Three Key Development Management Policies Worth Taking Note Of

After nearly 10 years in the making, Greater Manchester’s spatial plan – Places for Everyone (PfE) – was adopted by the nine participating local authorities in March.

Much of the focus to date has been on determining the scale and location of strategic development. And if you’re lucky enough to have a land interest within one of the 36 strategic allocations, the established principle of development should mean a smoother path through the planning process.

But what does the plan mean for land outside these strategic allocations?

What policy hoops must all sites – allocated or not – still jump through?

And how will PfE relate to individual local plans within the PfE area?

The Relationship Between PfE and Local Plans

We have now entered a two-tier plan led system: the development plan for each local authority will include the Place for Everyone plan and the individual local plan.

While new local plans are still being prepared, PfE will trump the existing local plan where there is a discrepancy between development management policies in each.

What are the Key Development Management Policies to Note?

Significantly, the PfE plan brings consistency to development management policies across the plan area regardless of whether or not a planning application relates to a site allocation.

For some local planning authorities (LPAs) PfE’s development management policies will align with recent updates to their local plan. But for others, the strategic plan introduces new requirements.

We’ve summarised below the key development management policies that you need to be aware of – wherever you’re proposing new development within the PfE plan area.

Raising the Bar for New Housing Design

Where space and design standards previously varied across Greater Manchester, all new homes within the PfE area must now comply with nationally described space standards (NDSS).

Policy JP-H3 also brings planning policy in line with the latest building regulations, requiring all new homes to be built to the “accessible and adaptable” standard in Part M4(2) of the Building Regulations (unless specific site conditions make this impracticable).

Ambitious Requirements for Sustainable Development

PfE sets ambitious requirements (particularly in Policies JP-S1 to JP-S3) for developments to minimise environmental impacts. These policies cover reducing energy demand, taking a positive approach to retrofit and more.

Putting the Spotlight on Health and Wellbeing

A new requirement arising from PfE is the requirement for planning application submissions to be accompanied by a Health Impact Assessment (Policy JP-P6). This applies for applications that will be screened for an Environmental Impact Assessment, or those likely to have a notable impact on health and wellbeing.

All Change for the Development Plan

Now that Place for Everyone has been adopted by all nine contributing local authorities, the plan forms part of the development plan for each area.

That means all planning applications are being assessed against the policies within it.

While this change inevitably may bring an element of uncertainty, as change often does, we can offer you bespoke advice about how the PfE adoption impacts your site.

Get in touch if you need expert planning advice on the implications of Places for Everyone on your development proposal, and to discuss how we can unlock your site.