Travel Plans SPD June 2007
1 Introduction
1.1 This document sets out:
- which developments will need a Travel Plan;
- how a Travel Plan should be prepared and submitted in order to minimise the risk of delays in the planning process;
- what the minimum requirements are for the content of a Travel Plan;
- how it should be monitored; and
- how it should be secured.
1.2 Whilst this document sets out the procedure undertaken when a planning application is submitted, developers are advised to consider their Travel Plan at the earliest available stage to help speed up the development process. Indeed, it is beneficial for developers to consider sustainable travel from the outset as this can bring real benefits to the development - from the attractiveness to investors to the ongoing sustainability of the site.
1.3 Across the UK, a lot of the major businesses and lots of small businesses have benefited from developing Travel Plans. They find that by considering their travel and parking issues, they can add real value to their development and business model as well as contributing towards general environmental good practice.
1.4 This Supplementary Planning Document supports and supplements Policy A1B ‘Travel Plans’ in the Replacement Wigan Unitary Development Plan. (Appendix A ‘Travel Plans Policy in the Unitary Development Plan’) It is important that this document is read in conjunction with this policy and other policies in the Unitary development Plan as relevant, including:
- A1A: Transport Assessments
- A1C: Access for All
- A1D: Walking
- A1E Cycling
- A1F: Bus Provision - New Development
- A1S: Parking in New Development
- EM1A: Primary Employment Areas
- EM1C: Employment Development Outside of Primary Employment Areas
- EM1D: Offices
- R1B: New Housing Sites
- S1F: Retail and Leisure Development outside Town Centres and Local Centres
- C1A: Community Facilities
- G1B: Planning Obligations
1.5 This Supplementary Planning Document should be considered in conjunction with the Development and Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document with respect to the contribution Travel Plans can make in tackling air quality issues.
1.6 This document can also be used by existing organisations in the borough as a guide to producing their own Travel Plan on a voluntary basis. For organisations choosing to do so, help is available from the Council's Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
Picture 1.1 Cyclist on Warrington Road (Popup full image)