Appendix 4 – Review of Baseline Data

Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF Topic: Air Quality There are no AQMAs in Mendip Rest of : Large areas of new 3 AQMAs: development must be town centre is predisposed to air • Deane BC located in areas that Air Quality quality problems due to its street canyon - East Reach AQMA - NO²: north will not exacerbate air Management topography side of East Reach, Taunton quality problems Areas (AQMAs) - Henlade AQMA - NO²: A358 west through heavily of Henlade Crossway extending increased traffic (data Sourcei) 100m further west of Greylands levels

• DC - AQMA - NO²: whole built up area including the airfield

Core Strategy will Estimated Council → Mendip Sedge- South West Taunton Trend is shown as have to ensure that Background Air Pollutant↓ moor Somerset Somerset Deane levels declining for all new development is Pollution data NOx ‘04 9.7 12.1 9.8 7.8 10.8 councils within carefully located so NOx ‘05 9.4 11.6 9.5 7.5 10.4 Somerset. as not to exacerbate UK air quality NOx ‘10 7.8 9.4 7.8 6.2 8.4 air pollution levels archive provides NO2 ‘04 7.6 9.5 7.6 6.1 8.5 Mendip has second data on NO2, NOx NO2 ‘05 7.4 9.2 7.4 5.9 8.2 lowest levels for NOx & PM10 with 2004 NO2 ‘10 6.1 7.4 6.1 4.9 7.0 and NO2 and the as a measured PM10 ‘04 17.3 16.5 16.1 14.6 15.6 highest levels of base year with PM10 ‘05 17.2 16.4 16.0 14.4 15.4 PM10 estimates for 2005 PM10 ‘10 15.9 15.2 15.0 13.4 14.4 and 2010.

NOx: Oxides of Nitrogen (measured in ugm-3 as NO2 annual mean) (data source 1) NO2: Nitrogen dioxide (measured in ugm-3 annual mean) PM10: Particulate Matter (measured in ugm-3 annual mean)

(Data: mean average of all sites monitored in each district: Mendip 737 sites; 561 sites; South Somerset 961 sites; West Somerset 743 sites; Taunton Deane 453 sites) Topic: Biodiversity, Flora & Fauna Designated sites must Designated Sites Special Areas of Conservation: Sites within the County: be protected and • Mells Valley SAC • Sedgemoor: - 19 SSSIs conserved. ii iii (data sources , ) • Mendip Woodlands SAC • South Somerset – 39 SSSIs Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF • & Mendip Bats SAC • West Somerset – 16 SSSIs Special Protection Areas: • Taunton Deane – 15 SSSIs • & Moors

RAMSAR Sites: • Somerset Levels & Moors

Special Sites of Scientific Interest: There are 47 SSSIs in Mendip which cover almost 3% of the total area.

Conditions of SSSIs in Mendip:

Total SSSI Area (ha) 2040.5 Favourable 56% Unfavourable No 19% Change Unfavourable 16% Recovering Unfavourable 4% Declining Unknown Condition 5%

National Nature Reserves: • NNR • NNR • Moor NNR • NNR • NNR

Local Wildlife Sites: There are approximately 418 LWS within the district

Ancient Woodland: There are over 130 sites of within the district

Geological Sites: Mendip has at least 45 important geological Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF sites Protected Species Protected : No trend data New development & Habitats The current Mendip LBAP highlights the available must not have any following habitats as important: adverse effect on (Mendip protected • Tufa springs and streams protected flora and habitats and • Ancient broadleaved woodland fauna important species. • Wetland Extent of EU • Calcareous grasslands protected species • Neutral grasslands in the district)

Species on LBAP Action Plan list (data source iv & v) The current Mendip LBAP highlights the following species as important: • Assellus Cavticus • Barn Owl • Green-winged orchid • Mountain bulin snail • Lesser silver water beetle • Marsh Fritillary • Large marsh grasshopper • Freshwater white-clawed crayfish • Water vole • Greater horseshoe bat

Extent of EU protected species Species Area covered (ha) Lesser Horseshoe 2083 Bat Greater Horseshoe 6636 Bat Great Crested Newt 258 Pipistrelle Bat 17 Daubentons Bat 71 Dormouse 40

Topic: Climatic Factors Carbon Mendip has the third Sustainable Emissions Carbon Emissions: highest total CO² construction and the Area Industry & Domestic Road LULUCF Total Per emissions per capita direction of growth to Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF (Total CO² Commercial Transport Emissions Capita in the county. sustainable locations emissions for each Total will be imperative for local authority by CO² Mendip has seen a the Core Strategy in sector, total & per Mendip 411 282 246 69 1009 9.31 0.6 tonnes increase order for the district’s capital in tonnes for Sedgemoor 528 287 410 81 1306 11.76 in per capita total emissions to 2006) South 494 423 364 55 1337 8.53 emissions between decrease Somerset 2005 and 2006 a 7% increase. This is by vi Taunton 264 270 325 15 873 8.13 (data source ) Deane far the highest in the West 181 101 96 7 385 10.91 county with two of the Somerset authorities experiencing a decrease in emissions. Installed 2005: Mendip has the renewable Installed renewable electricity capacity: Mendip: second lowest electricity Local Authority Number of grid connected Installed capacity (MW) Electricity projects 1 number of grid capacity in renewable energy projects (0.008MW installed) connected renewable district Mendip 2 0.02 energy projects, and Sedgemoor 8 2.6 Somerset: the second lowest (data source vii) Electricity projects 11 installed capacity. If viii South Somerset 6 5.19 (data source ) Taunton Deane 6 1.52 (9.439MW installed) the district is West Somerset 1 0.01 effectively going to Somerset Total 23 9.34 contribute to the South West Total 215 137 South West: regional targets the Electricity projects number of projects Draft RSS targets: 102 (109.4MW and the level of Somerset: 81-81MW Installed electricity generating capacity by 2010 installed) installed capacity will South West: 509-611MW Installed electricity generating capacity by 2010, need to increase. 850MW by 2020, therefore 20% of region’s electricity should be Mendip’s installed Renewable by 2020 renewable electricity The district could look capacity has at having it’s own increased by 2.5 renewable energy times what is was in policy within the Core 2005 by 2007 Strategy to increase the amount of installed capacity Installed 2005: Mendip has the renewable heat Installed renewable heat capacity: Mendip: lowest number of capacity in Local Authority Number of renewable heat Installed capacity (MW) Heat projects – renewable heat district projects unrecorded projects but the Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF Mendip 6 0.66 second highest (data sources 7,8) Sedgemoor 9 0.12 Somerset: installed capacity. As South Somerset 12 0.63 Heat projects - above the district Taunton Deane 15 0.52 0.494MW installed could include it’s own West Somerset 15 0.44 policy and target for Somerset Total 57 2.37 South West: renewable heat South West Total 419 27.85 Heat projects – 549 capacity in the Core (5.031MW installed) Strategy Draft RSS targets: South West: 100MW Installed Thermal Capacity by 2010, 500MW by 2020

Energy Efficiency The overall Sustainable of dwellings in Energy efficiency of dwellings in the district (2006/7) improvement in construction will need the district Sector of housing % improvement in energy Reduction in CO² energy efficiency to be promoted efficiency achieved in 06/07 emissions 06/07 tonnes from 1 April 1996 to through the Core (owner Total for each sector April ’06 to March ’07: 31 March 2007 was Strategy which will occupied/local Owner/Occupied 5.0% 9505 19.49% ensure that new authority/private Local Authority 4.3% 579 dwellings are highly rented/housing Private Rented 1.1% 138 energy efficient. associations) Housing 3.1% 318

ix Associations (data source ) Total 4.5% 10540

Topic: Communities Snapshot of The Core Strategy will headline Indicator Street Wells Frome Shepton have to provide for household data Mallet changing household for the towns No. of dwellings 3,779 4,557 4,925 10,315 3,849 sizes, longer life Vacant expectancy etc. (comparison of household 1.8% 1.9% 3% 1% 3.4% headline household spaces data for each of the Average five towns) household size 2.24 2.32 2.10 2.37 2.35 (persons) x (data source ) Owner occupied 70% 71% 72% 74% 68.2% Rented from 13.6% 14.2% 12% 15% 15.2% Council/HA/RSL Privately rented 14.6% 12.9% 13% 10% 13.4% 1 person 31% 28.9% 36.5% 28.5% 28.4% Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF households Households with dependent children & no 4.6% 3.42% 2.25% 4% 4.4% adult in employment Households with 1+ person with limiting long- 34.3% 32.8% 34% 30% 29.8% term illness No car/van 21.4% 19.9% 24% 18.7% 18.4%

Snapshot of The Core Strategy will headline Indicator West Central East Community have to provide for household data Community Community Partnership Area changing household for the parishes in Partnership Area Partnership Area sizes, longer life the rural area No. of dwellings 2777 8109 5579 expectancy etc. Vacant household (comparison of spaces 1.8% 2.4% 2.9% headline household Average data for the rural household size 2.47 2.45 2.46 areas broken down (persons) into the three Owner occupied 78% 75.8% 72.9% community Rented from partnership areas) Council/HA/RSL 5.7% 8.3% 10.1% Privately rented 13.3% 12.4% 13% (data source 10) 1 person 21.7% 23.6% 20.6% households Households with dependent children & no 2.05% 2.35% 2.52% adult in employment Households with 1+ person with 29.5% 28.3% 28.3% limiting long-term illness No car/van 6.8% 10.1% 8.8% Number & type of Needs to address the RSL properties Year General Sheltered Shared Hostel need for sheltered Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF Needs Housing Ownership Spaces accommodation and (Number and type Housing types of affordable of properties 2006/7 3,107 678 79 24 housing owned by Mendip 2004/5 3,034 750 80 24 Housing Ltd - the 2002/3 3,020 729 83 ? largest RSL in the district)

(data sourcexi) IMD Extent 2000: Mendip was Mendip is a district Indices of Multiple Deprivation update 2007 ranked 214 with 0% that ranks in the least (ranking of local Local Authority Rank of average score Proportion of District’s population of the district’s deprived half of local authority where 1 is in wards that rank in the most population living in authorities in the the most deprived 10% deprived in country the 10% most country. It has a low and 354 is the least Mendip 217 0.02 deprived areas of the proportion of its deprived) Sedgemoor 169 0.10 UK. population living in South Somerset 237 0.03 the most deprived xii (data source ) Taunton Deane 204 0.06 2004: Mendip was areas. West Somerset 106 0.05 ranked 221 with 0.02% of the To maintain this level The most deprived wards of the district are Shepton East which lies just outside the population in the or improve the district 10% most deprived, four Frome wards and two Glastonbury wards lie within the 25% most deprived areas needs to maintain most deprived for income deprivation. in the UK good access to health and education alongside the provision of affordable housing. Homelessness Mendip: The data suggests 04/00 – 03/01: 136 that the number of (Number of Area Number of Homeless Households 2004-2005 homeless households households Mendip 214 04/02 – 03/03: 117 has almost doubled in accepted as Sedgemoor 156 five years between homeless April South Somerset 280 The data available 2000 and 2005. This 2004 to March Taunton Deane 315 seems to suggest is an issue that needs 2005)) West Somerset 108 that the number of to be addressed, homeless perhaps affordability (data source 10) South West 9,684 households seems to of accommodation is 121,179 fluctuate. a trigger of the problem and this

Mendip has the third highest homelessness rate at 2004-5 in the county after South could be addressed Somerset and Taunton Deane which may be expected to have the highest rates due through the Core Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF to the large towns of Yeovil and Taunton being located within them Strategy. Dwelling Type There was no The Core Strategy will Type of dwelling % of households % of households % difference significant change in need to contain a (percentage of 2001 1997 ‘97-‘01 dwelling type policy that ensures a dwellings by Detached 29 26 +3 between 1997 and suitable mix of dwelling type) Semi-detached 26 29 -3 2001 dwelling types in all Terraced 19 21 -2 new developments (data source 10) Bungalow 17 16 +1 Flat/Maisonette 7 8 -1 Other 2 0 +2 Dwelling Tenure The largest The Core Strategy will Type of Tenure 5 of households 5 of households % difference proportion of homes need to contain a (percentage of 2001 1997 ’97-‘01 in the district are policy that ensures a dwellings by Owned outright 43 36 +7 owner occupied (80% suitable mix of tenure) Owned (mortgage) 37 42 -5 in 2001) tenures in all new Shared ownership 1 1 0 developments (data source 10) Social rented 12 13 -1 Privately rented 6 7 -1 Other 1 2 -1 Household The two groups with Increase in single Composition Household Type % of households significant numbers households has 2001 are single person resulted in an even (percentage of Single person 26 households and adult greater demand for dwellings of Single parent 4 couple households. housing. Core different household Adult couple 38 strategy must provide compositions) Couple with children 17 At a national level the correct types of Group of Adults 11 there has been a housing needed for (data source 10) Group of adults with children 4 significant increase in the district the number of single person households. House Prices & House prices in Core Strategy must Supply Property Oct-Dec Apr-June % price Oct-Dec Apr-June % drop Mendip, as across address affordability Type 2001 2005 rise 2001 2005 in supply the country have problems. (comparison of Detached £200,028 £278,790 39% 197 95 -51% increased cost and supply of Semi-det £114,051 £185,260 62% 185 86 -53% significantly. The The Housing market properties in Terraced £90,990 £156,891 72% 218 137 -37% biggest increase was assessment also Mendip: Oct-Dec Flats £67,532 £122,567 81% 93 48 -48% seen in the price of highlighted that the 2001 – April-June flats and terraced annual shortfall in All Types £124,994 £190,696 52% 693 366 -47% 2005) houses. Overall affordable housing there was a 52% supply that is Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF (data source xiii) increase in price and represented by a 47% decrease in registered need is supply. This has big around 197 pa, the implications for majority of this is for affordability social rented housing

Affordable The Core Strategy will Housing Need Village Percentage (based on need to include number of households in suitable policies for (Those villages village and number of AH the provision of with the greatest units needed per village) affordable housing affordable housing 12.55% across the district. need, based on Mells 7.46% This is important for number of 6.48% the district’s rural households in Cranmore 6.09% areas as well as its village and number Pilton 6.08% urban centres of AH units needed Batcombe 5.66% per village ) 4.87% 4.61% Butleigh 4.55% 4.08%

Crime Rates 9% increase in the All new developments Local Authority Recorded crime BCS Recorded crime BCS Percentage number of recorded should be designed (Recorded crimes comparator offences comparator offences change crimes in Mendip with safety in mind, for 2005/06 and recorded 05/06 recorded 06/07 05/06 – district from 05/06 to the Core Strategy 2006/07) 06/07 06/07. could be used to Mendip 3,777 4,120 9% promote this xiv (data source ) Sedgemoor 4,491 5,376 20% Mendip, with 38 South Somerset 5,997 6,423 7% offences per 1000 of Taunton Deane 4,637 5,101 10% population, has one West Somerset 1,232 1,410 14% of the lowest crime rates in the country Mendip 2006/07 offences per 1000 of population = 38 and the lowest in Sedgemoor 06/07 offences per 1000 of population = 49 Somerset. South Somerset 06/07 offences per 1000 of population = 41 Taunton Deane 06/07 offences per 1000 of population = 48 West Somerset 06/07 offences per 1000 of population = 40 Community Specific data related The Core Strategy Services & West Community Central Community East Community to facilities in rural needs to include a Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF Facilities Partnership Area Partnership Area Partnership Area areas is not available policy related to the Chilcompton from past years for protection key (Those villages that Butleigh Evercreech Coleford Mendip. However services in villages. contain the 4 core Binegar/Gurney Slade nationwide the There is also a need services: a shop & Westhay Mells number of facilities in for development to be providing a range Nunney villages has dropped carefully located so of daily basic food Stratton-on-the-Fosse Rode significantly in the as to fully utilise those needs; a Westbury-sub-Mendip past 30years. core facilities that still community facility exist i.e. a pub or village hall; a school; a journey to work bus service i.e. a bus that gets you to a town before 9am and returns from that town after 5pm) Topic: Economy Economically Mendip is the only The balance between Active Percentage of Local Authorities’ population who are economically active: district in Somerset to the number of jobs Local Authority 2006/2007 Change ’99-‘03 Change ’04-‘07 have a consistent and the number of (proportion of the Mendip 86.7% +4.5% +2.7% growth in the economically active district who are Sedgemoor 78.5% +3.1% -2.1% proportion of people people needs to be economically South Somerset 83.7% +0.8% -2.6% within the district who achieved. active) Taunton Deane 80.6% -1.4% -4.2% are economically active. xv West Somerset 68.7% +10.1% -16.5% (data source ) South West 81.4% -0.4% -0.2% England 78.5% -0.2% +0.2% The current figure of 86.7% is not only the highest in the county but also better than the average for the region and the country. Unemployment Mendip, along with The Core Strategy will Rate Unemployment Rate: the other Local need to ensure that Local March March March March Difference Authorities in there is a good supply (proportion of Authority 1995 2000 2005 2008 2005-2008 Somerset has seen of employment land population claiming Mendip 5.6% 2.1% 1.2% 1.1% - 4.5% its unemployment for a range of unemployment Sedgemoor 6.1% 2.4% 1.4% 1.6% - 4.5% rate drop employment needs. Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF benefits 1995- South 4.3% 1.4% 1.1% 0.9% - 3.4% considerably from 2008) Somerset March 1995 to March Taunton 5.5% 2.0% 1.2% 1.1% - 4.4% 2008. It has seen the xvi (data source ) Deane joint second highest West 7.4% 3.2% 1.8% 1.4% - 6% drop and now has the Somerset second lowest unemployment rate in the county. Employment by The district has seen Occupation Employment by Occupation Group 2001–2007 Mendip: a steady decline in Soc 2000 Mar 2001 - Jan 2005 - April 2006 – manufacturing and an (proportion of major group* Feb 2002 Dec 2005 Mar 2007 increase in service Mendip’s Groups 1-3 32% 45.2% 38.5% occupations. There population in Groups 4-5 30.3% 19.1% 21.4% has also been a occupational Groups 6-7 13.1% 13.3% 19.3% decline in the groups from 2001- Groups 8-9 24.5% 22.4% 20.8% administrative & 2007) secretarial and skilled trade occupations. xvii * Standard Occupational Classification 2000: (data source ) Group 1: Managers & senior officials Group 2: Professional occupations There is a need for Group 3: Associate professional & technical diversification in the Group 4: Administrative & secretarial district’s economy Group 5: Skilled trades occupations and to improve the Group 6: Personal service occupation skills base Group 7: Sales & customer service occupations Group 8: Process plant & machine operatives Group 9: Elementary occupations Employee jobs by There has been a There is a need for industry Employee jobs by industry in Mendip: decline in the district’s economy Industry Proportion of Population manufacturing and to diversify (proportion of the Manufacturing 11.6% skilled labour jobs. population in each Construction 4.7% This has been of the sectors of Distribution, hotels & restaurants 28.3% coupled with a rise in the industry) Transport & communications 4.8% the number of jobs in the service sector xviii Finance, IT, other business activities 16.0% (data source ) Public admin, education & health 26.1%

Other services 5.3%

Tourism-related* 9.4%

* consists of industries that are also part of the services industry Employee jobs excludes self-employed, government-supported trainees & HM forces Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF

Qualifications Further and higher Qualification of Mendip’s working age population: education should be (proportion of Qualification Mar 2000 – Feb 2001 Jan 2006 – Dec 2006 promoted, along with district population NVQ4 & above 17.2% 27.5% lifelong learning in with different levels NVQ3 & above 33.1% 45.7% order to diversify the of qualifications) NVQ2 & above 58.4% 62% skills base of the NVQ1 & above 75.1% 82.6% district (data source) No qualifications 15.6% 8.8%

Household Although pay levels Need to encourage Earnings Gross Weekly Pay for full-time workers: have increase so has jobs with better pay Mendip Sedgemoor South Taunton West the cost of living. levels as well as Somerset Deane Somerset Pay levels are not tackle issue of All 2002 £356.3 £357.0 £376.5 £352.9 Unknown proportionate to the affordability in Male 02 £441.1 £397.3 £416.8 £386.2 Unknown cost of houses for housing Female 02 £247.4 £289.1 £287.1 £262.6 Unknown example making buying a house in the All 2005 £405.7 £417.1 £390.1 £405.7 Unknown district, on an Male 05 £464.3 £467.2 £423.7 £424.9 Unknown average wage very Female 05 £335.4 £330.4 £331.7 £339.6 Unknown difficult

All 2007 £436.7 £423.0 £413.6 £422.2 £436.8 Male 07 £514.1 £488.8 £452.8 £461.6 Unknown Female 07 £338.8 £347.5 £373.7 £328.6 Unknown

Employment land The Core Strategy will lost to residential Total B use employment land lost to residential development 1991-2007 = 13.45 ha need to include a development policy that prevents By area: loss of employment (amount of land to residential employment land • Frome = 4.06 ha uses (B uses) lost to • Glastonbury = 0.46 ha residential • = 0.60 ha development from • Street = 0.47 ha 1991-2007 in • Wells = 4.08 ha hectares) • Villages = 1.28 ha • Open Countryside = 2.50 ha (data source xix) Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF Key Mendip Day visits and day tourism data Local Visitor Spend by Day visits Day visitor % of No trend data visitor spend in Authority nights staying spend employment available at district Mendip is the highest (visitor spend, visitors supported level in the county. Visitors number of trips by tourism need to be made, jobs within Mendip 1,273,000 53,599,000 2,526,000 107,409,000 7% encouraged to spend tourism sector etc) Sedgemoor 2,783,000 91,893,000 2,037,000 82,826,751 8% longer in the district, South 1,383,000 50,399,000 2,214,000 95,107,000 4% perhaps through xx (data source ) Somerset better facilities and Taunton 1,046,000 41,162,000 1,683,000 71,557,000 6% accommodation. This Deane would maximise the West 1,490,000 61,772,000 1,188,000 44,110,647 16% district’s tourism Somerset potential.

Topic: Human Health Standardised 2003: Mortality Ratios Mendip - 97 (data source xxi) Sedgemoor - 96 South Somerset - 87 Taunton Deane - 89 West Somerset - 85

South West - 92 England - 99

Life Expectancy Mendip has the The fact that people Local Authority ’01-’03 ’01-’03 ’04-’06 ’04-’06 lowest life are living for longer (Life Expectancy at males females males females expectancy in the has an impact on the birth for males and Mendip 77.40 81.70 78.10 82.40 county by a very need for housing and females) Sedgemoor 77.40 81.90 78.10 82.70 small margin. The the type of housing South 78.00 82.10 79.10 82.80 district also has a required. It also has xxii (data source ) Somerset shorter life an impact on health Taunton 77.20 82.90 78.20 82.90 expectancy than the services. Deane average for the South West 78.90 82.10 79.20 83.70 West Region. It is Somerset longer however than the average for South West 77.40 81.80 78.50 82.70 England England 76.23 80.72 77.32 81.55 Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF Life expectancy for females is longer than for males by around 4 yrs (2004- 2006). Life expectancy has increased by around one year from 2001- 2003 to 2004-2006

Lifestyle LAs → Mendip Sedgemoor South Taunton West Mendip has the The smoking and Somerset Deane Somerset lowest smoking rate binge drinking rates (data on lifestyle Indicator ↓ in the county but the need to decrease or indicators: adults Smoking * 22.0 23.8 22.3 23.0 25.1 highest rate of binge there could be greater who smoke, adults Binge 14.8 12.7 12.6 14.2 10.7 drinking. strain on health who binge drink, drinking * resources in the adults who eat Healthy 26.7 22.0 23.3 22.3 25.9 The district also has future. healthily, adults Eating * the highest level of who are physically Obese* 21.3 20.7 20.8 19.4 20.7 healthy eating in the The population also active, adults who adults county, however it needs to eat more are obese from Hospital 224.4 215.9 190.4 247.7 272.0 also has the highest healthily and exercise Local Authority Stays due rate of obesity. more in order to cut Health Profiles to alcohol** obesity rates which 2007) Drug 6.2 6.1 5.7 6.8 13.3 Drug misuse is again could have misuse *** relatively low as is significant impacts on (data source xxiii) People**** 3.3 3.8 3.5 3.5 3.9 the number of people the health service. with with diabetes. diabetes

* Percentage of the Local Authority population ** Standardised rate 100,000 population 2005/6 *** Crude rate/1000 population aged 15-64 **** Crude rate/1000 population aged 15-64 Alcohol No trend data Number of deaths from alcohol specific conditions per 100,000 population: available Deaths from Local Authority Males Females alcohol specific Mendip 5.6 2.7 conditions 2003- Sedgemoor 4.5 2.7 2005 South Somerset 8.8 3.5 Taunton Deane 6.4 2.6 (data source xxiv) West Somerset 20 7.6 Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF Sport Mendip is the most Although the district is Participation Percentage who exercise for at least 30mins three days per week: active local authority the most active in the Local All Male Female 16-34 yr 35-54 yr 55 and in the county. Males county, the proportion (proportion of Authority olds olds over are slightly more who are active is still population who Mendip 23.3 24.0 22.7 37.3 25.3 12.7 active than females, less than a quarter of exercise for at least and the majority of the population. 30mins on three Sedgemoor: 22.9% pop those who exercise days a week) South Somerset: 20.3% are within the 16-34 Activity levels need to Taunton Deane: 21.3% yr old age bracket. increase, along with xxv (data source ) West Somerset: 22% healthy eating to improve the district’s health and tackle the problem of obesity. General Health Mendip has the Should be promoting Percentage who describe their health as good, fairly good, not good: highest proportion of healthy lifestyles (proportion of Local Authority % Good Health % Fairly Good % Not Good its population through enabling people describing Health Health describing their access to open space their health as Mendip 70% 22% 8% health as ‘good’ and etc good, fairly good or Sedgemoor 67% 24% 9% only 8% of the not good 2001 South Somerset 69% 23% 8% population who data) Taunton Deane 69% 23% 8% describe their health as ‘not good’. xxvi West Somerset 65% 25.5% 9.5% (data source ) South West 69% 22.5% 8.5% England 69% 22% 9% These are similar to the proportions of the South West and England as a whole.

Due to lack of trend data it is not possible to see whether this figure has changed over time. Provision of Unpaid Care Percentage of population who provide unpaid care: Local Provides no Provides 1-19 Provides 20- Provides 50+ (proportion of the Authority care hrs care per 49 hrs care hrs care per population who week per week week provide unpaid Mendip 90.3% 7% 1% 1.7% care 2001 data) Sedgemoor 89.7% 7% 1% 2.3% South 90% 7.4% 0.8% 1.8% (data source xxvii) Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF Somerset Taunton 90% 7.3% 1% 1.7% Deane West 89% 7.6% 1.2% 2.2% Somerset South West 90% 7% 1% 2% England 90% 6.8% 1.2% 2%

Limiting Long- Mendip has the term Illness Percentage of population with a limiting long-term illness: lowest rate of Local Authority % of Population population with a (proportion of the Mendip 17% limiting long-term population who Sedgemoor 18.9% illness in the county have a limiting South Somerset 17% along with long-term illness Taunton Deane 18.2% Sedgemoor district. 2001) West Somerset 22% The rate is also lower than the regional and xxviii South West 18% (data source ) England 17.9% national rate.

No trend data available Primary Care Data is only available Trust Rating Mendip PCT: * for the year 2003. Somerset Coast PCT: ** We can see that (PCTs are awarded South Somerset PCT: *** Mendip is the poorest with stars from Taunton Deane PCT: ** performing Trust in zero to three stars the county. rating Data from 2003: performance) * Trusts where there is some cause for concern regarding particular areas of performance are awarded a performance rating of one star (data source xxix) ** Trusts that are performing well overall , but have not quite reached the same consistently high standards are awarded a performance rating of two stars *** Trusts with the highest levels of performance are awarded a performance rating of three stars Road Accidents Year 2000 saw a Ensure that new Number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents 1999-2003: sharp increase in the development is (Total number of Year Number in Mendip Number in South West Number in England number of people designed with road persons killed or 1999 72 3,051 36,632 killed or seriously safety in mind seriously injured in 2000 100 3,021 35,866 injured in road road accidents) 2001 91 3,010 35,092 accidents from the Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF 2002 90 3,113 34,265 previous year. This xxx (data source ) 2003 77 2,901 32,296 gradually decreased over subsequent years and in 2003 the figure was only very slightly higher than that in 1999.

The figure for the region and the country has steadily decreased over the time period. Topic: Landscape & Townscape Areas of Provision must be Outstanding Parts of two AONB’s fall in the : made for the Natural Beauty protection of areas of • AONB – covers 87.63km² high landscape (percentage of • Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs – covers 13.63km² quality district covered by an AONB The total area covered by AONB designation is 101.26km², approximately 14% of the designation) total area of the district.

(data source xxxi) Landscape Provision must be Character 27.28km², approximately 4% of Mendip district is designated as a Special Landscape made for the Feature. protection of areas of (landscape special landscape character areas The Mendip district has eight principal landscape character areas: quality that contribute and proportion of • Central Mendip Hills to the local the district covered • East Mendip Hills distinctiveness of the by ‘Special • The Frome Valley district Landscape • The Cotswold Edge Feature’ • Batcombe Downs and Valleys designation) • Lias Lowlands and Ridges • The Moors (data sources xxxii) • The Wookey Islands

Cultural Heritage Provision needs to be Cultural Heritage: made for the (numbers of • 27 Conservation Areas preservation of the Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF conservation • 2927 listed buildings, 5 II* listed buildings identified as Buildings at Risk district’s cultural areas, listed • 234 Scheduled Ancient Monuments heritage. Any new buildings, • 11 Historic Parks & Gardens development in or scheduled ancient • 1156 Nationally Important Archaeological Sites, covering 37.4km² near areas of high monuments, • 79 sites of High Archaeological Potential, covering 48.03km² cultural heritage value historic parks and must be designed gardens, areas of sensitively archaeological interest within the district)

(data sources 32,xxxiii,xxxiv) Green Belt The open space The Bristol & Bath green belt covers an area of 5.3km² and is situated in the far north- between the (proportion of the eastern corner of the district. Bath/Bristol district within the conurbations and green belt) Frome needs to be maintained Topic: Material Assets New development Ecological District Ecological Footprint must be situated in Footprint Mendip 5.22 the most sustainable Sedgemoor 5.20 locations within the (ecological footprint South Somerset 5.22 district in order to of local authorities) West Somerset 5.32 offer the opportunity for people to live and xxxv Taunton Deane 5.20 (data source ) work in the same place and use public transport or cycle/walk to meet their daily needs. This would in turn help to reduce the ecological footprint of the district Flood Defences New development 196 major flood defences – 11 of which are raised defences must be located away (what flood from the floodplain in defences are order to not to present within the exacerbate flooding district) problems. Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF

(data source xxxvi) Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems should be encouraged for new development through the Core Strategy to mitigate against the problem of surface run-off flooding Green Encourage the use Infrastructure In the district there are: and enhancement of • 740 miles of public footpath green infrastructure (information on • 66 miles of bridleway and informal open public footpaths) • 28 miles of restricted byways space • 3 miles of byways open to all traffic (data source 31) Topic: Population Total Population The district’s Mendip population is steadily (estimated Mendip: 108,911 Somerset: 498,093 1981: 89800 increasing. This will population of SW Region: 5,000,000 1991: 97800 have implications for district 2006) 1996: 98400 housing, facilities and 2001: 104000 services in the district. (data sources xxxvii)

Population The district’s towns The Core Strategy distribution Town Population Mid Population Mid Percentage have seen a bigger needs to direct the 2001 2006 change over 5yrs increase over the majority of its Frome 24,538 25,706 4.50% period 2001-2006 development to the (data source ONS Glastonbury 8,789 8,940 1.69% than the rural areas. district’s five towns mid year 2001 & Shepton Mallet 8,990 9,818 8.43% whilst allowing some 2006 population Street 11,070 12,479 11.29% Three of the rural development in rural estimates for towns Wells 10,407 10,658 2.35% wards have seen a areas. and rural wards Towns Total 63,794 67,601 5.63% decline in population NB: towns over the period. population Rural Ward Population Mid Population Mid Percentage calculated by 2001 2006 change over 5yrs The split between adding figures for & Ston 2,277 2,337 2.57% urban and rural has each ward within remained stable with Avalon 2,413 2,446 1.35% Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF the towns) Beacon 2,619 2,718 3.64% 62% of the Beckington & 2,319 2,510 7.61% population living in (data source xxxviii) Rode urban areas and 38% Chilcompton 2,032 2,081 2.35% living in rural areas in Coleford 2,359 2,400 1.71% 2006. Creech 2,286 2,298 0.52% Knowle 2,058 2,083 1.20% Mells 2,220 2,083 -6.58% Moor 2,704 2,898 6.69% Nedge 2,084 2,254 7.54% Nordinton 2,024 1,988 -1.81% Postlebury 2,278 2,267 -0.49% Pylcombe 1,999 2,093 4.49% Rodney & 1,862 1,966 5.29% 2,139 2,233 4.21% Stratton 2,478 2,519 1.63% Vale 2,019 2,136 5.48% Rural Total 40,170 41,310 2.76%

Age Structure The district has an Age Structure: Percentage of people in each age cohort: ageing population (data source xxxix) Age Cohort Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of which will have people Mendip people South West people England implications for 0-17 yrs 23.57% 21.45% 22.66% housing, health 18-29 yrs 11.31% 13.40% 15.06% services, social 30-44 yrs 21.73% 21.29% 22.65% services etc for the 45-59 yrs 20.98% 19.93% 18.88% plan period. 60-74 yrs 13.83% 14.69% 13.22% 75-89 yrs 7.78% 8.40% 6.90% The proportion of Over 90 yrs 0.80% 0.85% 0.64% population in the 18- 29yr cohort is considerably less than for the region and the country. This will also have implications for the Core Strategy. Population Density Mendip: 141 people per km² Sedgemoor: 188 people per km² Mendip South Somerset: 158 people per km² 1981: 122 Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF (data source 39) Taunton Deane: 222 people per km² people/km² West Somerset: 48 people per km² 1991: 132 people/km² South West: 207 people per km² 1996: 133 England: 383 people per km² people/km² 2001: 140 people/km² Ethnicity No trend data Mendip has a higher Ethnic Groups present in Mendip: available proportion of its (data source 39) Ethnic Group Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of population who are Population Population Population White British than the Mendip region and the White: British 96% 95% 87% country. White: Irish 0.6% 0.66% 1.27% White: Other White 1.78% 1.65% 2.66% Mixed: White & Black 0.11% 0.27% 0.47% Caribbean Mixed: White & Black 0.07% 0.08% 0.16% African Mixed: White & Asian 0.21% 0.23% 0.37% Asian or Asian British 0.23% 0.67% 4.57% Black or Black British 0.13% 0.42% 2.30% Chinese or Other Ethnic 0.31% 0.45% 0.89% Group

Religion No trend data Religion: available (data source 39) Religion Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of Population Population South Population Mendip West England Christian 74.5% 73.9% 71.73% Buddhist 0.29% 0.23% 0.28% Hindu 0.11% 0.17% 1.11% Jewish 0.08% 0.14% 0.52% Muslim 0.15% 0.48% 3.10% Sikh 0.01% 0.09% 0.67% Any other religion 0.66% 0.37% 0.29% No religion 16.1% 16.75% 14.60%

Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF Topic: Soil & Minerals Agricultural Land The majority of the Quality of agricultural Classification Agricultural Land Hectares Percentage of total agricultural land in land should be taken Classification district area the district is Grade account of in the (percentage of land Grade 1 164 0.2% 3. One fifth is Grade appraising of in district within Grade 2 4,428 6.0% 4 and a small suitability of options each Agricultural Grade 3 51,842 70.1% proportion is of Land Classification Grade 4 14,555 19.7% Grade 1 and Grade 2 Grade) Grade 5 710 1.0% quality. Non Agricultural 679 0.9% (data source 31) Urban 1,565 2.1%

Farm Types There has been a Farm diversification Farm Type 1990 2000 2005 2007 decrease in the may lead to a change (number of farms Arable 66 155 164 189 number of livestock in the number of within the district in Livestock 824 725 748 713 farms and an farms within each each type) Mixed 54 56 71 60 increase in the category. The Core number of arable Strategy needs to xl Other 254 554 798 980 (data source ) farms. There has support and also been a dramatic encourage increase in the diversification number of ‘other’ farms. This may well be due to the sharp increase in farm diversification over recent years. This diversification is a trend that is likely to continue throughout the plan period. Farm Size There has been a The Core Strategy Area (ha) 1990 2000 2005 2007 large increase in the needs to support and (number of farms <5 196 629 860 980 number of small encourage within the different 5<20 298 264 329 351 farms, especially diversification area groups) 20<50 338 230 218 224 those of less than 50<100 269 221 203 197 five hectares. There (data source 40) >100 150 146 182 190 has been a decrease Totals 1251 1490 1792 1942 of farms in the 20 to 50 hectare and 50 to Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF 100 hectare categories. This would imply that a number of larger farms have been divided into smaller ones Quarrying • Number of active quarries in Mendip – 7 (information on active quarries in • Located at: - Whatley the district) - - xli (data source ) - Moons Hill - Gurney Slade - Batts - Callow Rock

• Less than 1% of the surface area is being quarried • Combined output from the quarries is around 12 million tonnes per year Topic: Transport Car/Van The Core Strategy ownership Number of cars Mendip South West England should direct new owned development to (percentage of No car/van 16.5% 20% 27% sustainable locations households with 1 car/van 45% 46% 44% in order to reduce the cars/vans) 2 cars/vans 30% 27% 24% number of people 3 cars/vans 5% 4% owning and travelling xlii 6.5% (data source ) 4+ cars/vans 2% 2% 1% by the private car

More sustainable modes of travel – walking cycling and public transport should also be promoted The Core Strategy Distance travelled Distance Travelled Mendip South West England should direct new to work Work from home 12.8% 10.9% 9.1% development to < 2km 25.3% 24% 19.9% sustainable locations (percentage of 2km - < 5km 10.8% 19.1% 20% in order to reduce the Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF working population 5km - < 10km 12.7% 15.5% 18.2% number of people and how far they 10km - < 20km 16.6% 13.3% 15.2% owning and travelling travel to work) 20km - < 30km 7.6% 4.3% 5.3% by the private car 30km - < 40km 3.6% 2% 2.3% (data source xliii) 40km - < 60km 1.5% 1.7% 2.1% More sustainable 60km + 2.6% 3% 2.7% modes of travel – Other 6.5% 6.2% 5.2% walking cycling and public transport should also be promoted The Core Strategy Method of Travel Mode of Travel Mendip South West England should direct new to Work for Work from home 8.6% 7.2% 5.8% development to resident Underground, 0% 0% 2% sustainable locations population metro, light rail, tram in order to reduce the Train 0.3% 0.7% 2.6% number of people (percentage of Bus, minibus or 1.1% 3.3% 4.7% owning and travelling resident population coach by the private car who travel to work Taxi or minicab 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% by different modes) Driving car or van 41% 38% 34.7% More sustainable Passenger in car or 3.9% 4% 3.8% modes of travel – (data source 39) van walking cycling and Motorcycle, scooter 0.8% 0.9% 0.7% public transport or moped should also be promoted Bicycle 1.8% 2.2% 1.8% On foot 8.4% 7.9% 6.3% Other 0.4% 0.5% 0.3% Not working 33.5% 35% 36%

Topic: Waste The LDF should Local Authority Mendip Sedgemoor South Taunton West Mendip has the promote a reduction Recycling Rates Somerset Deane Somerset second best recycling in waste and Total and composting rate encourage re-use and (amount in tonnes household 11,255 9,123 17,503 9,576 3,147 in the county with recycling of household waste recycling almost a third of all collected and total (tonnes) household waste household waste Total being recycled or recycled for household 35,662 43,419 53,784 37,060 14,661 composted 2005/6) waste Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF collected (data source xliv) % household waste 31.6% 21% 32.5% 25.8% 21.5% recycled and composted

Percentage of The LDF should District served by 97.8% of Mendip is served by a weekly kerbside collection of food waste, glass, food promote a reduction weekly kerbside and drinks cans, paper, clothes and shoes, car batteries in waste and collection encourage re-use and The remainder of the district is covered by four mini recycling sites located at Dulcote, recycling (data source xlv) Street, Frome and Coleford Residual The LDF should Household Waste • Mendip – 213 promote a reduction per head (2006/7) • Sedgemoor – 310 in waste and • South Somerset – 180 encourage re-use and xlvi (data source ) • Taunton Deane – 200 recycling • West Somerset - 319

Total Household The LDF should Waste for Total household waste for Somerset 2006/7 = 274,945 tonnes promote a reduction Somerset 2006/7 in waste and encourage re-use and (data source 46) recycling Topic: Water Rivers Rivers in the district: • River Mells (what rivers are in • River Frome the district and • River Alham what drainage • basins) •

(data source 31) Drainage Basins in district: • Bristol Avon • River Brue • • Indicator Current Data Comparators & Targets Trend Issues for Sustainability/ Issues for the LDF River Quality River quality should 2004-2006 there were 61 targets in place in Mendip: be maintain and/or (data source xlvii enhanced through the - 79% compliant LDF - 8% marginal - 11% significant failure - 2% ungraded

Therefore the overall river quality is good Flooding Potential 6% of the district’s population are located in areas at risk of flooding or within a short distance of known flooding accidents (data source 31) Currently 6 Flood Watch Areas and 7 Flood Warning Areas

i UK Air Quality Archive [online] http://laburnum.aeat.co.uk/archive/laqm/laqm.php ii Natural England SSSI Information [online] http://www.english-nature.org.uk/Special/sssi/report.cfm?category=C,CF iii Joint Nature Conservation Committee – Information of Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Ramsar Sites [online] http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-4 iv Mendip Local Biodiversity Action Plan (1995) v SERC & (2008) ‘The distribution of European Protected Species around Somerset Towns: Guidance for Spatial Planning’ vi South West Observatory Environment Module – Regional emissions in the UK data from 2005 [online] http://www.swenvo.org.uk/environment/carbon_dioxide.asp#UK (accessed 03/04/08) vii Regen SW (2007)’Renewable Electricity Projects in Somerset’ [online] http://www.surveys.energysw.com/PDF/Somerset.pdf viii South West Regional Assembly (2006) ‘Draft Regional Spatial Strategy’ [online] http://www.southwest- ra.gov.uk/media/SWRA/RSS%20Documents/Final%20Draft/draftrssfull.pdf ix Mendip Home Energy Conservation Act 11th Progress Report x Office of National Statistics – Headline Household Statistics xi Mendip Housing Ltd (2007) Annual Report 2006/2007 ‘Together we’re a winning combination’ www.mendiphousing.co.uk/pdfs/annual_report_2006-7.pdf xii Office of National Statistics – Neighbourhood Statistics: [online] http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk xiii ARK Consultancy (2006) ‘Somerset Housing Market Assessment Countywide Report’ xiv Home Office Research & Statistics Website ‘local crime statistics for 2006/7) http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/laa1.xls xv NOMIS Official Labour Market Statistics https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431928/report.aspx xvi NOMIS - Claimant Count with Rates & Proportions xvii NOMIS – Employment by Occupation xviii NOMIS – Employee jobs https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/2038431928/report.aspx xix Mendip District Council ELA and HLA monitoring data xx South West Tourism (2006) ‘The Value of Tourism in Somerset’ [online] www.swtourism.co.uk xxi Office for National Statistics – Standardised Mortality Ratios xxii Office for National Statistics – Life Expectancy at Birth xxiii Mendip Health Profile 2007 – Department of Health http://www.communityhealthprofiles.info/profiles/hp2007/lo_res/40UB-HP2007.pdf xxiv South West Public Health Observatory – New Local Authority Alcohol Profiles for England http://www.nwph.net/alcohol/lape xxv Sport England Active People Survey 2005/6 xxvi Office of National Statistics – General Health xxvii Office of National Statistics – Provision of Unpaid Care xxviii Office of National Statistics – Limiting Long-term Illness xxix Commission for Health Improvement – Primary Care Trust Ratings http://www.chi.nhs.uk/Ratings/home.asp xxx Office of National Statistics – Road Accident Data xxxi PlanWeb GIS System xxxii Chris Blandford Associates (1997) ‘Landscape Assessment of Mendip District’ xxxiii Mendip District Council (2007) ‘Annual Monitoring Report 2007-7’ xxxiv English Heritage ‘Buildings at Risk Register’ http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1424 xxxv REAP ‘Ecological Footprints for all UK Local Authorities’ http://www.sei.se/reap/download_login.php?region=l xxxvi Mendip District Council (2008) ‘Strategic Flood Risk Assessment’ xxxvii Somerset County Council - Population Estimates for Mendip xxxviii Office of National Statistics – Population by ward xxxix Office of National Statistics – Population statistics xl Defra Farm Statistics http://www.defra.gov.uk/esg/work_htm/publications/cs/farmstats_web/2_SURVEY_DATA_SEARCH/COMPLETE_DATASETS/regional_level_datasets.htm xli Mendip Quarry Producers ‘Facts & Figures about Mendip Quarries’ [online] www.mendipquarries.co.uk/statistics.html xlii Office of National Statistics – Car/Van Ownership xliii Office of National Statistics – Distance travelled to work (April 2001) xliv DEFRA – Municipal Waste Statistics 2005/2006 [online] www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/wastats/bulletin06.htm xlv Mendip District Council – Recycling [online] http://www.mendip.gov.uk/CouncilService.asp?id=SX9452-A77F9547 xlvi DEFRA – Municipal Waste Statistics 2006/7 [online] http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/wastats/archive/mwb200607a.xls xlvii Environment Agency River Quality Information [online] http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/eff/1190084/water/213902/river_qual/?lang=_e