
GENERAL AVIATION FACILITIES.

General aviation facilities should be safeguarded from development which would prejudice their future use in the transport network. Proposals for new facilities should be environmentally acceptable and well related to settlements.

POLICY 58
PORTS AND WHARVES.

Existing port and wharf facilities should be safeguarded from development which would prejudice their potential in the transport network. Any proposals for new facilities should be within or related to settlements.

POLICY 59
SAFEGUARDING WATER RESOURCES

Protection will be afforded to all surface, underground and marine water resources from development which could harm their quality or quantity.

POLICY 60
FLOODPLAIN PROTECTION

Areas vulnerable to flooding should continue to be protected from development which would cause a net loss of flood storage area or interrupt the free flow of water or adversely affect their environmental or ecological value. In allocating land for development in local plans, consideration must be given to measures to mitigate the impact on the existing land drainage regime to avoid exacerbating flooding problems.

POLICY 61
DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS LIABLE TO MARINE FLOODING

Provision should only be made for development in areas vulnerable to marine or tidal flooding where; the development is needed in that location, no alternative location exists for the development and adequate measures exist or can be readily provided to protect the development.

POLICY 62
TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Provision should be made for the establishment of telecommunications facilities in new development and the development of existing and new systems. Priority should be given to the protection of nationally designated areas.

POLICY 63
UTILITIES DEVELOPMENT

Provision should be made for utility developments where they respect the environment in which they are located in terms of their scale, location and design.

POLICY 64
RENEWABLE ENERGY

Provision should be made, where environmentally acceptable, for the development of renewable energy resources.

POLICY 65
PROVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES

Provision of land should be made for the management of the forecast waste arising with due regard being had to cross county border waste management issues, in the period to 2011.

POLICY 66
DEVELOPMENT OF WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES

Provision of land for waste management facilities should be made, utilising previously developed land if appropriate, where:

• it is as close as is practical to the source of waste;
• the site has satisfactory access and makes use of rail transport where practical;
• nuisance to neighbouring land uses is minimised;
• provision is made for reclamation and aftercare of the site;
• water courses and/or ground water are not adversely affected;
• the proposal respects the landscape character of the area, and
• proposals to generate energy are included where practical.

POLICY 67
WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK AND AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

Provision of waste disposal and recycling facilities should not be made in the Exmoor National Park and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty unless they are in the national interest and no alternative sites are available outside of these designated areas, or the proposal is small in scale and is to meet a specific identified local need.

POLICY 68
USE OF INERT WASTES ARISING FROM DEVELOPMENT

Where provision is made for development, the potential and practicality of the reuse of the inert wastes generated should be examined, in order to reduce demand for primary aggregates, minimise traffic movements associated with waste disposal and the land take for landfill facilities.