SAMDev Preferred Options Draft February 2012

Market Town: Ludlow Community Hubs: Burford Clee Hill Community Clusters: n/a Site Allocations in the Countryside: n/a

If your village is not included in the list of Community Hubs or Community Clusters above, then this means that your Parish Council has not advised us to date that it wishes the village to be identified as a location for new open market housing development. The village is therefore proposed to be ‘countryside’ for planning policy purposes, where new development is strictly controlled in accordance with national and local planning policies. New housing would only be permitted in exceptional circumstances in accordance with Policies CS5 and CS11 of the Council’s Core Strategy.

Infrastructure Information about the local infrastructure priorities, needs and aspirations for Ludlow and surrounding villages is available from the latest version of the Ludlow area ‘Place Plan’:

1 SAMDev Preferred Options Draft February 2012 http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/planningpolicy.nsf/open/6F2EA3065B8C8FA880257 922004CC908 All these issues will need careful examination when development applications are considered and development proposals will need to be discussed with relevant infrastructure providers at the earliest opportunity to understand the constraints to development.

Market Town: Ludlow

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Ludlow (population 9,900) is situated midway between and Hereford and is the largest market town in southern The historic town centre is set largely on a ridge above the , with fine streets of historic buildings running down this central spine. It is an important tourist destination that has achieved international renown as a centre for quality local food and drink. Ludlow acts as a major local employment centre and has a very high level of employment self-containment. The A49 is a crucial transport route and the town also benefits from a railway station on the Crewe-Cardiff line. Development Strategy: The development strategy has been influenced by the responses to earlier SAMDev consultation and the aims and objectives of the Ludlow Town Plan (2010-2015). Ludlow Town Council has indicated support for 750 homes over the Plan Period (2006-2026). However, a significant amount of housing (approx. 290 dwellings) has already been built in the period 2006-2011 and there remain a large number of outstanding planning permissions (approx. 215 dwellings). This means that sites are required for about 245 additional homes up to 2026. Key planning issues for Ludlow include the need to provide more affordable housing, maintaining the town’s historic character, and maintaining the wider environmental setting of the town. Infrastructure planning issues include the need for upgrades to the sewage treatment works and sewerage infrastructure, and junction improvements linked to new development where necessary. Development constraints include flood risk in areas adjacent to the River Teme and River Corve and their tributaries, the historic setting of the town centre, and the A49 bypass. However, development has taken place east of the A49 in recent years with affordable housing development at Rocks Green and employment development north of Sheet Road at the Ludlow Eco Park. The PCT also has planning permission to build a new Community Hospital north of the Eco Park with the current hospital site expected to be brought forward for housing development during the Plan Period. The Town Council support the area to the east of the A49 between Sheet Road and the A4117 to produce a long term solution to meet the needs of the town and Ludford Parish Council see this as the most suitable area within their parish for future development outside Ludlow’s current boundaries.

Housing To reflect these issues, a site south of the A4117, east of the A49, is proposed for approximately 200 dwellings (see map). In this Plan Period, development here will help towards a ‘critical mass’ of residential development and enable improvements to pedestrian/cycle links across the A49. It is envisaged that development in this area will form the first part of a comprehensive and co-ordinated longer term ‘masterplanned’ growth of the town in line with community aspirations. The site’s

3 SAMDev Preferred Options Draft February 2012 extent will be defined in the Final Plan following further consideration and the outcome of the consultation on the SAMDev Plan. The existing development boundary (see map above) will be amended to include the proposed site allocation if confirmed at Final Plan stage. A further small amendment is proposed at the Linney. The site promoter has demonstrated through a site based Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) w that the area is within Flood Zone 1 (lowest flood risk) rather than medium (Flood Zone2) or high risk (Flood Zone3) with Environment Agency agreement. Any future planning applications in this area will have to submit a detailed Flood Risk Assessment with agreement of the Environment Agency.

Employment Ludlow plays a key role as an employment centre with a range of employment opportunities in the town. It is proposed to provide an employment allocation of around 7 ha to extend the existing employment uses at the Ludlow Eco Park to the east of the current site. The Eco Park is a successful commercial development and the allocation will extend the employment uses established in this part of Ludlow.

Town Centres Ludlow’s town centre is currently defined by the South Shropshire Local Plan and can be viewed via the following link http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/planningpolicy.nsf/viewAttachments/EWET- 8QLCZK/$file/inset-map-9-ludlow.pdf. It is currently not proposed to amend this town centre boundary. To further support Ludlow’s role as a Principal Centre it is the intention to define a Primary Shopping Area within the town centre to support the implementation of SAMDev policy MD12 when adopted. This primary Shopping Area will be defined on the Proposals Map at Final Plan stage and subject to public consultation.

Other Policy Issues The Proposals Map for Ludlow in the Final Plan will also identify: - the environmental network in line with Core Strategy Policy CS17 - existing major employment areas, linked to Policy Direction MD11

Housing: Dwellings Town/Parish Council aspirations for housing 2006 – 2026 750 Houses Built or Committed 2006-11 505 New Housing Required 245 Proposed Housing to be Allocated 200 Windfall/Balance 45 Preferred area: Approx Capacity

4 SAMDev Preferred Options Draft February 2012 Land south of Rocks Green LUD017 (8.93 ha) See Map: 200 A location south of Rocks Green has been identified to accommodate approximately 200 houses with access envisaged off the A4117, to enable improvements to pedestrian/cycle crossing of the A49, and allowing access to strategic location for future growth east of A49 bypass in line with community aspirations. Total 200

Employment Land: Hectares Town/Parish Council aspirations 2006 – 2026 Modest to Moderate Plus Built or Committed 2006-09 2.4 New Employment Land Required 6.0 Proposed Employment Land to be Allocated 6.0

(plus: 2.5 hectares replacing land lost to Community Hospital) Preferred Sites: Approx Capacity Land east of Ludlow Eco Park, Sheet Road, Ludlow 7.0 Preferred as a Phase 2 extension to Ludlow Eco Park for the full range of Class B employment uses with potential for a northward highway linkage to future strategic location for growth between Sheet Road/Rocks Green. Potential employment uses could include: High quality business park Incubator /SME cluster site General industrial/business area

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Community Hubs: Burford

Burford: Burford sits on the Shropshire/Worcestershire border and has a strong functional relationship with neighbouring Tenbury Wells, south of the River Teme. Together they provide facilities and services for the wider area with Burford providing the majority of employment, a primary school and Tenbury Community Hospital. Tenbury Wells and Burford have a joint Parish Plan and there is an intention to review the Parish Plan with work being led by the Tenbury Area Partnership. Future planning policy for Tenbury Wells is being prepared as part of the South Worcestershire Development Plan. Their draft plan identifies Tenbury Wells as a settlement that will take limited development up to 2030.

Development Strategy:

6 SAMDev Preferred Options Draft February 2012 Burford Parish Council have indicated that Burford should be identified as a Community Hub. The Parish Council have not indicated a preference for the number of dwellings to come forward over the Plan Period. A housing target of approximately 25-40 new dwellings up to 2026 is suggested for Burford. This level of growth is indicative at this stage based on recent past trends for Burford and is subject to further consultation with the Parish Council to reflect local aspirations. Burford provides a significant amount of employment for the wider Tenbury/Burford area with a range of large employers. The Parish Council recognise this role and the SAMDev Plan will seek to retain Burford’s importance as an employment centre. Burford has an existing development boundary. No amendments to development boundary or sites for allocation are proposed at this stage although they may be required depending on local aspiration for the level of growth to be established through further consultation.

Housing: Approx. No. Houses Suggested level of housing to meet Parish Council 25-40 aspirations for housing 2010 – 2026 Proposed Housing to be Allocated 0 Windfall/balance 25-40 Development boundary Yes

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Clee Hill

Clee Hill is situated on the A4117 between Ludlow and . It has some services and facilities including small shops, public houses, health centre and a primary school. Clee Hill is situated within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Any potential future development will have to pay particular regard to the setting of the AONB.

Development Strategy: Caynham Parish Council have put forward Clee Hill as a Community Hub for the wider area. The Parish Council have not indicated a preference for the number of new dwellings but have indicated that they wish land with current planning permission to come forward before any new sites are identified. A housing target of approximately 15-30 new dwellings up to 2026 is proposed. The level of growth is indicative at this stage based on recent past trends for Clee Hill and subject to further consultation with the Parish Council to reflect local aspirations.

8 SAMDev Preferred Options Draft February 2012 Clee Hill has an existing development boundary. It is proposed to amend the development boundary to include the site with long standing planning permission for housing development which was partially implemented a number of years ago at Springfield Park. No other amendments to development boundary or sites for allocation are proposed at this stage although they may be required depending on local aspiration for the level of growth to be established through further consultation.

Housing: Approx. No. Houses Proposed level of housing to meet Parish Council 15-30 aspirations for housing 2010 – 2026 Proposed Housing to be Allocated 0 Windfall/balance 15-30 Development boundary Yes

Onibury

9 SAMDev Preferred Options Draft February 2012 Onibury is situated on the A49 between and Ludlow. It is bisected by the A49 and the main railway line from Shrewsbury to Ludlow. It provides a small level of services for the wider area with a primary school, public house and village hall. The northern edge of the village is situated within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and potential development will have to pay particular regard to its setting. Onibury has a Parish Plan which identifies the community’s aspirations.

Development Strategy: Onibury Parish Council have indicated support for Onibury to be named as a Community Hub recognising the role Onibury plays within the parish and the need to help retain services in the village. They have identified an aspiration for approximately 10-25 new houses within the settlement up to 2026 with development in keeping with the character and surroundings. A single preferred site allocation for 8 dwellings (see above) has been identified in a central location at Onibury Farm. This site allows for sensitively designed housing within the village in keeping with the Onibury Conservation Area. Onibury does not currently have a development boundary and the Parish Council have not expressed a wish for a development boundary to be drawn. The development management process will ensure development takes place within the village.

Housing: Approx. No. Houses Town/Parish Council aspirations for housing 2006 – 2026 10-25 Proposed housing to be allocated 8 Windfall/Balance 2-17 Development boundary No Preferred Sites: Approx capacity Land at Onibury Farm ONBY003 (0.34Ha) See Map: 8 A centrally located site which will provide an opportunity for a sensitively designed, small scale development in keeping with the character of the settlement.

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