Evidence base and monitoring

These pages contain a variety of assessments, reports and other technical documents that have been prepared to help shape future development in the District. These will enable decisions to be made that will control the location, amount and type of development necessary to ensure that the District grows in a sustainable way.

They will be used to shape the emerging Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, which will set out new planning policies, which will eventually replace the North Kesteven Local Plan 2007.

Further information on the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan can be found at on the Central Lincs website.

accordion | Evidence base and monitoring

Affordable housing - Adopted Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Adopted SPD

The Council will formally Adopt the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on 15 September 2008, to supplement planning Policies in the adopted North Kesteven Local Plan 2007. The SPD forms part of the Local Development Framework (LDF). It is a material consideration in determining planning applications.

The Adopted Affordable Housing SPD and the accompanying documents are available for viewing or downloading by clicking the links below.

What does the SPD do?

The Affordable Housing SPD expands upon and supplements planning Policies H5 and H6 within the Adopted North Kesteven Local Plan of September 2007, regarding affordable housing provision in development proposals. The SPD provides more guidance on the process and negotiation of affordable housing delivery through the planning system in North Kesteven, indicating in more detail how the Policies are to be applied in practice.

Council consideration

After Executive Board consideration on 17 January 2008, the full Council, at its meeting held on 28 February 2008, considered and resolved to approve detailed responses to all representations received on the consultation draft SPD and its accompanying Sustainability Appraisal (SA). It also resolved that an amended version of the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be approved for Adoption, to supplement planning policies in the adopted North Kesteven Local Plan 2007.

Accompanying documents

The following supporting documents are published alongside the Adopted Affordable Housing SPD:-

  1. Adoption Statement - Details of adoption and period available for judicial review.
  2. Final Consultation Statement - This is a Statement of Main Issues Raised through Public Consultation on the Draft SPD and SA. It records what formal public consultation was carried out, the Representations received and how the Main Issues raised in these representations were addressed in the Adopted SPD.
  3. Final Sustainability Appraisal Report - A statement on how Sustainability considerations and appraisal and consultation have been taken into account and integrated into the SPD’s preparation.

Availability for inspection

As well as the documents available for downloading below, paper copies of the adopted Affordable Housing SPD and accompanying documents have also been made available for inspection, during their normal opening hours, at the following locations: -

  • District Council Offices, Reception, Kesteven Street, Sleaford
  • Council’s Info-Links Office, The North Kesteven Centre, Moor Lane, North Hykeham
  • Council’s Info-Links Office, 15A High Street, Metheringham
  • All Council’s Community Access Points
  • All County Public Libraries (static and mobile) within the District.

Adopted SPD documents

Affordable housing - housing needs study

The area has experienced a period of rapid growth which has seen the population increased by approximately 40% between 1991 and 2001, with average building rates over the last 5 years of approximately 750, exceeding the targets set by the Structure Plan of 400 houses per year. Despite the increases in the supply of housing, local house prices have escalated and are now beyond the reach of those on average local incomes.

Work undertaken with the Council’s tenants in 2004 to review their priorities for further housing, identified the supply of affordable housing as a key priority.

The Council commissioned a Housing Needs Assessment to quantify the type and level of need across the district and to inform the development of new policies to ease the high level of need. The nature and extent of the need for affordable housing has been examined and identified by this Housing Study which was undertaken in 2004, and finished and published in march 2005. The main findings of the Study lead to a definition of the need, and identified the level of need, for affordable housing in North Kesteven. The Council’s Executive Board adopted the Fordhams Housing Study (the Housing Needs Assessment for North Kesteven District) on 24 March 2005. See attachment below.

The Council formally adopted the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on 15 September 2008, to supplement planning Policies in the adopted North Kesteven Local Plan 2007. The SPD forms part of the Local Development Framework (LDF). It is a material consideration in determining planning applications.

North Kesteven Local Wildlife Site Reviews 2008-2010

North Kesteven Local Wildlife Site Reviews 2008-2010

During the period 2008 to 2010 North Kesteven District Council has appointed Ecology Consultancy to carry out a review of existing and candidate Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) in North Kesteven. This is in accordance with Government advice contained in Planning Policy Statement 9 - ‘Biodiversity and Geological Conservation’, which states that Local Sites have a fundamental role to play in meeting overall biodiversity targets, contributing to the quality of life and the well being of the community and in supporting research and education.

In total, 175 sites have been surveyed over a three year period. 66 sites were surveyed in 2008, 55 sites were surveyed in 2009 and a further 54 sites were surveyed in 2010. The sites were assessed in accordance with guidance contained in the document “Local Wildlife Sites - Guidance for their Identification & Selection in the Historic County of Lincolnshire” published by the Wildlife Sites Review Group (a sub-group of the Lincolnshire BAP Partnership).

Following these surveys, the results were then made available to the Local Wildlife Sites Panel, which is a sub group of the Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership (LBP). North Kesteven District Council is a fully signed up member of this partnership. The LBP is a partnership of a wide range of groups including the County Council, District Councils, the Environment Agency, conservation groups, the National Farmers Union and the Ministry of Defence. Its general aim is to record, preserve and improve biodiversity throughout Lincolnshire.

The role of the Wildlife Sites Panel can be considered as a way of quality assuring the evidence collected as part of the Local Wildlife Sites Review. Of the 175 sites assessed, the Panel recommended 88 for adoption as Local Wildlife Sites.

The Local Wildlife Sites Reviews and the Panel’s recommendations on these studies will be used as evidence as part of the emerging Local Development Framework, which may result in these sites being included on any new Proposals Map that is prepared as part of the LDF, and/or such sites may be subject to criteria based policies in future Local Development Plan Documents.

The Local Wildlife Sites Review Reports can be viewed or downloaded by selecting the relevant pdf in the attachments below. 

Sleaford Maltings - Adopted Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Adopted SPD

The Council will formally Adopt the Sleaford Maltings Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as Council policy on 18 August 2006, to supplement Policies in the emerging North Kesteven Local Plan. The SPD forms part of the Local Development Framework. It is a material consideration in determining planning applications.

The Adopted Sleaford Maltings SPD and the accompanying documents are available for viewing or downloading by clicking the links below.

What does the SPD do?

The Sleaford Maltings SPD expands upon and supplements particular planning policies within the emerging saved North Kesteven Local Plan, regarding the development of the site known as Sleaford Maltings, Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

The SPD is a brief that addresses, seeks and promotes the comprehensive re-use, preservation, restoration and regeneration of the landmark Sleaford Maltings listed buildings site. This is in order to see the site’s retention under new uses, prevent its decay, and maximise its contribution to the character and economy of Sleaford and the wider area.

New uses and building works on the site would still have to obtain planning permission and listed building consent before development could proceed.

Council Consideration

After Executive Board consideration on 15 June 2006, the full Council, at its meeting held on 29 June 2006, resolved that the Sleaford Maltings Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be approved for Adoption as Council policy, to supplement policies in the emerging North Kesteven Local Plan.

Accompanying Documents

The following supporting documents are published alongside the Adopted Sleaford Maltings SPD: -

  1. Adoption Statement - Details of adoption and period available for judicial review.
  2. Final Consultation Statement - This is a Statement of Main Issues Raised through Public Consultation on the Draft SPD and SA. It records what formal public consultation was carried out, the Representations received and how the Main Issues raised in these representations were addressed in the Adopted SPD.
  3. Final Sustainability Appraisal Report - A statement on how Sustainability considerations and appraisal and consultation have been taken into account and integrated into the SPD’s preparation.

Availability for Inspection

As well as the documents available for downloading below, copies of the adopted Sleaford Maltings SPD and accompanying documents are also available for inspection, during their normal opening hours, at the following locations: -

  • District Council Offices, Reception, Kesteven Street, Sleaford
  • Council’s Info-Links Office, The North Kesteven Centre, Moor Lane, North Hykeham
  • Council’s Info-Links Office, 15A High Street, Metheringham
  • All Council’s Community Access Points
  • All County Public Libraries (static and mobile) within the District.

Adopted SPD documents

Sleaford Town Centre Regeneration Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The supplementary planning document

North Kesteven District Council has prepared a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to guide future development and regeneration of Sleaford town centre. The Council considers the development and regeneration of Sleaford town centre as necessary to ensure that Sleaford continues to be an attractive, lively and distinctive town. Over the past few years the Council has received a number of planning applications for significant developments in and around Sleaford town centre. These developments will attract new businesses, residents and visitors. It is the Council’s role to ensure that the delivery of current and future developments in and around Sleaford town centre is coordinated and of a high quality so that the needs of residents and visitors now and in future are met effectively. At this time a SPD is considered the most effective planning tool to help coordinate development within Sleaford town centre prior to these issues being addressed in the Local Development Framework and Sleaford Masterplan.

The SPD identifies three strategic objectives that will help achieve the Council’s vision for Sleaford Town Centre:

  • Opportunities for development/future uses;
  • Access to services; and
  • Design criteria.

The SPD covers the whole of the town centre although it is predominately focused on the Southgate area and will be a material consideration in the determination of any future planning application for development in Sleaford town centre. The SPD has been informed by the Sleaford Urban Design Study undertaken in 2009 and the consultation that followed the completion of the study. The Sleaford Urban Design Study is available to view and download. The results of this consultation are available to download below.

Adoption

The Council formally adopted the Sleaford Town Centre Regeneration SPD on Wednesday 14 July 2010.

Any person with sufficient interest in the decision to adopt the SPD may apply to the High Court for permission to apply for judicial review of that decision. Any such application must be promptly made and in any event no later than 3 months after the date on which the SPD was adopted.

Consultation

The Council’s Executive Board approved the Draft Sleaford Town Centre Regeneration SPD for consultation at their 1 April 2010 meeting.

Consultation on the Draft SPD took place from 5 May 2010 to 2 June 2010 (4 weeks). The Council has used a variety of methods to consult the public on the Draft SPD including an online consultation portal (Limehouse).

A formal consultation statement detailing all the representations received and how the representations have been considered in the final draft SPD is available to download below.

Availability for Inspection

The adopted Sleaford Town Centre Regeneration SPD is available to download below and on the Council’s online consultation portal Limehouse. The SPD is may also be viewed free of charge during normal opening hours at the following locations:-

  • North Kesteven District Council Offices, Reception, Kesteven Street, Sleaford
  • The Council’s Info-Links Office, The North Kesteven Centre, Moor Lane, North Hykeham
  • The Council’s Info-Links Office, 15A High Street, Metheringham
  • All of the Council’s Community Access Points
  • All County Public Libraries (static and mobile) within the District

Documents

North Kesteven Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Flooding from rivers and coastal waters is a natural process that plays an important role in shaping the natural environment. However, flooding threatens life and causes substantial damage to property. The effects of weather events can be increased in severity both as a consequence of previous decisions about the location, design and nature of land use, and as a potential consequence of future climate change. Although flooding cannot be wholly prevented, its impacts can be avoided and reduced through good planning and management.

All forms of flooding and their impact on the natural and built environment are material planning considerations. Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development sets out the Government’s objectives for the planning system, and how planning should facilitate and promote sustainable patterns of development, avoiding flood risk and accommodating the impacts of climate change. Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk sets out the Government’s approach to how the planning system should take into account the risk of flooding to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding and to direct development away from areas at highest risk. This guidance is expanded on in the document Development and Flood Risk Practice Guide.

In accordance with guidance contained in these documents, it is essential that Local Authorities carry out appropriate assessments of flood risk. As such, PPS25 advises that Local Planning Authorities should prepare Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRAs) in consultation with the Environment Agency. The North Kesteven SFRA was completed in November 2009 and is now available to view or download by clicking on the attachments below. The Study provides valuable information for the Council, developers, householders and businesses on flood risk throughout the District, which will be used to guide decision making on planning applications and policy.

Central Lincolnshire Five Year Land Supply Report (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026)

The latest Central Lincolnshire Five Year Land Supply Report for 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026 (published November 2020) can be downloaded from the Central Lincolnshire Planning Policy library

The report is listed under the ‘Housing’ section, reference HO001.

Housing Delivery Evidence

As part of the Council’s requirement to monitor and project the delivery of housing, once planning permission for one or more new dwellings has been granted, the planning department will make contact with the applicant/agent to request details of the likely timescales for the commencement and completion of the development. 

If you are in a position to provide this information now, you can download and complete the template from the downloads tab. This template should be completed and returned to the Council, by emailing the form marked for the attention of the ‘Planning Monitoring Officer’ to planning@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Alternatively you can post the form to the Planning Department, North Kesteven District Council, Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 7EF.

Developer Contributions SPD (2018)

The Central Lincolnshire Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted by the Central Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee on 25 June 2018. The purpose of the document is;

  • Explain how developer contributions, will be secured
  • Clarify the relationship between planning conditions, planning obligations and the Central Lincolnshire Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
  • Provide a mechanism to help ensure the timely provision of infrastructure to support growth;

The SPD comprises of two parts;

Part One sets out Central Lincolnshire’s overall approach to securing planning obligations.  In addition it explains how the SPD complies with national and local policy, deals with procedural matters relating to the drafting and enforcement of Section 106 Agreements.

Part Two sets out the types of obligation that the Council’s may seek to secure from development.  It also identifies the relevant policy basis, types of development to which the obligation may apply, thresholds over which the obligation may be sought and, where possible the basis on which the level of obligation will be calculated.