Report

The Woodsmith Project - S73 Project Amendments: Appendix 3 Statutory Development Plan

• Local labour and training: for non-residential developments with a floor space of 2,000m2 or more, or with 25 or more full time employees, developers will be required to and (where applicable) occupation phases of the development; • Transport: considered on a case by case basis based upon the findings of the Transport Assessment or Transport Statement; • Public realm: non-residential developments with a floor space of 1,000m2 or more will be assessed for public realm improvements to make development acceptable, including the provision of landscaping, carriageway/paving surfacing, tree and landscape planting, signage, lighting, cycle stands or CCTV/community safety measures etc.; and • Sustainable design and construction: to be considered on a case by case basis to ensure all developments incorporate/contribute towards energy efficient design measures, renewable energy facilities and water retention/recycling facilities.

RCBC Landscape Character SPD

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RCBC Adopted its Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Landscape Character in March 2010. This document details the landscape character areas within RCBC and explains their role. It provides the guidance to be used in designing development and new landscape features in each area, building on the ‘Redcar and Cleveland Landscape Character Assessment’ (2006). It also details the various designations across the Borough, including SSSIs, LWS and Local Nature Reserves. Whilst the application site does not lie within a defined Landscape Character Area, the area of open space to the east of the Portal is identified as a ‘Restoration Landscape’. Restoration Landscapes are rural areas outside development limits which do not contain sensitive features such as parklands, coasts, wooded beck valleys and areas of upland.

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National Planning Policy

The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024)

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The National Planning Policy Framework (‘NPPF’, 2024) sets out the Government’s planning policies and it replaces the NPPF 2012. It states that the purpose of the planning system is “to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development” (para. 7). Paragraph 8 sets out the three dimensions of sustainable development: ‘economic’ in helping to build a strong, responsive and competitive economy, supporting growth, innovation and improved productivity and by identifying and coordinating the provision of infrastructure; ‘social’ in supporting strong, vibrant and healthy communities; and ‘environmental’ in protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment. The NPPF identifies a presumption in favour of sustainable development (paragraph 10). Plans and decisions should apply this presumption in favour of sustainable development, and where developments accord with an up-to-date plan, they should be approved without delay (paragraph 11.c). A summary of the key NPPF themes and Chapters that are of particular relevance to the proposed development are provided below.

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