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Evidence Base documents

The evidence base consists of research reports that underpin the policies of the Local Development Framework.

Accessible Natural Greenspace Assessment

There is a need to ensure that significant housing development complies with Natural England standards for Accessible Natural Greenspace (ANGSt)

Bridgwater Transport Options

As part of the supporting evidence base for the Local Plan the District Council has commissioned two Bridgwater Transport reports.

Economic Development Strategy and Employment Land Review

Sedgemoor District Council have prepared an Economic Development Strategy and Employment Land Review for Sedgemoor. These set out the long term objectives and ambitions for Sedgemoor's economy and future requirements in terms of employment land supply.

Five Year Housing Land Supply 2018 to 2023

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires all Local Authorities to identify and maintain a five year supply of deliverable land for housing. This report is published annually by Sedgemoor.

Green Infrastructure Strategy

The Green Infrastructure Strategy was commissioned as part of the evidence base for the LDF Core Strategy. It provides a long-term vision and high-level delivery plan for Green Infrastructure in Sedgemoor.

Historic Environment Assessment

The Historic Environment Assessment was commissioned as part of the evidence base for the Local Plan Review.

Infrastructure Delivery Strategy

The Infrastructure Delivery Strategy assesses the transport, utilities, social and green infrastructure that will be required to support housing and employment growth in Sedgemoor.

Levels of Growth 2011-2032

The Levels of Growth study was commissioned to understand future housing and employment growth requirements and inform the early stages of the Local Plan Review.

Local Green Space Designations - Assessment of Sites Proposed

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) introduced a new designation for Local Green Space that is considered special by the local community.

PPS1 Supplement Study: Planning and Climate Change (2009)

In September 2009, Sedgemoor District Council, in conjunction with Taunton Deane Borough Council and Somerset County Council, commissioned ARUP to assist in the development of an evidence base on decentralised and renewable or low carbon energy. The study informs energy policies and targets in the district.

Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Topic Paper (2017)

This topic paper reviews changes to national policy and guidance in relation to low carbon and renewable energy.

Review of Countryside around Settlements (2016)

The Council has undertaken a review of the countryside around settlements, a saved policy (CNE4) from the Local Plan 1991-2011.

Role and function of Sedgemoor settlements

As part of the evidence base for the Local Plan review the previous role and function evidence was reviewed in 2015.

Sedgemoor Retail Study

In 2009 Sedgemoor District Council commissioned a retail study for the main retail centres in Sedgemoor, including Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Highbridge and Cheddar.

Settlement Boundary Review

Sedgemoor District Council is in the process of reviewing the Local Plan. This has included a review of settlement boundaries across the District. Settlement boundaries are an important policy tool in identifying the interface between 'settlements' and 'countryside' for development management purposes, ensuring a plan led approach to the location of new development across the District.

Somerset Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA)

Councils across Somerset jointly commissioned this study from De Montfort University to assess the need for residential and transit pitches for the travelling community in the county, as required by national policy.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Sedgemoor District Council prepared a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for the District in 2008, to ensure that the risks from flooding were central to strategic planning decisions undertaken as part of the Sedgemoor Local Development Framework. To inform the early stages of the Local Plan Review an update to the SFRA level 1 report has now been undertaken during 2015.

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)

The Council last prepared a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment in 2014 and this formed one part of the evidence base for the stage 1 consultation on the Council's Local Plan Review. Following this previous consultation and an ongoing call for sites, an updated Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment was completed in September 2016. This has informed the Council's Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan and forms part of the evidence base for consultation on the draft plan.

Strategic Housing Market Assessment

Sedgemoor Council has been working with other Somerset Authorities to update its evidence base on housing need in the District to inform the emerging Local Plan.

Viability Study

To support the emerging Local Plan (2011 - 2032) the Council has undertaken a viability update study.