An Assessment of Current and Future Sustainability Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington a Report by Rural Solutions

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

An Assessment of Current and Future Sustainability Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington A Report by Rural Solutions

May 2016 www.ruralsolutions.co.uk

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

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Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Document Modification Sheet

Version Revisions Made Date Issued By

1 Preparation of SA draft 26/05/2016 SC 2 Review 28/05/2016 RH 3 Revisions 31/05/2016 SC

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

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Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Contents

Executive Summary ...... 1 1. Introduction and Approach ...... 5 2. Understanding and Planning for Sustainable Rural Development in Rural Settlements ...... 7 3. Site Location and History ...... 21 4. Active and Well Run ...... 23 5. Well Designed and Built ...... 25 6. Well Connected ...... 29 7. Well Served ...... 33 8. Thriving - Access to Employment ...... 39 9. Fair for Everyone - Balanced ...... 49 10. Overall Assessment of Sustainability ...... 57 11. Assessment of the Impact of the Development on Future Sustainability ...... 59 12. Conclusions and Closing Remarks ...... 63 Appendix 1: Planning Applications ...... 65 Appendix 2: Clubs and Societies in and around Semington ...... 67

Table of Tables

Table 6-1: Bus Routes...... 29 Table 7-1: Village Services ...... 33

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

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Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Table of Figures

Figure 5-1: Dwelling Types ...... 26 Figure 5-2: Breakdown of Dwellings by Number of Bedrooms ...... 27 Figure 6-1: Map: Ordnance Survey Extract ...... 31 Figure 8-1: VOA Map………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..41 Figure 8-2: VOA - Semington Area Plan…………………………………………………………………………………………….42 Figure 8-3: Economically Active Residents………………………………………………………………………………………. 44 Figure 8-4: Occupational Classifications ……………………………………………………………………………………….. .45 Figure 8-5: Method of Travel to Work………………………………………………………………………………………………46 Figure 9-1: Age Structure ...... 50 Figure 9-2: Age Structure 2011 ...... 50 Figure 9-3: Age Structure 2001 ...... 51 Figure 9-4: Household Tenure ...... 53 Figure 9-5: Mosaic Groups, Resident Population ...... 54 Figure 9-6: Household Income ...... 50

Author: Shelley Coffey, BA (Hons), MCD, MRTPI, Senior Planner, Rural Solutions Ltd

Research: Tiiu Shelley, Planning Assistant, Rural Solutions Ltd

Reviewer: Rob Hindle BSc (Hons) MRICS

Date Report Completed: May 2016

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

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Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Executive Summary

Rural Solutions is a specialist planning and development consultancy with an exclusive focus on sustainable rural development. Our mission is to help create thriving rural communities and a prosperous rural economy. Our team of dedicated rural development professionals crosses property, design, research, financial, development and planning disciplines and contains over a century of shared experience and expertise. Further details about our work, our approach and our team are available from our website, www.ruralsolutions.co.uk.

The Scheme

i. Rural Solutions has been commissioned by Richborough Estates to produce an assessment of the current sustainability of Semington and to assess the potential impact of the proposed development of up to 75 new homes on its future sustainability.

The Scope ii. The purpose of the report is to support an assessment of the development proposal within the context and requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF/The Framework). iii. The report provides a review of the concept of sustainability as applied to rural settlements and the approach set out within the NPPF to spatial development strategy in rural areas. iv. The NPPF provides a positive context for housing development and identifies that new rural housing should be located where it can enhance or maintain the vitality of the community. v. The report responds to this direction and provides a detailed assessment of the current social and economic sustainability of Semington and the impacts that the proposed development will have on the future sustainability and vitality of the community. The assessment is based on the principles and objectives set out in the Framework, in national planning policy guidance and relevant Government strategies. It is informed by wider research and policy papers. vi. The assessment shows that Semington is a successful and sustainable settlement. It has an active community and a range of services and amenities. Economic activity rates are good and a range of employment hosting sites are available locally. Semington is an attractive place to live and a good place to locate new housing.

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Net Additional Social and Economic Benefits Arising vii. The assessment of the likely impact of such a development shows that a range of benefits will arise. These benefits will have a positive impact overall on the future vitality and sustainability of the community. viii. New housing development in Semington will deliver a number of net social and economic benefits, including:

 Increasing the overall supply of housing, including affordable housing, which will help to address housing needs in the District;  Provide housing for a younger demographic (with higher household expenditure and purchasing power), which will help to enhance the viability of local services and the village centre; and  Providing a housing supply to accommodate growth in the labour force, which will help to increase the economic contribution made by Semington to the Wiltshire District.

Significance of Impacts – Enhancing and Maintaining Vitality

ix. The benefits outlined above will deliver positive enhancement to the future vitality of Semington.

x. In addition, analysis of the existing social and economic sustainability of Semington found that, whilst in overall terms it is a successful settlement, there is scope to further enhance and maintain vitality (thus addressing paragraph 55 of the Framework) by addressing the following issues:

 Adding to the social capacity of Semington and underpinning the current level of engagement;

 Providing new affordable housing and increasing the range and choice of housing available across a range of tenures; and

 Enhancing inclusivity and broadening the socio-economic and demographic base of the community.

xi. The proposed development therefore demonstrably meets the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework in respect of new rural housing.

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Summary of Benefits

EXISTING VITALITY ARISING FROM:

ACTIVE AND WELL RUN WELL DESIGNED

• Active Parish Council • Variety of types and sizes of dwellings • Village Hall within the housing stock • Range of groups and activities in the village • Historic core with listed buildings catering for different age groups • Canal providing recreational resource

WELL CONNECTED WELL SERVED

• Regular bus service Monday - Saturday • Range of key services available in between Trowbridge and Chippenham Semington • Good connections via the Public Rights of • Good primary school Way network to surrounding countryside

THRIVING FAIR – BALANCED

• Educated and skilled workforce • Good level of housing owner £ • Good range of employment hosting sites occupation available locally • Good proportion of higher income households

BENEFITS FROM PROPOSAL: The provision of up to 75 new homes (including up to 30% affordable homes) enhancing the range and choice of housing in Semington. This will:

• Bring more people that will further grow the social capacity of the community and underpin the current levels of engagement

• Make a contribution toward meeting the District’s identified affordable housing need

• Attract additional residents of working age, higher earners and families, and enhance economic performance

• Broaden the social capacity of Semington, enhancing inclusivity and broadening and enhancing the community skills base

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1. Introduction and Approach

1.1. Rural Solutions has been commissioned by Richborough Estates to carry out an assessment of the current social and economic sustainability of the village of Semington in Wiltshire, and to assess the contribution to the future sustainability of the community that its proposed development on Land North of Pound Lane will make. The report is set out as follows:

 Chapter 2 provides an analysis of the concept of rural sustainability with reference to the Framework, guidance and relevant studies and evidence. It explains why it is important to plan for new housing in rural settlements.  Chapters 3 to 10 provide an assessment of the current sustainability of the village and its potential to maintain and enhance its future sustainability.  Chapter 11 considers the changes that the proposed development will bring and provides an assessment of the impact that it will have on the future sustainability of the village and its community.  Chapter 12 provides conclusions and a closing statement.

Approach

1.2. The assessment in this report follows the principles and objectives relating to sustainable development in rural areas set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. It also draws on National Planning Practice Guidance, on relevant Government strategies and policy statements, on commentary and statements from relevant stakeholders and on the response to rural development proposals from decision takers, including in section 78 planning appeals.

1.3. The assessment focuses on the social and economic elements of sustainability in so far as they apply to the settlement (taking into account its context and functional relationships with other local settlements). It uses headings derived from a definition and criteria relating to sustainable communities set out in the UK Sustainable Development Strategy (contained in Annex A of the UKSDS) as points of reference against which to make an assessment.

1.4. Our analysis is based on an understanding of rural sustainability provided by policy, in evidence based studies1 as applied in the application of planning policy. It has been regularly tested by cross examination at public inquiries and in examination in public of emerging local plans.

1 Living, Working Countryside, The Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing, 2008; Toolkit for Sustainable Rural Communities, Devon County Council and others, 2007; Cornwall Small Settlement Strategy, Cornwall Council, 2009; Positive Planning for Rural Settlements, Shropshire Council 2010;

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

1.5. Data to support the assessment has been sourced from the Office for National Statistics - Neighbourhood Statistics (ONS), the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), the Wiltshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2012), Wiltshire Housing Land Availability Report 2015 and the Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2015.

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

2. Understanding and Planning for Sustainable Rural Development in Rural Settlements

Key Points

The National Planning Policy Framework provides a positive context to enable sustainable development in rural areas.

The presumption in favour of sustainable development, which is at the heart of the Framework, applies to rural as well as urban areas. Paragraph 55 of the Framework states that in order to promote sustainable development in rural areas, housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of communities.

The Guidance makes it clear that all settlements can play a role in supporting sustainable rural development. The question that must always be addressed by decision takers is can a proposal be considered to be sustainable development when considered in the round.

Sustainable Rural Communities

2.1. The concept of thriving rural communities and rural vitality is perhaps best understood against the wider concept of sustainable communities. Sustainable communities have been formally defined within the UK Sustainable Development Strategy (UKSDS). Annex A of the UKSDS provides a set of criteria that defines a sustainable community. These criteria are centred on well-run communities that are inclusive and designed to a high standard and define sustainable communities as:

1. Active, inclusive and safe 2. Well run 3. Environmentally sensitive 4. Well designed and built 5. Well connected 6. Thriving 7. Well served 8. Fair for everyone

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

2.2. These components have been considered in a rural context by a number of studies including the Toolkit for Sustainable Rural Communities produced by Devon County Council, a Small Settlement Strategy for Cornwall produced by Cornwall Council, the parameters set down for Eco Towns, and in various master plans for market town extensions. It has been adopted and used successfully by local authorities such as Shropshire in the production of local development plans and to inform the spatial distribution of development2.

2.3. This body of work concludes that sustainable rural communities are those which are successful places to live. They are balanced, in that they provide opportunities for people of all types and ages to live in suitable housing at a cost which meets the ability of individual households to pay. They provide access to enterprise and employment opportunities in the local area and allow their residents and those in the surrounding rural hinterland to benefit from services which enable people to shop, access education and engage in social and cultural activities whilst limiting their impact on the natural and historic environment. Sustainable communities enjoy good social capital and benefit from local governance which enables people to influence decisions made about the place where they live.

An Updated Concept of Rural Sustainability

2.4. In his review of the Rural Economy and Affordable Housing, Lord Taylor found that “restrictive planning practices” had contributed towards many smaller rural villages becoming “increasingly unsustainable communities, unaffordable for those who work there, losing jobs and services”3.

2.5. Lord Taylor took particular issue with the way that the concept of sustainability had been applied. He raised concerns that the narrow application of sustainability criteria (focused on accessibility and “sustainable travel”) in the planning system, fails to take adequate account of the social and economic factors, placing undue emphasis on certain environmental criteria – at the expense of otherwise beneficial housing and economic development.

2.6. Lord Taylor recommended that “Government should make it clearer that whilst the Local Development Framework (LDF) process may not allocate sites for development in every community, Local Planning Authorities must still address the short and long term needs and vision for each village or Parish”4.

2 http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/economicdevelopment.nsf/open/CCE4EDBAC964EFE5802577ED004A7BBA/ https://shropshire.gov.uk/planningpolicy.nsf/open/824E90773BF1399B80257922004CC8F3/ 3 Paragraph 31 4 Recommendation 14

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Key Challenges to Maintaining Rural Vitality

2.7. The Framework seeks to create sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities (paragraph 50).

2.8. Many rural communities across England are facing a series of challenges that affect their ability to remain sustainable, inclusive and mixed. Two of the most pressing are the (often disproportionate) ageing of the rural population, and the ongoing affordability crisis associated with housing in rural towns, villages and hamlets.

2.9. In its Housing Policy Position Paper5, Action for Communities in Rural England (ACRE) says that "an appropriate mix of good quality housing is essential if a community is to evolve in a sustainable manner." It follows on by saying that "most people would agree that a good mix of market, private rented and affordable housing will help to deliver a balanced and inclusive community.

2.10. The paper then goes on to say that ACRE believes that "having a vibrant mix of people in a community will help support local services and facilities and ensure a better quality of life for all."

2.11. Data from the 2011 Census shows that the number of people aged over 65 has risen significantly faster (by 20%) in rural areas than in towns and cities. A lack of suitable and affordable alternatives means that many of these retirement age households remain in their homes, occupying housing that would otherwise be suitable for younger working people and families.

2.12. This perpetuates a demographic imbalance and directly contributes to a reduction in the rural population that is of working and/or of school age. An ageing population has a direct impact on social capacity and on the vitality of villages and rural communities.

2.13. ACRE recognises ageing as a major concern for the vitality of rural communities. In its 2014 Policy Position Paper on Children and Younger People it says “there is a real danger of communities becoming unbalanced if the population is skewed towards an older demographic.”

2.14. New housing can help to rebalance rural communities by attracting younger people and working families and by providing a means for them to bring and use their skills and energy to revitalise rural communities.

5 Housing Policy Position Paper, Action for Communities in Rural England (ACRE) - 2014

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

2.15. Aside from the challenge posed by the ageing of the rural population is the ongoing housing affordability crisis. Analysis of data from the Land Registry by DEFRA (Land Registry / Price Paid Data / DEFRA 2013) shows that in 90% of rural Local Authorities the average home costs over eight times the average salary.

2.16. In its 2014 report “Broken Market, Broken Dreams6” the National Housing Federation set out details about the increased problems with affordability since the mid-1990s. The report states that today’s (UK average) affordability ratio is about 20% higher than the long run average indicating a growing gap between house prices and earnings, making home ownership hard to achieve for newly forming households.

2.17. The report considers the tenure of English households by age in 2013. This highlights that younger people tend to rent while older people tend to own. Following the trough in the housing market since the financial crash in 2008/9, there has been a distinct shift from owning a house with a mortgage toward private renting. Between 2008/9 and 2012/13, there has been an increase of almost four percentage points of those renting privately and a decrease of around four percentage points in those owning a house with a mortgage. In the last few years, the proportion of people in each of the 16-24 and 25-34 age groups in the private rented sector has increased by more than ten percentage points. This sector has also seen a 6% rise in those aged 35-44. It is increasingly challenging for young people to join the housing ladder. The market is preventing people from achieving their aspiration to own a home, with more people forced to stay in the rented sector.

2.18. The provision of new affordable homes in rural areas is of critical importance to address affordability issues. New affordable housing in rural areas enables communities to meet a range of housing needs including those of young people with links to rural communities, key workers, economically active people working in the local economy and older people looking for lower cost housing.

2.19. Beyond meeting specific housing needs, the provision of new market and affordable housing helps to improve demographic balance and adds to social capital available locally. It supports and creates the opportunity for the delivery of vital local services.

6 Broken Market Broken Dreams – Home Truths 2014 / 2015, National Housing Federation

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

2.20. Analysis from the Institute of Public Care7 has highlighted a growing need for informal social care in many rural communities. The Institute reports that by 2020 approximately 65% of over 65’s in many rural areas will need help with simple domestic tasks (shopping, washing dishes and opening screw tops). The inclusion of new younger households within rural communities, and the provision of housing that enables people of different generations to live close to each other, will make a material contribution to meeting these social needs.

A Changing Context for Rural Sustainability

2.21. Had Lord Taylor been writing his report in 2016 it is probable that he would have highlighted the major changes in lifestyle resulting from access to technology and the internet.

2.22. “Connected” people now work remotely from home and all manner of internet access points. 77% of adults use the internet every day; they shop online, carry out administrative and financial transactions online (banking, paying bills etc.), access entertainment, and interact socially online. School children and learners access their educational resources online, engage with teachers, tutors and mentors online and transfer their work over the internet.

2.23. The ability of people to use the internet to meet some of their social and economic needs does not of course mean that communities are not richer and more successful places when they can provide shops, pubs, halls, sports grounds and schools to their residents. Rather it underlines how a simplistic test, that is wholly reliant upon counting physical service points to determine whether a village should or should not host new housing, is no way to determine the future shape of a community.

2.24. Increase in homeworking is a national trend. Data from the Labour Force Survey8 (carried out by the TUC in May 2013) showed that “just over four million employees usually worked at home in 2012, a rise of 470,000 since 2007” and “many millions more occasionally work from home.” Within the East Midlands region the proportionate change in the period 2007-2012 in the number of workers who usually work from home was 10.7%. The report goes on to say that the “sharp rise in homeworking in spite of the recession confirms that this new way of working has become an essential part of the UK labour market.”

7 Projecting Older People Population Information – Institute of Public Care, 2012 8 https://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/work-life-balance/04-homeworkers/home-working-increase- despite-recession-says-tuc/

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

2.25. DEFRA recognise the importance and value of home based working. They published a report on Rural Home Working in May 2015 which found that in 2013 there were 994,000 home workers in rural areas, accounting for 22% of all workers in rural areas (compared with 14% cent in urban areas).

2.26. The report cites research which found that home workers are more likely to be working in higher skilled roles and earn on average a higher hourly wage [ONS Characteristics of Home Workers, 2014] and that the incidence of home working grew faster in rural areas between 2006 and 2013 compared to urban areas.

2.27. The Government's Rural Productivity Plan9 recognises that local availability of high speed broadband connections enables productive economic activity, especially more knowledge intensive activity, to happen almost anywhere.

2.28. The impact of the internet and the role that it can play in service accessibility is noted in the National Planning Policy Framework which states (paragraph 42) that “the development of high speed broadband technology and other communications networks also plays a vital role in enhancing the provision of local community facilities and services.”

2.29. People do not live as they used to. Just as people’s lifestyles and the things that they need from their community changes, so must the communities in which they live. The application of outdated and irrelevant criteria as a test of sustainability undermines the ability of settlements and communities to change through development. This, as Lord Taylor has found, will inevitably ensure that they become less sustainable.

A New Policy Context for Rural Sustainability

2.30. The shift recommended by Lord Taylor in the way that plan makers and decision takers should assess the sustainability of development in rural areas is evident in the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.31. The Ministerial foreword to the National Planning Policy Framework states that the purpose of planning is to help achieve sustainable development. It describes sustainable development as being about “change for the better.” It talks about the need to “house a rising population, which is living longer and wants to make new choices.” It argues that the historic environment – buildings, landscapes, towns and villages – can be cherished more if their “spirit of place thrives, rather than withers.”

9 Towards a One Nation Economy: A 10 Point Plan for Boosting Productivity

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

2.32. The Framework identifies three dimensions to sustainable development: economic, social and environmental (paragraph 7). These dimensions give rise to the need for the planning system to perform a number of roles. These are, firstly, an economic role whereby it ensures the availability of land to support growth and innovation, and contributes to a strong, responsive and competitive economy. The second role is a social one where it supports “strong, vibrant and healthy communities by providing the supply of housing required to meet the needs of present and future generations.” This role is also concerned with “creating a high quality built environment, with accessible local services that reflect the community’s needs and support its health, social and cultural well-being.” The third role is an environmental one where it contributes to protecting and enhancing the natural, built and historic environment and seeks to “mitigate and adapt to climate change including moving to a low carbon economy.”

Planning for Sustainable Rural Development

2.33. Paragraph 8 of the NPPF states that the three roles “should not be undertaken in isolation, because they are mutually dependent.” It goes on to say that the planning system should play an active role in guiding development to sustainable locations.”

2.34. It is evident from the content of policies within the Framework that sustainable locations for development can be found in rural as well as in urban areas.

2.35. Pursuing sustainable development is defined (paragraph 9) to include “widening the choice of high quality homes” and “making it easier for jobs to be created in cities, towns and villages.” The Core Planning Principles set out in paragraph 17 state that “planning should … proactively drive and support sustainable economic development to deliver the homes, business and industrial units, infrastructure and thriving local places that the country needs” and talks of “recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside” but of supporting “thriving rural communities within it.”

2.36. Paragraph 17 also includes a core principle to actively manage patterns of growth to make the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling, and focus significant development in locations which are, or can be made, sustainable.

2.37. The last core principle set out in paragraph 17 is to deliver sufficient community and cultural facilities and services to meet local needs.

2.38. The commitment to planning for sustainable development in rural areas is reinforced by policy and objectives set out in paragraphs 28 (‘Supporting a Prosperous Rural Economy’) and 55 (‘Promoting Sustainable Development in Rural Areas’) which focuses on the need to maintain and enhance the “vitality of rural communities” as the key driver for decisions around the location of rural housing.

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

2.39. Paragraph 50 links the provision of housing that can widen the choice of homes available to the creation of sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities. It identifies the need to plan for a mix of housing taking account of current and future demographic trends and the needs of different groups in the community.

2.40. Paragraphs 29 and 34 address objectives around sustainable transport. Paragraph 34 requires that developments that generate significant movement are located where the need to travel will be minimised and the use of sustainable transport modes can be maximised. Paragraph 29 talks of giving people a real choice about how they travel, but recognises that “different policies and measures will be required in different communities and opportunities to maximise sustainable transport solutions, which will vary from urban to rural areas.” A caveat is also provided within paragraph 34 which states that the objective to locate developments that generate significant movements where the need to travel will be minimised “needs to take account of policies set out elsewhere in this Framework, particularly in rural areas (paragraph 34).”

2.41. This approach has been recognised by decision makers as meaning that the Framework does not seek to prevent car use, but requires a balanced approach, linked to the context and scale of development proposed.

2.42. Paragraph 54 specifically relates to rural areas and requires that when exercising the duty to cooperate with neighbouring authorities; Local Planning Authorities should be responsive to local circumstances and plan for housing development to reflect local needs, particularly for affordable housing.

2.43. It is our view that paragraph 54 does not carry forward the requirement set out in former national policy (PPS1 and PPS7) that housing should only be provided in rural areas where it responds to locally identified needs. In our view the phrase “local needs” in paragraph 54 does not mean needs specific to individual settlements or in respect of individual housing schemes, but rather those related to that part of the local authority territory where “local circumstances” have been identified.

2.44. Our conclusions in this regard are supported by the web based Planning Practice Guidance introduced by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 6th March 2014 which provides specific guidance to Local Planning Authorities on how they should support sustainable rural communities.

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

2.45. The guidance confirms (amongst other statements) that, “all settlements can play a role in delivering sustainable development in rural areas” (NPPG ID: 50-001- 20140306). It is the case that this section of the guidance talks of plan making rather than decision taking, but the principle set out, that all settlements may be capable of hosting sustainable development [depending of course on the specific circumstances associated with the site and proposal] is equally applicable to decision taking.

2.46. This interpretation is further reinforced by the publication of “Towards a One Nation Economy: A 10 Point Plan for Boosting Productivity in Rural Areas” by the Government in August 2015.

2.47. This document reinforces the Guidance (cited above). It recognises the economic value of rural areas (page 4) and identifies a connection between the provision of housing and the availability of skills and labour where it states that “lack of housing is a national challenge but in rural areas is a particular constraint to labour and entrepreneurial mobility.”

2.48. The paper goes on to say that “the stock of housing is limited in rural areas relative to demand and that house prices are on average 6.7% higher in rural areas than in urban areas” and that “the Government will increase the availability of housing in rural areas, allowing our rural towns and villages to thrive, whilst protecting the Green Belt and countryside.”

2.49. In their article published in The Telegraph on the day of publication (20th August 2015) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs identify that rural areas are experiencing internal migration as people leave urban areas. The ministers identify the economic value and potential offered by these migrants and say: “if we are going to attract and maintain a dynamic workforce, we need to make it easier for people to stay in their rural communities and for newcomers to settle there too.”

2.50. Paragraph 69 identifies the importance of community facilities and public spaces which bring people together. Paragraph 70 addresses the role that social, recreational and cultural services and facilities play in the sustainability of communities and residential environments.

2.51. Taken as a whole these paragraphs demonstrate that national planning policy anticipates and supports development in rural areas, so long as it can be demonstrated to be sustainable development.

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

2.52. Where this is the case the presumption in favour of sustainable development (paragraph 14), the requirement for local planning authorities to look for solutions not problems, and for decision takers at every level to seek to approve applications for sustainable development where possible (paragraph 187) should apply regardless of the spatial context of the proposal.

Assessing Sustainability

2.53. The Framework is acknowledged as “the most authoritative policy statement concerning sustainable development nationally.”

2.54. The Inspector in the Leintwardine (Herefordshire) appeal10 helpfully states at paragraph 54 that sustainability “should not be interpreted narrowly”, and that, “the three dimensions of sustainable development cannot be undertaken in isolation but should be sought jointly and simultaneously.”

2.55. In order to assess sustainability it is therefore appropriate to follow the approach set out in paragraph 6 of the Framework which states that “the policies in paragraphs 18 to 219, taken as a whole, constitute the Government’s view of what sustainable development in England means in practice for the planning system”.

2.56. This approach to looking at sustainability ‘in the round’ is demonstrated in the decision letter relating to a scheme at Down Ampney (Gloucestershire)11 where Inspector Major concluded his analysis on sustainable development by noting, “sustainability must be seen as an overall concept. Whether a particular scheme is sustainable will depend on how well it addresses the three dimensions of sustainability when taken overall”.

Locational Sustainability

2.57. The Framework specifically addresses locational sustainability relating to the provision of new rural housing in paragraph 55 that “seeks to promote sustainable development in rural areas by locating housing where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities.”

2.58. Inspectors have noted in a number of recent decisions how the new housing proposed might contribute to maintaining and enhancing the vitality of the settlement and sustainability in the round. Included below are two relevant extracts from the decision letter issued in January 2016 for a development at Drakes Broughton in Wychavon District12:

10 APP/W1850/W/15/3006428 11 APP/F1610//W/15/3131716 12 APP/H1840/W/15/3008340

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

“The Framework indicates that there are three interrelated dimensions to sustainable development. In terms of the economic role there would be jobs created both during the construction phase and thereafter. The new population would inject money into the local economy and support local shops and facilities, which would help maintain their viability… (Paragraph 38)”

“In terms of the social role, the appeal scheme would provide new homes in a sustainable location where many day-to-day trips could be undertaken by modes of transport other than the car. There would also be wider benefits to the local population through the improvement to the local bus stops, footpaths and cycle routes thus making them more attractive to use. There is no dispute that the appeal proposal, which is currently in outline form, would have the potential to provide a high quality and energy efficient built environment. A very important benefit in terms of the social dimension of sustainability is the affordable housing offer. The 40% provision is above the current policy level in saved LP Policy COM2. There is an ongoing need for such housing in the District and this would be a positive factor of significant weight (Paragraph 39).”

2.59. It is a well-established principle arising from the Framework that there should be no cap on sustainable development.

2.60. This principle is helpfully captured in the extract from an appeal decision by Inspector Peerless at Bishop’s Itchington13 included below:

“Objections to the proposals also include the concern that Bishop’s Itchington will soon have reached the prospective target for housing development allocated to it in the emerging Core Strategy. However, as noted previously, this figure has not yet been subject to public examination and can carry little weight at this stage. In any event, sustainable development should not, I consider, be restricted solely because a projected allocation has been met, if otherwise found acceptable. Consequently, I consider that it has been demonstrated that the Local Plan policies cited as reasons for refusal are out of date in respect of housing supply and there is support for the proposed development in those of the Framework (Paragraph 38).”

2.61. Inspector Dudley also addressed this point in his decision relating to an application for 120 dwellings at Thaxted in Essex14. In paragraph 64 of his decision letter Inspector Dudley says:

“There is no disagreement that Thaxted is a thriving community and I consider that it would be reinforced by the new housing development recently completed and under construction. Additional housing would contribute further, social and economically to Thaxted, making it an even more thriving community and increasing custom for the existing businesses in the town. I attach great weight to this in line with the appellant’s evidence.”

13 APP/J3720/A/13/2202961 14 APP/C1570/A/14/2222958

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2.62. This approach demonstrates that it is necessary to consider the merits of each proposal and its potential to be considered as sustainable development. It is not appropriate to find against a proposal purely on the basis that a target or allocation for housing associated with a particular settlement (or category of settlement) has been met or because the scale or type of development does not directly accord with criteria set out in Local Development Plan policies.

The Development Plan

2.63. Semington falls within the Wiltshire District. The Wiltshire Adopted Local Development Plan comprises of the Wiltshire Core Strategy, saved policies from District local plans (In the case of Semington, saved policies from the West Wiltshire District Plan) and minerals and waste plans.

2.64. In the Core Strategy (2015), in describing the settlements that make up Wiltshire District, states that “Wiltshire also contains numerous villages and rural settlements: around half of the people living in Wiltshire live in towns or villages with fewer than 5,000 people, reflecting the rural nature of the County15”

2.65. The Core Strategy notes that ‘providing new homes’ is one of several key challenges (at page 19) adding that, “Providing decent and affordable homes to complement the economic growth being promoted is a key challenge to improving the self-containment and resilience of Wiltshire’s communities. These new homes will need to be delivered at appropriate sustainable locations and must be supported by necessary improvements to infrastructure. Within a predominantly rural area, with a limited amount of previously developed land for redevelopment, the identification of the strategic growth sites to ensure an adequate supply of new homes is also a challenge.”

2.66. Semington is designated as a Large Village within the Settlement Hierarchy contained within the Wiltshire Core Strategy. The Settlement Strategy (Core Policy 1) states that “At the settlements identified as villages, a limited level of development will be supported in order to help retain the vitality of these communities” (page 41).

2.67. For North and West Wiltshire the housing requirement is set at 24,740 over the plan period from 2006-2026. This requirement is broken down into community areas. The requirement for the Melksham Community Area, which includes Semington, is 2,370 over the plan period, of which 2,240 should be located in Melksham town, with the remainder, 130 dwellings, across the large and small villages.

15 Core Strategy (2015), Section 2: A spatial portrait of Wiltshire and the key challenges it faces, pt. 2.4, page 17

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2.68. Core Policy 15 indicates that, for the remainder of the villages, there has been 69 completions from 2006-2014, and 10 committed dwellings. The policy advises that there therefore remains a residual requirement for 51 dwellings over the plan period.

2.69. The 2015 Housing Land Update confirms that, as of April 2015 there has been an increase to 77 completions and 4 committed dwellings remain, leaving a residual requirement of 44 dwellings.

2.70. A review of the Council’s website in May 2016 indicates that there have been only a small number of applications for residential development in Semington Parish from 2014 onwards and none permitted. There is a single application for 24 dwellings that is pending determination16.

2.71. The Core Strategy allocates sites and broad locations for growth that are strategically important for the delivery of the Plan for Wiltshire. Additional sites are also proposed to be identified through the Housing Site Allocations DPDs to meet any residual housing requirements.

2.72. The classification of Semington as a Large Village confirms it as a suitable location for a sustainable level of development.

2.73. At page 53 (Core Policy 2) of the Core Strategy there is a clear expression that the housing targets are to be regarded as minimum targets, rather than, for example, ceilings that should not be exceeded.

2.74. This approach accords with the presumption in favour of sustainable development which lies at the heart of the Framework. It is also consistent with the approach taken by decisions takers that there should be no cap to sustainable development and that the existence of a five year housing land supply does not mean that the core requirement of the Framework to boost significantly the supply of housing is discharged.

2.75. It is also important to note that whilst policy CP1 talks of development to help retain the vitality of large villages the Framework sets out the position that to promote sustainable development in rural areas housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities. The Framework is a material consideration in decision taking and so the opportunity to enhance vitality is equally relevant as that to maintain it.

16 16/01678/OUT - Land at St George's Road Semington Wiltshire - Erection of up to 24 dwellings with associated access and parking, and land for allotments (Reserved Matters : Access).

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2.76. This assessment demonstrates that the village has vitality that would support further growth. It shows that the limited level of new housing recently approved in the Parish of Semington and recent demographic change suggests not only is there capacity for sustainable growth but that additional development would play a positive benefit in maintaining and enhancing the future vitality of the community.

2.77. Inspector Christina Downes in her recent decision allowing the appeal at Worcester Road, Drakes Broughton17 noted the positive effect that new inhabitants would have in terms of maintaining and enhancing the vitality of the local community, and the positive economic, social and environmental benefits that new housing provides.

2.78. This decision is a useful reference as it clearly demonstrates that a new population can have a positive impact on the local economy, supporting local shops and facilities, providing affordable housing (noted as a significant positive benefit) and positive environmental benefits such as increasing bio-diversity.

2.79. The following sections of this report provide an evidence based assessment of the current vitality and social and economic sustainability of Semington and consider how the development proposed might impact (both positively and negatively) upon that vitality and sustainability of the settlement in the future.

17 (APP/H1840/W/15/3008340: IR 24,38,39,40)

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3. Site Location and History

3.1. Semington is a village and civil Parish in Wiltshire. It is located approximately 3.7 km (2.3 miles) south of Melksham and 6.9 km (4.3 miles) north east of Trowbridge. It is located off the main A350 road which connects Melksham to Westbury.

3.2. Semington village developed along the main road from Melksham to Westbury which became the A350. In 2004 a bypass was opened, taking the A350 0.4 miles (0.64 km) east of the village18.

3.3. The Kennet and Avon Canal crosses marshy ground on an embankment on the northern edge of the village. The village has two locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal, known as the Semington Locks, and is the start of the disused Wilts and Berks Canal19.

3.4. It is recorded that the Parish contained 797 residents hosted in 330 households in 2001. In the next 10 years there has been some limited population growth in the Parish. In 2011 the population of the Parish was 930 hosted in 389 households.

3.5. The application site is located on land to the north of Pound Lane and south of the Kennet and Avon Canal. It extends to approximately 5.06 hectares (12.5 acres), with a net developable area of 2.9 hectares (7.16 acres) and is currently agricultural land.

3.6. The site is proposed for the development of up to 75 houses including 30% affordable housing. It also proposed to include a range of Public Open Space including Canalside Park featuring a play area and a village square. Access is to be taken off Pound Lane.

3.7. The site is not subject to any site specific designations. It is located in Flood Zone 1. The site does not contain, nor is it adjacent to, any listed buildings or conservation areas.

18 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semington 19 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semington

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4. Active and Well Run

4.1. The ability for people to engage with their neighbours, to share experiences and collaborate in putting on events or managing local assets is an important part of what makes a community successful and vital. A community with demonstrable vitality is likely to benefit from access to shared facilities and amenities which host a range of events, groups and activities which provide opportunities for people of different ages and with different interests.

4.2. Semington has an active community life and there are a variety of ways for residents of different age groups to get involved in the community.

4.3. Semington Parish Council meets on average every five weeks. Meetings are usually held at the Village Hall. There are nine Councillors on the Parish Council20. The Wiltshire Council Ward Member for Semington is Councillor Jonathon Seed whilst the MP for Chippenham is Michelle Donelan.

4.4. The village hall is conveniently located on the High Street in Semington.

4.5. The village hall is available to hire for events such as parties, discos, wedding receptions and any type of get together for up to 100 persons. Facilities include a skittles alley, fully licenced bar and equipped kitchen.

4.6. The Parish also benefits from a regular monthly magazine21 which is delivered free of charge to every household. This carries news and information about clubs, societies and other organisations in the village and its close proximity. Also, news of forthcoming events of interest to residents and regular advertising covering a wide range of products and services.

4.7. A number of clubs and societies meet in the Village including; Social Club, bingo, Stompers, Bridge Club, coffee mornings, Semingtones Choir, Men’s Choir, Baby/Toddler Group, Zumba, football, tennis, Women’s Institute and Book Club.

4.8. Semington has a primary school (St George’s Church of England Primary School22) located on Pound Lane, Semington. The nearest secondary school is approximately 5.8 km (3.6 miles) from the site, in Melksham.

4.9. The village has a church; St George’s Church. St. George’s Church Bible Study Group hold regular meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The church also holds an annual Church Fete23.

20 http://www.semington-village.co.uk/semington-parish-council/ 21 http://www.semington-village.co.uk/semington-parish-magazine/ 22 http://www.st-georges-semington.wilts.sch.uk/ 23 http://www.semington-village.co.uk/st-georges-church/

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4.10. Semington enjoys an active community life. There are many ways for residents to participate in activities within Semington. Growth which accommodates more working age households and families with children helps to refresh and maintain local community activity. New residents also bring new perspectives and the potential to provide input to the Parish Council and other groups to support local governance.

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5. Well Designed and Built

5.1. The ability of a settlement to support a community with vitality is linked to its physical assets. Communities with demonstrable vitality benefit from access to a range of housing types that meet the needs of different people and households. The layout of a settlement and the ability for people to move around it easily and safely will influence the way in which people interact with each other and make use of local amenities and services.

5.2. Semington is reported in the 2011 Census to consist of 397 dwellings hosting 389 households. Evidence from the Wiltshire Council website on planning applications since 2011 suggest that an additional 4 dwellings (net) have been granted planning consent (see Appendix 1 for list). During the twentieth century the settlement evolved from a historic core which centred on the High Street, which runs north-south through the village. Following limited growth in the first half of the twentieth century the village expanded during the latter half and into the twenty-first century; taking the form of both infilling and growth to the west of the village around St George’s Road and Pound Lane. This took the form of denser additional council housing firstly; then a more suburban form of development in detached and bungalow layouts at Somerset Way and other new roads. A key event during this period was the development of the A350 bypass, which took traffic away from flowing through the centre of the village to a new regional route further to the east. The applicant’s Design and Access Statement concludes that much of the historic character of the village was eroded during the late twentieth century by housing which failed to employ locally distinctive materials and traditional layout principles.

5.3. A review of the housing stock using Census data indicates a concentration of detached properties in Semington. Detached houses make up the largest share of the housing stock in Semington (54%) significantly more that of the Wiltshire District (33%). The second most prevalent housing type is semi-detached dwellings which make up 24.9% of the total housing stock, a similar proportion to that in the Wiltshire District (25.8%). Terrace housing makes up 9.1% of the total housing stock, approximately a third of the proportion seen in the Wiltshire (24.2%). Bungalows make up only 3.1% of the housing stock, compared to 9.5% in the Wiltshire District. The chart below illustrates the proportion of different dwelling types in the housing stock.

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Figure 5-1: Dwelling Types

Dwelling Type, 2011 100% 8.9% 7.5% 12.4% 90% 15.7% 9.1% Flat, maisonette or apartment 80% 3.1% 24.2% 27.5% 70% 29.2% 24.9% 9.5% Terraced (including end- 60% terrace) 11.1% 50% 8.8% 25.8% Bungalow 40% 23.1% 30% 27.5% 54.0% Semi-detached 20% 33.0% 25.9% 10% 18.8% Detached 0% Semington Wiltshire South West England Village

Source: Mosaic data 5.4. Semington has a higher proportion of dwellings with 4 or more bedrooms, which account for 42% of the total dwelling stock in the Parish. This compares to 27% of dwellings across the Wiltshire District that have 4 or more bedrooms. Semington has a lower incidence of 2 and 3 bedroom dwellings in its housing stock compared to the District. 38% of its dwelling stock has 3 bedrooms (compared to 41% in the District) and 16% of dwellings have 2 bedrooms (compared to 25% in the District).

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Figure 5-2: Breakdown of Dwellings by Number of Bedrooms

Breakdown of dwellings by number of bedrooms, 2011 100% 5% 5% 10% 7% 90% 16% 14% 20% 80% 32% 70% 5 or More Bedrooms 60% 40% 41% 4 Bedrooms 41% 50% 3 Bedrooms 40% 38% 2 Bedrooms 30% 1 Bedroom 27% 28% 20% 25% No Bedrooms 10% 16% 7% 11% 12% 0% 0%3% 0% 0% 0% Semington Parish Wiltshire South West England

Source: ONS Census Data 2011

5.5. Semington benefits from a range of choice of housing stock with a propensity towards larger detached properties. Well-designed new housing in Semington will increase choice of housing and provide a mixture of market and affordable housing of different sizes and tenures. Additional growth in housing supply would add to the choice of dwellings available to attract new people or enable those with an existing connection to the community to form independent households or “downsize.” In turn this will contribute to the vitality of the village and wider area.

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6. Well Connected

6.1. The Framework defines the role of the planning system in supporting the social role of sustainable development as creating a high quality built environment with accessible local services that reflect the community’s needs and support its health, social and cultural well-being [paragraph 7].

6.2. The Framework also seeks to make the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling [paragraph 17], maximise the use of sustainable transport modes [paragraph 34] and give people a real choice about how they travel [paragraph 29].

6.3. The Framework recognises that the context of place influences opportunities to maximise the use of sustainable transport solutions, that different policies and measures will be required in different communities [urban and rural] [paragraph 29] and that when considering the objectives to minimise the need to travel and maximise the use of public transport [in relation to developments that generate significant movement], decision makers need to take account policies set out elsewhere in the Framework, particularly in rural areas [paragraph 34].

6.4. Residents of Semington benefit from regular bus services which provide connections to settlements including Chippenham, Frome, Trowbridge and Melksham. These are summarised in the table below. It is clear from the analysis that the combination of services provides a range of opportunities for residents of Semington to choose to use public transport for journeys to work in local centres as well as to access services, and for social, cultural, educational, healthcare and leisure purposes.

6.5. There are bus stops on the High Street to the south of Pound Lane serving the Number X34 service between Chippenham and Frome. Additional bus stops on the A361 offer access to different services including Trowbridge and Devizes.

Table 6-1: Bus Routes

Bus Service Bus Route Operation

X34 Chippenham – Melksham – Semington – Monday to Trowbridge – Frome (and reverse) Saturday

No Sunday service

39 Bradford-on-Avon – Holt – Broughton Gifford Thursdays only – Berry Field – Semington – Devizes

86 Bath City Centre – Farleigh Wick – Bradford Wednesdays only Leigh – Holt – Broughton Gifford – Semington

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49 Trowbridge – Semington – Seend – Cleeve – Monday to Devizes Saturday

No Sunday Service

X88 Chitterne – West Lavington – Great Cheverell Wednesdays only – Semington – Hipperton – Bath City Centre

X34 (School) Trowbridge – Semington – Melksham Oak Monday to Friday School

6.6. The X34 provides a half hourly service between Chippenham and Frome providing links to Trowbridge and Melksham. On weekdays the first service towards Melksham, leaves Semington at 06:56, and arrives at Melksham for 07:02 and Chippenham at 07:30. Similarly, the first service towards Trowbridge leaves Semington at 07.11 and arrives at 07:28.

6.7. The last service from Chippenham towards Semington leaves at 17:35, calling at Melksham at 18:10 and arriving at Semington at 18:16. The last service from Frome towards Semington leaves at 17:25, calling at Trowbridge at 17:58, arriving at Semington at 18:15.

6.8. The nearest railway stations to Semington are at Melksham 5.8 km (3.6 miles) and Trowbridge 6.4 km (4 miles). The X34 bus service also provides a link to Trowbridge Railway Station and to the centre of Melksham, approximately a 15 minute walk from the station.

6.9. From Melksham Station Great Western Railways operate a service between Swindon and Westbury, calling at Chippenham and Trowbridge. On weekdays, on average, the service operates every two hours leaving Melksham between 07:20am and 20.32pm towards Chippenham, with return services from 06:29am and 20:23pm. From Melksham to Trowbridge services run between 06:38 am and 20.32pm, with return trips between 07:10am and 22:38pm.

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6.10. Trowbridge provides access to a more comprehensive range of services. Great Western Railways operates an hourly service between Portsmouth Harbour and Cardiff Central calling at stations including Southampton, Westbury, Bradford-on- Avon, Bath Spa, Bristol and Newport. Trains run on weekdays from Trowbridge towards Portsmouth between 06:26am and 23:59pm with return trains leaving Portsmouth between 06:00am and 21:54. To Cardiff trains run from Trowbridge between 06:04am and 22.38pm and return trains leave Cardiff between 05:12am and 23:27pm. A journey from Trowbridge takes approximately 25 minutes to Bath, 45 minutes to Bristol and 1 hour 45 minutes to Cardiff; in the opposite direction a journey from Trowbridge takes approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to Southampton and 2 hours to Portsmouth.

6.11. South West Trains operate approximately 4 services a day between London Waterloo and Bristol Temple Meads which also stops at Westbury, Bradford-upon-Avon and Bath Spa. This results in an approximately 2 hour travel time from Melksham to London Paddington, changing at Westbury with services running from 06:03am to 21:06pm, returning between 07:06am and 20.35pm.

6.12. Semington benefits from a number of Public Rights of Way that connect the settlement to neighbouring settlements, including Melksham and Trowbridge.

Figure 6-1: Map: Ordnance Survey Extract24

24 www.bing.com/maps

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6.13. Semington is well connected with the surrounding settlements via the local highway and Public Rights of Way network. It benefits from a regular bus service six days a week between Chippenham and Frome. Access to the rail network is provided at Melksham and Trowbridge railway stations, which provides direct services to cities such as Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and London.

6.14. Residents in Semington benefit from a number of public transport connections which provide them with the choice of using public transport, and to combine short car based journeys with public transport, in order to access opportunities for employment, recreation and leisure and to access a range of retail, healthcare and educational services and facilities.

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7. Well Served

7.1. Accessible local services that reflect a community’s needs and support the health, social and cultural well-being of its residents are rarely to be found all in one place and within easy reach of all parts of a community. Even in a metropolitan setting people have to travel beyond walking distance to access facilities such as secondary healthcare, secondary and tertiary education, cultural and leisure facilities such as theatres, libraries, cinemas, sports centres and swimming pools.

7.2. The Framework recognises this and focuses on an integrated approach to the location of housing, economic uses and community facilities and services rather than seeking an objective of “self-containment” where a community might be expected to be able to meets all of its needs within a single settlement [paragraph 70].

7.3. The Framework also recognises the functional relationship between settlements and the reliance by residents of one settlement on services in another as a factor in rural areas [paragraph 55].

7.4. Residents of Semington benefit from a range of core services hosted within the village which provide for many [but not all] of their every day needs. These are summarised in Table 7-1 below.

Table 7-1: Village Services

Service or Facility Provision Location

Education St George’s Primary School Pound Lane, Semington

Public House Somerset Arms High Street, Semington

Place of Worship St George’s Church Pound Lane, Semington

Community Facility Semington Village Hall High Street, Semington

Community Service Mobile Post Office Service Village Hall, High Street, Semington

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7.5. Historically there was a village store / Post Office in the village. The opening of the bypass in 2004 and the loss of passing trade saw the shop close. Planning permission was eventually granted in 2011 for its replacement with a dwelling house25.

7.6. Post Office services continue to be provided in the village with the Post Office based in the neighbouring village of Seend running a twice weekly morning mobile service in Semington Village Hall. The nearest convenience store is now located at the Petrol Station at Semington Road, Melksham, approximately 3 km (1.9 miles) away, which also provides an ATM.

7.7. Whilst the lack of a village store within the settlement is a minor disadvantage in sustainability terms the gap is offset to a material extent by the proximity of Semington to Melksham and the strong levels of connectivity which provide easy access to the centre of Melksham and to the services on Semington Road.

7.8. At 930 residents the community is on the margin of being able to support a local shop. Any operator is always going to consider the proximity and connectivity of the settlement to Melksham and weigh this into the balance when looking at viability. The addition of in the region of 180 residents from the proposed development could be significant in enabling the community to attract a new operator in the future.

7.9. It is noted that a planning consent in 200926 for a 60 bed care home and 18 extra care suite development also included provision for a new convenience store for the village. The Parish Council comments on the application note that there was wide support in the village for increased facilities. These existing residents would benefit from any future facilities that an increased population in the village may attract and help sustain.

Education

7.10. There is a primary school in Semington, St George’s Church of England Primary School. The nearest secondary and tertiary education available to residents is in Melksham.

25 W/11/03191/FUL - 72C High Street, Semington, Wiltshire, BA14 6JR - Demolition of existing building and erection of detached dwelling 26 W/09/03542/FUL - Land At, High Street, Semington, Wiltshire - Erection of a 60 bed care home and 18 extra care suites, shop, access and parking

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7.11. St George’s 27 is a Church of England voluntary controlled school which means it has a close partnership with the local village church and the Diocese. April 2015 saw the school became an Academy as part of the Academy Trust of Melksham (ATOM) and thereby cease to be maintained by Wiltshire Council. The family of schools comprising ATOM includes: Bowerhill, Melksham Oak, Seend, Shaw, St Mary's Broughton Gifford, St George's Semington and The Manor.

7.12. The school currently has a capacity of 85; the Edubase website records a school roll of 82 pupils as at January 201528. The school will admit up to its standard number, which is 16 in each class. Once all of the children in the catchment area have been accommodated, consideration to out of catchment children will be given using the following criteria, a) looked after children, b) vulnerable children, c) other children for the designated area or shared area, and d) if a sibling is attending the school and e) children of staff at the school/in the ATOM.

7.13. It is noted that, in response to a recent live planning application in the village29, the consultation response from the Education Officer suggests there would potentially be a small deficit in places at the school due to the additional demand that could be generated as a result of the proposed development. However there is no indication that there would be a problem with providing increased capacity. A CIL contribution has been sought in the case of the current application and it is assumed a similar approach would likely be adopted by the Education Department in response to this application at Pound Lane.

7.14. Melksham Oak Community School 30 is located in Melksham and serves Melksham and the surrounding villages. It was inspected by OFSTED in September 2012 and received a rating of ‘good.’ It provides education to children aged between 11-18, with an intake each year of 252. The Edubase website reports that the school has a capacity of capacity of 1427. The school roll as at January 2015 is reported as 1,225. It is subject to the same over subscription criteria as set out above.

27 http://www.st-georges-semington.wilts.sch.uk/ 28 http://www.education.gov.uk/edubase/establishment/establishmentdetails.xhtml?urn=126353 29 16/01678/OUT - Land at St George's Road Semington Wiltshire - Erection of up to 24 dwellings with associated access and parking, and land for allotments (Reserved Matters : Access). 30 http://www.arnold.beds.sch.uk/

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7.15. The Education Officer response to the current live application in Semington indicates there is clear awareness of a potential future capacity issue at Melksham Oak due to the increase in school age pupils in the area and the scale of approved and pending planning applications within the schools designated area. It indicates school expansion is being planned. It is assumed any additional capacity requirements generated by the proposed development at Pound Lane could also be accommodated as part of this proposed expansion.

Healthcare

7.16. The nearest GP surgeries to Semington are in Melksham, approximately 3 km (1.9 miles) away, and are accessible by public transport. The surgeries, both located at Spa Road (St. Damien’s Surgery and Giffords Primary Care Centre) are both reported as accepting new patients as of May 201631; Semington village falls within their catchment areas32.

7.17. The nearest dental practice to Semington that is currently accepting new private and NHS patients is Regency Dental Practice33 in Melksham. It is 3 km (1.9 miles) from Semington. This dentist is also accessible by public transport.

Broadband

7.18. Broadband provision is available in Semington. An online enquiry with Ofcom shows that internet services with average speeds of 39Mbps is currently available34. This speed is more than sufficient to enable home working and home based businesses across a range of sectors.

31 http://www.nhs.uk/service-search/GP/Semington/Results/4/-2.148/51.344/4/18636?distance=25 32 http://www.boamhp.co.uk/new-patients.aspx; http://www.giffordssurgery.co.uk/new-patients.aspx 33 http://www.nhs.uk/service-search/Dentists/Semington/Results/12/- 2.148/51.344/3/18636?distance=250.428115785121918/52.0072593688965/3/0?distance=25 34 http://maps.ofcom.org.uk/check-coverage

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7.19. Semington is served with a range of core services available in the village including a primary school, village hall, pub and church. The village hall helps facilitate the provision of additional services such as a mobile Post Office and library service. Other services and facilities are available in nearby villages including doctor and dental surgeries, and a Post Office, which are accessible by public and private transport. However, there has been a recent decrease in services in the village, with the village store and petrol station both closing since the loss of passing trade with the opening of the bypass road in 2004. Attracting more families with children into the village would help in supporting existing local services and amenities and protecting them from a similar fate; they may also provide the level of population necessary to attract and sustain new services thereby improving the sustainability of the village.

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8. Thriving - Access to Employment

8.1. The Framework promotes an integrated approach to the provision of housing and economic uses [paragraph 70].

8.2. Semington is well placed to access a variety of employment hosting sites in the local area. Employment is hosted in the village and in neighbouring villages and towns, some of which are accessible by public transport.

Employment and Business Activity

8.3. Within Semington there are employment hosting sites at the primary school, pub, Littleton Garage and West Wiltshire Crematorium. To the southern edge of the village is Semington Turnpike Business Park which hosts several businesses including Sheer Class Double Glazing, Ashton Farm (Cash and Carry), King Auto Services (Garage), Office Evolution (Photocopier Suppliers), P M Tooling (Tool Manufacturers), H Services (Garage Services) and Vibramoulders Ltd (Rubber Product Manufacturers)35.

8.4. About 1 km (1 mile) north of the village is Hampton Park West Business Park, which has the corporate headquarters of companies such as G-Plan, Avon Rubber PLC and a large Wiltshire Police operations centre36. Just to the east of this is also the Bowerhill Industrial Estate which hosts a large range of employment hosting sites including Euro Car Parts, Travis Perkins Trading Co, Melksham Buildbase, Audi Volkswagen Group, Playforce, Screwfix, Bowlamania, Protech Shocks, Westek Technology, Validata Services and Rexel UK Ltd.

8.5. Beyond the village, analysis of data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) on listed business premises shows that there are a significant number of these within an indicative 20 minute (at peak hours) drive journey of Semington. Floor space is recorded for some categories of business, with 1,772,351 sq. m of floor space recorded overall and a total Rateable Value of £109,073,58337. Analysis of the type of workspace using space standards suggests that, in the 20 minute peak hour journey time catchment of Semington, there is space capable of hosting approximately 13,066 office jobs38 (based upon recorded office space of 156,798 sq. m) and 16,206 production jobs (based upon recorded production space extending to 648,228 sq. m). Together the Rateable Values for office and production space equate to £34,291,770 million and make up 31.4% of the total Rateable Values within this drive time area.

35 http://www.192.com/places/ba/ba14-6/ba14-6lb/ 36 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semington 37 VOA data which takes account of the business rates register and may include premises that are currently vacant. 38 Based on ratios of 12 sq m per job for office space and 40 sq m per job for production space (HCA / OffPAT)

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

8.6. The location of non-domestic rated premises39 within an approximate 20 minute peak hour journey time of Semington is illustrated in the map overleaf. The colour of the circle relates to the type of workplace based on the VOA property code (as shown by the key incorporated into the map), and the size of the circle corresponds to the Rateable Value of the premises. The smallest of the five circles relates to a Rateable Value of up to £10,000, the medium size circle relates to a Rateable Value of between £10,000 and £1m and the largest circle relates to a Rateable Value of more than £1m.

8.7. Semington and the immediate surrounding area is identified by the red square placed on the map. The local area around Semington is shown in more detail in Figure 8-2.

39 Based on VOA data

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Figure 8-1: VOA Map

Chippenham – Accessible by Public Transport

Melksham – Accessible by Public Transport

Trowbridge – Accessible by Public Transport

Agriculture Production Trade Hospitality Leisure Professions Services Transport & storage Offices

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Figure 8-2: VOA Map – Semington Area Plan

8.8. There are a number of employment hosting sites in settlements surrounding Semington, accessible by public transport, including businesses at Melksham, Trowbridge and Chippenham.

8.9. Melksham is 5 km (3.1 miles) north of Semington. Businesses and employment hosting sites in this location – in addition to those already discussed above at Hampton Park East and Bowerhill Industrial Estates - include not exclusively Cooper Tyres, Leekes Home Stores, Various Foodstores (including Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose), the Lighting Superstore, VW Audi Breakers and Melksham Blue Pool. Numerous opportunities exist in the various pubs and eateries as well as in the public sector at sites such as the library and various schools.

8.10. Trowbridge is 6.5 km (4 miles) south west of Semington. Businesses and employment hosting sites in this location include the Canal Road Industrial Estate which is situated to the north side of Trowbridge and easily accessible from Semington via the A361 bypass. The Industrial Estate hosts several businesses including Islington Motor Group, Brandon Tool Hire, Bradfords Building Supplies, Gillerson Trading Limited (furniture), J W Ransome & Son (car accessories and parts), Arena Design Associates Ltd (graphic designers), Darlington & Smith (carpet and rug retailers), Jewsons and ATS. Also located in Trowbridge is the White Horse Business Park to the south east of the town, which hosts several businesses including Virgin Mobile, Wiltshire Friendly Society Ltd, Danone Nutrition, DTR VMS Ltd (rubber products supplier), Summit Chairs, L F Beauty Ltd and the Wessex Chamber of Commerce. Other employment hosting sites include

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

the Bradley and Spitfire retail parks on the A363 which feature retail and food outlets including McDonalds, Currys PC World, Pets at Home, KFC, Matalan, Home Bargains, B&Q and Halfords. Other retail and leisure employment hosting sites include The Shires Shopping Centre, Odeon Cinema, Tesco Extra and Sainsbury’s all located in the centre of town. Further employment hosting sites are found in the public sector including numerous education establishments such as Wiltshire College Trowbridge, Trowbridge Community Hospital.

8.11. Chippenham is approximately 16 km (10 miles) to the north of Semington. To the south edge of Chippenham is Meuthen Park which includes businesses such as Capita IT Enterprise Services, Green Square, Herman Miller and Bechtle Direct. Adjacent are the Brookside Retail Park (Next, TK Maxx) and Bath Road Retail Park (including B&Q, Currys, Mom Motors and Pizza Hut). To the north west side of the town is the Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate which hosts businesses including Royal Mail, Preactors International, CPI Antony Rowe, Crane Merchandising Systems, Avagio IT Systems, Q Tech Auto Services and the ARC Group. It also features retail businesses including Screwfix, Chippenham Motorcycles and Chippenham Motor Company. To the north east of the town Langley Park hosts businesses including Siemens Rail Automation, Schneider Electric, RFL Communications and Wavin Plastics. Further employment hosting establishments are found in the retail and leisure/hospitality sectors in the centre of the town focussed around Market Place, High St, Emery Gate Shopping Centre and Borough Parade Shopping Centre and surrounding streets. Public sector employment hosting sites include the Chippenham Community Hospital, the library and several schools.

Economic Activity and Occupational Classifications

8.12. Semington has a slightly lower, but comparable level of economic activity to that of the District (65.5% compared to 68.3%). It has an almost identical proportion of employees in its workforce compared to Wiltshire District (57.5% compared to 57.1%). A lower proportion of its workforce are self-employed compared to Wiltshire District (8% compared to 11.2%).

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Figure 8-3: Economically Active Residents

Economically Active, 2011

80.0%

2.6% 70.0% 2.5% 2.9% 3.2% 3.2% 3.4% 3.3% 4.4% 8.0% 11.2% 60.0% 11.2% 9.8% Full-Time Student

50.0% Unemployed

40.0% Self-Employed with or without 30.0% employees 57.5% 57.1% 52.6% 52.3% Employee

20.0%

10.0%

0.0% Semington Parish Wiltshire South West England

Source: ONS Census Data 2011 8.13. Occupational classifications of the resident population in Semington are broadly similar to those across Wiltshire. Semington has a skilled and educated workforce. Higher Managerial, Professional and Technical Occupations make up 45% of the workforce in Semington (similar to 43.7% in Wiltshire). The most prevalent is those in Professional Occupations which account for 19.2% of the workforce in Semington. This is also a slightly higher proportion than for Wiltshire (16.7%). Similarly Managerial, Directors and Senior Officials have a slightly higher proportions than the District (15.5% compared to 12.4%).

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Figure 8-4: Occupational Classification

Occupational classification, 2011 100% 9.9% 10.1% 11.0% 11.1% 90% 9. Elementary Occupations 4.3% 6.4% 6.7% 7.2% 80% 8.1% 7.4% 8.4% 8.4% 8. Process, Plant and Machine 8.7% 9.2% Operatives 70% 9.8% 9.3% 7. Sales and Customer Service 11.4% 60% 12.4% Occupations 13.4% 11.4% 6. Caring, Leisure and Other 12.6% 50% 10.9% Service Occupations 11.0% 11.5% 5. Skilled Trades Occupations 40% 10.3% 14.6% 12.1% 12.8% 30% 4. Administrative and 19.2% Secretarial Occupations 20% 16.7% 16.5% 17.5% 3. Associate Professional and Technical Occupations 10% 15.5% 12.4% 11.1% 10.9% 2. Professional Occupations 0% Semington Wiltshire South West England Parish

Source: ONS Census Data 2011

Travel to Work

8.14. Analysis of travel to work data from the 2011 Census shows that Semington has a slightly lower level of employment activity compared to the District; 32.4% of the Parish are not in employment or travelling to work each day (compared to the District average of 29.6%40). Figure 8- illustrates travel to work patterns in the village and District compared to regional and national averages. Of those travelling to work, 77.1% do so by car or van. This is higher than the District average for Wiltshire at 64.7%. However, within the group of residents travelling to work by car, over half (53%) travel less than 10 km41, compared to a district figure of 43%, reflecting the close proximity of a large number of employment hosting sites as already discussed above.

8.15. The chart also highlights 2.9% of the Parish travel to work by train, this is marginally higher than the District’s 2.6%. This highlights the availability of good public transport connections at nearby Melksham and Trowbridge.

40 ONS Census Data 2011 41 ONS Census Data 2011

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Figure 8-5: Method of Travel to Work

Method of travel to work, 2011

Not in Employment Other Method of Travel to Work On Foot Bicycle Passenger in a Car or Van England Driving a Car or Van South West Motorcycle, Scooter or Moped Wiltshire Taxi Semington Parish Bus, Minibus or Coach Train Underground, Metro, Light Rail,… Work Mainly at or From Home

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Source: ONS Census Data 2011

8.16. In addition 7.4% of the population in Semington Parish work from home, identical to Wiltshire District. According to the OECD, 16.7% of workers in England’s rural areas work from home compared to 7.5% in urban areas42. Some estimates suggest there are around 2 million working from home from rural areas43. This trend is likely to continue with continued extension of communications, including the Government’s commitment to expanding superfast broadband coverage to 95% of areas by 2017. Such flexible working arrangements can be expected to expand employment opportunities, reduce commuting times and enhance productivity44.

8.17. The importance of rural areas is set to grow as increased connectivity enables more flexible working and further growth in knowledge-based industries in rural areas. A DEFRA policy brief45 notes that continuation of this trend could lead to stronger productivity growth, job creation and higher output in rural areas. Over the next decade, productivity in rural areas could grow faster than in urban areas.

42 OECD, Rural Policy Reviews: England, United Kingdom, 2011 43 Carnegie Trust UK, Future Directions in Rural Development, 2012 44 SQW, UK Broadband Impact Study, 2013 45 DEFRA Policy Brief – How Increased Connectivity is Boosting Economic Prospects of Rural Areas December2014

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The data shows that Semington hosts a skilled and enterprising community. The village is strategically located in close proximity to a number of employment sites and benefits from access to good public transport services which provide connections and a range of employment and economic centres. Semington is an economic asset.

It is an attractive place to live and has potential to attract and retain economically valuable.

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9. Fair for Everyone - Balanced

Population and Household Growth

9.1. The Framework seeks to enable and create sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities [paragraph 50]. In our view there are a range of matters and issues which influence the inclusivity and mix of a community. These include the type and range of housing stock available, its affordability and its ability to maintain socio-economic and demographic balance.

9.2. The objective around sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities is shared by key rural stakeholders. In its 2014 Housing Policy Position Paper Action for Communities in Rural England [ACRE] states that “most people will agree that a good mix of market, private rented and affordable housing will help to deliver a balanced and inclusive community. It goes on to state that “a vibrant mix of people in a community will help to support local services and facilities and ensure a better quality of life.”

9.3. In our view maintaining demographic balance is an important part of “a vibrant mix.” ACRE further explores this in its Children and Younger People Policy Position Paper which states that if a community is to be sustainable, vibrant and equitable it needs young people not to move away to access the services and facilities they need. Specifically the paper states that “there is a real danger of communities becoming unbalanced if the population is skewed towards and older demographic.”

9.4. In 2011 the population in Semington Parish was recorded in the Census as 930, an increase of 133 from the population of 797 recorded at 200146. Figure 9-1 shows how these populations break down across five main age groups.

9.5. Analysis of the data provided in Figure 9-1 shows that whilst the population has grown by 17% in overall terms this growth has not been spread evenly across all age groups. The group of retirement age [over 65] has grown by 32% whilst the group of children of school age [5 to 15] has not grown at all.

46 ONS Census Data 2011

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Figure 9-1: Age Structure

Semington Parish - Age Structure 1,000 900 180 800 136 700 People aged 65+ 600 People aged 25-64 500 530 People aged 16-24 400 472 People aged 5-15 300 People aged 0-4 200 63 84 100 102 102 - 24 34 2001 2011

Source: ONS Census Data 2001 & 2011 9.6. The result of this variance in population growth across different age groups is shown in more detail in Figure 9-2. It shows the 2011 population of Semington Parish broken down into eight age groups [shown as percentages] and provides a comparison with Wiltshire as a whole, the South West region and England.

Figure 9-2: Age Structure 2011

Source: ONS Census Data 2001 & 2011

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9.7. The data shows that the profile of the population of Semington Parish is materially different to that of Wiltshire as a whole. Specifically the data shows an older demographic with 56.9% of the population of Semington aged over 45 compared to just 45.8% for the District as a whole. In contrast the population of the Parish aged 0 to 15 accounts for 14.7% of the whole compared to 19.3% across Wiltshire as a whole.

9.8. Review of the same data as at 2001 helps us to understand how the situation has worsened during the inter-censal period. In 2001 the proportion of the population of Semington aged over 45 was 50.1% whilst the proportion of the population of Wiltshire aged over 45 was 41.4%.

9.9. Demographic change over this period has meant that the age profile of population at Semington has worsened and that this negative change has been greater than that experienced across the District as whole47.

Figure 9-3: Age Structure 2001

Source: ONS Census Data 2001 & 2011

9.10. This demographic change has implications for future vitality of the community. This is because as people age they become less economically active, their household expenditure reduces48 and, inevitably, their social capacity and ability to pro-actively engage in and drive community activity erodes.

47 Change from 50.1% to 56.9% equates to an increase of 6.8% for the Parish whilst change from 41.3% to 45.7% equates to an increase of 4.4%. 48 Data from ONS Family Spending Survey 2012 shows that the average weekly expenditure of a household where the “head” is aged over 75 is just half of that where the “head” is aged between 35 and 45.

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

9.11. Another negative consequence of ageing is a reduction in household size. This has negative implications for vitality as it reduces the physical capacity of the settlement [the same number of houses supports fewer people] as well as the economic and social capacity of the community.

9.12. In this regard it is interesting to note that whilst the number of households in the Parish has increased by 69 over the inter-censal period the number of households with children has only increased by 5, from 78 in 2001 to 83 in 2011.

Housing Need

9.13. The 2015 adopted Core Strategy adopted a final housing target figure of 24,740 over the plan period from 2006-2026. The Core Strategy then breaks the requirements down into Community Areas. The Melksham Community Area requirement is set at 2,370 over the plan period.

9.14. The 2015 Housing Land Supply Statement shows completions of 1,339 over the period 2006-2015 with 367 commitments, leaving a residual requirement of 664 dwellings over the plan period. The Melksham CA falls within the 30% affordable housing zone.

9.15. The tenure mix of housing stock in Semington (Figure 9-4) shows a higher proportion of owner occupation in Semington compared to the District (80.7% compared to 67.5%). Analysis of the detail from ONS table QS405EW shows that of the 314 dwellings that were owner-occupied 164 [52%] where owned outright and 150 were subject to a mortgage or loan.

9.16. As a consequence of the high level of owner occupancy Semington has a lower proportion of households renting that the District average with 6.9% of households in social rented accommodation [vs 14.7%] and 11.1% private rented [vs 16.4% ].

9.17. The limited availability of rental stock will be a constraint to younger and newly forming households joining the community and may also make it difficult for young adults with connections to the community to form their own independent households. It is interesting to note that the number of young adults living in the Parish [most of which will be in family homes] increased from 63 to 84 in the inter-censal period. Some of the older members of this cohort may benefit significantly from the creation of new affordable homes in the village.

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Figure 9-4: Household Tenure

Household Tenure, 2011 100% 1.0% 1.6% 1.4% 1.3% 11.1% 90% 15.4% 17.1% 16.8% 6.9% 80% 0.3% 14.7% 13.3% 17.7% 70% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% Living Rent Free 60% Private Rented 50% Social Rented 40% 80.7% Shared Ownership 67.5% 67.4% 63.3% 30% Owned 20%

10%

0% Semington Parish Wiltshire South West England

Source: ONS Census Data 2011 Socio-economic characteristics

9.18. The socio-economic profile of the population of Semington can be seen with reference to Mosaic data as shown in Figure 9-5. The data illustrates the demographic make-up in the resident population across six of the fifteen Mosaic groups49. There is a particular concentration of ‘B – Professional Rewards’ (63.2%), with D – Small Town Diversity’ (17.3%) also well represented.

49 Experian Mosaic UK Classifications (2012)

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Figure 9-5: Mosaic Groups, Resident Population

MOSAIC Groups, resident population

O Liberal Opinions N Terraced Melting Pot M Industrial Heritage L Elderly Needs K Upper Floor Living J Claimant Cultures England I Ex-Council Community H New Homemakers South West G Careers and Kids Wiltshire F Suburban Mindsets Semington Village E Active Retirement D Small Town Diversity C Rural Solitude B Professional Rewards A Alpha Territory

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Source: Mosaic

9.19. ‘Professional Rewards’ is described as ‘experienced professionals in successful careers enjoying financial comfort in suburban or semi-rural homes.’ It includes executives and managers, small businesses, families who are married with children, and those enjoying comfortable lifestyles with significant equity. In Semington this group is larger than the District average (63.2% compared to 19.4%).

9.20. ‘Small Town Diversity’ is described as ‘residents of small and medium-sized towns who have strong roots in their local community.’ It includes those on lower incomes with strong roots and a mostly mature age group occupying mixed ages and types of housing. As a percentage of the total population, this group is greater in Semington compared to the District average (17.3% compared to 13.9%).

Household Income

9.21. The distribution of household income levels in Semington varies from that of Wiltshire as a whole, as illustrated in Figure 9-6. Semington has a slightly more affluent income profile compared to that of Wiltshire.

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9.22. In Wiltshire District 58.8% of households have incomes of under £40,000, whereas only 45.4% of households in Semington have this level of income. The greatest difference is in middle income families with 41.1% of households in Semington having an income of between £40,000 and 69,999 compared to 28.1% in the District. Both Semington and the District have a similar level of higher income households over £70,000 (13.5% compared to 13.1%).

Figure 9-6: Household Income

Household Income, 2011

100% 0.9% 0.9% 0.6% 1.3% 2.9% 3.9% 2.3% 3.5% 5.6% 9.7% 7.0% 90% 8.3% 4.6% 4.8% 8.3% 6.2% 8.3% £150,000 and over 80% 7.5% 9.4% £100,000 - 149,999 11.4% 70% 12.7% 12.3% £70,000 - 99,999 12.5% 60% £60,000 - 69,999 21.4% 15.4% 15.5% 50% 14.5% £50,000 - 59,999 £40,000 - 49,999 40% 14.6% 22.6% 19.3% 20.3% £30,000 - 39,999 30% 7.7% £20,000 - 29,999 18.0% 7.6% 20% 6.6% £15,000 - 19,999 3.7% £14,999 or less 10% 17.4% 20.2% 21.2% 9.1% 0% Semington Village Wiltshire South West England

Source: Mosaic

9.23. New housing can play a role tailored to the needs of these groups in order to continue to attract higher earners into the village whilst also accounting for the needs of lower and middle income households. This would support further growth and potentially enhance the economic contribution made by Semington to the Wiltshire District.

9.24. The socio-economic profile of Semington highlights the village’s important role as an economic asset for the District. It is an attractive place to a variety of people. There is a need to balance the housing stock and growth in future such that new housing development adds variety and choice to the local housing market and addresses a wider range of housing needs.

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10. Overall Assessment of Sustainability

Current Sustainability

10.1. Semington is a successful and sustainable settlement. It has an active Parish Council and a number of community facilities including a well utilised village hall. There are a number of activities taking place in the village that provide opportunities for residents to get involved.

10.2. Semington benefits from good public transport connections between Trowbridge, Chippenham and a number of destinations in between. There are also Public Rights of Way connecting the village to the surrounding countryside. There is good access to the local railway network in Melksham which provides rail connections to destinations further afield including Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and London.

10.3. Semington is well served with a primary school, a church, a village pub and a village hall. A wider range of services and facilities are available in close proximity at Melksham, with further facilities available in Trowbridge.

10.4. Semington has a skilled and educated workforce. Employment hosting sites are located both in the village and in a number of different surrounding settlements including Melksham, Trowbridge and Chippenham.

10.5. In Semington a high proportion of the housing stock is owner occupied. The village population has grown over the inter-censal period at a faster rate of growth than average across Wiltshire across all age bands, with the exception of the 5-15 age group where growth was minimal.

10.6. Different rates of growth across parts of the population has meant that the demographic profile of the community has become further imbalanced with well over half [57%] of the population aged over 45. This demographic imbalance will be likely to exert a negative influence on the future vitality of the community if it continues.

Future Sustainability

10.7. Semington is a good place to locate new housing. It is strategically located to support growth that will facilitate sustainable economic development. It is a well-established concept that there should be no cap on sustainable development. Further development in Semington will bring increased demand and support for local services, underpin the viability of local facilities, widen choice in the housing market, provide some affordable housing and boost the available local labour supply.

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

10.8. New housing will generate tangible social and economic benefits that will both maintain and enhance the future vitality of the community and make a positive contribution to sustainable development in the Wiltshire District. These benefits are considered in the next Chapter.

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

11. Assessment of the Impact of the Development on Future Sustainability

Scope of the Assessment

11.1. We have carried out an assessment of the likely impact (positive and negative) of the proposed development using the evidence gathered on the current social and economic sustainability of Semington in Chapters 3 to 10, with reference to evidence provided by other reports produced in support of the application and against the policy context set by the Framework.

11.2. The applicant proposes the development of new housing on 5.06 hectares (12.5 acres), with a net developable area of 2.9 hectares (7.16 acres). The site is located at land at Pound Lane and will support the development of up to 75 new homes, of which up to 30% (23) will be affordable. The indicative housing mix proposed in the application includes 6 one bed dwellings (including 6 affordable), 25 two bed houses (including 11 affordable including 2 bungalows), 30 three bed dwellings (including 5 affordable) and 14 four bed dwellings (including 1 affordable).

11.3. Our assessment of the impact of new housing as proposed by the applicant on the future sustainability of the community is set out below. It is considered within the context of economic and social effects. The wide range of positive effects means that the proposed development will have a beneficial impact overall on the future vitality and sustainability of the community.

Assessment

11.4. The proposed development will help to maintain and enhance the economic vitality of Semington, and of the Wiltshire District, by:

 Attracting additional residents of working age;

 Continuing to attract higher earners, families and enhance economic performance overall;

 Increasing the stock of housing suitable and available to boost the local labour supply.

11.5. These economic benefits will help Semington to meet the objectives and core principles of the Framework helping to support sustainable development by delivering the homes and thriving local places that the country needs.

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

11.6. The development will help to create a mixed, sustainable and inclusive community (paragraph 50), to enhance and maintain the vitality of the community by:

 Adding to the social capacity of Semington and underpinning the current level of engagement;

 Providing new affordable housing, and increasing the range and choice of housing available across a range of tenures; and

 Enhancing inclusivity and broadening the socio-economic and demographic base of the community.

11.7. These social benefits arising from the proposed development will help to enhance and maintain the vitality of the community, as sought by paragraph 55 of the Framework.

11.8. The proposed development will generate additional car borne journeys as people travel to work and access services beyond the village. It is important to note however that not all economically active residents will travel to work by car. Further, many of these “additional” car based journeys are likely to be displaced from elsewhere in the Wiltshire District. New housing will provide opportunities for people to move closer to their work place, or to live in closer proximity to services, should they so wish.

11.9. The new housing on the site will be within easy walking distance of bus stops providing access to frequent daily services that support travel to work journeys to Melksham, Trowbridge and Chippenham. Access to rail services is provided in Melksham and accessible via the local bus service.

11.10. Overall the economic and social benefits that the proposed development will deliver will help to enhance and maintain the future vitality of the community.

11.11. Our assessment of the impact of the proposed development on the future vitality of the community shows that a new housing scheme which delivers a balanced mix of dwellings, with affordable housing of different types and tenures, will enable Semington to respond positively to growth and help to support the settlement’s demographic balance within Wiltshire District.

11.12. By increasing the overall quantity and mix of the housing stock in Semington, this will support the village’s services and community life, providing a greater contribution to the vitality of the area and supporting economic activity and growth.

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11.13. Specific enhancements to the vitality of the village will arise from:

 Attracting new residents to engage in community life;

 Providing additional population to increase the customer base supporting the village’s local services;

 Broadening the range and mix of housing available, including affordable housing; and

 Enhancing inclusivity and broadening the socio-economic and demographic base of the community.

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12. Conclusions and Closing Remarks

12.1. The assessment provided in this report shows that Semington is a successful rural settlement and that it can be considered to be socially and economically sustainable when judged across the criteria set out in the UK Sustainable Development Strategy (and considered within its spatial context). It is a demonstrably suitable and good place to host new housing development that will deliver a range of benefits including attracting new residents to enhance the economic contribution of Semington to the Wiltshire District, underpinning social capacity, providing affordable housing and widening the housing mix overall. Accordingly, for the reasons above, the proposed development would maintain and enhance the vitality of Semington in accordance with paragraph 55 of the Framework and would clearly satisfy the economic and social dimensions of sustainability.

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Appendix 1: Planning Applications

(Residential Development in Semington Parish since 1 January 2011)

Application Ref Description Address Status Number 14/10176/FUL Demolition of 51 Little Marsh Approved 1 (0 net) existing dwelling Semington and erection of Trowbridge replacement Wiltshire BA14 dwelling with 6JF detached single garage (Resubmission of 14/07713/FUL) 14/04565/FUL Proposed new 2 Pound Close Approved 1 dwelling Semington Trowbridge BA14 6JP 14/02026/FUL Retention of Littleton Stables Approved 1 existing dwelling Littleton and construction Semington Nr of a single storey Trowbridge Wilts extension BA14 6LF W/12/01066/FUL Proposed new Land Adjoining Approved 1 dwelling attached 19, Pound Close, to 19 Pound Semington, Close Wiltshire W/12/00798/FUL Extension to Lime Kiln, 67B St Approved 1 dwelling Georges Road, Semington, Wiltshire, BA14 6JQ W/12/00546/FUL Proposed new Land Adjoining Withdrawn 0 dwelling 19, Pound Close, Semington, Wiltshire W/11/03191/FUL Demolition of 72C High Street, Approved 1 (0 net) existing building Semington, and erection of Wiltshire, BA14 detached 6JR dwelling Total (net) consented residential dwellings 4

16/01678/OUT Erection of up to Land at St Pending 24 24 dwellings with George's Road associated access Semington and parking, and Wiltshire land for

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

allotments (Reserved Matters: Access). Total residential dwellings pending determination 24

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

Appendix 2: Clubs and Societies in and around Semington

Bingo

Stompers

Bridge Club

Coffee Morning

Semingtones Choir

Men’s Choir

Baby/Toddler Group

Zumba Fitness

Zumba Beginners

Football Club

Tennis Court

Women’s Institute

Book Club

Social Club

Land to the North of Pound Lane, Semington ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY

North 01756 797501

South 01666 213102

Email [email protected]

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