Appendix 6: Masterplanning guidance

6.1. Introduction

The Masterplanning Guidance has been updated in-line with the Wakefield District Design Code. As listed, Code: C3.29 requires that all major new developments must prepare a masterplan and/or design code. The Design Code sets out specific codes and guidance for differing development types and scales. This is to ensure that all new developments can achieve a level of higher quality design across the district. The Design Code also further supports the design principles and policies set out within the Wakefield District Local Plan 2036 (WDLP) which must be achieved.

The Wakefield District Local Plan 2036 (WDLP) has a key objective to improve the quality of design in the district. This is evident from the Local Plans Vision which states:

Improved standards of design and management will improve the quality of the built and natural environment and secure biodiversity net gain.

Additionally, the Local Plans development principles set out in chapter 5 state the importance of design quality and introduce the concepts of Active Design and Streets for People which are integral to the Local Plans approach to design.

6.2 Local Plan Design Policies Masterplanning Requirements

The requirement to produce and provide masterplans for specific sites are set out within the strategic and local plan policies within the WDLP which are listed as:

• Strategic Policy SP23 Design, Safety and the Local Environment

• Local Policy LP56 Design of New Development

Further policy and advice about design is also set out in the Wakefield City Centre Urban Design Framework Supplementary Planning Document.

The Council have several approved design documents which are key material considerations when determining relevant planning applications. The WDLP site policies will reference the requirement to take these documents into account when developing proposals. The approved documents can be found via the Wakefield Councils Planning Policy website. The approved documents are:

• Aire River Growth Corridor Masterplan

• City Fields, Wakefield Masterplan Framework

• Knottingley and Ferrybridge Masterplan

• The Pontefract Masterplan

• Wakefield City Centre Masterplan

6.3 Pre-Application Discussions

Prospective applicants for allocated sites, where the site policy in Volume 2 of the WDLP requires a masterplan to be submitted as part of a planning application, should enter into pre-application discussions with the Council. Information about how to do this is set out on the Council’s website.

Pre-application discussions should also be held regarding any significant sites which are not allocated in the Plan. This is further supported by Policy LP56, where masterplans may be required for non-allocated sites, and this will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Council. The need for a masterplan should be determined at the pre-application stage, and any draft documents submitted should meet the requirements of local and national planning policy.

6.4 Planning Applications

To meet the masterplan requirements as set out in the Design Code under Codes and the WDLP, relevant planning applications must include a Masterplanning Statement. This should also be provided as part of the Design and Access Statement. The document must cover all the matters set out below. A layout plan, on its own, does not constitute a masterplan and will not meet the policy requirements of the WDLP as set out above.

Any required masterplans will need to be submitted as part of applications for outline or full planning permission. Any subsequent reserved matters applications must follow the masterplan provided as part of a previous outline application.

Planning applications must be for the entirety of a local plan allocation, even if it is in multiple ownerships and phases to avoid piecemeal development. The masterplan submitted as part of the application should also cover the whole allocated site if no masterplan has been approved as part of a previous planning permission. Site promoters must work together to produce a compliant masterplan for the whole allocated site.

The Masterplan Statement must demonstrate how the masterplan complies with the requirements of the Wakefield District Local Plan and the Wakefield District Design Code. Specifically, the statement will need to:

• demonstrate how the proposals meet the codes and guidance as set out in the Wakefield District Design Code Part B. This should include reference to the National Design Guide or National Model Design Code as required

• provide an overview of the site and the constraints and opportunities it presents by following the Wakefield District Design Code, Code: C1.1

• demonstrate how the Active Design and Streets for People principles set out in chapter five of Volume 1 of the WDLP (under paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3) have been considered and how they have influenced the design of the proposals

• set out a vision for the sustainable development of the site and how its proposed development satisfies the criteria set out in the Wakefield District Design Code Part B, Section B2 (Sustainable and resilient places) and LP56 Design of New Development

• demonstrate how the proposals adhere to any local design guides, plans, or codes that may be in place, (for example, the strategic masterplans listed above)

• demonstrate how full policy and code compliance will be achieved, including provision of all necessary infrastructure arising from the entire allocation and cumulative impacts with any nearby, committed development and local plan allocations. This should also be demonstrated if an application is submitted on part of an allocation provide details of the:

  • scale and layout of development, including heights and massing

  • mix of uses and intended phasing (if relevant) this must include boundary treatments between phases as required

  • transport and access arrangements including how the masterplan will encourage sustainable movement such as walking, wheeling, and cycling

  • connectivity of the proposal with the surrounding built environment and, where appropriate, countryside for recreational opportunities

  • green and blue infrastructure approach and objectives

  • approach to delivering 10% net gain for biodiversity through the developments proposals

  • set out the arrangement of buildings, streets and the public realm which must include wayfinding and legibility design principles

• adhere to any previously approved masterplan including Council approved masterplans. Where a previous planning permission approved a comprehensive masterplan, further applications (reserved matters or full applications for further development phases of that allocation) must adhere to the approved masterplan

• ensure any specific requirements set out in individual site policies in Volume 2 of the WDLP regarding masterplanning are clearly dealt with and incorporated into the submitted masterplans

• where a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is required by the Council, as set out in policy LP55 Landscape Character, this should inform any masterplan submitted as part of a planning application. Where the LVIA identifies that proposed building heights may have a harmful impact the use of parameter plans, for example, will not be acceptable to the Council and details of building heights and any mitigation must be provided