Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Review - Proposed Submission Local Plan

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Proposed Submission Local Plan

15 Ministry of Defence Establishments

15.1.1 The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is one of the largest land owners in the UK, with an estate consisting of a wide range of facilities such as barracks, depots and airfields. Large areas of Central Lincolnshire have been used for MOD purposes throughout the last century and the military presence has brought, and continues to bring, many benefits, particularly to the economy. Many of these sites are also essential for maintaining the defence and security of the country and so are of national importance.

15.1.2 The areas currently in MOD use are:

  • Beckingham Training Area;
  • RAF Cranwell;
  • RAF Digby;
  • RAF Scampton; and
  • RAF Waddington.

15.1.3 It is important that the role and the ongoing use of these establishments is protected and able to adapt in accordance with MOD operational plans.

15.1.4 The MOD is committed to making the most efficient use of its existing estate by maximising the utilisation of sites, identifying sites which can be released and consolidating on fewer, larger sites where resources can be better deployed. One site identified to be released within the plan period is RAF Scampton with its functions being relocated elsewhere, including RAF Waddington.

15.1.5 The re-use of suitably located MOD sites which are surplus to MOD operational purposes presents a significant opportunity for new housing, economic development and/or regeneration and also to deliver biodiversity net gain and enhanced green infrastructure when such opportunities arise.

15.1.6 The following policy will assist in determining such proposals. Policy S84 will only apply to the MOD establishments listed above and development at any former military establishments or installations not listed will be subject to other policies in the plan (including but not limited to Policy S5: Development in the Countryside) and in line with the policy for the relevant tier of the Settlement Hierarchy in Policy S1.

Policy S84: Ministry of Defence Establishments

Part One: Development related to operational purposes

Defence related non-residential development within or adjoining an operational MOD site that is required for operational purposes will be supported in principle.

Development for housing or communal accommodation for MOD personnel connected to an operational MOD site will be supported provided that it satisfies relevant policy requirements in the Local Plan including but not limited to Policy S53 Design and Amenity, Policy S21 Flood Risk and Water Resources, and Policy S47 Accessibility and Transport. 

Part Two: Development affecting MOD establishments

Development will not be supported where it would adversely affect military operations or capability unless those impacts can be appropriately mitigated in agreement with the MOD.

Part Three: Development of MOD land and assets surplus to Defence requirements

The redevelopment of RAF Scampton is addressed in Policy S75.

The redevelopment or change of use of any other operational MOD land and facilities which are surplus to MOD requirements, whether for the whole or part of the MOD landholding in that area, will be supported provided that:

  1. where feasible the majority of the proposal is on brownfield land;
  2. any increase in traffic likely to arise as a result of the development can be safely accommodated on the local road infrastructure;
  3. the proposal would not conflict with the existing land uses on neighbouring land; and
  4. in cases where large scale redevelopment of a site is planned, a comprehensive masterplan is prepared which demonstrates how the site will be redeveloped to ensure the holistic planning of the site and avoid piecemeal development.

Where the proposal is to create a civilian community, proposals must also:

  1. demonstrate that the new community is sustainably located with reasonable access to essential services such as jobs, education, leisure, retail and culture either within the development or at other nearby settlement(s) by sustainable modes of travel; and
  2. include appropriate infrastructure and community facilities for the new community and any existing community remaining; and
  3. through satisfying the above criteria a-f clearly demonstrate how the proposal supports the spatial strategy of the Local Plan.

Further to Policy S56, an Unexploded Ordnance Certificate and Land Quality Assessment (LQA) may be required (where relevant) as part of a proposal, or required through condition to a grant of permission, in order to assess and identify the necessary remedial action for defence specific contaminants.

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