Introduction
In creating a 
local development framework, it is necessary to develop an evidence base, which identifies opportunities, constraints and issues for the Borough. This evidence base consists of studies, plans and strategies produced by the Council and a wide range of other organisations together with the informed opinion of those organisations on the main issues and priorities facing the Borough. This has been substantially supplemented by original research undertaken by the Forward Planning section. The evidence base will be added to and kept up-to-date as required.
Principal Studies & Documents
South Yorkshire Settlement Study, Jacobs Babtie, 2005
The primary purpose for completing this study was to assess the existing sustainability of settlements and their potential to provide sustainable change. This will help to inform future settlement strategy work at the regional and local level and also future planning decisions within the South Yorkshire Housing Market Renewal Area.
LDF Sustainability Appraisal General Scoping Report, ARUP, 2005
National legislation requires that the preparation and adoption of the Local Development Framework (LDF) be informed by Sustainability Appraisal. The Appraisal incorporates the European requirement to undertake Strategic Environmental Assessment.
The purpose of Sustainability Appraisal is to promote sustainable development through the better integration of sustainability considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans.
Employment Land Review
This review has assessed the suitability for continued or potential use for economic purposes of a range of sites across Rotherham. It also considers long term employment land requirements.
Urban Potential Study
The Council has undertaken an Urban Potential Study to help plan for future housing development in Rotherham up to 2016. It seeks to establish how much additional housing development an urban area can accommodate and also provide the basis for future land allocations and brownfield targets.
Rotherham Retail and Leisure Study, White Young Green, 2004
This explores retail and leisure issues within the Borough in support of the planning, regeneration and town centre management work of the Council.
Housing Viability Study: S106 Requirements (360 Kb)
The findings from this viability studies are intended to inform and influence future planning policies and in particular underpin the production of a new approach to the use of planning obligations to secure affordable housing contributions
Strategic Housing Market Assessment (6.7Mb)
This document examines the balance between housing supply and demand/need, the scale of need and demand for affordable and market provision, to what extent affordability is an issue in the area and to what extent low demand is an issue within the area
Strategic Housing Market Assessment Executive Summary (954kb)
Transform South Yorkshire 2nd Prospectus, TSY, 2005
The Scheme Framework update, sets out the long term plans for investment to tackle and solve the structural weaknesses and vulnerabilities of the South Yorkshire Housing Market, with a long term goal of a vibrant, responsive, diverse and sustainable housing market and housing offer complementing and contributing to the economic growth and sustainability of South Yorkshire.
Rotherham Strategic Development Framework, RMBC and Yorkshire Forward, 2005
The Framework translates the ideas, dreams and aspirations expressed in the Renaissance Charter into the physical structure for the future development of the town and identifies key projects that both individually and collectively will lead to transformational change to Rotherham’s urban centre.
Rotherham Municipal Waste Strategy
Sets out the Council's commitment to providing the new collection systems needed to achieve a step change in recycling levels in the Borough and develop treatment facilities that reduce our reliance on landfill.
Identification & Assessment of Suitable Waste Treatment / Resource Management Sites: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham & Entec, 2006
This report has been produced for the purpose of undertaking a site selection exercise to identify potential sites for waste treatment/resource management facilities within the areas of Barnsley, Doncaster & Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Councils.
This document is available on CD from forward planning.
Regional Waste Management Strategy (486 Kb)
A Strategy which aims to make it easier, quicker and more cost effective to set up sustainable waste management systems in the Yorkshire & Humber region.
South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan
A five year plan which sets out how we will implement national and local transport policy to improve transport networks and facilities for public transport, cyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles.
Rotherham Air Quality Action Plans
Air Quality Action Plans are reviews and assessments of air quality for the Borough produced by a dedicated Rotherham Council air quality team.
Local Biodiversity Action Plan
The Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) identifies conservation priorities for Rotherham and gives action plans to ensure the protection and enhancement of biodiversity in the Borough.
Greenspace Audit, Scott Wilson, 2005
The Greenspaces Audit will help establish a framework for planning and delivering greenspaces to pre-determined standards, and for making decisions about future changes to their ownership and management.
This document is available on CD from Forward Planning.
Rotherham Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Jacobs, 2007
The Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Strategic Flood Risk Assessment aims to provide clear recommendations to ensure future development is sustainable and not unduly placing people and property at risk of flooding.
This document will be available soon.
Further Current Studies of Interest
Rotherham in Focus
This document provides the results of the annual economic assessment of the Borough.
Waverley Masterplan
A decision has been made by the Council to take forward and consider the possibility of a new community at Waverley. The Waverley development site is owned by UK Coal Mining Ltd and initial proposals for the redevelopment of the site were put out for community consultation in the summer of 2003.
Westgate Design Coding
A design code has been produced focusing on the Rotherham town centre river corridor area bounded by All Saints Buildings, Sheffield Road, the River Don and the Maltkiln Street/Wilfred Street area. Put simply, a design code is planning guidance which sets out specific rules or requirements to guide the physical development of a site or place. It provides a key tool for driving forward Rotherham's renaissance agenda, providing a means of securing high quality development and acting as a catalyst for raising design standards throughout the town centre.
Future Studies of Interest
Landscape Character Assessment
Landscape character assessment is a technique that has been developed to facilitate the systematic analysis, description and classification of the landscape. This helps develop appropriate recommendations for its future conservation and management.
Local Wildlife Site System
Rotherham Planning Service is refining its system of protection of wildlife sites in setting up a new “Local Wildlife Site System”. This will be based on the application of new, transparent and robust criteria for site selection and up to date survey information, ensuring the very best wildlife sites in the Borough are identified and can be noted within the planning system.
RMBC Corporate Strategies & Plans
Community Strategy
The Community Strategy describes the future vision for the Borough and the key targets and actions partner organisations across Rotherham have committed to achieving, working individually and collaboratively, in partnership.
Corporate Plan
The plan sets out the policy direction for the Council's activities and provides a focus and reference point for Members, officers, the Council's partners and Rotherham people. It outlines the Council's priorities and makes clear why the Council exists and how it works.
Housing Strategy
Rotherham's Housing Strategy is reviewed and updated annually and describes how the Council will deliver high quality services and widen choices in the housing market.
Regeneration Plan
The purpose of the Council's Regeneration Plan is to set out a long-term strategy for Rotherham MBC's contribution to the social, economic and environmental regeneration of the Borough, in support of the Community Strategy.
Cultural Strategy
Future Perfect (Rotherham’s Cultural Strategy) is a rationale for the ways in which cultural services (sport, arts, heritage, green spaces, cultural industries, tourism and libraries) are delivered in Rotherham.
National & Regional Guidance
Planning Policy Statements and Guidance Notes
Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs) and their replacements Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) are prepared by the government after public consultation to explain statutory provisions and provide guidance to local authorities and others on planning policy and the operation of the planning system. They also explain the relationship between planning policies and other policies which have an important bearing on issues of development and land use.
Regional Spatial Strategy
The Regional Spatial Strategy sets out the scale, priorities and broad locations for change and development in the region over the period to 2021. It provides a framework for 'where things go' and 'how much' development should take place, it includes a regional transport strategy, and links all this with broader issues such as the environment, sustainable development and quality of life.
South Yorkshire Spatial Strategy & Vision (220 Kb)
The sub-regional spatial strategy is a non-statutory document that expresses the sub-region’s view as to how the spatial development of South Yorkshire will contribute to the economic and social transformation of the sub-region.
Planning Portal
The Planning Portal is the UK government's online planning and building regulations resource. Use this site to learn about planning and building regulations, apply for planning permission and building regulations consent, find out about development near you, appeal against a decision and research government policy.
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