NPPF TR1: Vision-led approach to planning for transport

TR1: Vision-led approach to planning for transport 1. Sustainable transport should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making, so that it is reflected in the vision for the plan area and its specific proposals, and forms an integral part of a plan’s strategy for creating well-designed, sustainable, inclusive and popular places. This should be done by: a. Making sustainable transport considerations part of early engagement with local communities, highway and transport authorities, transport infrastructure providers, operators, land promoters and neighbouring councils. This is so that proposals reflect local views, evidence relating to accessibility, capacity and transport service provision, and take opportunities for prioritising and maximising sustainable movement across the area. Plans should align land use policies and allocations with wider strategies (such as Local Transport Plans, Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans and Rights of Way Improvement Plans) and investments in transport to ensure that the potential impacts of development on transport networks are understood and addressed; b. Locating proposed development where it can support sustainable patterns of movement and make effective use of existing or proposed transport infrastructure, reflecting the principles in policy TR3. The Connectivity Tool (Connectivity Tool - GOV.UK) should be used to inform the assessment and selection of sites for development alongside other relevant quantitative or qualitative evidence; c. Supporting an appropriate mix of uses across the plan area, and within strategic sites, to minimise the number and length of journeys needed for employment, shopping, leisure, education and other activities; d. Identifying and protecting sites and routes which will widen transport choice and are essential to facilitate sustainable development, including networks for walking, wheeling and cycling, and public transport infrastructure; and e. Providing for any transport facilities that need to be located in the area, or for their necessary expansion or adaptation, and the infrastructure and wider development required to support them. This includes uses such as ports, airports, lorry parking facilities, freight interchanges, public transport hubs, roadside services, electric vehicle charging and bus and rail depots. In doing so plan-makers should consider whether such development is likely to be a nationally significant infrastructure project and any relevant national policy statements, and the importance of maintaining a national network of aviation airfields. 69 2. Spatial development strategies and local plans may set thresholds for what constitutes a significant amount of movement arising from new development, based on the circumstances of their areas, for the purposes of applying policies TR3 and TR6.