Local plan scoping consultation

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for inviting Active Travel England (ATE) to make representations on the Scoping Consultation.
 
The attached advice sets out ATE’s expectations for the early stages of preparing new-style Local Plans. It aligns with MHCLG’s Local Plan guidance and highlights the active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and public transport evidence needed to support plan-making.
 
ATE will provide bespoke advice at the Regulation 23 (Consultation on Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence) and Regulation 27 (Consultation on the Proposed Local Plan) stages of the Local Plan process. ATE will also engage, where requested and appropriate, during the preparation of these documents.
 
We hope the attached is helpful at this stage of the Local Plan process. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this advice further, please contact us at Planning-Advice@activetravelengland.gov.uk.

Re: Local Plan Scoping Consultation (Regulation 20)
This advice sets out ATE’s expectations for the early stages of preparing new-style
Local Plans. It aligns with MHCLG’s Local Plan guidance and highlights the active
travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and public transport evidence needed to
support plan-making.
ATE will provide bespoke advice at the Regulation 23 (Consultation on Proposed
Local Plan Content and Evidence) and Regulation 27 (Consultation on the Proposed
Local Plan) stages of the Local Plan process. ATE will also engage, where
requested and appropriate, during the preparation of these documents.
Baseline Information
ATE expects Local Plans to be informed by a robust, data-led understanding of
existing and future active travel and public transport networks, travel patterns and
connectivity. Baseline work should establish current conditions, identify barriers and
opportunities, and take account of planned transport infrastructure, services and
policies.
Baseline evidence should include:
• Analysis of travel patterns and mode choice across different population groups
and journey purposes.
• Mapping of existing and planned active travel networks, public transport services
and key local amenities, including schools, parks, play areas, food shops,
healthcare facilities and community facilities; together with an assessment of
their connectivity by active travel and public transport, informed by the DfT
Connectivity Tool.
• Identification of existing deficiencies in connectivity, accessibility and mode
share, and opportunities for improvement over the plan period.
• Identification of factors affecting the suitability and attractiveness of active travel
and public transport, including route audits of networks serving potential strategic
sites.
• Review of Local Transport Plans (LTPs), Local Cycling and Walking
Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs),
Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs), and other relevant local transport and
infrastructure strategies.
Vision
Local Plan visions should be informed directly by baseline findings and adopt a
vision-led approach, consistent with national planning policy, that prioritises
sustainable travel from the outset. The vision should seek to maximise journeys
made by active travel and public transport, reduce reliance on private car travel, and
support wider health, equality, climate and environmental objectives.
ATE expects vision statements to:
Commit to growth that improves health, wellbeing, quality of life and environmental
outcomes through increased use of active travel and public transport, including
measurable increases in active travel and public transport mode share over the plan
period.
• Set clear and differentiated ambitions across settlements, neighbourhoods and
accessibility contexts.
• Define the connectivity and infrastructure standards expected of new
development, which should be consistent with Manual for Streets, Inclusive
Mobility and Local Transport Note 1/20: Cycle Infrastructure Design.
• Promote equality of access, inclusive design and affordable travel choices.
• Support environments that are safe, inclusive and accessible for all users,
including women and girls.
• Support carbon reduction and wider environmental objectives through reduced
dependence on private motor vehicle travel.
Evidence to Support the Spatial Strategy and Site Allocations
While the purpose of the baseline information is to establish existing conditions,
future trends, constraints and opportunities, additional evidence is required to test
options and demonstrate why the proposed spatial strategy and site allocations are
the most effective means of delivering the Local Plan vision.
This should include:
• Forecasts of active travel and public transport demand that are aligned with
mode share targets and reflect the characteristics of different places, settlement
types and accessibility contexts.
• Demonstration that the proposed spatial strategy and site allocations have been
informed by, and selected on the basis of, their ability to maximise access by
active travel and public transport, minimise reliance on private car travel, and
support mode shift.
• Demonstration of how the proposed strategy will improve connectivity and
accessibility to key destinations, and address identified constraints and
deficiencies.
• Identification of the active travel and public transport infrastructure and services
required to support planned growth, together with evidence of their deliverability,
including infrastructure requirements, costs, funding sources, phasing and
implementation risks.
• Assessment of the cumulative impacts of proposed development on active travel
and public transport networks, including cross-boundary impacts where relevant.
• Assessment of the contribution of the proposed strategy to public health,
equality, inclusion, carbon reduction and wider environmental objectives.
Evidence gathering should continue throughout the Local Plan process, in line with
MHCLG guidance.
Site Assessment
The initial site assessment exercise should consider the extent to which potential
allocations can support and deliver the Local Plan vision and a vision-led transport
strategy. This should include an assessment of a site’s ability to:
• Maximise accessibility to key destinations by active travel and public transport.
• Support high levels of active travel and public transport use and minimise
reliance on private car travel.
• Connect effectively to existing and planned active travel and public transport
networks.
• Support the delivery of sustainable transport infrastructure and services from an
early stage of development.
• Contribute to the creation of complete, connected neighbourhoods and wider
health, equality, climate and environmental objectives.
Where new or improved transport infrastructure is required, priority should be given
to active travel and public transport interventions before consideration of highway
capacity enhancements, in accordance with the transport hierarchy.
Further Engagement
ATE hopes that this advice is helpful at this stage of the Local Plan process. If you
would like to discuss any aspect of this advice further, please contact us at Planning
Advice@activetravelengland.gov.uk.
Yours sincerely,
Spatial Planning Team,
Active Travel England

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for inviting Active Travel England (ATE) to make representations on the Scoping Consultation.
 
The attached advice sets out ATE’s expectations for the early stages of preparing new-style Local Plans. It aligns with MHCLG’s Local Plan guidance and highlights the active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and public transport evidence needed to support plan-making.
 
ATE will provide bespoke advice at the Regulation 23 (Consultation on Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence) and Regulation 27 (Consultation on the Proposed Local Plan) stages of the Local Plan process. ATE will also engage, where requested and appropriate, during the preparation of these documents.
 
We hope the attached is helpful at this stage of the Local Plan process. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this advice further, please contact us at Planning-Advice@activetravelengland.gov.uk.

Re: Local Plan Scoping Consultation (Regulation 20)
This advice sets out ATE’s expectations for the early stages of preparing new-style
Local Plans. It aligns with MHCLG’s Local Plan guidance and highlights the active
travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and public transport evidence needed to
support plan-making.
ATE will provide bespoke advice at the Regulation 23 (Consultation on Proposed
Local Plan Content and Evidence) and Regulation 27 (Consultation on the Proposed
Local Plan) stages of the Local Plan process. ATE will also engage, where
requested and appropriate, during the preparation of these documents.
Baseline Information
ATE expects Local Plans to be informed by a robust, data-led understanding of
existing and future active travel and public transport networks, travel patterns and
connectivity. Baseline work should establish current conditions, identify barriers and
opportunities, and take account of planned transport infrastructure, services and
policies.
Baseline evidence should include:
• Analysis of travel patterns and mode choice across different population groups
and journey purposes.
• Mapping of existing and planned active travel networks, public transport services
and key local amenities, including schools, parks, play areas, food shops,
healthcare facilities and community facilities; together with an assessment of
their connectivity by active travel and public transport, informed by the DfT
Connectivity Tool.
• Identification of existing deficiencies in connectivity, accessibility and mode
share, and opportunities for improvement over the plan period.
• Identification of factors affecting the suitability and attractiveness of active travel
and public transport, including route audits of networks serving potential strategic
sites.
• Review of Local Transport Plans (LTPs), Local Cycling and Walking
Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs),
Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs), and other relevant local transport and
infrastructure strategies.
Vision
Local Plan visions should be informed directly by baseline findings and adopt a
vision-led approach, consistent with national planning policy, that prioritises
sustainable travel from the outset. The vision should seek to maximise journeys
made by active travel and public transport, reduce reliance on private car travel, and
support wider health, equality, climate and environmental objectives.
ATE expects vision statements to:
Commit to growth that improves health, wellbeing, quality of life and environmental
outcomes through increased use of active travel and public transport, including
measurable increases in active travel and public transport mode share over the plan
period.
• Set clear and differentiated ambitions across settlements, neighbourhoods and
accessibility contexts.
• Define the connectivity and infrastructure standards expected of new
development, which should be consistent with Manual for Streets, Inclusive
Mobility and Local Transport Note 1/20: Cycle Infrastructure Design.
• Promote equality of access, inclusive design and affordable travel choices.
• Support environments that are safe, inclusive and accessible for all users,
including women and girls.
• Support carbon reduction and wider environmental objectives through reduced
dependence on private motor vehicle travel.
Evidence to Support the Spatial Strategy and Site Allocations
While the purpose of the baseline information is to establish existing conditions,
future trends, constraints and opportunities, additional evidence is required to test
options and demonstrate why the proposed spatial strategy and site allocations are
the most effective means of delivering the Local Plan vision.
This should include:
• Forecasts of active travel and public transport demand that are aligned with
mode share targets and reflect the characteristics of different places, settlement
types and accessibility contexts.
• Demonstration that the proposed spatial strategy and site allocations have been
informed by, and selected on the basis of, their ability to maximise access by
active travel and public transport, minimise reliance on private car travel, and
support mode shift.
• Demonstration of how the proposed strategy will improve connectivity and
accessibility to key destinations, and address identified constraints and
deficiencies.
• Identification of the active travel and public transport infrastructure and services
required to support planned growth, together with evidence of their deliverability,
including infrastructure requirements, costs, funding sources, phasing and
implementation risks.
• Assessment of the cumulative impacts of proposed development on active travel
and public transport networks, including cross-boundary impacts where relevant.
• Assessment of the contribution of the proposed strategy to public health,
equality, inclusion, carbon reduction and wider environmental objectives.
Evidence gathering should continue throughout the Local Plan process, in line with
MHCLG guidance.
Site Assessment
The initial site assessment exercise should consider the extent to which potential
allocations can support and deliver the Local Plan vision and a vision-led transport
strategy. This should include an assessment of a site’s ability to:
• Maximise accessibility to key destinations by active travel and public transport.
• Support high levels of active travel and public transport use and minimise
reliance on private car travel.
• Connect effectively to existing and planned active travel and public transport
networks.
• Support the delivery of sustainable transport infrastructure and services from an
early stage of development.
• Contribute to the creation of complete, connected neighbourhoods and wider
health, equality, climate and environmental objectives.
Where new or improved transport infrastructure is required, priority should be given
to active travel and public transport interventions before consideration of highway
capacity enhancements, in accordance with the transport hierarchy.
Further Engagement
ATE hopes that this advice is helpful at this stage of the Local Plan process. If you
would like to discuss any aspect of this advice further, please contact us at Planning
Advice@activetravelengland.gov.uk.
Yours sincerely,
Spatial Planning Team,
Active Travel England

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for inviting Active Travel England (ATE) to make representations on the Scoping Consultation.
 
The attached advice sets out ATE’s expectations for the early stages of preparing new-style Local Plans. It aligns with MHCLG’s Local Plan guidance and highlights the active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and public transport evidence needed to support plan-making.
 
ATE will provide bespoke advice at the Regulation 23 (Consultation on Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence) and Regulation 27 (Consultation on the Proposed Local Plan) stages of the Local Plan process. ATE will also engage, where requested and appropriate, during the preparation of these documents.
 
We hope the attached is helpful at this stage of the Local Plan process. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this advice further, please contact us at Planning-Advice@activetravelengland.gov.uk.

Re: Local Plan Scoping Consultation (Regulation 20)
This advice sets out ATE’s expectations for the early stages of preparing new-style
Local Plans. It aligns with MHCLG’s Local Plan guidance and highlights the active
travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and public transport evidence needed to
support plan-making.
ATE will provide bespoke advice at the Regulation 23 (Consultation on Proposed
Local Plan Content and Evidence) and Regulation 27 (Consultation on the Proposed
Local Plan) stages of the Local Plan process. ATE will also engage, where
requested and appropriate, during the preparation of these documents.
Baseline Information
ATE expects Local Plans to be informed by a robust, data-led understanding of
existing and future active travel and public transport networks, travel patterns and
connectivity. Baseline work should establish current conditions, identify barriers and
opportunities, and take account of planned transport infrastructure, services and
policies.
Baseline evidence should include:
• Analysis of travel patterns and mode choice across different population groups
and journey purposes.
• Mapping of existing and planned active travel networks, public transport services
and key local amenities, including schools, parks, play areas, food shops,
healthcare facilities and community facilities; together with an assessment of
their connectivity by active travel and public transport, informed by the DfT
Connectivity Tool.
• Identification of existing deficiencies in connectivity, accessibility and mode
share, and opportunities for improvement over the plan period.
• Identification of factors affecting the suitability and attractiveness of active travel
and public transport, including route audits of networks serving potential strategic
sites.
• Review of Local Transport Plans (LTPs), Local Cycling and Walking
Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs),
Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs), and other relevant local transport and
infrastructure strategies.
Vision
Local Plan visions should be informed directly by baseline findings and adopt a
vision-led approach, consistent with national planning policy, that prioritises
sustainable travel from the outset. The vision should seek to maximise journeys
made by active travel and public transport, reduce reliance on private car travel, and
support wider health, equality, climate and environmental objectives.
ATE expects vision statements to:
Commit to growth that improves health, wellbeing, quality of life and environmental
outcomes through increased use of active travel and public transport, including
measurable increases in active travel and public transport mode share over the plan
period.
• Set clear and differentiated ambitions across settlements, neighbourhoods and
accessibility contexts.
• Define the connectivity and infrastructure standards expected of new
development, which should be consistent with Manual for Streets, Inclusive
Mobility and Local Transport Note 1/20: Cycle Infrastructure Design.
• Promote equality of access, inclusive design and affordable travel choices.
• Support environments that are safe, inclusive and accessible for all users,
including women and girls.
• Support carbon reduction and wider environmental objectives through reduced
dependence on private motor vehicle travel.
Evidence to Support the Spatial Strategy and Site Allocations
While the purpose of the baseline information is to establish existing conditions,
future trends, constraints and opportunities, additional evidence is required to test
options and demonstrate why the proposed spatial strategy and site allocations are
the most effective means of delivering the Local Plan vision.
This should include:
• Forecasts of active travel and public transport demand that are aligned with
mode share targets and reflect the characteristics of different places, settlement
types and accessibility contexts.
• Demonstration that the proposed spatial strategy and site allocations have been
informed by, and selected on the basis of, their ability to maximise access by
active travel and public transport, minimise reliance on private car travel, and
support mode shift.
• Demonstration of how the proposed strategy will improve connectivity and
accessibility to key destinations, and address identified constraints and
deficiencies.
• Identification of the active travel and public transport infrastructure and services
required to support planned growth, together with evidence of their deliverability,
including infrastructure requirements, costs, funding sources, phasing and
implementation risks.
• Assessment of the cumulative impacts of proposed development on active travel
and public transport networks, including cross-boundary impacts where relevant.
• Assessment of the contribution of the proposed strategy to public health,
equality, inclusion, carbon reduction and wider environmental objectives.
Evidence gathering should continue throughout the Local Plan process, in line with
MHCLG guidance.
Site Assessment
The initial site assessment exercise should consider the extent to which potential
allocations can support and deliver the Local Plan vision and a vision-led transport
strategy. This should include an assessment of a site’s ability to:
• Maximise accessibility to key destinations by active travel and public transport.
• Support high levels of active travel and public transport use and minimise
reliance on private car travel.
• Connect effectively to existing and planned active travel and public transport
networks.
• Support the delivery of sustainable transport infrastructure and services from an
early stage of development.
• Contribute to the creation of complete, connected neighbourhoods and wider
health, equality, climate and environmental objectives.
Where new or improved transport infrastructure is required, priority should be given
to active travel and public transport interventions before consideration of highway
capacity enhancements, in accordance with the transport hierarchy.
Further Engagement
ATE hopes that this advice is helpful at this stage of the Local Plan process. If you
would like to discuss any aspect of this advice further, please contact us at Planning
Advice@activetravelengland.gov.uk.
Yours sincerely,
Spatial Planning Team,
Active Travel England

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for inviting Active Travel England (ATE) to make representations on the Scoping Consultation.
 
The attached advice sets out ATE’s expectations for the early stages of preparing new-style Local Plans. It aligns with MHCLG’s Local Plan guidance and highlights the active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and public transport evidence needed to support plan-making.
 
ATE will provide bespoke advice at the Regulation 23 (Consultation on Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence) and Regulation 27 (Consultation on the Proposed Local Plan) stages of the Local Plan process. ATE will also engage, where requested and appropriate, during the preparation of these documents.
 
We hope the attached is helpful at this stage of the Local Plan process. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this advice further, please contact us at Planning-Advice@activetravelengland.gov.uk.

Re: Local Plan Scoping Consultation (Regulation 20)
This advice sets out ATE’s expectations for the early stages of preparing new-style
Local Plans. It aligns with MHCLG’s Local Plan guidance and highlights the active
travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and public transport evidence needed to
support plan-making.
ATE will provide bespoke advice at the Regulation 23 (Consultation on Proposed
Local Plan Content and Evidence) and Regulation 27 (Consultation on the Proposed
Local Plan) stages of the Local Plan process. ATE will also engage, where
requested and appropriate, during the preparation of these documents.
Baseline Information
ATE expects Local Plans to be informed by a robust, data-led understanding of
existing and future active travel and public transport networks, travel patterns and
connectivity. Baseline work should establish current conditions, identify barriers and
opportunities, and take account of planned transport infrastructure, services and
policies.
Baseline evidence should include:
• Analysis of travel patterns and mode choice across different population groups
and journey purposes.
• Mapping of existing and planned active travel networks, public transport services
and key local amenities, including schools, parks, play areas, food shops,
healthcare facilities and community facilities; together with an assessment of
their connectivity by active travel and public transport, informed by the DfT
Connectivity Tool.
• Identification of existing deficiencies in connectivity, accessibility and mode
share, and opportunities for improvement over the plan period.
• Identification of factors affecting the suitability and attractiveness of active travel
and public transport, including route audits of networks serving potential strategic
sites.
• Review of Local Transport Plans (LTPs), Local Cycling and Walking
Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs),
Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs), and other relevant local transport and
infrastructure strategies.
Vision
Local Plan visions should be informed directly by baseline findings and adopt a
vision-led approach, consistent with national planning policy, that prioritises
sustainable travel from the outset. The vision should seek to maximise journeys
made by active travel and public transport, reduce reliance on private car travel, and
support wider health, equality, climate and environmental objectives.
ATE expects vision statements to:
Commit to growth that improves health, wellbeing, quality of life and environmental
outcomes through increased use of active travel and public transport, including
measurable increases in active travel and public transport mode share over the plan
period.
• Set clear and differentiated ambitions across settlements, neighbourhoods and
accessibility contexts.
• Define the connectivity and infrastructure standards expected of new
development, which should be consistent with Manual for Streets, Inclusive
Mobility and Local Transport Note 1/20: Cycle Infrastructure Design.
• Promote equality of access, inclusive design and affordable travel choices.
• Support environments that are safe, inclusive and accessible for all users,
including women and girls.
• Support carbon reduction and wider environmental objectives through reduced
dependence on private motor vehicle travel.
Evidence to Support the Spatial Strategy and Site Allocations
While the purpose of the baseline information is to establish existing conditions,
future trends, constraints and opportunities, additional evidence is required to test
options and demonstrate why the proposed spatial strategy and site allocations are
the most effective means of delivering the Local Plan vision.
This should include:
• Forecasts of active travel and public transport demand that are aligned with
mode share targets and reflect the characteristics of different places, settlement
types and accessibility contexts.
• Demonstration that the proposed spatial strategy and site allocations have been
informed by, and selected on the basis of, their ability to maximise access by
active travel and public transport, minimise reliance on private car travel, and
support mode shift.
• Demonstration of how the proposed strategy will improve connectivity and
accessibility to key destinations, and address identified constraints and
deficiencies.
• Identification of the active travel and public transport infrastructure and services
required to support planned growth, together with evidence of their deliverability,
including infrastructure requirements, costs, funding sources, phasing and
implementation risks.
• Assessment of the cumulative impacts of proposed development on active travel
and public transport networks, including cross-boundary impacts where relevant.
• Assessment of the contribution of the proposed strategy to public health,
equality, inclusion, carbon reduction and wider environmental objectives.
Evidence gathering should continue throughout the Local Plan process, in line with
MHCLG guidance.
Site Assessment
The initial site assessment exercise should consider the extent to which potential
allocations can support and deliver the Local Plan vision and a vision-led transport
strategy. This should include an assessment of a site’s ability to:
• Maximise accessibility to key destinations by active travel and public transport.
• Support high levels of active travel and public transport use and minimise
reliance on private car travel.
• Connect effectively to existing and planned active travel and public transport
networks.
• Support the delivery of sustainable transport infrastructure and services from an
early stage of development.
• Contribute to the creation of complete, connected neighbourhoods and wider
health, equality, climate and environmental objectives.
Where new or improved transport infrastructure is required, priority should be given
to active travel and public transport interventions before consideration of highway
capacity enhancements, in accordance with the transport hierarchy.
Further Engagement
ATE hopes that this advice is helpful at this stage of the Local Plan process. If you
would like to discuss any aspect of this advice further, please contact us at Planning
Advice@activetravelengland.gov.uk.
Yours sincerely,
Spatial Planning Team,
Active Travel England