Why have I been asked to submit a travel plan?
Development can contribute to both the prosperity and the general amenity of an area. However, as pressures on both the transport system and on the environment increase, it becomes more important to ensure development is as sustainable as possible. This is true not only for land-use patterns, but also each individual development for which planning consent is granted.
This means, that even where there are no other planning or environmental issues, the transport impact of even the smallest development will need to be assessed at the Planning Application stage. This may either be through submission of a Transport Statement, or if the transport impact is likely to be significant, then through a full Transport Assessment.
The sustainability will be determined through the nature of a development and also how the travel needs it will generate are to be managed. Therefore, for many developments, a Travel Plan or Sustainable Travel Statement will also be required.
