Oldham LDF: Joint DPD - Proposed Submission 1 About This Document

Oldham Local Development Framework 'Proposed Submission' Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document September 2010 1 About this document 3 2 Introduction and Spatial Portrait 4 3 Vision 26 4 Objectives 31 5 Part 1: Core Strategy - The Way Forward 34 The Preferred Way Forward for the LDF 34 Key Diagram 40 Policy 1 Climate Change and Sustainable Development 41 Policy 2 Communities 45 Policy 3 An Address of Choice 48 Policy 4 Promoting Sustainable Regeneration and Prosperity 53 Policy 5 Promoting Accessibility and Sustainable Transport Choices 55 Policy 6 Green Infrastructure 59 Policy 7 Sustainable Use of Resources - Waste Management 64 Policy 8 Sustainable Use of Resources - Minerals 66 6 Part 2: Development Management Policies 68 Policy 9 Local Environment 68 Policy 10 Affordable Housing 72 Policy 11 Housing 75 Policy 12 Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople 77 Policy 13 Employment Areas 79 Policy 14 Supporting Oldham's Economy 83 Policy 15 Centres 88 Policy 16 Local Services and Facilities 93 Policy 17 Gateways and Corridors 95 Policy 18 Energy 99 Policy 19 Water and Flooding 106 Policy 20 Design 109 Policy 21 Protecting Natural Environmental Assets 112 Policy 22 Protecting Open Land 118 Policy 23 Open Spaces and Sports 120 Policy 24 Historic Environment 125 Policy 25 Developer Contributions 128 Appendix 1 Monitoring Framework 130 Appendix 2 The Preferred Way Forward for the LDF 142 Appendix 3 Energy Target Framework 162 Appendix 4 Proposals Map changes 164 Appendix 5 Flood Risk Maps 197 Appendix 6 Primary Shopping Frontages 198 Appendix 7 Bulky Goods Schedule 199 Oldham LDF: Joint DPD - Proposed Submission 1 About this document If you would like to receive this information in another format, such as large print, Braille, audio or alternative languages, please call us on telephone number 0161 770 4061. You may comment on the `Proposed Submission` document during the consultation period indicated on the public notice. Please note that personal information provided as part of a representation cannot be treated as confidential as the council is obliged to make all representations available for public inspection. If you choose to make a representation you will be regarded by the council as having consented to that representation being made available for public inspection. All comments received will also be made available via the internet, along with the name of the person who submitted them. Your address will not generally be available via the internet if you submit your comments electronically through our Limehouse consultation portal. In addition, you should note that any documents, plans etc, you submit to accompany your comments may also be made available via the internet. If you are using the Limehouse consultation portal to supply supporting documents, please make sure you do not include email addresses, telephone numbers or signatures on the supporting document. If we receive supporting documents containing email addresses, telephone numbers or signatures, we will endeavour to remove them. If your postal address is shown on any accompanying documents provided, though, then this will also be accessible via the internet. What is the joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document? The purpose of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD) is to set out the long-term vision and objectives for the borough. It will also contain a planning and development strategy, policies and a monitoring and implementation framework. The Development Management Policies DPD will set out policies that will manage development in the borough. Here in Oldham, the Core Strategy DPD and the Development Management Policies DPD will be prepared as a single document called the `Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document`. From this point on, it will be referred to simply as `the joint DPD`. Oldham LDF: Joint DPD - Proposed Submission 3 2 Introduction and Spatial Portrait Summary of the main issues and key challenges we face 2.1 Our challenge is to improve the quality of people’s lives and our communities here in the borough. To do that we need to make sure Oldham plays to its strengths and pulls its increasing weight in Greater Manchester. We also need to take advantage of our links to Leeds. We will also work with the Peak District to reflect its particular characteristics and the benefits that come from being so close to the national park. 2.2 We want to make the borough an address of choice. To do so we need to meet the housing needs and demands of all sections of the community by improving the choice, quality and affordability of new homes. This will be achieved through securing housing-led regeneration, the reuse of brownfield sites and appropriate housing mix. The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder (HMR) will be a key player here. 2.3 Alongside improving our housing offer, we also want to change our local economy with a shift towards low carbon industries and technologies. Improving prosperity will help address worklessness, tackle deprivation and promote economic well-being. We will build upon being a university town to increase education and skills by working with partners on the new and remodelled schools programmes. Also our outstanding higher and further education colleges - the Oldham College and the Oldham Sixth Form College - and our own university, the University Campus Oldham which is a successful part of the University of Huddersfield, will be key players in helping deliver on our aspirations. 2.4 The limited supply of available developable land acts as a constraint on our future plans for providing new jobs. This reflects our tight Green Belt and the topography of the borough. Our approach towards employment land is to keep the best and recycle the rest, including old industrial sites and mills. Our `centres` act as a focal point for local communities, and we need to improve their offer. In Oldham Town Centre this includes plans for some key sites, such as the Old Town Hall, and addressing the challenges posed by the night-time economy. Making it easier for people to get to jobs, here in the borough or in Manchester City Centre and our neighbouring districts key sites, is also a challenge. Traffic congestion and its impacts on bus journey times and reliability, the integration of development with the transport system, motorway based commuting to employment sites, and the need to encourage travel by sustainable modes are challenges we face. Metrolink will be a key element in improving accessibility. 2.5 Our local natural, built and historic environments play a crucial part in so many aspects of life in the borough, for example liveability, health, people's perceptions of safety, community cohesion, it's image. We need to protect people's amenity and improve local environmental quality. Achieving sustainable developments through using our resources wisely, securing the right locations and ensuring the high-quality design and construction of new buildings are ways we will face the challenges posed by climate change. Protecting our quality open spaces and encouraging healthy lifestyles, more play and physical exercise are integral to improving health and well-being. Our key assumptions 2.6 In addressing these issues and challenges we have had regard to national policies. Some planning matters, such as securing high quality design and construction, are taken as read. In addition, some of our key assumptions are: a. no changes to our current Green Belt boundaries; 4 Oldham LDF: Joint DPD - Proposed Submission b. the number of new homes we will plan for is at least 289 per annum (net of clearance) on average over the plan period, the amount that will be on brownfield land is at least 80% per annum and the requirements for affordable homes is based on national guidance (sites threshold of 15 dwellings or more); c. our provision of new employment land (approximately 82 hectares) will contribute to Greater Manchester's overall supply; d. we will promote alternatives to people using the private car, such as public transport, walking and cycling; e. that work at the Greater Manchester level has informed our approach to energy; f. that detailed waste and minerals matters will be dealt with by the Greater Manchester joint plans which are being prepared by the Geological Unit; and g. that a number of on-going programmes, such as the LIFT health and well-being programme, the Metrolink proposals, HMR, and a range of environmental regeneration initiatives, will proceed alongside preparation of the LDF. Spatial Portrait Setting the Scene 2.7 Oldham is situated in the north east of Greater Manchester. It covers an area of 55 square miles. Our metropolitan neighbours include Rochdale, Manchester and Tameside in Greater Manchester, and Kirklees and Calderdale in Yorkshire. Parts of Saddleworth are in the Peak Park. The borough is made up of the town of Oldham itself and the areas of Shaw, Royton, Lees, Hollinwood, Failsworth, Chadderton, Uppermill, Greenfield, Delph, Dobcross, Denshaw, Diggle, Austerlands, Grasscroft, Grotton, Lydgate, Scouthead and Springhead. The borough contains a residential population of approximately 220,000, with approximately 90,000 households. Figure 1 The borough and its surrounding areas 2.8 The borough is one of contrasts with significant levels of deprivation but also areas of prosperity. The many distinct areas that make up the borough, and their communities, are a source of strength locally and to the sub-region that are to be celebrated and which contribute to the local distinctiveness and character of the borough. Spatially, the borough is also, in many ways, an Oldham LDF: Joint DPD - Proposed Submission 5 area of physical constraints. Pennine moorland dominates the eastern side of the borough, part of which falls within the Peak Park.

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