Core Strategy Report on Consultation on Issues and Options October 2009 Your views so far Rochdale Borough Local Development Framework www.rochdale.gov.uk Rochdale Core Strategy - Report on Consultation on Issues and Options Contents Page 1 Introduction – Purpose of this document 3 2 General Comments on Issues and Options Report 5 3 Spatial Portrait 7 4 Key Evidence 9 5 Strategic Issues 11 6 Spatial Vision and Strategic Objectives 15 7 Economy – Issues and Options 19 8 Housing – Issues and Options 25 9 Quality of Place – Issues and Options 31 10 Climate Change, Pollution and Natural Resources – 35 Issues and Options 11 Accessibility and Sustainable Transport – Issues and 39 Options 12 Green Infrastructure (Open Space and Countryside) – 43 Issues and Options 13 People and Community – Issues and Options 49 14 Spatial Options 53 1. Dispersed development in the built up area: 2. Focus on regeneration areas in the built up area; 3. Focus on south Rochdale and south Pennines; 4. Focus on Heywood and Middleton; 5. Focus on the south of the borough (3 & 4 combined); and 6. High growth and dispersed development across the borough. 15 Site Options 57 - Sites identified in Issues and Options Report - Additional sites put forward 16 Conclusion 63 Appendix 1 – Notes from Township Workshops 65 Appendix 2 – Comments from Limehouse consultation 75 1 Rochdale Core Strategy - Report on Consultation on Issues and Options 2 Rochdale Core Strategy - Report on Consultation on Issues and Options 1. Introduction Purpose of Document Last year we consulted the local community, landowners, development interests, agencies and infrastructure providers on different options for how the borough should develop over the next 15 years. Those options (contained in our ‘Issues and Options report’) explored, for example, how much housing and employment growth we should plan for and where development should be located. The options also looked at what facilities and services we need to go with that development and how we should protect our environment and improve the look of the borough. There were a total of 534 comments received from 97 respondents to the Issues and Options Report. In general, we feel your views on the Issues and Options provided us with a good steer and despite some gaps in information, we feel we are now at a stage where we can present our Preferred Options. The purpose of this document is to: • summarise the comments received on our Issues and Options Report; • give our initial response to the comments and any issues raised; • if appropriate, briefly explain how the comments made have been taken account of within the Preferred Options document; • set out any further issues of relevance that have come to light since consultation on the Issues and Options Report e.g. evidence gaps; • explain how the comments received have informed the structure and content of the Preferred Options; and • publish the full list of comments received on the Issues and Options report (Appendix 1) Structure of the document This document has been set out to follow the structure of the Issues and Options report and therefore reflects the sections within that document. We have included a section which deals with the more general comments received regarding the Issues and Options report and the process itself. We have also an overall conclusion section which explains how comments and other sources of evidence have shaped the Preferred Options document. 3 Rochdale Core Strategy - Report on Consultation on Issues and Options 4 Rochdale Core Strategy - Report on Consultation on Issues and Options 2. General Comments on Issues and Options Report What you said Thirteen organisations or individuals submitted general responses at the issues and Options stage. Other recorded comments (written and verbal) were made at the four Township public workshops held during the issues and options consultation period. Since then a key stakeholder workshop was held to test out our approach to Preferred Options and a meeting of the Local Strategic Partnership. Taken together, these responses can be categorised as follows and are discussed in more detail below. A) Priorities or omissions: • The Core Strategy should accord with the regional Spatial Strategy • Robust design policies should be incorporated in the Core Strategy and should provide support for subsequent guidance. • New retail developments in Rochdale town centre are not needed to regenerate it • No further development should be permitted on Greenfield sites. • A clear policy direction on climate change and health and well-being • Policies to align with Local and Multiple Area Agreements (indicators and targets) B) and C) Further work, collaboration: • The Core Strategy will need to be supported by evidence of what physical, social, and green infrastructure is needed to support those levels of development proposed. The LDF should maintain a clear policy on telecommunications • Key areas of evidence required are: − impact of development on the strategic road network − consideration of potential funding and prioritisation of transport schemes − strategic flood risk assessment − green infrastructure study − employment land supply − strategic housing market assessment − information about health infrastructure priorities, proposals − utilities support for development • A delivery and infrastructure strategy should be prepared to support proposals including site-specific proposals • Consultation should include reviewing the scope of development management policies needed, bearing in mind the need to not reproduce national policy • the issue of the mining legacy should be considered • the LDF should maintain a clear policy on telecommunications D) Approach to public engagement: • A small number of residents said that publicity leaflets and information about the Core Strategy and public meetings should have been more widely available to residents and businesses. What our response is We note the comments under A) above we would mostly agree with them. However, we would disagree with the view that redeveloping Town Centre East incorporating a new retail development is not necessary to help regenerate the wider centre. 5 Rochdale Core Strategy - Report on Consultation on Issues and Options We agree with comments advising on the need to ensure evidence is gathered to support the Spatial Strategy and specific policies. Whilst there is some evidence to support the policy approaches set out in the Preferred Options, further data and evidence is needed in some areas and work is ongoing. Work is also ongoing to collaborate with implementing and funding agencies ensure proposals are deliverable. We agree that information about the Preferred Options and how to make views should be made more widely available. What we propose to do The policies in the Preferred Options address most of these general comments. We will continue to explore other issues and if necessary carry out targeted consultation. With regard to public consultation arrangements, the consultation measures have been reviewed and improvements are planned, particularly the use of the Council’s magazine ‘Local Matters’, to ensure households and businesses receive basic information. With regard to issues concerning the evidence base, work has been completed on some major studies and is reaching a conclusion on others. We have been working with other Districts within Greater Manchester and consultants to supplement our evidence base and will continue to do so to ensure that a pre- submission draft is supported by a robust evidence base. Responses seeking strong policy approaches on health and climate change have been noted and this has been addressed thoroughly through further consultation and explored through the sustainability appraisal process. Other Issues Other issues are addressed in response to specific policy areas. 6 Rochdale Core Strategy - Report on Consultation on Issues and Options 3. Spatial Portrait A total of fifteen individuals and organisations submitted comments on the spatial portrait element of the Issues and Options document. What you said This comprehensive spatial portrait covers the issues within it well. The emphasis placed on the distinctiveness between townships is important and should continue through to the rest of the document. Heywood Distribution Park is a key employment destination alongside Kingsway Business Park, but the spatial portrait needs reference to the Simplified Planning Zone. There is a need to acknowledge new retail development potential at regenerated sites on the edge of Middleton. The spatial portrait should identify local housing markets’ needs, variations within them and the polarisation of character and quality of properties in the borough. The borough does not have enough housing of the right size, type, tenure and quality for current and anticipated demand. As recognised, greenspace corridors play an important part in maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. Retaining and improving them is a priority. Some areas have poor access to green spaces and this needs significant improvement. The spatial portrait fails to capture the wider character and landscape assets of the borough. There should be recognition of the canal as an ecological asset and regeneration catalyst and how to improve it, with greater recognition within the Core Strategy. Background information should be included on archaeological resources, geology and geomorphology. There should also be reference to sport and active recreation and the role they play on the borough’s