17.1.1 Hazelbury Bryan is a large parish which lies to the south of the Blackmore Vale. It comprises six separate hamlets namely, Droop, Kingston, Parkgate, Pidney, Wonston and Woodrow, and local services and facilities are spread among them. Three of the hamlets have been given Settlement Boundaries, (namely Kingston, Pidney and Wonston). It is important however, that the separate identity of all the hamlets is retained and as such, development which would result in their coalescence will not be permitted.

23.1.1 Dorset County Council’s "Rural Footway Programme" includes a proposal to provide a footway alongside the B3143 north of Kings Stag Crossroad to Kings Stag Garage.

31.1.1 The village of Milton Abbas is one of the most attractive in the County and is a very early example of estate planning. Within the parish of Milton Abbas half a mile from the existing settlement, was the original site of the village, now deserted, but protected as an Ancient Monument. It is also the home of Milton Abbey and Milton Abbey House, both magnificent Grade1 Listed Buildings. The whole village including Milton Abbey and House is a designated Conservation Area of outstanding interest.

31.1.2 In 1996 the village produced a "Village Appraisal" which not only examined the history and social life of the village, but highlighted areas for future action. In particular it noted that, because of its historic and architectural importance, the village attracts numerous visitors throughout the year, for whom car parking and toilet facilities were needed. This proposal has not been pursued. A Parish Plan is now to be produced, linked with a Conservation Area Appraisal.

32.1.1 This predominantly stone-built village has a loose-knit character with several important open or wooded areas interspersed with groups of buildings. In view of this special architectural and historic interest, the village was designated as a Conservation Area (Jan. 1995).

32.1.2 Recent development of Gillingham northwards has renewed the countryside gap between the town and Milton-on-Stour. This area was formerly designated a "Buffer Zone", and a policy of restraint applied within it. However, having considered objections to the "Buffer Zone" policy the Local Plan Inspector recommended its deletion.

32.1.3 The Council has accepted this recommendation, but has also commissioned a Landscape Assessment of the former Buffer Zone and other areas around the town. Once this is complete, the Council intends to review this part of the Plan, and if necessary publish Supplementary Planning Guidance for the area.

32.1.4 The village is without mains drainage, and on the local heavy clay soils there have been problems of effluent pollution as septic tanks, with a few exceptions, do not operate satisfactorily.

32.1.5 There is also the possibility of providing a footpath/bridleway link with Gillingham along the River Stour. Eventually this could form part of a major new Trail; "The Stour Valley Way" between Christchurch and Stourhead.

32.1.6 A footway along the B3092 is proposed to link the northern housing areas of Gillingham with Milton-on-Stour School (see Gillingham Policy GH24).

33.1.1 Improvements to the foul drainage infrastructure within the village were completed in the early 90’s and a flood alleviation scheme to reduce risks of surface water flooding from the system was completed in autumn 1997.

33.1.2 Despite these improvements the village may experience flooding again, although the severity and frequency should be reduced. The following policy has therefore been introduced for the village to ensure that the potential for flooding is kept under control.

34.1.1 Okeford Fitzpaine is a picturesque village on the northern slopes of the Dorset Downs. The older part of the village was designated a Conservation Area in 1974. Its charm lies not only in the merit of the individual buildings but in their relationship to one another.

34.1.2 Faccenda Ltd. is situated on a compact site in the centre of the village. The company (which processes chickens) generates a considerable amount of heavy goods vehicle traffic to and from the site, which has to traverse unsuitable, narrow streets and lanes. Furthermore the processing use has given rise in the past to unpleasant smells and noise, to the detriment of the amenity of nearby residential property.

34.1.3 The processing factory has expanded over the years and further development of buildings or expansion of operations will be difficult to achieve within the site. It is proposed therefore that, should there be a need for the company to expand their Okeford Fitzpaine site, the company should be encouraged to relocate their factory premises onto an alternative site in Shillingstone Lane. This site is in the company’s ownership and is currently partially used as a staff car park and also for poultry rearing units.

34.1.4 There would be a need for this new employment site to be served by a new access road off Castle Lane to ensure that service traffic will not have to pass either through the village or along Shillingstone Lane. It must be stressed that the District Council wish to retain this valuable source of employment in the locality and the above proposal is put forward as a possible long term solution to the present problems caused on the Higher Street site.

35.1.1 A combined cycletrack/footway along the A354 from Blandford to Pimperne is proposed to enable cyclists and pedestrians to travel between Blandford and Pimperne in a safer and less intimidating environment. Many of the children in Pimperne attend schools in Blandford and this route would provide a much needed and well used facility. The extent of the cycletrack/footway will be determined when detailed design work is carried out.

35.1.2 An improvement is also required to provide an additional length of footway alongside the A354, south of Church Road.

1 Introduction

Previous Plans for the Town

37.1.1 A statutory Town Local Plan was prepared during the 1980s and adopted in 1990. The various stages reached during the preparation programme were as follows;

37.1.2 This Plan Inset is based primarily on the previous adopted Local Plan.

Overall Aims for Shaftesbury

General Statement of Planning Policy

37.1.3 Shaftesbury is one of the oldest recorded towns in England and standing 700 feet above sea level, it is also one of the highest. The commanding views over the Blackmore Vale and the defensive position of the town help to explain why the settlement of Shaftesbury has a history reaching back to 800AD.

37.1.4 This hilltop location has severely restricted growth of the town except to the east where recent development has taken place on flat plateau land. Despite this modern expansion, Shaftesbury still retains much of the charm and character associated with a Medieval town.

37.1.5 A further constraint on future development of the town is the landscape designation "The Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" designated by the Countryside Commission in 1983.

37.1.6 Despite these constraints, Shaftesbury is in a key position to attract economic development being at the crossroads of the A30 and A350. The flat plateau land to the east offers further potential development land. Under the Local Plan Strategy, Shaftesbury has therefore, been selected as a town for major growth on the main integrated transport network and developments defined as "major" may be permitted within the defined Settlement Boundary.

37.1.7 In order to retain this unique hilltop character, the following overall planning policy for the town aims to safeguard the open wooded slopes from further development and concentrate a phased and co-ordinated area for development on the flat plateau land to the east (see also the following section on the environmental capacity of the town).

37.1.8 The A350 passing through the town along Christys Lane and out towards Warminster is already heavily used by both long distance and local traffic. The proposed outer by-pass, to be built following improvements along the A350 further south, is intended to help alleviate this problem. This is a long term proposal and a reservation of land has been safeguarded for eventual construction to take place.

37.1.9 In order to allow for the expansion of the town, additional provision of community infrastructure is required. Developers may be asked to contribute financially towards this provision, to enable development to proceed in accordance with advice currently contained in Circular 1/97 Planning Obligations. Additional information is given in Chapter 4 of the Local Plan and in a Planning Advice Note. Costs of improvements which are required to meet the needs of the present population should be borne by the existing managing authorities.

37.1.10 Since the publication of the Deposit Plan and scrutiny through the Local Plan Inquiry, new Regional Planning Guidance has been prepared and approved by the Government (RPG 10). In relation to the smaller towns in the region, such as Shaftesbury, which lie outside of the "Principal Urban Areas (PUAs)", policies SS 6 and SS 7 apply. These policies aim to generally avoid significant growth in towns within easy commuting distance of PUAs, and where housing could exceed employment growth. They also state that growth in such towns should primarily be to support local needs and to make services available to wider rural areas.

37.1.11 At first sight, the large-scale housing proposals for Shaftesbury may tend to be viewed as contrary to the above aims. However, there has been a long-term obligation not only under previous approved Development Plans dating back to the 1960’s, but also under the Local Plan Strategy of concentrating major development in the towns, to provide for significant levels of growth on the eastern side of the town. The relatively constraint free plateau area here has also tended to endorse and support this legacy. (The whole of this area was proposed under the Town Development Act in the 1960’s for a London overspill scheme.) Furthermore, as recognised by the Panel for the examination in Public into the existing Structure Plan (see Panel Report para. 2.34), the town is sufficiently remote from any of the principal urban areas, so as not to promote major out-commuting flows. The proposals for this area are now for an urban village-type mixed-use development, incorporating employment and community use, which will also help to promote a degree of self-containment.

37.1.12 In addition, work done for this Plan, on identifying previously used land for housing development and subsequently analysed in the initial Urban Potential Study of 1999, shows there to be a significant lack of brownfield opportunity in the town. Therefore the predominant means of providing for the strategic housing target, has been through the proposed release of a major urban extension onto greenfield land on the eastern side. However in order to ensure a managed and co-ordinated release of housing land, a phasing policy has been introduced. Furthermore, annual monitoring of development, will also help ensure that the development pattern here will keep step with the overall strategy of the Local Plan and with the requirements of PPG 3 on Housing, as outlined in Chapter 2 of this Plan.

2. The Environment

Environmental Capacity of the Town

37.2.1 Looking ahead towards the end of the Plan period the Local Authority has begun looking at the environmental constraints to the eventual spread of development of Shaftesbury. These constraints are closely linked to the aim of promoting sustainable development and are sometimes described as being the "environmental capacity" of the development of the settlement. Each settlement may have a defined physical limit beyond which major environmental harm may be caused. This is not to say that these constraints should be seen as an absolute for long term planning. However they should be seen as a monitoring device so that if there is a requirement to expand a settlement significantly in the future, it may be done in a way which will minimise environmental impact, reduce the reliance on the motor car and bring social and economic benefits, particularly to town centre community and retail facilities.

37.2.2 The latter issue is an important consideration to be assessed when defining possible limits to the spread of development of Shaftesbury. At present the layout of the town centre retailing and community facilities is often constrained by a development pattern based on a historic medieval structure. This is a substantial barrier to finding sufficient space for expansion of town centre facilities which are commensurate with the needs of a large increase in population. It is felt that Shaftesbury should be analysed carefully to consider what scope there may be for continued major expansion using the assessment factors below;

• The availability of sufficient land in or close to town centres which will allow for expansion of retailing and community facilities to serve an increase in population.

• A distance beyond which people are not likely to walk or cycle into the town (assessed to be approximately 1.6km/1 mile, equivalent to a 20/30 min walk.) Thus the use of the motor car is likely to be increased when housing or employment developments are situated beyond this distance.

• The ability of the local road network to prove attractive for the operation of a regular frequency bus link to the town centre.
• The constraint of the proposed outer A350 by-pass and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the east of the town.
• The topographical constraints of the hillslopes.

37.2.3 As stated above, it is proposed that the continuing growth of the town should be accommodated to the east of the town, within the confines of the proposed outer by-pass. Once the development of this land is complete however, Shaftesbury may have reached a natural environmental capacity based on the above factors. Any further expansion may also be detrimental to the landscape setting of the town, due to the proximity of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or would be too far away from the town centre to encourage walking or cycling. If there is a need for further long-term development in the Shaftesbury area, it may have to take place outside the Inset Plan area in other related settlements defined in the Development Plan which are situated on the integrated transport network.

The Conservation Area

37.2.4 In recognition of its special architectural and historic qualities, the Town Centre was designated a Conservation Area in 1970. It was subsequently extended in 1979 to include Enmore Green and the site of the former Abbey Fishponds. A further extension in 1989 included land at Breach Lane. The overall Conservation Area was divided into the following five distinct environmental areas in the publication; "Shaftesbury: Conservation Policy and Proposals" (1982).

(i) The Town Centre

37.2.5 The town centre is essentially inward looking with a network of narrow lanes linking the three principal streets: High Street, Bell Street and Bleke Street. The tightly developed street frontages create a strong sense of enclosure offering only occasional glimpses of the surrounding countryside.

37.2.6 High Street starts as a narrow lane at the junction with Angel Square and winds towards the Town Hall and St. Peters Church where it opens out considerably. From here, a sharp turn northwards leads to The Commons and an impressive view down Tout Hill. This is the main commercial area in the town.

37.2.7 Bell Street, in contrast, is primarily residential. The range of two and three storey terraces and the mix of traditional materials and designs form an attractive and largely unspoilt street scene.

(ii) The Slopes

37.2.8 The Slopes consist of four main areas, each with their own individual character and sense of place. In addition to being visible from a number of places within the town, the Slopes are also the dominant feature in views of Shaftesbury from the surrounding countryside. Attention is drawn to Policy SB1 which states that all remaining open or wooded areas around the Slopes should be conserved.

37.2.9 The District Council has acquired a large area of open land on the Castle Hill slopes. It is intended to improve the informal recreational facilities in this area through scrub clearance and tree planting as well as the provision of additional footpaths and signposting. The Council is also considering the possible making of a declaration that the site be created a Nature Reserve.

37.2.10 Limited modern residential development at Enmore Green and St. James has not unduly spoilt the historic character of these two settlements. Architecturally, St. James is still one of the finest streets in Shaftesbury and this is reflected in the high concentration of Listed Buildings.

(iv) The Western End of the Spur

37.2.11 The busy street of Bimport links the rural environment to the south west of Shaftesbury with the town centre. The mix of development contains many important features including the former Church of the Holy Trinity, now a mixed use social and commercial centre. From Bimport several pathways give access to the northern slopes, Castle Hill and the site of the former Abbey.

(v) Gold Hill

37.2.12 The cottages on the east side, generally built of stone and with a variety of roofing styles, are typical of Shaftesbury. The massive Abbey walls on the west side of Gold Hill are some of the few remains of the former Abbey. The view of Gold Hill from the Town Hall is of national fame and importance.

The High Street, Market Place, Angel Square and The Commons

37.2.13 This area forms the main shopping and commercial area of the town. An enhancement scheme is required to introduce additional segregated paved areas for pedestrians and parking. Any scheme will be the subject of consultation with the Town Council and the local population.

3. Housing

Dwelling Unit Allocation

37.3.1 Policy 2.3 allocates about 1170 dwellings to the town to be built between 1994 and 2011. This amounts to a construction rate of about 69 dwellings per annum. Since the start of the Plan period a considerable amount of development has taken place or is committed through planning permission. Table 37.1 below gives a breakdown of Shaftesbury’s housing allocation at 31.03.01.

*Figures adjusted to allow for likely take up.

37.3.2 Government policy encourages Local Planning Authorities to manage the release of housing land with the aim of securing the development of previously developed (brownfield) sites before the release of greenfield land. To this end, the Plan period has been divided into three phases of development and sites allocated accordingly.

37.3.3 Table 37.2 below gives the anticipated development rates and proportions of brownfield development for each phase of the Plan period in Shaftesbury. It can be seen that development rates were not as high as planned during the first phase of development. This is primarily due to the fact that most development will come forward on the major allocation to the East of the town. It has taken time for the principles for this strategic site to be drawn up in consultation with the community. Despite the lower overall development rate, brownfield development has come forward at just above the required rate. Around another 155 dwellings are expected to come forward on brownfield sites during Phases 2 and 3, of which over 80 already have planning consent. The release of the land to the East of the town will undoubtedly have an effect on the housing market and may slow down the rate of brownfield development. Care will be needed in monitoring the situation and if necessary the programme for release may be reconsidered towards the end of Phase 2. Consideration will also need to be given to any future changes in policy arising from a review of the Structure Plan or the findings of the "Urban Potential Study" currently being undertaken.

37.3.4 Targets for affordable housing are set out in Policy 2.4. These may be varied in the light of the results of any future Housing Needs Survey undertaken during the Plan period. Any variations will be published for consultation in the form of Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Sites Allocated for Development

37.3.5 Policy 2.4 allocates the following sites (of 5 or more dwellings) for development in the Plan period up to 2011:

1) Land on the eastern side of Shaftesbury (680 dwellings minimum)

This is a major site of some 23.0 hectares which is to be developed comprehensively with a mix of uses of which housing will form the dominant element. This site is of strategic importance to the development of the town, offering the opportunity to provide a new school and other community facilities as well as significant drainage infrastructure needed in the town. It is proposed that the development of the site should be spread over Phases 2 and 3 of the Plan period, with up to 400 dwellings released in Phase 1. (This includes up to 75 dwellings north of Mampitts Lane.) This amount of development is needed to help offset the heavy infrastructure requirements within the first phase. Infrastructure payments will need to be programmed to ensure that provision can be made at the appropriate time and is not dependent on the entire site being developed. The detailed requirements are set out in Policies SB10 and SB11 and in the Development Brief for the site.

Comprehensive Development Area Land to the East of Shaftesbury
Mix of Uses

37.3.6 In order to draw up modified policies for this area, following the recommendations of the Inspector, an "Enquiry by Design" process has been followed. Full details can be found in the accompanying Supplementary Planning Guidance published as a Development Brief.

37.3.7 This policy seeks to take forward the "Enquiry by Design" principles nos. 1, 3 and 6 regarding mix of uses, tenures and piecemeal development respectively (see Development Brief). It represents a distinct movement away from the Deposit version of the Local Plan which rigidly defined single use zones. The revised policy is designed to ensure that a range of uses are provided throughout the site in conjunction with the residential development. This will include commercial (e.g. small businesses, offices and local shops), community (e.g. allotment and cemetery) as well as educational (provision for a new first school).

37.3.8 The policy is complimentary to a number of policies that apply on a District Wide basis. Together these will ensure that a mix of uses e.g. housing with commensurate children’s play space and tenures (i.e. affordable housing for rent in conjunction with open market housing) are provided.

37.3.9 It is expected that each landowner/developer will only submit a planning application covering the land that they control. It is important therefore that these individual planning applications are not viewed in isolation from the rest of the allocation. To ensure that this is the case the policy stipulates that individual development proposals will be assessed against the provisions of this development brief and an agreed masterplan. In terms of the latter document the Council does not intend at this stage to formally adopt just one masterplan. Instead intending developers as well as other groups may choose to produce such a document in accordance with the guidance and policies in the development brief. These must show how the proposals for the development of individual parcels of land will relate to the broader development, particularly in terms of vehicular, pedestrian and cycleway linkages. It is then expected that the Council will consider all of these documents before adopting a single preferred option which may utilise parts of many of the submitted masterplans. This will be published in conjunction with the adopted development brief.

37.3.10 This principle that individual development proposals should not be viewed in isolation from the rest of the allocation also applies to the provision of associated community infrastructure. Individual development proposals will be expected to contribute towards the achievement of targets for certain items of community infrastructure e.g. affordable housing/childrens play space, on a pro-rata basis.

Movement Network/Access

37.3.11 The aim of this policy is to encourage the creation of a coherent and legible pattern of streets, squares and connections to promote ease of movement, especially by non-car modes. This will allow a permeable movement framework to be designed which provides safe connections through and beyond the site based on natural movements in order to provide good integration with the existing neighbourhood. Importantly this must connect the A30, Mampitts Lane and Wincombe Lane and serve all areas in order to prevent piecemeal development. Some of the streets and spaces will be designed so as to facilitate a viable bus route through the development. Contributions may be sought towards the initial diversion of existing bus services to serve the development on a ‘pump-priming’ basis. Initial consultations with the bus operators indicates that this will be a viable option and will secure the long term provision of a bus route to serve the development. Consideration also needs to be given to the protection of the existing rights of way network through the site.

37.3.12 The signal controlled junctions on the A30 will allow two points of access to the development area to the north of the A30, one to the east and one to the west of the Greenacres property. The aim is to create a gateway entrance to Shaftesbury. This can be achieved through the use of landmark buildings in this location as well as careful landscaping. Gateways will reinforce the identity of the area and distinctive features, such as public art, and landmark buildings can punctuate important vistas. This is also an ideal location for small scale commercial/retail proposals which will not only serve the proposed development but will also benefit from passing trade. Speed restrictions on the A30 and the treatment of the dual carriageway section of the road further to the west (running up to the Royal Chase roundabout), perhaps through the creation of right and left turning lanes on to and from the B3081, will be important considerations in the implementation of this junction arrangement.

37.3.13 A phased programme of development will ensure that the provision of community infrastructure is co-ordinated with the release of land for housing. Equally it will ensure that the necessary transport infrastructure is provided to facilitate easy linkages between the site and the town centre as well to promote a choice of modes of transport.

37.3.14 The phasing policy will ensure that the release of land for development accords with the ‘Plan, Monitor and Manage’ approach of PPG3 ‘Housing’. In particular the ‘Planning to Deliver – The Managed Release of Housing Sites’ document encourages phasing policies to specifically allocate the development of a site or part of a site to a particular time frame in the plan period. In the case of the land on the eastern side of Shaftesbury there will be relatively high initial costs in terms of servicing the site and providing the necessary infrastructure, for instance in terms of drainage and highways requirements. Developers need certainty to ensure that the costs and potential revenue from the development can properly be accounted for. This must be balanced against the need to ensure that the services and infrastructure of the town are not swamped by all the development coming on stream at the same time.

37.3.15 Policy SB11 seeks to ensure the balanced development of the site taking into account all of these factors. It will also address the fact that when the site was first identified for development it was considered that on average it would achieve a density of 30 dwellings to the hectare (gross). Subsequent government guidance indicated that higher densities should be sought (in the range 30 to 50 to the hectare). The plan was amended to indicate that the 30 figure should be viewed as a minimum and that higher densities would not be discouraged. The phasing policy will ensure that if such higher densities are achieved the future release of land for development can be properly managed to ensure that the strategic housing target for the District is not dramatically exceeded. Equally it will ensure that a constant check can be kept upon the balance between the level of development, and associated increases in population, and the provision of community infrastructure.

37.3.16 It is acknowledged that many of the more capital intensive infrastructure projects are required within the first phase of the development. This includes the signal controlled junctions from the A30 and drainage infrastructure. The badgers are also known to be concentrated in this part of the site which may also create additional development costs.

37.3.17 In order to offset this initial investment in infrastructure the phasing policy does not seek to split the development site in half at Mampitts Lane but it also allows the development of an additional 75 houses to the north of Mampitts Lane in the first phase. These will be accessed via Pound Lane and the 75 figure represents the spare capacity along this road from the point where it becomes in effect a cul-de-sac with the junction with Ten Acres.

37.3.18 This additional 75 dwellings will also offset the provision of a new First School on the site. With the potential for an increased number of houses to be achieved on the site ongoing negotiations with the County Education Department have revealed that the on site provision of a new school will be warranted and a land swap involving the existing Shaftesbury First School and a new site within the development will need to be arranged. If this is to be provided in associating with the relocation of the existing First School on Mampitts Lane then a site area of approximately 1.9 hectares will be required. Should a new school not be necessary, but extended facilities at the existing school to serve new development needs to take place on school playing fields then replacement playing field facilities will need to be provided close to the school. If however the new school is to be provided in addition to the existing First School then a site area of approximately 1.4 hectares will be required.

Community Infrastructure

37.3.19 Fundamentally this policy seeks to balance the increased level of population arising from the development on the eastern side of the town with increased provision of community facilities through developer contributions. It can be seen from the associated list, together with policy references where applicable, that these facilities are wide ranging. In order to assist the application of these policies the Council has produced a Planning Guidance Note entitled ‘Planning Obligations for the Provision of Community Infrastructure’ which is available on request.

37.3.20 The provision of a community hall was discussed through the Enquiry by Design process where three options emerged. The first was to provide a neighbourhood hall on site to serve the new community. If a new First School needs to be built on site, the neighbourhood hall could be incorporated into that building, provided that appropriate security, management and availability can be agreed with the Education Authority. The second option was to require a contribution from developers towards a larger community building at the existing Youth Club site in Coppice Street, which would serve the town as a whole. It was felt that this would foster better links between existing and new communities in line with the Enquiry by Design principles but would leave the new development area without a local facility. The third option was a combination of the other two, namely a small neighbourhood hall as well as a larger community facility. A study to assess the feasibility of a larger facility and suggest a suitable site will need to be undertaken before a final decision can be taken.

Landscaping

37.3.21 Perhaps the main determinants of the landscape character of the undeveloped site are the existing trees and hedgerows. Whilst many of the mature trees are the subject of tree preservation orders, and therefore are protected from development, the issue remains as to how to treat the hedgerows. There are two schools of thought on this matter. One suggests that the hedgerows would be an alien feature in an otherwise urban environment which would artificially constrain the layout and design of the development. The other school of thought is that the hedgerows are an ecological and historical as well as an aesthetic component of the site. Certainly it is known that there are badgers on the site and that there is a strong correlation between their location and the line of the hedgerows. The hedgerows therefore act as important wildlife corridors. Equally many of the trees which are the subject of preservation orders are also located within the lines of existing hedgerows.

37.3.22 In reality the correct solution lies somewhere between these two extremes. This is why the policy stipulates that the protection of existing landscape features must be the subject of an overall design strategy for the development. To ensure that this is the case an Arboricultural Impact Assessment should be submitted with each individual development proposal. This will include a tree survey based on an accurate land survey. It will detail the tree/hedgerows to be retained as well as the measures for their protection during the development. It will also serve to categorise the trees and hedgerows according to their importance.

37.3.23 There is the opportunity to provide various forms of landscape design including street tree planting, urban woodland, parks, play areas, allotments and large scale woodland planting to the edge of the outer bypass reservation corridor. There are also opportunities to combine the retention of these facilities. For instance the incidence of badger setts may demand the retention of a particular stretch of hedgerow. This can then be used as the hub for the provision of additional public open space as well as perhaps the location for drainage measures such as a balancing pond. In this way an attractive feature of the development can be created which also preserves and perhaps even enhances the ecological value of the area. Existing hedgerows can also be used as potential conduits for the provision of pedestrian and cycleway linkages. Experience suggests that their incorporation into the boundaries of domestic properties fails to ensure consistent and effective management in the long term.

37.3.24 The eastern boundary of the development area is formed by the reservation corridor for the future outer bypass. There is however no physical representation of this on the ground in that it does not follow the line of existing hedgerows. It was one of the agreed principles arising from the Enquiry by Design process that the edge will need very careful and logical treatment because of this and indeed it was the spur for introducing this bespoke policy. Subsequently the treatment of the eastern boundary will be an important consideration in terms of the consideration of future planning applications. This should be consistent with policy SB18 (see below) which is a reservation policy for the future bypass.

37.3.25 There is the opportunity in this location to introduce both hard and soft landscaping measures. In terms of the latter there is the potential to compliment existing landscape features through the provision of additional planting, open space, green wedges and wildlife corridors. It was also agreed at the Enquiry by Design workshop that a carefully designed and distinct edge to the built environment, which incorporates hard landscaping features, may also be appropriate. This could incorporate a high quality built form which fronts out from the development.

37.3.26 Existing hedgerows and trees will be preserved as far as is practicable as part of an overall design strategy for the development. A comprehensive hard and soft landscaping scheme will form an integral part of any development proposals. This will include the treatment of the eastern boundary of the site which is formed by the reservation corridor for the proposed outer bypass. Provision will be made for additional landscaping measures in this location whilst ensuring that the future implementation of the bypass project is not compromised.

Future Population

37.3.27 From the 1991 Census the resident population of the Parish is estimated to be 6300. Average household size throughout the County has been declining for many years and it is likely to continue to do so in the future. Projections produced by the County, (based on the proposals of the Draft Structure Plan for Dorset) indicate that average household size in North Dorset is likely to decline by 0.15 persons per household between 1991 and 2011. In 1991 the average household size in the Parish of Shaftesbury was 2.34. Making allowances for the decline in household size and assuming that the scale of development identified in Policy 2.3 is fully taken up, this could result in a population of some 8,500 by 2011.

4. Employment and Shopping

Employment

37.4.1 Existing Employment Areas (Policies 3.1 - 3.3)

Proposed Employment Land Allocation
Site E/37/4; Land south of Salisbury Road

Employment Land

37.4.2 Although it was another principle arising from the Enquiry by Design process that the employment allocation to the south of the A30 should be deleted, this conflicts with a specific recommendation of the Local Plan Inspector. He stated that the allocation should instead be extended to the south and west. It is considered that there will be an ongoing need to accommodate larger industrial type developments (class B2), which could not be satisfactorily included within the development to the north of the A30. Therefore in accordance with the Inspector’s recommendation, the allocation has been extended further to the south to ensure a sufficient land supply, although land to the west remains outside of the settlement boundary in order to protect the long range views to Melbury Beacon. Extensive landscaping on the western and south boundaries of the development will also ensure that this remains the case. The A30 frontage to the employment site should be designed to complement the proposed residential development on the north side and provide an attractive gateway into the town. Therefore mixed use, such as commercial with flats over and parking and servicing to the rear, will be encouraged on the A30 frontage, provided that the use of the rest of the site for industrial purposes is not prejudiced.

37.4.3 The employment allocation falls within the Boyne Hollow Public Water Supply Groundwater Source Protection Area, and the western most part of the allocation is situated in Zone 2 (the middle most sensitive zone). A drainage assessment will be required for most applications on this employment land. This assessment must aim to select the best environmental option for the protection of quality and quantity of water reaching the borehole, from alternatives which include: (i) drainage to a watercourse (with either interceptors or a Sustainable Drainage System) outside the GSPA or downstream of the borehole (ii) connection to a surface water sewer (with either interceptors or Sustainable Drainage System) which outfalls outside of the GSPA (iii) a sustainable drainage system involving pollution attenuation and then infiltration.

Shopping
Promotion of the Town Centre