Development will be supported where it maximises the use of sustainable modes of transport, in particular applicants must demonstrate, where appropriate and relevant to the development, how the proposal has been designed and located to:
a. Reflect the needs of: pedestrians; cyclists; public transport; commercial and service vehicles; and private cars;
b. Create places and streets that are user friendly and safe for cyclists and pedestrians, reflecting the requirements of the East Boldon Design Code;
c. Support sustainable transport choices such as, incorporating or creating new pedestrian and cycle routes or improvements to existing routes to serve the development that integrate into wider networks and provide safe and effective routes to services and facilities, including East Boldon Metro Station;
d. Ensure existing or new public transport services can accommodate development proposals, and where necessary, new accessible public transport routes and/or improvements to the existing services and facilities can be secured;
e. Ensure that the cumulative impact on traffic flows on the highway network will not be severe or that appropriate mitigation measures can be secured and are undertaken; and
f. Incorporate an appropriate level of parking in accordance with the parking standards set out in policies EB20, EB21 and EB22.
To achieve modal shift, major developments will be expected to provide travel plans and the application should be supported by a transport statement or transport assessment. The development should promote sustainable travel behaviour and demonstrate how it will link and support the widening of travel choices.
The NPPF encourages a reduction in congestion and greenhouse gas emissions through the introduction of measures which promote a decrease in the number of journeys made by car. Whilst the preparation of transport policy at a local level is primarily a matter for the local planning authority, there are a wide range of areas where the plan can have an influence on accessibility including supporting the protection and enhancement of active travel routes and accessibility in new development.
Through early engagement the local community has identified concerns regarding the impact of traffic from new development on health and wellbeing and highway safety and also the issue of parking, particularly as a result of the metro. The local community especially value the rights of way that run through the plan area and consider more could be done to support sustainable travel.
Plan objective 8 therefore seeks to manage the transport network of the plan area to be safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly for all users, while ensuring adequate parking is available to meet the needs of residents, visitors and businesses. Further information which supports the policies within this section is available within the transport and movement background paper.
Sustainable transport and new development
In accordance with national policy, the plan supports a range of transport modes and gives priority to walking, cycling and public transport use. However, when considering proposals for new development, it is also essential to consider the impact on the wider highway network, in particular at known congestion points. Where necessary, appropriate highway improvements may be required to mitigate the effects of new development.
New development should be designed to ensure safe pedestrian and cycle access, as well as routes to connect to shops, schools, employment and other community facilities. Larger developments should also consider layouts that would support the integration of public transport routes or whether improvements could be made to local public transport facilities.
Policy EB18 provides a positive planning framework to seek to ensure transport and movement issues are fully considered as part of the development management process, it will therefore support the delivery of plan objectives 1 and 8.
For the purposes of this policy, major development comprises: 10 or more dwelling houses or residential development of a site of 0.5ha or more; the provision of a building or buildings where the floor space to be created by the development is 1,000m2 or more; or development carried out on a site having an area of 1ha or more.