South East Dorset Transport Contributions Scheme

The South East Dorset Transport Contributions Scheme 2 (pdf, 604kb) (opens in a new window)  (SEDTCS2) is adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document by Bournemouth Borough Council, the Borough of Poole, Christchurch Borough Council, Dorset County Council and East Dorset District Council. The operational area comprises Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, and the majority of East Dorset, and the scheme will operate in each authority until 31 March 2014.   It has been produced in consultation with the Highways Agency and other strategic transport network authorities.

This scheme is the second version of the document and was subject to public consultation during the end of 2011.  We have produced a series of additional documents that summarise this process and the comments received from the public and stakeholders.  It also confirms that the scheme has been produced in accordance with relevant government legislation:

• Adoption Statement (pdf, 24kb) (opens in a new window)  - Christchurch, East Dorset and County Council version
• Adoption Statement (pdf, 31kb) (opens in a new window)  - Bournemouth version
• Adoption Statement (opens in a new window)  - Poole version
• Consultation Statement (pdf, 284kb) (opens in a new window)  

The level of contribution

Residential and non-residential forms of development are required to make a contribution where there is a net increase in trips.  The charge relates to the additional transport movements caused by development.  The scheme has a sliding scale of tariffs depending on the size and type of development and for 2011 - 2012, the cost per additional trip is £350.

What the contributions will be used for

The contribution will be used to support transport schemes (or enhancing schemes which are already listed) in the Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) Implementation Plan and Priority Ranking List.  A proportion of the contribution will support the A31 trunk road scheme major improvement, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding with the Highways Agency.

Policy and evidence - the need for a contributions policy

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out the policy considerations that development proposals are sustainable. It confirms that contributions can be sought to ensure mitigation measures address the cumulative impact of developments on the transport network.

The detailed evidence base for the distribution of development related traffic is taken from the SE Dorset Multi-Modal Transport Study (SEDMMTS), published in 2011.

As each authority adopts its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), the South East Dorset Transport Contributions Scheme 2 will be superseded in their authority area. This will not however prevent the remaining authorities from continuing to apply the Scheme in the meantime.

Unilateral planning obligations

When applying for planning permission, applicants can provide a legal agreement to make the contribution before development starts. This agreement is known as a unilateral undertaking and should be submitted with the planning application. Please contact the council covering the area you applying for planning permission for further information and a template of the agreement.

• Name: Policy Planning (East Dorset)
  Email: PlanningPolicy@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 886201
  Full details for Policy Planning (East Dorset)
• Community & Planning Policy Manager (Christchurch)
  Name: Simon Trueick
  Email: strueick@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495038
  Fax: 01202 495108
  Full details for Simon Trueick