Core Strategypreferred Options
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Halton’s Local Development Framework Core StrategyPreferred Options August 2009 Halton Borough Council CORE STRATEGY Preferred Options Public Consultation Draft August 2009 Operational Director Environmental and Regulatory Services Halton Borough Council Rutland House Halton Lea Runcorn WA7 2GW Core Strategy Preferred Options Contents Chapter Content Pg 0 FOREWORD 1 1 INTRODUCTION 3 2 CHARACTERISTICS, ISSUES AND CHALLENGES 14 3 VISION AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 21 Mission Statement Visions Strategic Objectives 4 MAKING IN HAPPEN: THE SPATIAL STRATEGY 29 Setting the Scene for the Spatial Strategy Presenting the Spatial Strategy Spatial Strategy Policies 35 Preferred Policy Option CS1: Halton’s Spatial Strategy 35 Realising the Spatial Strategy and Key Diagram 36 Preferred Policy Option CS2: Sustainable Development Principles 43 4A. Spatial Strategy Policies: Spatial Priorities 46 Preferred Policy Option CS3: Housing Supply and Locational Priorities 46 Preferred Policy Option CS4: Employment Land Supply and Locational 50 Priorities Preferred Policy Option CS5: Neighbourhood Priority Areas 54 Preferred Policy Option CS6: The Mersey Gateway Priority Project 60 4B. Spatial Strategy Policies: Key Areas of Change 64 Preferred Area of Change CS7: 3MG 68 Preferred Area of Change CS8: South Widnes 72 Preferred Area of Change CS9: East Runcorn 79 Preferred Area of Change CS10: West Runcorn 86 5 Theme: A Decent Home and Neighbourhood 91 Preferred Policy Option CS11: Addressing Housing Needs 94 Preferred Policy Option CS12: Affordable Housing 96 Preferred Policy Option CS13: Meeting the Needs of Gypsy and Traveller 99 and Travelling Show People Communities Preferred Policy Option CS14: Design of New Residential Development 101 6 Theme: A Vibrant Economy and Attractive Centres 105 Preferred Policy Option CS15: Safeguarding and Regenerating Existing 109 Employment Areas Preferred Policy Option CS16: Increasing Employment Opportunities 112 Preferred Policy Option CS17: A Network of Centres for Halton 115 Preferred Policy Option CS18: Halton Lea Town Centre 118 7 Theme: Healthy, Inclusive and Sustainable Communities 122 Preferred Policy Option CS19: Health and Well-Being 125 Preferred Policy Option CS20: Community Services and Facilities 128 Preferred Policy Option CS21: Inclusive Communities 131 Preferred Policy Option CS22: Protecting Halton from Major Hazards 133 8 Theme: A High Quality Built and Green Environment 137 Preferred Policy Option CS23: High Quality Design 139 Preferred Policy Option CS24: Sustainable, Low Carbon and Adaptable 141 Development Preferred Policy Option CS25: Conserve, Manage and Enhance 146 Preferred Policy Option CS26: Green Infrastructure 149 Preferred Policy Option CS27: Contaminated Land 153 9 Theme: An Accessible Halton 157 Preferred Policy Option CS28: Encouraging Sustainable Transport 160 Preferred Policy Option CS29: Tackling Congestion, Pollution and 165 Emissions Preferred Policy Option CS30: Accessibility of New Development 169 Preferred Policy Option CS31: Freight Transportation 172 Preferred Policy Option CS32: Liverpool John Lennon Airport 175 10 Theme: Responsive Infrastructure and Sustainable Resources 180 Preferred Policy Option CS33: Infrastructure Provision 182 Preferred Policy Option CS34: Waste 185 Preferred Policy Option CS35: Minerals 187 11 MONITORING FRAMEWORK 190 199 12 GLOSSARY CORE STRATEGY PREFERRED OPTIONS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION A INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN B LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND SOUNDNESS CHECKLIST C SCHEDULE OF UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN POLICIES TO BE REPLACED D EVIDENCE BASE AND MONITORING DOCUMENTS E POLICY DOCUMENTS F CORE STRATEGY PREFERRED OPTIONS SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL G HABITATS REGULATION ASSESSMENT H HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT I EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT J STATEMENT OF CONSULTATION Figure List Fig 1 National, Regional and Local Policy Framework for the LDF Fig 2 Structure of the Halton Core Strategy Fig 3 Core Strategy Production Process Fig 4 Themes of the Halton Core Strategy Fig 5 Structure of the Halton Core Strategy, by Theme Fig 6 Rejected Spatial Option 1 - Sustainable Urban Extensions Fig 7 Rejected Spatial Option 2 - Brownfield Only Fig 8 Key Diagram - A Spatial Strategy for Halton to 2026 Fig 9 Neighbourhood Priority Areas Fig 10 The Mersey Gateway Priority Project Fig 11 The Key Areas of Change Fig 12 Daresbury Strategic Site Boundary Fig 13 Identified Employment Areas Fig 14 The Energy Hierarchy (adapted from the NW Sustainable Energy Strategy) Fig 15 Strategic Green Infrastructure and Green Lungs Fig 16 Encouraging Sustainable Transport Fig 17 Tackling Congestion, Pollution and Emissions Fig 18 The Waste Hierarchy 0 Foreword 0.1 Welcome to Halton Borough Council’s Core Strategy Preferred Options Report. This document is the latest version of production of the Halton Core Strategy, a Development Plan Document which will play a crucial role in shaping the spatial development of Halton up to 2026 and beyond. The Core Strategy is the central document in the Halton Local Development Framework, the folder of development plans and other documents which will replace the Halton Unitary Development Plan. 0.2 Within the document you will find a wide variety of information, structured into broad sections. The document introduces the broad issues, challenges and opportunities for Halton, including those currently affecting Halton and those likely to have an impact during the period to 2026. The document then introduces a vision and strategic goals for the Borough, imagining what Halton will be like by 2026, and stating goals for improvements in housing, the economy, the environment, design, community facilities and transportation. A Spatial Strategy for the development of Halton is included, showing how development will be distributed throughout the Borough, and indicating which areas will be subject to the most substantial change. The bulk of the Preferred Options document is taken up by a series of preferred policies, including those relating to Key Areas of Change and relating to key themes of development. The document is supported by a variety of material, including an Infrastructure Plan, Sustainability Appraisal, Habitat Regulation Assessment, Health Impact Assessment. Equality and Diversity Impact Assessment and a Statement of Consultation. 0.3 This Core Strategy Preferred Options document is a public consultation document, which means that the Council invites your views on the strategies and policies contained within the document. We would like to hear any suggestions for improvement to the document’s content, as well as recommendations for alternative strategies and policies which you think would better support the development of the Borough over the Core Strategy period. We have produced a Representation Form, which is available at the deposit locations of this document, and also online on the Council’s website, aimed at aiding respondents in sharing their views. 0.4 You can submit your comments in a variety of ways. By Post: Halton Core Strategy FREEPOST RLXK-TLZG-EJGS Planning and Policy Division Environmental and Regulatory Services Halton Borough Council Rutland House Halton Lea Runcorn WA7 2GW 1 By Email: [email protected] In Person: Runcorn Town Hall; Widnes and Halton Lea libraries, and; Runcorn Old Town, Halton Lea and Widnes - Halton Direct Links. 0.5 If you would like any further information about the Halton Core Strategy or about the Halton Local Development Framework, please contact us at the email address above, or: By Telephone: Local Development Framework Team on 0151 906 4884. On the Web: An electronic version of this document and accompanying supporting information is available from the Council's website at: www.halton.gov.uk/forwardplanning. 2 1 Introduction 1.1 This Preferred Options Report sets out Halton Borough Council’s preferred planning policy options for the Halton Core Strategy. This is first formal stage of consultation on the potential content of the Core Strategy. The Core Strategy is the central Development Plan Document (DPD) within the Halton Local Development Framework (LDF). This document has been prepared in accordance with the Council’s adopted Local Development Scheme (LDS), which was published in March 2009. 1.2 Consultation on the preferred policy options moves the production of the Core Strategy forward, from the initial informal public consultation on the ‘Issues’ facing Halton, and potential ‘Options’ for how spatial planning can contribute to addressing these issues. Purpose of the Core Strategy and the Halton LDF 1.3 The purpose of the Core Strategy is to contribute to the delivery of sustainable development within Halton. This is to be achieved through setting out the vision, objectives and strategic approach for the spatial development of the Borough until 2026. The Core Strategy will therefore provide the over-arching policy for the Halton LDF. 1.4 The Halton LDF is the name given to the collection of planning documents that will replace the Halton Unitary Development Plan (UDP). The Saved Policies of the Halton UDP, along with the saved UDP Proposals Map, currently provide a local development plan for the Borough until 2016. This Preferred Options document sets out which UDP policies are intended to be replaced by the Core Strategy upon adoption. Fig 1: National, Regional and Local Policy Framework for the LDF 3 1.5 Figure 1 illustrates the national, regional and local policy framework for the LDF and shows where the Core Strategy sits within that framework. Accompanying each individual preferred policy