The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This policy sets out how the Council will apply the presumption in favour of sustainable development. It will take a positive approach, working with applicants to find solutions so proposals can be approved wherever possible. Applications that accord with the Local Plan should be approved without delay unless other material considerations indicate otherwise. Where relevant policies are absent or out of date, permission will be granted unless the harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits under national policy.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
SP1 - Presumption in favour of sustainable development
This strategic policy is supporting Local Plan objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ,6, 7 and 8.
SP1: Presumption in favour of sustainable development
1. When considering development proposals, the Council will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained within the National Planning Policy Framework and will apply the presumption where relevant policies are out-of-date or absent, in accordance with national policy.
2. The Council will work proactively with applicants to find solutions, so that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social, cultural and environmental conditions in Buckinghamshire. Planning applications that accord with the policies in this Local Plan should be approved without delay unless material considerations indicate otherwise, consistent with paragraph 11(c) of the NPPF.
3. Where there are no policies relevant to the application, or where the relevant policies are out of date at the time the decision is made, planning permission will be granted unless material considerations indicate otherwise. In such cases, the Council will apply the presumption in favour of sustainable development, considering whether any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the National Planning Policy Framework as a whole, or whether specific policies in the Framework indicate that development should be restricted.
4. The Council will proactively support development that contributes to the delivery of homes, jobs and infrastructure, particularly where it assists in maintaining a five-year housing land supply and meeting identified development needs.