Cheshire 1 How to comment on this document 2 2 Introduction 3 W 3 Policy Context 4 est and 4 Methodology 6 Chester 5 Settlement Scoring 11 6 Local Service Centres - Options 14 Council Appendices Local Service A List of Settlements Within the Borough 16 B Services and Facilities - Sources of Information 18 Centre C Detailed Settlement Assessment 20 Background D Sustainability Appraisal 26 Paper - consultation version (March 2015) 1 How to comment on this document 2 Cheshire 1 How to comment on this document We would like to receive your views on the approach taken to identify local service centres. The responses W will be used to inform the preparation of the Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies. est and This consultation will run from Monday 9th March 2015 to Friday 24th April 2015 at 5pm. Chester Comments can be submitted: Council through the Council's consultation portal (via www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/localplan - please click "Add Comments" next to the questions so tell us your views) Local by email to [email protected] Service or sent in writing to the following address: Planning Policy Centre Cheshire West and Chester Council 4 Civic Way Background Ellesmere Port CH65 0BE Paper You may find the following documents and information useful in commenting: - consultation Adopted Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies which can be viewed via the following link: http://consult.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/portal/cwc_ldf/adopted_cwac_lp/lp_1_adopted?tab=files version (March 2015) 3 2 Introduction Cheshire 2.1 This report sets out the Council's intended approach to identifying local service centres for inclusion within the Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies (Part Two Plan). W est 2.2 Sustainability is a key theme of the planning system and the Cheshire West and Chester Local and Plan has a key role to play in delivering sustainable development. The Adopted Cheshire West and Chester Chester Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies (Part One Plan) sets a strategic vision for the borough and defines how the boroughs’ housing and employment requirements should be met, taking into account Council national and local sustainability objectives. 2.3 The Part One Plan seeks to enable development that improves and meets the economic, social Local and environmental objectives of the borough in line with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, locating new housing in locations with good accessibility to existing or proposed local Service shops, community facilities and primary schools with good connections to public transport. Centre 2.4 The need to identify local service centres stems from the requirement to implement the strategy of the Part One Plan. The Plan’s strategy is based on focusing most new development in and adjacent Background to the four urban areas and steering development in the rural area primarily to key service centres which represent the most sustainable locations in the rural area. Outside of these areas, a limited level of development will also be brought forward in smaller rural settlements to be known as local service centres which have adequate services and facilities and access to public transport. Paper - 2.5 The Part One Plan does not impose levels of development on local service centres as it is consultation considered that the local community is best placed to understand the needs of its communities in terms of supporting local services or meeting a specific housing need. Local communities may bring forward additional development in their areas through mechanisms including Neighbourhood Plans, Community Right to Build Orders and rural exception housing. This approach reflects the National Planning Policy version Framework (NPPF) that seeks to empower local people to shape and direct sustainable development in their area. Development which will be allowed in local service centres will be small-scale and allows (March for redevelopment, conversions and infilling. 2015) 3 Policy Context 4 Cheshire 3 Policy Context Local Plan Part One (Strategic Policies) W est 3.1 The Adopted Part One Plan sets out the strategic framework for the sustainable development of and the borough and seeks to bring forward development in line with a settlement hierarchy identified as Chester follows. Urban areas: Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Winsford – focus for the majority of new Council development. Key Service Centres: Cuddington & Sandiway, Farndon, Helsby, Neston, Frodsham, Kelsall, Tarvin, Local Malpas, Tattenhall and Tarporley – the most sustainable locations for new development in the rural area Service Local Service Centres – smaller rural settlements with much more limited sustainability in terms of access to jobs, facilities and public transport. Centre 3.2 Locating development within or on the edge of the borough’s main urban areas and rural key Background service centres will enable the maximum use of existing infrastructure and resources and allow homes, jobs and other facilities to be located close to each other. This has the potential to enable people to be less reliant on travel by car and can support existing public transport modes. In other settlements, identified as Local Service Centres, the type and scale of development will be much more limited due Paper to the limited facilities and transport options. The Part One Plan does recognise that communities may wish to support the retention of local services / facilities through enabling new housing development - consultation through Neighbourhood Plans. 3.3 The following policies apply to development in the rural area: version 3.4 Policy STRAT1 (Sustainable Development) - "Locate new housing, with good accessibility to existing or proposed local shops, community facilities and primary schools and be well connected with (March good connections to public transport". 3.5 Policy STRAT2 (Strategic Development) - "An appropriate level of development will also be brought 2015) forward in smaller rural settlements which have adequate services and facilities and access to public transport. These local service centres will be identified in the Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies Plan". 3.6 Policy STRAT8 (Rural Area) - "New development will also be accommodated at local service centres. These local service centres will be identified through the Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies Plan. The amount of development in each local service centre will reflect the scale and character of the settlement concerned and the availability of services, facilities and public transport". 3.7 Paragraph 5.67 "It is not the intention of the policy to allow development in unsustainable locations therefore for a settlement to be identified as a local service centre there will need to be an adequate level of existing services and some access to public transport". 5 3.8 Paragraph 5.71 "To help support the rural economy and sustainable communities the retention Cheshire and development of local services and community facilities, such as village halls and public houses will be supported". W National Planning Policy Framework est and 3.9 "Sustainable development includes supporting strong, vibrant and healthy communities by providing Chester the supply of housing required to meet the needs of present and future generations; and by creating a high quality environment with accessible local services that reflect the community's need" (para 7). Council National Planning Policy Guidance 3.10 "A thriving rural community in a living working countryside depends, in part, on retaining local Local services and community facilities such as schools, local shops, cultural venues, public houses and Service places of worship. Rural housing is essential to ensure viable use of these local facilities" (Rural Housing: Paragraph: 001Reference ID: 50-001-20140306). Centre Background Paper - consultation version (March 2015) 4 Methodology 6 Cheshire 4 Methodology Developing the methodology W est Previous Consultation and Chester 4.1 A draft methodology setting out the criteria for the selection of the local service centres was subject to a seven week consultation between 1 May and 19 June 2014 as part of the Part Two: Land Allocations and Detailed Policies Issues consultation and call for sites documents. This paper has taken the Council consultation comments received into account. 4.2 Several representations were received through the consultation exercise relating to the need to Local involve Parish Councils in the assessment process. In response to this, a consultation with Parish Service Councils was undertaken over a six week period in October/November 2014 which involved sending a services and facilities questionnaire to all Parish Councils in the borough. The results from this questionnaire were used to provide a settlement assessment which was up-to-date and based on local Centre knowledge of the services and facilities within each settlement. Background 4.3 Comments received through the initial consultation exercise related to the factors which should be taken into account when identifying local service centres; many of which highlighting the importance of considering local services and facilities and accessibility. Some of the other issues which have been Paper raised and considered whilst drafting the methodology are highlighted below: - Access to High Speed Broadband consultation 4.4 It is recognised that access to Broadband is extremely beneficial to