Knutton & Cross Heath Development Sites

Newcastle-under-Lyme Local Development Framework

Knutton & Cross Heath Development Sites SPD (Phase 1)

Sustainability Appraisal Adopted July 2008

KNUTTON & CROSS HEATH DEVELOPMENT SITES

SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT

SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL

Sections Page

1. Introduction 2

2. Appraisal Methodology 3

3. Sustainability Assessment Stage A Scoping Report : Comments 6

4. Baseline, Sustainability issues and Sustainability Objectives. 7

5. Testing the SPD Objectives against the Sustainability Objectives 12

6. Developing the SPD Options 13

7. Predicting and evaluating the effects of the draft SPD. 16

8. Mitigation of adverse impacts and maximising beneficial 17 impacts

9. Monitoring the effects of the SPD 18

Appendix A: Compatibility Matrix for Sustainability and SPD 19 Objectives

Appendix B: Options Appraisal – Impact on Sustainability Issues 23 And Objectives

- 1 - 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Knutton & Cross Heath Development Sites Supplementary Planning Document

1.2 The Knutton & Cross Heath Development Sites Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) will form part of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Local Development Framework (LDF) produced by the Borough Council in conjunction with the local community and other key stakeholders.

1.3 The Knutton & Cross Heath Development Sites SPD will form part of the planning framework for Knutton and Cross Heath, which in 2003 was designated an Area of Major Intervention under the Housing Market Renewal Programme. It will specifically relate to the sites to be developed under the Renew North Staffordshire programme and will provide the means for giving greater specific guidance on development matters including securing good design quality. It will amplify the policies set out in the Core Strategy and provide further details of a number of ‘saved’ policies in the Newcastle-under- Lyme Local Plan 20011. It will be subject to rigorous procedures of community engagement in accordance with the Adopted Statement of Community Involvement, August 2006 and will be accorded weight in the determination of planning applications.

1.4 The SPD will focus primarily on the central area of Knutton & Cross Heath comprising the Lower Milehouse Estate, a proposed area for residential development on former industrial land (Collins & Aikman), and connectivity to the adjoining open space areas (the Wammy). Proposals for further specific areas in the surrounding Cotswold Estate and in Cross Heath North and South, and Knutton will be brought forward in subsequent stages.

1.5 Renew North Staffordshire’s strategy, as set out in its first Prospectus (March 2004) and subsequent scheme updates, is to improve the quality of the housing stock, transform the urban form and local environment, and to achieve sustainable neighbourhoods. The role of high quality design is at the core of the housing market renewal agenda, and the production of effective urban design guidance is vital for the realisation of Renew’s strategy.

1.6 The timing of the production of this SPD reflects the commissioning of an Area Regeneration Framework (ARF) by Renew and the need to ensure that there is no impediment in planning terms to the successful implementation of the Renew intervention proposals and so help to realise key objectives in the North Staffordshire Core Spatial Strategy. It will also serve to build confidence by directly involving the community in a process carrying statutory weight.

- 2 - 2.0 APPRAISAL METHODOLOGY

2.1 Under section 39 (2) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) England Regulations 2004, local planning authorities must undertake a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) for each of the Local Development Documents (LDDs) included in the Local Development Framework (LDF). The SA process incorporates the requirements of the EU ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive’ (SEA Directive) which requires certain UK plans and programmes – including LDDs – to undergo a formal environmental assessment. In particular, the SEA Directive requires the identification, description and evaluation of the likely significant effects of implementing the plan (the SPD).

2.2 SA involves identifying and evaluating a plan’s impacts on the community, the environment and the economy – the three dimensions of sustainable development. It also suggests ways of avoiding or reducing negative impacts and can make recommendations for strengthening its sustainability performance and in this case will include the likely significant social, environmental and economic effects on some saved policies in the Newcastle- under- Lyme Local Plan.

2.3 Government guidance1 on undertaking SA for LDDs advocates a five-stage process. This process is illustrated in Figure 1. Each stage of the process is divided into subsections reflecting the components of the process that require undertaking and reporting. Stage A: “Setting the context and objectives, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope” was undertaken in August 2007 in a Scoping Report.

2.4 The Scoping Report identified, through an analysis of the baseline data, a number of key sustainability issues relevant to the area. These issues were developed into a Sustainability Appraisal Framework - a set of Sustainability Objectives with proposed indicators, against which the effects of the SPD could be measured on the Sustainability Objectives. Consultation was undertaken on the Scoping Report, the findings of which are incorporated into this document. (section 3 below).

2.5 Stage B of the SA process has been undertaken in this document, that is, testing the SPD objectives against the Sustainability Objectives, developing and refining options, predicting and assessing the effects, identifying mitigation measures and developing proposals for monitoring.

2.6 The findings of this Sustainability Appraisal will be considered for incorporation into the draft SPD to help ensure that it maximises its contribution to future sustainability and that measures are taken to mitigate significant environmental, economic or social effects. The appraisal will be documented in a ‘Final SA Report’, which will be published alongside the draft SPD for public consultation, see Figure 2 showing how the stages of SA should be integrated into the SPD process.

1 ODPM (2005). Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Documents (available at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1143289)

- 3 -

Figure 1.

Five stage approach to SEA / SA

Stage A: Setting the context and objectives, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope

Stage B: Testing the plan objectives against the SA Framework, developing and refining options, predicting and assessing effects, identifying mitigation measures and developing proposals for monitoring

Stage C: Documenting the appraisal process

Stage D: Consulting on the plan and SA Report

Stage E: Monitoring implementation of the plan

- 4 - Figure 2

Process Flow Chart

- 5 -

3.0 SA STAGE A: SCOPING REPORT: COMMENTS

3.1 The scoping report was produced in August 2007. It set out the purpose of the SA, the proposed sustainability objectives, a profile of the AAP area and identified sources of baseline data. The Scoping Report was subject to a five week consultation period and copies were sent to the three statutory consultees, English Heritage, Natural England and Environment Agency. The following organisations were also consulted:

• Renew North Staffordshire • Aspire Housing • Bellway Homes • Knutton & Cross Heath Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder

3.2 Comments on the Scoping Report were received from Natural England, the Environment Agency, English Heritage, and the Knutton & Cross Heath Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder which have been incorporated into this document.

3.3 Natural England responded that further indicators needed to be included with regard to the Sustainability Objective “to protect and where possible, enhance biodiversity in the area”. Additional indicators have, therefore been added, which encompass the key biodiversity features in the area (e.g. designated sites, protected species and Biodiversity Action Plan Habitats and Species). The Environment Agency have commented that 2 further policy documents should inform the Sustainability Appraisal – Climate Change: Adaption Through Design (A Guide for Sustainable Communities) TCPA (2007) and Planning and Climate Change – Supplement to PPS1 (2006) currently out for consultation but still a material planning consideration. Observations were also made in relation to the baseline analysis; in particular that risk of flood in the area should be taken into account in the Sustainability Appraisal, with the need for a separate flood risk Sustainability Objective. Other issues raised by the Environment Agency were the need for further objectives relating to the issue of energy efficiency and sustainable building design. English Heritage have considered that a more thorough consideration of historic environment problems, issues and opportunities is required in the baseline analysis with particular reference to the Knutton Housing Typology Study. A specific Sustainability Objective referring to the area’s historic environment is required.

3.4 As a result of these comments, additional baseline issues, sustainability objectives and Sustainability Objectives have been included. Other changes in the wording of the objectives are due to amendments made as a result of suggestions from consultees.

- 6 - 4.0 BASELINE CONTEXT, SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES, AND SUSTAINABLITY OBJECTIVES.

4.1 The SEA Directive requires that the Sustainability Appraisal shall identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant effects of the SPD. Key sustainability issues have emerged from the analysis of the socio-economic data of the area during the SA Scoping Report process. The SA process requires the development of Sustainability Objectives, which are separate to the SPD objectives, to be formulated that relate specifically to the Sustainability issues.

4.2 The proposed Sustainability Objectives for the Knutton & Cross Heath area are: • Reduce the need to travel, whilst increasing accessibility to facilities for all, and improve physical connections within the area, and to other areas. • Develop a more equitable neighbourhood by increasing the range of facilities available to all. • Provide a wider range of housing types and tenures, sizes and styles, build homes to higher design and sustainable standards including ecohomes. • Reduce the number of long term voids, ensure public areas are overlooked and private areas are secure. • Improve the quality and management of open space, and protect and enhance biodiversity. • Improve the quality of the streetscape, through infill development as appropriate, and through well-designed new development. • Improve community pride and perceptions from outside. • Build eco-friendly buildings using where possible, renewable materials, sustainable drainage and water management, high levels of insulation and low energy consumption. • Encourage the use of environmentally friendly forms of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport. • To provide the best possible environment to encourage and increase economic enterprise and employment. • To improve health levels and reduce health inequalities. • Improve education and skills levels in the area through provision of training initiatives. • To provide the best possible physical environment to encourage and increase economic enterprise and employment. • To attract better quality jobs into the area, as well as facilitating easier physical access to jobs in the town centre and beyond. • To protect, enhance and manage the historic character and appearance of the landscape and townscape, maintaining and strengthening local distinctiveness and sense of place.

4.3 The collection of baseline data was necessary in order to develop a series of indicators, one or more of which relate to each Sustainability Objective. This allows for judgements to be made regarding the success or otherwise of achieving the Sustainability Objectives. A synopsis of the baseline data is as follows:

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Population

4.4 The 2001 Census shows that the area has the highest proportion of children aged 16 and under (22%) when compared with the rest of Newcastle and nationally. The area also has a high percentage of lone parent households (13.3%) compared to the Borough average of 8.9%.

Deprivation

4.5 The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004 (DCLG) ranks a number of Super Output Areas in Knutton and Cross Heath area as being within the worst 10% in England , for levels of economic deprivation, health deprivation and disability, education, skills and training, income , barriers to housing / services, living environment and crime levels. The Lower Milehouse Estate, in particular, is identified as being within the worst 5% nationally, with other parts of the SPD area, falling within the worst 20% nationally.

SOA Area SOA Population Rank of IMD Score

Cross Heath 1540 6163 Saints Estate 1140 2496 Knutton Village 9382 11765 Lower Milehouse 927 1291 (Source: Indices of Multiple Deprivation ONS)

Economic Activity

4.6 Economic inactivity and worklessness are particular issues in the area. There are high levels of economic inactivity amongst the working age population (16-74) at 42.3% compared to national levels of 33.2%. Unemployment in Knutton and Cross Heath is 7.9%, with certain parts of the area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. In addition, the Knutton and Cross Heath Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder have recorded high numbers of people in the area receiving incapacity benefit/severe disablement support compared to regional and national averages. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally. (Sources: Census 2001 and Neighbourhood Market Pathfinder Pathfinder)

Skills and Qualifications

4.7 Levels of skills and qualifications will affect the type of occupations and employment sectors that residents are able to work in. In Knutton and Cross Heath 49% of the population have no qualifications, against a national average of 28.8%. The numbers of young people not in education or training (NEET) appears to be very high in the area. (Source: ONS)

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Full Time Work Based Total in Not Yet Education Learning Education Settled and Work Based Learning Knutton & 51.5% 20.6% 72.1% 19.1% Cross Heath (Source: Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder)

Average Incomes

4.8 Average annual household incomes in 2005 were £24,143 and £22,423 in Knutton and Cross Heath respectively. (Source: CACI Paycheck Income Data)

Education Performance

4.9 The Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder data has identified educational attainment for pupils living within the area at Key Stage 2 to be lower than the Borough schools averages. Similarly at Key Stage 4 only 22.7% of pupils in the Knutton & Cross Heath area attained 5 or more GCSEs at A-C in 2005 compared to the national average of 57.1%. (Source DFES)

Health

4.10 According to the 2001 Census over 28% of the area’s population stated they had a Limiting Long Term Illness. Life Expectancy in Knutton & Silverdale, and Cross Heath wards was 7 years lower for men and 10 years lower for women compared with the most affluent wards in the Borough. (Source: 2001 Census)

Crime and Safety

4.11 The Borough Community Safety Audit of Knutton and Cross Heath carried out by Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder in 2005 found higher levels of crime than the national average, though the area was found to be improving. After Newcastle town centre, Cross Heath was found to experience high volumes of crime and domestic violence. Wards within the area exhibit higher rates (8.6 offences per 1,000) than the Borough as a whole (6/1,000). Data for 2005 found that offences in the area fell from 127.5 to 106.6 between 2000/1 and 2004/5. Domestic burglary fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per 1,000 population. Anti-social behaviour complaints and incidences of criminal damage also fell slightly. 28% of offenders were under 18 with the highest type of crime being criminal damage and robbery. (Source; Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder)

Housing

4.12 Semi-detached and terraced housing predominates in the area with 45.1% of dwellings being semi-detached and 37.6% terraced compared to 31.6% and 25.8% respectively nationally. Detached houses (7.1%) and flats (9.9%) are considerably lower than national averages (22.5% and 19.7% respectively). Lack of housing choice is a particular issue in the area. The area has particularly high levels of socially rented stock (51.3%). The private market is limited to a small number of owner-occupiers in privately

- 9 - built housing and low numbers of right to buys (15.4%) of stock. The private rented sector is also small at only 3.6%. This compares to national averages of 19% for socially rented and 69% owner-occupied. (Source: Census 2001)

4.13 Statistics provided by Aspire Housing Association show that the void rates for socially rented stock in the area are low ( 12 out of 526 in Knutton, and 7 out of 485 in Cross Heath) with the exception of Lower Milehouse Estate.(42 out of 242). This is thought to be a reflection of the tight management of the housing stock by Aspire. The figure in Lower Milehouse reflects the process of emptying properties in advance of clearance in the area. (Source: Aspire Housing).

4.14 Turnover of stock for Aspire properties is generally below 10% with the exception of Cross Heath where total turnover rises above 13% indicating that this is a less popular area and hence has a more transient population. (Source: Aspire).

4.15 House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%) and also lower than surrounding areas in Silverdale and Chesterton. (Source: Provisier)

4.16 Although much of the housing is of relatively good design with ample private amenity space, the condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Environment

4.17 The original form of the area has been greatly altered by the addition of large inter-war and post war housing and industrial estates, and by poor quality infill and replacement development within Knutton village centre. Poor infill development also detracts from the key corridors, gateways and landmarks throughout the area. Development has been on an estate by estate basis which has led to issues of impermability, poor accessibility and a lack of connectivity within the area. Lower Milehouse Lane separates the northern part of the area from the south with the Lower Milehouse Estate being particularly isolated from other areas. (Source: BDP Knutton, Cross Heath, Silverdale and Chesterton ARF 2007)

4.18 The Village Centre at Knutton although providing a range of local needs shops and services requires improvements in physical quality and surrounding environment. Areas of Cross Heath and Lower Milehouse are isolated from local shops/services. (Source: BDP Knutton, Cross Heath, Silverdale and Chesterton ARF 2007).

Transport and Access

4.19 Bus provision and accessibility is generally good with most residents within a 10 minute walk of a bus stop, although off-peak services are of low frequency and the quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor. Localised movement is difficult within the area due to the poor quality of the environment, poor lighting and related local safety concerns. Linkages across the Wammy are poor to Knutton Village, and the overall area is isolated from Newcastle Town Centre by the disused rail line. Pedestrian crossing facilities at a number of key junctions are unsatisfactory, especially at the Knutton High Street/Lower Milehouse Lane/Knutton Lane double mini-roundabout junction. (Source BDP Knutton, Cross Heath, Silverdale and Chesterton ARF)

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Open Space

4.20 There is a large quantity of open space in the area for example, the Wammy and Cotswold Avenue playing fields and access is good to nearby Apedale Country Park. However much of the local open space is regarded as high value but poor quality in the Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson. (Source: urban North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy 2006).

Image

4.21 The image of Knutton and Cross Heath has been poor in recent years as a result of the above issues, but particularly crime, worklessness and the poor quality environment, which has resulted in poor perception of the area from outsiders and low pride and respect amongst some residents. (Source: Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder)

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5.0 TESTING THE SPD OBJECTIVES AGAINST THE SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES (Task B1)

5.1 In order to ensure that the SPD objectives are in accordance with the Sustainability Objectives, the SPD objectives have been tested for compatibility with the SA Objectives. This analysis is provided at Appendix A: Compatibility Matrix.

Areas of Conflict between Objectives

5.2 The SPD objectives were assessed against the Sustainability Objectives as shown in the table at Appendix A. This identified whether the likely impacts would be positive or negative, or neutral. This exercise identified the following areas in which potential conflicts between the Plan objectives and the Sustainability Objectives could arise. These were between the Plan objective of diversifying the housing stock by introducing more units and a wider range of housing and the Sustainability Objectives of protecting and enhancing biodiversity in the plan area, and protecting people and property from the risk of flooding. That is, the increase in development in the plan area could have adverse impacts upon the biodiversity of the area and increase the risk of flooding through the scale of development and development upon areas that are currently undeveloped.

5.3 A possible conflict was also identified between the Plan objective of creating a safe infrastructure, and the Sustainability Objective of reducing the need to travel, whilst increasing accessibility to facilities for all by improving physical connections in the area and to other areas. This was in the sense that increased connectivity, particularly in vehicular terms, could result in a lowering of quality of life for some residents through increased traffic generation and increased community safety concerns through additional access ways near to houses.

5.4 The Sustainability Objective of enhancing and managing historic character provides possible conflicts. Increased development in the plan area could undermine this objective unless designs are carefully considered, whilst creating safe environments with maximum opportunities for natural surveillance does not always sit comfortably with the character provided in older designs. However, as there is minimal historic character in the area these are not considered to be major concerns. A further potential conflict is that incorporating flood protection measures may seem unsympathetic to historic character, however this is considered preferable to the potential alternative of a development that is liable to flooding.

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6. DEVELOPING THE SPD OPTIONS (Task B2)

6.1 Following the compatibility testing, a series of options for the SPD has been developed. This has been through a process of working with the developers, the community and other stakeholders in order to achieve the objectives of the SPD.

6.2 The strategy options considered ranged from “no plan/let the market decide” to specific interventions for each of the key SPD issues. The SEA Directive requires that an outline of the reasons for the selection of the preferred options are included in the Sustainability Report. These are shown in the following table.

Strategy Options

Strategy Option Comments 1A Residential development to meet Ecohomes very good standard will reduce eco-homes “very good” standard* living costs for residents, reduce CO2 emissions and fossil fuel depletion. 1B Residential development to meet Ecohomes excellent standard will eco-homes “excellent” standard minimise living costs for residents, reduce CO2 emissions and fossil fuel depletion to best practice standards. There would be an additional cost to developers in construction costs which could be passed onto buyers/tenants. 1C Residential development not This would represent a lost opportunity, subject to meeting any eco with no contribution to reducing CO2 standard emissions and fossil fuel depletion, and residents subject to higher than necessary fuel bills. 2A Flood Risk Alleviation measures Wide range of social, economic and in accordance with PPS 25 environmental benefits in managing flood requirements* risk in response to climate change. Increased development will heighten flood risk without alleviation measures. 2B Do nothing Residents, wildlife and economic uses subject to higher than normal flood risk in the plan area. 3A Set clear targets for residential Allows the development to be balanced, development on each at an acceptable density and in character development site.* with surrounding area. 3B Let the market decide Supply may outstrip demand, density of development may be unacceptable and development areas unsustainable. 4A Set Requirement for Affordable Essential for the sustainability of the area, housing* including the displacement of owner- occupiers affected by clearance and those unable to afford home ownership. 4B Let the market decide Likely to result in under-provision social rented housing/low cost home ownership. 4C Require no Affordable housing Would exclude low income households/individuals from the area contrary to NULBC/RENEW principles.

- 13 - 5A Develop Kier land in conjunction Optimum use of land through one with Collins & Aikman site* vehicular access, integrated estate layout. 5B Develop Kier land separately Isolated development requiring separate access, means restriction on numbers of dwellings. 5C Leave Kier land undeveloped Large area of privately-owned land undeveloped at heart of plan area, possible management/security problems. 6A Protect the Wammy from Retain open space corridor in area, development* contributes towards open/play space requirements for new housing areas and complements Sports Village proposals. 6B Undertake limited development on Would narrow open space corridor with the Wammy possible community safety issues, would inhibit playing fields proposals. 7A Undertake public realm Public Realm improvements would be an improvements* integral part of the development proposals enhancing local pride, making the area more desirable which may have indirect economic benefit. 7B Do nothing The plan area has poor public realm and the investment in the plan area would be undermined by lack of improvements with continued erosion of heritage features, dereliction and vandalism. 8A Protect and Enhance Knutton Knutton Village provides an important Village shops/facilities* range of shops and facilities that cater for a local need. Its protection and enhancement is required in order to help minimise the need to travel and improve the centres function as a focal point for the area. 8B Allow small-scale retail Allowing small-scale retail development development outside of Knutton outside of Knutton Village could Village undermine the vitality and viability of the existing centre. 8C Do nothing Knutton Village may continue to decline as the focal point of the plan area. 9A Protect character of Knutton Knutton Village has character and village* heritage-led improvements to the housing stock will aim to enhance and protect this quality for the benefit of the wider plan area. 9B Do nothing Unsympathetic development/alterations to buildings are likely to occur undermining the quality of Knutton village. 10A Address community safety Community safety concerns are key to objectives as part of new housing many residents in the plan area – the new development/accessibility.* housing development will need to take account of good design in the layout/houses in order not to increase the opportunity for crime/anti-social behaviour. 10B Do nothing Little or no recognition of community safety objectives could undermine the success and sustainability of the new

- 14 - housing developments. 11A Household Waste Management Increase the potential for recycling and Plan* diversion of waste in the plan area. 11B Do nothing Local recycling targets not met. 12A Allow vehicular access from This would enable higher level of Collins & Aikman site to Douglas development on the Collins & Aikman site Road (+ Kier land) than currently permitted due to highways constraints. However may result in rat-running through Cross Heath with increase noise, traffic hazard for local residents. 12B Allow pedestrian and cycle access This will help improve accessibility across from Collins & Aikman site to the SPD area through non car modes, Douglas Road* and cause minimal disturbance to local residents. 12C Do nothing Development capacity of Collins & Aikman site would be set at 160 units, Kier land at 50 dwellings.

The preferred options are denoted by an asterix *.

6.3 It was intended that the preferred options chosen were the most viable, both in terms of sustainability and as a means of adhering to the SPD’s underlying principles and achieving its objectives. In cases where the more sustainable option might have been overlooked in favour of another, it was felt the strengths of the option chosen in terms of its benefit to the SPD and, consequentially, the Knutton & Cross Heath area, outweigh the fact that it might not offer as great a contribution to sustainability concerns as others. These preferred options, alongside the non-preferred options, were then analysed in terms of their predicted impacts, positive, neutral or negative on the Sustainability Objectives.

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7. PREDICTING AND EVALUATING THE IMPACTS (Tasks B3 and B4)

7.1 The purpose of this task is to predict the social, environmental and economic impacts of the options being considered in the SPD. This involves identifying the changes to the sustainability baseline which are predicted to arise from the SPD, including options. This is measured in terms of their positive or negative impact, magnitude, the time period over which they will occur, whether they are permanent or temporary, and whether they are probable or improbable.

7.2 The predictions of the impacts of the SPD policy options are set out in Appendix B. The preferred plan options are denoted by an asterix in Table B. Appendix B identifies the impact on the baseline data and indicates the likely impacts on the specific Sustainability Objectives.

7.3 The following 7 adverse impacts of the preferred options were identified in Table B.

• Option 2A: Providing flood alleviation measures could have negative impacts on the historic environment, landscape and townscape through insensitive designs • Option 5A: The development of the Kier land could have a negative impact on the Sustainability Objective to protect, and where possible enhance biodiversity in the area. • Option 6A: Protecting the Wammy from development would not help to address the problems of security/community safety where houses back onto the open space. • Option 7A: Undertaking public realm improvements may exacerbate flood risk if hard surface areas are implemented as part of any proposals. • Option 10A: Addressing community safety objectives could be to the detriment of landscape and townscape/ historic character; since designs that address community safety may not necessarily sit comfortably with architectural character.

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8.0 MITIGATION (Task B5)

8.1 In accordance with the SEA Directive, The Sustainability Report now proposes a number of measures to prevent, reduce or offset the adverse effects that have been identified above, in implementing the SPD.

• Option 2A: Providing flood alleviation measures could have negative impacts on the historic environment, landscape and townscape through insensitive designs. Mitigation Measure: Whilst there is a need for developers to take account of flood risk, alleviation measures will be assessed in design terms so that sensitive designs can be secured.

• Option 5A: The development of the Kier land could have a negative impact on the Sustainability Objective to protect, and where possible enhance biodiversity in the area. Mitigation Measure: It is proposed that the developer of the Kier land will be required to provide a full Ecological Survey , including an Ecology Mitigation Survey, as part of the technical information to be provided as part of any planning application for development of this land. This will include details of the types of habitats and species on the site, how the development proposals would affect these, and a strategy to either protect these habitats/species during and after development or the relocation of these species if necessary. The results of this survey will be taken into account in any planning conditions for the development of the site.

• Option 6A: Protecting the Wammy from development would not help to address the problems of security/community safety where houses back onto the open space. Mitigation Measure: It is proposed that as part of any comprehensive strategy for the upgrading of the Wammy that improvements to existing boundaries are undertaken to improve the security of the houses that back onto the open space. For any new housing that will adjoin the Wammy or other areas of open space, the SPD will require that wherever possible the houses will front onto these areas to give maximum surveillance of these areas. Other measures will include requiring the provision of robust, quality boundary treatments where the new development will back onto open areas.

• Option 7A: Undertaking public realm improvements may exacerbate flood risk if hard surface areas are implemented as part of any proposals. Mitigation Measure: Any proposals for hard landscaping of existing vegetated areas, for example as play areas/ car parking areas, will be assessed for their drainage implications in terms of their run-off/additional flow into existing drainage systems.

• Option 10A: Addressing community safety objectives could be to the detriment of landscape and townscape/ historic character; since designs that address community safety may not necessarily sit comfortably with architectural character. Mitigation Measure: Development will be assessed in terms of both ‘community safety’ and what is an attractive design. A balance will be struck so that proposals with a fortress mentality and little consideration of existing character are avoided.

- 17 - 9.0 MONITORING THE EFFECTS OF THE SPD INTERVENTIONS (Task B6)

9.1 The SEA Directive requires that the significant environmental effects of the implementation of the SPD are monitored at an early stage to identify unforeseen adverse effects, and to be able to undertake appropriate remedial action. Monitoring the baseline data to which the indicators relate allows the sustainability objectives to be measured, in terms of whether or not they are being achieved. In turn, ascertaining the extent to which the sustainability objectives are being (or not being) met provide an indication of the effectiveness of SPD in terms of sustainability.

9.2 Regular evaluation and assessment of the sustainability indicators will be incorporated into the Council’s Annual Monitoring Report (AMR). Monitoring will allow the actual significant effects of implementation of the SPD to be tested against those predicted in this Sustainability Appraisal, and an assessment can be made of the extent to which the SPD is meeting its own objectives, and hence of effectiveness. This assessment will be presented within each year’s AMR.

- 18 - APPENDIX A: COMPATABILITY MATRIX

SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES

1. Reduce the need to travel, whilst increasing accessibility to facilities for all. Improve physical connections in the area, and to other areas.

2. Develop a more equitable neighbourhood by reducing deprivation and increasing the range of facilities available to all.

3. Provide a wider range of housing types and tenures, sizes and styles, build homes to higher sustainable standards, including ecohomes.

4. Improve community safety through a safer environment, ensure public areas are overlooked and private areas secure.

5. Improve the quality and management of open space.

6. Improve the quality of design in the built environment through infill development as appropriate, and through new well-designed development. Achieve high quality and sustainable design for buildings, spaces and the public realm sensitive to the locality. Protect, enhance and manage the character and appearance of the landscape and townscape, maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place.

7. Protect, and where possible, enhance biodiversity in the area.

8. Protect people and property from the risk of flooding

9. To slow the rate of and mitigate the impacts of climate change by: (1) increasing the use of renewable energy sources and on-site micro generation; (2) reducing the need to travel by car by increasing the use of alternative methods of travel (3) encouraging the reduction and recycling of waste.

10. Improve community pride and perceptions from outside. Improve and broaden access to, and understanding of, local heritage, local heritage, historic sites, areas and buildings.

11. Build eco-friendly buildings using where possible, renewable materials, sustainable drainage and water management, high levels of insulation and low energy consumption.

12. Encourage the use of environmentally friendly forms of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport.

13. To provide the best physical environment to encourage and increase economic enterprise and employment

14. Improve skills levels in the area through provision of training initiatives

15. To attract better quality jobs into the area, as well as facilitating easier physical access to jobs in the town centre and beyond.

- 19 - 16. To protect, enhance and manage the historic character and appearance of the landscape and townscape, maintaining and strengthening local distinctiveness and sense of place.

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COMPATABILITY MATRIX

Plan objectives SA Objectives

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 The creation of a mixed community with a Y Y Y Y - Y X X Y - - Y Y Y - better balance between supply and demand for housing through the introduction of new house types and tenure options The provision of new affordable housing, - Y Y ------Y - - - - - particularly for first time buyers and low income groups The provision of high quality housing in an Y Y Y - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - Y Y attractive environment with strong links to Newcastle town centre and Knutton High Street An improved sense of place and - Y Y Y Y Y Y - Y Y Y - Y - Y Y community pride The safeguarding and enhancement of the - - X X Y Y - X X Y - - - - - Y historic character of the area The creation of a safe infrastructure that X Y Y Y Y Y - - - Y - - Y - Y X minimises opportunities for criminal activity and reduces fear of crime The provision of high quality, accessible, - - - Y Y Y Y - - Y - Y Y - Y - open spaces that offer opportunities for recreation and nature conservation

- 22 - APPENDIX B: OPTIONS APPRAISAL: (Prediction of Impact of Options on Sustainability Objectives and Baseline)

Key Impact: Positive or Negative. Magnitude: High, Medium, Low Timescale: Long Term, Medium Term Short Term Permanence: Permanent or Temporary Probability: High Medium Low * = Preferred Option

SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 1A 1B 1C Residential dev Residential dev Residential Impact on to meet eco- to meet eco- dev not Sustainability homes very homes subject to Objective good standard* excellent meeting any standard eco-homes Standard

Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a None None None None increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. Monitoring) Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. Staffs LTP)

- 23 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 1A 1B 1C Residential dev Residential dev Residential Impact on to meet eco- to meet eco- dev not Sustainability homes very homes subject to Objective good standard* excellent meeting any standard eco-homes Standard

Performance Indicators) Differential between highest and lowest incomes in the area. (Source: ONS Average household Indices of deprivation.) incomes £24,143 and £22,423 in Knutton and Cross Heath respectively.

Provide a wider range of housing Proportion of homes that fail the decent 45.1% of dwellings semi- Positive. Positive. High. Negative. Building to Eco-Homes types and tenures, sizes and styles, homes standard (Source: NULBC Housing detached and 37.6% Medium. Long Term Low. Very Good Standard will build homes to higher sustainable Strategy Statistics) terraced. Detached houses Long Term Permanent Long Term address the objective of standards, including ecohomes. Proportion of rented accommodation. (7.1%) and flats (9.9%) Permanent Low Permanent building more Source: NULBC Housing Strategy High levels of socially High Low sustainable dwellings in Statistics) rented stock (51.3. The the plan area. Affordability- number of affordable private rented sector 3.6%. dwellings.(Source: NULBC Housing Development Monitoring Report) Void rates for social The proportion of unfit private sector rented stock in the area dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older

- 24 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 1A 1B 1C Residential dev Residential dev Residential Impact on to meet eco- to meet eco- dev not Sustainability homes very homes subject to Objective good standard* excellent meeting any standard eco-homes Standard

housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve community safety through a Domestic burglaries per 1000 population Wards within the area None None None None safer environment, ensure (Source: Newcastle Safer Communities exhibit higher rates (8.6 public areas are overlooked and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy offences per 1,000) than private areas secure. 2005-2008) the Borough as a whole Vehicle crimes per 1000 population (6/1,000). Data for 2005 (Source: NULBC BVPI) found that offences in the % of people who feel safe after dark area fell from 127.5 to (Newcastle Safer Communities 106.6 between 2000/1 and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy 2004/5. Domestic burglary 2005-2008). fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per 1,000 population. 28% of offenders were under 18 with the highest type of crime being criminal damage and robbery

Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for Positive. Positive Negative Building to Eco-homes

- 25 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 1A 1B 1C Residential dev Residential dev Residential Impact on to meet eco- to meet eco- dev not Sustainability homes very homes subject to Objective good standard* excellent meeting any standard eco-homes Standard built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. High High Low Very Good standard will development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined Long Term Long Term Long Term Meet the Sustainability through new well-designed Life Silver Standard. Permanent Permanent Permanent Objective of improving development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with High Low Low the quality of design of Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan new homes in the plan design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). area. public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on Protect, enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) landscape and townscape, maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place.

Protect, and where possible, enhance Council owned parks and green spaces To be determined None None None None biodiversity in the area. managed to enhance biodiversity. (Source; NULBC BVPI) % of rivers/canals classed as good quality (Source: Environment Agency) Changes to number of local wildlife sites, SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

Protect people and property from the Number of planning applications permitted To be determined None None None Use of Sustainable risk of flooding against Environment Agency features in design will advice.(Source: NULBC Annual help to mitigate the risk Monitoring Report) of flooding

- 26 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 1A 1B 1C Residential dev Residential dev Residential Impact on to meet eco- to meet eco- dev not Sustainability homes very homes subject to Objective good standard* excellent meeting any standard eco-homes Standard

Flooding incidents due to new development. (Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report)

To slow the rate of and mitigate the % of development on previously To be determined None None None Use of Sustainable impacts of climate change by: developed land features in design will (1)increasing the use of renewable (Source: NULBC Monitoring) help to mitigate the energy sources and on-site micro Accessibility to employment and services impact of climate change generation; by non-car modes (Source: Local (2)reducing the need to travel by car Transport Plan) by increasing the use of alternative Availability of recycling facilities methods of travel % of waste recycled. (3) encouraging the reduction and (Source: Staffordshire County Council) recycling of waste.

Build eco-friendly buildings using Amount of development incorporating To be determined Positive Positive Negative The provision of homes where possible, renewable materials, renewable energy and energy efficiency, High High Low of high quality, sustainable drainage and water and space for recycling bins.(Source: Long Term Long Term Long Term sustainable materials management, high levels of insulation New development incorporating Permanent Permanent Permanent and high energy and low energy consumption. Sustainable Drainage Systems and the High Low Low efficiency will meet this recycling of grey water.(Source: Objective. New development meeting BREEAM standards for Ecohomes as “very good”/ Code for Sustainable Homes.

Encourage the use of environmentally Provision of cycleways (Source: Local Bus provision and None None None None friendly forms of transport such as Transport Plan) accessibility is generally walking, cycling and public transport. % of people travelling to work by car good with most residents

- 27 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 1A 1B 1C Residential dev Residential dev Residential Impact on to meet eco- to meet eco- dev not Sustainability homes very homes subject to Objective good standard* excellent meeting any standard eco-homes Standard

(Source: Local Transport Plan) within a 10 minute walk of % of people travelling to work by non-car a bus stop, although off- modes (Source: Local Transport Plan) peak services are of low frequency and the quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor.

To provide the best physical % of people unemployed.(Source: ONS) There are high levels of None None None None environment to encourage and No. of new businesses moving into the economic inactivity increase economic enterprise area.(Source: InStaffs) amongst the working age and employment population (16-74) at 42.3% compared to national levels of 33.2%. Unemployment in Knutton and Cross Heath is 7.9%, with certain parts of the area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally.

- 28 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 1A 1B 1C Residential dev Residential dev Residential Impact on to meet eco- to meet eco- dev not Sustainability homes very homes subject to Objective good standard* excellent meeting any standard eco-homes Standard

At Key Stage 4 only 22.7% of pupils in the Knutton & Cross Heath area attained 5 or more GCSEs at A-C in 2005 compared to the national average of 57.1%.

To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household None None None None area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively.

To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 None None None None historic character and appearance of area. the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). distinctiveness and sense of place.

- 29 -

SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 2A 2B Flood Risk Do Nothing Impact on Alleviation Sustainability measures in Objective accordance with PPS 25 requirements* Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a None None None increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. Monitoring) Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. Staffs LTP)

Provide a wider range of housing Proportion of homes that fail the decent 45.1% of dwellings semi- None None None types and tenures, sizes and styles, homes standard (Source: NULBC Housing detached and 37.6% build homes to higher sustainable Strategy Statistics) terraced. Detached houses standards, including ecohomes. Proportion of rented accommodation. (7.1%) and flats (9.9%) Source: NULBC Housing Strategy High levels of socially Statistics) rented stock (51.3. The

- 30 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 2A 2B Flood Risk Do Nothing Impact on Alleviation Sustainability measures in Objective accordance with PPS 25 requirements* Affordability- number of affordable private rented sector 3.6%. dwellings.(Source: NULBC Housing Development Monitoring Report) Void rates for social The proportion of unfit private sector rented stock in the area dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve community safety through a Domestic burglaries per 1000 population Wards within the area None None None safer environment, ensure (Source: Newcastle Safer Communities exhibit higher rates (8.6 public areas are overlooked and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy offences per 1,000) than private areas secure. 2005-2008) the Borough as a whole Vehicle crimes per 1000 population (6/1,000). Data for 2005 (Source: NULBC BVPI) found that offences in the % of people who feel safe after dark area fell from 127.5 to (Newcastle Safer Communities 106.6 between 2000/1 and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy 2004/5. Domestic burglary 2005-2008). fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per

- 31 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 2A 2B Flood Risk Do Nothing Impact on Alleviation Sustainability measures in Objective accordance with PPS 25 requirements* 1,000 population. 28% of offenders were under 18 with the highest type of crime being criminal damage and robbery

Improve the quality and management The area of public open space per 1,000 There is a large quantity of Positive None Meeting PPS25 of open space. population.(Source: North Staffordshire open space in the area for Medium requirements may mean Green Space Audit) example, the Wammy and Long Term that areas within the The number of playgrounds and play Cotswold Avenue playing Permanent Plan area are left free of areas provided by the Council per 1,000 fields and access is good Medium. development close to children under 12.(Source: NULBC BVPI/ to nearby Apedale Country watercourses improving North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy Park. However much of the the quality of the % who are satisfied with the area as a local open space is environment. place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but poor quality in the Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson

Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for None None None built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined through new well-designed Life Silver Standard. development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on Protect, enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) landscape and townscape , maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place.

- 32 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 2A 2B Flood Risk Do Nothing Impact on Alleviation Sustainability measures in Objective accordance with PPS 25 requirements* Protect, and where possible, enhance Council owned parks and green spaces To be determined Positive None Meeting PPS 25 biodiversity in the area. managed to enhance biodiversity. High requirements could (Source; NULBC BVPI) Long Term result in more areas left % of rivers/canals classed as good quality Permanent open rather than (Source: Environment Agency) Medium developed with the Changes to number of local wildlife sites, potential for increasing SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire the range and size of Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire habitats in the plan area. Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

Protect people and property from the Number of planning applications permitted To be determined Positive Negative Meeting PPS 25 risk of flooding against Environment Agency High High requirements will help to advice.(Source: NULBC Annual Long Term Long Term protect people and Monitoring Report) Permanent Permanent property from flooding. Flooding incidents due to new High Low development. (Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report)

To slow the rate of and mitigate the % of development on previously To be determined None None None impacts of climate change by: developed land (1)increasing the use of renewable (Source: NULBC Monitoring) energy sources and on-site micro Accessibility to employment and services generation; by non-car modes (Source: Local (2)reducing the need to travel by car Transport Plan) by increasing the use of alternative Availability of recycling facilities methods of travel % of waste recycled. (3) encouraging the reduction and (Source: Staffordshire County Council) recycling of waste.

- 33 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 2A 2B Flood Risk Do Nothing Impact on Alleviation Sustainability measures in Objective accordance with PPS 25 requirements* Improve community pride and % who are satisfied with the area as a To be determined None None None perceptions from outside. place to live.(Source: NULBC BVPI) Improve and broaden access to, and understanding of, local heritage, historic sites, areas and buildings.

Build eco-friendly buildings using Amount of development incorporating To be determined Positive Negative Meeting PPS25 where possible, renewable materials, renewable energy and energy efficiency, High High requirements will require sustainable drainage and water and space for recycling bins.(Source: Long Term Long Term use of SUDS as part of a management, high levels of insulation New development incorporating Permanent Permanent package of drainage and and low energy consumption. Sustainable Drainage Systems and the Medium Medium water management recycling of grey water.(Source: measures. New development meeting BREEAM standards for Ecohomes as “very good”/ Code for Sustainable Homes.

Encourage the use of environmentally Provision of cycleways (Source: Local Bus provision and None None None friendly forms of transport such as Transport Plan) accessibility is generally walking, cycling and public transport. % of people travelling to work by car good with most residents (Source: Local Transport Plan) within a 10 minute walk of % of people travelling to work by non-car a bus stop, although off- modes (Source: Local Transport Plan) peak services are of low frequency and the quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor.

- 34 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 2A 2B Flood Risk Do Nothing Impact on Alleviation Sustainability measures in Objective accordance with PPS 25 requirements* with certain parts of the area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally.

Improve skills levels in the area % of residents with qualifications NVQ In Knutton and Cross None None None through provision of training initiatives. Level 4 and above.(Source: ONS) Heath 49% of the % of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs at population have no Grade A-C (Source : ONS) qualifications, against a national average of 28.8%. At Key Stage 4 only 22.7% of pupils in the Knutton & Cross Heath area attained 5 or more GCSEs at A-C in 2005 compared to the national average of 57.1%.

- 35 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 2A 2B Flood Risk Do Nothing Impact on Alleviation Sustainability measures in Objective accordance with PPS 25 requirements* and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed.

To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household None None None area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively.

To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 Negative Negative Introducing flood historic character and appearance of area. Low High alleviation measures the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. Long term Long term could undermine the maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). Permanent Temporary permanent physical distinctiveness and sense of place. Low Low appearance of landscape and townscape through insensitive designs. However the alternative could result in the area being flooded, which could have a bigger temporary impact.

- 36 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 3A 3B Set clear Let the market Impact on targets for decide Sustainability residential Objective development on each development site* Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a None None None increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. Monitoring) Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. Staffs LTP)

Develop a more equitable Index of Multiple Deprivation – areas Lower Milehouse Estate None None None neighbourhood by reducing deprivation within worst 10% and 20% of wards within worst 1% of and increasing access and range of nationally (Source ONS IMD) deprived areas nationally, facilities available to all. A high proportion of residents with other parts of SPD area vulnerable needs, are within worst 10%. (Source: ONS IMD) 9.4% of households in SPD area are lone parent % of residents satisfied with living in their households with community.(NULBC Best Value dependant children. Performance Indicators) Differential between highest and lowest incomes in the area. (Source: ONS Indices of deprivation.) Average household incomes £24,143 and £22,423 in Knutton and Cross Heath respectively. Provide a wider range of housing Proportion of homes that fail the decent 45.1% of dwellings semi- None None None types and tenures, sizes and styles, homes standard (Source: NULBC Housing detached and 37.6% build homes to higher sustainable Strategy Statistics) terraced. Detached houses standards, including ecohomes. Proportion of rented accommodation. (7.1%) and flats (9.9%) Source: NULBC Housing Strategy High levels of socially Statistics) rented stock (51.3. The Affordability- number of affordable private rented sector 3.6%.

- 37 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 3A 3B Set clear Let the market Impact on targets for decide Sustainability residential Objective development on each development site* dwellings.(Source: NULBC Housing Development Monitoring Report) Void rates for social The proportion of unfit private sector rented stock in the area dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve community safety through a Domestic burglaries per 1000 population Wards within the area Positive Negative Controlling development safer environment, ensure (Source: Newcastle Safer Communities exhibit higher rates (8.6 High High will enable open space public areas are overlooked and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy offences per 1,000) than Long Term Long Term areas to be better private areas secure. 2005-2008) the Borough as a whole Permanent Permanent managed and Vehicle crimes per 1000 population (6/1,000). Data for 2005 High Low overlooked. (Source: NULBC BVPI) found that offences in the % of people who feel safe after dark area fell from 127.5 to (Newcastle Safer Communities 106.6 between 2000/1 and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy 2004/5. Domestic burglary 2005-2008). fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per

- 38 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 3A 3B Set clear Let the market Impact on targets for decide Sustainability residential Objective development on each development site* 1,000 population. 28% of offenders were under 18 with the highest type of crime being criminal damage and robbery

Improve the quality and management The area of public open space per 1,000 There is a large quantity of Positive Negative Controlling levels of of open space. population.(Source: North Staffordshire open space in the area for High High development will ensure Green Space Audit) example, the Wammy and Long Term Long Term that an adequate level of The number of playgrounds and play Cotswold Avenue playing Permanent Permanent open space and access areas provided by the Council per 1,000 fields and access is good High Low is provided in the plan children under 12.(Source: NULBC BVPI/ to nearby Apedale Country area. North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy Park. However much of the % who are satisfied with the area as a local open space is place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but poor quality in the Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for Positive Negative Controlling levels of built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. High High development will ensure development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined Long Term Long Term that an adequate level of through new well-designed Life Silver Standard. Permanent Permanent open space and access development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with High Low is provided in the plan Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan area. design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on Protect, enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) landscape and townscape , maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place.

- 39 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 3A 3B Set clear Let the market Impact on targets for decide Sustainability residential Objective development on each development site* Protect, and where possible, enhance Council owned parks and green spaces To be determined Positive Negative Controlling levels of biodiversity in the area. managed to enhance biodiversity. High High development will ensure (Source; NULBC BVPI) Long Term Long Term that an adequate level of % of rivers/canals classed as good quality Permanent Permanent open space is provided (Source: Environment Agency) High Low in the plan area to the Changes to number of local wildlife sites, benefit of wildlife SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

Protect people and property from the Number of planning applications permitted To be determined Positive Negative Controlled level of risk of flooding against Environment Agency High High development in advice.(Source: NULBC Annual Long Term Long Term accordance with the Monitoring Report) Permanent Permanent requirements of PPS25 Flooding incidents due to new High Low is aimed to reduce any development. (Source: NULBC Annual potential flood risk in the Monitoring Report) plan area. To slow the rate of and mitigate the % of development on previously To be determined None None None impacts of climate change by: developed land (1)increasing the use of renewable (Source: NULBC Monitoring) energy sources and on-site micro Accessibility to employment and services generation; by non-car modes (Source: Local (2)reducing the need to travel by car Transport Plan) by increasing the use of alternative Availability of recycling facilities methods of travel % of waste recycled. (3) encouraging the reduction and (Source: Staffordshire County Council) recycling of waste.

- 40 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 3A 3B Set clear Let the market Impact on targets for decide Sustainability residential Objective development on each development site*

Improve community pride and % who are satisfied with the area as a To be determined None None None perceptions from outside. place to live.(Source: NULBC BVPI) Improve and broaden access to, and understanding of local heritage, historic sites, areas and buildings. Build eco-friendly buildings using Amount of development incorporating To be determined None None None where possible, renewable materials, renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable drainage and water and space for recycling bins.(Source: management, high levels of insulation New development incorporating and low energy consumption. Sustainable Drainage Systems and the recycling of grey water.(Source: New development meeting BREEAM standards for Ecohomes as “very good”/ Code for Sustainable Homes. Encourage the use of environmentally Provision of cycleways (Source: Local Bus provision and None None None friendly forms of transport such as Transport Plan) accessibility is generally walking, cycling and public transport. % of people travelling to work by car good with most residents (Source: Local Transport Plan) within a 10 minute walk of % of people travelling to work by non-car a bus stop, although off- modes (Source: Local Transport Plan) peak services are of low frequency and the quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor.

- 41 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 3A 3B Set clear Let the market Impact on targets for decide Sustainability residential Objective development on each development site* with certain parts of the area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally.

- 42 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 3A 3B Set clear Let the market Impact on targets for decide Sustainability residential Objective development on each development site* unemployed.(Source ONS) area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household None None None area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively. To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 Positive Negative Setting clear targets will historic character and appearance of area. Medium Medium ensure a balanced the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. Long term Long term development where high maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). Permanent Permanent quality landscape and distinctiveness and sense of place. High High townscape can be achieved. Letting the market decide could result in cramming of properties to the detriment of the overall scheme.

- 43 -

SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 4A 4B 4C Set requirement Let the market Require no Impact on for Affordable decide Affordable Sustainability Housing* Housing Objective Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a None None None None increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. Monitoring) Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. Staffs LTP)

Develop a more equitable Index of Multiple Deprivation – areas Lower Milehouse Estate Positive Negative Negative Setting Affordable neighbourhood by reducing deprivation within worst 10% and 20% of wards within worst 1% of High High High Housing requirements and increasing access and range of nationally (Source ONS IMD) deprived areas nationally, Long Term Long Term Long Term will seek to assist all facilities available to all. A high proportion of residents with other parts of SPD area Permanent Permanent Permanent sectors of the community vulnerable needs, are within worst 10%. High Low Low to access the new (Source: ONS IMD) 9.4% of households in development. SPD area are lone parent % of residents satisfied with living in their households with community.(NULBC Best Value dependant children. Performance Indicators) Differential between highest and lowest incomes in the area. (Source: ONS Indices of deprivation.) Average household incomes £24,143 and £22,423 in Knutton and Cross Heath respectively. Provide a wider range of housing Proportion of homes that fail the decent 45.1% of dwellings semi- Positive. Negative. Negative. Provision of Affordable types and tenures, sizes and styles, homes standard (Source: NULBC Housing detached and 37.6% High. High. High. housing would extend build homes to higher sustainable Strategy Statistics) terraced. Detached houses Long Term Long Term Long Term the range of tenure standards, including ecohomes. Proportion of rented accommodation. (7.1%) and flats (9.9%) Permanent Permanent Permanent options for new and Source: NULBC Housing Strategy High levels of socially High Low Low existing residents. Statistics) rented stock (51.3. The Affordability- number of affordable private rented sector 3.6%. dwellings.(Source: NULBC Housing Development Monitoring Report) Void rates for social The proportion of unfit private sector rented stock in the area

- 44 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 4A 4B 4C Set requirement Let the market Require no Impact on for Affordable decide Affordable Sustainability Housing* Housing Objective dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve the quality and management The area of public open space per 1,000 There is a large quantity of None None None None

- 45 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 4A 4B 4C Set requirement Let the market Require no Impact on for Affordable decide Affordable Sustainability Housing* Housing Objective of open space. population.(Source: North Staffordshire open space in the area for Green Space Audit) example, the Wammy and The number of playgrounds and play Cotswold Avenue playing areas provided by the Council per 1,000 fields and access is good children under 12.(Source: NULBC BVPI/ to nearby Apedale Country North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy Park. However much of the % who are satisfied with the area as a local open space is place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but poor quality in the Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for None None None None built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined through new well-designed Life Silver Standard. development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on Protect , enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) landscape and townscape , maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place. Protect, and where possible, enhance Council owned parks and green spaces To be determined None None None None biodiversity in the area. managed to enhance biodiversity. (Source; NULBC BVPI) % of rivers/canals classed as good quality (Source: Environment Agency) Changes to number of local wildlife sites, SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP)

- 46 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 4A 4B 4C Set requirement Let the market Require no Impact on for Affordable decide Affordable Sustainability Housing* Housing Objective Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

Protect people and property from the Number of planning applications permitted To be determined None None None None risk of flooding against Environment Agency advice.(Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report) Flooding incidents due to new development. (Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report) To slow the rate of and mitigate the % of development on previously To be determined None None None None impacts of climate change by: developed land (1)increasing the use of renewable (Source: NULBC Monitoring) energy sources and on-site micro Accessibility to employment and services generation; by non-car modes (Source: Local (2)reducing the need to travel by car Transport Plan) by increasing the use of alternative Availability of recycling facilities methods of travel % of waste recycled. (3) encouraging the reduction and (Source: Staffordshire County Council) recycling of waste.

Improve community pride and % who are satisfied with the area as a To be determined None None None None perceptions from outside. place to live.(Source: NULBC BVPI) Improve and broaden access to, and understanding of local heritage, historic sites, areas and buildings. Build eco-friendly buildings using Amount of development incorporating To be determined None None None None where possible, renewable materials, renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable drainage and water and space for recycling bins.(Source: management, high levels of insulation New development incorporating and low energy consumption. Sustainable Drainage Systems and the recycling of grey water.(Source: New development meeting BREEAM standards for Ecohomes as “very good”/ Code for Sustainable Homes. Encourage the use of environmentally Provision of cycleways (Source: Local Bus provision and None None None None friendly forms of transport such as Transport Plan) accessibility is generally

- 47 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 4A 4B 4C Set requirement Let the market Require no Impact on for Affordable decide Affordable Sustainability Housing* Housing Objective walking, cycling and public transport. % of people travelling to work by car good with most residents (Source: Local Transport Plan) within a 10 minute walk of % of people travelling to work by non-car a bus stop, although off- modes (Source: Local Transport Plan) peak services are of low frequency and the quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor.

Improve skills levels in the area % of residents with qualifications NVQ In Knutton and Cross None None None None through provision of training initiatives. Level 4 and above.(Source: ONS) Heath 49% of the % of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs at population have no Grade A-C (Source : ONS) qualifications, against a national average of 28.8%. At Key Stage 4 only 22.7% of pupils in the Knutton &

- 48 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION Comments POSITION 4A 4B 4C Set requirement Let the market Require no Impact on for Affordable decide Affordable Sustainability Housing* Housing Objective Cross Heath area attained 5 or more GCSEs at A-C in 2005 compared to the national average of 57.1%.

To provide the best possible % of residents who are economically There are high levels of None None None None environment to encourage and active/ number of people working in the economic inactivity increase economic enterprise area. (Source :ONS) amongst the working age and employment No. of business start –ups in population (16-74) at area.(Source: ONS) 42.3% compared to % of people unemployed (Source: ONS) national levels of 33.2%. % of people who are long term Unemployment in Knutton unemployed.(Source ONS) and Cross Heath is 7.9%, % of people who are long term with certain parts of the unemployed.(Source ONS) area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household None None None None area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively. To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 None None None None historic character and appearance of area. the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). distinctiveness and sense of place.

- 49 -

SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 5A 5B 5C Develop Kier Develop Kier Leave Kier Impact on land in land separately land Sustainability conjunction undeveloped Objective with Collins & Aikman site* Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a Positive Negative Positive Combining the increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. High High Low development of the 2 all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak Long Term Long Term Medium sites means one the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus Permanent Permanent Temporary vehicular access, (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. High Low Low increased pedestrian Monitoring) access through and to Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing other areas improving facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions access/connectivity.. Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. Staffs LTP)

Develop a more equitable Index of Multiple Deprivation – areas Lower Milehouse Estate None None None None neighbourhood by reducing deprivation within worst 10% and 20% of wards within worst 1% of and increasing access and range of nationally (Source ONS IMD) deprived areas nationally, facilities available to all. A high proportion of residents with other parts of SPD area vulnerable needs, are within worst 10%. (Source: ONS IMD) 9.4% of households in SPD area are lone parent % of residents satisfied with living in their households with community.(NULBC Best Value dependant children. Performance Indicators) Differential between highest and lowest incomes in the area. (Source: ONS Indices of deprivation.) Average household incomes £24,143 and £22,423 in Knutton and Cross Heath respectively. Provide a wider range of housing Proportion of homes that fail the decent 45.1% of dwellings semi- None None None None types and tenures, sizes and styles, homes standard (Source: NULBC Housing detached and 37.6% build homes to higher sustainable Strategy Statistics) terraced. Detached houses standards, including ecohomes. Proportion of rented accommodation. (7.1%) and flats (9.9%) Source: NULBC Housing Strategy High levels of socially Statistics) rented stock (51.3. The Affordability- number of affordable private rented sector 3.6%.

- 50 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 5A 5B 5C Develop Kier Develop Kier Leave Kier Impact on land in land separately land Sustainability conjunction undeveloped Objective with Collins & Aikman site* dwellings.(Source: NULBC Housing Development Monitoring Report) Void rates for social The proportion of unfit private sector rented stock in the area dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve community safety through a Domestic burglaries per 1000 population Wards within the area Positive Negative Negative Developing the Kier land safer environment, ensure (Source: Newcastle Safer Communities exhibit higher rates (8.6 High High High separately or not at all, public areas are overlooked and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy offences per 1,000) than Long term Long Term Long Term reduces the ability to private areas secure. 2005-2008) the Borough as a whole Permanent Permanent Permanent introduce natural Vehicle crimes per 1000 population (6/1,000). Data for 2005 High Low Low surveillance over the (Source: NULBC BVPI) found that offences in the Wammy and leaves an % of people who feel safe after dark area fell from 127.5 to area of derelict land (Newcastle Safer Communities 106.6 between 2000/1 and subject to management Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy 2004/5. Domestic burglary problems. 2005-2008). fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per 1,000 population. 28% of offenders were under 18

- 51 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 5A 5B 5C Develop Kier Develop Kier Leave Kier Impact on land in land separately land Sustainability conjunction undeveloped Objective with Collins & Aikman site* with the highest type of crime being criminal damage and robbery

Improve the quality and management The area of public open space per 1,000 There is a large quantity of Positive. Positive Negative Leaving the Kier land of open space. population.(Source: North Staffordshire open space in the area for High High Low undeveloped would Green Space Audit) example, the Wammy and Long Term Long Term Long Term result in a large area of The number of playgrounds and play Cotswold Avenue playing Permanent Permanent Permanent privately owned space in areas provided by the Council per 1,000 fields and access is good High Low Low an area which already children under 12.(Source: NULBC BVPI/ to nearby Apedale Country has over-provision of North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy Park. However much of the open space % who are satisfied with the area as a local open space is place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but poor quality in the Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for Positive. Positive Negative Leaving the Kier land built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. High High Low undeveloped reduces development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined Long Term Long Term Long Term the ability to introduce through new well-designed Life Silver Standard. Permanent Permanent Permanent strong development development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with High Low Low edge along the Wammy Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on Protect , enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) landscape and townscape , maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place.

- 52 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 5A 5B 5C Develop Kier Develop Kier Leave Kier Impact on land in land separately land Sustainability conjunction undeveloped Objective with Collins & Aikman site*

Protect, and where possible, enhance Council owned parks and green spaces To be determined Negative Negative Positive Developing the Kier land biodiversity in the area. managed to enhance biodiversity. High High High will disturb existing (Source; NULBC BVPI) Long Term Long Term Medium Term wildlife on this site with % of rivers/canals classed as good quality Permanent Permanent Temporary loss of habitat. (Source: Environment Agency) High High Low Changes to number of local wildlife sites, SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

- 53 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 5A 5B 5C Develop Kier Develop Kier Leave Kier Impact on land in land separately land Sustainability conjunction undeveloped Objective with Collins & Aikman site*

- 54 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 5A 5B 5C Develop Kier Develop Kier Leave Kier Impact on land in land separately land Sustainability conjunction undeveloped Objective with Collins & Aikman site* with certain parts of the area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally.

- 55 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 5A 5B 5C Develop Kier Develop Kier Leave Kier Impact on land in land separately land Sustainability conjunction undeveloped Objective with Collins & Aikman site* unemployed.(Source ONS) area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household None None None None area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively. To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 Positive Negative None Developing the Kier and historic character and appearance of area. High Medium Collins and Aikman land the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. Long term Long term together will enable a maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). Permanent Permanent development that offers distinctiveness and sense of place. Medium Medium a more attractive landscape and townscape.

- 56 -

SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 6A 6B Protect the Undertake Impact on Wammy from limited Sustainability development* development Objective on the Wammy Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a Positive Negative Protecting the Wammy increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. High High from development will all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak Long Term Long Term help to maintain/increase the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus Permanent Permanent linkages across the area (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. High High through footpath links/ Monitoring) cycleways. Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. Staffs LTP)

- 57 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 6A 6B Protect the Undertake Impact on Wammy from limited Sustainability development* development Objective on the Wammy The proportion of unfit private sector rented stock in the area dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve community safety through a Domestic burglaries per 1000 population Wards within the area Negative Positive The Wammy currently safer environment, ensure (Source: Newcastle Safer Communities exhibit higher rates (8.6 Medium Low presents a threat to public areas are overlooked and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy offences per 1,000) than Long Term Long Term community private areas secure. 2005-2008) the Borough as a whole Permanent Permanent safety/security of houses Vehicle crimes per 1000 population (6/1,000). Data for 2005 High Low that back onto it. Limited (Source: NULBC BVPI) found that offences in the development could help % of people who feel safe after dark area fell from 127.5 to to improve this situation. (Newcastle Safer Communities 106.6 between 2000/1 and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy 2004/5. Domestic burglary 2005-2008). fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per 1,000 population. 28% of offenders were under 18 with the highest type of crime being criminal damage and robbery

- 58 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 6A 6B Protect the Undertake Impact on Wammy from limited Sustainability development* development Objective on the Wammy

Improve the quality and management The area of public open space per 1,000 There is a large quantity of Positive Negative Building upon part of the of open space. population.(Source: North Staffordshire open space in the area for Medium Medium Wammy would reduce Green Space Audit) example, the Wammy and Long Term Long Term the amount of open The number of playgrounds and play Cotswold Avenue playing Permanent Permanent space in the plan area areas provided by the Council per 1,000 fields and access is good High Low and result in a narrow children under 12.(Source: NULBC BVPI/ to nearby Apedale Country channel of land not North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy Park. However much of the suitable for formal play. % who are satisfied with the area as a local open space is place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but poor quality in the Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for Positive Negative Building upon part of the built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. Medium Medium Wammy would reduce development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined Long Term Long Term the amount of open through new well-designed Life Silver Standard. Permanent Permanent space in the plan area development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with High Low changing the nature and Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan character of the area. design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on Protect, enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) landscape and townscape , maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place. Protect, and where possible, enhance Council owned parks and green spaces To be determined Positive Negative Building upon part of the biodiversity in the area. managed to enhance biodiversity. Medium Medium Wanmmy could damage (Source; NULBC BVPI) Long Term Long Term existing wildlife habitats % of rivers/canals classed as good quality Permanent Permanent and species (Source: Environment Agency) Medium Low Changes to number of local wildlife sites, SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of

- 59 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 6A 6B Protect the Undertake Impact on Wammy from limited Sustainability development* development Objective on the Wammy key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

Protect people and property from the Number of planning applications permitted To be determined Positive Negative Development on part of risk of flooding against Environment Agency High High the Wammy could be at advice.(Source: NULBC Annual Long Term Long Term risk of flooding or Monitoring Report) Permanent Permanent exacerbate flooding Flooding incidents due to new High Low elsewhere in the area. development. (Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report) To slow the rate of and mitigate the % of development on previously To be determined None None None impacts of climate change by: developed land (1)increasing the use of renewable (Source: NULBC Monitoring) energy sources and on-site micro Accessibility to employment and services generation; by non-car modes (Source: Local (2)reducing the need to travel by car Transport Plan) by increasing the use of alternative Availability of recycling facilities methods of travel % of waste recycled. (3) encouraging the reduction and (Source: Staffordshire County Council) recycling of waste.

Improve community pride and % who are satisfied with the area as a To be determined Positive Negative Building on part of the perceptions from outside. place to live.(Source: NULBC BVPI) Medium High Wammy would change Improve and broaden access to, and Long Term Long Term the character of the area understanding of local heritage, Permanent Permanent and could lessen historic sites, areas and buildings. High Low resident’s links with the past. Build eco-friendly buildings using Amount of development incorporating To be determined None None None where possible, renewable materials, renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable drainage and water and space for recycling bins.(Source: management, high levels of insulation New development incorporating and low energy consumption. Sustainable Drainage Systems and the recycling of grey water.(Source:

- 60 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 6A 6B Protect the Undertake Impact on Wammy from limited Sustainability development* development Objective on the Wammy New development meeting BREEAM standards for Ecohomes as “very good”/ Code for Sustainable Homes. Encourage the use of environmentally Provision of cycleways (Source: Local Bus provision and Positive Negative Limited development on friendly forms of transport such as Transport Plan) accessibility is generally High High the Wammy could sever walking, cycling and public transport. % of people travelling to work by car good with most residents Long Term Long Term existing pedestrian/cycle (Source: Local Transport Plan) within a 10 minute walk of Permanent Permanent links across the area. % of people travelling to work by non-car a bus stop, although off- High Low modes (Source: Local Transport Plan) peak services are of low frequency and the quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor.

To provide the best physical % of people unemployed.(Source: ONS) There are high levels of None None None environment to encourage and No. of new businesses moving into the economic inactivity increase economic enterprise area.(Source: InStaffs) amongst the working age and employment population (16-74) at 42.3% compared to national levels of 33.2%. Unemployment in Knutton and Cross Heath is 7.9%, with certain parts of the area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally.

- 61 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 6A 6B Protect the Undertake Impact on Wammy from limited Sustainability development* development Objective on the Wammy

To provide the best possible % of residents who are economically There are high levels of None None None environment to encourage and active/ number of people working in the economic inactivity increase economic enterprise area. (Source :ONS) amongst the working age and employment No. of business start –ups in population (16-74) at area.(Source: ONS) 42.3% compared to % of people unemployed (Source: ONS) national levels of 33.2%. % of people who are long term Unemployment in Knutton unemployed.(Source ONS) and Cross Heath is 7.9%, % of people who are long term with certain parts of the unemployed.(Source ONS) area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household None None None area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively. To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 Positive Negative The Wammy, if historic character and appearance of area. High High protected, offers a major the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. Long term Long term opportunity for providing maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). Permanent Permanent a sense of place and distinctiveness and sense of place. High High protecting landscape.

- 62 -

SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 7A 7B Undertake Do Nothing Impact on Public Realm Sustainability Improvements* Objective Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a Positive Negative Public realm increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. High High improvements could all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak Long Term Long Term encourage movement the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus Permanent Permanent across the plan area (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. High High through a series of well- Monitoring) linked open Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing spaces/routes. facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. Staffs LTP)

Develop a more equitable Index of Multiple Deprivation – areas Lower Milehouse Estate Positive Negative Public realm neighbourhood by reducing deprivation within worst 10% and 20% of wards within worst 1% of High High improvements could and increasing access and range of nationally (Source ONS IMD) deprived areas nationally, Long Term Long Term encourage access to facilities available to all. A high proportion of residents with other parts of SPD area Permanent Permanent facilities and services in vulnerable needs, are within worst 10%. High High the plan area through a (Source: ONS IMD) 9.4% of households in series of well-linked SPD area are lone parent open spaces/routes. % of residents satisfied with living in their households with community.(NULBC Best Value dependant children. Performance Indicators) Differential between highest and lowest incomes in the area. (Source: ONS Indices of deprivation.) Average household incomes £24,143 and £22,423 in Knutton and Cross Heath respectively. Provide a wider range of housing Proportion of homes that fail the decent 45.1% of dwellings semi- None None None types and tenures, sizes and styles, homes standard (Source: NULBC Housing detached and 37.6% build homes to higher sustainable Strategy Statistics) terraced. Detached houses standards, including ecohomes. Proportion of rented accommodation. (7.1%) and flats (9.9%) Source: NULBC Housing Strategy High levels of socially Statistics) rented stock (51.3. The Affordability- number of affordable private rented sector 3.6%. dwellings.(Source: NULBC Housing Development Monitoring Report) Void rates for social

- 63 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 7A 7B Undertake Do Nothing Impact on Public Realm Sustainability Improvements* Objective The proportion of unfit private sector rented stock in the area dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve community safety through a Domestic burglaries per 1000 population Wards within the area Positive Negative Public realm safer environment, ensure (Source: Newcastle Safer Communities exhibit higher rates (8.6 Medium Medium improvements are public areas are overlooked and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy offences per 1,000) than Long Term Medium required to improve private areas secure. 2005-2008) the Borough as a whole Permanent Permanent community safety in the Vehicle crimes per 1000 population (6/1,000). Data for 2005 High Low plan area. (Source: NULBC BVPI) found that offences in the % of people who feel safe after dark area fell from 127.5 to (Newcastle Safer Communities 106.6 between 2000/1 and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy 2004/5. Domestic burglary 2005-2008). fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per 1,000 population. 28% of offenders were under 18 with the highest type of crime being criminal damage and robbery

- 64 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 7A 7B Undertake Do Nothing Impact on Public Realm Sustainability Improvements* Objective

Improve the quality and management The area of public open space per 1,000 There is a large quantity of Positive Negative Public realm of open space. population.(Source: North Staffordshire open space in the area for Medium Medium improvements are critical Green Space Audit) example, the Wammy and Long Term Long Term to improving the existing The number of playgrounds and play Cotswold Avenue playing Permanent Permanent open space in the plan areas provided by the Council per 1,000 fields and access is good High Low area. children under 12.(Source: NULBC BVPI/ to nearby Apedale Country North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy Park. However much of the % who are satisfied with the area as a local open space is place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but poor quality in the Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for Positive Negative Public realm built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. Medium Medium improvements are critical development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined Long Term Long Term to improving the existing through new well-designed Life Silver Standard. Permanent Permanent open space in the plan development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with High Low area. Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on Protect, enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) landscape and townscape , maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place. Protect, and where possible, enhance Council owned parks and green spaces To be determined Positive Negative Public realm biodiversity in the area. managed to enhance biodiversity. Medium Medium improvements to existing (Source; NULBC BVPI) Long Term Long Term areas of open space % of rivers/canals classed as good quality Permanent Permanent could help to protect (Source: Environment Agency) Medium Low biodiversity in the area. Changes to number of local wildlife sites, SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of

- 65 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 7A 7B Undertake Do Nothing Impact on Public Realm Sustainability Improvements* Objective key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

Protect people and property from the Number of planning applications permitted To be determined Negative Negative Public realm risk of flooding against Environment Agency High High improvements would advice.(Source: NULBC Annual Long Term Long Term need to be undertaken Monitoring Report) Permanent Permanent with regard to reducing Flooding incidents due to new High Low flood risk. development. (Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report) To slow the rate of and mitigate the % of development on previously To be determined None None None impacts of climate change by: developed land (1)increasing the use of renewable (Source: NULBC Monitoring) energy sources and on-site micro Accessibility to employment and services generation; by non-car modes (Source: Local (2)reducing the need to travel by car Transport Plan) by increasing the use of alternative Availability of recycling facilities methods of travel % of waste recycled. (3) encouraging the reduction and (Source: Staffordshire County Council) recycling of waste.

Improve community pride and % who are satisfied with the area as a To be determined Positive Negative Public realm perceptions from outside. place to live.(Source: NULBC BVPI) Medium High improvements could help Improve and broaden access to, and Long Term Long Term to improve the understanding of local heritage, Permanent Permanent appearance of the area historic sites, areas and buildings. High Low increasing community pride. Build eco-friendly buildings using Amount of development incorporating To be determined None None None where possible, renewable materials, renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable drainage and water and space for recycling bins.(Source: management, high levels of insulation New development incorporating and low energy consumption. Sustainable Drainage Systems and the recycling of grey water.(Source: New development meeting BREEAM

- 66 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 7A 7B Undertake Do Nothing Impact on Public Realm Sustainability Improvements* Objective standards for Ecohomes as “very good”/ Code for Sustainable Homes. Encourage the use of environmentally Provision of cycleways (Source: Local Bus provision and Positive Negative Quality public realm can friendly forms of transport such as Transport Plan) accessibility is generally High High encourage walking and walking, cycling and public transport. % of people travelling to work by car good with most residents Long Term Long Term cycling in the plan area. (Source: Local Transport Plan) within a 10 minute walk of Permanent Permanent % of people travelling to work by non-car a bus stop, although off- High Low modes (Source: Local Transport Plan) peak services are of low frequency and the quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor.

- 67 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 7A 7B Undertake Do Nothing Impact on Public Realm Sustainability Improvements* Objective national average of 28.8%. At Key Stage 4 only 22.7% of pupils in the Knutton & Cross Heath area attained 5 or more GCSEs at A-C in 2005 compared to the national average of 57.1%.

To provide the best possible % of residents who are economically There are high levels of Positive Negative A quality environment environment to encourage and active/ number of people working in the economic inactivity Medium Medium can stimulate inward increase economic enterprise area. (Source :ONS) amongst the working age Medium Medium investment and employment No. of business start –ups in population (16-74) at Temporary Permanent area.(Source: ONS) 42.3% compared to High Low % of people unemployed (Source: ONS) national levels of 33.2%. % of people who are long term Unemployment in Knutton unemployed.(Source ONS) and Cross Heath is 7.9%, % of people who are long term with certain parts of the unemployed.(Source ONS) area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household None None None area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively. To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 Positive None Public realm historic character and appearance of area. Medium improvements will make the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. Long term a positive contribution to maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). Permanent local distinctiveness and distinctiveness and sense of place. Medium sense of place.

- 68 -

SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 8A 8B 8C Protect and Allow small- Do nothing Impact on Enhance scale Sustainability Knutton Village commercial Objective shops/facilities* development outside of Knutton Village Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a Positive Negative Negative The village facilities increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. Medium Medium Low serve an important local all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak Medium Medium Long term need that minimises the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus Permanent Permanent Permanent requirements to travel. (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. Medium Medium High Allowing the village Monitoring) centre to decline could Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing lead to an increased facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions number of residents Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. having to travel further Staffs LTP) distances.

Develop a more equitable Index of Multiple Deprivation – areas Lower Milehouse Estate Positive Positive Negative Protecting or further neighbourhood by reducing deprivation within worst 10% and 20% of wards within worst 1% of Medium Medium Medium choice of shops and and increasing access and range of nationally (Source ONS IMD) deprived areas nationally, Long Term Long Term Long Term facilities in the area facilities available to all. A high proportion of residents with other parts of SPD area Permanent Permanent Permanent could assist those vulnerable needs, are within worst 10%. Medium Medium High people on low household (Source: ONS IMD) 9.4% of households in incomes through SPD area are lone parent increased competition. % of residents satisfied with living in their households with community.(NULBC Best Value dependant children. Performance Indicators) Differential between highest and lowest incomes in the area. (Source: ONS Indices of deprivation.) Average household incomes £24,143 and £22,423 in Knutton and Cross Heath respectively.

- 69 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 8A 8B 8C Protect and Allow small- Do nothing Impact on Enhance scale Sustainability Knutton Village commercial Objective shops/facilities* development outside of Knutton Village Statistics) rented stock (51.3. The Affordability- number of affordable private rented sector 3.6%. dwellings.(Source: NULBC Housing Development Monitoring Report) Void rates for social The proportion of unfit private sector rented stock in the area dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve community safety through a Domestic burglaries per 1000 population Wards within the area Positive Negative Negative Protecting and safer environment, ensure (Source: Newcastle Safer Communities exhibit higher rates (8.6 Medium Medium Medium enhancing the village public areas are overlooked and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy offences per 1,000) than Long term Long term Long term centre will ensure it does private areas secure. 2005-2008) the Borough as a whole Permanent Permanent Permanent not fall into decline and Vehicle crimes per 1000 population (6/1,000). Data for 2005 Medium Medium Medium suffer from community (Source: NULBC BVPI) found that offences in the safety problems with % of people who feel safe after dark area fell from 127.5 to vacancy, youth disorder (Newcastle Safer Communities 106.6 between 2000/1 and etc. Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy 2004/5. Domestic burglary

- 70 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 8A 8B 8C Protect and Allow small- Do nothing Impact on Enhance scale Sustainability Knutton Village commercial Objective shops/facilities* development outside of Knutton Village 2005-2008). fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per 1,000 population. 28% of offenders were under 18 with the highest type of crime being criminal damage and robbery

Improve the quality and management The area of public open space per 1,000 There is a large quantity of None None None None of open space. population.(Source: North Staffordshire open space in the area for Green Space Audit) example, the Wammy and The number of playgrounds and play Cotswold Avenue playing areas provided by the Council per 1,000 fields and access is good children under 12.(Source: NULBC BVPI/ to nearby Apedale Country North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy Park. However much of the % who are satisfied with the area as a local open space is place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but poor quality in the Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for Positive. Positive Negative Sensitively designed built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. High High Low building(s) at this development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined Long Term Long Term Long Term prominent location could through new well-designed Life Silver Standard. Permanent Permanent Permanent act as a landmark development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with High Low Low development in the plan Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan area and help sustain design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). the village centre. public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on Protect , enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) landscape and townscape , maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place. Protect, and where possible, enhance Council owned parks and green spaces To be determined None None None None biodiversity in the area. managed to enhance biodiversity.

- 71 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 8A 8B 8C Protect and Allow small- Do nothing Impact on Enhance scale Sustainability Knutton Village commercial Objective shops/facilities* development outside of Knutton Village (Source; NULBC BVPI) % of rivers/canals classed as good quality (Source: Environment Agency) Changes to number of local wildlife sites, SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

Improve community pride and % who are satisfied with the area as a To be determined Positive None None Retaining the role of the perceptions from outside. place to live.(Source: NULBC BVPI) Medium village centre will ensure

- 72 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 8A 8B 8C Protect and Allow small- Do nothing Impact on Enhance scale Sustainability Knutton Village commercial Objective shops/facilities* development outside of Knutton Village Improve and broaden access to, and Long term local heritage is understanding of local heritage, Permanent preserved. historic sites, areas and buildings. Medium Build eco-friendly buildings using Amount of development incorporating To be determined None None None None where possible, renewable materials, renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable drainage and water and space for recycling bins.(Source: management, high levels of insulation New development incorporating and low energy consumption. Sustainable Drainage Systems and the recycling of grey water.(Source: New development meeting BREEAM standards for Ecohomes as “very good”/ Code for Sustainable Homes. Encourage the use of environmentally Provision of cycleways (Source: Local Bus provision and None None None None friendly forms of transport such as Transport Plan) accessibility is generally walking, cycling and public transport. % of people travelling to work by car good with most residents (Source: Local Transport Plan) within a 10 minute walk of % of people travelling to work by non-car a bus stop, although off- modes (Source: Local Transport Plan) peak services are of low frequency and the quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor.

- 73 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 8A 8B 8C Protect and Allow small- Do nothing Impact on Enhance scale Sustainability Knutton Village commercial Objective shops/facilities* development outside of Knutton Village reaching over 15% unemployed. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally.

To provide the best possible % of residents who are economically There are high levels of Positive Positive Negative Improvements to the environment to encourage and active/ number of people working in the economic inactivity Low Low Medium existing retail core could increase economic enterprise area. (Source :ONS) amongst the working age Medium Medium Long Term offer job opportunities to and employment No. of business start –ups in population (16-74) at Permanent Permanent Permanent local residents. area.(Source: ONS) 42.3% compared to Medium Low Low % of people unemployed (Source: ONS) national levels of 33.2%. % of people who are long term Unemployment in Knutton unemployed.(Source ONS) and Cross Heath is 7.9%, % of people who are long term with certain parts of the unemployed.(Source ONS) area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse

- 74 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 8A 8B 8C Protect and Allow small- Do nothing Impact on Enhance scale Sustainability Knutton Village commercial Objective shops/facilities* development outside of Knutton Village reaching over 15% unemployed.

To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household Positive Positive Negative Improvements to the area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and Low Low Medium existing retail could offer physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and Medium Medium Long Term job opportunities to local jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively. Permanent Permanent Permanent residents. Medium Low Low

To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 Positive Negative Negative The village centre historic character and appearance of area. Medium Medium Medium provides and important the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. Long term Long term Long term focal point that maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). Permanent Permanent Permanent contributes to the historic distinctiveness and sense of place. Medium Medium Medium character of the area. Its protection and improvement is therefore of vital importance.

- 75 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 9A 9B Protect Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability character of Objective Knutton Village* Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a None None None increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. Monitoring) Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. Staffs LTP)

- 76 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 9A 9B Protect Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability character of Objective Knutton Village* dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve community safety through a Domestic burglaries per 1000 population Wards within the area Positive Negative Improvements to Knutton safer environment, ensure (Source: Newcastle Safer Communities exhibit higher rates (8.6 Medium Medium Village will help to reduce public areas are overlooked and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy offences per 1,000) than Long Term Long Term crime/anti-social behaviour private areas secure. 2005-2008) the Borough as a whole Permanent Permanent through small-scale Vehicle crimes per 1000 population (6/1,000). Data for 2005 Medium Low environmental (Source: NULBC BVPI) found that offences in the improvements. % of people who feel safe after dark area fell from 127.5 to (Newcastle Safer Communities 106.6 between 2000/1 and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy 2004/5. Domestic burglary 2005-2008). fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per 1,000 population. 28% of offenders were under 18 with the highest type of crime being criminal damage and robbery

- 77 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 9A 9B Protect Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability character of Objective Knutton Village*

Improve the quality and management The area of public open space per 1,000 There is a large quantity of None None None of open space. population.(Source: North Staffordshire open space in the area for Green Space Audit) example, the Wammy and The number of playgrounds and play Cotswold Avenue playing areas provided by the Council per 1,000 fields and access is good children under 12.(Source: NULBC BVPI/ to nearby Apedale Country North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy Park. However much of the % who are satisfied with the area as a local open space is place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but poor quality in the Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for Positive Negative Heritage led improvements built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. High Medium can enhance and protect development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined Medium term Long term the area through new well-designed Life Silver Standard. Permanent Permanent development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with High Medium Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on Protect, enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) landscape and townscape, maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place.

- 78 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 9A 9B Protect Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability character of Objective Knutton Village* (Source: Environment Agency) Changes to number of local wildlife sites, SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

Protect people and property from the Number of planning applications permitted To be determined None None None risk of flooding against Environment Agency advice.(Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report) Flooding incidents due to new development. (Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report) To slow the rate of and mitigate the % of development on previously To be determined None None None impacts of climate change by: developed land (1)increasing the use of renewable (Source: NULBC Monitoring) energy sources and on-site micro Accessibility to employment and services generation; by non-car modes (Source: Local (2)reducing the need to travel by car Transport Plan) by increasing the use of alternative Availability of recycling facilities methods of travel % of waste recycled. (3) encouraging the reduction and (Source: Staffordshire County Council) recycling of waste.

Improve community pride and % who are satisfied with the area as a To be determined Positive Negative Improvements to Knutton perceptions from outside. place to live.(Source: NULBC BVPI) High Medium Village will help to improve Improve and broaden access to, and Medium term Medium Term the visual aspect of the area understanding of, local heritage, Temporary Temporary as well as preserving

- 79 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 9A 9B Protect Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability character of Objective Knutton Village* historic sites, areas and buildings. Medium Medium heritage and character.

Build eco-friendly buildings using Amount of development incorporating To be determined None None None where possible, renewable materials, renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable drainage and water and space for recycling bins.(Source: management, high levels of insulation New development incorporating and low energy consumption. Sustainable Drainage Systems and the recycling of grey water.(Source: New development meeting BREEAM standards for Ecohomes as “very good”/ Code for Sustainable Homes. Encourage the use of environmentally Provision of cycleways (Source: Local Bus provision and None None None friendly forms of transport such as Transport Plan) accessibility is generally walking, cycling and public transport. % of people travelling to work by car good with most residents (Source: Local Transport Plan) within a 10 minute walk of % of people travelling to work by non-car a bus stop, although off- modes (Source: Local Transport Plan) peak services are of low frequency and the quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor.

To provide the best physical % of people unemployed.(Source: ONS) There are high levels of Positive Negative Improvements to the environment to encourage and No. of new businesses moving into the economic inactivity Medium Medium physical fabric of Knutton increase economic enterprise area.(Source: InStaffs) amongst the working age Long Term Long Term Village can create an and employment population (16-74) at Permanent Permanent improved environment for 42.3% compared to High Low attracting new investment. national levels of 33.2%. Unemployment in Knutton and Cross Heath is 7.9%, with certain parts of the area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse

- 80 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 9A 9B Protect Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability character of Objective Knutton Village* reaching over 15% unemployed. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally.

To provide the best possible % of residents who are economically There are high levels of Positive Negative Improvements to the environment to encourage and active/ number of people working in the economic inactivity High High physical fabric of Knutton increase economic enterprise area. (Source :ONS) amongst the working age Long term Long Term Village can create an and employment No. of business start –ups in population (16-74) at Permanent Permanent improved environment for area.(Source: ONS) 42.3% compared to Medium Low attracting new investment. % of people unemployed (Source: ONS) national levels of 33.2%. % of people who are long term Unemployment in Knutton unemployed.(Source ONS) and Cross Heath is 7.9%, % of people who are long term with certain parts of the unemployed.(Source ONS) area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household None None None area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and

- 81 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 9A 9B Protect Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability character of Objective Knutton Village* physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively. To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 Positive Negative Protecting the character of historic character and appearance of area. High High Knutton Village will help the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. Long term Long term strengthen local maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). Permanent Permanent distinctiveness and sense distinctiveness and sense of place. High High of place.

- 82 -

SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 10A 10A Address community safety Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability objectives as part of new Objective housing development/accessibility* Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a None None None increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. Monitoring) Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. Staffs LTP)

- 83 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 10A 10A Address community safety Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability objectives as part of new Objective housing development/accessibility* Development Monitoring Report) Void rates for social The proportion of unfit private sector rented stock in the area dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve community safety through a Domestic burglaries per 1000 population Wards within the area Positive Negative Community safety safer environment, ensure (Source: Newcastle Safer Communities exhibit higher rates (8.6 High Medium concerns are key to many public areas are overlooked and Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy offences per 1,000) than Long Term Long Term residents in the plan area private areas secure. 2005-2008) the Borough as a whole Permanent Permanent – the new housing Vehicle crimes per 1000 population (6/1,000). Data for 2005 High Low development will be (Source: NULBC BVPI) found that offences in the required to take account % of people who feel safe after dark area fell from 127.5 to of good design in the (Newcastle Safer Communities 106.6 between 2000/1 and layout/house designs in Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy 2004/5. Domestic burglary order not to increase the 2005-2008). fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per opportunity for crime/anti- 1,000 population. 28% of social behaviour. offenders were under 18 with the highest type of crime being criminal

- 84 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 10A 10A Address community safety Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability objectives as part of new Objective housing development/accessibility* damage and robbery

Improve the quality and management The area of public open space per 1,000 There is a large quantity of Positive Negative Community safety of open space. population.(Source: North Staffordshire open space in the area for High High concerns are key to many Green Space Audit) example, the Wammy and Medium term Medium term residents in the plan area The number of playgrounds and play Cotswold Avenue playing Permanent Permanent – the new housing areas provided by the Council per 1,000 fields and access is good High Low development will take children under 12.(Source: NULBC BVPI/ to nearby Apedale Country account of good design in North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy Park. However much of the the layout/house designs % who are satisfied with the area as a local open space is in order not to increase place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but the opportunity for poor quality in the Green crime/anti-social Space Strategy undertaken behaviour. by Scott Wilson Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for Positive Negative Community safety built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. High Medium concerns are key to many development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined Medium term Long term residents in the plan area through new well-designed Life Silver Standard. Permanent Permanent – the new housing development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with High Low development will need to Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan take account of good design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). design in the public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on layout/house designs in Protect, enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing order not to increase the character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) opportunity for crime/anti- landscape and townscape, maintaining social behaviour. and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place.

- 85 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 10A 10A Address community safety Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability objectives as part of new Objective housing development/accessibility*

Protect, and where possible, enhance Council owned parks and green spaces To be determined None None None biodiversity in the area. managed to enhance biodiversity. (Source; NULBC BVPI) % of rivers/canals classed as good quality (Source: Environment Agency) Changes to number of local wildlife sites, SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

- 86 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 10A 10A Address community safety Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability objectives as part of new Objective housing development/accessibility* (2)reducing the need to travel by car Transport Plan) by increasing the use of alternative Availability of recycling facilities methods of travel % of waste recycled. (3) encouraging the reduction and (Source: Staffordshire County Council) recycling of waste.

Improve community pride and % who are satisfied with the area as a To be determined Positive Negative Improvements to perceptions from outside. place to live.(Source: NULBC BVPI) High Medium community safety will Improve and broaden access to, and Medium term Medium Term help to improve the area understanding of local heritage, Temporary Temporary as well as perceptions of historic sites, areas and buildings. Medium Medium the area from outside.

- 87 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 10A 10A Address community safety Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability objectives as part of new Objective housing development/accessibility* environment to encourage and No. of new businesses moving into the economic inactivity increase economic enterprise area.(Source: InStaffs) amongst the working age and employment population (16-74) at 42.3% compared to national levels of 33.2%. Unemployment in Knutton and Cross Heath is 7.9%, with certain parts of the area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally.

To provide the best possible % of residents who are economically There are high levels of None None None

- 88 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 10A 10A Address community safety Do Nothing Impact on Sustainability objectives as part of new Objective housing development/accessibility* environment to encourage and active/ number of people working in the economic inactivity increase economic enterprise area. (Source :ONS) amongst the working age and employment No. of business start –ups in population (16-74) at area.(Source: ONS) 42.3% compared to % of people unemployed (Source: ONS) national levels of 33.2%. % of people who are long term Unemployment in Knutton unemployed.(Source ONS) and Cross Heath is 7.9%, % of people who are long term with certain parts of the unemployed.(Source ONS) area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household None None None area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively. To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 Negative None Addressing community historic character and appearance of area. Low safety objectives through the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. Long term methods such as alley- maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). Permanent gating can be contrary to distinctiveness and sense of place. Medium the aims of protecting historic character

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SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 11A 11B Household Do nothing Impact on Sustainability Waste Objective Management Plan* Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development within Most residents are within a None None None increasing accessibility to facilities for 30 minutes by public transport of GP, 10 min walk of bus stop. all. Improve physical connections in hospital, primary and secondary schools, Low frequency of off peak the area, and to other areas. employment and major health centres. services , and bus (Source: Staffs County Council Land Use Infrastructure poor. Monitoring) Proximity to and number of community Pedestrian crossing facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) facilities at key junctions Distance to employment areas. (Source : are unsatisfactory. Staffs LTP)

- 90 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 11A 11B Household Do nothing Impact on Sustainability Waste Objective Management Plan* Development Monitoring Report) Void rates for social The proportion of unfit private sector rented stock in the area dwellings made fit or demolished (Source: are low ( 12 out of 526 in NULBC BVPI). Number of unfit homes per Knutton, and 7 out of 485 1000 dwellings (Source: NULBC BVPI). in Cross Heath) with the Number of houses completed per year exception of Lower (Source: NULBC Housing Development Milehouse Estate.(42 out Monitoring Report). of 242). % of new homes permitted on previously developed land (Source: NULBC Housing Turnover of stock for Development Monitoring Report). Aspire properties in Cross Changes in house prices relative to the Heath is 13% regional average. (NULBC Housing Development report). House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

- 91 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 11A 11B Household Do nothing Impact on Sustainability Waste Objective Management Plan* damage and robbery

Improve the quality and management The area of public open space per 1,000 There is a large quantity of None None None of open space. population.(Source: North Staffordshire open space in the area for Green Space Audit) example, the Wammy and The number of playgrounds and play Cotswold Avenue playing areas provided by the Council per 1,000 fields and access is good children under 12.(Source: NULBC BVPI/ to nearby Apedale Country North Staffordshire Green Space Strategy Park. However much of the % who are satisfied with the area as a local open space is place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but poor quality in the Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code for None None None built environment through infill Sustainable Homes Level 3. development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build for To be determined through new, well-designed Life Silver Standard. development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with Achieve high quality and sustainable respect to land contamination in the plan design for buildings, spaces and the area (NULBC BVPI). public realm sensitive to the locality % of development taking place on Protect, enhance and manage the brownfield land. (NULBC Housing character and appearance of the Development Monitoring Report) landscape and townscape, maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place. Protect, and where possible, enhance Council owned parks and green spaces To be determined None None None biodiversity in the area. managed to enhance biodiversity. (Source; NULBC BVPI) % of rivers/canals classed as good quality (Source: Environment Agency) Changes to number of local wildlife sites, SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of

- 92 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 11A 11B Household Do nothing Impact on Sustainability Waste Objective Management Plan* key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

Protect people and property from the Number of planning applications permitted To be determined None None None risk of flooding against Environment Agency advice.(Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report) Flooding incidents due to new development. (Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report) To slow the rate of and mitigate the % of development on previously To be determined Positive Negative Encouraging recycling in impacts of climate change by: developed land High High the plan area will help to (1)increasing the use of renewable (Source: NULBC Monitoring) Long Term Medium Term improve the quality of the energy sources and on-site micro Accessibility to employment and services Permanent Permanent environment. generation; by non-car modes (Source: Local Medium Medium (2)reducing the need to travel by car Transport Plan) by increasing the use of alternative Availability of recycling facilities methods of travel % of waste recycled. (3) encouraging the reduction and (Source: Staffordshire County Council) recycling of waste.

- 93 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 11A 11B Household Do nothing Impact on Sustainability Waste Objective Management Plan* standards for Ecohomes as “very good”/ Code for Sustainable Homes. Encourage the use of environmentally Provision of cycleways (Source: Local Bus provision and None None None friendly forms of transport such as Transport Plan) accessibility is generally walking, cycling and public transport. % of people travelling to work by car good with most residents (Source: Local Transport Plan) within a 10 minute walk of % of people travelling to work by non-car a bus stop, although off- modes (Source: Local Transport Plan) peak services are of low frequency and the quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor. To provide the best physical % of people unemployed.(Source: ONS) There are high levels of None None None environment to encourage and No. of new businesses moving into the economic inactivity increase economic enterprise area.(Source: InStaffs) amongst the working age and employment population (16-74) at 42.3% compared to national levels of 33.2%. Unemployment in Knutton and Cross Heath is 7.9%, with certain parts of the area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally.

- 94 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION POSITION 11A 11B Household Do nothing Impact on Sustainability Waste Objective Management Plan* national average of 28.8%. At Key Stage 4 only 22.7% of pupils in the Knutton & Cross Heath area attained 5 or more GCSEs at A-C in 2005 compared to the national average of 57.1%.

To provide the best possible % of residents who are economically There are high levels of None None None environment to encourage and active/ number of people working in the economic inactivity increase economic enterprise area. (Source :ONS) amongst the working age and employment No. of business start –ups in population (16-74) at area.(Source: ONS) 42.3% compared to % of people unemployed (Source: ONS) national levels of 33.2%. % of people who are long term Unemployment in Knutton unemployed.(Source ONS) and Cross Heath is 7.9%, % of people who are long term with certain parts of the unemployed.(Source ONS) area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. To attract better quality jobs into the Average weekly earnings (Source ONS) Average household None None None area, as well as facilitating easier Average household income.(Source ONS) incomes £24,143 and physical access to £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and beyond. Cross Heath respectively. To protect, enhance and manage the Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 None None None historic character and appearance of area. the landscape and townscape, % of residents satisfied with the area as a To be determined. maintaining and strengthening local place to live (Source: NULBC BVPI). distinctiveness and sense of place.

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SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 12A 12B 12C Allow Allow Do nothing Impact on vehicular pedestrian Sustainability access from and cycle Objective Collins & access from Aikman site to Collins & Douglas Road Aikman site to Douglas Road* Reduce the need to travel, whilst % of new residential development Most residents are within Positive Positive Negative A pedestrian/ cycle increasing accessibility to facilities within 30 minutes by public transport a 10 min walk of bus High High Medium access to Douglas for all. Improve physical of GP, hospital, primary and stop. Low frequency of Long Term Long term Long Term Road would enable connections in the area, and to secondary schools, employment and off peak services , and Permanent Permanent Permanent easier access other areas. major health centres. (Source: Staffs bus Medium Medium Medium throughout the area County Council Land Use Monitoring) Infrastructure poor. and with other areas by Proximity to and number of community non car modes. facilities.( Source: Staffs LTP) Pedestrian crossing Distance to employment areas. facilities at key junctions (Source : Staffs LTP) are unsatisfactory.

Develop a more equitable Index of Multiple Deprivation – areas Lower Milehouse Estate None Positive None Allowing pedestrian neighbourhood by reducing within worst 10% and 20% of wards within worst 1% of High and cycle access from deprivation and increasing access nationally (Source ONS IMD) deprived areas Long term Collins and Aikman to and range of facilities available to A high proportion of residents with nationally, other parts of Permanent Douglas Road would all. vulnerable needs, SPD area are within Medium increase access for all (Source: ONS IMD) worst 10%. to a range of facilities; 9.4% of households in e.g. Improve Douglas % of residents satisfied with living in SPD area are lone Road residents access their community.(NULBC Best Value parent households with to Morrisons Performance Indicators) dependant children. Differential between highest and lowest incomes in the area. (Source: ONS Indices of deprivation.) Average household incomes £24,143 and £22,423 in Knutton and Cross Heath respectively. Provide a wider range of housing Proportion of homes that fail the 45.1% of dwellings semi- None None None None types and tenures, sizes and decent homes standard (Source: detached and 37.6%

- 96 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 12A 12B 12C Allow Allow Do nothing Impact on vehicular pedestrian Sustainability access from and cycle Objective Collins & access from Aikman site to Collins & Douglas Road Aikman site to Douglas Road* styles, build homes to higher NULBC Housing Strategy Statistics) terraced. Detached sustainable standards, including Proportion of rented accommodation. houses (7.1%) and flats ecohomes. Source: NULBC Housing Strategy (9.9%) Statistics) High levels of socially Affordability- number of affordable rented stock (51.3. The dwellings.(Source: NULBC Housing private rented sector Development Monitoring Report) 3.6%. The proportion of unfit private sector dwellings made fit or demolished Void rates for social (Source: NULBC BVPI). Number of rented stock in the area unfit homes per 1000 dwellings are low ( 12 out of 526 in (Source: NULBC BVPI). Knutton, and 7 out of Number of houses completed per year 485 (Source: NULBC Housing in Cross Heath) with the Development Monitoring Report). exception of Lower % of new homes permitted on Milehouse Estate.(42 out previously developed land (Source: of 242). NULBC Housing Development Monitoring Report). Turnover of stock for Changes in house prices relative to Aspire properties in the regional average. (NULBC Cross Housing Development report). Heath is 13%

House prices in Knutton and Cross Heath are lower than the borough average (75%)

The condition of the older housing stock is quite

- 97 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 12A 12B 12C Allow Allow Do nothing Impact on vehicular pedestrian Sustainability access from and cycle Objective Collins & access from Aikman site to Collins & Douglas Road Aikman site to Douglas Road* poor and does not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Improve community safety through Domestic burglaries per 1000 Wards within the area Negative None None Vehicular access to a safer environment, ensure population (Source: Newcastle Safer exhibit higher rates (8.6 High Douglas Road may public areas are overlooked and Communities Partnership: Crime Audit offences per 1,000) than Long Term increase traffic private areas secure. and Strategy 2005-2008) the Borough as a whole Permanent movement through the Vehicle crimes per 1000 population (6/1,000). Data for 2005 Medium area in terms of rat (Source: NULBC BVPI) found that offences in running to the detriment % of people who feel safe after dark the area fell from 127.5 of residents (Newcastle Safer Communities to 106.6 between 2000/1 Partnership: Crime Audit and Strategy and 2004/5. Domestic 2005-2008). burglary fell nearly 60% to 6.1 per 1,000 population. 28% of offenders were under 18 with the highest type of crime being criminal damage and robbery

Improve the quality and The area of public open space per There is a large quantity None None None None management of open space. 1,000 population.(Source: North of open space in the Staffordshire Green Space Audit) area for example, the The number of playgrounds and play Wammy and Cotswold areas provided by the Council per Avenue playing fields 1,000 children under 12.(Source: and access is good to NULBC BVPI/ North Staffordshire nearby Apedale Country Green Space Strategy Park. However much of % who are satisfied with the area as a the local open space is place to live.(NULBC BVPI) regarded as high value but poor quality in the

- 98 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 12A 12B 12C Allow Allow Do nothing Impact on vehicular pedestrian Sustainability access from and cycle Objective Collins & access from Aikman site to Collins & Douglas Road Aikman site to Douglas Road* Green Space Strategy undertaken by Scott Wilson Improve the quality of design in the New housing meeting BREEEM Code None None None None built environment through infill for Sustainable Homes Level 3. development as appropriate, and New housing achieving CABE Build To be determined through new, well-designed for Life Silver Standard. development. No. of sites of “potential concern” with Achieve high quality and respect to land contamination in the sustainable design for buildings, plan area (NULBC BVPI). spaces and the public realm % of development taking place on sensitive to the locality brownfield land. (NULBC Housing Protect, enhance and manage the Development Monitoring Report) character and appearance of the landscape and townscape, maintaining and strengthening the local distinctiveness and sense of place. Protect, and where possible, Council owned parks and green To be determined None None None None enhance biodiversity in the area. spaces managed to enhance biodiversity. (Source; NULBC BVPI) % of rivers/canals classed as good quality (Source: Environment Agency) Changes to number of local wildlife sites, SSSIs, SBIs (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffordshire Ecological Record/Natural England) Changes to location and prevalence of key habitats and species according to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.)Source: Staffordshire BAP) Changes to protected species

- 99 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 12A 12B 12C Allow Allow Do nothing Impact on vehicular pedestrian Sustainability access from and cycle Objective Collins & access from Aikman site to Collins & Douglas Road Aikman site to Douglas Road* (Source: Staffordshire Wildlife Audit 2001/Staffs Ecological Record/Natural England)

Protect people and property from Number of planning applications To be determined None None None None the risk of flooding permitted against Environment Agency advice.(Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report) Flooding incidents due to new development. (Source: NULBC Annual Monitoring Report) To slow the rate of and mitigate the % of development on previously To be determined Negative Positive None Vehicular access to impacts of climate change by: developed land Medium Medium Douglas Road could (1)increasing the use of renewable (Source: NULBC Monitoring) Long-Term Long term encourage more car energy sources and on-site micro Accessibility to employment and Permanent Permanent use in the plan area, generation; services by non-car modes (Source: Medium Medium whilst just providing (2)reducing the need to travel by Local Transport Plan) access for pedestrians car by increasing the use of Availability of recycling facilities and cyclists can alternative methods of travel % of waste recycled. increase accessibility (3) encouraging the reduction and (Source: Staffordshire County Council) by more sustainable recycling of waste. modes

- 100 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 12A 12B 12C Allow Allow Do nothing Impact on vehicular pedestrian Sustainability access from and cycle Objective Collins & access from Aikman site to Collins & Douglas Road Aikman site to Douglas Road* consumption. Sustainable Drainage Systems and the recycling of grey water.(Source: New development meeting BREEAM standards for Ecohomes as “very good”/ Code for Sustainable Homes. Encourage the use of Provision of cycleways (Source: Local Bus provision and Negative Positive None Cyclist and pedestrian environmentally friendly forms of Transport Plan) accessibility is generally Medium Medium provision to Douglas transport such as walking, cycling % of people travelling to work by car good with most residents Long-Term Long term Road will encourage and public transport. (Source: Local Transport Plan) within a 10 minute walk Permanent Permanent environmentally friendly % of people travelling to work by non- of a bus stop, although Medium Medium forms of transport car modes (Source: Local Transport off-peak services are of rather than private car Plan) low frequency and the use quality of bus infrastructure and information generally basic and poor. To provide the best physical % of people unemployed.(Source: There are high levels of None None None None environment to encourage and ONS) economic inactivity increase economic enterprise No. of new businesses moving into the amongst the working and employment area.(Source: InStaffs) age population (16-74) at 42.3% compared to national levels of 33.2%. Unemployment in Knutton and Cross Heath is 7.9%, with certain parts of the area in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. In 2004, 14.1% of the working age population in

- 101 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 12A 12B 12C Allow Allow Do nothing Impact on vehicular pedestrian Sustainability access from and cycle Objective Collins & access from Aikman site to Collins & Douglas Road Aikman site to Douglas Road* Knutton and Silverdale Ward, and 14.7% in Cross Heath Ward claimed benefits compared to 7.3% nationally.

Improve skills levels in the area % of residents with qualifications NVQ In Knutton and Cross None None None None through provision of training Level 4 and above.(Source: ONS) Heath 49% of the initiatives. % of pupils achieving 5 or more population have no GCSEs at Grade A-C (Source : ONS) qualifications, against a national average of 28.8%. At Key Stage 4 only 22.7% of pupils in the Knutton & Cross Heath area attained 5 or more GCSEs at A-C in 2005 compared to the national average of 57.1%.

To provide the best possible % of residents who are economically There are high levels of None None None None environment to encourage and active/ number of people working in economic inactivity increase economic enterprise the area. (Source :ONS) amongst the working and employment No. of business start –ups in age population (16-74) area.(Source: ONS) at 42.3% compared to % of people unemployed (Source: national levels of 33.2%. ONS) Unemployment in % of people who are long term Knutton and Cross unemployed.(Source ONS) Heath is 7.9%, with % of people who are long term certain parts of the area

- 102 - SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES BASELINE INDICATOR CURRENT BASELINE OPTION OPTION OPTION POSITION 12A 12B 12C Allow Allow Do nothing Impact on vehicular pedestrian Sustainability access from and cycle Objective Collins & access from Aikman site to Collins & Douglas Road Aikman site to Douglas Road* unemployed.(Source ONS) in Cross Heath South and Lower Milehouse reaching over 15% unemployed. To attract better quality jobs into Average weekly earnings (Source Average household None None None None the area, as well as facilitating ONS) incomes £24,143 and easier physical access to Average household income.(Source £22,423 in Knutton and jobs in the town centre and ONS) Cross Heath beyond. respectively. To protect, enhance and manage Number of listed buildings in the SPD 1 None None None None the historic character and area. appearance of the landscape and % of residents satisfied with the area To be determined. townscape, maintaining and as a place to live (Source: NULBC strengthening local distinctiveness BVPI). and sense of place.

- 103 -