Travel plan introduction

Background

This guide outlines the key requirements for travel plans submitted in support of planning applications within Derby, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, Dec 2024) defines a travel plan as: “A long-term management strategy for an organisation or site that details how agreed sustainable transport objectives are to be delivered, and which is monitored and regularly reviewed”.

The NPPF also states (Paragraph 118) that: “All developments that will generate significant amounts of movement should be required to provide a travel plan, and the application should be supported by a vision-led transport statement or transport assessment so that the likely impacts of the proposal can be assessed and monitored.”

The receiving local planning authority will normally forward any transport assessments and travel plans submitted in support of planning applications to the local highway authority for their comment, review, and approval.

It is recognised that there is no national standard format or content for travel plans. As such, and given the range of developments which could be subject to a travel plan, each submitted plan is likely to be different. However, there are seven core components which should be in every travel plan. These are:

An overall transport vision, which should link to the vision articulated in the transport assessment or transport statement.
A commitment from the developer (in the form of an overarching aim) to either:
- minimise single occupancy vehicle use by promoting and supporting alternative modes (suitable for most development locations); or
- Minimise the use of private cars by promoting and supporting alternative modes (city centre locations).
The identification of a travel plan co-ordinator to lead the implementation of the travel plan.
The setting of targets aligned with the objectives of the travel plan.
The implementation of a range of measures to meet the objectives of the travel plan.
The adoption of a monitoring regime (potentially part of a wider ‘monitor and manage’ strategy) to report progress against targets which will be submitted to the planning authority and highway authority.
The commitment to review and update the travel plan in response to monitoring against targets, which may include for the provision of further measures and initiatives.

This online guidance provides detailed explanations and best practices for each of these components to help you prepare a robust and effective travel plan.

Who the guidance is for

This guidance is intended for use by:

Developers – outlining the requirements of the travel plan process, particularly with regard to the long-term management of development proposals.
Individuals working on behalf of developers (including those submitting planning applications and preparing travel plans) – detailing the expected content and scope of travel plans, so they can be agreed with the local highway authority.
Local authority officers (from both planning authorities and local highway authorities) – providing a clear methodology for assessing submitted travel plans to determine their suitability. The guidance also includes standard planning conditions for situations where travel plans, or specific measures, are not secured through a Section 106 agreement.

Where relevant, this guidance will direct each audience to the appropriate sections for further detail.

What this guidance does not cover

Although it is recognised that some businesses/organisations may wish to develop travel plans in order to reduce their carbon footprint or to assist with other objectives such as reduced parking requirements, this guidance is specifically related to the requirements of travel plans submitted to support a planning application (within the authority areas of Derbyshire, Derby and Nottinghamshire). However, the guidance does provide a useful start for those seeking to develop a Travel Plan for reasons other than a planning application.

Also, in some situations, highway authorities are pursuing area-wide travel plans (rather than for individual sites). This could suit a redevelopment scheme or existing development locations where there are existing acute transport problems. This guidance does not specifically suit Area-Wide Travel Plans since they require significant additional steerage and stakeholder involvement, and are not secured via the planning process. Again, however, the principles in this guidance could be used as a starting point for such work.

National Highways may have additional requirements to those listed in this document if the development is in proximity to the Strategic Road Network, although the principles should be aligned.

If you are preparing a travel plan for the purposes of Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) scheme, then BREEAM guidance should also be considered in preparing your travel plan.

School travel plans

In Nottinghamshire, schools making voluntary travel plans can use a simplified form. However, if the travel plan is for a planning application, follow this online guidance and check the School Travel Toolkit for possible measures
In Derbyshire, use Modeshift STARS to create a school travel plan.

How a travel plan relates to the transport assessment

The vision of the transport assessment (or transport statement) and travel plan should be aligned. Traditionally, a transport assessment has sought to establish the likely impacts of a proposed development (prior to planning permission being granted) and identify appropriate mitigation to facilitate that development, if required. By contrast, the travel plan has sought to manage trips to/from a site following its development and occupation.

There are therefore three main synergies between the transport assessment and travel plan process:

Trip Generation (including consideration of alternative “Vision-Led Scenarios”).
Implementation Mechanisms.
Monitoring and Remedial Measures (potentially including wider “Monitor and Manage” strategies).

A travel plan should be used to achieve mode shift and minimise trip generation associated with the audience of the travel plan. It could also be used as a mitigation measure in association with, or instead of, providing for highway-centred mitigation. However, in these cases, the local highway authority must be confident that the travel plan will be robust and maintained, and that appropriate monitoring mechanisms are secured to trigger a fallback position (including remedial measures).

A travel plan should be agreed before the granting of planning consent – as per the transport assessment – and submitted with the planning application.

Note: A travel plan cannot be expected to turn a wholly unsustainable site in transport terms into a sustainable one.