Managing Travel Demand and Widening Choice of Transport

STATEMENT 12

"To reduce the expected growth in car based travel by seeking to provide choice in modes of transport wherever possible."

3.166 The Core Strategy seeks to focus attention on more sustainable forms of transport and to pursue policies to manage demand.  It is acknowledged that Horsham is a rural District and that the use of the car is a necessary part of many people lives; however, where possible we will aim to widen the choice of transport available through ensuring that development is, where possible, in sustainable locations and that measures are in place to enhance the choice in non-car based transport.  Policies have also been included in this document where there is an identified need to protect or enhance certain elements of the transport infrastructure.

3.167 The policies particularly support the following sustainability objectives:

  • To reduce car journeys and promote alternative methods of transport.

  • To seek to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, in particular by encouraging the provision and use of renewable energy.

3.168 The following policies should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy CP19: Managing Travel Demand and Widening the Choice of Transport and Core Strategy Policy CP13: Infrastructure Requirements.

POLICY DC 40

TRANSPORT & ACCESS

Development will be permitted if:

  1. it provides a safe and adequate means of access;
  2. it is appropriate in scale to the transport infrastructure, including public transport;
  3. it is integrated with the wider network of routes including public rights of way and cycle paths where appropriate;
  4. it makes adequate provision for all users, including for car and other vehicle parking, giving priority to people with mobility difficulties, pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians;
  5. it includes, where appropriate, provision for public transport either within the scheme or through contributions; and,
  6. the proposal is accompanied by an agreed Green Travel Plan where it is necessary to minimise a potentially significant impact of the development on the wider area or as a result of needing to address an existing local traffic problem.

3.169 Development should be of a scale that is appropriate to its location and has access to a range of modes of transport.  This may however, still result in the need for improvements in the transport infrastructure including contributions towards public transport.  In cases where the development is small scale or has a localised impact we will seek contributions towards community transport initiatives.  Larger development proposals will require a Transport Impact Assessment.

3.170 In accordance with the policy, developments should consider the needs of people with disabilities, pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians first.  This will in appropriate cases result in the need for traffic calming measures, lower speed limits, or the consideration of ‘Home Zones’.  Horse riding is an important activity in this District and therefore relevant proposals particularly in rural areas must be aware of their needs and incorporate measures where possible to ensure that riders are not endangered.

3.171 The Council wishes to encourage travel by means other than the private car, this means that all development proposals should consider the need to incorporate for example;

  • secure cycle parking
  • taxi ranks
  • a layout to enable easy access for buses

  • provision of covered waiting facilities

3.172 Non-residential development proposals that have significant transport implications, and other non-residential development proposals where there are existing traffic problems will be expected to be accompanied by an agreed Green Travel Plan which should demonstrate how travel in ways other than in private cars will be encouraged. Travel Plans should have measurable outputs, related to targets or aims in the West Sussex Local Transport Plan, and provide monitoring and enforcement arrangements. A Green Travel Plan could also help address a particular local traffic problem associated with a planning application, which might otherwise have to be refused on local traffic grounds. The weight to be accorded to a Green Travel Plan will be influenced by the extent to which it affects the acceptability of the proposal and how far it can be enforced. Planning conditions or obligations may be appropriate means of securing the provision of some or all of a Green Travel Plan, including a requirement for the production of an annual monitoring and progress report.  The requirement relating to Green Travel Plans set out in DC40: Transport & Access is supported by national guidance currently set out in PPG13: Transport .

3.173 Applicants are advised to consult with West Sussex County Council Transport and Highways Department about the facilities that may be required and the current parking standards.  The application of the parking standards in relation to Total Access Demand is specified within the Planning Obligations SPD.  In some limited locations, particularly Horsham Town Centre development may, in exceptional circumstances, be permitted with no parking provision provided that a commuted payment is made by the developer towards improving provision for public transport, walking and cycling. 

3.174 Applicants must be aware of the need for good design and the importance of local characteristics / distinctiveness in proposing a development, this includes the provision of transport infrastructure.

POLICY DC 41

PROTECTION OF CAR PARKS

Planning permission will not be granted for development on existing car parks which involves the loss of spaces unless suitable alternative provision has been secured or the need for the development overrides the loss of parking and where necessary measures are in place to mitigate against the impact.

3.175 Should the loss of a car park be permitted the applicant will, if necessary, be expected to put in place measures to reduce any impact, for example through the provision of alternative suitable car parking or improvements in public transport / walking or cycling provision.

POLICY DC 42

AIRPORT RELATED PARKING

Planning permission will not be granted for off-airport parking facilities related to Gatwick Airport unless a need can be demonstrated and all realistic alternatives have been examined.

3.176 Car parking provision for Gatwick Airport is monitored annually by the adjoining Councils to ensure that the principle of securing increased use of sustainable modes of transport to the airport is not undermined by excessive parking provision.  Should permission be sought, applicants will be required to fully justify the proposal including a transport impact assessment.  They will also particularly need to consider the landscape and townscape character policies and those relating to environmental quality.