In regulating the development and use of land in the public interest a key purpose of the planning system is to promote patterns of sustainable development. Within this context site location is of particular importance. Government guidance has therefore emphasised the role of planning in securing development opportunities in locations which :

makes effective use of land within urban areas in order to minimise the need to develop greenfield sites - by directing development to previously developed land and in encouraging a mix of uses, whilst protecting open space, greenspace and playing fields,

• fosters urban regeneration,
• sustains and enhances the vitality and viability of existing centres,
• conserves both cultural heritage and natural resources.

The desire to achieve the above sustainable patterns of development is underpinned through the integration of transport programmes and land use policies which aim to :

• reduce growth in the number and length of motorised journeys, especially those made by private car,
• encourage alternative means of travel which have less environmental impact,
• reduce reliance on the private car.

In translating these broad locational principles of sustainable development into practice the City Council’s Revised Draft UDP and Transport Strategy provide a framework for delivery.

More specifically, the Leeds UDP identifies a series of Strategic Goals, Aims and Principles upon which the locational strategy of the Plan is based. These in turn provide the basis upon which topic related policies and site specific proposals have been made. The Plan is based on the following Strategic Goals:

• SG1:To use the mechanism of land use planning to help co-ordinate the aims and aspirations of the Council’s strategic initiatives, with the intent of improving the quality of life for all residents of Leeds and those who use the city.
• SG2:To maintain and enhance the character of the District of Leeds in ways which ensure that development and land use change is consistent with the principles of sustainable development.
• SG3:To ensure that the legitimate needs of the community are met.

In addition, taking into account the amendments to the UDP proposed by the City Council before the close of the Public Inquiry in July 1996, the City Council has also recently produced “supplementary guidance” which includes: Town Centres and Retail Development, Leisure Developments and Other Key Town Centre Uses, Affordable Housing, Greenspace For Private Housing Estates and Guidelines for Assessing Developer Contributions to Leeds Supertram. This document forms part of this series of supplementary guidance.

When making decisions regarding site location developers will be required to take the above policies and guidance into account. In addition, the following issues should also be considered:

• the need to locate large traffic generating uses in or close to the city centre or other key transport nodes;
• the accessibility by all modes of transport and the potential for links to the existing transport network, especially public transport, pedestrian and cycle routes;
• the relationship to other uses. For example, the need to reduce the length of journeys and time spent travelling and to avoid impacts on neighbouring property;
• the need to avoid adverse impacts on designated nature conservation sites;
• the need to avoid greenfield sites wherever possible;
• the relationship to existing energy networks and the potential for combined heat and power (CHP).