Sandwell Development Plan

Monitoring Report 2015/16 ‘the Authorities Monitoring Report’

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Introduction to the Black Country

Chapter 3 Planning Policy Framework Update

 Local Development Scheme (LDS)  S106 Agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)  Duty to Co-operate  Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

Chapter 4 Spatial Strategy and Delivery

Chapter 5 Creating Sustainable Communities

Chapter 6 The Economy, Employment and Centres

Chapter 7 Centres and Town Centre Uses

Chapter 8 Transport and Accessibility

Chapter 9 Environmental Infrastructure

Chapter 10 Development Constraints, Telecommunications and Development Management

Chapter 11 Waste

Chapter 12 Minerals

Chapter 13 Tipton AAP

Chapter 14 Smethwick AAP

Chapter 15 Significant Effects Indicators

Chapter 16 Conclusion

Glossary Appendix 1: Duty to Cooperate Member Groups Appendix 2: Black Country Housing Trajectory

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1.0 Introduction

The AMR is required by section 35 of the 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act to assess:  The implementation of the Local Development Scheme (LDS); and  The extent to which policies in the Local Plan are being achieved.

The Localism Act 2011 removed the requirement for Annual Monitoring Reports to be submitted to the Secretary of State. However, local authorities are still required to undertake monitoring at least annually.

The AMR monitors the suite of adopted Local Plan, which this year includes

 Black Country Core Strategy (BCCS) 2011  Site Allocation and Delivery DPD (SAD DPD) 2012  West Bromwich Area Action Plan (WB AAP) 2012  Smethwick Area Action Plan (SAAP) 2008  Tipton Area Action Plan (TAAP) 2008

Subsequent to the adoption of the BCCS in 2011 each of the four authority’s produce an AMR that incorporates the indicators from the BCCS but will also reflect their own situation.

The monitoring period for this document is 1st April 2015 – 31st March 2016.

1.1 Monitoring Framework

A monitoring framework was prepared for the first annual monitoring report in 2004/5 and has been used to produce all subsequent AMRs with additions as necessary. It uses measureable indicators to help assess progress towards the aims and targets set in our planning policy documents.

In order to achieve a broad monitoring framework, there are three different types of indicators: Contextual Indicators: set out the wider context within which the Local Plan operates. The indicators set out the key characteristics and the issues in the locality. Output Indicators: are spilt into core (COI), local (LOI) and Sandwell only (SLOI) indicators. They measure the physical activities that are directly related to, and are a consequence of, the implementation of planning policies. Significant Effects Indicators: monitor the effects of plans and policies on social, environmental and economic issues. These are linked to Strategic Environmental Assessments and Sustainability Appraisals of Local Plans.

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2.0 Introduction to the Black Country

The Black Country is a sub-region of the West Midlands located to the west of Birmingham. In local government terms the Black Country is defined as the four local authority districts of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Figure 1: Map of the Black Country

(Source: Black Country Observatory)

2.1 Sandwell

Sandwell is surrounded by urban areas as it borders Birmingham and the other three Black Country authorities. It has good transport links with the M5 and M6 transecting the borough and good public transport links with the Midland Metro and the West Coast Main Line railway. Despite its predominantly urban character Sandwell has many areas of open space which includes twelve award winning green flag parks and approximately 820 hectares of Green Belt, which contribute to its environmental quality and attractiveness.

Demographic Profile

According to the 2016 mid-year estimates sourced from the Office of National Statistics shows that Sandwell had a population of 322,200, this is the second largest population in the Black Country behind Dudley. The 0-14 age group made up 20.9% of the population, which is higher than the national average of 17.9%. The over 65 age group accounts for 15.20% of the population within the borough, this is below the national average of 15.3%. The population density for the borough works out at 36.82 persons to the hectare.

Information sourced from Sandwell Trends and based on the 2011 Census shows that the borough has an ethnically diverse population with 32.8% of the population 4 being from an ethnic minority. The largest ethnic minority is of Asian origin, which makes 18.8% of the population this is followed by mixed race 6.52%, Afro Caribbean 5.8% and other 1.52%.

Economic Profile

Vitality amongst the labour market can be measured through the proportion of working age (16-64) people who are in, or actively seeking, employment. Figures from 2014/15 show that the economic activity rate was 70.60% in Sandwell compared to a rate of 77.90% for England.

There are currently 131,900 employees working with in Sandwell and in terms of employment there remains a relatively large reliance on manufacturing. Management and professional occupations (29.40%) make up the largest section of the workforce within the borough, followed by plant and machinery operatives and elementary occupations (424.00%), administration and secretarial (24.00%) and care/leisure and other service occupations (22.60%).

Compared to the national averages Sandwell is well below the national average (44.90%) for management and professional occupations and is above the national average (17.20%) for machinery operatives and elementary occupations. This shows that the borough’s economy is still heavily reliant on the manufacturing sector.

Figures for 2016 show the average weekly earnings of those living in Sandwell was £456.3 compared to £507.8in the West Midlands and £541 nationally. Compared to the three other Black Country areas of Dudley (£511.6), Walsall (£464.3) and Wolverhampton (£440.8) Sandwell has the second lowest average weekly earnings within the sub-region.

Unemployment in Sandwell between July 2014 and June 2015 stood at 8.2% of the economic active 16 to 64 age group, this compared to a national figure of 5.1%. This shows that unemployment is an issue for the borough with it nearly running at double the national rate.

Data from the last three years shows that the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in Sandwell has fallen from 7.2% in March 2012 to 3.6% in March 2016. This has followed the national trend where the number of claimants has fallen from 4% to 1.8% over the same period. The figures do show that long term unemployment is on the decrease with the figures for JSA claimants who have been unemployed for over one year increased from 2.4% to 2.6% and those who have been unemployed for over two years increased from 0.9% to 1.1%. These percentages are based on the percentage proportion of resident population aged 16-64 claiming JSA.

Business creation in the Black Country also declined under these economic conditions, with the number of new businesses per 10,000 adult populations decreasing from 2007 to 2010. However, the 2011 figures indicated an upturn with all four districts experiencing an increase in business creation rates. This has sustained through to the latest 2012 figures in Dudley and Walsall, with slight falls in

5 the other two districts. There were 37.8 new businesses created per 10,000 adult populations in both Dudley and Wolverhampton, 37.3 in Walsall and 36.1 in Sandwell. The rate in England has been consistently higher and stood at 55.3 in 2012.

Sustaining new business activity has also been increasingly difficult in recent times, as illustrated by the proportion of new Black Country businesses that ceased trading within a year, which more than doubled from 5.1% in 2007 to 12.1% in 2010, with rates of 11% in Sandwell and Wolverhampton, 12.1% in Walsall and 13.9% in Dudley. However, the latest 2011 figures show that the percentage of businesses folding within a year has fallen in all four Black Country districts to stand at 5.7% in Wolverhampton, 6.2% in Walsall, 6.6% in Dudley and 7.3% in Sandwell; the England equivalent was 6.9%.

Developing a skills base amongst the workforce is essential to economic development. Figures from 2014 indicate that the percentage of working age people with no qualifications in Sandwell (19.2%) is double that of the national average for England (8.8%). Conversely fewer people have higher skills gained qualifications of NVQ level 4 (and equivalent) and above with only 21.6% of people with the 16 to 64 age group gaining such qualifications. Figures show that over the last five years the numbers of people gaining qualifications of NVQ level 4 (and equivalent) has increase from 17.5% in 2010, but this is also true at the national level, meaning there has been no significant narrowing in the skills gap.

Housing Profile

As of April 2014 there were 128,790 dwellings in the Sandwell. The large majority of dwellings 59.9% are in the private ownership, 22.2% are council rented, 4.8% social rented and 12.9% private rented.

House prices at the national level had been on a general downward trend since the last peak in 2007, but are now showing strong signs of a reversal with an average price of a house in Sandwell being £126,245 in 2014 nationally the average price is £267,000.

Transport Profile

2011 Census results show that the car (67.7%) is the most used form of transport when travelling to work within Sandwell. In the borough 14.2% travel to work by bus and 10% walk to work, which is representative of the national picture (10.7%).

Socio-Cultural Profile

The Indices of Deprivation provide a measure of relative deprivation levels across England. Deprivation scores are calculated for each district across a number of measures; these are than converted into a national ranking system where a rank of 1 equals the most deprived district in England. The most recent indices from 2015 show that Sandwell was ranked 13th of 326 local authority districts, followed by Wolverhampton with a ranking of 21, Walsall 30 and Dudley 104. Measures at the district level can mask pockets of significant deprivation. Each district can be sub-

6 divided into areas called Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOA). These are used for the presentation of statistics such as the Index of Multiple Deprivation, which is part of the national indices. Analysis shows that in 2015 28% of Sandwell’s LSOA were amongst the 10% most deprived in England.

From reaching a record high in 2013, the percentage of the borough’s pupils achieving 5 or more GCSE grades A*-C (including English and Maths) has fallen for the third consecutive year in a row. The figures for Sandwell for 2013, 2014 and 2015, were 54.1%, 50.7% and46.1% respectively. In 2016 the figure has fallen to 45.1%, which is below the average for England of 49.9%.

Male and female life expectancies are on an upward trend in line with the pattern seen for the West Midlands and England. Data from 2012-2014 shows that male life expectancy at birth in Sandwell was 77 years and for female life expectancy at birth was 81.3 years. This is below the national average of 79.5 years for males and 83.2 years for females. Compared to figures for 2001-2002 there has been a significant increase in the life expectancy for a males (73.7 years) and females (78.8 years) living in the borough.

Childhood obesity levels can be viewed as an indicator of future health issues. The figures for 2015 show that obesity (11%) amongst 4-5 year old children within the borough is higher than the average (9.3%) for England. The figures for 10-11years olds shows that 25.7% of children in this age group are classed as obesity, this is significantly higher than the average of 19.1% for England.

Crime levels in all four districts have seen a steady and sustained decrease over the past few years, but in a reversal of this trend there has been a small increase in crime rates in the last twelve months. In the period 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014 the crime rates per thousand people were 43.7 in Dudley, 55.7 in Sandwell, 55.8 in Walsall and 64.2 in Wolverhampton.

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3.0 Planning Policy Framework Update

3.1 Local Development Scheme (LDS)

The Sandwell LDS is a project plan that details documents to be included in the Local Plan (formerly known as the LDF). The LDS contains a three year programme of plan preparation and it is reviewed on an annual basis. This ensures that the need for any new documents is identified and the progress of existing documents can be monitored.

The LDS approved in June 2015 provides the basis for this year’s monitoring period. Thus, progress towards key milestones in the monitoring period has been:

Table 1: LDS Update 2015/16 Name of Document Stage Milestone Black Country Core Strategy Review Consultation on I & O’s August 2017 Site Allocations and Delivery DPD Consultation Anticipated 2018 Review Wednesbury Conservation Area Review Consultation Anticipated August 2017 Planning Obligations SPD Adoption Adopted in August 2015. BC Air Quality SPD Adoption Adopted in October 2016 Statement of Community Involvement Adoption Adopted in July 2016 Hot Food Takeaway SPD Adoption Adopted in July 2016.

3.2 S106 Agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

Section 106 Agreements are a device to secure planning obligations which are used to make ‘unacceptable development’ acceptable in planning terms, for example by providing funds to invest in the transport infrastructure to offset the impacts of the development. The table below refers to money collected by the Local Authority through section 106 agreements since 2004/5.

Since November 2009, the Council have adopted a flexible approach to planning obligations based on financial viability grounds. This is due to the difficulties some developers are having in bringing schemes forward in the current economic climate. It is encouraging that this approach has still enabled the Council to collect funds for certain planning obligations whilst allowing development schemes to go ahead which help deliver the Councils regeneration objectives.

Table 2: S106 Contributions

Date Received 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 Residential £199,181 £93,070 £213,364 £185,892 Retail Commercial (office) £547 £175,554 Other employment Mixed Use £137,115 Other £87,467 Affordable housing Financial contribution in in lieu of provision 0 0 £193,069 Year Total £287,19 £405,739 £213,364 £185,892

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(Source: Sandwell MBC). Note - The table includes schemes which have gained planning permission and where the Council have received the money. Figures are rounded to the nearest £. This table does not indicate whether the money has yet been spent.

In 2010 the Government introduced legislation to enable Local Authorities to introduce a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). CIL is a standard charge which local planning authorities are empowered, but not required, to charge on most types of new development.

Following approval by Council on 3 March 2015, Sandwell MBC implemented a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) effective from 1st April 2015.

CIL Income Report 2015/2016 Financial Year

Background

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a mechanism to allow local planning authorities to raise funds from new development, in the form of a levy, in order to contribute to the cost of infrastructure projects that are, or will be, needed to support new development.

Sandwell MBC’s CIL took effect from 1st April 2015 and the Council is both a Charging Authority and a Collecting Authority. Regulation 62 of the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended) requires CIL Charging Authorities to produce an annual report detailing CIL income and expenditure and make it available before the 31 December each year. This is Sandwell MBC’s annual report for the year 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2016.

The CIL Charging Schedule 2015 sets out the charge per square metre that will apply to each category of development that is liable. The CIL is intended to be used to help provide infrastructure to support the development of an area rather than making an individual planning application acceptable in planning terms (which is the purpose of Section 106 Agreements). This report focusses on CIL rather that S106 funded projects.

Table 3: Aggregated CIL Funds Summary All Reporting Years Description Details Total CIL receipts for all years* £136,073.16 Total CIL expenditure on infrastructure £0 for all years* Total amount of CIL applied to £6803.62 administrative expenses Total amount of CIL available for local £20,411.00 infrastructure Total amount of CIL available for £108,858.54 Strategic infrastructure

Total Local and Strategic funds raised £129,269.54 Total CIL expenditure on infrastructure £0 for all years* *This is the first reporting year 9

Regulation Reporting Criteria Value Reg 62 (4) (a) Total CIL receipts for the reported year £136,073.16 Reg 62 (4) (b) Total CIL expenditure for the reported year £0 Reg 62 (4) (c) Summary details of CIL expenditure during the reported year other than in relation to CIL to which regulation 59E or 59 F applied (i.e. excludes funding for local priorities passed to local councils or in unparished areas) Reg 62 (4) (c) (i) The items of infrastructure to which CIL (including £0 land payments) has been applied Reg 62 (4) (c) (ii) The amount of CIL expenditure on each item £0 Reg 62 (4) (c) (iii) The amount of CIL applied to repay money £0 borrowed, including any interest, with details of the infrastructure items which that money was used to provide including any interest, with details of the infrastructure items which that money was used to provide (wholly or in part) Reg 62 (4) (c) (iv) The amount of CIL applied to administrative £6803.62 expenses pursuant to regulation 61, and that 5% amount expressed as a percentage of CIL collected in that year in accordance with that regulation Reg 62 (ca) The amount of CIL passed to: Reg 62 (4) (ca) (i) Any local council under regulation 59A or 59 B £0 Reg 62 (4) (ii) Any person under regulation 59(4) £0 Reg 62 (4) (cb) Summary details of the receipt and expenditure of CIL to which regulation 59E or 59F applied during the reported year Reg 62 (4) (cb) (i) The total CIL receipts that regulations 59E and 59F £20,411.00 applied to. Reg 62 (4) (cb) (ii) none The items to which the CIL receipts to which regulations 59E and 59F applied have been applied Reg 62 (4) (cb) (iii) The amount of expenditure on each item £0 Reg 62 (4) (cc) Summary details of any notices served in accordance with regulation 59E (recovery of funding passed to parishes), including Reg 62 (4) (cc) (i) The total value of CIL receipts requested from £0 each local council Reg 62 (4) (cc) (ii) Any funds not yet recovered from each local £0 council at the end of the reported year Reg 62 (4) (d) The total amount of: Reg 62 (4) (d) (i) CIL receipts for the reported year retained at the £108,858.54 end of the reported year other than those to which regulation 59E or 50F applied ‘strategic slice’ Reg 62 (4) (d) (II) CIL receipts from previous years retained at the Not applicable end of the reported year other than those to which (first year of regulation 59E or 59F applied reporting) Reg 62 (4) (d) (iii) CIL receipts for the reported year to which £20,411.00 regulation 59E or 59F applied at the end of the reported year ‘local slice’ 10

Reg 62 (4) (d) (iv) CIL receipts for previous years to which regulation Not applicable 59E or 59F applied retained at the end of the (first year of reported year reporting) Reg 62 (4) (e) In relation to any infrastructure payments accepted by the charging authority:

i) The items of infrastructure to which the n/a infrastructure payments relate, ii) The amount of CIL to which each item of £0 infrastructure relates

Regulation 59A – Duty to pass CIL to local councils This regulation sets down details on how a charging authority must pass to every local council (Parish Councils) within its area a proportion of CIL receipts raised from chargeable developments within those areas. This does not apply to Sandwell MBC as it does not have Parish Councils.

Regulation 59E – Recovery of CIL passed in accordance with regulation 59A or 59B This regulation sets down that where CIL monies have been passed to the local council (Parish Councils), and where the local council has not spent those funds within 5 years, how these funds should then be repaid to the charging authority. This does not apply to Sandwell MBC as it does not have Parish Councils.

Regulation 59F – Use of CIL in an area to which regulations 59A and 59B do not apply. This regulation sets down how the charging authority should spend a proportion of CIL receipts in areas that are not covered by a local council (Parish Council); describing that the charging authority may use the CIL to support the development of the relevant area by funding: the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure; or anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area. This regulation does apply to Sandwell MBC.

3.3 Duty to Co-operate

The Localism Act 2011 (brought into effect on the 15th November 2011) sets out a new ‘duty to co-operate' which applies to all local planning authorities, such as Sandwell MBC, and other public bodies. The new duty:  relates to sustainable development or use of land that would have a significant impact on at least two local planning areas  requires that councils set out planning policies to address such issues  requires that councils and public bodies ‘engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis to develop strategic policies  requires councils’ to consider joint approaches to plan making.

Table 3 below summarises the co-operation that has taken place and the actions which have been taken under this new duty from 1st April 2014 to the 31st March 2015.

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Table 4: Duty to Cooperate Cooperation With On What Action/Outcome Date West Midlands Agreement of the Endorse the approach Ongoing Metropolitan Duty to Strategic Policy and regular meetings Co-operate Group. Framework for the to discuss and agree (Birmingham CC, West Midlands Strategic planning Coventry CC, Solihull Metropolitan Area - issues MBC, Dudley MBC, Sandwell maintains MBC, Walsall MBC, commitment to the Wolverhampton CC, West Urban renaissance. Midlands ITA) Local Authorities in the Black Regional Logistics Sites Joint study co-ordinated by Jan 2012 Country and southern (RLS) Study Steering Group, led by – to date Staffordshire, Centro (the Wolverhampton City Integrated Transport Council. Stage 1 was Authority) completed in March 2013 and published on Council website in April 2013. Work on stage 2 of the study is ongoing. GBSLEP and BC Housing Strategic Housing Needs Phase 3 of Study 2014 – to Needs Study Study completed August 2015 date

Black Country DtC (Dudley Provide a forum for Quarterly meetings to Ongoing MBC, Sandwell MBC, Walsall discussing and recording discuss Black Country MBC, Wolverhampton CC, such strategic matters Local Authority planning ITA, LNP, Heritage England, affecting the Black Country Documents and issues. Environment Agency, Natural and evidencing how those England, HCA, Highways matters have been addressed Agency, HNS, Rail Authority, in the plan-making process BCLEP. and allow a dialogue between organisations. BC Place Group Deliver sites and keep a Ongoing pipeline of sites

West Midlands Resource Waste - The RTAB supports Technical Advisory Body co-operation between local (RTAB) authorities and others by providing objective and authoritative technical advice concerning the sustainable management of material resources and strategic waste management data, issues, and development policies and proposals West Midlands Aggregates Minerals - The WMAWP As well as enabling MPAs Ongoing Working Party (WMAWP) - plays a major role in data within the region to Mineral Planning Authorities collection, collation and formulate plans and (MPA), public bodies, mineral monitoring and provides polices which reflect industry representatives in advice on future regional national and regional the West Midlands trends, together with the needs, the WMAWP environmental and other provides an input in to implications of meeting regional planning and Government aggregate Central Government demand forecasts. guidelines for aggregate provision.

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Biodiversity Partnership, Nature Conservation – These Ongoing Geodiversity Partnership, groups provide help and Local Sites Partnership and support on biodiversity and EcoRecord for Birmingham geodiversity development and the Black Country (Local (and site management) Authorities, public bodies, related issues. This includes user groups in Birmingham the production of Action and the Black Country) Plans, amendments to Local Sites, and the collection and monitoring of habitat and species related data.

3.4 Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

Sandwell’s’ SCI was adopted in 2007; the following indicators are used to help monitor its implementation.

SL54 - The extent to which community involvement undertaken on the preparation of the local development framework is in accordance with the  Sandwell Statement of Community involvement

Consultation was undertaken on the following Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents.

Table 5: Consultation Stages of Development Plan Documents

Planning Obligations SPD Consultation on Draft Planning Obligations SPD (2015) March 2014 – April 2015. Statement of Community Consultation on Draft SCI Feb 2016 – Mar 2016 Involvement Hot Food Takeaway SPD Consultation on Draft Hot Food Takeaway SPD Nov 2015 – Dec 2015 & Feb 2016 – Mar 2016 Black Country Air Quality SPD Consultation on Draft Black Country Air Quality SPD Feb 2016 – April 2016

All documents in preparation or engagement in the year to 31 March 2016 have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Statement of Community Involvement

SL55: SCI – Planning Applications  The Council continues to meet and exceed their statutory requirements for all consultation/publicity of planning applications. Applications in receipt of three or more responses from residents that are contrary to the officer recommendation are reported to Planning Committee.

The Council seeks constant improvement in order to adapt and develop processes following comments from residents and Councillors to ensure that the process continues to be open, transparent and less confusing. The Council continues to encourage pre-application consultation with residents and ensure that the planning application process is accessible to all members of the community. In addition,

13 support has been provided to members of the public through providing additional staffing at Planning Committee and the use of display screens.

 A current trial involving filming and webcasting of Planning Committee meetings is intended to go “live” in 2017.  An audio visual system has been upgraded within the Council Chamber incorporating TV monitors to ensure that members of the public are more engaged in the Committee procedures.  Planning Officers continue to assist members of the public during the Committee Meetings and additional staffing at meetings has been provided: this is often extended if circumstances dictate e.g. large agendas or meetings with contentious applications for determination.  Improvements continue to be made to the Council’s web site to improve access for viewing planning applications on line, making comments and access information regarding general planning enquiries.  Many applications (major and minor) now indicate that Applicants have carried out pre-application consultation with the community following the advice set out in the Statement of Community Involvement.  A Planning Committee site visit protocol has been agreed and adopted to standardise discussion with applicants and objectors: Planning Committee often visit application sites on contentious submissions.  Planning Officer’s make home visits to disabled or the frail elderly to discuss submissions if required.  Regular training to Planning Committee members takes place on a variety of planning topics, including new legislation and Committee protocols.  There is always a planning solicitor in attendance at Planning Committee meeting for advice and guidance on any procedural or legal matters.  A customer satisfaction survey is sent out with all decision notices: this survey has consistently indicated a high satisfaction level with the Development Management service: approx. 92% of respondents were either "Very" or "Fairly" satisfied with the service in the year 2015/16. The survey also provides the opportunity to comment on specific aspects of the service or suggest improvements.

The Council continues to meet and exceed their statutory requirements for all planning applications, improvements to online planning services continue, more applicants are increasingly engaging in pre-applications consultation with the community and further measures to assist members of the public with bureaucracy associated with Planning Committee have been introduced.

SMBC continues to encourage and promote pre-application consultation with residents; ensure that the planning application process is accessible to all members of the community (using new technology along with more traditional consultation methods); continue regular training with members of the Planning Committee; the Councils scheme of Delegation has been revised which allows increased numbers of planning applications to be determined without referral to planning committee – this streamlines and speeds up the planning process; the authority are intending to film and webcast Planning Committee meetings in 2017.

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4.0 Spatial Strategy and Delivery

Objective

 Focussed investment and development in comparison shopping, office employment, leisure, tourism, and culture within the four Strategic Centres: Brierley Hill, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton to retain and increase their share of economic activity and meet the increasing aspirations of their catchment areas.

 Model sustainable communities on redundant employment land in the Regeneration Corridors, that make the most of opportunities such as public transport and canal networks, are well served by residential services and green infrastructure, have good walking, cycling and public transport links to retained employment areas and centres, are set in a high quality natural and built environment and are well integrated with surrounding areas.

 A high quality environment fit for the future, and a strong Urban Park focussed on beacons, corridors and communities; respecting, protecting and enhancing the unique biodiversity and geodiversity of the Black Country and making the most of its assets whilst valuing its local character and industrial legacy.

 A first-class transport network providing rapid convenient and sustainable links between the Strategic Centres, existing and new communities, and employment sites. To include an enhanced, integrated public transport system, an improved highway network including walking and cycling routes with strong links to the green infrastructure network. Improvements to the national M5 and M6 motorways network and freight railway network will help deliver better connectivity to Regional and National networks.

The regeneration of the Black Country is focussed on Strategic Centres and Regeneration Corridors where the majority of development will be focussed up to 2026, offering protection to the Green Belt. This is set out in the Core Spatial policies within the Core Strategy which set the context for the theme based policies in the Plan

Table 6: Gross Housing Completions Gross Housing Total Gross Gross Housing Completions Housing Completions Core 2015/16 completions since Strategy Target April 2009 (incl. 2026 2015/16) Regeneration 567 3681 13166 Corridors Free Standing 0 0 714 employment Sites

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Total in Growth 567 3681 13880 Network (CSP!) Outside the Growth 104 1280 901 Network (CSP2)

85% of completions to date have taken place within the regeneration corridors.

LOI DEL1 - Adoption of Local Development Documents setting out details of the full range of infrastructure to be provided or supported  LOI DEL2 – Adoption of Site Allocation Documents and Area Action Plans No covering the whole of the Black Country as per LA LDS Data

Table: Progress on the adoption of Local Plan Documents Document Progress Core Strategy Future Timetable Target Site Allocation and Adopted 2012 Complete by 2016 n/a Delivery DPD West Bromwich Adopted 2012 Complete by 2016 n/a AAP Community Implemented 2015 Complete by 2016 n/a Infrastructure Levy

LOI DEL2b - Employment Land Completions by LA (ha)  LOI DEL 2c – Loss of Employment Land by LA area (ha) by type 

Managing the development of additional employment and new housing is a key part of the Spatial Strategy of the Core Strategy. Table 5 below highlights progress made so far in achieving this long term vision.

Table 6: Employment Land Progress Sandwell (ha) Overall Target at Progress 2016 Gross Employment Land 1188.11 1214 Additions to Employment Land 0 0 Employment Land Redeveloped 46.94 67 to Housing

Progress on Significant Development 2015/16

Figure 2, below, shows the location of developments in the context of the Spatial Strategy, and again it is encouraging that these developments are helping to regenerate Sandwell.

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Figure 2: Major Developments in Sandwell 2015/16

Table 7 shows the progress of significant developments in Sandwell. Despite the wider economic climate, it is encouraging that there are a number of large development projects underway or permitted this year. 17

Table 7: Progress of significant developments in Sandwell

Map Type of Development Site Name Status Ref Development Outputs Wednesbury Leisure 1 Centre, High Bullen, Leisure Completed 1.3ha Wednesbury

Devereux Road, West 2 Residential Completed 43 units Bromwich

The Lyng, West 3 Residential Completed 43 units Bromwich

Health Future University 4 Technical College West Education Completed 5,390sqm Bromwich

Harvills Hawthorn PFI, 5 Residential Under Construction 233 units West Bromwich

6 Opus 9, Wednesbury B8 Warehouse Under Construction 43,669 sqm

7 Ashes Road, Oldbury Residential Under Construction 46 units

123 Residential 8 Throne Road, Oldbury Residential Under Construction Units

Doulton Road, Rowley 188 Residential 9 Residential Under Construction Regis Units

10 Metropolitan Hospital Health Care Under Construction 144,000 sqm

Travel Lodge, Providence 11 Hotel Under Construction 2,476sqm Place, West Bromwich

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5.0 Creating Sustainable Communities

Objective The provision of housing that is accessible and meets the needs of the Borough’s residents is essential to enable people to make real choices about their homes. The objective of housing policy at both sub regional and local levels is to meet the housing requirements of the whole community by providing land for a sufficient quantity of new homes to be built, and by ensuring greater choice of housing, including affordable housing.

Key Development Plan Policies: BCCS Policies HOU 1-5, SAD DPD Policies H1 – 4; Planning Obligations SPD.

The Council adopts the plan, monitor and manage approach to the allocation of housing development in order to both monitor levels of provision and meet the housing requirements of the Black Country Core Strategy 2011.

Annual monitoring of Sandwell’s housing delivery performance is undertaken to measure the rate of housing development in the Borough. The assessment is based upon the Black Country Core Strategy housing target of 63,000 the table below shows the target for Sandwell.

COI HOU1: Housing Trajectory Indicators 

Table 8: Sandwell plan period housing targets Indicator Start of End of Total Housing Required (Net) Source of Plan Plan Phased 5 Year Phased 5 Year Plan Target Period Period Supply – Year Supply – No Units HOU1 2006 2026 2006 - 2016 7421 Black Country 2016 - 2021 4690 Core Strategy 2021- 2026 9378 (2011) Total 21489

Table 9: Net completions per annum from 2006/7

Year Completions (Gross)1 Demolitions2 Completions (Net) 2006/2007 1514 352 1162 2007/2008 1401 265 1136 2008/2009 676 226 450 2009/2010 596 91 505 2010/2011 662 113 549 2011/2012 771 172 599 2012/2013 736 24 712 2013/2014 564 28 536

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2014/2015 970 9 961 2015/2016 575 14 558 Total 8464 1294 7168 1 Figures include conversions and change of use to residential use 2 Figures include conversions and change of use from residential use

LOI HOU1 Housing completions (Net) for each Regeneration Corridor and Strategic Centre, and sites outside the Growth Network 

Table 10: Housing Completions by Regeneration Corridor Completions (Net)

Strategic Location Target BCCS 2026 2009/ 2010 2010/ 2011 2011/ 2012 2012/ 2013 2013/ 2014 2014/ 2015 2015/ 2016 Commitments (Gross) Total achieved (incl. to date commitment) RC8 - Hill Top 3910 164 -20 37 129 49 244 189 2682 3474 RC9 – Tipton, Dudley 5320 88 22 180 67 80 130 44 3452 4063 Port, Brades Village RC12 – Oldbury, West 2591 43 138 234 324 150 311 189 3932 5321 Bromwich, Smethwick RC13 – Rowley Regis 3133 78 52 18 44 25 22 28 1670 1937 – Jewellery Line RC16 – Coseley, 536 24 130 16 -5 59 46 13 495 778 Tipton, Princes End Outside the Growth 1615 108 227 114 153 173 208 95 3191 4269 Network (including Free Standing Employment Site) Overall Total 14781 505 549 599 712 536 961 558 15422 19834 The above table indicates the location of housing completions and commitments within the regeneration corridors and strategic centre, and also those outside of the growth network. It shows that development has taken place in most of our corridors and outside.

During 2015/16 a total of 493 units were completed in all of the Regeneration Corridors with 95 units completed outside the Grown Network. The majority of our large housing sites are within our Regeneration Corridors Growth Network. Significant progress has also been made towards meeting medium and long term housing targets for the growth network, through the Adoption of the SAD DPD and WB AAP which identifies site specific housing allocations up to 2021 and 2026 respectively.

COI HOU1a – Housing Trajectory Indicators 

The trajectory shows the net housing completions since 2006/07, as well as projected completions up to 2025/26. The housing trajectory has been calculated taking into account completions and existing housing commitments (those sites with

20 planning permission). The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) has also been utilised to predict projected completions which accounts for allocated sites, derelict and vacant sites, those put forward by developers with potential for housing, those likely to come forward within the regeneration corridors on surplus industrial land.

Figure 3: Housing Trajectory

2500 Sandwell MBC Housing Trajectory 2000 1800 2000 1600 1400 Units 1500 1200 of 1000 1000 800 600

Number 500 400 200 0 0 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9

2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 Year2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Past Net Completions

The chart below indicates the level of housing provision on a Black Country wide level, based on an overall housing target of 63, 000 net new homes for the Black Country as a whole. This trajectory is based on housing data from the four Black Country authorities, showing the number of net housing completions since 2006/07, as well as completions up to 2025/26. The trajectory follows a similar pattern to the Sandwell specific trajectory with higher levels of completions anticipated in the next few years, exceeding the target to compensate for low levels in recent years.

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Table 11: Housing Trajectory 2006/7 – 2025/26

Indicator 23/24 24/25 25/26 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10

Dwellings 1162 1136 450 505 549 599 712 536 961 558 Completed

Net additional dwellings for future years 562 1697 1366 1421 1337 1934 1905 1876 1833 1764 Cumulative 1162 2298 2748 3253 3802 4401 5113 5649 6610 7168 7730 9427 10793 12214 13551 15485 17290 19266 21099 22863 Completions

Plan Target 742 742 742 742 742 742 742 742 742 742 938 938 938 938 938 1876 1876 1876 1876 1876

Cumulative 742 1484 2226 2968 3710 4452 5194 5936 6678 7420 8358 9296 10234 11172 12110 13986 15862 17738 19614 21489 Target

Monitor - no. dwellings above or below 420 814 522 285 92 -51 -81 -287 -68 -252 -628 131 559 1042 1441 1499 1528 1528 1485 1373 cumulative development plan target

Managed delivery target - Residual Target taking into 1075 1070 1066 1102 1140 1179 1221 1260 1320 1440 1432 1529 1508 1528 1546 1588 1501 1367 1112 391 account actual completions and expected supply

Number of years left in 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Plan(s)

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SL1: Supply of Ready to Develop Housing Sites 

The Council is required to produce a SHLAA in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF); the Sandwell SHLAA was updated in 2015.

The NPPF requires Local Planning Authorities (LPA) to annually update a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide five years’ worth of housing against their housing requirement with an additional buffer of 5% (moved forward from later in the plan period). The Council’s five year housing land supply is summarised below indicating the sources of the supply.

5.1 Current capacity

The table below sets out the capacity of housing sites as at April 2016.

Table 13: Housing Capacity Source of supply No of units available between 2016/17 – 2020/21 Units under construction (gross) 572 Housing commitments with planning permission (i.e. Full, Outline, 3249 Reserved Matters) (gross) Housing commitments without planning permission: Site 2288 Allocations and Delivery DPD; Tipton, Smethwick AAP and West Bromwich AAP (gross) Windfall (gross) 240 Housing renewal sites (gross) 0 Other Commitments (gross) 105

Conversion Losses -20 Demolitions -50 Total Units (Net) 6384

The above figures have been discounted by 10% to allow for sites not coming forward.

The above 5 year supply covers the period 2016/2017 – 2020/2021, it shows that there is the capacity for 6384 net units.

The NPPF allows local planning authorities to include an allowance for windfall sites in their five year supply if there is compelling evidence that such sites consistently become available and are expected to continue to form a reliable source of supply.

Small sites have consistently contributed to the delivery of residential development therefore a small sites windfall allowance has been allocated. This is based on past trends of completions on small sites from the base year of the BCCS 2006/2007 to 2016/2016 which equates to an average figure of 120 dwellings per annum. The windfall allowance has been applied to the monitoring years 2019/2020 –

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2020/2021to take account of commitments coming forward during the earlier part of the 5 year supply and to avoid double counting.

Five year supply position at April 2016

The BCCS net housing target for Sandwell from 2006-2021 is 12111 dwellings. Given net completions 2006-16 of 7168, there is a remaining requirement for 4943 net dwellings over the period 2016-21. Including a 5% and 20% buffer, the five year supply of deliverable sites required is 5190 and 5932 net dwellings. The total net capacity available is 6384dwellings.

Table 3: Sandwell Five Year Housing Land Supply 5 year Target supply (BCCS Completions Remaining 5% 20% Capacity range 2011) to date Requirement buffer buffer Available 2015/16 – 2019/20 12111 7168 4943 5190 5932 6384

The above table indicates that the Borough has an adequate supply to meet its housing requirements over the next 5 years providing an additional 5% and 20% buffer.

The NPPF requires local authorities to demonstrate at least 5 years supply of gypsy and traveller pitches and travelling showpeople plots, against adopted targets. The BCCS targets for Sandwell are 2 pitches and 12 plots up to 2018.

16 pitches were provided during 2011/12, however these pitches were to replace 15 pitches that were demolished in 2012/2013. This means that 1 net pitch has been added. There is capacity on the remainder of the site for approximately 8 units, it is intended to pursue funding to ensure that the rest of the site can be redeveloped.

An additional 2 plots have been established and an application for four further plots has been granted. There are no further plots identified.

COU HOU1b – New Housing (gross) built on previously developed land (PDL) 

To determine whether the local planning authority is meeting that aim, we will monitor the number of gross new dwellings being built upon previously developed land (PDL).

Target - Policy HOU1 in the Core Strategy sets the target for new housing (gross) built on previously developed land at 95%.

Table 15: Previously Developed Land Land Type Number As % Previously Developed Land 411 94% Greenfield Land 28 6% Total Completions (Gross) 433 100% Nb. Figures are for new build only, do not include conversions or changes of use

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The data shows that in the current monitoring year Sandwell was only 1% away from meeting the target of 95% of new housing on previously developed land (PDL).

LOI HOU2a - % of Planning permissions granted on sites meeting No accessibility standards data

Target - The Core Strategy sets a target of 100% of residential developments of 15 units or more granted consent during 2012/13 (excluding sites under 35 dph meeting HOU1 criteria).

Due to technical issues we have not been able to monitor this indicator this year.

LOI HOU2b – Proportion of 1, 2, and 3+ bedroom properties completed by type 

Target - The Core Strategy indicates the following targets: 20% 1 bedroom; 40% 2 bedroom; 40% 3+ bedroom properties.

A mix of dwelling sizes is needed to help ensure flexibility and movement within the housing stock and to meet existing and future housing needs. The figures below show the size and type of new dwellings completed in the Borough in 2015/16.

Table 16: Home Type Completions 2015/16

4+ 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom Total Bedroom Flats 108 25 3 0 136 Houses 1 93 141 68 303 Total 109 118 144 68 439 % 25 27 48 BCCS Target % 20 40 40

The table shows that a good mix of units was completed in the last year. It illustrates that the proportion of flatted developments has decreased which reflects the declining market for flats, whilst the borough has experienced a high proportion of 3+ bedrooms houses being built The introduction of the New Welfare arrangements may have an impact on the type of units being developed in the future i.e. more 1 bed units may be developed.

COI HOU3 – Gross affordable housing completions 

Target - The Core Strategy indicates that the minimum target for the Black Country is to deliver 11, 000 new affordable dwellings between 2006-2026. For Sandwell this equates to a target of 3933 affordable dwellings (15% of gross completions).

The BCCS sets a target for the Black Country which equates to an average of 196 affordable homes per year for Sandwell.

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In previous years, this indicator has been defined as housing completions which are affordable when constructed, either through housing grant or developer subsidy. However, this definition is too narrow to capture the many new affordable housing products which have emerged over the past few years (for example, housing built for private sale can now be converted to affordable tenure at a later date). In addition, Government published figures include acquisitions as well as completions. There are a significant number of acquisitions in Sandwell each year. Therefore, Government figures are used to monitor COI HOU3.

Table 17: Affordable Housing Year New Affordable Housing Gross housing target Proportion Target (15%)

2006-7 222 1310 17% 196 2007-8 195 1310 15% 196 2008-9 187 1310 14% 196 2009-10 292 1310 22% 196 2010-11 286 1310 22% 196 2011-12 394 1310 30% 196 2012-13 323 1310 25% 196 2013-14 330 1310 25% 196 2014-15 258 1310 20% 196 2015-16 329 1310 25% 196 Total 2816 13100 22% 1960

Housing Associations have made a major contribution to the provision of affordable units in the borough, having over 5000 units in Sandwell and they are now the main provider of new affordable homes.

The number of affordable homes completed has fluctuated over the last 5 years. This is due in part to number affordable housing products that are available as a result of the down turn in the housing market. Homebuy Direct (subsequently changed to FirstBuy 2011) has made a significant contribution as well as the Mortgage Rescue scheme.

COI HOU4 – Net additional pitches (permanent residential pitches, transit pitches and plots for travelling show people) provided up to 2018 

Target – Shown in Table 18

Table 18: Indicative BC Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show People Accommodation Targets: 2008 – 2018 Dudley Sandwell Walsall Wolverhampton Black Country Permanent 21 2 39 36 98 Residential Pitches Transit Pitches 10-12 Pitches 10-12 Plots for Travelling 6 12 35 3 56 Show People

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Table 19: Net additional pitches/ plots completed 2014/15 Permanent Transit Plots for Travelling Residential Pitches Pitches Show People Permissions granted this year 0 0 4 Completions this year 0 0 0 Net Completions to date 1 0 6

The NPPF requires local authorities to demonstrate at least 5 years supply of gypsy and traveller pitches and travelling show people plots, against adopted targets. The BCCS targets for Sandwell are 2 pitches and 12 plots up to 2018.  16 pitches were provided during 2012/13, however these pitches were to replace 15 pitches that were demolished in 2011/2012. This means that 1 net pitch has been added. There is capacity on the remainder of the site for approximately 8 units, it is intended to pursue funding to ensure that the rest of the site can be redeveloped.

 With regards to plots for Travelling Show people, an additional 2 plots have been established and an application for four further plots has been granted reducing the need to 6 plots. There are no further plots identified.

LOI HOU5 – Loss and Gain of Education and Health Care capacity during

the plan period 

Target – No net loss of Education and Health Care capacity

Table 20: Net loss of education and health care capacity Loss in Education and Health Gain in Education and Overall Net Gain/Loss in Care floor space m2 Health Care floor space m2 floor space m2

To be updated.

SL2 : H4 – Housing for People with Specific Needs 

To be updated.

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6.0 The Economy, Employment and Centres

Objective The objective of the economy and employment policy at both sub-regional and local levels is to have a sub-regional economy which provides high quality employment land in the best locations to attract new investment, while also recognising the value of local employment land. This will result in sustained economic growth and an increase in the choice of jobs available.

LOI EMP1a - Employment land completions by Local Authority (ha) 

Target – 30 hectares of new employment land brought forward up to 2016.

Table 21: Employment Completions in Employment Areas

Hectares and Quality of Development Floorspace Type Jobs

High Quality Local Quality

Additions Recycling Additions Recycling to Emp of Emp Other to Emp of Emp Other Gross Net Land Land Land Land

2009/2010

(B1/B2/B8) 0 0 0 0 0.11 0 0 792 792

B2 0 0 0 0 0.44 0 20 965 600

B8 0 0 0 0 1.06 0 0 326 326

Total 0 0 0 0 1.61 0 20 2083 1718

2010/2011

(B1/B2/B8) 0 0 0 0 0.59 0.02 0 940 740

B2 0 0 0 0 0.25 0.07 0 1133 950

B8 0 0 0 0 1.7 0 6 4200 4200

Total 0 0 0 0 2.54 0.09 6 6273 5890

2011/2012

(B1/B2/B8) 0 0 0.25 0 0.49 0.51 44 3658 3658

B2 0 0 0 0 0.04 1.37 41 333 333

B8 0 0.51 0 0 0.41 2.07 0 28842 28842

Total 0 0.51 0.25 0 0.94 3.95 85 32833 32833

2012/2013

(B1/B2/B8) 0 2.36 0.32 0 0.1 2 78 8256 8256

B2 0 0 0 0 0.25 2.54 4 25250 25250

B8 0 0.16 0 0 0.48 0 33 488 488

Total 0 2.52 0.32 0 0.83 4.54 151 33994 33994

2013/2014

(B1/B2/B8) 0 3.41 0 0 8.53 0.03 0 31513 31513

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B2 0 0 0 0 0.17 0.34 0 4731 4731

B8 0 0 0 0 0.1 0.01 0 270 270

Total 0 3.41 0 0 8.8 0.38 0 36514 36514

2014/2015

(B1/B2/B8) 0 0.11 0 0 0.63 0 0 2556 2556

B2 0 0 0 0 1.75 0 0 2011 2011

B8 0 0.48 0 0 0.3 0 0 5489 5489

Total 0 0.59 0 0 2.68 0 0 10156 10156

2015/2016

(B1/B2/B8) 0 0.08 0 0 3.1 0 0 4304 4304

B2 0 0.56 0 0 0.43 0 0 948 948

B8 0 1.97 0 0 0.1 0 0 555 555

Total 0 2.61 0 0 3.63 0 0 5807 5807 Total to 0 9.64 0.57 0 21.03 8.96 262 127660 126912 Date

(Source: RELS 2015/16) Small Sites are those under 0.4ha. Only completed developments are reported. Other Developments include extensions to existing buildings, or change of use applications.

LOI EMP1b - Loss of employment land by LA area (ha) 

Target – There should be a total of at least 1214 ha of gross employment land at 2016 and a total of least 850 ha of gross employment land at 2026

Table 22: Sandwell loss of employment land Year Total Loss (Ha) Gross Employment Land 2009 1251 High Quality Employment -18.00 2009/10 -17.21 2010/11 -11.93 2011/2012 -6.66 2012/2013 -8.46 2013/2014 -9.59 2014/2015 -9.04 2015/2016 5.73 Total Loss 2009-2016 -68.62 Gross Employment Land 2016 1164.38 Gross Employment land Target 2016 1214 ross Employment land Target 2026 850

Over the period 2009 to 2016 the BCCS identified that 37 ha’s of non-allocated employment land could be transferred to residential use

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Table 22 shows that in 2015/16 5.73 ha of employment land was redeveloped for non-employment uses and out of this figure 2.53 ha was land allocated on the SAD Policies Map as local employment land, the remaining 6.51ha was unallocated local employment land. This allocation should have been safeguarded for employment uses as this land was included in the baseline figures to meet our employment land targets.

Over the period 2009/10 – 2015/16 a total of 68.62 ha of employment land has been redeveloped for housing and other uses such as retail, office and leisure related developments. The loss of employment land to residential development accounts for 46.94 ha (75%), the loss to uses such as office and retail was 6.93 ha (11%) and 9.02 ha (14%) was lost to other uses.

The loss of 68.62 ha of employment land over the six year period up to 2016, is more than the anticipated 37 ha’s. This coupled with no additional new employment land coming forward through development means that Sandwell now has a lower stock of gross employment land than the forecasted figure of 1214 in 2016. The industrial development that has taken place over the period has been on existing employment land, with many companies expanding on their current sites due to the lack of available development sites within the borough.

LOI EMP2a - Employment land completions by LA by High Quality (HQ) and Potential High Quality (PHQ) Employment Area as defined in Policy EMP2 and  broad locations shown in Appendix 3 (ha) LOI EMP2b - Additions made to High Quality Employment Land (HQ) stock as defined in Policy EMP2 through improvement programmes  LOI EMP2c - Loss of employment land by LA area (ha) by High Quality (HQ) and Potential High Quality (PHQ) Employment Area as defined in Policy EMP2  and broad locations shown in Appendix 3 (ha) LOI EMP3a - Employment land completions by LA by Local Quality (LEL) Employment Area as defined in Policy EMP3 and broad locations in Appendix  3(ha) LOI EMP3b - Loss of employment land by LA area (ha) by Local Quality (LEL) as defined in Policy EMP3 and broad locations in Appendix 3 (ha) 

Target – For HQ employment land 289ha at 2016 and 466 ha at 2026; For LEL 923 ha at 2016 and 384 ha at 2026

Table 23: Change to Employment Areas (Ha) Type of 2009 Employment Employment Loss to Losses to Change Position Employment Baseline Completions Completions Employment Employment since at 2014- Areas HA 2015/16 - HA 2009/16 - HA Areas Areas 2009 - HA 2015/16 - HA 2009/16 - HA HA

High Quality 192 2.61 10.21 0 0 0 174

Local 1059 3.63 29.99 5.73 -68.62 -68.62 990 Quality The Policy seeks to retain all HQ and PHQ employment land and the above table illustrates that in Sandwell there has been no loss of this land type over the monitoring period of 2009 to 2015.

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Over the monitoring period 2009 – 2016, 10.21 ha of PHQ Employment Land were redeveloped to High Quality Employment Land for employment uses. While not adding to the existing stock of employment land in Sandwell, it does represent uplift in the quality, albeit small. No additional hectares have been added to the HQ Employment Land stock through improvement programmes over the monitoring period.

Over the monitoring period 29.99 ha of LEL was redeveloped and retained for employment uses whilst 62.62 ha of LEL was transferred to other uses, mainly to housing developments.

SL2 – Total amount of employment floor space on previously developed land – by type 

In the Borough 100% of the new employment related development took place on previously developed brownfield land.

LOI EMP4 – Readily available employment land  Target – The BCCS sets a target of 70ha per annum until 2026

Figure 4: Available land by type 80.00 70.00 60.00 50.00 40.00 30.00 20.00 10.00 0.00 Total Total Total Total Available Available Available Available

Permision

Permission Permission Permission Allocations Allocations Allocations Allocations

Readily Readily Readily Readily Planning Planning Planning Planning Premium (Regional Sub Regional Good Local Other Investment)

Table 24: Readily available employment land Hectares of Employment Hectares of Readily Available Annual Target

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Development Opportunities Employment Development Opportunities 118.83 HQ land LQ land 70 12.62 15.52 Total 28.14

Available land can be defined as not readily available if it has any of the following problems; major problems of a physical condition, infrastructure problems and not on the market. Readily available lad is defined as readily available if all of the following conditions are satisfied: no major problems of physical condition, no major infrastructure problems, on the market with a willing seller.

There has been virtually no change in the amount of development land that is available for redevelopment during the period of 2013/14 to 2014/15. Out of the 118.83.07 hectares of land classed as development opportunities, only 28.14 hectares could be classed as readily available..

Within the Site Allocations and Delivery Development Plan Document 66.53 hectares of employment land has been allocated as future development opportunities. These 66.53 hectares have not been identified as being readily available due to a number of issues such as assembly of the sites, current occupiers on them and remediation costs.

During 2015/16 1.41 ha of allocated local employment land was lost to leisure uses such as banqueting suites and gyms, with a total of 3.06 ha since 2009. Losses to these uses is relatively new, occurring only in the last two years

There are a number of issues affecting available employment land within Sandwell. Many sites have physical constraints and therefore require high levels of remediation before they can be bought forward for potential redevelopment. Another factor is the location of the sites within the borough and poor infrastructure linkages with the strategic highway network and wider motorway network.

The Council has continued to be proactive in trying to facilitate industrial development within the Borough through the Development Ready programmer. Under Development Ready a number of development prospectuses have been produced to assist developers bring forward a number of sites such as Kelvin Way and the former TDC site.

LOI EMP5 – Proportion of major planning permissions making provision for targeted recruitment or training through S106 Agreements 

Target: Table 25: Planning permissions with S106 agreements for recruitment / training Target (ha) 50% of major Applications Achievement 0% During the monitoring period 69 major planning were submitted to the council and only 23 of these could be considered as being applications were the policy would be

32 applicable. The remaining 46 were not considered relevant to the policy as they were reserved matters, changes of use and retrospective variation of conditions applications.

The above table shows that during the monitoring period the target of 50% of major applications with S106 Agreements or conditions relating to the training and recruitment of local people were not achieved. None of the 23 applications met the policy, as no S106 Agreements were agreed with the applicants or conditions in decision notes relating to the creating of jobs for local people were contained in the decision notices. A number of the developers of the proposed schemes were also approach by the Community Benefits Coordinator without any success.

The above figures indicate that the target of 50% has not been met since the adoption of the Core Strategy, However it should be noted that of the 69 permitted major applications, 46 were not considered relevant to apply the policy to as they were for reserved matters, changes of use and retrospective variation of condition applications.

LOI EMP6 – Loss of sub-regionally significant visitor and cultural facilities 

Target – Zero

None were lost in Sandwell during the monitoring period.

LOI EMP4 Number of applications complying with policy regarding relationship between industry and sensitive uses. 

The Council will establish processes through which this indicator can be monitored.

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7.0 CENTRES AND TOWN CENTRE USES

Objective

The maintenance and enhancement of a network of vibrant and attractive town, district and local centres across the Black County, to offer an appropriate choice of facilities. The centres will be the focus for retail, leisure, commercial and civic uses and will continue to have a vital role in the economy of the Black Country. The historic character of these centres will be protected and enhanced through sensitive development of local facilities, housing led development and environmental improvements to create safe, attractive streets and spaces.

Key Development Plan Policies: BCCS CEN 1-7; SAD DPD CEN 1; DM9; Hot Food Takeaway SPD

LOI CEN1, 3-5 - Amount of floor space for town centre uses completed and amount permitted within an appropriate centre, as a proportion of all completions  and planning permissions for such uses and in accordance with policies CEN3, CEN4 and CEN5 LOI CEN6 - Number of developments of up to 200 square metres gross floor space for town centre uses permitted outside of centres that meet the  requirements of Policy CEN6, as a proportion of all such permissions LOI CEN7 - Number and floor space of new developments for town centre uses permitted outside of strategic, town, district or local centres that do not accord  with Policy CEN7 requirements

Target – In accordance with targets set out in policies Table 26: Permissions and completions within 2015/2016 Monitoring Year (PP – Planning Permission granted; Comp – Development Completed)

Centre Comparison Convenience Retail Office m2 Leisure m2 Other Town Centre Retail m2 uses m2 m2

PP – Comp PP – to Comp PP – Comp PP – Comp PP – to be Comp – to to be be to be to be updated be updat updated updat updat updated ed ed ed Strategic 0 0 0 1487 Centre * District/ 0 1493 A1 1312 B1; 966 Local 361 A2 Centre

Out Of 133 1187 A1 1022 B1 7620 Centre A1

Edge of 0 0 0 1500 Centre

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Table 27: Progress Towards Core Strategy Targets (Additional Floor space) Comparison Retail Office (Since 2006) TOTAL ADDITIONAL (Since 2006) FLOORSPACE

Target Completed Target Completed Strategic 45000 15593 220,000 20192m2 total offices 15593 m2 Comparison; Centre built in WB 20192 m2 Offices

In the Strategic Centre, since the base date, 15593 m2 of comparison floor space has been built.

Progress is being made toward the target figures and no significant losses have been incurred.

CORE STRATEGY POLICY CEN8 – CAR PARKING IN CENTRES

See TRAN5 indicators

Hot Food Takeaway SPD No Data

Table 28: Hot Food Takeaway Indicators – To be updated DM9 Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding Hot Food Takeaways SL3 Number of planning applications received for A5 uses SL4 Number of Hot Food Takeaway applications implemented in monitoring year. SL5 Number of new Hot Food Takeaway developments permitted and refused within 400 metres of a secondary school or college SL6 Number of Hot Food Takeaway developments permitted and refused in centres

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8.0 Transport and Accessibility

Objective.

The provision of a first-class transport network providing rapid, convenient and sustainable links between the strategic Centres, existing and new communities, and employment sites.

Key Development Plan Policies: BCCS TRAN 1-5; CEN 8; SAD DPD TRAN 1-3

LOI TRAN1 - % of Development Plan Documents identifying and safeguarding land to meet transport requirements 

Target - 100% of Development Plan Documents

Sandwell’s Site Allocation and Delivery DPD and West Bromwich AAP were adopted in December 2012. Both of these documents identify and safeguard land to meet transport requirements. The target is met.

LOI TRAN2 - Appropriate provision or contribution towards transport works and Travel Plans measures by all relevant permissions based on best  practice. Targets and measures contained in travel plans and agreements will be monitored and reviewed.

Target - £0 from S106 agreements

To be updated.

LOI TRAN3a - The safeguarding of key existing and disused railway lines identified on the Transport Key Diagram 

Target - No loss of safeguarded lines

To be updated.

LOI TRAN3b - Protection of sites with existing or potential rail access identified in TRAN3 

Target - No loss of protected sites

During the monitoring period no protected sites have been lost. The policy is working, continue to monitor.

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LOI TRAN4a - Increase in cycle use of monitored routes 

Target - 1% increase in cycling by 2026: Baseline data - 61 daily average movements across 9 cycle monitoring points (2010)

Table 29: Average cycle movements 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 (Baseline) Daily average movement 61 56 62 64 68 81 across 9 cycle monitoring points.

The policy is working; Sandwell is on track to meeting the target. The above table shows that there was a dip in the daily average use in 2011; this may be due to the fact that one monitoring point was disabled owing to vandalism for most of the year affecting the information collected and collated. A further target for the West Midlands has been adopted through the recently endorsed Cycle Charter, which sets out a vision for raising levels of cycling across the West Midlands Metropolitan Area to 5% of all trips by 2023. Working towards this target should result in larger increases in cycle movements across the 9 cycling monitoring points.

LOI TRAN4b – Implementation of proposed local cycle network identified in the cycle network diagram 

Target - Increase % length implemented: Target for Sandwell MBC 60497m; Target for Black Country is 208185.87m

Table 30: Cycle network implemented Sandwell Total 2009/10 to 2014/15 Route length (m) in Route length (%) Sandwell in Sandwell

Total length of routes installed 2009/10 3680 6.08

Total length of routes installed 2010/11 6727 11.12

Total length of routes installed 2011/12 6622 10.95

Total length of routes installed 2012/13 7650 12.65

Total length of routes installed 2013/14 3030 4.97

Total length of routes installed 2014/15 7500 12.4

Total length of routes installed 2015/16 1145 1.89

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The policy is working as Sandwell is well on the way to achieving the target having already installed around 27709m 53% in the first six years.

LOI TRAN5a - Number of publically available long stay parking places in strategic centres 

Target - Decrease the number of long stay parking spaces in West Bromwich Strategic Centre over baseline for centre by 2026

Table 31: Number of long stay parking spaces in WBSC Year Number of spaces 2006 1914 2012 1640 2013 1350 2014 1411 2015 1411 2016 To be updated

Although the number of long stay parking spaces has increased and would appear that the policy is not working. There was also at the same time a significant increase in the floorspace following the completion of the Tesco development.

LOI TRAN5b - All new publically owned long stay parking spaces in Strategic Centres to be located in peripheral locations 

Target - 100% Since 2006, 337 new long stay spaces have been constructed in West Bromwich Strategic Centre. All of these new car parking spaces were in peripheral locations. The policy is working, continue to monitor.

SLOI TRAN 1- Number of applications complying with policy regarding

Hackney Carriages / Private Hire Vehicles 

No applications were received during the monitoring period to which the policy applies.

SLOI TRAN 2- Number of applications complying with policy  No applications were received during the monitoring period to which the policy applies.

SLOI TRAN 3 – Percentage of non-residential development complying with

the Council’s car parking standards by type  No applications were received during the monitoring period to which the policy applies

SLOI DM4 – Number of applications complying with policy  No applications were received during the monitoring period to which the policy applies.

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9.0 Environmental Infrastructure

Objective

The provision of a high quality environment fit for the future; respecting, protecting and enhancing the unique biodiversity and geodiversity of the Black Country and making the most of its assets whilst valuing its local character and industrial legacy.

Key Development Plan Policies: BCCS Policies ENV 1-8; SAD DPD Policies HE 1 – 5; EOS 1 - 10

The Core Strategy seeks to improve the attractiveness of the area for people to live, work, study and visit whilst at the same time improving the physical and natural sustainability of the conurbation in the face of climate change.

9.1 Environment and Open Space

COI ENV1 – Change in areas of biodiversity importance 

Target - No net reduction in the area of designated nature conservation sites through development

Table 32: Number of applications within areas allocated for biodiversity importance. Number of applications Number of affecting area of applications where Development Mitigation designated nature Area mitigation measures completed measures Type of conservation (Apr affected were agreed/ (Apr 2015 – implement designation 15– Mar 2016) (Net) implemented Mar 2016) ed SINCS - 1 0 0 0 n/a SLINCS - 3 0 0 0 n/a LNR - 0 0 0 0 n/a Total Area 0 0 0 affected

There was one application that fell within a SINC but this was for a small building serving an established existing use and would not impact on the SINC.

There were three applications within SLINCS. The first application was for an advert so would have minimal impact on the SLINC. One application was for a change of use so would not have any further impact on the SLINC. The final application was for a storage container on existing hard standing which serves an existing use.

The policy is working.

LOI ENV6a – Hectares accessible open space per 1000 population

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Target – 3.90 ha (2007 baseline: 3.42)

Table 33 - Green space provision by town Type of Oldbury Rowley Smethwick Tipton Wednesbury West Total Space Regis Bromwich Amenity 48.73 62.21 5.46 33.07 18.95 56.41 224.83 Green Space Cemeteries 3.29 12.67 20.09 10.78 12.79 20.14 79.76 & Churchyards Green 0.00 4.81 18.35 20.4 3.86 13.23 60.65 Corridor Natural & 13.78 77.01 1.27 72.86 22.34 270.7 457.33 Semi- Natural Green Space Outdoor 26.02 7.34 10.06 0.00 10.04 49.73 103.19 Sports Facilities Parks & 27.69 48.67 88.8 30.82 16.71 59.07 271.76 Gardens Provision for 0.21 0.85 1.5 2.28 1.34 1.25 7.43 Children & Young People Total 119.72 213.56 145.53 170.21 86.03 469.9 1204.95 (Source SMBC Green Space Audit Issue 3: May 2014)

In 2013 a Green Space audit was undertaken. It found that Sandwell has an average of 3.90 hectares of unrestricted green space per 1000 population. The largest proportion of this is Natural and Semi-Natural Green space with 1.48 hectares per 1000 population. There are 0.88 hectares of Parks and Gardens and 0.73 of Amenity Green space per 1000 population.

Within individual towns there is considerable variation from the Borough wide average with West Bromwich having approximately 60% more provision than the borough average. Smethwick, Oldbury and Wednesbury all have significantly less provision.

Since the previous Green Space Audit of 2006, the amount of green space in Sandwell has increased by 24.92 hectares.

LOI ENV6b – Delivery through Local Development Documents of broad open space, sport and recreation proposals for each  Regeneration Corridor and strategic Centre set out in Appendix 2 of the BCCS

Target – 100% by 2026

The Site Allocations and Delivery DPD was adopted in December 2012. This has various open space, sport and recreation proposals for each regeneration corridor and strategic centre. Other improvements that are dependent on new housing

40 development have been affected by the recent downturn in the economy. The policy appears to be working.

SLOI EOS1 – Number of Appropriate Applications Complying with Policy No data (regarding The Green Space Hierarchy) available

Target: 100%

Systems will be put in place to ensure that this indicator is monitored in the future.

SLOI EOS2 – Loss of Land in Green Belt 

Target: Zero

There were five applications within the Green Belt. One application for the demolition of an existing building and construction of a two-story building in its place. This was on an existing educational site within the existing grounds. This application would be deemed acceptable within the Green Belt as it has no additional impact.

There was one application for the provision of a metal storage container. This application was in association with an existing centre and was the relocation of an existing unit. As the container would be painted green to blend in more and is in association with an existing centre which is appropriate within the Green Belt, this application would be acceptable.

Two applications were for antenna or solar array which could be compatible with the Green Belt.

The final application was for an illuminated advertisement consent. As this was adjacent to a motorway and illuminations have been conditioned to have reduced levels of lighting at night, this application would be deemed to be acceptable within the Green Belt.

Policy is working, no further action required

SLOI EOS3 – Loss of Land in Rowley Hills Strategic Open Space 

Target: Zero

There were no inappropriate planning consents granted in the Rowley Hills in the monitoring year. The policy is working, no further action is required.

SLOI EOS6- Loss of Allotments 

Target: Zero There was no loss of allotments in the monitoring year. The policy is working.

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SLOI EOS7 – Number of applications complying with policy regarding

floodlighting, synthetic turf pitches and multi use games areas 

Target: Zero

There were no inappropriate planning consents granted in the monitoring year. The policy is working, no further action is required.

SLOI EOS8 – Number of applications complying with policy regarding

water sports and recreation uses 

Target: 100%

There were no applications in the monitoring year that would adversely affect the recreational potential of Sandwell’s water features.

9.2 Historic Environment

LOI ENV2 – Proportion of planning permissions granted in accordance with Conservation / Historic Environment Section or Advisor  recommendations

Target - 100%

100% of applications were determined in accordance with the statutory advice provided by the Conservation Officer.

A total of 28 relevant applications were determined between the period of April 2015 to March 2016. There were for a combination of planning or listed building applications and an application for advertisement consent which related to listed buildings, development within a conservation area or proposed within close proximity to a listed building and development within an area of potential archaeological importance.

All applications were determined in accordance with the statutory advice provided by the Conservation Officer. Decisions were consistent and relevant conditions were applied in accordance with the Conservation Officer’s advice

LOI ENV4a – Proportion of planning permissions granted in accordance with Conservation Section’s recommendations regarding  Canals

Target – 100%

No applications were granted contrary to the conservation sections recommendations. The policy is working.

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SLOI HE1 – Number of Listed Buildings Demolished 

Target: Zero

No listed buildings were demolished during the monitoring period.

SLOI HE1a – No. of Grade II Listed Buildings Designated as ‘At Risk’ in accordance with English Heritage’s ‘Heritage at Risk Register’ 

Target: Zero

There are two buildings on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk List’ in Sandwell;  Soho Foundry  The Waterloo Hotel

Both of these remain on the list but we have recently granted planning permission and Listed Building consent for the Waterloo Hotel.

Work continues at the Waterloo, which remains provisionally on the Heritage at Risk list.

SLOI HE3 – No. of Locally Listed Buildings Demolished Following the Grant of Planning Permission for Redevelopment 

Target: Zero

There were no locally listed buildings demolished.

SLOI HE4 – No. of Planning Permissions for Inappropriate Development in Registered Parks & Gardens 

Target: Zero

There has not been any inappropriate developments granted consent in the monitoring year in Registered Parks and Gardens.

SLOI HE5 – No. Of Developments That Have Been Constructed Before the Discharge of an Archaeological Planning Condition 

Target: Zero

To be updated.

COI ENV3 – Housing Quality Building for Life assessment 

Target: Move towards 100% with a rating of good or very good by 2026

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Data:

Building for Life 12 (BfL12) was introduced by the Design Council in 2012 as a reworked and simplified format (of the previous form of assessment) by which to assess the suitability and quality of housing schemes. The revised Residential Design Guide SPD, is structured around the Building for Life 12 Criteria, it emphasises the authority’s commitment to BfL12, and was adopted January 2014. Major residential scheme are encouraged to submit an assessment as part of their planning application. It is anticipated that the integrated use of BFL12 at pre- application and application stage will generally aid the improvement of schemes, and as a result, may improve scores.

In the Design Council’s words, ‘Building for Life is the industry standard, endorsed by Government, for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods that local communities, local authorities and developers are invited to use to stimulate conversations about creating good places to live’.

BfL12 is geared around 12 key questions (rather than the 20 questions of the previous approach) within 3 themes (integrating into the neighbourhood, creating a place, and street and home) and each scheme must be assessed as to how it responds to each of these with either a red (warning that an aspect of a development needs to be reconsidered), amber (aspects of a scheme could be improved) or green (where an aspect is sufficiently considered). It is recommended that new developments aim to secure as many greens as possible, minimise the number of ambers and avoid reds, as this will be a consideration in determining whether or not planning consent is granted.

In total 8 residential schemes were identified as having at least 10 completions and having a significant proportion of their overall numbers of units completed within the 2015-16 financial year, and were subsequently deemed suitable for a BfL12 Assessment.

Comments and further action

The schemes assessed this year fared better than those assessed within the previous year.

Across the 8 schemes assessed, green scores were awarded to all sites on the following criteria; the provision of good connections and linkages, sustainable locations in terms of services and public transport, working with the site and context, easy to find your way round and streets for all. These scores were partly attained by the urban nature of the borough and the relatively small size of many of the schemes.

The most frequently awarded amber score related to the question about meeting local housing requirements, this was also the only question that scored a red against it. Most of the schemes provided an element of affordable housing but failed to provide private housing that met with the identified need within the ‘Housing needs survey’. Half of the schemes also gained an amber score for car parking. Scores

44 were poor due to a proliferation of frontage car parking, overuse of tarmac as a surface finish and a lack of car parking.

This year is the first year where two schemes have achieved all green scores. Both these schemes were funded by the HCA who themselves have their own design criteria which may have positively influenced these developments, the council worked very closely with the developers here from pre-application through to construction to achieve the best outcomes on the site which has resulted in these all green scores.

The Urban Design Team provided consultation advice on all of these schemes. Several of the sites were subject to a development brief, which set out the design parameters for the site. A number of sites were subject to a development brief, the schemes benefitted from public funding, which may have further enhanced the design quality of the scheme and design advice was provided throughout the build out of the schemes.

Further Action

The Council will continue to apply ‘good urban design’ and instil the importance of BfL12 criteria at the pre-application stage and throughout the evolution of schemes with the aim of assisting schemes to achieve more green scores. .

In addition the existing target for this indicator, ‘move towards 100% with a rating of good or very good by 2026’, should be reconfigured to take account of the new approach of BfL12.

LOI ENV3a- Proportion of major planning permissions adequately addressing By Design and Manual for Streets guidance as  appropriate

LOI ENV3a- Proportion of major planning permissions adequately addressing By Design and Manual for Streets guidance as appropriate

Target 100%

Key data

In total there were Fifty one major planning applications approved between 1st April 2015 - 31st March 2016. The officer report and decision notice were examined on each of these applications to identify whether the relevant policies relating to By Design and Manual for Streets had been considered within the determination of the planning application, these included CSP4, ENV2, ENV3, and HOU2. They were also examined to determine the level of input from our highways and urban design teams, specialists in the implementation of these policies.

The decision notices show that 37 of the 51 applications had included policies relating to By Design and Manual for Streets, when determining the applications.

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The other 14 planning applications were planning permissions for a variation of conditions, outline (with all matters reserved) or change of use, for example, where By Design and Manual for Streets were not relevant at this stage. This overall equates to 73% of total applications being determined with By Design and Manual for Streets compared to 77% last year, a small reduction.

Whilst each of the 37 planning applications have not been examined in detail for its levels of compliance with By Design and Manual for Streets, it appears that all the applications have been subject to a considerable level of design and highways intervention either at pre-application, application or post application stage (as part of a condition). This includes masterplans, development briefs, joint working across departments on council planning applications and in some instances multiple consultations over long periods of time on pre-applications.

The revised Residential Design Guide SPD was adopted in 2014. This document has been produced using the principles set out within By Design and Manual for Streets and should be used as guidance within all residential planning applications. A team of urban designers provide urban design advice on schemes via pre- application discussions, planning applications and design briefs on council owned land, through a consultation process. This advice is embedded through the adopted design guidance and core strategy policies and in turn the fundamental principles set out within By Design and Manual for Streets. Amongst others, the Council’s Highways Section provide expert advice on highways matters including a thorough knowledge of the principles of Manual for Streets and Manual for Streets 2. The Urban Design Team has provided nearly 239 pieces of written advice on pre- applications and planning applications this year and will continue to provide this guidance within the forthcoming year.

SAD POLICY EMP3: DESIGN OF NEW WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES 

SAD POLICY EOS9: URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES  SAD POLICY EOS10: DESIGN QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS 

SAD POLICY EMP3: DESIGN OF NEW WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES

SAD POLICY EOS9: URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

SAD POLICY EOS10: DESIGN QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Target: Zero planning applications for residential, industrial and waste developments rejected on poor design grounds.

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The design policies contained within the Sandwell Site Allocations and Delivery DPD (2014) provide additional detail and control to the policies contained within the Black Country Core Strategy (2011).

The design policies contained within the SAD (EMP 3: Design of New Waste Management Facilities, EOS 9: Urban Design Principles, and EOS 10: Design Quality & Environmental Standards) have been monitored according to the indicators identified in the SAD. Planning applications determined within the financial year 2014/15 were monitored.

Of the 40 planning applications refused during the financial year, urban design policy and guidance was cited as a reason for the decision of 32 refusals. Urban design policies or guidance were not judged to be a significant consideration in the determination of the remaining 8 planning applications that were refused within this period equating to 20% of refused residential, industrial and waste applications compared to 27% last year.

The target for these policies is for zero planning applications to be rejected on the grounds of poor design. This is with the view of urban design issues (if any) being reconciled during pre-application discussions. Unfortunately this is not always the case as a significant proportion of planning applications are submitted without engaging in pre-application discussions, subsequently any potential issues associated with a scheme may not be resolved prior to a formal submission. In these instances some issues can be resolved as amendments to planning applications however, as evident from the monitoring, in the overwhelming majority of cases urban design related issues had not been overcome prior to determination and therefore urban design policy and guidance had to be applied as a tool of control to justify refusal in order to protect against poor design.

9.4 Flood Risk, Sustainable Drainage Systems and urban Heat Island

LOI ENV4b – Proportion of planning permissions granted in accordance with Canal and River Trust (CRT) planning related advice 

Target – 100%

Table 34: Number of applications granted permission in accordance with Canal and River Trust

Number of Number of Number of applications Number of Total applications applications which CRT requested planning percentage of commented with no further information or applications planning on by CRT objections conditions to be attached conditioned in permissions in raised by CRT to the planning line with CRT accordance permission request with CRT 20 14 4 3 100%

Of the 20 applications commented on by the Canal and Rivers Trust, 14 had no objection, one of the permissions was for a temporary use, one application was withdrawn and one application had permission refused.

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Of the remaining four applications, three suggested measures to be implemented which were done so within the recommendations.

The final application was based on a variation of condition. The concerns raised by the Canal and Rivers Trust were fully discussed and the decision justified within the report.

All of the applications which were commented up on by the Canal and Rivers Trust have been addressed by the proposals. The policy is working.

COI ENV5 – Number of planning permissions granted contrary to EA advice on flooding and water quality grounds  SLOI EOS5 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding environmental infrastructure 

Target - 0%

Table 35: Number of planning permissions granted contrary to EA advice Number of applications Number of applications EA Number of EA made objections withdrew objections applications refused 1 0 0

The EA objected to one application. The application was withdrawn.

LOI ENV5 – Proportion of major planning permissions including appropriate SUDs (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) 

Target – 100%

Table 36: Proportion of major planning permission including appropriate SUDs Total number Appropriate, Number of planning Work carried out of eligible more detailed applications on application applications SUDs submitted conditioned to provide suggests that with planning appropriate SUDs (to be SUDs not application approved by the LPA) necessary in this instance

To be updated.

9.5 Renewable Energy

LOI ENV7 – Proportion of eligible developments delivering measures sufficient to off-set at least 10% of estimated residual energy demand 

Target – 100%

To be updated.

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COI ENV7 – Renewable energy generation 

Target –To be developed through future monitoring

To be updated.

9.6 Air Quality

LOI ENV8 – Proportion of planning permissions granted in accordance with Air Quality / Environment Protection Section’s recommendations 

Target – 100%

Table 37: Proportion of planning permissions granted in accordance with Air Quality Section’s recommendations

To be updated.

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10.0 Development Constraints, Telecommunications and Development Management

The SAD DPD provides a series of local policies to respond to particular issues in the Borough which are not covered by the Black Country Core Strategy.

Development Plan Policies: SAD DC1-6; TEL1-2 and DM1-10

SLOI DC 1 - Number of applications complying with policy regarding Abandoned Limestone Mines 

Target: 100%

No planning applications were received that the policy applies to during the monitoring period.

SLOI DC 2 - Number of applications complying with policy regarding Zones around Hazardous Installations 

Target: 100%

To be updated.

SLOI DC 3 - Number of applications complying with policy regarding New Developments and Hazardous Substances 

Target: 100%

To be updated.

SLOI DC 4 - Number of applications complying with policy regarding No Data Pollution Control Available

Target: 100%

There is no data available at this time, processes will be put in place to be able to monitor this indicator in the future.

SLOI DC5 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy No Data regarding Land Affected by Tipped Material Generating Landfill Gas Available

Target: 100% There is no data available at this time, processes will be put in place to be able to monitor this indicator in the future

SLOI DC 6 - Number of appropriate applications complying with policy No Data regarding land affected by contaminants, ground instability, mining legacy, Available land of unsatisfactory load bearing capacity or other constraints

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Target: 100%

There is no data available at this time, processes will be put in place to be able to monitor this indicator in the future

10.1 Telecommunications

SLOI TEL1 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding Telecommunications Antenna and Masts 

Target: 100%

There were three applications relating to Telecommunications Antenna and Masts within the monitoring period. One application was for the removal of conditions, one application was for the replacement of equipment and the final application was under PD rights but met the requirements.

The policy would appear to be working. .

SLOI TEL2 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding Telephone Kiosks 

Target: 100%

There were no applications relating to Telephone Kiosks within the monitoring period

10.2 Development Management

SLOI DM1 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding Access for Disabled People 

Target: 100%

There were 27 approved applications within the monitoring year that the Access Alliance made comment on. 12 of the comments would be met through building regulations, were identified on plans, or stated that the proposals would be accessible for all. There was 13 applications where there was no evidence to suggest that the recommendations were adhered to. There were two applications which did not affect the use or internal layout of the building.

The information would suggest that the policy does not appear to be working.

SLOI DM2 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding Poster Panels 

Target: 100%

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There were 20 permissions granted for advertisement panels within this time frame.

18 were in appropriate locations and no objections were raised. There were two applications that required the implementation of conditions.

The information suggests that the policy for poster panels is working.

SLOI DM3 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding Amusement Arcades 

Target: 100%

To be updated.

SLOI DM5 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding the Borough’s Gateways 

Target: 100%

There were 68 applications within the Boroughs Gateways. About a third of the applications were for small household extensions, of which one was refused. Nearly a third of the applications were for changes of use and minor works, such as cladding, condition variation and extensions within existing retail areas/parks. There were a small number of applications for advertisements, signage and shutters but all have met policy demands. There were two applications for reserved matters and one application for a screening option.

There was one application for a single residential unit which falls within an existing residential area so would not impact on the gateway. There was one application for outline consent of a residential development within an existing industrial area. Urban Design would need to be consulted regarding reserved matters. There were three applications for the construction of a restaurant. Two of these applications fall within existing retail parks. The other restaurant application includes a residential element and falls within an existing employment area Good design here will improve the appearance of the area. The policy would appear to be working.

SLOI DM6 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding Community Facilities including Places of Worship and / or  Religious Instruction

Target: 100%

There were 6 applications for community facilities and/or places of worship in this monitoring period. All of the applications met the criteria set out in policy or were conditioned to do so.

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SLOI DM7 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding Residential Moorings 

Target: 100%

There were no applications for Residential Moorings in this monitoring period.

SLOI DM8 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding Design and Installation of Shop Front Roller Shutters  Target: 100%

There were six applications which included the introduction or extension of a roller shutter. Three of the applications failed to provide perforated roller shutters, however, due to the location and industrial nature of two of the applications, it was felt there would be no cumulative impact if solid roller shutters were permitted. One application, although not in a retail area, does provide a local convenience shop service within a residential area and should have identified a perforated roller shutter. The justification for a solid shutter was that it would only be used during the early hours of the morning. Although the shutters are only perceived to be used early morning only, this is still contrary to policy. The results would indicate that the policy is working in the main.

SLOI DM10 – Number of appropriate applications complying with policy regarding Shop Front Design 

Target: 100%

There were 9 applications for shop fronts in this time period. . 8 of the applications have either submitted plans and/or the policy has been discussed in the officers report/Decision Notice. One application has not provided any details of shop front design and there has been no discussion in the Officers report.

The results would indicate that in the main the policy is working.

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11.0 WASTE

Spatial Objective

Sufficient waste recycling and waste management facilities in locations which are the most accessible and have the least environmental impact.

The Black Country will have zero waste growth and “equivalent self-sufficiency” in managing waste and will have an increased variety of waste management facilities that will enable the management of a wider range of wastes locally, move waste up the waste hierarchy and address waste as a valuable resource. Existing waste management capacity will also be protected against needless loss to other uses.

Key Development Plan Policies: BCCS Policies WM1 - 5

LO1 WM1a - Diversion of waste from landfill a) % Local authority collected waste (LACW) diversion 

There has been a decrease in landfill diversion during 2015/16 on the previous monitoring year, with the diversion of Local Authority Collected Waste (LACW) Municipal Waste) falling from 93.60% in 2014/15 to 92.55% in 2015/16. The percentage fall in the amount of local authority waste collected in Sandwell and diverted away from landfill can be put down to the to an increase the amount of waste managed by the authority. The amount of managed by the authority in 2015/16 increased by 3,676 tonnes on 2014/15.Ofthe waste collected during 2015/16, 54.25% was incinerated at waste to energy plants and 38.29% was recycled. This meant that only 7.45% of waste collected by the authority was sent to landfill. This means that at present Sandwell is on course to meet the diversion rate targets set out in the Core Strategy.

Table 38: BCCS LACW Landfill Diversion Targets 2006 / 2007 2010 / 2015 / 2020 / 2025 /

Baseline 2011 2016 2021 2026 Sandwell 31.50% 82.30% 66.40% 75.00% 75.00% Target Black 58.60% 74.00% 80.00% 84.00% 84% Country

Table 39: BCCS LACW Landfill Diversion Rates Monitoring Year 2007/08 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/201 6 44.40% 61.60% 61.80% 64.20% 82.30% 90.90% 81.10% 93.60% 92.55% 63.10% 68.40% 75.60% 75.40% 80.00% Source: Defra LACW Statistics: Local Authority Data, 2006/07 2014/15.

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LOI WMIa - Diversion of waste from landfill No b) % commercial waste diversion Data

There is no centralised system for collecting data on C&I waste arising and management, because there is no organisation with overall responsibility for managing this waste. Actual data on diversion of C&l waste from landfill is therefore not available at a local level.

LOl WM1b - % of new waste capacity granted permission/implemented as specified in WM1(Tonnes per annum) by 2026. 

Table 40: Summary of Waste Management Capacity Changes, 2015/2016 – Permitted Sites

Reference Address Waste Capacity (tpa)

Langley Maltings, Western Skip hire and 1 Road, Langley trade waste FCC Environmental, Edwin Soil and 2. Richards Quarry, Portway Construction 3000,000 Road, Rowley Regis waste Source: Black Country Authorities waste management development application monitoring.

In Sandwell during 2015/2016, 50% of waste management planning applications were granted planning permission.

LOI WM1c - % growth in tonnage of waste arising 

In Sandwell during 2013/14 to 2014/15 there was a 0.5% increase in the amount (Tonnes) of LACW waste collected. Even though there has been an increase on the previous monitoring year, the figure for 2014/15 is still below the peak figure achieved in 2010/11 for the collection of LACW. Only national surveys and estimates are available for Commercial & Industrial Waste, Construction & Demolition and Excavation Waste arising.

Table 41: LACW Arising 2009/2010 - 2015/2016 LACW Sandwell Black Country 2009/2010 136,569 541,935 2010/2011 139,175 525,711 2011/2012 134,534 512,815 2012/2013 132,156 2013/2014 137,824 2014/2015 138,479 2015/2016 Source: Defra Local Authority Collected Waste Statistics

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LOI WM2 - % protection of capacity at existing/proposed strategic waste management sites by waste planning authority 

There was 100% protection of capacity at exiting/proposed strategic waste within Sandwell during 2015/16.

LOI3a - % and capacity of strategic waste management infrastructure proposals in Table 17 implemented by 2026, by authority. 

For Sandwell 100% of the strategic waste management proposals have come forward with the Former Gulf Oil Depot, Union Road; Oldbury being completed during 2014.

LOI WM3b - % and capacity of new waste management facilities contributing towards the residual requirements in Table 18 implemented by  2026, by waste stream and by authority.

The residual requirements are those that remain, once the capacity to be delivered through the specific projects as the new strategic waste management infrastructure. Figures for 2014/2015 show there has only been an additional 48,500 tonnes per annum of commercial transfer capacity which went on-stream during this period, which contributes 2% towards the residual requirements for Sandwell by 2026.

LOI WM4 - % of new waste management facilities proposed/implemented that meet Policy WM4 locational requirements by waste planning authority. 

In 2015/2016 all applications (100%) met the locational requirements of BCCS Policy WM4.

Table 42: Number of new waste management facilities proposed/ implemented that meet Policy WM4 locational requirements (Sandwell) Permissions At BCCS BCCS Other Compliant Granted - Existing Growth Freestanding Location with Policy Total Waste Network Employment WM4 Site Area Locational Guidance 2015/2016 2 2 2 0 0 2 Source: Black Country Authorities waste management development application monitoring

LOI WM5 - % of major planning applications granted to include supporting No information on waste management to address WM5 requirements. Data

There is currently no information available for the monitoring of this indicator.

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12.0 Minerals

Spatial Objective

Safeguard and make the most sustainable use of the Black Country’s mineral resources including primary, secondary and recycled materials, without compromising environmental quality. Potentially valuable mineral resources and mineral-related infrastructure will be safeguarded against needless sterilisation or loss. The Black Country will also minimise waste of mineral resources, maximise use of alternatives, and continue to produce a steady supply of minerals and mineral products to support the local economy and provide the raw materials needed to support regeneration within the growth network.

Key Development Plan Policies: Core Strategy MINI-5

LOI MIN1a - % of non-mineral development proposals approved within the MSA (falling within the policy threshold) which do not needlessly sterilise  mineral resources

In 2014/2015 no applications have been determined that had to consider the prior extraction of minerals.

LOI MIN1b – Protection of Key Mineral Infrastructure  COI MIN2b – Production of Secondary/Recycled Aggregates 

Three key Mineral Infrastructure sites are identified in Sandwell within the Core Strategy. These sites relate to the production of secondary/recycled aggregates and are:

 Victoria Street, Smethwick – recycling of waste into aggregate  Network Rail, Bescot Sidings, Sandy Lane, Wednesbury – Storage/processing/transfer of aggregate  Wednesbury Asphalt Plant, Smith Road, Wednesbury – Coating Plant

LOI MIN2 - % Permissions for non-mineral related development in Sand and Gravel areas of search LOIMIN2a - % of Black Country brick and tile work with maintained supply of Etruia Marl and Fireclay to 2026 LOI MIN3b - % Permissions for non-mineral related development in Eturia Marl and Fireclay areas of search LOI MIN4 - % of applications for opencast coal and fireclay, coal bed methane or natural building stone which satisfy the requirements for the policy LOI MIN5 - % of applications for mineral related development satisfying the criteria in the policy

Sandwell does not have any active or proposed mineral schemes in operation and no such applications have been received this year to monitor against these indicators.

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13.0 Tipton AAP

To be updated.

14.0 - Smethwick AAP

Table 54: Smethwick AAP Indicators Ref Indicator AAP Target Key Data Perfor mance SL71 Projected net 2006-2010 = 0; Target – 600 additional dwellings up 2011-2015 = 600 within sites Sme1, Achieved – to 2020 (C2a(iii)) Sme2, Sme3 and Sme5; 239 between  2011 - 2016 2016-2021 = 865 within sites Sme1, Sme2, Sme3, Sme4 and Sme5.

SL72 Percentage of new 1015 units @ 40 dph within sites Sme1, 0 units at less dwellings completed Sme2, Sme3 and Sme5 in 2011-2015; than 30 dph at: 250 units @ 40dph within sites Sme1, 193 units (i) less than 30 Sme2, Sme3, Sme4 and Sme5 in 2016- between 30 dwellings per 2021; and 50 dph as hectare (dph) at 2011 – 150 units at 50 dph within sites Sme1, 2016  (ii) between 30 and 50 Sme3, Sme4 and Sme5, in 2016-2021. dph 46 units at 50+ dph as at (iii) above 50 dph. 2011-2016 (C2c)

SL73 Affordable housing 366 units by 2020. (2006-2010 = 0; 2011- 141 affordable completions (C2d) 2015 = 150 within sites Sme1, Sme2, units  Sme3 and Sme5; 2016-2021 = 216 within completed up sites Sme1, Sme2, Sme3, Sme4 and to 2014/2015. Sme5).

SL74 Amount of new 100%. All AAP sites (1465 units) are All units residential within the relevant public transport times, completed so development within 30 and will be developed by 2021. far meet the minute public target transport time of a GP; a hospital; a primary  school; a secondary school; areas of employment; and a major retail centre (C3b)

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SL75 Proportion of eligible 100%. The eligible sites will contribute Target 4.35 ha housing sites open space as follows.

providing community 2011 – 2015 – 4.35ha open space (L3). Achieved – 2016 – 2021 – 0.52ha 0.19ha up to 2011/16 Sme1, Sme2, Sme3, Sme4 and Sme5 additional to public realm upgrade on  Windmill Eye S.106 contributions for off-site open space enhancements

SL76 Amount of floorspace 30,000 m2: Target – developed for 12,000 m2 2011 – 2015 – 12,000 m2; employment by type, Achieved – 0 in employment or 2016 – 2021 – 18,000 m2.  up to 2015/16 regeneration areas (m2) (C1b)

SL77 Amount of Existing employment land converted to Target – 0 employment land lost residential = 24 hectares. 21.8 ha. (Sme1, Achieved - 0 to residential Sme2 and Sme5) in 2011-2015; 2.2 ha.  development (C1f). (Sme4) in 2016-2021.

SL78 Amount of land (ha) 0 ha. No open space land to be lost in the Target – 0 granted planning AAP area up to 2021 Achieved – permission away from  loss of 0.54ha open space use (L32)

SL79 Proportion of new 100%. All residential sites will provide 100% development providing cycle parking within the levels in the  cycle parking (L23) Adopted SPD.

SL80 Bus network coverage 0. No loss of routes serving Smethwick Target – 0 (L). AAP area in plan period to 2021. Achieved - 0  Increased routes by 25%.

SL81 Percentage of Listed 100%. All Listed Buildings will be reused Indicator not Buildings converted and/or converted up to 2021. triggered and/or reused within  new development (L)

SL82 Number of listed 0. No listed building to be lost in the AAP Target – 0 buildings demolished area up to 2021. Achieved - 0  (L50).

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Key Conclusions:

The Smethwick Area Action Plan has set targets for house completions at 600 within the monitoring period 2011-2016. There were 43 completions within the period 2011-2012 and 8 more in the period up to March 2014. Further completions have taken place on the sites at Windmill Eye which has resulted in a total of 239 in the plan period 2011 – 2016. The final phases are continuing to be developed out and should be complete by the next monitoring period. The open space policy has been met in providing equivalent public realm improvements to upgrade the area rather than open space/play space. However, an area of amenity space has been developed for housing which has led to a minor loss of greenspace in the area. Sme5 commenced development within the previous monitoring period but due to issues with the housebuilder, construction ceased which has resulted in no completions for 2014/15. These issues continued into the current monitoring period and therefore there are no completions to record for this site. It is anticipated that as work has recommenced on site the next monitoring period should result in a positive completion figure.

Other targets will be triggered when these sites are completed.

There have been no completions to register for the development of employment land for the period 2011-2015 and therefore this target has not been triggered thus far. The new Midland Metropolitan Hospital is under construction, due to be completed 2018 which will account for a large proportion of the target figure albeit not until 2018. In addition there is an expectation of planning applications on other employment sites and depending upon the speed at which development may commence/complete, the employment development figure may be triggered sooner.

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15.0 Significant Effects Indicators

Significant effects indictors are a method of monitoring the effects of plans and policies on the social, environmental or economic objectives by which sustainability is defined. The Council is required to measure significant effects raised in a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in order to satisfy the requirements of European Directorate 2001/42/EC ‘on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment’. An SEA was carried out as part of the evidence base for the BCCS that was adopted by all four authorities on 3rd February 2011.

The significant effects indicators are set out below and will continue to be monitored jointly annually across the Black Country and included in future monitoring reports

Significant Effects Indicators – Air Pollution SE1: No of days when air pollution is moderate or high for NO2 or PM10

Targets To achieve a net reduction of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in those areas where the annual average NO2 values are predicted to exceed 40µgm3 between 2008 (baseline) and 2015

Performance Air Quality is monitored at 5 automatic stations within Sandwell Metropolitan Borough and can be used to determine whether there has been a net reduction in the annual mean Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) concentrations between the baseline year of 2008 and 2015. The borough currently has numerous areas that exceed the NO2 National Air Quality Objective of 40µg/m3 and monitoring allows the observation of longer term trends in pollutant concentrations. Throughout the period 2008-2015 (complete monitoring years) Sandwell Council has identified fluctuations in pollutant concentrations year on year. It is acknowledged that pollutant concentrations are highly influenced by meteorological, geographical and traffic conditions and they can result in increases/decreases in NO2 concentrations. In 2015 Bearwood Road and Birmingham Road Oldbury monitoring stations continued to 3 record exceedances of the 40µg/m NO2 annual mean objective, both sites are located adjacent to highly trafficked roads and demonstrate that vehicle emissions are the major source of air pollutants in Sandwell. At Birmingham Road concentrations vary year on year between 2008 and 2015, however there has only been a marginal improvement in NO2 concentrations. At Bearwood Rd concentrations have been highly variable year on year, with significant exceedances during 2010/11; however there has been an overall reduction in NO2 concentrations throughout the same period. It is noted that weather conditions played an important role in 2010 and 2011 which resulted in higher pollutant concentrations. The two background monitoring sites located at Highfields West Bromwich and Haden Hill recorded NO2 concentrations below the national air quality objective and demonstrate a sustained year on year reduction in NO2 concentrations when compared to 2013 and 2014. Figure 5 below presents the annual mean NO2 concentrations for each monitoring site between 2008-2015, with the year on year fluctuations clearly visible. A trend line has been assigned to each monitoring site (dotted line) to determine the over trend in pollutant concentration.

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Figure 5: Trends In Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentratons Bearwood Road 80.0 2007‐2015

Birmingham Road 70.0 Haden Hill 60.0

3 Wilderness Lane

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

Nitrogen Dioxide Annual µg/m Mean Annual Dioxide Nitrogen 0.0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Year

Particulate matter (PM10) monitoring has recorded year on year reduction in PM10 at all monitoring sites. Birmingham Rd station has recorded a significant reduction of 25% between 2008 – 2015; however there was a significant increase in 2013. The three remaining monitoring sites have all recorded gradual reductions throughout the same period, although there were slight increases in concentration at Haden Hill and West Bromwich in 2013. Local factors such as weather may have influenced the PM10 concentrations in 2013. Trends in PM10 concentrations are presented in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Trends in Annual Mean PM10 Concentrations 2007‐2015 30 Birmingham Road

Haden Hill 28 Wilderness Lane

West Bromwich 3 26

Linear (Birmingham 24 Road)

) µg/m Linear (Haden Hill) 10 22

20

18

16

Particulate Matter ( PM 14

12

10 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Year

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Significant Effects Indicators – Brownfield Biodiversity SE2: Percentage of development and redevelopment on previously developed land undertaking full habitat surveys. Targets Percentages remain stable or increase over a five year period. Performance There were 15 qualifying developments (within 25 m of a SINC/CLINC/LNR) operating in the 2015/2016 monitoring year. Of these, one submitted a habitat survey. Three were for the minor alterations of existing permissions. Four were for the redevelopment or development on sites with existing uses and/or with areas of hardstanding, so a habitat survey may not have been seen as necessary. Two were separated from SLINC/SINC/LNR by a road which would have severed any potential wildlife links anyway so a report would not have been deemed necessary. One was for outline consent subject to further investigations. One was within an existing development/use and would have had no impact of biodiversity, an ecological report was therefore not deemed necessary, and One was for a screening Option which determined that an EIA was not required, despite an objection from the Wildlife Trust. The remaining two applications are in very close proximity to areas of biodiversity but did not provide an ecological report and no treatment/mitigation measures were identified.

Significant Effects Indicators - Biodiversity and Green Space SE3: Area (ha) of green space administered by the Black Country Authorities incorporating biodiversity considerations into management regimes. Targets 1% increase year on year Performance Performance Indicator 160-00 figures for 2015-2016 remains at taking 33%.

Significant Effects Indicators – Loss of Wildlife Corridors SE4: Loss of wildlife corridor Targets No net loss of Wildlife Corridors Performance There were 19 applications within the monitoring year. One application was for a change of use so would not impact on the wildlife corridor. Seven applications were for advertisements which caused no loss of wildlife corridor Two applications were part of existing commercial sites whose development would not impact on the Wildlife Corridor. One application was for a loft conversion, one application was for a click and collect facility, one application was for security fencing and one application was for a solar array, none of which would cause a loss of wildlife corridor. Two applications were for maintenance work and one application was for the installation of an art monument. Neither of these applications would cause a loss in the wildlife corridor. One application has been subject to an ecological appraisal where measures/conditions have been put in place. The final application was also within a Local Employment Land allocation but is firmly surrounded and included within the Wildlife Corridor. Although this forms part of an existing development/use, there has been no report has been carried out and no mitigation measures have been put in place. Although there has been no significant loss in wildlife corridor in the monitoring year, there have

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been missed opportunities to mitigate against the losses that have occurred..

Significant Effects Indicators – Traffic Flows SE5: Traffic flows on key routes. Targets When traffic flows see increases over a five year period. Performance AM PEAK INTER PEAK 12 HOUR DAILY PM PEAK 07.30 - 16.00 -18.00 07.00 - 19.00 00.00 - 24.00 09.30 10.00 - 12.00 (12 hour) (24 hour)

2006

Inbound 7,541 6,257 6,959 39,540 47,639

% of 24hr 15.8 13.1 14.6 83 100

Outbound 5,399 5,851 8,558 38,959 47,180

% of 24hr 11.4 12.4 18.1 82.6 100

NET 2,142 406 -1589 581 459

2008

Inbound 7,520 (6,079 6,718 38,341 46,472

% of 24hr 16.2 13.1 14.5 82.5 100

Outbound 5,518 5,837 8,308 38,285 46,642

% of 24hr 11.8 12.5 17.8 82.1 100

NET 2,002 242 -1590 56 -170

2010

Inbound 7,605 6,249 6,987 39,196 47,048

% of 24hr 16.2 13.3 13.4 83.3 100

Outbound 5,602 5,853 8,496 38,873 46,827

% of 24hr 12 12.5 18.1 83 100

NET 2,003 396 -1,509 323 221

2012

Inbound 6,769 5,367 5,931 34,449 42,473

% of 24hr 15.9 12.6 14 81.1 100

Outbound 4,831 5,057 7,224 33,913 41,889

% of 24hr 11.5 12.1 17.2 80.9 100

NET 1,956 310 -1,293 536 574

2014

Inbound 6,899 5,680 6,264 36,139 44,331

% of 24hr 5.60% 12.80% 14.10% 81.50% 100.00%

Outbound 5,482 5,531 7,950 36,857 45,851

% of 24hr 12.00% 12.10% 17.30% 80.40% 100.00%

NET 1,417 149 -1,686 -718 -1,520

Source: Final West Bromwich Cordon Report 2014, Mott Macdonald (Oct 2014 The amount of traffic entering West Bromwich town centre daily reduced significantly between 2010 and 2012 with 4,575 fewer

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vehicles in 2012, a 9.7% decrease. Traffic levels have however increased between 2012 and 2014 by 1,858 vehicles, a 4.4% increase. The initial decrease was attributed to the effects of both the economic downturn and major highway works on the northern boundary of the town centre for much of the period between the 2010 and 2012 cordon surveys. This will have impacted on the number of trips crossing the cordon. Since the completion of the highway works a major retail development within the northern part of the cordon has been completed. The increase since 2012 is across both peak periods and the inter-peak with inbound increases of 1.9% (AM), 5.6% (PM) and 5.8% (Inter-peak).

The next cordon surveys will take place in March 2016 with reports following in the autumn.

Significant Effects Indicators – Public Transport Usage SE6: Public Transport Usage Targets

Performance 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 Car 7,513 7,642 7,523 7,261 7,346 Bus 3,641 3,760 3,534 3,499 3,597 Metro 279 308 311 310 353 Total 11433 11,710 11,368 11,070 11,296 Source: Final West Bromwich Cordon Report 2014, Mott Macdonald (Oct 2014)

Overall, total inbound AM peak trips by car and public transport fell by 2.6% from 11,368 in 2010 to 11,070 in 2012. Bus trips decreased by just under 1% while car trips declined by 3.5%. Metro trips remained unchanged. Trip levels have however increased between 2012 and 2014 by 226 vehicles, a 2.0% increase.

The bus modal share increased slightly from 31.6% to 31.8% and metro modal share increased from 2.8% to 3.1%. Cars, either as driver or passenger, still remain by far the most popular mode of transport into West Bromwich town centre during the morning peak, although its share of modal split reduced slightly from 65.6 to 65.0%.

It should be noted that major highway works were underway on the northern boundary of West Bromwich town centre for much of the period between the 2010 and 2012 cordon surveys. This will have impacted on the number of trips crossing the cordon. Since the completion of the highway works a major retail development within the northern part of the cordon has been completed.

The next cordon surveys will take place in March 2016 with reports following in the autumn.

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Significant Effects Indicators – Carbon Footprint SE7: Carbon footprint of sub-region. Targets When sector emissions see decreases over a five year period. Performance Industry and Commercial Sector CO2 Emissions – 736.1kt CO2 (down from 770.1kt Co2 in 2010) Domestic Sector CO2 Emission – 570.9 kt CO2 ( down from 617.9kt CO2 in 2010) Road transport (combined) CO2 emissions –472.9 kt CO2 (down very slightly from 478.9kt) Per Capita CO2 Emissions – 5.7 t CO2 ( unchanged from 5.7 t in 2010) Energy Consumption (Grand Total) Sandwell = 1794.8 kt CO2 (down from 1882.2 kt in 2010). Figures are based on the summary 2015 published figures from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-emissions-estimates (N.B. Although the figures are produced in June 2015, they relate to the 2013 year latest estimates). This is the fourth year that we have been required to monitor this indicator following the adoption of the BCCS in 2011. It is too soon to be certain, particularly as the monitoring period for this indicator is a five year period but initial indications are that by most measures, the Carbon footprint of the sub region is improving. However, there is an anomaly in that per capita figures are unchanged. . Initial estimates show that CO2 emissions are reducing across the board with even the formerly resistant transport sector showing a small decrease.

Significant Effects Indicators – Accessible Greenspace SE8: Ha of Accessible Natural Greenspace per 1,000 Population. Targets Dudley 5.08, Sandwell 3.90, Walsall 5.00, Wolverhampton 4.74. Trigger: Review progress after five years. Performance To be updated – The trigger: Review progress after five years

Significant Effects Indicators – Characterisation Studies SE9: Proportion of planning permissions granted in accordance with Conservation / Historic Environment Section or Advisor Targets When percentages remain stable or increase over a five year period. Performance 100% of applications were determined in accordance with the statutory advice provide by the Conservation Officer.

A total of 28 relevant applications were determined between the period of April 2015 to March 2016. There were for a combination of planning or listed building applications and an application for advertisement consent which related to listed buildings, development within a conservation area or proposed within close proximity to a

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listed building and development within an area of potential archaeological importance.

All applications were determined in accordance with the statutory advice provided by the Conservation Officer. Decisions were consistent and relevant conditions were applied in accordance with the Conservation Officer’s advice.

Significant Effects Indicators – Waste to Landfill SE12: Proportion of industrial and commercial waste sent to landfill. Targets When percentages see increases over a five year period. Performance There has been a decrease in landfill diversion during 2015/16 on the previous monitoring year, with the diversion of Local Authority Collected Waste (LACW) Municipal Waste) falling from 93.60% in 2014/15 to 92.55% in 2015/16. The percentage fall in the amount of local authority waste collected in Sandwell and diverted away from landfill can be put down to the to an increase the amount of waste managed by the authority. The amount of managed by the authority in 2015/16 increased by 3,676 tonnes on 2014/15.Ofthe waste collected during 2015/16, 54.25% was incinerated at waste to energy plants and 38.29% was recycled. This meant that only 7.45% of waste collected by the authority was sent to landfill. This means that at present Sandwell is on course to meet the diversion rate targets set out in the Core Strategy.

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Aggregate Granular or particulate material used (on its own or with a binding agent such as cement or bitumen) in construction as concrete, mortar, road stone, asphalt or drainage courses, or for use as constructional fill or railway ballast. The two principal types are crushed rock and sand and gravel.

Area Action Plans (AAPs) A Development Plan Document focusing on a specific part of the Borough and providing the planning framework for areas of significant change.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) Report submitted to the Government Office each December which assesses the progress of the Local Development Framework, whether targets are being met and whether policies in Local Development Documents are being achieved.

Biodiversity The whole variety of life encompassing all genetics, species and ecosystem variations, including plants and animals

Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) National, Regional or Local level documents identifying key habitats and species for which targeted conservation actions are assigned.

Black Country Core Strategy Local Development Document being carried out by all four Black Country authorities setting out the vision, objectives and detailed spatial strategy for future development up to 2026 and specific strategic policies and targets.

Development Plan Documents (DPDs) LDF documents outlining the key development goals and including the Core Strategy, site-specific allocations of land and area action plans.

Green Belt A designated area of land around certain cities and large built up areas which aims to keep this land permanently open or largely developed.

Green Flag Award Standard National standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales.

Housing Trajectory A means of showing both past and anticipated future levels of annual housing completions.

Local Development Documents (LDDs) A series of documents within the LDF which will generally take the form of Development Plan Documents or Supplementary Planning Documents, each having a specific function and together providing a complete spatial planning strategy for the Borough.

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Local Development Framework (LDF) A portfolio of documents that provides the framework for planning in the Borough and for delivering the spatial vision.

Local Development Scheme (LDS) Sets out the timetable for the production of Local Development Documents and the key milestones in their production.

Local indicators Key indicators set out by the local authority in order to monitor specific local issues which are not already covered.

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 The legislation that introduced the new planning system of Local Development Frameworks

Primary Aggregate Produced from naturally occurring mineral deposits won from the ground and used for the first time.

Priority Habitats and Species Habitats and species identified by the UK Biodiversity Steering Group as being at risk or suffering from a high rate of decline.

Recycled Aggregate Mainly consists of construction and demolition waste, although can also be recycled road planings and rail ballast.

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) Prepared by the Regional Planning Body and setting out the broad development strategy for the region for the next 15-20 years. The RSS forms part of the Development Plan.

Renewable Energy Energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment such as from wind, water flow, tides or the sun.

Secondary Aggregate Material which originates as a waste product from other quarrying activities, or as a by-product of certain industrial processes.

Significant Effect Indicators Locally defined indicators which are linked to the objectives and indicators in the sustainability appraisals of DPDs and SPDs.

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) Sets out the standard approach that the Council intends to achieve by involving stakeholders and the public in the preparation and production of all its documents.

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Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) The purpose of a SHLAA is to identify sites that have the potential for residential development and assess when these sites are likely to be developed to meet the community's need for housing.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) Documents produced to elaborate on and to support policies set out in DPDs by providing additional guidance.

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) An assessment that considers the social, economic and environmental implications of policies and proposals and ensure that they contribute towards sustainable development objectives.

Unitary Development Plan (UDP) Local planning policy and proposal document adopted under the previous planning system. UDP policies can generally be saved for three years from their date of adoption, in Dudley's case October 2005.

Windfall sites Sites which come forward for development, e.g.for housing, where no allocation was made in the UDP.

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