Policy GESP24: Travel Planning
The submission of Travel Plans for approval and implementation will be required for all new purpose built student accommodation and developments incorporating at least 100 dwellings or 1000 square metres of non-housing floorspace. As a minimum Travel Plans should include:
- Residential Travel Plans – site specific proposals including information on nearby facilities and sustainable travel modes, travel vouchers and post implementation monitoring and reporting. This could be delivered either by the developer or through financial contribution to the Local Transport Authority
- Employee Travel Plans – site specific proposals including information on nearby sustainable travel modes, facilities and incentives to be provided for sustainable travel by staff and visitors and an agreed approach to implementation and monitoring of the Travel Plan
8.16 Travel plans are long-term management strategies for integrating proposals for sustainable travel into the planning process.
8.17 People’s travel behaviours can be influenced by facilities at their place of work and when they move house. The provision of information, opportunities and incentives to use active and sustainable modes of travel, provided through a travel plan, can deliver significant improvements in walking, cycling and public transport use for comparatively low cost.
8.18 The National Planning Policy Framework says that “All developments which generate significant amounts of movement should be required to provide a Travel Plan”. Historical guidance on thresholds for Transport Assessments would suggest that 100 dwellings is a sensible minimum for Greater Exeter.
8.19 The Devon Local Transport Plan 2026 identified a need for area wide travel planning. This is now being delivered in strategic allocations in Exeter and would be suitable to expand to the wider Greater Exeter area.
8.20 Travel plans will ordinarily be required at outline planning application stage by planning condition. The use of travel plans proposed in draft policy GESP24 will enable and allow for monitoring of an effective shift towards active and green travel options.