RE: Local Plan Policies on Ground Stability and Subsidence - Public forum - Planning Advisory Service (PAS)
RE: Local Plan Policies on Ground Stability and Subsidence
Has anyone any good examples/experience of site specific Local Plan policies on this subject?
Both the PPG (http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/land-stability/) and the NPPF (paragraphs 109, 120, 121, 143, 166) appear put a strong emphasis on planning addressing this issue, including as part of the process of making allocations.
In particular, the PPG states that ‘Consideration of land stability in local plans will vary between areas and the types of issues that the plan covers, but planning authorities may need to consider: Identifying specific areas where particular consideration of landslides, mining hazards or subsidence will be needed;’
There are several useful info sources on this including:
- British Geological Society mapping of areas of potential for geohazard
- Maps of Mined Areas, natural underground cavities, soluble rocks, ground compressibility, etc (all published in the old PPG14, Annex 2 http://www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/media/115148/NP17b-PPG14-Unstable-Land-Annexe-2-Subsidence.pdf)
It would seem a logical policy requirement for development in such areas to include a ‘ground stability assessment’, but I have yet to see any examples of such policies linked to mapping.
Any advice or examples would be much appreciated.
Roger,
The West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Local Plan Part 1 adopted in December 2014 has a ground instability policy. This policy was supported by a technical paper which used BGS slope mapping. We also consulted BGS on land instability/ geology in the plan area.
The Ground Instability Technical Paper is available are on the West Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit website:
http://www.westnorthamptonshirejpu.org/connect.ti/website/view?objectId=2739248
I no longer work for the JPU but I'm sure Colin Staves (cstaves@northampton.gov.uk) will be able to help if you need anything else.
Regards Claire.