West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy Phase Three Revision Interim Policy Statements and Policy Recommendations March 2010 Contents
AA Introduction 4 A Development of the Interim Policy Statements and Policy Recommendations 5
AA Interim Policy Statements 7 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople 8 A Sub-Regional Apportionment for Construction Aggregates 29
AA Policy Recommendations 33 Rural Renaissance 34 Rural Services 34 Culture, Sport and Tourism 37 Culture and Sport 37 Tourism and the Visitor Economy 42 Quality of the Environment 50 Integrated Approach to the Management of Environmental Resources 50 Restoring Degraded Areas and Managing and Creating High Quality New Environments 53 Green Infrastructure 55 Protection and Enhancement of Historic Environment 57 Conservation, Enhancement and Restoration of Region’s Landscape 59 Protecting, Managing and Enhancing Region’s Biodiversity and Geodiversity 61 Trees, Woods and Forestry 65 Protection of Agricultural Land 66 Air Quality 67 Promoting Energy Efficiency within Existing Development 68 Renewable Energy – Targets 69 Criteria for Ensuring that Renewable Energy is Appropriately Located 72 Positive Uses of Green Belt 74 Minerals 76 Safeguarding Mineral Resources in the West Midlands 76 Future Brick Clay Provision 80
AA Appendix 83 List of WMRSS Policies 84 Contact Information 86
All maps in this document are available in colour on the West Midlands Regional Assembly website at: www.wmra.gov.uk/Planning_and_Regional_Spatial_Strategy/ WMRSS_Revision/WMRSS_Revision_Phase_3.aspx
All images (unless otherwise specified) are from the West Midlands Library (www.westmidlandslibrary.co.uk)
2 Introduction
Context AA Phase Three looked at rural In the light of these legislative services, gypsies, travellers and changes, WMRA, GOWM and Following the publication of Regional travelling showpeople, culture, Advantage West Midlands (AWM) Planning Guidance for the West sport and tourism, environment and agreed in September 2009 that the Midlands in June 2004 which minerals. The Phase Three Revisions issues covered in the Phase Three subsequently became the Regional are the focus of this document. Revision should be progressed Spatial Strategy (WMRSS) for the through the new Regional Strategy West Midlands, the West Midlands Interim Policy process rather than through the Regional Assembly (WMRA), in its Statements and Policy WMRSS Phase Three Revision. It was agreed that the Phase Three issues role as Regional Planning Body Recommendations (RPB), was tasked by the Secretary be taken forward in one of two ways: of State to further develop selective The Local Democracy, Economic elements of the WMRSS. This 1) Interim Policy Statements Development and Construction Act revision process has been undertaken which will provide a framework for 2009 will, amongst other things, bring in the following three phases: relevant policies in the preparation together Regional Spatial Strategies of Local Development Frameworks. and Regional Economic Strategies AA Phase One was completed Two Policy Statements have been into a single Regional Strategy in January 2008 and sets developed which cover the provision for each of the English regions. out a long-term strategy for of pitches for gypsies, travellers the Black Country area. and travelling showpeople and From 1st April 2010, the Regional the sub-regional apportionment Strategy in the West Midlands of construction aggregates; AA Phase Two focused on housing will consist of the West Midlands development, employment land, town Regional Spatial Strategy (January 2) Policy Recommendations centres, transport and waste together 2008 version which incorporates with overarching policies relating which will feed into the preparation WMRSS Phase One) and the existing of the new Regional Strategy. to climate change and sustainable Regional Economic Strategy (RES). development. This Phase was subject The majority of issues within the to an Examination in Public (EiP) Phase Three Options document Any WMRSS Phase will be progressed in this manner. in Spring 2009. The Panel Report Three legacy work will be was published in September 2009, incorporated in developing but in March 2010 the Government the new Regional Strategy. advised WMRA that the Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes would not be published before July 2010. Further details can be found on the Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM) website at: http://www.gos.gov.uk/gowm/ Planning/515750/863204/
3 Introduction
The Policy Recommendations GOWM also confirmed that were approved by the WMRA in the Policy Recommendations February 2010. The Interim Policy should be progressed as part Statements were approved by of the new Regional Strategy. the WMRA in March 2010. The Interim Policy Statements and GOWM letters elating to the Policy Recommendations were Interim Policy Statements and also noted by the Joint Strategy Policy Recommendations can and Investment Board (JS&IB) in be downloaded from the WMRA March 2010 as a basis for future website at http://www.wmra. work by the two responsible regional gov.uk/Planning_and_Regional_ authorities, the West Midlands Spatial_Strategy/WMRSS_Revision/ Leaders Board and AWM. WMRSS_Revision_Phase_3.aspx
This document draws together all If you have any queries relating to of the Interim Policy Statements the Interim Policy Statements or and Policy Recommendations. Policy Recommendations please contact the West Midlands Leaders Use of the Interim Policy Board - contact details on the Statements and Policy back cover of this document. Recommendations
On 30th March 2010 GOWM confirmed that they now expect planning authorities to ensure Olwen Dutton that their Development Plan Chief Executive Documents are sufficiently West Midlands Regional Assembly flexible to enable them to deliver the requirements set out in the March 2010 Interim Policy Statements.
4 Development of the Interim Policy Statements and Policy Recommendations
The first stage of the WMRSS Phase In order to test the Interim Under EU Directive 92/43, the Three Revision process was the Policy Statements and Policy Regional Planning Body is required to publication of a Project Plan which Recommendations at each stage undertake a Habitats Regulations set out the issues to be covered in of development, Sustainability Assessment (HRA). The purpose the Revision. A Draft Project Plan was Appraisals (SA), Habitats Regulations of a HRA is to assess the impacts issued for consultation in November Assessments (HRA) and Rural of policies against the conservation 2007. Following extensive dialogue Proofing were undertaken. objectives of European habitat sites with GOWM, the final Project Plan and to ascertain that policies do was published in May 2009. A Sustainability Appraisal (SA) not adversely affect the integrity is mandatory for Regional Spatial of any of these sites. The Habitats Because there were choices as to the Strategies under Section 39(2) Regulations Assessments for the nature and content of new or revised of the Planning and Compulsory Interim Policy Statements and Policy policies, an Options document Purchasing Act 2004. The aim of Recommendations were undertaken was issued for consultation from a SA is to promote a better quality by Treweek Consulting Limited. June to August 2009 to help of life through the achievement of identify those choices (and the sustainable development. The SA Rural Proofing is the process by consequences of adopting them). incorporates the requirements of which strategies, plans and policies the EU’s Strategic Environmental are evaluated for their impact on Following the Options consultation Assessment (SEA) Directive. those who live and work in the a “Preferred Option” would normally SEA is a process for assessing countryside to ensure that rural have been developed which would and mitigating the negative needs are not overlooked. Rural then have been submitted to the environmental impacts of specific Proofing also assesses the different Secretary of State. However, as plans and programmes, and impacts that a strategy or policy explained in the Introduction, is required for Regional Spatial might have in rural areas compared following legislative changes Strategies under the Directive as to elsewhere. Rural Proofing of the arising from the Local Economic transposed into UK law by the Interim Policy Statements and Policy Development and Construction Environmental Assessment of Plans Recommendations was led by the Act 2009 (and advice from GOWM and Programmes Regulations 2004. Rural Accord’s Rural Proofing Team. in April 2009) it was agreed by The Sustainability Appraisals of the WMRA, GOWM and AWM in Interim Policy Statements and Policy September 2009 that the issues Recommendations was undertaken should be taken forward into the by URSUS Consulting Limited. new Regional Strategy through Interim Policy Statements and Policy Recommendations.
5 Development of the Interim Policy Statements and Policy Recommendations
The chart below outlines the key Group on the Draft Interim Policy To accompany the Interim stages in the development of the Statement for the Provision of Policy Statements and Policy Interim Policy Statements and New Accommodation for Gypsies, Recommendations, Background Policy Recommendations. Travellers & Travelling Showpeople Reports have also been produced between October – November 2009, for each of the topics considered. In addition to public consultations and also January – February 2010 at the Project Plan and Options Copies of all the supporting material stages, the development of AA Consultation with West Midlands for the Interim Policy Statements the Interim Policy Statements Regional Aggregates Working Party and Policy Recommendations can have also been informed by the (WMRAWP) and Minerals Planning be found on the WMRA website following technical consultations: Authorities on the Draft Interim at http://www.wmra.gov.uk/ Policy Statement for Sub-Regional Planning_and_Regional_Spatial_ AA Consultation with Local Apportionment of Aggregates Strategy/WMRSS_Revision/ Planning Authorities and Gypsy between December 2009 – January WMRSS_Revision_Phase_3.aspx and Traveller WMRSS Reference 2010, and also in February 2010
Sustainability November 2007 Launch Draft Public Appraisal (SA) Project Plan Consultation Baseline Study and Scoping Report Undertaking of Ongoing Process technical work
May - Jul 2008 Strategic Authorities SA + HRA of advise RPB Options Public June to Options Consultation August 2009 Consultation
SA + HRA of September 2009 Development of Interim Interim Policy Policy Statements and Technical - March 2010 Policy Recomendations Statements Consultations on Interim and Policy February 2010 Interim Policy Policy Recommendations Statements and Policy Statements - March 2010 Recomendations Approved by Regional Assembley
March 2010 Submission of Interim Policy Statements and Policy Recomendations to Government office for the West Midlands
6 WMRSS Phase Three Revision
Interim Policy Statements
7 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
1. Purpose of Interim 3. Summary of 3.3 There are sound housing, Policy Statement accommodation humanitarian, social and welfare reasons for increasing the supply issues for gypsies and of good quality Gypsy and Traveller 1.1 The West Midlands Interim Policy travellers and benefits sites. The benefits will be felt by Statement has been developed Gypsies and Travellers, by members by the West Midlands Regional to be realised through of the settled community and by Planning Body to inform the Local increased provision local authorities. The need for Development Framework (LDF) enforcement action in relation to process. The overall aim is to 3.1 Gypsies and Travellers experience unauthorised sites will be less, increase existing rates of delivery on the worst health and education and will be more straightforward, if new pitches and plots for Gypsies, status of any disadvantaged group unauthorised sites continue once Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in England. Life expectancy is, for adequate provision has been made. in the West Midlands within national example, 12 years less for women policy aimed at increasing such and 10 years less for men than provision (see Appendix 1). among the settled community. In 4. Summary of 2007, 7% of children of Gypsy/ accommodation issues 2. Scope Romany origin and 8.4% of for travelling showpeople Traveller children of Irish Heritage achieved 5 or more A* to C grades 2.1 The Interim Regional Policy 4.1 Travelling Showpeople are an in GCSE or equivalent exams Statement addresses the pitch occupational group who make including English and mathematics requirements by District for: their living running funfairs and in England compared to a national circuses. Traditionally they have average of 45.4%. Research has AA Residential pitches for Gypsies travelled between engagements consistently shown a link between and Travellers – from 2007 -2017 except in winter months when they such measures of disadvantage dealing with undersupply occupied ‘winter quarters’ where and the shortage of good quality they lived, and stored, maintained Gypsy and Traveller sites. AA Residential pitches for Gypsies and tested equipment. Changing and Travellers – from 2017 -2027 patterns of trade and lifestyle mean 3.2 Gypsies and Travellers without giving indicative requirements and that some Showpeople now travel an authorised pitch for their caravans to more local engagements from a are homeless. Shortage of authorised AA Transit sites of various types fixed base throughout the year or sites underlies the unauthorised for Gypsies and Travellers. need to return to base on occasion development of sites by Gypsies through the year. Some family and Travellers without planning members are retired and again 2.2 The needs of Travelling permission, and unauthorised occupy a base through the year. Showpeople are addressed on a encampments on roadsides, car County-wide basis or by group of parks or other pieces of land. Such 4.2 Sites for Travelling Showpeople authorities due to the low level of unauthorised sites provide uncertain are sometimes referred to as ‘yards’ numbers involved and the wider and often very poor living conditions which may be subdivided into areas of search for this residential for Gypsies and Travellers, disruption ‘plots’ each occupied by a single and commercial land use. and anxiety for settled neighbours, family with one or more trailers. A and costs to local authorities in ‘plot’ is the unit of land occupied 2.3 The Interim Policy Statement management and enforcement. They by a single nuclear family, and is also sets out some supporting policy exacerbate community tensions broadly equivalent to a ‘pitch’ for to facilitate LDF production and and make community cohesion and Gypsies and Travellers. Plots and further textual advice and guidance. social inclusion harder to achieve. yards for Travelling Showpeople normally accommodate both living vehicles and trade equipment
8 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople which has to be maintained, tested Table 1 : Current Provision of Gypsy and Traveller Pitches and Travelling A and stored while not in use. The Showpeople Plots needs of Travelling Showpeople are different from those of Gypsies Gypsy and Travelling and Travellers but again a shortage Local authority Traveller Showpeople of appropriate sites is leading to Pitches Plots accommodation problems for Staffordshire & Stoke 282 13 families and sometimes to problems Cannock Chase 41 3 in carrying out business activities East Staffordshire 17 - sufficient to threaten livelihoods. Lichfield 2 - Newcastle-under-Lyme 17 2 5. Current levels South Staffordshire 83 5 of provision in the Stafford 71 - West Midlands Staffordshire Moorlands 1 2 Stoke-on-Trent 50 1 5.1 In 2007, there were 1,094 Tamworth - - authorised pitches for Gypsies Warwickshire 159 12 and Travellers across the region, North Warwickshire 21 - mostly for residential rather than Nuneaton & Bedworth 36 2 transit use. There were 209 plots Rugby 66 - for Travelling Showpeople. Table Stratford-on-Avon 36 5 1 shows current provision at local Warwick - 5 authority level and demonstrates the Worcestershire 240 56 current uneven spread of provision Bromsgrove 18 8 for both Gypsy and Traveller pitches Malvern Hills 20 17 and Travelling Showpeople plots. Redditch - 31
Worcester 20 - 5.2 National issues of shortage of site accommodation for Gypsies, Wychavon 123 - Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Wyre Forest 59 - are applicable in the West Midlands. Birmingham, Black Country, The sub-regional Gypsy and Traveller Coventry & Solihull 169 108 Accommodation Assessments Birmingham 10 25 (1 yard) (GTAA’s - with a few slight corrections Coventry 20 - where further evidence has been Dudley 27 10 provided subsequently) estimated Sandwell 15 13 requirements between 2007 and Solihull 37 - 2017 for 938 additional residential Walsall 20 55 and 219 additional transit pitches Wolverhampton 40 5 for Gypsies and Travellers. They Herefordshire, Shropshire, estimated requirements for an Telford & Wrekin 244 20 additional 118 plots for Travelling Herefordshire 81 - Showpeople between 2007 and Shropshire 124 12 2012. These figures are further Telford & Wrekin 39 8 explained in the accompanying text REGIONAL TOTAL 1,094 209 to the Interim Policy Statement. There is a need for a significant and urgent increase in the provision of sites for Gypsies and Travellers, and for Travelling Showpeople.
9 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
5.3 Against this background, the aims environmental landscape and habitat 6.4 The regional Interim Planning of the Interim Policy Statement are: assets, are properly applied. Statement was led by WMRA and involved close liaison with local (i) To increase significantly the 6. Development of an authority colleagues and a wide range number of Gypsy and Traveller of stakeholders, including direct pitches across the West Midlands, Interim Policy Statement contact with the various Travelling in order to address existing communities across the Region and 6.1 The regional Interim Policy under-provision as expressed the (Travelling) ‘Showmen’s Guild Statement has developed from Phase in the sub-regional Gypsy of Great Britain’. The key stages 3 of the Regional Spatial Strategy and Traveller Accommodation and activities can be summarised: Revision. The provision of sites for Assessments (GTAAs). Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling 1. Assembling an evidence base. Showpeople was one of five planning (ii) To ensure there are sufficient 2. Development of ‘Options’ for policy areas which formed the plots in the Region to meet new regional planning policy. WMRSS Revision Phase 3 which the accommodation needs 3. Consultation on ‘Options’ for commenced in January 2008. of Travelling Showpeople. new regional planning policy. 4. Assessment of responses 6.2 The West Midlands Regional (iii) To ensure that all revised submitted to the WMRSS Phase Assembly (WMRA) and Government Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling 3 Revision consultation. Office for the West Midlands (GOWM) Showpeople policies in the West 5. Development of a regional Interim decided that a ‘Preferred Option’ Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy Policy Statement, including further developed within the former statutory (WMRSS), Local Development consultation with local authorities framework for Regional Planning for Frameworks (LDFs) and other and other stakeholders. the provision of sites for Gypsies, regional and sub-regional 6. Endorsement and adoption of the Travellers and Travelling Showpeople strategies recognise, protect and regional Interim Policy Statement. would not be appropriate. However, ensure a traditional travelling way to ensure the avoidance of a policy of life for Gypsies, Travellers and 6.5 Appendix 2 gives further details vacuum, WMRA and GOWM agreed Travelling Showpeople, whilst of the activities involved in each to formulate a Regional Policy also respecting the interests stage. A Background Paper is also Statement, which will serve as of settled communities. available on the Assembly web site, planning guidance, until the ‘Strategy which provides further explanation of for the West Midlands’ is confirmed. (iv) To ensure that all Development how the ‘Options’ were developed: Plan Documents (DPDs) 6.3 Until the Strategy for the West include fair, realistic and http://www.wmra.gov.uk/ Midlands has been completed, inclusive policies in relation to documents/Gypsies%20 the status of this Regional A the accommodation needs of Travellers%20Trav%20 Interim Policy Statement for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople%20Background%20 Provision of New Accommodation Showpeople and that the for Gypsies, Travellers and potential for Gypsies, Travellers Travelling Showpeople has been and Travelling Showpeople confirmed by GOWM as having to be evicted and thereby ‘similar weight to a submitted become homeless is avoided. draft WMRSS’. Discussions with the Planning Inspectorate indicate (v) To ensure issues of sustainability, that the Statement will ‘carry both socially and economically weight in both Development Plan for Gypsy and Traveller Document (DPD) examinations communities and for the and Planning Inquiries’. protection of significant
10 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
7. Key messages and Traveller WMRSS Reference AA In the context of such polarisation from the WMRSS Group) this figure was subsequently in the consultation opinions and slightly adjusted in the light of lack of consensus on which Option Phase Three Revision further evidence provided by local was preferred, WMRA decided consultation period authorities to 938 additional pitches. to develop a further Option which combined elements of each of the 7.1 In developing the Interim AA There were fundamental and Options consulted upon, maintaining Policy Statement, WMRA had irreconcilable differences in the commitment to delivering the particular regard to the responses preferences between different full 939 (now 938) pitches by 2017, submitted to the public consultation categories of consultee over and being as sensitive as possible on Options, along with other whether a redistributive Option is to the effects and sustainability comments, contributed from a preferred. Three-quarters of Gypsy issues attendant upon developing range of sources, throughout the and Traveller individual consultees a further distributive Option. lifetime of the Phase 3 process. preferred the non-redistributive Option 1 (so that family links could 7.3 Key messages from the 7.2 Key messages from the be retained) while the majority of Options Consultation process Options consultation process in other consultees preferred one of the in regards to additional transit regards to additional Residential redistributive Options to widen areas pitches for Gypsies and pitches for Gypsies and of provision and share ‘the burden’. Travellers were as follows: Travellers were as follows: AA 7 out of 10 local authorities AA Opinions differed on whether the AA Opinions differed on whether the preferred a redistributive Option, total transit pitch requirements (244) total residential pitch requirements but this was split between Option would meet the accommodation (939 at the time of the Options 2 (partly influenced by planning needs of Gypsies and Travellers. 39% Consultation - summer 2009) opportunities and constraints), thought the figure was about right, for Gypsies and Travellers were Option 3 (redistribution to provide 28% thought it was too low, 17% appropriate. 26% agreed with the a minimum of 14 additional pitches that it was too high, and 17% made figure, 31% thought it was too in every local authority area), and some other comment. Gypsy and low, 30% that it was too high, and a view that none of the Options Traveller individuals were most likely 13% made some other comment. was sufficiently redistributive. to think the figures too low. Many Gypsy and Traveller individuals were of those who thought residential most likely to think the figures too AA There was no consensus pitch requirements too high also low on the basis of their own and between local authorities across thought transit requirements were their children’s experiences. District the Region or within sub-regions too high. Shropshire, Herefordshire and Parish Councils from across on the preferred Option. and Birmingham authorities later the Region, but particularly from adduced evidence that figures Staffordshire, were most likely to think AA The Options preferred by local for transit pitch requirements the figures too high arguing that they authorities were incompatible with had been interpreted too high may be based on aspirations rather achieving the regional total of 939 because of misunderstandings of than need for site accommodation. (now 938) additional residential the GTAA findings. Amendments pitches to be provided. Most local to redress these gave an AA In the context of such very diverse authority consultees preferred the adjusted total transit pitch responses, WMRA decided to Option which gave their authority requirement of 219 pitches. retain the 939 additional residential the lowest additional requirement. pitches as the planning total for Combining preferred Options would AA A single geographical distribution the Region since it was based have had the effect of lowering of transit provision was consulted on the local authorities’ Gypsy the regional total by up to 20% on, based on the findings of the and Traveller Accommodation which was unacceptable as it sub-regional Gypsy and Traveller Assessments. Following the would not meet evidenced need. Accommodation Assessments. November 2009 consultation (with 35% of consultees thought that local authorities and the Gypsy this distribution would meet the
11 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople accommodation needs of Gypsies with the wishes of the Travelling relieve pressure on some authorities and Travellers; 52% thought that Showpeople community and and make equitable redistributions it would not and 14% were not metropolitan authorities. 21% of pitch requirements in the most sure. Reasons for thinking the favoured Option 2 as widening pressured Warwickshire sub-region. distribution would not meet needs potential choice, and 25% did included the need for a more even not indicate a preferred Option 9. Interim Regional Policy spread across the region, fear but made a comment. of over-provision in some areas Policy 1 - Residential and need for greater provision in AA The Options for Travelling metropolitan and urban areas. Showpeople were expressed on a Pitches for Gypsies and County basis rather than at District Travellers 2007 – 2017 AA In view of the range and level. 60% of consultees agreed with balance of opinion, the regional this approach; 19% disagreed and 9.1 In view of the work undertaken Interim Policy Statement retains 21% expressed no preference. by the West Midlands Regional the geographical distribution Planning Body, as part of WMRSS of transit pitches as that AA WMRA consider that the Phase 3 Revision process, the which was consulted upon. consultation response justifies Options Consultation and further This distribution was based the regional figure of 118 consultation on a Draft Interim upon the Gypsy and Traveller additional plots for Travelling Regional Policy Statement, the Accommodation Assessments Showpeople, and that these Interim Regional Policy recommends undertaken by local authorities should be distributed on a County the delivery of the following level and represents the best and basis according to Option 1 – of new accommodation: most robust evidence available. need where it arises as evidenced by the Gypsy and Traveller 7.4 Key messages from the Options Accommodation Assessments. Policy 1: Pitch Requirements Consultation process in regards for Gypsies and Travellers, 2007 – 2017 to additional plots for Travelling 8. Further consultation Showpeople were as follows: 660 additional Residential pitches 8.1 Further consultation was required between 2007-2012 AA There was more agreement undertaken in November 2009 with amongst those responding to local authorities, other stakeholders the consultation that the number 278 additional Residential pitches and the Gypsy and Traveller required between 2012-2017 of plots allocated for Travelling Reference Group on a draft of the Showpeople (118) during the five Interim Policy Statement. A note year period 2007-2012 will meet 224 additional Transit pitches summarising representations and between 2007-2017 these accommodation needs. the WMRA response is available 65% of consultees agreed that it at: http://www.wmra.gov.uk/ would, 18% said that it would not Planning_and_Regional_Spatial_ and 17% were unsure but made Strategy/WMRSS_Revision/ a comment. Many of those not WMRSS_Revision_Phase_3.aspx. agreeing with the figures questioned the validity of the Gypsy and Traveller 8.2 All representations were carefully Accommodation Assessments as a considered and taken into account basis for predicting need, but failed where possible. In particular, to provide alternative evidence. evidenced amendments to GTAAs’ findings on current pitch provision AA The majority of consultees (54%) figures and requirements were favoured Option 1 as being in line incorporated. Efforts were made to
12 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
9.2 At a District level the proposed allocation of additional 9.3 Appendix 3 sets out for residential pitches for Gypsies and Travellers is: each local authority its pitch requirement on the basis of need Policy 1: Local Authority Allocation of Additional Residential where it arises (Consultation Pitches for Gypsies and Travellers 2007 – 2017 Option 1) and its proposed requirement for provision in this Local Authority Allocation 2007-2017 Interim Policy Statement. The Staffordshire & Stoke: final column explains derivation Cannock Chase 35 pitches of the proposed figure. East Staffordshire 15 pitches Lichfield 14 pitches Newcastle-under-Lyme 20 pitches Justification South Staffordshire 42 pitches Stafford 37 pitches 9.4 The principles underlying Staffordshire Moorlands 2 pitches the proposed allocations are: Stoke-on-Trent 40 pitches Tamworth 10 pitches AA The regional total of 938 additional Warwickshire: pitches 2007-2017, based on the North Warwickshire 16 pitches GTAAs amended in the light of Nuneaton & Bedworth 29 pitches subsequent evidence from local Rugby 42 pitches authorities, is to be achieved. Stratford-on-Avon 42 pitches Warwick 23 pitches AA There is a need to take a strategic Worcestershire: view across local authorities in Bromsgrove 14 pitches accordance with Circular 1/2006, and Malvern Hills 33 pitches not simply to develop strategy just on Redditch 14 pitches the views of the individual authorities Worcester 22 pitches themselves taken in isolation. Wychavon 42 pitches Wyre Forest 42 pitches AA ‘Need where it arises’ (Option Birmingham, Black Country, 1 in the public consultation) as Coventry & Solihull estimated by the region’s GTAAs was Birmingham 19 pitches the starting point. This is in accord Coventry 15 pitches with Gypsy and Traveller community Dudley 23 pitches wishes and those of some authorities, Sandwell 5 pitches as expressed in the consultation. Solihull 28 pitches Walsall 39 pitches AA A limited redistribution of pitches Wolverhampton 36 pitches Herefordshire, Shropshire, was undertaken to reduce the Telford & Wrekin number of additional pitches to Herefordshire 109 pitches be provided in some Districts Shropshire 93 pitches where Option 1 requirements Telford & Wrekin 37 pitches were particularly high. The primary REGIONAL TOTAL 938 pitches objective was where possible, to increase deliverability by reducing the task for Districts which had already made significant provision. An ideal maximum additional requirement was set at 42 pitches, three times the figure 14 which was used as a minimum pitch requirement (for a local authority area though
13 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople not necessarily all on one site) in AA South Staffordshire: South Coventry, North Warwickshire and consultation Option 3 as a minimum Staffordshire has 8 pitches in excess Tamworth. Diversions were primarily sustainable Gypsy and Traveller of the 42 threshold. These have determined by proximity and/or community to recognise family links been shared between Lichfield, accessibility along the A5 route and avoid isolation. Appendix 4 Sandwell and Telford & Wrekin which formed the underlying rational provides further information on the as the geographically closest for the Local Authorities’ GTAA in derivation of the 14 pitch minimum areas with either low need where this area. Diversions in excess of 3 and 42 pitch maximum premises. it arises requirements or high pitches to Warwick, Coventry and capacity evidenced by the extent North Warwickshire were made on AA In order to maintain the regional of unconstrained land. Individually, the grounds of current provision total of 938 pitches, redistribution the increased allocations were small and ‘needs where they arise’ obviously requires additional pitches and never exceeded 3 pitches. requirements which are low relative to be provided in some other Pitch allocations in Cannock Chase, to other authorities in this sub- Districts. Thus a decrease in any Stafford, Wolverhampton and Walsall region. The allocation to Nuneaton local authority area’s allocation had were not increased despite their & Bedworth was not increased to be balanced by an increase in proximity to South Staffordshire because it has the highest current provision in other local authorities because of their relatively high provision and requirements among nearby. This was done on a case current provision and need where it potential ‘importers’ of pitches. by case basis, aiming to ‘divert’ arises requirements. In addition, the pitches over as short a distance Habitats Regulations Assessment of Policy 2 - Residential as possible while at the same time the draft Policy Statement highlighted Pitches for Gypsies and increasing choice for Gypsies and the sensitivity of Cannock Chase Travellers by raising provision in as a significant European site. Travellers beyond 2017 some Districts with low requirements under consultation Option 1 (need AA Wychavon and Wyre Forest: Policy 2: Pitch Requirements where identified in the GTAA) together these authorities had beyond 2017 requirements 26 pitches in 9.5 Given West Midlands geography excess of the 42 pitch maximum. A co-ordinated review of and the current pattern of provision Requirements were diverted from sub-regional GTAAs should for Gypsies and Travellers, these Wychavon to adjoining Bromsgrove be undertaken no later than principles played out differently and Redditch, both of which have 2015 or sooner if refreshed in different sub-regions, and very low current provision and evidence is agreed by the the distribution of pitches in the need where it arises requirements. Responsible Regional Interim Policy Statement reflects In both instances the allocation Authorities to be required necessary pragmatic decisions to achieves the 14 pitch threshold from the local authorities to balance often conflicting factors. set for a sustainable community. inform the Strategy for the Local authorities with a need where Two pitches were diverted from West Midlands (Regional it arises requirement of over 42 Wyre Forest to Dudley primarily Strategy). In the meantime pitches form four sub-regions: on the grounds of geographical Local Planning Authorities are proximity, easing the sub regional expected to use the indicative AA Shropshire and Herefordshire: pressure with only marginal impact figures in Table 1 below to both unitary authorities have relatively on adjoining authority areas. provide a basis for planning high current provision and need for pitch provision beyond where it arises requirements. There AA Rugby and Stratford on Avon: 2017 if fresh GTAA evidence was no redistribution because together these authorities had has yet to be established. of the large spatial size of these requirements 34 in excess of the 42 authorities and the extent of pitch threshold. Pitches were diverted unconstrained land available. to Redditch, Solihull, Warwick,
14 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Table 2 : Indicative Requirements for Residential 9.6 In the absence of new GTAA Pitches for Gypsies and Travellers Beyond 2017. evidence and subject to further higher level strategic policy which Indicative requirements may subsequently be approved Local Authority 2017-2022 2022-2027 or come into force, local planning Staffordshire & Stoke 77 pitches 89 pitches authorities are expected to use the Cannock Chase 13 pitches 15 pitches indicative figures in Table 2 post East Staffordshire 5 pitches 6 pitches 2017, so that provision will be made Lichfield 5 pitches 6 pitches across the region. This is based upon Newcastle-under-Lyme 7 pitches 8 pitches an anticipated household growth South Staffordshire 15 pitches 17 pitches which is an annual 3% compound Stafford 13 pitches 15 pitches increase in the level of residential Staffordshire Moorlands 1 pitches 1 pitches pitch provision for Gypsies and Stoke-on-Trent 14 pitches 17 pitches Travellers, assuming the back log of Tamworth 4 pitches 4 pitches provision has been made by 2017. Warwickshire 54 pitches 63 pitches North Warwickshire 6 pitches 7 pitches 9.7 Indicative additional pitch Nuneaton & Bedworth 10 pitches 12 pitches allocations 2017-2022 and 2022- Rugby 15 pitches 17 pitches 2027 at District Level, assuming Stratford-on-Avon 15 pitches 17 pitches that each District will take a similar Warwick 8 pitches 10 pitches proportion of the regional total as in Worcestershire 60 pitches 69 pitches 2007-2017, are outlined in Table 2. Bromsgrove 5 pitches 6 pitches Malvern Hills 12 pitches 14 pitches Policy 3 - Transit Pitch Redditch 5 pitches 6 pitches Provision for Gypsies Worcester 8 pitches 9 pitches and Travellers Wychavon 15 pitches 17 pitches Wyre Forest 15 pitches 17 pitches 9.8 For the purposes of this regional Birmingham, Black Country, Interim Policy Statement, transit Coventry & Solihull 59 pitches 68 pitches pitches are identified as any type Birmingham 7 pitches 8 pitches of accommodation which meets Coventry 5 pitches 6 pitches the needs of Gypsies and Travellers Dudley 8 pitches 9 pitches on a temporary basis, for example Sandwell 2 pitches 2 pitches a formal transit site, an informal Solihull 10 pitches 12 pitches stopping-place or designated location Walsall 14 pitches 16 pitches to address seasonal demands or instances of emergency. A wide Wolverhampton 13 pitches 15 pitches range of transit provision is required Herefordshire, Shropshire, in the West Midlands, to facilitate Telford & Wrekin 85 pitches 99 pitches movement both around and through Herefordshire 39 pitches 45 pitches the Region reflecting the culture and Shropshire 33 pitches 39 pitches lifestyle of Gypsies and Travellers. Telford & Wrekin 13 pitches 15 pitches REGIONAL TOTAL 335 pitches 388 pitches
15 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
9.9 The proposed District allocation for additional transit pitches for Gypsies Justification and Travellers is: 9.10 Following the public Policy 3: Local Authority Allocation of Additional Transit Pitches for consultation, the proposed provision Gypsies and Travellers 2007 – 2017. in this regional Interim Policy Local Authority Allocation 2007 - 2017 Statement for additional transit Staffordshire & Stoke 44 pitches pitches for Gypsies and Travellers, Cannock Chase 5 pitches 2007-2017 was directly based on East Staffordshire 5 pitches the findings of the sub-regional Lichfield 5 pitches GTAAs, amended for evidence Newcastle-under-Lyme 5 pitches provided by local authorities through South Staffordshire 5 pitches consultation. These determined both Stafford 2 pitches the regional pitch total, the allocation Staffordshire Moorlands 2 pitches between County groups and the Stoke-on-Trent 10 pitches indicative allocations to Districts. Tamworth 5 pitches Warwickshire 40 pitches North Warwickshire 5 pitches Further Advice Nuneaton & Bedworth 5 pitches and Guidance Rugby 5 pitches Stratford-on-Avon 10 pitches 9.11 To facilitate movement around Warwick 15 pitches and through the West Midlands, Worcestershire 68 pitches all authorities are encouraged Bromsgrove 0 pitches to contribute to the creation of Malvern Hills 10 pitches a ‘Transitory Network’. Since Redditch 18 pitches unauthorised encampments can Worcester 20 pitches occur anywhere and the resulting Wychavon 20 pitches tensions can best be resolved Wyre Forest 0 pitches through a collaborative response, Birmingham, Coventry this includes those authorities where & Solihull 20 pitches the GTAA has identified nil need. Birmingham 10 pitches Coventry 5 pitches Solihull 5 pitches 9.12 Each District will be expected Black Country 12 pitches to identify locations to deliver Dudley 3 pitches the number of additional Transit Sandwell 3 pitches pitches identified. However, whilst Walsall 3 pitches indicative pitch numbers are Wolverhampton 3 pitches allocated on a District basis, it is Herefordshire, Shropshire, hoped that joint working between Telford & Wrekin 40 pitches local authorities will enable the Herefordshire 5 pitches identification of suitable sites over a Shropshire 20 pitches wider geographical area and thereby Telford & Wrekin 10 pitches contribute to speedier delivery. REGIONAL TOTAL: 219 pitches
16 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Policy 4 - Identification of Residential and Transit Sites for Gypsies and Travellers and the LDF Process
Policy 4 : Identification of Sites / LDF Process: A a) Local Development Frameworks – each Local Planning Authority (LPA) should identify the location of specific sites within their Development Plan Documents (DPD's), to ensure the requirements set out in the regional Interim Policy Statement (see ODPM Circular 01/2006) are met. These locations must be attractive to Gypsies and Travellers and take into account factors such as: impacts on significant environmental assets, access to the highways network and key services, any local evidence in relation to unauthorised encampments and historical patterns of travel and annual events. Where joint LDFs are prepared, the distribution of pitch numbers between authorities can be adjusted, where appropriate.
b) Criteria-based Policies – criteria-based policies can accompany site allocations in DPDs but these should be supplementary only, with primary significance given to meeting the pitch numbers in the above Policies. A criteria based supplementary policy must be fair, reasonable, realistic and should not place undue constraints on the development of Gypsy and Traveller sites.
c) Identification of a Range of Sites – each LPA is encouraged to identify a range of sites within their DPDs, which will meet the variety of accommodation needs, required by Gypsies and Travellers. Specifically:
i. the allocation of small sites is particularly recommended to facilitate the delivery of private family sites, together with larger allocations to deliver publicly owned and run sites.
ii. the allocation of land to meet the specific accommodation needs of New Travellers should also be made within DPDs where locationally required.
iii. both stopping places and more formal transit sites, which offer a range of basic services will be required. Where formal transit sites are required (as identified in the GTAAs) LPAs are encouraged to prioritise the delivery of these in order to directly address travelling patterns or repeated incidence of roadside encampments.
d) Consultation with Travelling communities -LPAs are expected to consult with the Travelling communities within their respective areas, as part of their LDF process, to determine the most appropriate type of sites which will best meet their needs.
e) Rate of Delivery – LPAs should endeavour to actively promote policies and practices which encourage applications for new accommodation and prioritise addressing the existing backlog of need. LPAs may choose to take individual action or work in partnership with local Registered Providers (RPs) or Private providers but it is important that positive progress is made at regular stages and will be subject to a regular monitoring regime.
17 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Policy 5 - Plots for Travelling Showpeople
9.13 At a County level the proposed allocation of additional Plots for Travelling Showpeople is:
Policy 5: Allocation of Additional Plots by County and Local Authority Grouping for A Travelling Showpeople 2007 - 2012
County Allocation 2007 – 12 Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford & Wrekin 9 Plots Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent 23 Plots Warwickshire 1 Plot Worcestershire 22 Plots Birmingham, Black Country, Coventry & Solihull* 63 Plots REGIONAL TOTAL: 118 Plots * As at Jan 2010, 30 of these plots were required for the relocation and expansion of an existing funfair operator in Birmingham. As the operator’s area of search extends south beyond the conurbation, provision could be made elsewhere e.g. within Warwickshire, if a suitable site were to be required and identified. Please note Policy 6 (b) below.
Justification sub-regional GTAAs. These well as more traditional concerns determined both the regional pitch of housing needs. Consequently, 9.14 The regional Interim Policy total and the allocation between when allocating land for new plots/ Statement considered additional plot Counties and groups of authorities. yards, both accommodation needs requirements at County level rather and commercial requirements than at District level because of AA In its response to the WMRSS should be taken into account. In the problems of allocating relatively Phase 3 Options consultation, circumstances where a part yard small plot numbers between Districts the West Midlands Branch of or whole yard (a collection of for a group who often have a wide the Showmen’s Guild supported plots) relocation is required, LPAs area of search and must satisfy Option 1, to distribute additional should acknowledge that this may commercial as well as residential plots upon the basis of ‘Need result in significant geographical criteria when developing sites. Where It Arises’ and subsequently movement across the Region. expressed its agreement with the AA The time period is 2007-2012 draft Interim Policy Statement. because of difficulties in predicting requirements over a longer period in a changing occupational market. Identification of Sites in Relation to Commercial AA Following the Options consultation, Requirements the WMRA proposed provision in the regional Interim Policy Statement 9.15 The accommodation needs of for additional plots for Travelling Travelling Showpeople are influenced Showpeople, 2007-2012, directly by economic considerations as based on the findings of the
18 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Policy 6 - Identification of Residential and Transit Sites for Gypsies and Travellers and the LDF Process
Policy 6 : Supporting Travelling Showpeople Policy
a) Identification of Sites – LPAs should allocate sufficient sites within their Local Development Frameworks, to address the level of need identified within the Interim Regional Statement after discussion with this business sector’s representatives and neighbouring authorities to ensure relevant, sensitive and appropriate allocations of plots.
b) Relocation - By working collaboratively, LPAs should address any individual cases for re-location as they arise, which will not only meet the needs of the Travelling Showpeople communities concerned but also bring economic benefits for the individual local authorities affected and the wider regional economy overall. Relocation requirements should be justified, and clear mechanisms and criteria, including planning constraints, for identifying any necessary alternative site(s) need to be set out.
c) Relocation - Where such a relocation is required between local authority areas, the resultant change overrides the plot numbers given in Policy 5. Annual Monitoring will track any such adjustments.
d) To ensure all allocations are appropriate, in terms of size (to meet both residential and commercial needs), design and location (to facilitate ease of movement by large vehicles from the yard to the Highways network), it is recommended that the guidelines produced by Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain are referred to in assessing site capacity and scheme design.
Active Dialogue with the West Midlands Branch of the Showmen’s Guild – to enable the delivery of new Travelling Showpeople plots / yards it is essential that LPAs develop an effective channel of communication with the Travelling Showpeople communities within their areas and those of neighbouring areas. The Showmen’s Guild holds specific knowledge as to the accommodation requirements of Showpeople, which should be beneficial in enabling delivery and meeting need.
Plot Requirement for Travelling Showpeople beyond 2012
9.16 An annual growth rate of 1.5% compound should be assumed beyond 2012 based on plot requirements at the start of the period. At regional level this produces an indicative estimate of between 25 and 30 additional residential plots each five year period beyond 2012.
Policy 7 - Supplementary Policy to Facilitate Delivery of the Interim Regional Policy Statement
Policy 7 : Supplementary Policy for Gypsy, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation
Consultation and Active Dialogue with Travelling communities – to enable the identification of suitable sites, LPAs or groups of authorities are encouraged to open an active dialogue with the Travelling communities within their areas, to obtain a better understanding of their patterns of residence, travel and lifestyle. Local authority support for the establishment of local / sub-regional forums or networks would be helpful in terms of improving the capacity of individual Gypsy and Travellers and organisations to contribute to the debate around new accommodation and foster a more inclusive approach to Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople issues overall.
19 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Design and Size of Sites 9.20 A figure of 14 pitches – not all Maintenance of Sites necessarily in the same place – has been identified in the Interim Policy 9.17 It is essential that Development 9.23 As additional accommodation Statement as an approximation to Control understands the specific will only be delivered as result of an ideal minimum provision at the needs and issues involved in new the input of a considerable range District level to facilitate the creation site/yard delivery. When considering of resources, it is essential that of sustainable communities and site design, Development Control good quality accommodation is guard against potential isolation. policy and processes should retained. Effective management However, it is recognised that refer to the guidance produced and maintenance arrangements individual sites may be much by both Communities Local should be put in place as a smaller or larger, as determined Government (CLG) and the Homes condition of new and refurbished by local requirements, and that an and Communities Agency (HCA), pitch provision to ensure that sites allocation of 14 pitches does not along with any examples of Best do not fall into disrepair, leading to have to be met in one location. Practice from within the West abandonment and loss of provision. Midlands and from other Regions, and, importantly, any advice Enabling of both Private Role of the Homes and obtained through consultation with and Public Sites Communities Agency local Travelling communities.
9.21 LPAs are encouraged to actively 9.24 The Homes and Communities Those preparing the design 9.18 enable the delivery of both public Agency (HCA) administers the and layout of sites and preparing and private provision for Gypsies Gypsy and Traveller Site Grant planning applications for Gypsy and Travellers. Whilst it is anticipated Programme which provides public and Traveller accommodation that half or more of the additional funding for the delivery of new should consult the Police and Fire pitch requirements will be met by and refurbished accommodation Services for their advice, expertise Gypsies and Travellers themselves, by local authorities, RSLs and and experience in ensuring the is it is essential that public provision Registered Providers. The HCA consistent delivery of high design is facilitated to meet the needs will use the ‘Single Conversation’ standards across the West Midlands. of the more vulnerable sections process to discuss the delivery of
of the Travelling communities, new accommodation for Gypsies, LPAs should acknowledge the 9.19 including the elderly, young people Travellers and Travelling Showpeople diversity and complexity of the range and those with health issues. with each local authority and thereby of communities that are encapsulated ensure that this element of housing within overall Gypsy and Traveller 9.22 It is likely that most new need is not left unaddressed. communities, which necessitates a provision for Travelling Showpeople variety of site layouts. For example, will be privately funded, but in some sites for New Travellers may be view of the prevailing economic quite informal in design and may not circumstances this assumption feature all standard facilities, whereas should be kept under regular some sites for other Gypsies and review. Any emerging evidence Travellers may require additional land of an increasing inability to in order to accommodate animals make self-provision should be and/or commercial activities. investigated to see whether public support can be made available.
20 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
9.25 Consequently, local authorities The Green Belt Joint Working / Cross- are encouraged to consider Boundary Working developing bids to the Grant 9.27 ODPM Circular 01/2006 programme and to seek advice acknowledges the difficulties that 9.28 It is recognised that the from the HCA, the Assembly (or many rural authorities face in delivery of additional pitches and its successor body) and GOWM, terms of the supply of affordable plots will be challenging for many where appropriate. Examples of land to meet the accommodation local authorities and it is therefore innovation in delivery are particularly needs of Gypsies and Travellers. suggested that a collaborative encouraged, with creative partnership Consequently, while development approach may benefit some of the arrangements between local within the Green Belt is normally issues involved. The delivery of authorities, RSLs and Registered inappropriate, authorities in this new accommodation for Gypsies, Providers, and Gypsy and Traveller situation should consider including Travellers and Travelling Showpeople communities. Proposals for a ‘Rural Exception Policy’ in their must be seen within the wider shared-ownership or self-build DPDs and bear in mind the possibility agendas of community cohesion and schemes may be suggested. of adjustments to Green Belt social inclusion. Local authorities are boundaries which can be made in encouraged to consider undertaking 9.26 Local authorities are also exceptional circumstances for the community development work asked to encourage the provision provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites. to secure improved community of sites through private funds, such understanding of the issues as private developer contributions involved and to develop local and Gypsy and Traveller pitch leadership in order to drive forward provision within new large-scale a sustainable pattern of delivery. residential developments. Monitoring
9.29 Progress on the delivery of new accommodation by each LPA will be monitored through the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR). The HCA will be partners with the regional bodies monitoring this and will include the results in its Single Conversation work with local authorities.
21 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Appendix 1 with innovative approaches to The Circular defines Gypsies and site delivery being encouraged. Travellers and recognises that some may well have a lifestyle Summary of National Moreover, Gypsies, Travellers and of active travel and be self- Policy Background Travelling Showpeople have an employed in occupations such important part to play in terms of as seasonal agricultural work but The Government is committed to the delivery of new sites, with many that some Travellers may have increasing the levels of authorised likely to be established through a more settled lifestyle, as they site provision for Gypsies, Travellers private funds. In relation to this and work in trades which require lesser and Travelling Showpeople. The to enable Gypsies, Travellers and mobility or no longer travel due Government established a new policy Travelling Showpeople to make to issues of health and/or age. framework to significantly reduce self-provision, Government requires the current levels of unauthorised Local Planning Authorities to CLG Circular 04/2007 camping and avoid the problems allocate sufficient land in their Local that some unauthorised sites can Development Frameworks (LDFs) CLG Circular 04/2007: Planning for cause, for example increased to meet pitch / plot requirements Travelling Showpeople was issued on tension between Gypsies and for both social and private sites 21 August 2007 and acknowledged Travellers and the wider community and respond positively to Travellers that previous Guidance (Circular and costs to the local taxpayers. seeking guidance in regards to the 22/91) had failed to deliver adequate overall planning application process. sites for Travelling Showpeople. In attempting to tackle these The Circular indicated that the inequalities and specifically to resolve ODPM Circular 01/2006 needs of Travelling Showpeople the problems which unauthorised should be treated in a similar way development and camping can The Government’s position on to those of Gypsies and Travellers create, the Government expects addressing the issues brought and that Gypsy and Traveller local authorities to take a balanced about by unauthorised camping Accommodation Assessments are approach by carrying out effective and development has been to include the needs of Travelling but fair enforcement of planning developing for some years, with Showpeople, which will then be policies and by working to develop new Policy statements being issued incorporated into revised Regional new sites and improve existing in 2006 and 2007. ODPM Circular Spatial Strategies (WMRSSs) and ones. The Government believes that 01/2006: Planning for Gypsy and Local Development Plans (LDPs). well managed, authorised sites can Traveller Caravan Sites was issued provide a solution for all concerned, on 2 February 2006 and put in The Circular defines Travelling and in support of this the Department place a legislative framework for Showpeople in relation to their for Communities and Local planning Gypsy and Traveller sites, distinctive occupations – fairs, rides Government (CLG) provides capital with local authorities having to and amusements with associated funding through the Gypsy & Traveller address the unmet need of Gypsies catering and other stalls – which Site Grant Programme. The Grant and Travellers within their area result in a pattern of frequent Programme is expected to make (need for accommodation to be travel for short periods of time. £97million available nationally to local identified through an assessment of authorities and Registered Social accommodation needs, as required Landlords over the 2008-2011period, under the Housing Act 2004).
22 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
The Green Belt and Housing Green Paper: The Housing and Sites in Rural Areas More Affordable, More Regeneration Act 2008 Sustainable ODPM Circular 01/2006 also The Housing and Regeneration acknowledges the difficulties The Housing Green Paper, Bill received Royal Assent in July that many rural authorities published in July 2007, set down 2008 and will help to deliver the face in terms of the supply of new expectations in relation to an commitments set out in the Housing affordable land to meet Gypsies’ enhanced role for local authorities Green Paper, namely to provide and Travellers’ accommodation in creating a ‘strategic vision’ more and greener homes, in mixed needs. Consequently, it states for housing policy and delivery and sustainable communities. One that authorities in this position across their communities. This of the key features of the Bill was should consider including a Rural ‘strategic vision’ should encompass the decision to merge the Housing Exception Sites Policy in their the needs of all sections of the Corporation (which delivered Social Development Plan Documents community, which includes the housing) and English Partnerships and that while development needs of Travellers and is intended (which delivered large scale within the Green Belt is normally to encourage the incorporation regeneration projects). A new single inappropriate, adjustments to Green of accommodation needs of National Agency known as the Belt boundaries can be made, in Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Homes and Communities Agency exceptional circumstances, for the Showpeople as part of general (HCA) became formally operational provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites. housing provision in the future. on 1 December 2008. One of the HCA’s responsibilities is the delivery Connecting Traveller of the national Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Need to Site Grant Programme, acting on the advice of the Regional Housing General Housing Need Executive in terms of funding bids from local authorities and RSLs. The Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling HCA will assist through its expertise Showpeople policy does not and in delivering challenging projects. should not operate in isolation, and the Government has signalled its intention for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation to be planned for and delivered in the same way that all other housing is provided. In relation to this intention, several recently introduced changes should have a positive impact upon the delivery of new sites in the future.
23 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Appendix 2 2. Development of 3.Consultation on ‘Options’ for new ‘Options’ for new Regional Key stages in the Gypsies, Regional Planning Policy Planning Policy Travellers and Travelling Showpeople element AA Consideration of other Regions’ AA Three Options for new Policy on of the WMRSS Revision approaches to the development of the provision of permanent pitches Options where they were further for Gypsies and Travellers, Phase 3 Process advanced in their respective WMRSS Revision processes. AA An Option on the provision 1. Assembling an of transit pitches and Evidence Base AA Consideration of outcomes from WMRSS Examinations in AA Two Options on the provision of plots for Travelling Showpeople. AA Completion by the local Public in other Regions, e.g. authorities of their six sub- South West, East of England. regional Gypsy and Traveller AA Period of public consultation Accommodation Assessment AA Contributions made by members ran between 29 June – (GTAAs) in 2007/2008. of the WMRSS Gypsy & 14 August 2009. Traveller Reference Group and AA Establishment of an WMRSS by individual Gypsies, Travellers AA Consultation events facilitated Gypsy and Traveller Reference and their representatives. with Gypsies and Travellers in Group (local authority officers the West Midlands Region – and representatives from other AA Development and appraisal of events were held in Hereford, stakeholder organisations) in ‘Scenarios’ to identify merits Nuneaton & Bedworth, Stoke- summer 2008, to advise on the and limitations of potential on-Trent, Telford and Worcester. process of engagement and re-distributive Options. the development of policy. AA Distribution of a questionnaire AA Commissioning of a ‘Constraints to the Travelling Showpeople AA Production of a Regional Overview and Opportunities’ mapping community, via the West Midlands of the sub-regional GTAAs. exercise to indicate, in general Branch of the Showmen’s Guild. terms, the broad availability AA Submission of advice from of land within each District to Strategic 4 (4) Planning Authorities. accommodate new provision.
AA Supplementary technical work to benchmark the GTAA findings and ensure cross-regional comparability between them.
24 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
4. Assessment of 5. Development of 6. Endorsement and Responses Submitted to Interim Policy Statement Adoption of Interim the Options Consultation Policy Statement AA Formulation of a Statement AA Collation and assessment of undertaken by WMRA between AA Consideration by West Midlands responses undertaken by WMRA October 2009 – March 2010. Regional Assembly Board at its consultants, URSUS Consulting, meeting on 15 January 2010. between August – October 2009. AA Formal comment sought from local authorities on the draft AA Consideration by the Regional AA Assessment of responses to Statement – November 2009. Planning and Environment Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Executive (RPEE) at its meeting Showpeople element of WMRSS AA Input by WMRSS Gypsy & on 23 February 2010. Phase 3 Options consultation Traveller Reference Group completed by the Centre for Urban – November 2009. AA Approval by the full Regional and Regional Studies, University Assembly at its meeting of Birmingham, in October 2009. AA Consideration of on 17 March 2010. representations received and amendment to the draft. AA Ratification by the Joint Strategy and Investment Board (JS&IB) at AA Input from the WMRSS 3 its meeting on 23 March 2010 Reference Group 5 Jan 2010 (as well ratification by the West and the WMRSS Policy Leads Midlands Leaders Board (WMLB). and Coordination Groups both on 6 Jan 2010. AA Submission to GOWM on 31 March 2010.
25 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Appendix 3
Derivation of Preferred Option Allocation of Additional Residential Pitch Requirements
Provision in Consultation Local authority Interim Policy Derivation Option 1 Statement Cannock Chase 35 35 Need where it arises from GTAA East Staffordshire 15 15 Need where it arises from GTAA Increased allocation for pitches (3) Lichfield 11 14 diverted from South Staffordshire Newcastle under Lyme 20 20 Need where it arises from GTAA Reduced to 42 pitch allocation; pitches diverted South Staffordshire 50 42 to Lichfield (3), Sandwell (2) and Telford & Wrekin (3) Stafford 37 37 Need where it arises from GTAA Need where it arises from GTAA; unrealistic to increase allocation because of isolation from existing Staffordshire Moorlands 2 2 areas of Gypsy and Traveller settlement and lack of evidence of demand to live in the area Stoke on Trent 40 40 Need where it arises from GTAA Increased allocation for pitches Tamworth 7 10 (3) diverted from Rugby Increased allocation for pitches North Warwickshire 10 16 (6) diverted from Rugby Nuneaton & Bedworth 29 29 Need where it arises from GTAA Reduced to 42 pitch allocation; pitches diverted to Tamworth Rugby 66 42 (3), North Warwickshire (6), Warwick (3) and Coventry (12) Reduced to 42 pitch allocation; Stratford on Avon 52 42 pitches diverted to Warwick (7), Redditch (1) and Solihull (2) Increased allocation for pitches Warwick 13 23 diverted from Rugby (3) and Stratford on Avon (7)
26 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Consultation Provision in Interim Local authority Derivation Option 1 Policy Statement Increased allocation for pitches Bromsgrove 3 14 (11) diverted from Wychavon Malvern Hills 33 33 Need where it arises from GTAA Increased allocation for pitches Redditch 0 14 diverted from Stratford on Avon (1) and Wychavon (13) Worcester 22 22 Need where it arises from GTAA Reduced to 42 pitch allocation; Wychavon 66 42 pitches diverted to Bromsgrove (11) and Redditch (13) Reduced to 42 pitch allocation; Wyre Forest 44 42 pitches diverted to Dudley (2) Birmingham 19 19 Need where it arises from GTAA Increased allocation for pitches Coventry 3 15 (12) diverted from Rugby Increased allocation for pitches Dudley 21 23 (2) diverted from Wyre Forest Increased allocation for pitches (2) Sandwell 3 5 diverted from South Staffordshire Increased allocation for pitches (2) Solihull 26 28 diverted from Stratford on Avon Walsall 39 39 Need where it arises from GTAA Wolverhampton 36 36 Need where it arises from GTAA Need where it arises from GTAA; allocation remains Herefordshire 109 109 unchanged because of the extent of unconstrained land Need where it arises from GTAA; allocation remains Shropshire 93 93 unchanged because of the extent of unconstrained land Increased allocation for pitches Telford & Wrekin 34 37 diverted from South Staffordshire
27 Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Appendix 4 ‘Again, there is unlikely to be Justification of the 14/15 pitch evidence unless it is provided minimum is in the second bullet. in GTAAs (and some have It is clear that this is intended as a Justification for 14 Pitches attempted to discover locational viable community, but could include Minimum Allocation preferences) and/or advice from either a single site or several smaller local authorities. We think that: sites. The approach now adopted In consultation Option 3, a minimum in the West Midlands essentially 14 pitch allocation for each local AA EITHER dispersion should be seeks to combine both aspects authority was adopted to achieve relatively modest in terms of distance suggested by the CLG report. redistribution to increase choice and extent. For example, where for Gypsies and Travellers and to an LPA with high need generated Justification for 42 Pitches increase deliverability by spreading by current provision adjoins one Maximum Allocation responsibility for provision more with no site provision, some of the widely between local authorities. requirements might be ‘diverted’ In allocating additional pitch This followed the approach adopted to the adjoining area, especially if requirements, factors relating to by the East of England Regional road links between the areas are equity and the practicalities of Assembly in its Preferred Option good. This would enable existing delivering high numbers of new for its Single Issue Review where community and family links to be pitches were considered and it is a minimum of 15 pitches was maintained. Such possibilities might therefore proposed that no authority adopted. In the West Midlands be identified from the maps at Q2. should be expected to provide more the pitch number was amended than 3 times the minimum allocation downwards by one pitch because AA OR new areas of site provision (i.e. 14 pitches X 3 = 42 pitches). overall requirements are lower should be positively planned, and In effect, this capping of allocations than in East of England. should be sufficiently extensive to allows recognition to be given to create a viable local community. those authorities which have made The East of England approach, A ‘viable’ community should a significant degree of provision to including the minimum pitch probably be at least 15 pitches date, in comparison to authorities allocation, was thoroughly tested with the possibility of extension which have made limited provision. at Examination in Public and was to accommodate extended family broadly endorsed in the Panel Report, members and family growth and in the Secretary of State’s in the future, and should be Proposed Changes, and finally in the well supported. Planned ‘new’ revision to the East of England Plan. communities should, of course, meet other positive criteria for sites Justification for setting a pitch including especially employment minimum at about this level comes opportunities and good road access.’ from the CLG report Preparing Regional Spatial Strategy reviews on Gypsies and Travellers by regional planning bodies (2007), page 52 which refers to alternative means of dispersing requirements between areas of high and low need:
28 Sub-Regional Apportionment of Construction Aggregates
Policy Objective Background relationship between consumption in urban areas and the provision of 1. To produce new sub-regional 4. In order to maintain adequate supplies of primary aggregates from apportionments for construction and steady supplies of materials on mainly rural areas particularly from aggregates for the West Midlands the one hand, and protect valuable Staffordshire for sand and gravel for the period 2005 – 2020 and to landscapes and communities on the and Shropshire for crushed rock. provide advice to Mineral Planning other, a national managed aggregates Authorities (MPAs) on extending supply system operates providing 8. However not all the material those apportionments up to 2026. guidelines for regional provision. produced and sold in the region is consumed in the West Midlands 2. Construction aggregates (sand 5. The Government determines region. Based on the most recent and gravel and crushed rock) are the future national requirements information (AM2005 Collation) essential to built development, other for aggregates and apportions it 87% of the sales were consumed construction and maintenance of between the regions based on in the West Midlands. As a whole infrastructure (e.g. roads, flood past production, regional shares, the West Midlands consumed defences). They are therefore future levels of construction activity 17,827million tonnes of aggregates essential to deliver growth, create and and growth to give a regional in 2005 of which 33% were imports. maintain sustainable communities requirement. (National and Regional Of that 33% ninety three percent and to sustain Urban and Rural Guidelines for Aggregates Provision was crushed rock imported from Renaissance in the West Midlands. in England: 2005-2020 June 2009). other regions and Wales.
Key Messages from 6. The 2003 guidelines were 9. The draft revision to the WMRSS Phase 2 (covering the period up the Phase Three apportioned sub-regionally by the Regional Planning Body following to 2026) proposes major new Options Consultation advice from the West Midlands housing development across the Regional Aggregates Working Party region, additional employment 3. The suggested aggregates (WMRAWP) and incorporated into sites and the development of apportionment was not considered the West Midlands Regional Spatial a better transport system. realistic. There was a considerable Strategy (June 2004) as Policy body of opinion which considered M2 (of the WMRSS) following an 10. This level of future growth that the apportionment was too examination in public. The 2003 may require additional materials high for Staffordshire, and some national and regional guidelines to be found by defining areas for were of the view that it was too high and sub-regional apportionment new minerals extraction. However, for the region as a whole. Most of set out in Policy M2 cover the demand for resources could be those responding supported an period up to 2016. The figures reduced by reducing the quantity of apportionment using different sub- need to be reviewed and projected material used in new construction, regions and methods, although forward to cover the period up and maximising the use of there was some resistance to to 2020 to ensure supplies are alternative materials in construction using the sub-regions proposed available to meet future needs. projects wherever possible. by the Section 4(4) authorities. 7. Across the country there are geographical imbalances between the supply of, and demand for, aggregates at national level and therefore a mixture of sites is needed to contribute to meeting local, regional or national demands. This imbalance is reflected in the West Midlands region by the
29 Sub-Regional Apportionment of Construction Aggregates
Policy Position 15. The methodology developed by Assessment and agreed that the the consultants to generate the five regional guidelines could be met at an 11. The Government published a 'alternative' options was based on acceptable environmental cost. They new regional guideline in June 2009 consideration of a range of criteria, also agreed that the apportionment for the West Midlands which requires including the location of the mineral methodology which represented 370 million tonnes of aggregates and resources, past sales, potential the most practicable, realistic and alternate materials to be provided future demand and environmental sustainable option capable of being over the period 2005-2020. constraints. By applying different delivered was Option F for both weightings to the various factors sand and gravel and crushed rock. 12. This comprises the production five 'alternative' options were of 247 million tonnes of primary produced and they were:- 18. The adopted method applied aggregates (165 million tonnes is based largely on past sales but of sand and gravel and 82 million - Supply led takes into account the distribution tonnes of crushed rock), and - Growth led of demand and the availability of assumes that 100 million tonnes - Environment led relatively unconstrained sand and of alternate materials will become - Equal weighting to all the factors gravel and crushed rock resources available and 23 million tonnes of - Demand and resource in the region. For the purposes of materials will come from imports carrying out the apportionment of outside the region during the 16 16. In response to comments made both sand and gravel and crushed year period of the guidelines. during the first consultation about rock a 10 year average (of past the datasets, weightings and the sales) was chosen to reflect the 13. In the absence of mechanisms five options not being considered need for a better indication of to apportion the alternate materials to be deliverable or sustainable, the trends over time and would be requirements amongst the various consultants produced two further based on the period 1998 - 2007. Mineral Planning Authorities in the refined options, based on past region, the figure of 247 million sales and phasing. These further 19. Table 3 is the sub-regional tonnes for primary aggregates two options, together with a past apportionment up to 2020 was used to carry out the sub sales option were considered by agreed by the Regional Assembly regional apportionment. the WMRAWP and the Regional following technical advice from the Planning and Environment Executive WMRAWP and the constituent 14. The West Midlands Regional before a final decision was made Mineral Planning Authorities. Assembly carried out two technical by the Regional Assembly Board consultations with WMRAWP on the 17th March 2010. members on eleven options, six derived from the WMRAWP 17. The Regional Assembly took into based on past sales, increased account the information and evidence proportions of recycled aggregates from the consultations, the technical and substitutions between mineral advice from the WMRAWP and the types; and five alternative options results of the Habitats Regulations produced by consultants. Assessment and the Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environment
30 Sub-Regional Apportionment of Construction Aggregates
Table 3: Apportionment of the Regional Guidelines 2005-2020 (million tonnes) provision by A existing Sub-Regions. Annual Provision Annual Provision Sand & Gravel Crushed Rock Herefordshire 0.462 0.364 Worcestershire 1.009 0.157 Shropshire 1.496 2.647 Staffordshire 5.662 1.210 Warwickshire 1.154 0.745 West Midlands County 0.528 0 Regional - Annual Total 10.31 5.12 Regional Total 2005-2020 165 82
+ West Midlands County Apportionment redistributed between the other counties in 2006.
20. In determining the requirements application of the new sub-regional 25. The sub-regional provisions for beyond 2020 the MPAs will have apportionment methodology. both sand and gravel and crushed to project the agreed figures at a rock should be subject to testing constant value for a further period of 23. MPAs in collaboration with of practicality and environmental 6 years up to 2026. This is based on local planning authorities and the acceptability in the preparation of advice from CLG when determining minerals industry should ensure that mineral DPDs including through the likely sub-regional apportionment economically important aggregate Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic for the period 2016-2021 (which was mineral resources in the region are Environment Assessment and the end date of the current WMRSS) safeguarded and that aggregates Habitats Regulations Assessment. from the previous National and and aggregates-related infrastructure Mineral DPDs must consider Regional Guidelines (June 2003). are safeguarded particularly the potential adverse effects of existing and planned rail depots in aggregates extraction, processing 21. Mineral Planning Authorities will order to meet future demands. and transportation on the integrity need to plan to maintain appropriate of European nature conservation land banks for sand and gravel and 24. It will be essential to ensure sites and adopt measures to for crushed rock, which is sufficient that production is maintained from avoid those adverse effects. to deliver 10.31 million tonnes and existing and planned aggregates sites 5.12 million tonnes per annum and aggregates and aggregates- 26. The regional guideline will be respectively across the region. related infrastructure by limiting reviewed annually and revised when encroachment from non-mineral necessary according to Mineral 22. Mineral Development Plan development through applying Policy Statement No1 (annex 1 Documents (DPDs) should include buffers or consultation zones. paragraph 5.1). The delivery of the policies that reflect the new sub- A sub-regional provision will need regional provisions for sand and to be monitored on an annual gravel and crushed rock following basis and reviewed before 2015 the redistribution of the sand and or as part of the preparation and gravel future provision amongst approval of the Regional Strategy. the various mineral planning authorities as a result of the
31 Sub-Regional Apportionment of Construction Aggregates
Contribution of Alternative 29. MPAs in their LDFs will need Materials to Future Supply to consider if there is sufficient capacity to deliver the increase level of recycling now required. They will 27. The Government’s regional also need to consider what other provision includes a requirement measures they can take to maximise to provide 100 million tonnes of the use of alternative materials alternative materials over the period in local construction projects. 2005-2020. This is an increase in the contribution towards total 30. The delivery of this increase aggregates provision from 24% in use of alternative materials will to 27% and an increase of 17.5% require better collection of data for the annual requirement – 5.5 (e.g. through regular WMRAWP million to 6.66 million tonnes. surveys of secondary aggregates, waste management capacity 28. The quality of the available data monitoring, and monitoring of on-site is not sufficiently robust to determine recycling through the development reliable geographical area based management process) and greater local apportionments for alternate emphasis being placed on the reuse materials. However, Policy W9 in and recycling of on site materials the revised draft WMRSS (Phase particularly in the Major Urban 2) requires new sites for facilities to Areas subject to environmental store, treat and recycle soils and considerations being met. construction and demolition waste to be provided and for more recycling through on-site activities and purpose-built facilities in urban areas.
32 WMRSS Phase Three Revision Policy Recommendations
33 Rural Services
Policy Objectives community planning approaches. places to live and work deserves 63% of respondents agreed with ongoing recognition and support. The revision objectives, as set the premise that new developments The Region’s 2,300 villages perform out in the WMRSS Phase Three should be allowed in settlements an essential role in maintaining and Project Plan are to identify: lacking a service base in order enhancing the rural way of life. The to help reverse a cycle of decline Living Working Countryside Report AA The role, if any, that service distinguishing such places. The (The Taylor Review 2008) and the provision plays in enhancing the emphasis was on meeting local Government’s response to it raises sustainability of rural communities; needs balanced by appropriate a clear expectation that the planning service and infrastructure provision system will respond more positively to AA Whether particular services with the co-dependency role of rural rural sustainability through its support are critical to enhancing the settlement groups highlighted. for rural businesses and affordable sustainability of rural communities, housing development acting as and if this is the case; 65% of respondents suggested a catalyst to sustainable places a community-based approach to in terms of facilities and services AA Prioritise those services, particularly policy development with a number such as shops, pubs, schools, those which meet the needs of of respondents emphasising that this local businesses, health and less disadvantaged groups, in different was compatible with a sustainable visible welfare services. Many of the types of rural areas, and; climate-driven approach. The changes necessary to help achieve majority of strategic authorities this will be small scale, incremental, sought the status quo suggesting locationally specific and founded AA Whether different policy responses that Policy RR 4 could reasonably be upon community involvement. are required in remote and supplemented by regional guidance PPS4 Planning for Sustainable accessible rural locations. to encourage the development of a Economic Growth lends support to range of locality-based approaches a thriving and dynamic countryside. Key Messages from without the prescription that was Options Consultation implied in the “service reviews”. Studies demonstrate how difficult it is to make hard and fast conclusions 64% of respondents to the Options In short the three options forwarded about the viability of settlements consultation concured that it is very in the consultation, Climate- as sustainable places based on difficult to define rural services as change driven, Community-based service provision within a settlement “important” or “critical” as perception and Status quo were revealed to or distance from a market town varies by locality and over time. be an oversimplification of how alone. Instead a complex picture Whilst a prescriptive list of critical communities of place work in emerges, supported by consultation services would not be appropriate at relation to services supporting them responses, in which a fresh a regional level, more detailed work and their ongoing sustainability. approach to sustainability is taken, on a settlement or district basis was including access to services but considered a desirable outcome to Supporting Text with increasing emphasis on shared support need as determined locally. experience, mutual support, self Rural Renaissance remains one reliance, local resilience and social 72% of respondents agreed with the of the main challenges of the enterprise being valid contributors view that more attention should be West Midlands Region. It is a key to social sustainability. This could given to meeting the service needs of contributor to diversifying and be either based on a single or “accessible” rural areas; however, a modernising the economy and networked group of settlements: a counter point was apparent that there supporting appropriate housing. In community of place, beyond and was no rationale for the precedence short, with 80% of the region being between individual settlements. towards these areas as framed by Shire and containing 20% of the the consultation questionnaire and population the ability of such areas to that the needs of each community be increasingly resilient, sustainable should be considered through
34 Rural Services
Much of what makes places sound. It noted, however, the improvement and facilitation of sustainable will, in practice, be limited scope of that review and new and existing services should influenced as much by how the narrow field of the WMRSS be sought locally, i.e. taking accessible the area is to market Phase Three Revision, being them to where people live, or towns or major urban areas as it is to focussed as it had been on trying in accessible locations, such the type, range and scale of services to define critical rural services. as market towns and that the and facilities that are available locally, potential impact new development including less tangible services The WMRSS Phase Two EIP Panel could have to support such service such as rural broadband. Differing Report strongly implied that a clearer provision must be considered. solutions will be required in the West lead must be provided in meeting Midlands for identifying how best the challenges and objectives to AA Policy RR1 already draws a to maintain and develop those rural address rural issues to address useful distinction between rural services underpinning communities. the failure in some areas to carry locations under the influence of forward the agenda in practice. the Major Urban Areas, which As examples, a number of initiatives The West Midlands, with its strong have generally good access have been developed in the West Rural Renaissance emphasis, is to services in these but whose Midlands with a view to improving well placed to take a strong lead in settlements are possibly less accessibility to services in rural areas delivering inclusive communities as resilient as they are caught within including the Shropshire and Peak part of a living working countryside. their influence; and remote rural District Pathfinders which provide a areas where access is generally “one stop shop” for public services. The WMRSS Communities for the poor but whose settlements often Future Chapter, in particular Policy have greater self containment Proactive community engagement is CF2 and Rural Renaissance policies, and are therefore more dynamic. well placed as a tool or methodology emphasise the importance of to identify localised service centred understanding local needs both for AA Policy RR3 emphasises the critical community needs, particularly affordable housing and promoting service role of market towns where it is used alongside other local regeneration and support for providing for a rural hinterland. community led information sources retaining or achieving new services such as Parish Plans to support designed to meet those needs. The delivery gap identified does Local Strategic partnerships and As we move forward with policy not point to regional prescription Local Planning Authorities in place development, the region should apply about which services are, or are not, making; delivering their Sustainable an approach based on community critical as this is demonstrated to Community Strategies through intelligence and preference that must change with time, place, accessibility Local Development Frameworks. be seen as part of the apparatus and proximity, community maturity As examples, Shropshire Council used by Local Authorities in planning etc; it points to the importance of are currently mapping a process to meet local need in their rural areas. understanding what local people and of community engagement with communities in rural areas want from their rural areas due to start in early This recommendation feeding into their services and service providers. 2010 using a methodology based the Regional Strategy presents on the “Devon Toolkit” and the an opportunity to embed bottom It suggests a need for consistency Welsh Assembly Government have up planning approaches, centred in adopting a community responsive commissioned a report on deep rural on delivery into practice. A shift in approach to the LDF process, localities providing an evidence base emphasis is recommended rather which clearly identifies community of prioritised rural service needs. than further policy review:- needs and aspirations and supports innovative approaches towards plan The Panel Report into the WMRSS AA Policy RR4 already requires, led delivery through local Investment Phase Two Revision acknowledged through the Development and and Implementation plans. the important aim of achieving rural Local Transport Plan process, renaissance and found the rural that in meeting the challenges renaissance policies fundamentally of rural areas the maintenance,
35 Rural Services
Recommended AA Require Local Planning and AA Be clear how local community Policy Approach Transport Authorities to demonstrate plans such as Parish Plans have how their LDF’s and LTP’s have been taken into consideration used tested and/or innovative in establishing a coherent Any review of policy for the new approaches to locally led reviews to strategy for rural renaissance. Strategy for the West Midlands assess rural service provision at a should provide a strategic scale appropriate to the locality and framework which must: AA Be able to demonstrate how to demonstrate how this delivers the resilience of cross-border the Regional Strategy, and local AA Not be prescriptive about which communities has been supported. Spatial Strategies addressing rural services are “critical” or key. settlements. AA Provide a framework for locally based analysis centred AA Be clear about the approach to be on “community of place”. adopted as to how local development may usefully contribute to local AA Recognise that “sustainability” is regeneration and needs, i.e. locally multi-layered and that low carbon identified (bottom up community led) solutions may apply equally to service, facility and infrastructure some rural based services. needs including affordable housing.
AA Tie in Rural Renaissance policies with Communities for the Future AA Be able to demonstrate through policies showing clear links. their Local Implementation Plan or Single Conversation Investment Plan AA Require Local Planning Authorities how this evidence is to be used to in their plan making and development guide delivery matched to that need. management process to take into account legitimate local service needs of rural communities and what contribution can be made towards delivering more sustainable places based on local intelligence.
36 Culture and Sport
Also, make the Region: Context DCMS define Culture as including the following The West Midlands has lower AA More attractive to businesses, sub-sectors: participation in most culture and residents, visitors and in-movers sports activities compared to the as a result of the cultural offer; AA Arts national average. This Policy Recommendation aims to ensure AA Support the growth and AA Sports that Culture and Sport is diversification of the embedded in the Regional Strategy regional economy; AA Museums, Libraries so it can effectively contribute and Archives to addressing this fact and AA Achieve a positive regional associated factors such as poor image and identity. health and other issues around AA Heritage the regions poor regional The Department for Culture Media profile, lack of regional identity and and Sport (DCMS) definition of AA the Historic and Built poor economic performance. culture is very broad. Some aspects Environment of culture such as urban green space, The role of Culture and Sport the conservation and enhancement AA Parks and open spaces is recognised as an important of the historic environment and tool in delivering sustainable tourism are covered by the other AA Tourism communities and ‘living places’ Policy Recommendations relating to to achieve urban and rural the Quality of the Environment and AA Creative Industries (film renaissance. There is a real Tourism and the Visitor Economy. and radio, architecture, challenge to be inspirational This Policy Recommendation fashion, design and music) and break away from what has focuses on Arts, Sport, Museums, been described as a ‘Lack of Libraries and Archives, and AA Children’s play Culture of Culture’ in the West participation and engagement Midlands 1 and to increase with the Historic Environment. AA Festivals and Events participation and engagement which, for residents, can:
AA Improve health - physical and mental well-being;
AA Improve education and help address social exclusion;
AA Deliver safe, strong and sustainable communities;
AA Improve achievement, e.g. sporting success.
1 Cultural Demand in the West Midlands, West Midlands Regional Observatory and Culture West Midlands (bmg research), 2009
37 Culture and Sport
Key Messages from Background evidence base underpinned them Options Consultation (where available). These policy The WMRSS Phase Three revisions drivers are summarised below. The WMRSS Phase Three Options for Culture, Sport and Tourism had a English Heritage consultation focused on updating focus on updating existing WMRSS WMRSS Policy PA10 in the context Policy PA10. With the progression AA Enjoying the historic environment of strategic cultural assets. of policy development from the WMRSS Phase Three Revision – participation in the historic environment (in terms of visiting The key messages from the towards the preparation of the new a historic environment site) for consultation include: Regional Strategy, it was decided to develop a broader based policy the region is lower than the national average, across all AA A list of strategic cultural assets for Culture and Sport, learning from adults and priority groups (black within a revised Policy PA10 previous WMRSS work. A Policy and minority ethnic, people with was not wholly supported, as it Recommendation for Tourism and limiting illness or disabilities, could be inflexible – an indicative the Visitor Economy has been lower socio-economic groups) list across generic themes prepared separately to ensure [Taking Part Survey, 2005-2008]. might be more appropriate. that the policy recommendations align more closely with the AA Understanding and valuing the AA Policy should seek to protect, current West Midlands Regional historic environment – initiatives as well as improve, existing Economic Strategy (WMRES). across the West Midlands strategic cultural assets. The Policy Recommendation (e.g. historic characterisation) are helping people to identify, AA There was support for for Culture and Sport was protect and manage the historic developing a new policy to prepared jointly on behalf of the environment and heritage assets, address strategic gaps in Regional Assembly by the four and to better appreciate what cultural assets and broaden cultural agencies (Sport England, is distinctive and special about the emphasis from primarily English Heritage, Arts Council places. A Regional Landscape economic drivers to include and Museums, Libraries and Framework (currently being social benefits such as health. Archives) at a West Midlands regional level, based on working prepared) will help to develop arrangements set up by DCMS. regional landscape guidelines. AA Issues relating to quality and However, further work is necessary accessibility associated with The four agencies identified some to regionalise national studies cultural assets should be strong shared themes and issues that demonstrate the social, addressed. This includes improving based on national and regional economic and environmental the transport infrastructure; strategies and evidence which value and take forward the encouraging new facilities to be have helped shape the Policy Regional Historic Strategy. in accessible locations; improving Recommendation. In developing access to green space and parks; policy, each agency identified three and the need for local assessment key national policy drivers, how of demand to identify gaps to fill. each of those was manifested at a regional level and what
38 Culture and Sport
AA Conserving and enhancing Arts Council AA Growth in the Creative Economy the historic environment – the – opportunities to address West Midlands has a higher AA Increase engagement, particularly key regional issues such as percentage of listed buildings, for children and young people– worklessness, the low performing scheduled monuments and engagement of young people in economy and capitalise on the registered parks and gardens positive activities in the region regions strong industrial heritage. at risk than the national average shows variation from the highest (but less conservation areas performing local authority Sport England at risk) based on the 2009 nationally (Herefordshire) to Heritage at Risk Register. six local authorities below the AA Grow – to increase participation national average, the lowest in sport for young people (5 Museums, Libraries and Archives being Birmingham, Dudley, Hour Offer) and adults. The Stoke and Sandwell. Priorities West Midlands has the lowest AA Continuous improvement in the include a pilot to deliver the 5 level of adult participation in quality of experience – regionally hour cultural offer in Telford and sport in England, primarily in there is uneven provision and some opportunities in Birmingham, Birmingham, the Black Country, services are at risk, in particular being Europe’s youngest city, and Stoke on Trent, Tamworth and in Wolverhampton, Warwickshire, Building Schools for the Future. Telford and Wrekin. Those who Walsall and Birmingham. Engaging young people in culture participate least include the can address the particularly low economically deprived, women, AA Learning and Skills - greater levels of educational attainment ethnic minorities and the disabled. participation in positive and high levels of youth crime in learning activities, improved the region, for example, through access to learning materials Creative Apprenticeships. In terms and increased employment of Adult Engagement, Birmingham opportunities. Regionally, there is the least engaged core city are low levels of skills and in the UK. Arts engagement high levels of worklessness. is below the national average in 10 of the 14 top tier local AA Sustainable Communities authorities in the West Midlands. and their economies - greater social cohesion and social AA Create a sustainable arts responsibility and introduction of infrastructure – developing new audiences to the service. the arts offer in priority areas Regionally, participation is above of regeneration such as the national average but there Birmingham Eastside and is lower participation by skilled/ pathfinders and addressing unskilled working classes with hard to reach communities lower incomes, the elderly, 14-19 through a Touring Strategy and year olds and minority groups. digital media. Supporting the Arts sector to be sustainable, resilient and innovative.
39 Culture and Sport
AA Sustain – to improve satisfaction designation criteria. The research also regions 3, and culture and sport with sports facilities. The Active excluded any assessment of need. have their part to play in delivering People Survey shows the West economic growth. The lasting Midlands satisfaction score is lower Recommended outcomes on the road to success than the national average and the will include delivering real sustainable recently published Place Survey Policy Approach communities, improving health, shows the West Midlands is the education and skills, and social The West Midlands suffers from worst performing region on public inclusion, improving our economic a ‘lack of a culture of culture' satisfaction with sports and leisure performance and development and a real cultural shift is needed facilities; the lowest levels being in of a positive regional profile. to raise aspirations, increase Bromsgrove, Stoke, Birmingham participation and engagement, and Sandwell. Issues identified An increase in the provision of improve the quality, management through facility audits include the cultural facilities and events, and and range of our facilities and age and quality of sports facilities in participation and engagement, access to them and strive for and/or a shortfall in supply. however, should not give rise to excellence in all the region does. negative impacts. New and improved AA Excel – to develop talent and provision and management of The West Midlands has some improve the region’s elite success. facilities should therefore: utilise of the lowest participation in The West Midlands has several key sustainable transport in line with cultural activity of all the regions, in sports assets, including Lilleshall the WMRSS transport policies, particular attendance of museums National Sports Centre, Villa Park taking into account any transport/ and galleries, arts events, visiting and Edgbaston Cricket Club, but access issues in rural areas where historic sites and sport. In contrast, there are some gaps in strategic alternative access/transport participation is comparatively high elite sports provision, including a solutions might be needed; actively for archives (although there are low 50m swimming pool, which are promote sustainable design and numbers of participants overall) and needed not only for training and construction and high quality design libraries. The lowest participation competing but also for hosting (see draft WMRSS Policy SR3); and in the arts, sport and museums/ events, attracting visitors and take place in an environmentally libraries is located in Birmingham, improving the regional profile. sustainable manner in line with the Black Country, Stoke on Trent, the Quality of the Environment Staffordshire, and Telford and Wrekin. Further background information and climate change policies. can be found in the Culture, Sport The West Midlands population is and Tourism Background Paper. In The Regional Strategy policy for also less satisfied, compared to a particular, it summarises research Culture and Sport should develop national average, with some of the undertaken specifically to inform the following policy principles: cultural assets in particular sports the WMRSS Revision - the BOP facilities, libraries and parks and Report 2. The research trialled an 1. Increase participation and open spaces. In contrast, there is approach for mapping and ranking engagement, focusing on higher satisfaction with theatres defined groups of strategic cultural those areas or cultural sectors and concert halls. The lowest assets and for identifying spatial with lowest participation/ satisfaction levels are in Birmingham, gaps in the distribution of certain engagement and/or lowest Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall, asset types across the region. community satisfaction with Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent. It should be noted, however, cultural facilities. This should that the research and criteria for include action in relation to:- The region also is the poorest mapping and ranking historic and economic performer with low or natural assets were incomplete poor image compared to other and inconsistent with national
2 Mapping and Gapping Analysis of Cultural Assets in the West Midlands, WMRA (Burns Owen Partnership Report) August 2008 3 Regional Perceptions Indicator - West Midlands Report, WMRO, November 2009.
40 Culture and Sport
a. Places to be identified in the forthcoming AA Encourage innovative and Sports National Governing Body efficient opportunities Deliver ‘living places’ through Whole Sports Plans, should be improvement to the quality of, and supported where they meet other AA Strive for excellence by: access to, existing cultural and policies in the Regional Strategy. sports infrastructure to improve the • Addressing strategic gaps quality of experience and promote b. People in the regions cultural and a sustainable network of cultural sporting infrastructure, assets. This should be informed Encourage a long term cultural shift in by strategic and local assessment attitudes, aspirations and behaviours, • Improving and developing of needs and opportunities. targeting low participating/engaged existing strategic assets and Measures should include: groups through research, strategic services to provide high quality and local advocacy, outreach, sustainable cultural opportunities, AA Transformative interventions increasing volunteering, investment where participation is the lowest. and marketing to raise aspirations • Hosting major cultural events (e.g. and address other barriers to target for Commonwealth Games) AA Seizing opportunities through participation and engagement – facilities, spaces, promotion etc. investment initiatives and so as to widen access to cultural partnership working such as activities and opportunities. AA Develop the cultural industry growth points, Building Schools (including the creative industries) for the Future and co-location. Culture and Sport should to provide employment, be used to support the building develop and expand skills. AA Conserving and enhancing of prosperous communities, to heritage assets and encouraging reduce the gap in economic opportunities for enjoyment growth rates between the West and increased interest in, and Midlands and other regions and participation with, the historic to promote regeneration and environment in line with the Policy tackle deprivation. In particular, Recommendations regarding this should include supporting the the Quality of the Environment. development of a positive regional image and perceptions, the role of Encourage the provision of new Birmingham as a global city and culture and sports assets where the sustainable economic growth/ national, regional, sub-regional and diversification of the region (see local assessments indicate shortfalls Policy Recommendation on Tourism in supply or where innovative and the Visitor Economy) in order to: viable opportunities are proposed. Strategic and innovative culture and sports assets, to include those
41 Tourism and the Visitor Economy
Policy Objectives Tourism and cultural facilities that contribute positively to the Key Components of the Region’s tourism product The WMRSS Phase Three Revision environment add to the creation aims to strengthen regional policy of an attractive and welcoming AA Visitor Accommodation to meet the strategic, sporting and ‘sense of place’. They can generate tourism needs of the Region and a positive image and reputation AA Visitor Attractions to support sustainable economic for the region for businesses, growth and regeneration. residents, visitors and investors. AA Business tourism and conference venues This Policy Recommendation The visitor economy encompasses seeks to ensure that emerging a broad range of activities and policy reflects the nature and key land uses. The UN World Tourism AA Sporting events characteristics of tourism and Organisation defines tourism the visitor economy, identifies as comprising “the activities of AA Museums key synergies and opportunities, persons travelling to and staying and sets a framework which in places outside their usual AA Heritage assets, including promotes economic growth in environment for not more than industrial heritage the sector, while contributing to one consecutive year for leisure, sustainable development and business and other purposes”. AA Historic and Built climate change objectives. Environment
The visitor economy is recognised AA Festivals and Events in the West Midlands Economic Strategy as a key growth sector for AA Cultural facilities, theatres the region in terms of contributing to: AA Food and drink/restaurants AA Wealth and GVA generation; AA Landscape/countryside AA Urban and rural renaissance objectives; AA Canal network
AA Creating new employment AA Retail opportunities and diversifying the economy, whilst protecting and AA Transport infrastructure enhancing the environment.
42 Tourism and the Visitor Economy
In planning effectively for the sector This Policy Recommendation aims to and facilitating sustainable growth, set out an approach which promotes it is important that the emerging sustainable economic growth in Regional Strategy reflects a clear tourism and the visitor economy, understanding of the wide ranging and to provide a clear understanding nature of tourism activity. In addition of key assets and the nature of to core visitor accommodation tourism activity and its interaction and attraction facilities which have with other key policy areas. historically formed the focus for spatial tourism policies, a large Key Messages from number of components and Options Consultation elements of environmental quality and infrastructure make up the The WMRSS Phase Three Options tourism offer. Key components consultation was focused on and areas where there are clear updating WMRSS Policy PA10 in cross-cutting links with tourism the context of strategic cultural, are noted in the box (opposite). sporting and tourism assets. It has subsequently been determined Transport infrastructure and that, in the context of the emerging arrival and departure points are new Regional Strategy, this would key components of overall visitor be best served through preparing experiences, the policy for which discrete Policy Recommendations on should be considered alongside key Culture and Sport and Tourism and existing and new tourism facilities. the Visitor Economy. Nevertheless clear synergies exist between these Many of these parts of the overall areas. As consultation on the Phase tourism product are addressed in Three Options was undertaken prior their own right within other policy to taking the decision to develop areas, in particular, the Quality discrete policy recommendations of the Environment, Culture and for the topics, some overlap Sport, and Prosperity for All policy between the two policy areas and areas. However, it is important that key messages should be noted. their role as key parts of growing and managing the visitor economy are specifically recognised.
43 Tourism and the Visitor Economy
Key messages on tourism from assets, while taking prevailing AA Accessibility and transport the options consultation include: market demand into account. infrastructure are major issues in planning for future tourism AA Recognition of the synergies AA While tourism is an important growth. The majority of visitors between cultural, sporting and element of local economies, travel to most destinations by tourism assets, but support for emerging regional policy for car. At present, tourism public a clear economic rationale for tourism should concentrate on transport usage is often limited by policies in relation to tourism strategic regional and national mismatches between the visitor and the visitor economy. level products and issues. economy and a public transport Recognition that tourism policy system which is largely orientated should contribute to overall AA Need for an understanding in towards travel to work and resident regional sustainable economic strategic policy development of the usage, i.e. peak leisure and visitor growth and regeneration. broad nature of tourism demand demand often is at weekends and and activities, and relationships evenings when frequency of public AA There was support for developing with other key policy areas. transport services is reduced. a new policy for tourism, and that current WMRSS Policy AA Recognition of the need to AA The need to manage tourism to PA10 did not reflect the nature consider the environmental, maintain the environmental and and characteristics of the transport, infrastructure and other heritage character of the region. visitor economy at this time. implications of tourism activity, especially in environmentally AA The need to support small AA While an exercise to identify sensitive areas and areas of scale local visitor activity as strategic visitor and cultural high existing pressure. well as major attractions. assets has significant merit as the basis for policy preparation, AA Consideration should be given it was recognised that the Burns to developing policies which Owen Partnership (BOP) report2 recognise key destinations which was undertaken as part and hubs of visitor activity, in of the WMRSS Phase Three addition to individual assets. work had limitations. Care also needed to be taken with definitions AA Issues relating to quality and and in drawing inferences accessibility associated with solely from supply-side data. cultural assets should be addressed and include: improving AA Tourism policy should be informed the transport infrastructure; by pertinent market intelligence, encouraging new facilities to be and volume and value data. in accessible locations; siting of Tourism is to a significant extent standard and consistent brown a market-driven activity and and white signs; improving access policy should be informed by an to green space and parks; and understanding of market demand the need for local assessment and factors driving growth. of demand to identify gaps to fill. Also recognition that the AA Policy should seek to protect, private sector is responsible for as well as improve, existing delivery of a large component of strategic cultural and tourism a high quality tourism product.
2 Mapping and Gapping Analysis of Cultural Assets in the West Midlands, WMRA (Burns Owen Partnership Report) August 2008
44 Tourism and the Visitor Economy
Supporting Text AA Tourism is a key sector of the AA Quality of Life: the facilities, region’s economy. It generates services and natural and historic The WMRSS Phase Three Revision expenditure and jobs in its own environments that visitors are for Culture, Sport and Tourism right and it contributes to the wider looking for also provide local had a focus on updating existing development of the economy as people with more choice and WMRSS Policy PA10. While a whole. Tourism can and should enrich the quality of life of local recognising the clear synergies make a significant contribution communities. The aim is to between tourism and culture & sport, to the delivery of the WMES decouple levels of consumption policy recommendations for each objectives, including “image from environmental impact have been presented as discrete, and perceptions”, not least as and to provide a tourism albeit, closely linked topic areas. tourism has a key role to play in and visitor economy that is communicating strong, positive resilient to climate change. This Policy Recommendation for messages in the marketplace Tourism and the Visitor Economy about the region and its assets. AA Accessibility in its broadest sense has been prepared by Advantage is critical to the competiveness West Midlands on behalf of the West AA Tourism and culture have a key and the environmental impact of Midlands Regional Assembly, building role to play in establishing the the visitor economy. Part of the on discussions with the Tourism West profile, image and contribution appeal of the West Midlands as a Midlands (TWM) Board and taking of Birmingham as a global city. business and leisure destination is account of representations made its strategic and central location, by respondents on the WMRSS AA The visitor economy makes a including the strategic road Phase Three Options consultation. significant direct contribution to network, Birmingham International the regional economy through Airport and Birmingham New National and visitor expenditure and support for Street station as key gateways. Regional Strategy employment. This spend creates At present, the majority of the demand for new and additional visitor travel is car-borne. The services that leads to the creation aim is to promote and develop DCMS’s “Winning: A Tourism and growth of small businesses. an integrated transport network Strategy for 2012 and Beyond” sets and sustainable transport options a context for the sector, seeking which aid competitiveness and to focus the industry to ensure the AA The visitor economy is a key driver meet the needs of the visitor travel tourism benefits of the London 2012 of diversification; it can contribute market and, at the same time, Olympic Games are maximised. to urban and rural renaissance minimise the environmental and VisitEngland is responsible for and is part of the dynamic climate change impacts of travel. tourism strategy at national level economy where innovation seeks and a new tourism strategy for to reduce the impact on the England is due to be published in environment which in itself is an March 2010 which will set economic essential part of the tourism offer. growth targets for the sector. AA Business Destinations: facilities At regional level, The West Midlands for visitors are also used by the Visitor Economy Strategy (VES) business community, whether sets a framework for sustainable at work or at play. They make growth, focusing on growth an important contribution to market opportunities in business choosing the West Midlands as tourism, culture, food and drink the inward investment region and festivals and events. Key of choice, supporting inward policy references include: investment and helping develop business destinations.
45 Tourism and the Visitor Economy
Nature of the West Appropriate tourism activity brings The countryside is a key part of the Midlands Visitor Economy clear economic benefits, which region’s overall visitor appeal and the should be managed to ensure it sector plays a key role in the overall supports the landscape, environment environmental economy. The West As a context for development and heritage assets which are key Midlands has beautiful countryside, at local level, it is important that elements of the region’s overall visitor including protected landscapes such regional policy demonstrates an appeal. Accessibility via a range of as the Malvern Hills, Wye Valley, effective understanding of the transport forms is an integral part of Cotswolds, Shropshire Hills and nature and scope of activity and developing tourism opportunities. Cannock Chase AONBs and part of the sector’s key assets, market the Peak District National Park, in strengths and opportunities. The West Midlands is home to a addition to a diverse range of high critical mass of high-profile visitor quality landscapes and environments Business and conference tourism attractions and major heritage assets throughout the region. The protection is a particular strength, arising from that draw visitors and their spend and enhancement of the region’s high standards of visitor infrastructure into the region, including Alton environmental quality and assets (conference venues, hotels etc.) and Towers, Drayton Manor, Warwick will be critical in order to support the region’s central location and Castle, the Shakespeare Properties, and secure a tourism offer that is high standards of access. The West Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage sustainable. Tourism is one of a Midlands is recognised as the pre- Site, Cadbury World, Dudley Zoo range of activities which will need to eminent business tourism destination and Castle and West Midlands Safari contribute to the overall sustainable in Britain, outside of London. A Park. It is important to maintain the management of the countryside study of the region’s business day visitor market and grow its value and the region’s environment. tourism sector values this part of the by appealing to the higher-spend visitor economy at approximately day visitor markets, increasing higher £6 billion (KPMG, 2007). spend and extending the visitor day. The leisure tourism industry also The Region has a number of generates an estimated £6 billion recognised hubs of visitor activity in visitor expenditure and supports including South Warwickshire, 115,000 full time equivalent jobs4 Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage The leisure visitor economy is Site and Birmingham City Centre. complex, reflecting the diversity of It is recognised that significant the region. That diversity embraces flows of visitors create and sustain major visitor attractions, shire and vibrant local economies but can market towns, strong heritage also bring increased pressure associations and contemporary on environments and on local culture. City-break tourism has infrastructure. A sustainable been a major growth sector in approach to visitor management is the UK over the previous decade required in order to maximise benefits and retail, culture and night-time and minimise potential conflicts. economies are being recognised as key elements of the overall product.
4 2009 economic impact and tourism GVA estimates expected to be available March 2010.
46 Tourism and the Visitor Economy
Visitor Profile Challenges AA The need to ensure that development in tourism Approximately 90% of visitors to the Tourism is a competitive industry. and the visitor economy is West Midlands are on day trips, but The UK ranks 7th in terms of sustainable and contributes the short break market is where the inbound tourism revenues but overall to tackling climate change. economic growth opportunities lie market share has been decreasing because overnight visitors deliver in recent years. All regions and AA A commitment to developing skills higher spend per head with fewer destinations are competing to and improved levels of service. journeys. The market catchment grow domestic market share. In is larger, offering more potential for order to maximise the value of the growth. Day visitors are an important industry and promote sustainable source of income to the tourism economic growth, a number of businesses of the region but this challenges are apparent, including: needs to be balanced by growing the short break market in locations AA The need for high quality design that have accommodation capacity. and development offering good value for money. In common with most UK destinations outside London, the AA The ability to respond to market majority of visitor activity originates demand in a dynamic sector from domestic markets. Overseas of the economy, harnessing visitor spending accounts for private and public investment. approximately 5% of overall turnover. Day visits from within AA The opportunities offered by the region and surrounding areas tourism and the visitor economy account for approximately 90% in contributing to regeneration. of overall numbers of visits. AA A destination based approach The West Midlands conurbation to product development. Whole accounts for the largest proportion place destination management, of overall visitor expenditure and integrated transport infrastructure numbers of trips. However, the sector and services, high quality is proportionately more important in signage, townscape, planning terms of support for employment in and design of whole places rural parts of the region, particularly and landscapes, and high Herefordshire and Shropshire. environmental standards are all key components which form a positive and enriching visitor experience.
47 Tourism and the Visitor Economy
Recommended promote sustainable economic short break opportunities. Policy Approach growth and regeneration, and key existing strategic assets. These 5. As an accepted part of the include: Region’s economy, it is recognised Tourism and the Visitor Economy that tourism activity often within the Regional Strategy AA Key business and conference generates travel and development. should be based on the tourism hubs and venues. The Tourism development should utilise following policy principles: region should continue to seek and encourage sustainable and to capitalise on its world-class integrated transport solutions (in 1. Regional policy for tourism and business tourism infrastructure line with WMRSS Transport and the visitor economy should and fully exploit its locational Accessibility policies), sustainable continue to retain a clear focus advantage and established high construction and high quality on promoting sustainable profile as a business destination: design (in line with draft WMRSS economic growth and Policy SR3) and take place in regeneration and contributing an environmentally sustainable to the creation of sustainable AA Major visitor attractions. manner (in line with the Quality communities, through attracting of the Environment and climate additional and higher value AA Leading cultural venues change policies). An increase tourism activity, whilst protecting and museums. in visitor activity should seek to and enhancing the environment. minimise negative environmental, In addition to being a source of AA Visitor destinations which are transport and other impacts, and sustainable economic growth hubs of activity, including South contribute to achieving climate and regeneration, tourism and Warwickshire, Birmingham change objectives, including by culture can make a significant and the NEC complex. adopting cleaner energy and contribution to the region’s image resource efficient practices. and reputation. AA Leading sporting venues and events. Wherever possible, tourism activity and development should 2. The visitor economy affects most be planned and informed by parts of the region. In addition AA The countryside, canal network clear market intelligence. Tourism to setting a strategic framework and market towns/cathedral development is often product- for policy development and cities as hubs of activity. led and frequently depends on sustainable economic growth a high standard of planning with at sub-regional and local AA Leading heritage assets and landscapes, countryside, historic levels, policy at regional level environments, including Ironbridge environment and design, forming should focus on key assets and Gorge World Heritage site. key elements of the unique place- destinations. based character of destinations. 4. There are significant 3. A clear understanding of the synergies with the region’s cultural key characteristics of the sector, and sporting infrastructure (see the spatial distribution of key Policy Recommendation on strategic assets and visitor Culture and Sport), in particular, demand/activity patterns and the major (regional, national and their impact on the environment internationally recognised) assets is required as the basis for which have a distinct appeal. regional policy. Policy content at Contemporary culture and the regional level should identify and cultural and historic environment balance strategic opportunities heritage of the West Midlands is at and constraints for the sector the heart of the visitor experience, and set a policy direction which a key element in attracting clearly recognises the need to visitors to the region and growing
48 Tourism and the Visitor Economy
6. High standards of transport whole environment experience and assets can also help to manage and accessibility, wherever impacts, reflecting their importance the potential pressures on the possible by sustainable modes, to regional and local economies environment and townscapes are of great importance to the and regeneration. Complementary resulting from visitor activity. visitor economy and the overall new facilities should be development of the region. This encouraged in line with market 11. A reflection of the importance includes: demand and other relevant policy of the concept of destination considerations. At this time, no experience is required. While AA Connections to other regions and specific major new regional tourism key individual assets, including the wider world through such development opportunity has been visitor attractions, cultural and gateways as Birmingham New identified. However, tourism policy heritage-based facilities are Street, Birmingham International should enable appropriate major key attractors, the principle Airport, the potential High Speed new opportunities to be embraced, of high quality planning and Railway link to the South East, and in line with other regional policies. design and management of the strategic road and rail network. spaces, within the context of an 8. Reinforcing the role of overall destination, is critical to AA The provision of local infrastructure tourism and culture in supporting success in the visitor economy. and services, including tourism the development of Birmingham and directional signage (eg as a global city. Developing 12. The sector should contribute standard and consistent brown Birmingham as a premier to place building and the creation and white signs) to key visitor European city break destination of environments which are assets and destinations. A utilising contemporary culture, attractive for businesses, investors consistent approach to applying visitor attractions, the retail and residents, and help to create signposting schemes across the product, design and enhancement a sense of place. The visitor region should be promoted. of the historic environment economy and visitor demand will further enhance its role as can create demand for additional AA Aligning public transport services an international leader in the cultural, sports and leisure facilities and tourism flows, including conference and exhibitions sector. that can help improve the quality by improving public transport of life for people living in the services to and from visitor 9. The importance of the region. Similarly, visitor usage attractions at peak leisure visitor economy to many rural should be planned and promoted and visitor times, especially at areas, where activity by its in a way which supports the weekends and evenings. character is more dispersed than in care and management of historic urban areas, but is proportionately and natural environments. AA Where major new facilities more important in terms of are planned these need to be business base and employment, 13. Recognition should be given located and planned, wherever should be recognised. Tourism and to the importance of a consumer- possible, to promote the use of the visitor economy is a key source led approach to marketing, leading public transport, walking and of diversification and regeneration with products and destinations cycling and to minimise the for many rural communities. which have resonance with key need to travel by private car, in visitor markets. An attractive line with theWMRSS Transport 10. At a local level, tourism can marketing policy which leads and Accessibility policies. be used as a focus for with key attractors and brand regeneration and can help sustain messages provides opportunities 7. In addition to encouraging the viability and vitality of local to then showcase and raise appropriate new development, services such as shops, cafes, awareness of the breadth emphasis should be placed on pubs and post offices. This is of destinations and tourism the sustainable management particularly important for rural assets throughout the region. of assets in the context of their areas, where managing and improving local tourist and visitor
49 Integrated Approach to the Management of Environmental Resources
Update of the Key Messages from to draft PPS15 Planning for Environmental Policies in Options Consultation the Historic Environment. the WMRSS AA Provide links to the WMRSS The majority of respondees to the WMRSS Phase Three Options Phase Two Sustainable Region Introduction consultation (86%) agreed with policies and Spatial Strategy,
the concept of an over-arching perhaps through themes of The policy recommendations policy on Integrated Management sustainable economy, sustainable in this section update Part 1 of Environmental Resources and communities and climate change. of the existing WMRSS Quality that the list of issues outlined in of the Environment chapter on the consultation included many AA Strong reference should be environment policies. The integrated of the important elements. made to the landscape as an approach to the management of Comments from respondees integrating spatial framework, environmental resources topic policy included: and to note the role of nationally recommendation provides for the protected landscapes in updating of Policy QE1: Conserving AA As the over-arching environmental delivering public benefits. and Enhancing the Environment. The policy, the “Integrated Approach” following policy recommendations Policy should be placed at AA Include key environmental provide updates for Policies QE2 and the beginning of the Quality principles, such as ecosystems QE4-8, and for the text on protection of the Environment section. services and green of agricultural land and air quality. infrastructure planning. AA It was suggested that a vision Policy QE3: Creating a High Quality for the region’s environment in/ AA Adding examples of delivery Built Environment for All has been beyond 2026 should be included, mechanisms as well as highlighting incorporated into the WMRSS Phase and a brief description of the value their importance would aid Two Revision Sustainable Region of the environment to the region, understanding; add issues of policies. Policy QE9: The Water its main strengths or assets, and building and environmental Environment and the paragraphs current threats and opportunities. design quality; international / on development and flood risk are global environmental goals. being revised as part of the WMRSS AA Strengthened wording. It was Phase 2 Revision, so are not suggested that the policy should AA The concept of an overarching included in this revision. Policy QE10: indicate that Local Authorities, policy on integrated strategy was Transforming the Environment of the agencies and others in their considered a good idea; however Black Country was included as part Development Plan Documents this must include greater links with of the Phase One Revision issued and other strategies should the economic and social aims to in January 2008 and will not be "embed" rather than “establish” be fully sustainable and integrated. revised further during this Revision. key environmental principles. The overall direction and tone AA Evidence from Natural England’s Policy Objectives of the policy should be more State of the Environment Report ambitious. Terms such as “no 2008 indicated that the natural The Revision aims to develop net loss” and “minimising harm” environment was much less rich a strategy for the protection, were outdated and did not meet than 50 years ago and under conservation, enhancement current planning policy guidance. pressure from a range of threats. and management of regional For example, PPS9 Biodiversity environmental assets and resources, and Geological Conservation for their intrinsic value and wider stresses the requirement for social and economic benefits. enhancement; similarly in relation
50 Integrated Approach to the Management of Environmental Resources
Supporting Text capacity, environmental capital and set by European Directive or the ecosystems approach. These Government regulations. Securing the Future: the UK concepts are developing and are sustainable development strategy relevant to the WMRSS Phase Three Climate change will have significant 2005 recognises the need to live Revision process. The Government’s impacts on environmental within our environmental limits and approach is set out in Securing assets, with natural habitats and identifies the protection of essential a Healthy Natural Environment species threatened by changes in natural resources, environmental 2007, an action plan which aims to temperature and rainfall. There is enhancement, climate change embed the ecosystem approach potential to deliver wider benefits and energy as priorities for action. in regional policy and delivery. through green infrastructure for urban The United Nations Millennium cooling, linkages for wildlife and as Ecosystems Assessment investigated A key issue is the importance of a source of renewable energy. the consequences of ecosystem conserving and enhancing the change for human well-being quality of the Region’s environment, The growth agenda will lead to and recognised the integration especially its major urban areas, to greater pressures on environmental between environmental resources. the delivery of the WMRSS priorities assets and vital services. It of urban and rural renaissance. This increases the importance of World Class Places: the is reflected in the spatial strategy development conserving and Government’s strategy for improving objective to make the major urban enhancing the environment, as quality of place 2009 aims to improve areas increasingly attractive places well as meeting socio-economic design and upkeep of buildings where people want to live, work needs, including green space and and places, to provide for green and invest, and in Policy QE10 on recreation. Promoting positive space and green infrastructure, transforming the environment of the enhancement and environmental and to improve the treatment of Black Country in the Phase One gain in all development will help historic buildings and places. Revision issued in January 2008. to ensure that the environment is conserved and enhanced. Recent national Planning Policy Evidence of the state of the Statements have highlighted environment suggests that many The WMRSS aims to reflect the importance of sustainable assets are declining, or that any the interrelationships between development, global sustainability, improvements are too small to make environmental assets by ensuring the causes and impacts of climate a significant difference within WMRSS that all assets are conserved and change, efficient use of land, high time scales. Some assets perform enhanced together, rather than quality design, developing resilient vital functions for life to exist, such individually. This approach responds landscapes, and conserving and as air and water quality, which can to the new emphasis on ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, geodiversity be affected by over exploitation or landscape scale planning, place and the historic environment. pollution. Others may be irreplaceable making and green infrastructure if lost, such as soil, ancient woodland planning. It should provide greater The Regional Sustainable and the historic environment. benefits by avoiding changes that Development Framework, A may have adverse impacts, and will Sustainable Future for the West Environmental limits or thresholds will address climate change impacts, Midlands 2006 highlights the vary according to a range of factors, such as increasing intensity of quality of the region’s urban so it is often difficult to set levels weather patterns, urban heating environments as a key issue and that should not be exceeded. New and displacement of species. valuing the environment and living development will create demands within environmental limits as key for water and sewage treatment Further work is being undertaken principles. Recognition of the for example, which may require in the region on prioritising importance of environmental limits new infrastructure and improved environmental issues for the new has led to the development of efficiency levels, or threaten water Strategy for the West Midlands. concepts such as environmental quality and biodiversity standards
51 Integrated Approach to the Management of Environmental Resources
Recommended c) The contribution that the f) The key delivery mechanisms for Policy Approach environment can make towards the environmental enhancement. creation of sustainable communities, including opportunities to enhance The new overarching environmental place making, health and well- policy should articulate: being, and local distinctiveness, in the context of the growth and a) A vision or reference to a vision for regeneration agenda. the region’s environment for positive enhancement and environmental d) The importance of protecting gain, drawing on the ecosystems and enhancing the quality of the approach, quality of place and environment for urban and rural other initiatives, developing the renaissance, for the image and environmental elements from the attractiveness of the region as a WMRSS Sustainable Region policies place to live, work and invest, and and setting the context for more to deliver a low carbon economy. specific environmental policies, where relevant. e) Key integrating themes which will be promoted to ensure multi- b) A regional dimension to key functional benefits, and within global/international goals/themes, which more detailed environmental such as climate change mitigation policy can be provided: and adaptation, loss of biodiversity and the integrity of European sites, AA To conserve and enhance the enhancement of degraded or historic environment and deliver damaged areas and environmental quality in the built environment; justice. Emphasis will be required on the intrinsic importance of environmental assets and the services AA To protect and enhance green that the environment provides, infrastructure and establish such as flood prevention/alleviation and promote a landscape and local climate regulation. scale approach; and
AA To conserve and enhance natural resources and minimise the consumption of resources;
52 Update of Policy QE2 - Restoring Degraded Areas and Managing and Creating High Quality New Environments
Policy Objectives Key Messages from Supporting Text Options Consultation The purpose of the Revision is to A key issue is the importance of update and align the existing Quality 80% of those responding to the reclaiming and restoring brownfield of the Environment policies in the consultation supported the list of land, especially in the Region’s WMRSS to ensure consistency suggested issues for Policy QE2. major urban areas, to the delivery of with current national guidance A number of views were given on theWMRSS priorities of urban and and regional plans, strategies and particular issues which should not be rural renaissance. This is reflected initiatives. This will also include included, in particular (d) on the West in the spatial strategy objective making appropriate links to other Midlands Brownfield Land Working to make the major urban areas WMRSS Phase Three topics such Group and (f) on the Regional Centre increasingly attractive places where as culture, sport and tourism. of Excellence. A range of suggestions people want to live, work and invest, were given for additional issues to and in the new Policy QE10 on include, with a number of themes transforming the environment of the emerging: Black Country in the Phase One Revision issued in January 2008. AA Include importance for geodiversity. Brownfield and derelict land detracts AA Address the issue of from the quality of the region’s development viability. environment, especially its major urban areas, making it more difficult AA Move towards a criteria- to attract people and economic based approach to the investment to these areas. Such land reuse of brownfield sites. provides opportunities to enhance the quality of the environment and meet social and economic needs especially AA Recognise positive benefits in the major urban areas, but there for mining/quarrying legacy. are concerns that developers will target easier to develop green field AA Encourage planning for sites in preference to brownfield green infrastructure. and derelict land in urban areas undermining regeneration. AA Emphasise multi- functional benefits.
53 Update of Policy QE2 - Restoring Degraded Areas and Managing and Creating High Quality New Environments
The West Midlands Economic Recommended c) Recognise the particular Strategy identifies the challenge to Policy Approach circumstances of large brownfield the region of the forecast growth sites in rural locations and the in brownfield and derelict land. potential to contribute to wider It is suggested that a revised policy Advantage West Midlands and the sustainability objectives. and text for Policy QE2 could: West Midlands Regional Assembly have been working with regional d) Recognise the benefits of a) Recognise the key role that stakeholders to enable brownfield the reuse and repair of existing brownfield land can play in the land to be brought forward for buildings, particularly those of transformation/regeneration of the development in line with housing and historic interest, and the potential region, especially its major urban business policies. This has led to the for surviving archaeological areas. development of the regional Centre interest. of Excellence for Land Reclamation e) Encourage the preparation of b) Ensure that the wider social as a source of information and Brownfield Land Action Plans/ and environmental benefits of expertise about brownfield land. previously developed land brownfield land, such as brownfield strategies in areas with significant land habitats, and the multiple problems of brownfield land. benefits of green infrastructure, including recreation, flood risk management, biodiversity and geodiversity, and the promotion of good health, are recognised and nurtured, and delivered as an integral part of any new development.
54 Update of Policy QE4 - Green Infrastructure (formerly Greenery, Urban Greenspace and Public Spaces)
Policy Objectives It was also felt that there is a need ‘Green infrastructure should be to include the protection and designed and managed as a multi- The purpose of the Revision is to management of existing greenspace, functional resource that provides a update and align the existing Quality highlight the importance of rights range of environmental services and of the Environment policies in the of way networks and make the quality of life benefits such as – WMRSS to ensure consistency links to open space strategies. with current national guidance AA The high quality of environment and regional plans, strategies and Supporting Text that encourages economic initiatives. This will also include investment and attracts making appropriate links to other A consistent definition of Green people to live in an area. WMRSS Phase Three topics such Infrastructure should be used across as culture, sport and tourism. the range of WMRSS and other AA Scope for specific business Further to wider policy changes regional policy documents. The opportunities such as renewable at a national and regional level, it West Midlands Green Infrastructure energy generation – biomass was suggested that Policy QE4 Prospectus 2006 sets out a 20 growing and use, for example. should be developed as a new year vision for a greener, healthier Green Infrastructure Policy. West Midlands that recognises the AA Opportunities for informal importance of our environment and recreation and contact with Key Messages from the many services and benefits nature that can improve physical Options Consultation it provides. The prospectus health and mental wellbeing. defines Green Infrastructure as: AA A setting for social interaction 84% of respondents to the Options ‘the network of green spaces and and community activities. consultation supported the issues natural elements that intersperse listed for policy QE4. However, a and connect our cities, towns and AA Mitigation and adaptation number of respondents felt that villages. It is the open spaces, to a changing climate and the the requirement for local authorities waterways, gardens, woodlands, means to address specific issues to produce Green Infrastructure green corridors, wildlife habitats, such as flood alleviation. Strategies was too onerous. street trees, natural heritage and open countryside. Green AA Healthy and diverse Common themes suggested for infrastructure provides multiple wildlife and ecosystems. inclusion in a revised policy included: benefits for the economy, the allotments and gardens, sports environment and people.’ and recreation fields, sustainable transport, cycleways, the footpath The WMRSS Phase Two Revision network and waterways; rural areas; Implementation Plan Supplement geodiversity; green infrastructure (March 2009) stressed that networks. Green Infrastructure provides a
wide range of economic, social and environmental benefits:
55 Update of Policy QE4 - Green Infrastructure (formerly Greenery, Urban Greenspace and Public Spaces)
Consequently, it is essential that b) Using the West Midlands Green f) Ensuring a strong link to the green infrastructure is planned, Infrastructure Prospectus definition overarching policy envisaged in delivered and managed in a as a foundation with supporting the integrated approach to the co-ordinated and consistent text including historic environment/ management of environmental manner across the region, with an character/local distinctiveness. resources topic, recognising the appropriate level of investment. importance of Green Infrastructure as It should be planned within new c) Placing emphasis on the wider part of Ecosystems Services delivery. communities, and provided alongside sustainability benefits that Green other infrastructure, from the outset. Infrastructure can deliver in all parts g) Recognising the need to map of the region, but especially in the existing green infrastructure There will be a need for significant areas of deprivation. These benefits resource in a holistic and integrated investment in green infrastructure include mitigation and adaptation way to make sure all aspects of in certain locations to address to climate change, minimising green infrastructure uses, functions environmental issues and meet the flood risk, improving the image and and opportunities are taken into demand for informal recreation.’ attractiveness of an area, potential account, and identifying priorities contribution to renewable energy/ for green infrastructure provision, There has been some progress in biomass, health and well-being, taking into account related work planning for green infrastructure, opportunities for recreation/play, on regional natural environment especially in some Growth Points, mitigating the adverse effects of priorities and other initiatives. but these principles need to be growth policies, enhancing the adopted more widely. There needs supporting functions of the land to be a strong link between Green around European sites and the Infrastructure Strategies and PPG17 conservation and enhancement Assessments. It is recommended of biodiversity and woodlands. that PPG17 Assessments form part The growth agenda and new of Green Infrastructure Strategies. developments will present important opportunities for securing the benefits Recommended that Green Infrastructure provides. Policy Approach d) Referring to recreational resources including access and emphasising The policy on Green Infrastructure the importance of PPG17 should be based upon: assessments being seen as part of wider Green Infrastructure Strategies a) Placing a greater emphasis on rather than stand-alone documents. Green Infrastructure, advocating an integrated, multi-functional e) Encouraging/requiring local and consistent approach across authorities to produce Green the region, as defined by green Infrastructure Strategies, especially in infrastructure planning. growth areas and regeneration areas.
56 Update of Policy QE5 - Protection and Enhancement of the Historic Environment
Policy Objectives (built environment, archaeology, Valued historic buildings, landscape) and affirms the archaeological remains and historic The purpose of the Revision is to Government’s broad aim that the landscapes across the West Midlands update and align the existing Quality historic environment and heritage continue to be at risk through of the Environment policies in the assets, in particular, should be neglect, decay, loss of use, and WMRSS to ensure consistency conserved, enhanced and enjoyed development pressures. The Heritage with current national guidance aligning this with the principles at Risk Register (2009) shows that and regional plans, strategies and of sustainable development. It the West Midlands is above the initiatives. This will also include requires that regional strategies national average for listed buildings making appropriate links to other should be informed by the character (Grade I & II), scheduled monuments, WMRSS Phase Three topics such and significance of the historic and registered parks and gardens as culture, sport and tourism. environment in the region, with at risk. The historic environment particular attention to landscapes, offers positive opportunities for Key Messages from groupings or types of heritage growth and regeneration, leisure assets that give the region and and tourism, and education and Options Consultation places a distinctive identity. social cohesion, and is also vital to the valued and distinctive character There was a high degree of support The West Midlands Historic and identity of the West Midlands. in the Options consultation (88%) Environment Strategy, ‘Putting However, there is the potential for the Policy QE5 issues, including the Historic Environment to Work’ that this irreplaceable resource understanding the importance of (2009), sets out a vision for the may come under further pressure, the historic environment, protection historic environment in the region particularly in areas identified for and enhancement, recognising under the three interrelated themes significant housing growth or wider benefits, and prioritising areas of people, places and policies. It comprehensive regeneration. subject to greatest change. A range identifies nine priorities to deliver of comments were made for either the vision including: broadening exclusions or additions, although understanding of the region’s there were no particular themes historic environment and how it can emerging from the comments. contribute to the sense of place and distinctiveness of the West Supporting Text Midlands; ensuring that the historic character and assets of places The White Paper on Heritage across the region are conserved and Protection emphasises the enhanced; and demonstrating how importance of the historic the region’s historic environment can environment within planning and in positively contribute to sustainable building sustainable communities. development, climate change, The draft PPS15 brings together all the economy and quality of life. aspects of the historic environment
57 Update of Policy QE5 - Protection and Enhancement of the Historic Environment
Recommended (c) Review the lists of regionally (g) Establish a strong link to the Policy Approach distinctive aspects of the Region’s overarching policy envisaged in historic environment, and the the integrated approach to the opportunities and priorities for management of environmental It is suggested that a revised policy enhancement and regeneration, resources topic, with the historic and text for Policy QE5 should: including heritage at risk, in the environment recognised as an
context of the region’s urban environmental asset integral to the (a) Reflect and take forward the and rural renaissance. region’s sustainability, quality of principles of the Heritage White place and economic prosperity. Paper, Heritage Protection Bill and (d) Provide guidance on the the draft PPS15, such as the finite conservation and enhancement of and irreplaceable nature of the the historic environment in areas historic environment, the importance of the region likely to experience of the undesignated resource the greatest change, such as the and of consulting communities to Major Urban Areas, Settlements of determine what they value and Significant Development, and other why, and managing change in areas where growth and regeneration ways which are informed by an are likely to be concentrated. understanding of the significance of the historic environment and local (e) Retain an emphasis on the character and distinctiveness. consideration of historic landscapes and townscapes as a whole, and (b) Take forward the Regional encourage local authorities to build Historic Environment Strategy by on the region’s expanding coverage recognising and promoting the and resource of historic landscape positive social, economic and and urban characterisation initiatives, environmental benefits of the historic and other data, through their use in environment to the region’s character, understanding the historic character local distinctiveness and sense of of places, their significance and their place, to leisure, educational and sensitivity to and capacity for change. cultural activities, to the economy (e.g. heritage-led regeneration, (f) Include suitable guidance on the heritage skills, quality of place protection, sustainable use, including and attracting inward investment, enhancement where appropriate building repair and reuse, tourism) of the region’s two World Heritage and to sustainability (e.g. reuse of Sites, Ironbridge Gorge and part buildings/resource efficiency). of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which takes account of specific regional and local circumstances.
58 Update of Policy QE6 - Conservation, Enhancement and Restoration of the Region’s Landscape
Policy Objectives Supporting Text Landscape Character Assessment is widely acknowledged as the The purpose of the Revision is to The European Landscape established methodology for update and align the existing Quality Convention sets out the National and understanding the character of the Environment policies in the European context for the protection, of the region’s landscapes and WMRSS to ensure consistency management and planning of the should continue to be used, in with current national guidance Region’s landscapes and emphasises conjunction with Historic Landscape and regional plans, strategies and the importance of all landscapes, not Characterisation, as a consistent initiatives. This will also include just protected areas. The European way to manage the region’s making appropriate links to other Landscape Convention came into landscapes in a well planned way. WMRSS Phase Three topics such effect in the UK from 1 March 2007. as culture, sport and tourism. Currently, National Character The definition of landscape in the Area (NCA) Descriptions, formally Key Messages from European Landscape Convention is: known as Joint Character Areas, Options Consultation are being updated and interim ‘an area, as perceived by people, objectives are being set for each Character Area in the West Midlands. 85% of respondents to the whose character is the result Countryside Quality Counts and Options consultation supported of the action and interaction of its successor - the Condition and the suggestions set out in the natural and/or human factors’. Quality of England’s Landscapes - consultation for a revised policy use England’s National Character and text of policy QE6. Landscapes deliver a wide Areas (NCAs) as the geographical range of ecosystem services, framework for reporting and It was felt that landscape with benefits for biodiversity, assessing the direction of landscape encompassed biodiversity and maintaining and improving air, change for each NCA using four the historic environment, and water and soil quality, reducing categories: maintained, enhancing, therefore needed to be seen as flood risk, mitigating temperature neglected, and diverging. Currently a more overarching concept. rise and supporting biodiversity 10 out of 25 of the region’s NCA’s migration. A wider ‘landscape are assessed as ‘neglected’ or The policy should also encourage approach’ should be integrated into ‘diverging’ (changing in a way local decision makers to allow the multi-functional, sustainable inconsistent with character). for positive landscape change. planning and management of the whole natural environment. A Regional Landscape Partnership Landscape Character Assessment has been established and was still seen as very important and Protected landscapes – National is developing a Landscape it was essential that part of the old Parks and Areas of Outstanding Advocacy Document based policy, relating to the importance Natural Beauty (AONBs) - can be upon a Regional Landscape of the use of Landscape Character seen as exemplars for this integrated Framework. This will be very Assessment by Local Authorities approach. There are five AONBs relevant to the future development in developing their plans, policies wholly or partly within the region of regional landscape policy. and proposals, is retained. – Cannock Chase, Cotswolds, Malvern Hills, Shropshire Hills, Good practice should be drawn and the Wye Valley. Their ‘AONB from the South East and South Management Plans’ provide a West Regional Spatial Strategies framework that sets out local to strengthen the Protected priorities for landscape, geodiversity, Landscape element of the policy. biodiversity, the historic environment and access and recreation.
59 Update of Policy QE6 - Conservation, Enhancement and Restoration of the Region’s Landscape
Recommended (e) Updating WMRSS Figure 4: Policy Approach Natural and Character Areas in the West Midlands with a new map identifying the National The policy on the Region’s Character Areas and their landscape should be based upon: condition using Countryside Quality Counts / Condition and (a) Recognising the European Quality of England’s Landscapes Landscape Convention as the as a monitoring mechanism. National and European context for protecting, managing and (f) Ensuring a strong link to the planning the region’s landscapes; overarching policy envisaged in and encouraging local authorities the integrated approach to the to prepare action plans for the management of environmental implementation of the Convention. resources topic and including references to geodiversity (sits (b) Emphasising the importance mainly within biodiversity policy of managing all landscapes QE7), townscapes, maintaining and positively – explaining the shift strengthening local distinctiveness, to ‘All Landscapes Matter’. tranquillity, noise and light pollution. (c) Including the protected (g) Identifying priorities for landscape landscapes element of the existing restoration and enhancement, Policy QE1 and encouraging local based on National Character Area planning authorities and other Objectives, the monitoring results relevant authorities to have regard to from Countryside Quality Counts / AONB Management Plans and use Condition and Quality of England’s them as exemplars for an integrated Landscapes, AONB Management approach to landscape management. Plan Objectives, and taking into account related work on identifying (d) Retaining the use of Landscape regional natural environment Character Assessment including priorities and other initiatives. Historic Landscape Characterisation Particular focus should be given to and integrated assessments. areas of deprivation and subject to the greatest pressures from growth and urban populations.
60 Update of Policy QE7 - Protecting, Managing and Enhancing the Region’s Biodiversity and Geodiversity (formerly Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Resources)
Policy Objectives on individual targets, and it was also observed by some that the The purpose of the Revision is to majority of Biodiversity Action Plans update and align the existing Quality management activity falls outside of of the Environment policies in the the scope of the planning system WMRSS to ensure consistency and it was unclear what the WMRSS with current national guidance hoped to achieve by inclusion. and regional plans, strategies and initiatives. This will also include Supporting Text making appropriate links to other WMRSS Phase Three topics such The European Convention on as culture, sport and tourism. Biological Diversity and the England Biodiversity Strategy encourage Key Messages from conservation and enhancement Options Consultation of biodiversity. All public bodies now have a duty to conserve biodiversity. Landscapes for Living Two thirds of respondents to the takes a landscape scale approach to Options consultation agreed with the restoring and enhancing biodiversity. proposed targets for the protection, The Regional Biodiversity Strategy restoration and re-creation of identifies the challenges presented by habitats to update WMRSS Annex declining species, changing land uses B, with the principle of the inclusion and the impact of climate change. of targets broadly supported by a number of key stakeholders Geodiversity is a fundamental including Natural England, the West component of landscape and the Midlands Biodiversity Partnership natural and built environments and the Woodland Trust. and offers regeneration, leisure and tourism and In the case where respondents educational opportunities. disagreed with the proposed targets, common reasons were that the targets were not yet fully agreed or that they were too ambitious. Detailed comments were given
61 Update of Policy QE7 - Protecting, Managing and Enhancing the Region’s Biodiversity and Geodiversity (formerly Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Resources)
Recommended (e) Emphasise the wider social, Policy Approach economic and environmental benefits of biodiversity across the region, such as improving environmental quality, It is suggested that a revised creating and retaining recreational, Policy QE7 should be re-titled landscape and tourism assets, “Protecting, Managing and providing opportunities for physical Enhancing the Region’s Biodiversity activity, improving the image and and Geodiversity”, and could: attractiveness of areas, managing flood risk, mitigating the adverse (a) Refer to the need to support effects of growth policies and resilient natural systems across enhancing the supporting functions the region, through the delivery of land around European sites. of regional habitat targets at a landscape scale and linking (f) Ensure that benefits for biodiversity fragmented habitats. are captured from the housing and other growth proposals for the (b) Recognise the need to ensure region, and promote its contribution that biodiversity assets can adapt to urban quality and greenspace. to expected future climate change.
(g) Raise awareness of the (c) Deliver an agreed set of statutory duty on all public bodies regional habitat targets ( See to ensure wider benefits for the Annex B) by maintaining, natural environment including the achieving condition, restoring and management of Local Sites for expanding habitats, linked to the biodiversity and geodiversity. Regional Opportunities map.
(h) Recognise the potential (d) Require local authorities for biodiversity enhancement to support and develop local associated with mineral extraction. opportunity maps and take account of them in the preparation of Local (i) Incorporate Geodiversity. Development Frameworks and
Green Infrastructure Strategies.
62 Update of Policy QE7 - Protecting, Managing and Enhancing the Region’s Biodiversity and Geodiversity
Annex B Targets for the protection, restoration and recreation of habitats.
Achieve Habitat Maintain Extent Condition (all Restoration Expansion (all figures in hectates unless otherwise stated) figures in %) Arable Field Margins13 442513 100 0 1921 Blanket Bog 15041 95 30 02 Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh 7342 85 2566 319 Eutrophic Standing Waters (sites) 500 10016 4 9 Fens14 250 100 120 0 Hedgerows (km) unknown, NNL 75 157 318 Inland Rock Outcrop and Scree Habitats12 unknown n/a 0 0 Lowland Calcareous Grassland 879 85 128 457 Lowland Dry Acid Grassland 956 85 198 130 Lowland Heathland 1630 95 0 507 Lowland Meadows 2926 85 1500 646 Lowland Raised Bog 653 100 98 0 Mesotrophic Lakes (sites) 20 10016 4 03 Native Woodland4 44186 70 117745 11691 Oligotrophic and Dystrophic Lakes (sites) 3 10016 0 06 Open Mosaic Habitats on 455, NNL N/A 50 07 Previously Developed Land Ponds (sites) unknown, NNL N/A 566 536 Purple Moor Grass and Rush Pastures 356 90 76 61 Reedbeds 154 90 0 2358 Rivers (km) 12500 10016 200 09 Traditional Orchards 8224 75 502 741 Upland Calcareous Grassland 5 100 2 0 Upland Heathland 5146 100 181 2010 Wood-Pasture & Parkland (sites)15 unknown 75 80 40 Canals11 (kms) 1585 80 n/a n/a
63 Update of Policy QE7 - Protecting, Managing and Enhancing the Region’s Biodiversity and Geodiversity
Notes n/a – data not available, NNL - No Net Loss. 1. Lowland Raised Bog Maintain Extent Target - figure based on poor quality data; requires further research. 2. Lowland Raised Bog Expansion – the national guidance gives a zero figure for expansion. 3. Mesotrophic Lakes - the national guidance gives a zero figure for expansion. 4. Native Woodland. All 5 native woodland HAPs (Lowland Beech and Yew Woodland, Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland, Upland Mixed Ashwoods, Upland Oakwood, Wet Woodland) have been combined into one set of generic native woodland targets. This reflects the fact that on the ground there is a dynamic continuum between woodland types. However, this will not dilute the emphasis placed on nativeness and on achieving the right type of woodland for each individual site. 5. The Native Woodland restoration target refers exclusively to Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (“PAWS”). 6. Oligotrophic and Dystrophic Lakes - the national guidance gives a zero figure for expansion. 7. Open Mosaic Habitats Expansion is shown as zero, although new sites will be created through the No Net Loss Maintain Extent target. 8. Reedbeds Size - Only sites over 2ha will count towards this target and preferably sites will be equal to or greater than 20ha. 9. Rivers Expansion is shown as zero, although in practice there will be a few opportunities for new near-natural river course establishment. 10. The geographical opportunity for Upland heathland restoration is believed to be limited and this figure may need to be reviewed after further research. 11. Canals – regionally important and locally distinctive habitat, extent figure brought forward from previous WMRSS. 12. Inland Rock Outcrop and Scree Habitats – new habitat requiring audit and development of targets 13. Arable Field Margins – draft figures derived from Natural England awaiting update. 14. Fens – further audit work underway and extent figure may change. 15. Woodpasture and Parkland – further audit work required to determine the number of sites, the targets are based on national guidance regional figure calculated on the assumption of the target relating to the 5 rural counties spread across the whole region. 16. Achieve condition target for water habitats in line with the Water Framework Directive targets for achieving good ecological status.
64 Update of Policy QE8 - Trees, Woods and Forestry (formerly Forestry and Woodlands)
Policy Objectives Supporting Text (c) Encourage delivery of the multiple benefits to be gained from The purpose of the Revision is to Trees and woodlands and in a significant increase in woodland update and align the existing Quality particular ancient and native cover through carefully targeted of the Environment policies in the woodlands and veteran trees, woodland creation, utilising WMRSS to ensure consistency are a fundamental component opportunity mapping guidance. with current national guidance of the Region’s countryside and and regional plans, strategies and greenspaces. They make significant (d) Reflect the major contribution that initiatives. This will also include contributions to quality of life and trees and woodlands make to green making appropriate links to other well being both in rural and urban infrastructure, seeking to achieve a WMRSS Phase Three topics such areas, providing multiple social, greater emphasis on this in line with as culture, sport and tourism. environmental and economic the recommendations for Policy QE4. benefits, including significant Key Messages from contributions to climate change (e) Seek to take forward the mitigation and abatement. major contributions trees and Options Consultation woodlands can provide for delivery of related work on identifying There was a high degree of The Strategy for England’s Trees, regional natural environment support for the Policy QE8 issues Woods and Forests and the priorities and other initiatives, for the protection, enhancement, West Midlands Regional Forestry including ecosystem services management and creation of Framework, together with associated delivery at a landscape scale. trees, woodlands and forestry. guidance, provide the regional and A range of comments were national policy context and guidance (f) Protect and restore the made for either exclusions or for developing the region’s tree cover region’s veteran trees and ancient additions to the issues outlined and maximising public benefits. woodlands in line with Keepers in in the consultation document, Time policy and UK Biodiversity with common themes being: Recommended Action Plans habitat targets. Policy Approach AA Policy QE7 and QE8 should be (g) Strengthen the priority given to complementary. Account should It is suggested that a revised policy trees and woodland as an important be taken of biodiversity targets and text for Policy QE8 could: component of urban greenspace in for other habitats as well as the West Midlands conurbation and woodland to avoid conflict. (a) Ensure that the place and other urban areas, also seeking to importance of the Regional Forestry ensure that new development and AA Stronger reference should be Framework is recognised and both regeneration fully encompasses the made to woodland creation links with and adds value to other range of benefits they can provide, being linked to a landscape strategies and policy areas. including for health and well-being. character approach. (b) Recognise the significant (h) Further develop the evidence AA There should be cross- contribution that the region’s base and encourage recognition referencing between policies on trees and woodlands can make of the benefits to the regional Trees, Forestry and Woodland to mitigation and adaptation to economy from trees and woodland, with Agricultural Land. climate change, helping to meet the including the sustainable harvesting Government’s low carbon agenda and utilisation of wood and and contributing to water quality timber for a range of markets. and flood management issues.
65 Update of Protection of Agricultural Land (Paragraphs 8.38 and 8.39 of existing WMRSS)
Policy Objectives agricultural land, unless it makes a (d) The potential for diversification special contribution to the quality of agricultural land to contribute The purpose of the Revision is to and character of the environment to flood risk management. update and align the existing Quality or the local economy. Protection of the Environment policies in the of specific areas of agricultural (e) The potential to encourage local WMRSS to ensure consistency land is a matter for LDFs. sourcing of food and energy crops. with current national guidance and regional plans, strategies and There may be links to WMRSS (f) The potential for encouraging initiatives. This will also include Policies PA14: Economic the management of agricultural making appropriate links to other Development and the Rural Economy, land for biodiversity and enhancing WMRSS Phase Three topics such and PA15: Agriculture and Farm the supporting functions of as culture, sport and tourism. Diversification although these land around European sites. policies are not the subject of the Key Messages from WMRSS Phase Three Revision. (g) Any variations in the agricultural Options Consultation importance across the region. Recommended There was a high degree of support Policy Approach for the protection of agricultural land issues, including the importance It is suggested that revised text for of the quality of land, the wider Agricultural Land in paragraphs 8.38 sustainability benefits of agricultural and 8.39 of the existing WMRSS land and the potential to encourage could address the following issues: local sourcing of food and energy crops. There were few comments, (a) The importance of the some calling for a policy and quality of agricultural land and some highlighting the relevance soils, and food production and of economic issues to agriculture food security regionally. which did not sit well in the Quality of Environment section. (b) The need to protect the best quality agricultural land, particularly Supporting Text in areas of significant growth or of valued landscapes. PPS7 advises that best and most (c) The wider sustainability benefits to versatile agricultural land (grades which agricultural land can contribute, 1, 2 and 3a in the Agricultural Land including underpinning of the rural Classification) should be taken economy, tourism and leisure, into account, alongside other access to open space, maintaining sustainability considerations, when landscapes and adaptation to considering development. Little the impacts of climate change. weight is given to poorer quality
66 Update of Air Quality (Paragraphs 8.45 and 8.46 of existing WMRSS)
Policy Objectives Supporting Text Recommended Policy Approach The purpose of the Revision is to The National Air Quality Strategy update and align the existing Quality 2007 sets standards for air quality It is suggested that the text of the Environment policies in the and objectives to be achieved. for Air Quality in paragraphs WMRSS to ensure consistency Responsibility for managing air 8.45 and 8.46 of the existing with current national guidance quality locally rests with local WMRSS could be updated to and regional plans, strategies and authorities, who have a duty to reflect the following issues: initiatives. This will also include declare air quality management making appropriate links to areas where objectives are not likely (a) The wider benefits which other Phase Three topics such to be achieved. This leaves limited good air quality can provide for as culture, sport and tourism. scope for regional air quality policy. human health and biodiversity.
Key Messages from Transport is a major contributor to (b) The links to accessibility, Options Consultation poor air quality, as recognised by the congestion and public Government’s guidance Delivering a transport provision. There was a high degree of support Sustainable Transport System 2008, for the air quality issues, including the which aims to contribute to better (c) The potential effects wider benefits of good air quality, the health by addressing poor air quality of the planned growth in the links to transport and accessibility associated with transport. Transport WMRSS Phase Two Revision. and to the findings of the Habitats and Accessibility policies in the Regulations Assessment for the WMRSS will contribute significantly (d) The findings from the Habitats WMRSS Phase Two Revision. Some to improved air quality in the region. Regulations Assessment for the respondents felt there was a need WMRSS Phase Two Revision for a specific policy. However, more The implications of the air quality which highlighted the impacts of questioned the usefulness of the impacts of new development on the WMRSS Phase Two Revision issue being addressed in WMRSS. European nature conservation development proposals on the sites is covered in the new European nature conservation sites Care needs to be taken at Policy SR4: Safeguarding the within and beyond the region. regional level to make policies Integrity of European Sites which practical and implementable. is being considered as part of (e) Any variations in air quality There is no point having a policy the Phase Two Revision. across the region and any which requires local planning actions to help mitigate effects authorities to exercise functions in areas of poor air quality. for which they have no powers.
67 Energy Efficiency - Promoting Energy Efficiency Within Existing Development
Policy Objectives Supporting Text There may, however, also be some opportunities to encourage the The objective was to consider the There are a number of initiatives at retrofitting of energy efficiency potential for a requirement that a both national and local level that measures to existing buildings percentage of the energy needs help support energy efficiency in through the planning system as for new development be provided new and existing buildings. These part of major refurbishments taking by on-site or local generation of include the EU Energy Performance place as part of urban regeneration. renewable energy resources / in Buildings Directive (EPBD) which For example, where appropriate, energy efficiency measures. requires all buildings, domestic and there may be opportunities to non-domestic, both new and existing introduce a requirement that Key Messages from to have energy performance ratings; major refurbishments (of a defined Options Consultation Building Regulations which require scale) submit an Energy Use all new domestic dwellings to have Assessment alongside a planning application which could then There was a high level of agreement a “SAP” rating, which is a measure help to identify opportunities to in the Options consultation (83%) of energy performance and CO2 improve energy efficiency. on the need for the existing emissions; and the Government’s Policy EN2 to be revised to Code for Sustainable Homes which encourage improvements to is a voluntary scheme to promote Recommended the energy efficiency in existing more sustainable building practices. Policy Approach buildings as opportunities arise. The West Midlands Regional Energy It is suggested that where However, some local authorities Strategy (November 2004) outlines a opportunities arise, proposals for questioned the ability of the planning wide range of measures that could be major developments could be system to influence the energy taken to improve energy efficiency in accompanied by an energy use efficiency of existing buildings and the industrial, commercial and public, assessment which sets the baseline suggested that this was not a suitable domestic and transport sectors. Only for the calculation of the proportion of topic for WMRSSs, instead being a small range of measures, however, on site generation and describes the more of a matter for implementation can be influenced at the regional measures that are being taken to put of national building regulations and level through the planning system. the “Energy Hierarchy” into effect. specific Supplementary Planning Documents at the local level. Policies to encourage the on-site generation of renewable energy The view was also expressed should be placed within the that this issue was already being context of an “energy hierarchy” addressed by Policy SR3 which whereby energy demand is reduced was considered as part of the through energy efficiency and low WMRSS Phase Two Revision. energy design before meeting the residual energy demand from first renewable energy and then fossil fuels or grid electricity. This “energy hierarchy” approach, where energy efficiency opportunities are maximised before renewable energy is considered within proposals for new developments, was incorporated into Draft Policy SR3 in the WMRSS Phase Two Revision.
68 Renewable Energy Targets
Policy Objectives Other key issues identified they would have been in 2020. It by respondents included: also intends to provide opportunities The Revision will seek to promote for the UK economy. In parallel with the development of renewable AA The need for consistency in energy saving, nuclear and carbon energy and low carbon technology expressing targets - the national capture and storage (CSS), the UK resources, subject to appropriate target refers to a percentage Renewable Energy Strategy is a environmental and social safeguards. of energy generated; whilst key element of the Government’s the Regional Energy Strategy overall transition plan for setting The objectives are to review targets refer to percentage the UK on the path to achieve a regional targets for renewable of energy consumed. low-carbon, sustainable future that energy, as set by the Regional helps address climate change. Energy Strategy, and to review the AA A need for the renewable energy spatial implications of introducing policy to be worded positively The Government’s lead decentralised energy and renewable and ‘dynamically’ in line with scenario suggests that by energy technologies into the region. the economic opportunities, 2020 the UK could see: importance of the issue and Key Messages from scale of change required to meet AA More than 30% of electricity carbon reduction targets. generated from renewables. Much Options Consultation of this would be from wind power, On the issue of regional targets for on and offshore, but biomass, The Options consultation sought specific renewable energy and low hydro and wave and tidal would views on three Options for carbon technologies, there was no also play an important role. renewable energy 5 targets: clear consensus but a slight majority of those who expressed a preference AA 12% of heat generated from 1. Adoption of the national were against targets for specific renewables. The Government targets for renewable energy, technologies on the basis of the need expect this to come from a range 2. Adoption of Regional Energy to retain flexibility to adapt to new of sources including biomass, Strategy targets (published technologies and the need for more biogas, solar and heat pump November 2004), or detailed local work on capacity. sources in homes, businesses 3. Adoption of sub-regional targets. and communities across the UK. Responses to the Options Supporting Text AA 10% of transport energy consultation provided no clear from renewables. consensus on renewable energy The UK Renewable Energy Strategy targets although Option 3 (sub- (July 2009) sets out a path for the regional targets) was the most UK to meet the legally-binding The planning system plays a central popular option (44% of respondents), target that 15% of our energy role in delivering the necessary particularly amongst local authorities. comes from renewable sources infrastructure to reduce carbon Some respondents favoured a by 2020 - almost a seven-fold emissions and ensure continued combination of Options 1 and 3, increase in the share of renewables security of energy supply. Equally, ie. adoption of national targets in scarcely more than a decade. the planning system plays a with a sub-regional variation to vital role in safeguarding the reflect resources and needs. The purpose of the UK Strategy is to landscape and natural heritage. tackle climate change by reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide, The UK Renewable Energy Strategy promote the security of energy supply “expects regions to set targets and reduce our overall fossil fuel for renewable energy capacity demand by around 10% and gas in line with national targets, imports by 20–30% against what or better where possible.”
5 Renewable energy includes: solar water heating, photovoltaics (rooftop or cladding), biomass heating, biomass CHP, wind generators, micro-hydroelectric, ground source heating and cooling, and air and water source heat pumps. It can also include heat from renewable CHP plants, such as: landfill gas, sewage gas, anaerobic digestion, biomass, and energy from waste.
69 Renewable Energy Targets
PPS22 states that “the Regional opportunities for renewables as There is also potential for retrofitting Spatial Strategy should include well as any genuine constraints to renewable energy systems to existing the target for renewable energy deployment and will help inform buildings. There are instances where capacity in the region, derived the development of achievable this would fall within the planning from assessments of the region’s regional and sub-regional targets. system, for example, as part of renewable energy resource potential, major refurbishments taking place and taking into account the regional Spatial Implications of as part of urban regeneration. environmental, economic and Introducing Decentralised social impacts (either positive or Opportunities for implementing negative) that may result from Energy and Renewable renewable heat technologies such exploitation of that resource Energy Technologies as biomass boilers, solar water potential”. PPS1 also expects heating or ground source heat regional and local planners to use Renewable energy development pumps particularly exist in those a robust evidence base to actively will be guided by the resources parts of the region that do not have plan for, and support, renewable available for development, together access to the gas network and which and low-carbon energy generation. with the economic opportunities, therefore currently have to rely on physical constraints and the relevant higher cost fuels such as oil and PPS22 also states that “where development criteria. Evidence liquefied petroleum gas to supply appropriate, targets in regional spatial from the Regional Energy Strategy space heating and hot water. strategies may be disaggregated into suggested that there are no broad sub-regional targets. It may also be areas that should be identified Whilst it is not expected that there appropriate to give a broad indication as major locations for renewable will be the opportunity for the of how different technologies energy development within the development of large scale renewable could contribute towards regional West Midlands, as opposed to energy schemes within designated targets. But fixed targets for specific any other. Whilst some areas of areas, there may be opportunities technologies should not be set the region have greater renewable for the development of smaller given that rapid technological energy resources than others, it scale renewables in these areas. change may mean that new seems likely that development will sources of renewable energy may take place in a distributed manner It is within the non-designated rural be developed in the longer term”. across the West Midlands. areas of the region that the pressure for larger scale development of The West Midlands currently meets Most renewable energy technologies renewable energy is most likely less than 1% of the region’s electricity have the potential to be applied to occur, subject to site specific demand from renewable energy. In in an urban context. For example, constraints. The highest wind order to be realistic and achievable, opportunities for renewable energy energy resource exists within sub-regional targets would need development may exist on existing Staffordshire, Shropshire and to take account of the resource industrial estates or other brownfield Herefordshire although there are opportunities and constraints in those sites from medium-sized wind increasing opportunities in the rest areas. An assessment of the resource turbines through to the installation of the region, as economically viable opportunities was undertaken of building integrated systems. wind speeds reduce over time. as part of the development of New housing and commercial renewable energy targets for developments also offer significant There are opportunities for biomass, the Regional Energy Strategy. opportunities for identifying and anaerobic and aerobic digestion utilising large heat loads to support in most parts of the region, With Government support, biomass-based community although development should be Advantage West Midlands is currently heating schemes and also provide located as close as possible to (March 2010) updating renewable extensive opportunities for the fuel sources to minimise carbon energy resource assessments for integration of renewable energy emissions from transport. the West Midlands. The updated technologies into buildings (in line evidence base will identify appropriate with draft WMRSS Policy SR3).
70 Renewable Energy Targets
As explained, further work on Renewable Electricity Targets InstalledAA Electricity Generating renewable energy resources is by Sub-Region By 2020 Capacity (MWe) currently underway. This will inform Herefordshire To be Agreed 6 the development of renewable energy Shropshire & Telford To be Agreed 6 targets for the West Midlands which Staffordshire & Stoke To be Agreed 6 will be considered as part of the Warwickshire To be Agreed 6 new Regional Strategy process. West Midlands County To be Agreed 6
Worcestershire To be Agreed 6 The policy approach recommended therefore provides a broad policy framework but, intentionally, no targets have been included AA The minimum targets for the generation of heat from renewable sources in advance of the completion outlined below should be achieved by the use of appropriate resources and of the technical work currently technologies: (March 2010) being undertaken by Advantage West Midlands6. Regional Targets for Renewable Heat Installed Thermal Capacity (MWth)
2015 To be Agreed 6
Recommended 2020 To be Agreed 6 Policy Approach
It is suggested that regional policy relating to renewable AA The regional policy framework, AA The Planning Policy Statement energy targets should include complemented by Local supplement on climate change the following principles: Development Documents, should (PPS1) sets out what the facilitate the achievement of the Government expects from following minimum sub-regional AA Local Development Frameworks good planning, and underlines targets for electricity by 2020: should include policies and that tackling climate change development proposals which sits at the centre of all planning contribute to the achievement of the AA A policy for on-site renewable considerations. PPS22 sets following targets for electricity: energy generation in new build national planning policy on should be in place, as set out in renewable energy. Local planning policy SR3 of the draft WMRSS authorities should have regard a) By 2015 a minimum regional Phase Two Revision. This would to both these documents when target of x6 MWe installed directly stimulate installation of new preparing Local Development generating capacity, from a range micro-renewable heat systems. Frameworks and when of renewable electricity technologies; taking planning decisions. b) By 2020 a minimum regional target of x6 MWe installed AA The renewable Electricity and generating capacity from a range heat capacity approved through of renewable electricity technologies. the planning process should The target should provide be monitored through the local at least 15% of the Region’s planning authorities’ annual electricity demand by 2020. monitoring review. Capacity installed should also be monitored through the regional Annual Monitoring Report (AMR).
6 Sub-Regional targets will be informed by assessments of the region’s renewable energy source potential which are being undertaken by Advantage West Midlands.
71 Criteria for Ensuring that Renewable Energy Is Appropriately Located
Policy Objectives Supporting Text Minimising any impacts caused by noise, odour, traffic, discharges The Revision will seek to promote The planning system needs to to the air and watercourses the development of renewable deliver swift, consistent and will be important particularly in energy and low carbon technology effective decisions in areas where relation to nearby residential areas resources, subject to appropriate development is appropriate and individual dwellings. Visual environmental and social safeguards. but also apply safeguards to impact on the landscape is also a protect areas where development relevant issue when determining The objective is to develop may not be appropriate. the acceptability of proposals for a criteria-based policy for large-scale renewable energy. considering the provision of PPS22 states that renewable renewable energy resources. energy proposals should be The wider benefits of renewable positively encouraged by planning energy projects must also be Key Messages from authorities and assessed using given significant weight as material Options Consultation the criteria set out in theWMRSS. considerations regardless of Local Planning Authorities may scale. These benefits include CO2 reduction, the diversification A majority (64%) of respondents prepare Local Development of local economies, the creation to the Options consultation Document criteria policies, which of new jobs and support for the favoured a criteria-based policy to focus on key local issues, within regeneration of rural areas. ensure that renewable energy is the framework provided by national guidelines and the WMRSS. appropriately located (Option 2). Recommended Overall, the criteria considered Whilst it is important that renewable Policy Approach of most importance were: energy is encouraged, it is also important that it is appropriately AA Nationally significant renewable 1 Impact on fauna, flora located and designed. The integration energy infrastructure – energy and animal life; of large-scale renewable energy from biomass and/or waste 2= Contribution to the proposals, such as wind and biomass and onshore wind (>50 global environment; production, into the region’s varied megawatts (MW) – should 2= Visual Impact; landscapes will require careful have regard to National Policy 4 Contribution to the local economy; consideration. Designated areas Statement for Renewable 5 Noise; in particular need to be protected Energy Infrastructure (EN-3). 6 Odour; from inappropriate development. The purposes of land-use planning 7 Traffic. AA For renewable energy projects designations will vary considerably less than 50 MW, local planning between sites and may not be authorities should consider the in conflict with particular forms following regional criteria alongside or scales of renewable energy national policy guidance and development. The key test in local criteria contained within assessing proposals should be the Local Development Documents: extent to which they might affect the integrity of the designation.
72 Criteria for Ensuring that Renewable Energy Is Appropriately Located
(i) Within the region’s nationally (iv) Renewable energy schemes and internationally recognised should not have a significant adverse designations, schemes should cumulative impact in conjunction be of an appropriate scale with other similar developments. and not compromise the objectives of the designation. AA As most renewable energy resources can only be developed (ii) An Environmental Impact where the resource exists and Assessment (EIA) will be required for where economically feasible, renewable energy projects where there should not be a sequential the development falls into a category approach in the consideration within Schedule 2(3) to the 1999 of renewable energy projects Environmental Impact Assessments (for example, by giving priority Regulation and the Planning to the re-use of previously Authority adopts a “screening developed land for renewable opinion” that EIA is required. technology developments). Schemes should minimise and deal satisfactorily with any significant AA Where appropriate, proposals adverse impacts identified in visual should be facilitated which involve: and landscape, noise, ecological, ornithological, archaeological and (i) Construction and upgrading historic, geological or hydrological of fossil fuel power stations that assessments. Schemes should also incorporate clean coal technology. minimise and deal with any significant adverse traffic management, air (ii) Dual use of fossil and quality, odour, disposal of waste renewable resources. impacts or significant effects on tourist or recreational facilities. (iii) Good quality combined heat and power. (iii) The wider environmental, community and economic benefits of proposals, whatever their scale, should be given significant weight in determining planning applications.
73 Positive Uses of the Green Belt
Policy Objectives Option 1 - Develop a Regionally Option 2 - Apply PPG2: Specific Green Belt Policy: The purpose of the WMRSS revision “PPG2 is already sufficiently clear and is to consider whether there is a need Option 1 would allow for the particular issues and opportunities will for a new regionally-specific policy for identification of more positive uses often be specific to location and as the Green Belt which would (a) define through green infrastructure studies, such should be addressed in LDFs”. its regional and sub-regional roles such as improved access and and (b) define those specific uses recreation; to reflect the varying “Option 1 could potentially lead to that should be encouraged within it. needs of people and wildlife. proposals taking place within the A more regionally specific Green Belt as part of positive use and The WMRSS revision is not about policy would reinforce green improvement proposals which could reviewing Green Belt boundaries. infrastructure, heritage and actually damage the Green Belt”. landscape considerations in improving the Green Belt. “Green Belt policy is a longstanding Key Messages from and successful one and we Options Consultation “Option 2 represented ‘old see no reason why it should thinking’ with respect to urban be altered in favour of a more Opinion in the Options consultation fringe management and did not regionally specific one which could responses was split between Option adequately address the need for undermine national policy”. 1 (develop a regionally specific an integrated relationship between Green Belt policy) and Option 2 Green Belt and other existing "While we approve and endorse the (apply PPG2), although 11 out of and suggested WMRSS policies proposal for a more positive stance 15 Unitary and County Authorities (such as Green Infrastructure)”. on Green Belt uses, we do wonder favoured Option 2. Reasons given for whether a regional approach to responses included the following: Some local authorities also called for Green Belt is a realistic option given WMRSS to review the geographic the importance attached to Green area of the Green Belt in the context Belt policy at the national level". of sub-regional location of housing growth and to develop distinctive sub-regional specific policies related to anticipated pressures, its function, protection and management.
74 Positive Uses of the Green Belt
Supporting Text Recommended Policy Approach National policy on Green Belts is set out in PPG2, which includes the Green Belt policy is a generally well purposes of including land in Green understood part of wider planning Belts, objectives for the use of Green policy. The nature of the policy is its Belt land, a presumption against measure of certainty and its generally inappropriate development, and supported objectives. PPG2 makes guidance on development that is not the case that the Green Belt has a inappropriate. This is supplemented much broader positive purpose and by more recent guidance, such is a potent policy against the potential as for waste management and urban sprawl of major urban areas renewable energy, which recognise into the surrounding hinterland. the pressures for such developments in Green Belt locations. However, the national policy does nothing for the positive use or Whilst Green Belt policy is clearly enhancement of the Green Belt. It defined in PPG2, there is a wider includes a large part of the urban debate about the role and purpose fringe, which faces growth pressures of the urban fringe, This is reflected and many competing land use in the need to identify the most demands. It provides an opportunity sustainable locations for new for improved access and recreational development in the context of the activity in locations close to large Government’s growth agenda. populations. A stronger strategic approach to the whole of the area The Green Belt performs an would help to deliver more positive important role in contributing to the social, economic and environmental regeneration of the region’s major benefits, such as access, amenity urban areas, and to the delivery value, recreation, health and of the region’s spatial strategy. protection for sensitive sites.
The presumption against development can result in Green Belt becoming poorly managed and underused, where developers may discourage more positive uses in the hope that development might be accepted. A more positive approach, encouraging appropriate uses, management and enhancement would provide wider benefits.
75 Safeguarding Mineral Resources in the West Midlands
Policy Objectives Safeguarding mineral resources in AA Natural building and roofing plans prepared by County Councils, stone – maintaining regional and The objective is to develop a policy Unitary Authorities, Borough and local distinctiveness and for use for the safeguarding of brick clays District Councils does not imply that in the historic environment. (including fireclays), natural building they will be worked in the future. and roofing stone, hydrocarbons The process is concerned with AA Hydrocarbon resources (coal, gas and coalbed methane) ensuring that decision makers take (coal, gas and coalbed and aggregates and minerals and into account in policy terms the methane) – contribute to minerals related infrastructure. impact of permitting non- mineral national energy security. development on economically One of the national objectives for important mineral resources in the There is a water- borne mineral mineral planning is “to safeguard region. On that basis it should not transportation facility operating in mineral resources as far as be used as a means of determining the region and that is located on possible” paragraph 9, Minerals the location of mineral supplies that the River Severn. There are three Planning Statement 1 (MPS1). the region may require in the future. sites (one in Sandwell and two in Birmingham) providing for the rail It is important therefore that The West Midlands contains mineral transportation of mineral related economically important minerals deposits which are of national, products, two sites (Shrewsbury in the Region are not needlessly regional and local significance, and in Herefordshire) providing for sterilised by surface development. and these are gypsum, silica sand, the transportation of aggregates limestone for cement, aggregates, and two sites (Staffordshire) Key Messages from natural building and roofing which are rail connected but Options Consultation stone, shale, coal, brick clays and have not been developed to fireclays (see Mineral Safeguarding transport materials by rail. in the West Midlands map). Opinions were evenly balanced If the West Midlands is to ensure amongst consultation responses Those mineral resources that indigenous mineral resources for many of the safeguarding which are considered to be of and minerals and minerals-related questions. There was no clear economic importance within infrastructure are not needlessly consensus on the overall approach the foreseeable future to the sterilised it needs to put in place to safeguarding, on whether a economy and development a policy framework to identify different approach is needed in urban needs of the region are:- the most economically important and rural areas, and on whether mineral resources and minerals and coal and Etruria Marl should be AA Brick clays – new housing and minerals-related infrastructure to safeguarded at regional level. built development (including house be safeguarded, define the regional renovations and extensions), mechanisms to secure effective However, a majority were in favour employment and infrastructure. safeguarding and manage the overall of safeguarding in designated areas, process. Failure to properly manage and for safeguarding infrastructure AA Fireclays – new housing and this process will have implications for particularly relating to secondary built development (including securing and maintaining supplies materials and sustainable transport house renovations and of indigenous mineral resources infrastructure for all minerals. extensions), and employment. for the region (its citizens and the local economy) and ensuring that Supporting Text AA Aggregates – new housing, built future generations have supplies development and infrastructure available to meet their needs and Safeguarding is a planning process provision, employment and the means to transport them to necessary to ensure that natural providing security of supply for where they are needed in and resources are not needlessly local markets. around the region. A long term view sterilised by other forms of needs to be taken of the mineral development, leaving insufficient resources and infrastructure sites/ supplies for future generations.
76 Safeguarding Mineral Resources in the West Midlands facilities that need to be safeguarded safeguarded and the mechanisms for Recommended and for this to be embedded in achieving those policy requirements. Policy Approach spatial plans across the region. It also does not define how Minerals Planning Authorities in the region Local Planning Authorities, Minerals The population of the West Midlands should safeguard mineral resources Planning Authorities, the minerals is forecast to increase significantly. from other forms of development. industry and developers need to This increase will create additional There is also no recognition of the work together to ensure that the demand for minerals and competition potential for different approaches economically important minerals for land. Mineral resources within the to be taken in different areas and in the region are safeguarded. Major Urban Area and Towns and for the application of policy to be Cities outside the Major Urban Areas undertaken in different ways. Mineral Planning Authorities need to are already to a large degree sterilised ensure that the following regionally by built development. Elsewhere the In order to avoid economically important minerals and minerals location of many mineral resources important mineral resources and and minerals related infrastructure coincides with international and minerals and minerals related are safeguarded in their LDFs:- national environmental and nature infrastructure in the region being conservation designations such as needlessly sterilised by non-mineral AA Brick clays – new housing and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty development any policy framework built development (including and Special Areas of Conservation will need to address the following: house renovations and (and candidates). The impact of extensions), employment and these policy constraints could AA The need for a consistent providing security of supply for be to restrict future development approach to be taken across the other downstream markets. options for mineral extraction and region to avoid the sterilisation of supply and the development of regionally important minerals. AA Fireclays – new housing and minerals-related infrastructure. built development (including AA The need to distinguish between house renovations and Policy M1 in the current WMRSS those minerals which are of extensions), and employment. and the draft WMRSS Phase Two local, regional and national Revision requires safeguarding of importance and determine how AA Aggregates – new housing, built mineral resources and infrastructure they will be safeguarded. development and infrastructure sites/facilities to be secured through provision, employment local development plans by: AA The protection, from alternative and providing security of uses of land, of existing, planned supply for local markets. AA identifying the resources needed and potential facilities/sites for to maintain appropriate levels of the bulk transport of minerals AA Natural building and roofing planned and future supplies (Bi), and for the manufacture of stone – maintaining regional and mineral-related products and for local distinctiveness and for use AA identifying and safeguarding alternate sources of materials in the historic environment. opportunities for the transportation for construction purposes. of minerals (Biv), and AA Hydrocarbon resources (coal, AA The maintenance of mineral gas and coalbed methane) AA including policies to safeguard production from existing and – contribute to national energy mineral resources from other planned mineral sites and mineral- security having regard to climate forms of development (Bv). related infrastructure by limiting change considerations. encroachment from non-mineral However, the existing WMRSS development through applying does not specifically define which buffer or consultation zones. regionally important minerals and minerals infrastructure needs to be
77 Safeguarding Mineral Resources in the West Midlands
In order to safeguard these Policies should be included in AA Protecting from alternative uses resources the following any plans produced to ensure: of land which may constrain mechanisms should be used: future use existing, planned AA Comprehensive working and potential facilities/sites for AA The designation of local Mineral of permitted reserves in the bulk transport of minerals Safeguarding Areas (MSAs) existing quarries. and for the manufacture of and Mineral Consultation mineral-related products and for Areas (MCAs), and AA The prior extraction of alternate sources of materials minerals where practical and for construction purposes by AA Where appropriate applying environmentally acceptable designating buffer and consultation development control polices. before non-mineral zones around important facilities. development takes place Guidance on the identification and AA Formulating and applying designation of MSAs and MCAs AA The need to refer regionally appropriate development can be found in MPS1 Practice significant non-mineral control policies. Guide and the 2007 British development planning applications Geological Survey (BGS) Guide to to the Regional Planning Body so AA Having regard to the relationships Mineral Safeguarding in England. they can consider if it is in general with other policies in the WMRSS accordance with the WMRSS particularly T10 freight. In defining these areas reliance where there is a significant quantity should be placed on the best of regionally important mineral AA Requiring all major proposals available mineral resource information resources that could be sterilised. for the extraction of minerals including information held by and manufacture of minerals the BGS, industry and MPAs. Mineral Planning Authorities will - related products to be need to record in their Annual accompanied by a Transport Minerals resources located Monitoring Report the number Impact Assessment which in international and nationally of planning applications for non- should include an examination designated areas and green mineral development on which of the potential to transport belts should not be excluded they were consulted and where the materials to the market by in determining the extent of objections and no objections were other modes of transportation. MSAs and MCAs. Unless there raised on sterilisation grounds. are clear local circumstances there is no need to differentiate Local Planning Authorities in between urban and rural areas in collaboration with MPAs should applying safeguarding policies. ensure that mineral resources of national importance are In preparing and validating planning safeguarded by identifying applications for non-mineral the location of the nationally development on regionally important important minerals and including mineral resources developers and them on any proposals map. Local Planning Authorities should ensure that they are accompanied Local Planning Authorities, MPAs by detailed and comprehensive and developers should ensure mineral resource assessments that minerals and minerals-related and non-mineral development infrastructure are safeguarded by: likely to limit the use of and /or encroach on the use and operation AA Identifying sites and facilities of minerals and minerals-related of regional importance for the infrastructure by the submission of an transportation of minerals and infrastructure impact assessment. minerals-related products.
78 Safeguarding Mineral Resources in the West Midlands
Mineral Safeguarding in the West Midlands Region
" This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (c)Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Staffordshire County Council LA.100019422 "Mineral resource information derived from 1:50 000 scale BGS Digital Data under Licence 2009/043 British Geological Survey. C NERC.
79 Future Brick Clay Provision
Policy Objective the Black Country. Nationally, the permitted reserves normally sufficient Etruria formation covers only 1% of for 25 years of production to support The Revision objective is to ensure the total outcrop area of the brick the level of actual and proposed appropriate provision is made in clay resources. Despite the small size investment required for new and the region for the future supply of the outcrop it is a very important existing manufacturing plant and and demand for brick clays. brick clay resource and is covered by the maintenance and improvement planning permissions over 9% of its of existing plant and equipment. While brick clays are found in many area. However, 35.3% of the resource parts of England only some are is sterilised by urban development. Based on a 2007 baseline there suitable for use in the manufacture This resource of premium quality were 18 brickworks and tileries of bricks, pipes and tiles, or for clay is confined to a relatively small which needed future supplies of environmental and engineering and fragmented outcrop which clay, but only 17 were operational uses. Some valuable clays (including is almost exclusively in an area (see Brick and Tile Factories in fireclays) are nationally scarce with a high population density. the West Midlands map). The and only occur in limited locations baseline of 2007 was chosen to such as the specific outcrops In the region the largest users reflect normal operating conditions within the West Midlands. of clay are the brick industry before the economic recession reflecting the concentration impacted on the brick industry. The Security of supplies of clay over a of working in and around the industry believes that the current period of 25 years is needed by conurbation and Stoke on Trent. downturn in production will be operators to justify and secure the temporary and that following the large level of investment required Fireclays are derived from coal end of the recession production to set up, maintain and modernise measures, although almost will return to pre-recession levels. existing brick making plant. exclusively as a by-product of opencast coal extraction. Although Of the 17 operational brickworks/ Key Messages from comprising less than 7% of total tileries, data was only available for consumption, these are important 16. Those 16 require annual clay Options Consultation premium quality clays which are resources of 2.1 million tonnes in used in relatively high value buff total to be made available. Seven of A majority of respondents to the brick products manufactured the brickworks/tileries had sufficient Options consultation felt that applying at sites across the Midlands. supplies of clay available to them to brick clay supply requirements to sustain production for 25 years from individual brickworks is the most The WMRSS Phase Two Revision the baseline of 2007. In order to meet sustainable way of meeting future (up to 2026) proposes major new the needs of the remaining 9 facilities needs, and all the suggested housing development (including to have a 25 year supply an additional locational criteria outlined in the house renovations and extensions) 13 million tonnes of clay needs to consultation were supported. and additional employment sites be made accessible and available to across the region. The demand for the industry based on 2007 figures. However, there was no consensus on bricks primarily reflects activity in whether the shortfall in clay supplies the house building sector, although West Midlands is a net importer of could be met from within region, bricks are being used for other fireclays with 65% being imported and few suggestions for policies on forms of development. An average from the fireclay Durham and stockpiling Etruria Marl and fireclays. three bedroom house requires Leicestershire/South Derbyshire some 8,500 bricks (equivalent to 25 coalfields. If indigenous resources Supporting Text tonnes of clay) in its construction. of fireclay can be fully utilised, then they can play an important In the West Midlands, the principal Paragraph 3.4 in Annex 2 to Minerals part in maintaining the supply of brick clay resource is the Etruria Planning Statement 1 (MPS1) raw materials to the regional brick Formation and the main outcrops requires Minerals Planning Authorities industry and reducing reliance on occur in Staffordshire and parts of (MPA’s) to provide a stock of imports from outside the region.
80 Future Brick Clay Provision
Recommended MPAs can only address future MPAs working with the brick clay Policy Approach requirements for brick clays industry, developers and local where they are known i.e. where planning authorities should look for manufacturers are able to provide opportunities to develop and operate MPAs will need to work together information on their annual long term off-site stockpiles of clays to provide for shortfalls in future consumption requirements and to maintain future brick production supplies of brick clays and fire clays where evidence shows that a viable in the region. Any major proposals in the region identified as a result of resource is available within the area, for off-site stockpiling should be information from annual monitoring of sufficient quality to meet the accompanied by a Transport Impact surveys. In carrying out this work requirements of manufacturers. Assessment which should include MPAs will need to consider whether an examination of the potential to the shortfalls in clays can be met MPAs and the brick clay industry will transport the materials from source by one or more of the following: need to work together to monitor to stockpile and stockpile to market the level of manufacturing capacity by other modes of transport. AA Appropriate provision being in the region, the trends in brick and made in Local Development tile production together with any Where appropriate, existing, planned Frameworks (LDF’s) within other clay derived products, changes and potential off-site clay stockpiling and/or outside the region and to the industry and manufacturing sites/facilities should be safeguarded implemented through the granting processes in response to climate in LDFs to ensure that supplies of planning permission. change now and in the future and the are maintained and not sterilised level of clay resources and permitted by non-mineral development. AA Planning permission being reserves within and outside the region granted for specific sites coming required to need future demands. forward outside allocated areas. MPAs and the brick clay industry AA Prior extraction of minerals as will need to carry out an early review part of proposals from non- and update of the 2007 baseline mineral development where data to determine the extent of extraction is economically and shortfalls in future supplies of brick environmentally acceptable. clays and fireclays in the region.
AA Planning permission being granted for long term off- site strategic stockpiles.
81 Future Brick Clay Provision
Brick & Tile Factories in the West Midlands Region
" This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (c) Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Staffordshire County Council LA.100019422 "Mineral resource information derived from 1:50 000 scale BGS Digital Data under Licence 2009/043 British Geological Survey. C NERC.
82 WMRSS Policies March 2010
83 WMRSS Policies
Towards a More Sustainable Region SR1: Climate Change Phase 2 Revision SR2: Creating Sustainable Communities Phase 2 Revision SR3: Sustainable Design and Construction Phase 2 Revision SR4: Improving Air Quality for Sensitive Ecosystems Phase 2 Revision Urban Renaissance UR1: Implementing Urban Renaissance – the MUAs June 2004 UR1A: Black Country Regeneration Policies January 2008 UR1B: Housing and Employment Land January 2008 UR1C: Strategic Office Development in the Black Country January 2008 UR1D: Retail Floorspace January 2008 UR2: Towns and Cities Outside Major Urban Areas June 2004 UR3: Enhancing the role of City, Town and District Centres June 2004 UR4: Social Infrastructure June 2004 Rural Renaissance RR1: Rural Renaissance June 2004 RR2: The Rural Regeneration Zone June 2004 RR3: Market Towns June 2004 RR4: Rural Services Phase 3 Revision Communities for the Future CF1: Housing within the Major Urban Areas Phase 2 Revision CF2: Housing beyond the Major Urban Areas Phase 2 Revision CF3: Levels and Distribution of New Housing Development Phase 2 Revision CF4: Phasing of New Development Phase 2 Revision CF5: The Re-use of Land and Buildings for Housing Phase 2 Revision CF6: Making Efficient Use of Land Phase 2 Revision CF7: Delivering Affordable Housing Phase 2 Revision CF8: Delivering Mixed Communities Phase 2 Revision CF9: Sites for Gypsies and Travellers Phase 3 Revision CF10: Managing Housing Land Supply Phase 2 Revision Prosperity for All PA1: Prosperity for All June 2004 PA2: Urban Regeneration Zones June 2004 PA3: High-Technology Corridors June 2004 PA4: Development related to Higher/Further Education and Research June 2004 Establishments and incubator units PA5: Employment Areas in Need of Modernisation and Renewal June 2004 PA6: Portfolio of Employment Land Phase 2 Revision PA6A: Employment Land Provision Phase 2 Revision PA6B: Protection of Employment Land Phase 2 Revision PA7: Regional Investment Sites June 2004 PA8: Major Investment Sites June 2004 PA9: Regional Logistics Sites June 2004 PA10: Tourism and Culture Phase 3 Revision PA11: The Network of Town and City Centres June 2004 PA11A: Brierley Hill and Dudley January 2008 PA12: Birmingham’s Role as a Global City June 2004 PA12A: Comparison Retail Floorspace Requirements Phase 2 Revision PA12B: Non-Strategic Centres Phase 2 Revision PA13: Out-of-Centre Retail Development Phase 2 Revision
84 WMRSS Policies
PA13A: Office Development Requirements Phase 2 Revision PA13B: Out-of-Centre Office Development Phase 2 Revision Prosperity for All PA13C: Regional Casinos Phase 2 Revision PA14: Economic Development and the Rural Economy June 2004 PA15: Agriculture and Farm Diversification June 2004 Quality of the Environment QE1: Conserving and Enhancing the Environment Phase 3 Revision QE2: Restoring degraded areas and managing and Phase 3 Revision creating high quality new environments QE3: Creating a high quality built environment for all Phase 3 Revision QE4: Greenery, Urban Greenspace and Public Spaces Phase 3 Revision QE5: Protection and enhancement of the Historic Environment Phase 3 Revision QE6: The conservation, enhancement and Phase 3 Revision restoration of the Region’s landscape QE7: Protecting, managing and enhancing the Region’s Biodiversity and Phase 3 Revision Nature Conservation Resources QE8: Forestry and Woodlands Phase 3 Revision QE9: The Water Environment Phase 3 Revision EN1: Energy Generation Phase 3 Revision EN2: Energy Conservation Phase 3 Revision M1: Mineral Working for Non-Energy Minerals Phase 3 Revision M2: Minerals - Aggregates Phase 3 Revision M3: Minerals - The Use of Alternative Sources of Materials Phase 3 Revision M4: Energy Minerals Phase 3 Revision W1: Waste Strategy Phase 2 Revision W2: Targets for Waste Management Phase 2 Revision W3: The Need for Waste Management Facilities Phase 2 Revision W4: Protection of Existing Waste Management Facilities Phase 2 Revision W5: The Location of New Waste Management Facilities Phase 2 Revision W6: Sites outside the Major Urban Areas and Other Larger Settlements Phase 2 Revision W7: Waste Management Facilities and Open Land Phase 2 Revision W8: Hazardous Waste – Safeguarding Sites Phase 2 Revision W9: Construction and Demolition Waste Phase 2 Revision W10: Sites for Contaminated Soils Phase 2 Revision W11: New Sites for Landfill Phase 2 Revision W12: Hazardous Waste – Final Disposal Sites Phase 2 Revision Transport & Accessibility T1: Developing accessibility and mobility within the Region to support the June 2004 Spatial Strategy T2: Reducing the need to travel June 2004 T3: Walking and cycling June 2004 T4: Promoting travel awareness June 2004 T5: Public Transport June 2004 T6: Strategic Park & Ride Phase 2 Revision T7: Car Parking Standards and Management Phase 2 Revision T8: Demand Management Phase 2 Revision T9: The Management and Development of National and Regional Transport June 2004 Networks T10: Freight June 2004 T11: Airports Phase 2 Revision T12: Priorities for Investment Phase 2 Revision
85 Contact
Any queries relating to the Interim Policy Statements or Policy Recommendations should be directed to:
David Clarke Development Team A West Midlands Leaders Board Regional Partnership Centre Albert House, Quay Place 92-93 Edward Street Birmingham B1 2RA
Telephone: 0121 678 1023 Email: [email protected]
86 Requests for translation, interpretation, large text and audio tape will be dealt with on an individual basis, and should be directed to: [email protected] or telephone 0121 245 0200.
87 West Midlands Regional Assembly Regional Partnership Centre Albert House Quay Place 92-93 Edward Street Birmingham B1 2RA
Tel: 0121 245 0200 Fax: 0121 245 0201 www.wmra.gov.uk
Please direct any requests for translation, interpretation, large text or audio tape versions of this document to [email protected] or tel 0121 245 0200. All requests will be dealt with on an individual basis.