Policy information sourced from Dacorum Local Plan 2004 Alteration
51 Development and Transport Impacts
Overall capacity in the main road network will be regarded as an important constraint on development proposals which would have a significant transport impact.
Development must be compatible in locational and general highway planning, design and capacity terms with the current and future operation of the defined road hierarchy (Policy 52) and road improvement strategy (Policy 53).
The acceptability of all development proposals will always be assessed specifically in highway and traffic terms and should have no significant impact upon:
- the nature, capacity and use of the highway network and its ability to accommodate the traffic generated by the development;
- the provision of routes and facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and passenger transport users, including links to existing networks;
- the design and effectiveness of existing and proposed traffic management measures, including traffic calming features;
- the design and capacity of parking areas and the implications for on-street parking;
- the environmental and safety implications of the traffic generated by the development.
In villages and countryside areas special regard will be paid to the effect of traffic on the safety and environmental character of country lanes.
The environmental impact of any transport improvements necessary to accommodate new development will be taken into account. The cumulative effect of incremental development will also be considered.
Consideration may be given to proposals by developers for transport measures which are capable of rectifying or compensating for deficiencies without unacceptable environmental impact. Such measures could include support for passenger transport or nonmotorised private transport modes, measures to manage employee/customer/visitor access to a site (e.g. through commuter transport plans), or, where compatible with the principles of Policy 49, off-site improvements to the road network.
Commitment to these transport measures should be made on the basis of the developer entering into planning obligations to cover the costs of any measures necessary to contribute to the solution of the transport problems identified (Policy 13).
Local access improvements are a pre-requisite to some of the development proposals put forward in this plan. Where these have already been identified, details are given in the appropriate sections of the plan.
It is expected that major development proposals will be accompanied by a transport assessment capable of demonstrating compliance with the above principles. The air pollution and air quality implications of transport demands arising from the development should be specifically considered and this may necessitate a wider environmental impact study.
For developments which generate a substantial demand for movement, a framework for a ‘Green Travel Plan’ should be presented and be capable of incorporation into a planning obligation. Such a plan will examine the transport generation needs of all users of a development, and will seek to minimise the impact of transport demand.
For more information please see the Local Plan