This document is the evidence summary to support St Wenn Neighbourhood Development Plan
St Wenn NDP Evidence Baseline V8 St Wenn NDP Steering Group April 2021
Document Control Version Details & Date Author/Checker V1 First draft created 02/12/19: basic frame and structure, and insertion SBF of existing content V2 Basic contents completed 06/02/2020. Formatted SBF V3 Completed 29/03/2020. Revised 17/04/2020 SBF V4 Updates 20/4/2020 SBF V5 UPDATES 29/6/2020 CS/SBF V6 Updates 20/10/20 SBF V7 Updates 30/11/20 SBF V8 Updates 04/05/2021 SBF
IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS A ‘LIVE DOCUMENT’ THAT IS CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED AS NEW DATA BECOMES AVAILABLE. THE VERSION ON THE NDP WEBSITE WILL BE UPDATED REGULARLY.
Last Save Date: 04/05/2021 09:11:00
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ST WENN NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN EVIDENCE SUMMARY
Table of Contents 1. Introduction...... 8 Purpose ...... 8 Format ...... 8 Sustainable Development ...... 9 Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ...... 9 2. Designated Area...... 11 3. Our Community ...... 13 Planning Policy Background ...... 13 National Planning Policy Framework 2018...... 13 Cornwall Local Plan...... 14 Other plans and studies ...... 16 Baseline ...... 18 Settlement Hierarchy ...... 18 Population Growth and Age Structure ...... 18 Ethnicity and National Identity ...... 20 Religion ...... 20 Health and Well Being ...... 20 Qualifications and Occupations ...... 20 Sexual Orientation ...... 21 Deprivation ...... 21 Life Expectancy ...... 24 Conclusions ...... 24 Related Community Engagement Feedback ...... 24 Key issues and implications for the NDP ...... 26 4. Housing ...... 28 Planning Policy Background ...... 28 National Planning Policy Framework 2018 ...... 28 Cornwall Local Plan 2016 ...... 29
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Baseline ...... 30 House Price and Affordability ...... 30 Tenure ...... 31 Occupancy Rates ...... 32 Second Homes ...... 32 Housing Size Mix ...... 32 Household Size ...... 33 Housing Need in St Wenn Parish ...... 34 Market Demand ...... 34 Self and Custom build ...... 34 Housing Provision to Date ...... 35 Related Community Engagement Feedback ...... 38 Key issues and implications for the NDP ...... 40 5. Economy and Employment ...... 43 Planning Policy Background ...... 43 National Planning Policy Framework 2018...... 43 Cornwall Local Plan...... 44 Other plans and studies ...... 45 Baseline ...... 46 Economic Activity ...... 46 Employment Categories ...... 47 Unemployment and Benefits ...... 47 Occupation of Residents ...... 47 Level of Jobs Held ...... 48 Jobs in the Parish ...... 49 Jobs outside the Parish ...... 49 Workspaces ...... 49 Less Favoured Area Status ...... 49 Superfast Broadband ...... 50 Agricultural and Land Based Rural Business Diversification ...... 50 Working from Home and Home Based Businesses ...... 51 Related Community Engagement Feedback ...... 51 Key issues and implications for the NDP ...... 53 6. Infrastructure and Community Facilities ...... 55 Planning Policy Background ...... 55
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National Planning Policy Framework 2019...... 55 Cornwall Local Plan...... 56 Other plans and studies ...... 57 Baseline ...... 57 Village shops...... 57 Community Halls and other facilities...... 57 Churches...... 57 Pubs...... 58 Community Initiatives and Groupings ...... 58 Availability of Funding for Community Initiatives ...... 58 Schools...... 60 Access to Health Care...... 60 Community Assets ...... 60 Local Green Spaces ...... 61 Recreation spaces and sports pitches...... 62 Development Infrastructure ...... 64 Related Community Engagement Feedback ...... 65 Key issues and implications for the NDP ...... 65 7. Green Infrastructure, Biodiversity and Geo Diversity ...... 72 Planning Policy Background ...... 72 National Planning Policy Framework 2019...... 72 Cornwall Local Plan...... 73 Other plans and studies ...... 74 The Environment Bill 2020 ...... 76 Baseline ...... 76 Common Land and S4 Crow Act Access Land ...... 77 Trees and Woodlands ...... 77 Water Quality and Water Resources ...... 77 Soil Resources ...... 78 Mineral Resources ...... 78 Geodiversity...... 78 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) ...... 80 Special Area of Conservation ...... 84 County Wildlife Sites...... 85 Green Infrastructure Network ...... 85 Air Quality ...... 86 Net Biodiversity Gain ...... 86
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Related Community Engagement Feedback ...... 87 Key issues and implications for the NDP ...... 87 8. Landscape ...... 89 Planning Policy Background ...... 89 National Planning Policy Framework 2019...... 89 Cornwall Local Plan...... 90 Other plans and studies ...... 90 Baseline ...... 91 Topography...... 91 Landscape character ...... 91 Dark Skies ...... 100 Summary of Key Distinguishing Characteristics of the St Wenn Parish Landscape ...... 100 Related Community Engagement Feedback ...... 101 Key issues and implications for the NDP ...... 101 9. Heritage and Design ...... 102 Planning Policy Background ...... 102 National Planning Policy Framework 2019...... 102 Cornwall Local Plan...... 102 Other plans and studies ...... 103 Baseline ...... 105 Conservation Areas...... 105 Listed Buildings ...... 105 Scheduled Monuments ...... 107 Archaeology ...... 107 Morasses, Moors and Marshes - Lost corners of Cornwall’s Historic Environment ...... 112 Rosenannon Downs Archaeological Assessment ...... 113 Heritage and Design ...... 113 Related Community Engagement Feedback ...... 114 Key issues and implications for the NDP ...... 114 10. Accessibility and Connectivity (Transportation) ...... 119 Planning Policy Background ...... 119 National Planning Policy Framework 2018...... 119
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Cornwall Local Plan...... 120 Other plans and studies ...... 120 Baseline ...... 121 Rail Network ...... 121 Bus Network ...... 121 Road Network ...... 121 Availability of Cars and Vans ...... 121 Parking ...... 122 Public Rights of Way, Cycleways, footpaths and bridleways ...... 122 Related Community Engagement Feedback ...... 122 Key issues and implications for the NDP ...... 123 11. Climate Change (including drainage and flood risk) ...... 127 Planning Policy Background ...... 127 National Planning Policy Framework 2019...... 128 The Cornwall Local Plan: Strategic Policies...... 129 Other plans and studies ...... 130 Baseline ...... 133 Flood Risk ...... 135 CO2 Emissions in St Wenn Area ...... 136 Generation Potential ...... 136 1. Wind Turbines ...... 136 2. Solar Arrays ...... 137 3. Geothermal ...... 138 4. Heat Pumps (air to air and air to water)...... 138 5. Biomass boilers...... 138 6. Microgeneration...... 139 7. Hydro Electric Generation...... 139 Related Community Engagement Feedback ...... 140 Key issues and implications for the NDP ...... 141 12. SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS ...... 150 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RESULTS ON PLAN SCOPE ...... 151 SUMMARY KEY ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS ...... 152
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1. Introduction. Purpose 1.1 This document is a summary of the evidence collected so far in producing the St Wenn Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), to be used as a basis for setting a broad vision, objectives for the NDP and planning policy directions.
Format 1.2 The evidence summary describes the baseline condition in St Wenn Parish, following a set of themes which equate approximately to the themes that might be covered in a Strategic Environmental Assessment. These are: • Our Community - Population and Community, Health and Wellbeing • Housing • Economy and Employment • Infrastructure and Community Facilities • Green Infrastructure, Biodiversity and Geodiversity • Landscape • Heritage and the Historic Environment • Land, Soil and Water Resources • Accessibility and Connectivity (Transportation) • Climate Change (including drainage and flood risk) 1.3 Each section starts with a policy overview, reviewing the key national, regional and local policies for the topics considered, drawn from the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2018), the Cornwall Local Plan 2016 (CLP), and other relevant documents. 1.4 Next follows the key baseline data for the theme being considered. 1.5 Any relevant community engagement results are then noted.
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1.6 The section completes by drawing on the preceding information to highlight the key issues the St Wenn NDP may need to cover.
Sustainable Development 1.7 The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, that is, meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (NPPF 2019 Para 7). 1.8 Sustainable development has three inter-dependent objectives: • Economic: to help build a strong, responsive and competitive economy • Social: to support strong, vibrant and healthy communities • Environmental: to contribute to protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment 1.9 The NPPF says these objectives must be delivered through Plans, which ‘should play an active role in guiding development towards sustainable solutions, but in doing so should take local circumstances into account, to reflect the character, needs and opportunities of each area’ (NPPF 2019 Para 9). It therefore sets a presumption in favour of sustainable development and requires that Plans should positively seek opportunities to meet the development needs of the area and be flexible to adapt to rapid change (NPPF 2019 Para 11). 1.10 The NPPF goes on to require that Neighbourhood plans support the delivery of strategic policies contained in local plans and should shape and direct development that is outside of these strategic policies (NPPF 2019 Para 13).
Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 1.11 The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to stimulate action in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet, which should underpin the NDP. The SDGs are: Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere. Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
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Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation. Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries. Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. (Source: Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development)
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2. Designated Area. 2.1 The area formally designated (on 16th April 2018) by Cornwall Council for the St Wenn NDP is the entire area of the Parish. 2.2 The Parish comprises 1901ha (4697 acres) of land with a strong rural character, including part of the Camel & Allan Valleys Area of Great Landscape Value. The entire area is a Designated Rural Area under the Housing Order 1981. The Parish includes four small settlements, St Wenn, Rosennanon, Tregonetha and Demelza
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FIGURE 1: DESIGNATED AREA MAP.
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3. Our Community
Planning Policy Background
National Planning Policy Framework 2018. 3.1 Key messages from the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2019 include - • The social role of the planning system should support ‘support strong, vibrant and healthy communities, by ensuring that a sufficient number and range of homes can be provided to meet the needs of present and future generations; and by fostering a well-designed and safe built environment, with accessible services and open spaces that reflect current and future needs and support communities’ health, social and cultural well-being (Para 8b). • Planning policies ‘should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places’ which promote social interaction, including opportunities for meetings between people who might not otherwise come into contact with each other, are safe and accessible, so that crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion, and enable and support healthy lifestyles, especially where this would address identified local health and well-being needs (Para 91). • To support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes, planning should ensure that sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed, that the needs of groups with specific housing requirements are addressed and that land with permission is developed without unnecessary delay (Para 59) • Planning policies and decisions should: o plan positively for the provision and use of shared space, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments o support the delivery of local strategies to improve health, social and cultural well being o guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs
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o ensure that established shops, facilities and services are able to develop and modernise in a way that is sustainable, and retained for the benefit of the community o ensure an integrated approach to considering the location of housing, economic uses and community facilities and services (Para 92)
Cornwall Local Plan. 3.2 St Wenn Parish is listed under the Newquay Community Network Area, with a population of 27,220 in 2014. Newquay is the focus for the majority of the CNA’s growth required to accommodate the majority of the dwelling requirement for the CNA. Coordination will be needed amongst the remaining parishes within the CNA to ensure that housing needs are met (Para 9.7). Improvement of rural services and protection of the undeveloped coast and countryside are seen as s challenge for the CNA. • The CLP (Policy 16) aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Cornwall’s communities, residents, workers and visitors, by: o requiring that development should protect, and alleviate risk to people and the environment from unsafe, unhealthy and polluted environments by avoiding or mitigating against harmful impacts and health risks; o not causing increased risk to human health from air pollution or exceeding EU standards; o maximising the opportunity for physical activity through the use of open space, indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities and providing or enhancing active travel networks that support and encourage walking, riding and cycling; o encouraging provision for growing local food in private gardens which are large enough to accommodate vegetable growing or greenhouses or through the provision of allotments; and o providing flexible community open spaces that can be adapted to the health needs of the community and encourage social interaction. • The CLP also reflects the NPPF requirements that the needs of the local community are met, including through affordable housing provision. • The Cornwall Council ‘Settlements: Hierarchy and Settlement Categories: 2012 Update’ identifies the settlements that are the most sustainable in terms of the level of facilities available.
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FIGURE 2: ‘SETTLEMENTS: HIERARCHY AND SETTLEMENT CATEGORIES: 2012 UPDATE’ CATEGORIES EXPLAINED. The Cornwall Local Plan document ‘Settlements: Hierarchy and Settlement Categories: 2012 Update’ identifies which settlements are the most sustainable in terms of the level of facilities available by establishing a settlement hierarchy: Category A – identified as the strategically significant towns in Cornwall, and are the main employment and service centres; Category B – identified as market and coastal towns that are locally significant and contain a good range of housing, employment, and community facilities and services; Category C – identified as small towns and villages that meet local needs for some services and facilities and employment; Category D – smaller settlements that perform an important role in their local areas, i.e. ‘rural service centres’; Category E – those settlements that do not meet the criteria for category D but are considered important in their immediate local area and contain a primary school or general store; Category F – those settlements that that do not meet the criteria for category E but contain a travel to work bus or rail service and either a general store or a meeting place. Category O - Uncategorised - These settlements have little or no facilities and are not on travel to work routes.
The higher the category a settlement falls into, the more new development it could be allocated. Settlements that fall into the ‘A’ and ‘B’ categories could be allocated a significant proportion of the adopted housing growth target as these are the settlements that contain the highest level of facilities, the majority of employment opportunities, and so on, and this is a requirement of current Government guidance. Category ‘C’, ‘D’ and some ‘E’ settlements are all important to their local areas and are likely to be allocated an appropriate level of growth to meet local needs for housing and employment, and to help support existing services and facilities. Some Category ‘E’ and Category ‘F’ settlements provide good travel to work transport links to nearby larger settlements and contain some community facilities and could therefore be considered as appropriate locations for development. The is not intended to be prescriptive and that the expectations in terms of development and growth are not necessarily identical for settlements under each category. Local characteristics and constraints – e.g. landscape designations or flood risk – will be vital considerations in determining future levels and types of growth.
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Other plans and studies 3.3 ‘Ready for aging?’ the report of the Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change, warns that society is underprepared for the ageing population. (51% more people aged 65 and over and 101% more people aged 85 and over in England in 2030 compared to 2010; and a 90% increase in people with moderate or severe need for social care). The report says that the housing market is delivering much less specialist housing for older people than is needed and steps need to be taken to ensure that the housing needs of the older population are better addressed. It notes that an adequate supply of suitably located, well-designed, supported housing for older people, could result in an increased release onto the market of currently under-occupied family housing, expanding the supply available for younger generations. It recommends making specific mention of older people’s needs when drawing up Local Plans. 3.4 ‘Natural Solutions’ from the New Economics Foundation highlights evidence from recent studies demonstrating how the natural world can deliver well-being aims such as health, education, urban regeneration, community cohesion and crime reduction through increased physical activity in, and contact with, the natural environment. 3.5 'Fair Society, Healthy Lives’, the Marmot Review included a supplementary report which found that there is overwhelming evidence that health and environmental inequalities are linked and that poor environments contribute significantly to poor health and health inequalities’. It proposed various actions, those of relevance to neighbourhood planning being to improve active travel; improve good quality open and green spaces; improve the quality of food in local areas; improve the energy efficiency of housing and support local community regeneration programmes that encourage community participation and action and reduce social isolation. 3.6 ‘The Cornwall Health and Wellbeing Strategy’ aims to ensure that people in Cornwall will live longer, happier, healthier lives and recognises that good health and wellbeing must be everyone’s responsibility. Ensuring that Neighbourhood Planning works alongside the health agenda and includes actions that link to the wider determinants of a happy and diverse community is essential. 3.7 The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to stimulate action in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet, which should underpin the NDP. The SDGs are:
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Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere. Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation. Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries. Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. (Source: Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development)
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Baseline
Settlement Hierarchy 3.8 In the Cornwall Council ‘Settlements: Hierarchy and Settlement Categories: 2012 Update’ only Rosennanon is identified, but only as falling into category ‘O’ or ‘uncategorised’. Tregonetha, Demelza and St Wenn are not formally recognised as being settlements. Therefore none of St Wenn Parish settlements are in a category that would attract significant levels of development. Population Growth and Age Structure 3.9 The most recent and most complete snapshot of the community is the 2011 Census. Although now 8 years old, no significant changes have occurred to suggest that the data it contains have altered in any major way. DATE ST WENN CORNWALL SOUTH WEST ENGLAND PARISH 2001 335 499,114 4,928,434 49,138,831
2011 369 532,273 5,288,935 53,012,456
POPULATION CHANGE +10.2% +6.6% +7.3% +7.9%
FIGURE 3: POPULATION GROWTH 2001 TO 2011 Source: NOMIS Census 2001 Usually Resident population Table KS001 Census 2011 Usually Resident population Table KS101EW
3.10 As shown in Figure 3, the population of St Wenn increased between 2001 and 2011 at a higher rate in comparison to Cornwall, the South West of England and England averages. In 2011 the Parish usual residents’ population was 369 persons. In 2018, the mid-year estimate suggested that the population of St Wenn Parish had increased since 2011 to 417 persons, a further 13% increase. 3.11 Between 2002 and 2018 the proportion of school age (5 to 14) had decreased from 12.5% to 11%, and the proportion aged 15 to 19 had also decreased from 7.7% to 6.2% The proportion of ‘young workers’
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(aged 20 to 49) was 36.6% in 2002, but had dropped to 31.7% by 2018. Conversely, the proportion of ‘older workers and early retirees’ (aged 50 to 64) had grown slightly from 22.2% in 2002 up to 23.7% by 2018. The proportion of OAPs present in the Parish in 2002 was 15.3% in 2002, had increased substantially to 24.2% by 2018. This demographic change is represented in Figure 4 below, indicates an ageing population and has implications for the future housing needs mix for the Parish.
FIGURE 4: MID-YEAR ESTIMATES 2002 AND 2018 BY 5 YEAR AGE COHORTS, ST WENN PARISH Source: NOMIS Mid Year Estimates
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3.12 The parish was home to a lower proportion of single person households (HHs) at 21.7%, well below the proportions for England (30.2%) and Cornwall (30.1%), a profile also reflected in the number of 64+ single person HHs. On the other hand, the Parish had a higher proportion of one family HHs (64.5%) than England (61.8%) and Cornwall (63.6%). [Source Census 2011 Table KS105EW) 3.13 Of all households, a higher proportion were married and a lower proportion were cohabiting (40.6% : 8.7%) than in England (33.2% : 9.8%) and Cornwall (33.9% : 10.1%), and there were fewer lone parent HHs (4.3%) than in England (10.6%) and Cornwall (8.8%). [Source Census 2011 Table KS105EW) Ethnicity and National Identity 3.14 Turning to ethnicity, in 2011 the Parish was 98.4% white, compared to England (85.4%) and Cornwall 98.2%). Some 14.1% identified themselves as ‘Cornish’ compared 9.9% in Cornwall. [Source Census 2011 Tables KS 201EW and KS202EW]. 97% were born in the UK, compared to 95.6% for Cornwall and 86.2% for England. 1.6% were from the EU, compared to 1.8% in Cornwall and 3.7% in England. [Source Census 2011 Table KS204EW] Religion 3.15 About 66.4% of people claimed to ‘have religion’ of which 98.8% asserted to Christian, compared to England (68.1% : 87.2%) and Cornwall (61.2% : 97.8%). [Source Census 2011 Table KS209EW] Health and Well Being 3.16 Some 82.6% of the usually resident population said they were in good or very good health, 14.1% said they were in fair health, and 3.2% said bad or very bad health. This compares well to England (81.4% : 13.1% : 5.5%) and Cornwall (78.8% : 14.9% : 6.3%). The local proportion saying that their day-to-day activities were limited a lot by ill health was 6% compared to 8.3% in England and 10% in Cornwall. [Source Census 2011 Table KS301EW] Qualifications and Occupations 3.17 The population of the Parish has a larger proportion of less well educated people than is usual in comparison to other areas, with 24.3% of the population having no qualifications, compared to England (22.5%) and Cornwall (22.4%), and a smaller proportion with level 1 (6.7% compared to 13.3% in England and 13.4% in Cornwall). The proportion holding levels 2 to 3 qualifications was 36.3% compared to 31.2% in England, and 35% in Cornwall., and a higher proportion with level 4 (degree level) and above qualifications, at 29%, compared to 27.4% for England and 25% for Cornwall. [Source Census 2011 Table KS501EW]
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3.18 Of those in employment, some 33.8% held managerial/professional posts/associate professional posts, of which 13% were managers/directors and senior officials. In England the comparative figures are 41.2%/10.9% and in Cornwall 35.6%/11.4%. Some 29.2% were in skilled trade occupations, compared to 11.4% in England and 17% in Cornwall. [Source Census 2011 Table KS608EW to KS610EW]. Some 30.1% were small employers and own account workers, compared to 9.4% in England and 14.9% in Cornwall. The proportions in more routine occupations were correspondingly lower. Sexual Orientation 3.19 No census data on sexual orientation and gender preference is available. The ONS Integrated Household Survey 2011 found 1.9% to be lesbian, gay or bisexual. However Stonewall says that the UK Government estimate, used for policy making, that 5% to 7% of the population is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ), is reasonable. This implies that between 20 and 30 of the usually resident population may be LGBTQ. Deprivation 3.20 Deprivation classification in the census is based on four selected household characteristics. A household is deprived if they meet one or more of the following conditions: • Employment (any member of a household not a full-time student is either unemployed or long-term sick); • Education (no person in the household has at least level 2 education, and no person aged 16-18 is a full-time student); • Health and disability (any person in the household has general health 'bad or very bad' or has a long term health problem); and • Housing (Household's accommodation is either overcrowded, with an occupancy rating -1 or less, or is in a shared dwelling, or has no central heating). A household is classified as being deprived in none, or one to four of these dimensions in any combination.
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ST WENN CORNWALL SOUTH WEST ENGLAND HOUSEHOLD NOT 43.5% 40.2% 44.8% 42.5% DEPRIVED DEPRIVED IN 1 39.9% 34.6% 33.2% 32.7% DIMENSION DEPRIVED IN 2 14.5% 19.9% 17.6% 19.1% DIMENSIONS DEPRIVED IN 3 2.2% 4.8% 4.0% 5.1% DIMENSIONS DEPRIVED IN 4 0.0% 0.5% 0.4% 0.5% DIMENSIONS FIGURE 5: HOUSEHOLD DEPRIVATION 2011 Source: Census 2011: ‘Households by Deprivation Dimensions 2011 (Table QS119EW)
3.21 From Figure 5 it can be seen that in 2011 the level of deprivation was in overall terms marginally lower than in Cornwall, regionally and nationally. 3.22 The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2015 and 2019 (IMD) is an overall relative measure of deprivation constructed by combining seven domains of deprivation according to their respective weights, as described below. The seven deprivation domains are as follows: • The Income Deprivation Domain measures the proportion of the population experiencing deprivation relating to low income. The definition of low income used includes both those people that are out-of- work, and those that are in work but who have low earnings (and who satisfy the respective means tests). • The Employment Deprivation Domain measures the proportion of the working-age population in an area involuntarily excluded from the labour market. This includes people who would like to work but are unable to do so due to unemployment, sickness or disability, or caring responsibilities.
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• The Education, Skills and Training Deprivation Domain measures the lack of attainment and skills in the local population. The indicators fall into two sub-domains: one relating to children and young people and one relating to adult skills. • The Health Deprivation and Disability Domain measures the risk of premature death and the impairment of quality of life through poor physical or mental health. The domain measures morbidity, disability and premature mortality but not aspects of behaviour or environment that may be predictive of future health deprivation. • The Crime Domain measures the risk of personal and material victimisation at local level. • The Barriers to Housing and Services Domain measures the physical and financial accessibility of housing and local services. The indicators fall into two sub-domains: ‘geographical barriers’, which relate to the physical proximity of local services, and ‘wider barriers’ which includes issues relating to access to housing such as affordability. • The Living Environment Deprivation Domain measures the quality of the local environment. The indicators fall into two sub-domains: a. The ‘indoors’ living environment measures the quality of housing; b. The ‘outdoors’ living environment contains measures of air quality and road traffic accidents. 3.23 Two supplementary indices (subsets of the Income deprivation domains), are also included: • Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index: The proportion of all children aged 0 to 15 living in income deprived families. • Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index: The proportion of all those aged 60 or over who experience income deprivation. 3.24 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) are a geographic hierarchy designed to improve the reporting of small area statistics in England and Wales. They are standardized geographies designed to be as consistent in population as possible, with each LSOA containing approximately 1,000 to 1,500 people. In relation to the IMD 2015, LSOAs are ranked out of the 32,844 in England and Wales, with 1 being the most deprived. Ranks are normalized into deciles, with a value of 1 reflecting the top 10% most deprived LSOAs in England and Wales.
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3.25 The Neighbourhood Plan area falls within the Cornwall 024A LSOA, which also covers part of Roche Parish and thus the data is somewhat distorted by the population present there. (See Figure 6 for details). The IMD Score of being in the 30% most deprived reflects the relatively low local incomes and attainment, relative isolation from services, housing affordability, and the absence of central heating in traditional properties locally. LSOA RANK 2015* RANK 2019* CORNWALL 024A 8271/Amongst the 30% most deprived 8372/Amongst the 30% most neighbourhoods in country deprived neighbourhoods in country
FIGURE 6: INDEX OF MULTIPLE DEPRIVATION 2015 AND 2019 * = OUT OF 32844, WHERE 1 IS THE MOST DEPRIVED Source: IMD 2015 and 2019
Life Expectancy 3.26 No specific data exists for the Parish about life expectancy. However, the 2017 ‘PHE Fingertips’ website indicates that for Cornwall male life expectancy is 79.6 years and female 83.4 years. Although the rate of improvement has declined, life expectancy can be expected to continue to increase in the longer term. Life expectancy is 6.6 years lower for men and 5.1 years lower for women in the most deprived areas of Cornwall than in the least deprived areas. Conclusions 3.27 From this we see a growing, reasonably well-educated community in fairly good health, with many self- employed people and generally lower than average incomes, but probably sharing traditional values. However, it is clearly ageing, with the age profile shifting to favour older workers, which will have implications for future housing mix and affordability, especially for the declining cohort of local young people. It is also apparent that within the general well-being of the community there are small ‘hot spots’ of relative deprivation. Related Community Engagement Feedback
3.28 Asked to score a series of issues to identify what the most valued aspects of the distinctive and attractive character the Parish were, the following results were obtained (shown in priority order as recorded in the ‘weighted average’[WA*]).
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St Wenn Parish has a distinctive and attractive character that the Neighbourhood Plan can help to preserve and enhance. Please say which of the following you think are most important. Answer Choice Weighted Average 1 The countryside and landscape 4.71 2 Local wildlife and biodiversity 4.56 3 The peace and tranquillity of the area 4.56 4 Its sense of community 4.37 5 The dark night sky 4.27 6 Local community facilities, activities and groups 4.20 7 Its isolation from urban areas 4.07 8 Heritage features 3.99 * Weighted average takes into account the varying degrees of importance or agreement given to an answer choice, with 1 equalling low importance/agreement and 5 equalling high importance/agreement.
3.29 Other comments received include: The small local family farms. A working agricultural community 4/5 It is a mix of different types and ages all of whom appear to get on and mix well. (most important) Local community facilities, activities & groups: Very little of these need more. 4 important. Agriculture No more Second Homes and non affordable rented accommodation, We need to encourage younger generation occupants and less retirement housing. Most important..
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Key issues and implications for the NDP 3.30 Key messages from the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) include – • National and local policy is that Planning should:
o ensure adequate provision of housing, social and community facilities, for all residents
o ensure there are no harmful impacts on health and well-being o maintain and enhance opportunities for activity and inclusiveness o encourage local food production in gardens and allotments. • Population growth in the parish has been significantly above Cornwall, regional and national averages. • The population of the parish is ageing. Between 2002 and 2018 the proportion of infants (0 to 4) and school age (5 to 14) children decreased significantly, whilst the proportion of ‘young workers’ (aged 18 to 49), previously well above that for Cornwall and England dropped to around the average. Conversely, the proportion of ‘older workers and early retirees’ (50 to 64) grew slightly and now proportion of the population within the 65+ age range now represents nearly 25% of the community. The Parish has a lower proportion of single person households than the average for Cornwall and England • The implications of the above are that the St Wenn NDP needs to support the provision of services, facilities and amenities to meet the needs of an ageing population, whilst ensuring that the service, housing and employment needs of the dwindling proportion of young people and families are not neglected. • The Parish has a larger proportion of less well educated people than is usual in comparison to other areas, although the proportion holding intermediate and higher qualifications was higher than average. This is reflected in the occupations and responsibilities of employed people, with about a third holding managerial/professional posts, and a further third having skilled trade occupations, and a third in more routine occupations. The proportion of ‘own account workers’ was also noticeably higher than in Cornwall and England.
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• The implication here is that whilst most residents in work are in good jobs within or outside the Parish, there is a core of less well-educated residents for whom basic local employment may be important. • A higher proportion of the Parish population said they were in good health than the average for Cornwall and England, with a smaller proportion saying their day-to-day activities were limited by ill health. • In 2011 the level of deprivation was in overall terms marginally lower than in Cornwall, regionally and nationally. The later Index of Multiple Deprivation Score of being in the 30% most deprived areas reflects relatively low local incomes and attainment, relative isolation from services, housing affordability, and the absence of central heating in traditional properties locally. However the latter score is skewed by the inclusion of nearby settlements in the calculations. • Taken with the other data above there is possibility of there being a small core of less well educated, poorly housed younger people being at risk of increasing deprivation. • Whilst community survey respondents prioritised natural environment aspects such as the countryside and landscape, local wildlife and biodiversity, and the peace and tranquillity of the area as their top three, the sense of community and Local community facilities, activities and groups were also highly prized.
Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • NDP policies should be considered which address the community’s prioritisation of the natural environment, • NDP policies should also protect and support the provision of services, facilities and amenities to meet the needs of the ageing population, whilst ensuring that the housing, service and employment needs of families and young people continue to be supported.
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4. Housing Planning Policy Background
National Planning Policy Framework 2018 4.1 Key messages from the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) include – • Neighbourhood Plans should not promote less development than set out in the strategic policies for an area (Para 29). • A 5 year supply of deliverable sites must be maintained and a supply of developable sites of up to 20% if conditions require it (Para 73). • To support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes, planning should ensure that sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed, that the needs of groups with specific housing requirements are addressed and that land with permission is developed without unnecessary delay (Para 59) • Plans should provide for a mix of housing catering for different groups, identify the size, type, and tenure of housing required and where an affordable housing need has been identified, plans should provide for it (Para 61). Where a need for affordable housing is identified, planning policies should specify the type of affordable housing required (Para 62) • Strategic Plans should set NDP housing requirements (Para 65) where this is not possible, indicative figures should be given (Para 66). • Small and medium sized sites can make an important contribution to meeting the housing requirement of an area, and are often built-out relatively quickly (Para 68). • Neighbourhood planning groups should consider allocating small and medium-sized sites of no larger than 1ha suitable for housing in their area (Para 69) • Local planning authorities should support the development of entry-level exception sites, suitable for first time buyers (or those looking to rent their first home) These sites should be on land which is not already allocated for housing, located adjacent to existing settlements, proportionate in size to them (Para 71) • In rural areas, housing development should reflect local needs, particularly for affordable housing, including through rural exception sites where appropriate. Authorities should consider whether
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allowing some market housing would facilitate the provision of affordable housing to meet local need (Para 77). • Housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities. Planning policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where this will support local services. Where there are groups of smaller settlements, development in one village may support services in a village nearby. (Para 78) • New isolated homes in the countryside should be avoided unless there are special circumstances which includes meeting the needs of rural workers, enabling development to secure the future of heritage assets, or the development would reuse redundant buildings, or where a building is of exceptional quality or innovative nature (Para 79). • Great importance is placed on ensuring quality sustainable design in development and ensuring that housing reflects local distinctiveness and improves the character of the area (Paras 124 to 132). • Making effective use of land is also strongly encouraged (Paras 117 to 123)
Cornwall Local Plan 2016 4.2 Key messages from the CLP include:- • CLP Objective 4 aims Meet housing need by providing for new homes over the plan period that provide everyone in the community with the opportunity of living in an appropriate home, supported by local community facilities. • The CLP spatial strategy under Policies 2, 2a and 3 directs most development to those areas capable of sustaining it. • The adopted CLP sets a minimum target of 52,530 homes in Policy 2a. Of this it ‘apportions’ 4,800 dwellings to the Newquay and St Columb Community Network Area, of which St Wenn Parish is part. This CNA also includes Colan, Mawgan-in-Pydar, and St Columb Major Parishes. • Of this requirement, 400 are apportioned to the rural parts of the Network. However, the CLP gives no more specific guidance as to the ‘share’ of the requirement to be taken up by each Parish, saying only that ‘Co-ordination will be needed amongst the remaining parishes within the CNA to ensure that housing needs are met’. Subsequently, to facilitate this coordination and give guidance to Neighbourhood Plan formulation, CC officers have broken the figures down. As at 31/03/18 no
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further homes were needed in St Wenn Parish to meet the Parish baseline requirement under the Cornwall Local Plan according to this advice. • Neighbourhood Plans can provide detailed guidance on which settlements outside the town are appropriate for infill and rounding off to meet local needs and support community sustainability at a scale appropriate to its character and role (Para 1.64 to 1.68). • CLP Policy 6 requires that sites of 10 dwellings or more should include a mix of house size, type, price and tenure to address identified needs and market demand and to support mixed communities. On sites of 200 dwellings or more, additional specialised housing (including extra care housing) should be considered where demand exists, to meet specialist needs. • CLP Policy 7 restates NPPF Para 55 in more precision. • Affordable Housing Policy 8 requires that on sites of 11 or more dwellings at least 50% should be affordable housing (of which 70% should be for rental and 30% for rental/sale at a price affordable to a typical local household). In the rural area outside Newquay, including all of St Wenn Parish, the threshold at which affordable provision is required is set at 6 or more dwellings. • CLP Policy 9 allows for ‘exceptions sites’ on the edge of smaller towns, villages and hamlets where at least 50% of the housing is affordable. Cornwall Local Plan Policy 12 provides guidance on design expectations generally across Cornwall
Baseline
House Price and Affordability 4.3 Whilst specific parish-wide data is not available for house price, data from the ONS for the Lower Super Output Area that includes St Wenn Parish shows that the lower quartile and median house prices over time have both increased substantially, as can be seen from Figure 7 below:
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FIGURE 7: CHANGE IN LOWER QUARTILE AND MEDIAN HOUSE PRICES OVER TIME FOR CORNWALL 024A LSOA (ST WENN/ROCHE PARISHES (PART) Area/Expression 1995 2001 %change 2011 %change 2019 %change %change 95/17
lower quartile1 £31,950 £59,000 84.7% £121,000 105.1%% £142,500 17.8% 346%
Median Quartile2 £38,000 £68,975 81.5% £151,000 119% £169,000 11.9% 344.7%
England/Median £55,000 £92,000 67.3% £180,000 95.7% £240,000 33.3% 336.4%
Sources: Lower quartile house prices by middle layer super output areas – HPSSA Dataset 4 and Median house price by lower layer super output areas – HPSSA Dataset 46 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing
4.4 In terms of the median house price to median gross annual workplace-based earnings ratio, which illustrates the multiple of the median income in the area to median house price, the affordability ratio for Cornwall in 2018 was 9.27, a slight decrease from 9.43 in 2008. This is significantly higher than the ratio of 8.00 for England. 4.5 Across Cornwall. the lower quartile house price to earnings ratio has decreased to 9.14 in 2018 from 9.94 in 2008, which whilst moving in the right direction still compares badly with the 2018 lower quartile figure of 7.29 for England. (Source: https://tinyurl.com/yhnn46dn)
Tenure 4.4 There are 168 households paying Council Tax in the Parish as at June 2018 [Source: Cornwall Council]. The proportion of owner/occupier households in the Parish is 81.2%, compared to 63.3% for England and 68.8% for Cornwall, whilst social rented housing was 2.2% compared to 17.7% in England and 12% in Cornwall. Private rented was 12.3% compared to 16.8% in both England and Cornwall. [Source Census 2011, Table KS402EW]. In May 2019 there was 1 unit of social housing, representing only 1% of the housing stock [Source: Cornwall Council]
1 Lower Quartile For a set of data, a number for which 25% of the data is less than that number. 2 Median is the middle value in a data set
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Occupancy Rates 4.5 Levels of overcrowding are lower in St Wenn than in comparison to Cornwall, regional and national averages. Overcrowding is classified as households in that have an occupancy rating of -1 or less, meaning that they have at least one room fewer than required; in the Parish this affects 4.3% of households (6 households) compared with 8.7 % in England and 5.8% across Cornwall. Some 9.4% of households lacked central heating, compared to 2.7% in England and 7.2% in Cornwall), and average HH size was 2.7, higher than the average of 2.4 in both England and Cornwall. [Source: Census 2011 Table KS403EW]
Second Homes 4.6 In relation to second homes, data from Cornwall Council suggests that 9 dwellings in the Parish on the were second homes, comprising 5% of dwellings. This puts the area on the same average for Cornwall (5%). However, the Census 2011 figure for ‘unoccupied dwellings’ which may be a surrogate measure for second homes, suggests that 18 dwellings, or 11.5%, were second homes, which is close to the average for Cornwall (11.2%) but well above that for England (4.3%). [Source: Cornwall Council 2018 and Census 2011 Table KS401EW]. Observation suggests that in recent times a further 4 dwellings have become 2nd homes.
Housing Size Mix 4.7 The Parish has a higher proportion of larger (4 to 5 bedroom) dwellings at 40%, than has England (19%) and Cornwall (20%), and a lower proportion of medium (2 to 3 bedroom) dwellings (57%: 69% : 71%). In 2011 only 4 dwellings (3%) were 1 bedroom. There were no ‘studio flat’ dwellings. [Source: Census 2011 Table QS411EW]. 4.8 Council tax banding can also be a surrogate indicator of dwelling size. As at April 2021 the council tax breakdown for all households in the Parish was:
Band No of Households St Wenn % Cornwall % A Data withheld 23.5% B 25.7% C 21.1% D 15.7% E 9.1% F 3.2%
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G 1.1% H* 0.1% FIGURE 8: COUNCIL TAX BANDS ST WENN AND CORNWALL Source: Cornwall Council
Household Size 4.9 St Wenn Parish has a lower proportion of 1 person households (21.7%) and of two person households (31.2%) than the average for England (30.2% and 34.2%) and Cornwall (30.1% and 38.1%). It also had more 5 to 8 person HHs (11.6%) compared to England (7%) and Cornwall (5.7%). [Source: Census 2011 Table QS406EW]. Dwelling Size Household Size 1 Bedroom 2.9% 1 Person 21.7% 20.3% 52.9% 2 Bedroom 17.4% 2 Person 31.2% 57.3% 52.2% 3 Bedroom 39.9% 3 Person 21% 63.7% 35.5% 4 Bedroom 26.8% 4 Person 14.5% 5+ 39.8% 21.8% 13.0% 5 Person 7.3% Bedroom 11.6% 6 Person 4.3% 4.3% 7 Person 0.0% 0.0% 8+ Person 0.0% FIGURE 9: DWELLING SIZE/HOUSEHOLD SIZE MATCH ST WENN Source: Census 2011 Tables QS411EW and QS406EW
4.10 By comparing dwelling size and household size (see figure 9) it can be seen that the 52.9% of people in 1 and 2 person households were matched by only 20.3% of dwellings that were 1 and 2 bedrooms. This implies that a significant level of ‘under occupation’ of larger dwellings is occurring. This may be a function of greater wealth, whereby more of the local population are able to afford a larger dwelling than they actually need, but it could also indicate that there are older people (‘empty nesters’) who may need to downsize for health reasons but cannot, and younger people forced to buy more expensive accommodation in order to continue to live locally.
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Housing Need in St Wenn Parish 4.11 External pressure and high local house prices usually influence the level of housing need. However, as of January 2020 there is currently only 1 household on the Homechoice register, a Band E applicant with a 1 bedroom need. In addition, 2 households are registered with Help to Buy SW, seeking 1-bedroom properties. No affordable housing permissions have been granted since 2010. According to Cornwall Council there is 1 socially rented property in the Parish. Market Demand 4.12 An online survey was issued to local Estate Agents that operate in the Parish area and none of them has replied as at the date of this version of the evidence base. It can only be assumed therefore that market demand in the Parish will be similar to that applying in any other very rural and relatively isolated area of Cornwall.
Self and Custom build 4.13 Self and custom-build (self-build) housing is defined in the NPPF as housing built by an individual, a group of individuals, or persons working with or for them, to be occupied by that individual. Policy 6 of the Cornwall Local Plan says that self-build housing can be affordable, market housing or starter homes. Self- build can be more affordable than purchasing a home in the local market, especially where there is an element of ‘sweat equity’ (personal labour) which can provide the equivalent of a 10% discount on the open market value of a property, so it may provide an “other affordable routes to home ownership” [NPPF definition] solution for those people whose needs may not be met by the market and who are unable to find a suitable affordable home in their area. This will help people to stay in, and support, their communities. 4.14 Self build can be provided on both CLP Policy 8 and CLP Policy 9 ‘exception’ sites in the form of: • low cost serviced plots offered to self-builders in local housing need to be occupied by that individual; • discounted serviced plots; • watertight shell units or built units (in the case of self-finish proposals); • off-site financial contribution in lieu of on-site or part on-site provision. 4.15 The transferred plots or units should then be made available at lower cost to self-builders in local housing need and secured as affordable on all future resales and as primary residences through a planning obligation or covenant on the land exchange. This restricts the price at which they can be sold in the future
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(effectively becoming a discounted sale home) and requires that they are only sold to purchasers that fulfil the relevant local connection criteria. 4.16 There may be other models to bring forward small scale self-build housing on rural exception sites, such as Individuals or associations of individuals, applying for their own self-build plot(s), or community led projects. 4.17 To protect future affordability the maximum size of an affordable self-build unit would normally be no larger than the relevant Nationally Described Space Standard (NDSS) for that property type +10% and no larger than 3 bedroom homes. Planning proposals for larger affordable self-build units would require special justification. In some cases, to aid the delivery of affordable self-build units, the time periods used to cascade through the local connection criteria may be reduced and the covenants on the planning obligation may be allowed to take affect at the commencement of the development or the advertisement of the plots for sale, whichever is the sooner. 4.19 An accompanying Design Code for the whole self-build element of larger schemes may be produced in agreement between the landowner and the Council. This will help to provide a flexible planning permission and clarify and guide what forms of development are acceptable on a site, giving greater certainty to all parties. It is good practice for plot providers to seek to provide a mix of serviced plot sizes to meet the range of demand and affordability.
Housing Provision to Date 4.11 Since 2010 there have been 11 new housing completions in St Wenn Parish. As noted above at Para 4.2 no further homes are needed in St Wenn Parish to meet the requirements of the Cornwall Local Plan. FIGURE 10: WHAT FORMS OF HOUSING WILL MEET THE HOUSING NEED? Details on the various types of housing product that are available to address housing needs are explained at length in the Cornwall Council Supplementary Planning Document on Housing. (https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/planning-policy/adopted- plans/planning-policy-guidance/housing-supplementary-planning-document/) In summary, these are: • Affordable Rented Housing – typically at up to 80% of open market rent • Social Rented Housing – typically 45 to 55% of open market rent • Shared Ownership – Where the premises are owned by a Housing Association (25%) and a mortgage holder (75%). The occupier pays both rent and mortgage.
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• Discounted Ownership - Where the property is sold at a fixed discount, making it cheaper to mortgage. For St Wenn the current discount is set at 40%. • Shared Equity – Where the occupier enjoys an ‘equity loan’ (a portion of the equity is owned by the local authority) and therefore can afford a home on the open market • Starter Homes – available for qualifying first time buyers at a discount of at least 20% • Rent to Buy - under the national scheme.
Agricultural Dwellings 4.12 National Planning Policy Framework 2019 is clear that planning policies and decisions should avoid the development of isolated homes in the countryside unless certain and specific circumstances apply. One of these is where ‘there is an essential need for a rural worker, including those taking majority control of a farm business to live permanently at or near their place of work in the countryside’ (NPPF 2019, Para 79). The National Planning Practice Guidance 2019 says that: ‘Considerations that it may be relevant to take into account when applying paragraph 79a of the NPPF could include: • evidence of the necessity for a rural worker to live at, or in close proximity to, their place of work to ensure the effective operation of an agricultural, forestry or similar land-based rural enterprise (for instance, where farm animals or agricultural processes require on-site attention 24-hours a day and where otherwise there would be a risk to human or animal health or from crime, or to deal quickly with emergencies that could cause serious loss of crops or products);
• the degree to which there is confidence that the enterprise will remain viable for the foreseeable future;
• whether the provision of an additional dwelling on site is essential for the continued viability of a farming business through the farm succession process;
• whether the need could be met through improvements to existing accommodation on the site, providing such improvements are appropriate taking into account their scale, appearance and the local context; and
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• in the case of new enterprises, whether it is appropriate to consider granting permission for a temporary dwelling for a trial period.
Employment on an assembly or food packing line, or the need to accommodate seasonal workers, will generally not be sufficient to justify building isolated rural dwellings’.
4.13 Applications for rural dwellings must be well prepared and contain sufficient information to demonstrate to the Planning Authority that a genuine need exists for the on-site accommodation. If permission is granted it will usually be subject to an occupancy condition and sometimes a Section 106 agreement (i.e. ‘tying’ the property to the holding). It can be possible to obtain permission for accommodation required for non-agricultural enterprises, such as equine, where again an essential need for on-site accommodation can be demonstrated i.e. ‘a rural worker’.
4.14 It is not normally possible to argue for a new dwelling for retirement purposes. However, appeal cases have successfully argued that where an existing house is occupied legally and legitimately by a retired person that dwelling can be discounted in any assessment regarding the availability of dwellings on a farm holding. Also, the wording of the NPPF paragraph relating to rural workers (i.e. there is an essential need for a rural worker, including those taking majority control of a farm business to live permanently at or near their place of work in the countryside) provides the possibility/opportunity for a new dwelling for the next generation.
Mobile Homes
4.15 Where a farm enterprise is in its infancy planning permission may be obtained for temporary accommodation (e.g. a static caravan/mobile home) to give time for the business to develop. The planning consent would usually be granted for a 3 year period. Then, if the business objectives are met the next stage would be to apply for a permanent dwelling at the site. If the business objectives are not met, it is a relatively simple and affordable process to return the land to its original condition and the mobile home itself may have some residual value. This is an established and widely accepted process intended to support the farming industry.
4.16 However, mobile homes are sometimes placed on land in the countryside by people intent on pursuing life in a perceived rural idyll, or seeking an alternative eco-friendly lifestyle, and who are unaware of the well-established planning rules or are determined on challenging them. This involves buying land, moving
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into it without planning permission, and by employing various tactics framed around agricultural 'permitted development', hoping over time to persuade the local community and the LPA (or a Planning Inspector) to grant retrospective planning, and thereafter allowing them to convert it into a permanent dwelling. The unauthorised siting of mobile homes in this way without proper consideration can cause harm to the landscape, the historic environment and biodiversity. It also tends to be divisive and harms the credibility of both the planning process and the farming industry. It is considered to be an issue in St Wenn Parish.
4.18 The emerging Cornwall Local Plan Climate Emergency Development Plan Document proposes a policy approach to deal with ‘innovative, low carbon development that supports self-sufficient lifestyles’ that aims ‘to support the development of low impact, easily removable homes that would support the restoration of regenerative land management techniques. This would be aimed at small groups and potentially private estates providing affordable, low impact housing tied to the restorative use of land and controlled by conditions regarding measurable environmental net gain’. This policy (Policy AL1) may provide a framework for the consideration of some of the proposals which emerge under the circumstances described in para 4.16 above. However the policy is a departure from current national and local planning policy and has not yet been adopted.
Related Community Engagement Feedback
4.19 On housing, infill development, followed by rounding off and brownfield land development, were seen as the most important, but the idea of merging of adjoining homes into one larger dwelling, conversions of mobile homes to permanent dwellings and new small estates on the edge of existing settlements, were seen as being least important.
Please say how much new housing do you think there should be and where?
Answer Choice Weighted Average Infill (1 or 2 homes between existing dwellings) only within existing 1 3.93 settlement boundaries 2 Small scale rounding-off on the edge of existing settlements 3.81 3 Development on brownfield sites (i.e. previously developed land) 3.38
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Merging adjoining homes into one larger home to meet market 4 2.60 demand 5 Converting existing mobile homes to permanent dwellings 2.59 6 New estate development on the edge of existing settlements 2.12
4.20 Additional comments offered clearly supported continuing with a policy of limiting residential development in the Parish, although several suggested that planning applications should be treated on their individual merits, and that there should be flexibility to allow a small amount of development outside village limits, which along with the conversion of barns, mobile homes and agricultural structures would help local residents stay within their local community. One comment suggested allowing sites for people to build their own homes if they own their own land. Conversely others felt there should be tighter controls, ensuring that local needs were met and that conversion of mobile homes into permanent dwellings should never be allowed.
4.21 As to the type of new homes to be provided, family homes and homes adaptable for the elderly so they do not have to move away in old age receive most support, followed by affordable rented or owner homes to meet local needs. The concept of providing much larger homes to attract businesspeople into the area is not supported.
What type of homes do you think are needed?
Answer Choice Weighted Average
1 Family Homes 4.30 2 Affordable rented or owner homes to meet local needs 4.07 Homes adaptable for the elderly so they do not have to move away 3 4.03 in old age. 4 Homes for single people and couples 3.79 5 Disability-adapted homes 3.65 6 Sites for people to build their own homes 3.34 7 Much larger homes to attract businesspeople into the area 1.89
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4.22 People think that 2nd homes restrict the amount of housing available to local people, force up local house beyond reach of local people, and could effect the viability of the local school and community facilities. It is thought that 2nd homeowners may demand that agricultural and other rural businesses are restricted. An overwhelming majority [82.9%] support a restriction on 2nd homes.
Please say what effect you think the use of properties for 2nd homes and holiday lets are likely to have in St Wenn Parish. Answer Choice Weighted Average
1 Restrict the amount of housing available to local people? 4.32 2 Force local house prices up beyond reach of local people? 4.17 Reduce winter-time attendances at community facilities making 3 3.63 them less viable? 4 Reduce the local school roll making it less viable? 3.49 5 Lead to restrictions on agriculture and other rural businesses? 3.11 6 Helpfully increase the value of my property? 2.76 Support preservation and enhancement of the countryside and 7 2.61 heritage? 8 Help maintain rural services? 2.35 9 Bring ‘new blood’ and strengthen the community? 2.24 10 Add useful new housing stock to the Parish? 1.96 11 Have no effect? 1.92
Key issues and implications for the NDP • National and local policy is that:
o Housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities.
o New isolated homes in the countryside should be avoided unless there are special circumstances
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• House prices in St Wenn Parish have increased by around 344% since 1995. The affordability ratio for Cornwall in 2016 was 9.27, a slight decrease from 9.43 in 2008. This is significantly higher than the ratio of 8.00 for England. • The current housing tenure mix in St Wenn Parish is heavily biased in favour of owner/occupation compared to Cornwall generally, and much less on the private and public rented sectors • Levels of overcrowding are lower in St Wenn Parish than in comparison to Cornwall, regional and national averages • The proportion of second homes in St Wenn Parish is lower than Cornwall and Community Network Area averages. • Nevertheless the local community are enthusiastic to restrict 2nd homes. • The Parish has a higher proportion of larger (4 to 5 bedroom) dwellings than has Cornwall and England, and a lower proportion of medium (2 to 3 bedroom) dwellings. • However, household size is predominantly small (1 to 3 people) so there is a mismatch between dwelling and household size. • No further dwellings are needed to meet the CLP remaining target for St Wenn Parish. • The current level of housing need in St Wenn Parish is minimal. • An ageing population in the Parish will require appropriate housing provision which is suitable for older people, possibly in the form of downsizing opportunities. • To address the decline in the proportion of younger people, smaller affordable dwellings may be appropriate, including self-build. • Strong views were held that the majority of homes should be from infill, ‘rounding off’ existing development and the use of ‘brownfield’ land. The idea of merging of adjoining homes into one larger dwelling, conversions of mobile homes to permanent dwellings and new small estates on the edge of existing settlements, were seen as being least important. • There was also concern that growth in 2nd home occupation of dwellings would restrict the amount of housing available to local people, force local house prices up beyond reach of local people, reduce the viability of local services and bring little in the way of beneficial effects to the Parish.
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Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • Current data is that housing need is low, and no additional dwellings ae needed to comply with the Cornwall Local Plan. The St Wenn NDP does not need to allocate land for new housing. • Consideration should be given to NDP policies which encourage continued infill on small sites, rounding-off, and ‘brownfield’ land development subject to criteria for design, to address market demand and the need for more affordable homes, including self-build proposals. • However, there is a clear mismatch between HH size and dwelling size, and the current housing need is for 1 bedroom dwellings, suggesting a need to help address the nucleus of social housing need in the community by:
o Providing for some more smaller dwellings; o Protecting the existing remaining stock of small dwellings • From the preceding section a need for housing to support increasing numbers of elderly people is emerging. • The local community would support policies for a very limited number of new and adaptable dwellings mainly targeted on meeting local needs for young people, families and older people. • The local community perceive 2nd homes and holiday-lets as a problem and wish for them to be restricted. • The policy issues controlling conversions of mobile homes to permanent dwellings should be made clear.
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5. Economy and Employment
Planning Policy Background
National Planning Policy Framework 2018. 5.1 Key messages from the NPPF include- • Planning should ensure ‘that sufficient land of the right types is available in the right places and at the right time to support growth, innovation and improved productivity; and by identifying and coordinating the provision of infrastructure (Para 8). • Planning policies should help create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt. Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development. The approach taken should allow each area to build on its strengths, counter any weaknesses and address the challenges of the future… (Para 80). • Planning policy should include a vision and strategy ‘positively and proactively encourages sustainable economic growth’ be flexible enough to accommodate needs not anticipated in the plan, allow for new and flexible working practices (such as live-work accommodation) (Para 81); • Planning policies should support economic growth in rural areas by:
o the sustainable growth and expansion of all types of business and enterprise, both through conversion of existing buildings and well-designed new buildings
o the development and diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses o sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments that benefit businesses in rural areas, communities and visitors, and which respect the character of the countryside
o promote the retention and development of local services and community facilities in villages, such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship (Para 28)
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o the retention and development of accessible local services and community facilities, such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, open space, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship. (Para 83) • Planning policies should recognise that sites to meet local business and community needs in rural areas may have to be found adjacent to or beyond existing settlements, and in locations that are not well served by public transport. They should be sensitive to surroundings, not have an unacceptable impact on local roads and exploit opportunities to make a location more sustainable. The use of previously developed land, and sites that are physically well-related to existing settlements, should be encouraged where suitable opportunities exist. (para 84)
Cornwall Local Plan. 5.2 Key messages from the Cornwall Local Plan include: • Maintaining a positive policy framework with a focus on sustaining a range of local businesses including both new business and the traditional industries of fishing, farming and minerals (Objective 1 and Policy 2 (3c)). • Enhancing the cultural and tourist offer in Cornwall and promoting Cornwall as a year-round destination for tourism and recreation (Objective 2). • Supporting employment schemes in …rural areas, giving particular emphasis to quality and permanent work opportunities that break seasonal labour cycles; ‘smart specialisation’ sectors including food, renewable energies (including geothermal), and cultural industries; and supporting the provision of work hubs and the ability to work from home through live/work units (Policy 2 (3 f, g and h)) • Employment development planning should emphasise (Policy 5):
o The development of tourism facilities through the enhancement of existing, and the provision of new, high quality sustainable tourism facilities, attractions and accommodation, that is of an appropriate scale to their location.
o Provision of education facilities that improve the training and skills base.
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o Safeguarding existing strategic employment land and buildings o Safeguarding other existing employment land and buildings where they remain viable for an employment use.
o Considering alternative uses for other existing employment where this does not result in the loss of economic performance of the site or location, i.e. through the redevelopment for a mix of uses.
o Employment proposals should be located either: . within or well-integrated to our city, towns and villages; or . as extensions to on existing employment (uses B1, B2 and B8) locations sites where re-location would be impractical or not viable; or . within areas that are well served by public transport and communications infrastructure.
Other plans and studies 5.3 ‘Vision 2030: The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Strategic Economic Plan 2017 – 2030‘ prepared by The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP aims to achieve a situation by 2030 in which ‘Cornwall and Isles of Scilly will be the place where business thrives and people enjoy an outstanding quality of life’. 5.4 Three strategic themes inform the interventions to be made through investment and policy: • Business – Thriving businesses who excel • People – Inclusive growth and skilled workforce • Place – Improving infrastructure and economic distinctiveness 5.5 The ‘strategic drivers’ flowing from these are to support innovation and creativity, seek productivity led and inclusive growth, help people build great careers, support vibrant communities and ensure that Cornwall has global recognition. 5.6 As a result, the strategy calls for actions which build cultural identity and excellence, support environment based growth, promote healthy and diverse communities, and encourage innovation in
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industry, including agri-tech and digital connectivity. The need to support rural areas, which are often remote from job markets and have declining local opportunities, are specifically recognised as needing attention. 5.7 St Wenn Parish falls into the ‘Mid-Cornwall Growth Corridor’ which straddles the peninsula, and is close to both the ‘Engineering and Digital Collaboration’ zone running from St Mawgan south west to Truro , Camborne-Redruth, and Falmouth, and the ‘North Coast Food Cluster running from Wadebridge and Bodmin to Bude and Liskeard. 5.8 ‘10 Opportunities’. The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has also set out a ‘21st Century’ pitch to Government and business for future investment in Cornwall in the form of a prospectus focusing on 10 key sectors that can play a critical role in growing the economy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly now and in the future. This is known as ’10 Opportunities’. It features elements that might well be applicable to Sgt Wenn. These include growth opportunities in creative industries, energy innovation, agri-food, tourism, and location. More details available at https://www.cioslep.com/vision/10- opportunities 5.9 ‘The Cornwall Environmental Growth Strategy’ has a long-term vision that by 2065, ‘Cornwall’s environment will be naturally diverse, beautiful and healthy, supporting a thriving society, prosperous economy and abundance of wildlife’. 5.10 ‘The Cornwall White Paper for Culture’ notes the importance that Cornish culture and heritage have on economic well-being and sets the aim that Cornwall should be ‘A leading rural region for creativity and culture: where excellence is achieved by keeping in balance community engagement, high value creative industries and cultural distinction’.
Baseline
Economic Activity 5.11 About 200 people (75.6 % of adults 16 to 74 yrs old) are ‘economically active’ in the Parish (compared to 66.7% in Cornwall and 69.9% in England). Some 65 (or 24.4%) are economically inactive, which is a lesser
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proportion than in Cornwall (33.3%) and England (30.1%). Of the inactive, about 35 (13.5%) are retired, compared to 18.9% in Cornwall and 13.7% in England. [Source: Census 2011 Table KS601EW to KS603EW]. Employment Categories 5.12 Some 19% of the economically active in employment worked part-time, and 34.8% full time, which follows a similar profile to England and Cornwall data. 46.2% were self-employed workers, a far greater proportion than in Cornwall (22.5%) and England (15.7%). [Source: Census 2011 Table KS601EW to KS603EW]. Unemployment and Benefits 5.13 Claimant data for St Wenn are measured in the same Census Super Output Area as adjoining parishes including parts of Roche, and are thus significantly distorted. In this broader area the proportion of residents aged 16 to 64 who are included in the ‘claimant count’ of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance was 1.2% compared to 0.2% for Cornwall and 0.4% for England. [Source NOMIS Job Seekers Allowances Data) Occupation of Residents 5.14 Residents jobs were mainly in agriculture, wholesale and retail trade, and education, a significantly different profile to that found in England and Cornwall (See Figure 11 below). FIGURE 11: INDUSTRY OF JOBS HELD BY EMPLOYED ADULT St Wenn Cornwall England RESIDENTS OF ST WENN PARISH No. Percentage Agriculture, forestry and fishing 33 17.2% 3.0% 0.8% Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor 24 12.5% 16.8% 15.9% cycles Education 22 11.5% 9.7% 9.9% Human health and social work activities 19 9.9% 13.5% 12.4% Construction 18 9.4% 9.0% 7.7% Professional, scientific and technical activities 17 8.9% 4.7% 6.7% Accommodation and food service activities 14 7.3% 9.2% 5.6% Arts, entertainment and recreation; other service activities 11 5.7% 5.2% 4.8% Administrative and support service activities 7 3.6% 4.3% 4.9% Manufacturing 6 3.1% 7.9% 8.8% Information and communication 6 3.1% 1.7% 4.1%
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Financial and insurance activities 4 2.1% 1.5% 4.4% Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 3 1.6% 0.4% 0.6% Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 3 1.6% 6.3% 5.9% Mining and quarrying 2 1.0% 0.7% 0.2% Transport and storage 2 1.0% 3.7% 5.0% Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation 1 0.5% 0.8% 0.7% activities Real estate activities 0 0.0% 1.4% 1.5% Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods - 0 0.0% 0.1% 0.1% and services - producing activities of households for own use Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies 0 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% Source Census 2011 Table KS605EW
Level of Jobs Held 5.15 As noted earlier, many of the population are well qualified and work in skilled, professional and managerial roles. Figure 12 below provides more information which supports this position. FIGURE 12: LEVEL OF JOBS HELD BY RESIDENTS OF ST WENN St Wenn Cornwall England PARISH No. Percentage Skilled trades occupations 56 29.2 17.0 11.4 Professional occupations 29 15.1 13.8 17.5 Caring, leisure and other service occupations 27 14.1 10.6 9.3 Managers, directors and senior officials 25 13.0 11.4 10.9 Administrative and secretarial occupations 19 9.9 9.5 11.5 Elementary occupations 13 6.8 12.0 11.1 Associate professional and technical occupations 11 5.7 10.4 12.8 Sales and customer service occupations 7 3.6 8.2 8.4 Process plant and machine operatives 5 2.6 7.1 7.2 Source: Census 2011 Table KS608EW to KS610EW
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Jobs in the Parish 5.16 Accurate workplace data is not available at very local geographies, but we can infer some conclusions from the 2011 census on travel to work. Some 70 (35.9% of) adults 16 to 74 yrs old in employment worked from home, which is significantly higher than the figures for England (10.3%) and Cornwall (15.8%). Another 6.2% worked less than 5km from home, from which we can surmise local jobs or in surrounding Parishes. It can be inferred therefore that about 42% or 82 residents’ jobs are within the Parish or very near to it. [Soure: Census 2011 Table QS702EW] Jobs outside the Parish 5.17 Thus about 110 or 58% of residents’ jobs are further afield. About 12% of residents in employment work between 5km and 10km away, which would bring in Newquay, Wadebridge and Bodmin, whilst 24.5% work 10km to 30km away, touching onto Truro and St Austell. Thus about 43% of journey to work trips are within 30km, which is a very different profile to that of Cornwall where 67% of work journeys are within 30km, and England where the comparative figure is 73%. Indeed, the average travel to work distance is 27.9km, compared to 14.9km for England and 19.7km for Cornwall. Workspaces 5.18 Data on local workplaces is also limited. However, a brief examination of Google maps telephone directories reveals the following range of business/service employers present in the Parish: • A.M Brocklebank, agricultural contractor • Demelza Finacial Servioces • DI & JA Hewitt, Rosedown Eggs • E Doughty and Sons Farm Operator • Tregolls farm holiday cottages and b & b • Borlase Farm • Old Barn Holiday Barn • Rogers Space Heaters • Treliver Farm B&B • Sarena Cornwall Ltd, electricity generation • Little Tregolls Cottages • St Wenn School • Lowena B&B, Tregonetha • Elemental Cornish Gin, Tregonetha • Cornish Cycle Tours, Rosenannon • Demelza Group Financial Services • Cornish Logs and Tree Surgery • Marriage By Horse & Carriage • Cornwall Conveniences • Demelza Lifestyle Financial Planners • G W Hawkey, Livestock Farming
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• C N Thomas & Son, Farming • D C James, Farming • V P & H Retallick, Farming • John Bennallick, Farming • PE & D J Hawkey, Farming • N. .J Hawkey, Farming • E Doughty & Sons, Farming • The Garden Agency • M P Varcoe & Partners, Farming • Sowenna Farm Accounts & Bookeeping • C Highmoor, Farming Services • J & B Facey, Farming • Sims Farm & Garden Machinery
Less Favoured Area Status 5.19 LFA Status is still a designation introduced to support farming where production conditions are difficult. The northern third of St Wenn Parish is within an LFA with the status of ‘disadvantaged’, the middle level of LFA. This means that farmers in the area have been eligible for additional support payments.
Superfast Broadband 5.20 According to the Cornwall Council interactive mapping site, at least 50% of premises in the Parish have access to 30Mbps superfast broadband, which puts the area well ahead of many rural communities and will support a reasonable level of working from home and for local businesses to communicate by the internet. However, this is not considered ideal as there is no Superfast broadband for those on the northern part of the parish linked to the 01208 exchange. [The infrastructure is installed but cannot be connected due to exchange capacity]. Thus many properties cannot access superfast and further improvement is desirable to keep abreast of technology and likely increases in demand in the post COVID-19 era.
Agricultural and Land Based Rural Business Diversification 5.21 Agriculture is an important sector locally in view of both the employment potential and its stewardship of the local landscape, biodiversity, heritage and recreational resources that benefit the Parish residents and visitors. The average income from farming enterprises is low in comparison to other industries and also unpredictable, being easily affected by currency exchange rates, supply and demand factors, and climate change impacts. The uncertainty over the future of farming and Brexit means there is a need to sustain existing businesses by providing more predictable revenue streams. Diversification of agricultural product and extended processing or into other land-based activity and local retailing can be of great assistance.
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However, diversification generally requires significant investment and commitment to a long payback period. It can also have negative environmental and amenity impacts. It is therefore necessary to support the diversification of agricultural and land based rural businesses in ways that protect and enhance the special qualities of the area.
Working from Home and Home Based Businesses 5.22 According to DBIS figures (2014) 1 in 10 domestic properties are home to at least 1 business and this is forecast to become a major and increasingly valuable part of the local economy. As noted above, up to 2/3rds of jobs in the Parish may already be self-employed people running businesses at or from home. Furthermore, it has been forecast that in the post COVID-19 era many more employed people will also ‘Work From Home’. This has the potential to make local services more viable and by reducing travel to work have positive impact on climate change. 5.23 People may not have a suitable space within their home from which to run a business or ‘WFH’, or they may wish to distinctly and deliberately separate their work and living space. There could also be the need, on occasion, for ancillary workers such as managers, bookkeepers or accountants to visit home workers. Thus, to maximise the opportunity for home run enterprises to be created and supported in the long term there is a need to support the construction of extensions, the conversion of outbuildings, and the development of new free-standing buildings in gardens from which businesses and home workers can operate. There may be environmental effects associated which the NDP will need to prescribe for.
Related Community Engagement Feedback 5.24 The majority [65.2%] agree that more businesses should be encouraged to set up in the parish. However, whilst agriculture and small workshops are supported, people are much less keen on tourism, with a large number feeling neutral about its benefits
Which of the following business sectors should be encouraged to develop in the Parish?
Answer Choice Weighted Average
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1 Agricultural 4.54 2 Small scale industry and workshops 3.89 3 Live/Work units combining both residential and workspace 3.86 4 Business and personal services 3.31 5 Tourism 2.95
5.25 Of those respondents that are in business locally [32], some 32.4% think they would need workshop space in the future, 23.5% think they would need storage space, 20.6% office space, and 14.7% land to build on.
5.26 When asked which type of tourism accommodation they thought should be supported, people are very opposed to individual mobile homes, holiday villages and touring caravans, although tent sites are less resisted. Those against tourism believe that local roads and other facilities are not capable of handling any growth, whilst others support small scale eco-tourism that blends in well environment and supports local farming.
Please say which type of tourism accommodation you think should be supported.
Answer Choice Weighted Average
1 Tents 2.54 2 Touring Caravans and Recreational Vehicles 2.25 3 Individual mobile homes (large fixed caravans) 1.91 4 Holiday Villages (Chalets and mobile homes) 1.83
5.27 If such tourism facilities are to be allowed, respondents say they should be only in places where they do no harm to or enhance the landscape and natural environment or disturb existing residents.
Please say where would you think such developments should be located.
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Answer Choice Weighted Average Only in places where they do no harm to or enhance the landscape and 1 4.19 natural environment 2 In places where they do not disturb existing residents. 4.17 3 Close to settlements and their facilities 3.41 4 No sites 3.00 5 Anywhere 1.88
Key issues and implications for the NDP • National and local policy is that Planning should:
o focus on sustaining existing and new businesses and the traditional industries of, farming and minerals, and also supporting ability to work from home. o long-term protection of sites allocated for employment use should be avoided where there is no reasonable prospect of a site being used for that purpose. o Provide for new employment development that is located either within or well-integrated to … villages well served by public transport and communications infrastructure. o Also recognise that sites to meet local business and community needs in rural areas may have to be found adjacent to or beyond existing settlements, and in locations that are not well served by public transport. In this case they should be sensitive to surroundings, not have an unacceptable impact on local roads, and exploit opportunities to make a location more sustainable. o Encourage the use of previously developed land, and sites that are physically well-related to existing settlements, where suitable opportunities exist. • The agricultural sector continues to be an important economic activity supporting most of the jobs based in the Parish, helping to sustain the broader rural economy and maintain the character of the landscape and environment. There is a need to support business diversification and measures to reduce business costs, such as energy and materials. • Many of our community work outside the Parish, in professional and/or managerial posts, mainly in nearby towns and Plymouth or Truro, and there are few local jobs available. Encouraging local business development might provide local jobs, reduce the need to travel, and increase prosperity.
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• It is likely that many local young and working age people tend to leave the area to find work and careers. • Tourism has the potential for further growth focusing on local environment, heritage and culture. • There is a higher proportion of self-employed people working in St Wenn Parish compared to Cornwall averages and the number of people working from home in the Parish is unusually high. • Encouraging local business development (in workshops and at home) might provide local jobs, reduce the need to travel, and increase prosperity. • There is ‘Superfast Broadband’ through most of the parish but speeds can vary and in some northern areas it is lacking. This affects the ability of residents to access information and the performance of businesses that rely on broadband as a means of communication in a rural area.
Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • The local community supports more economic growth in the Parish at a scale that is appropriate for the area but is very wary of tourism development. • The St Wenn NDP should prioritise support for the agricultural sector and other land management based enterprises as important economic activities which sustain the economic base of the Parish and maintains the character of the landscape and environment. • The St Wenn NDP should consider a policy supporting sites for new small-scale rural workshops and retail, possibly including space to support live/work, home businesses and/or start up business, which must be sensitive to their surroundings and local road conditions. • The use of previously developed land, and sites that are physically well-related to existing settlements, should be encouraged where suitable opportunities exist. • Consideration should be given to NDP policy to support forms of tourism which are suitable for location within sensitive biodiversity and landscape areas, or where their impacts on such areas would be acceptable, subject to criteria to ensure that any adverse impacts are mitigated. • Steps to encourage take up of Broadband connectivity though new development should be supported.
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6. Infrastructure and Community Facilities Planning Policy Background
National Planning Policy Framework 2019. 6.1 Key messages from the NPPF include-
o The social role of the planning system should support ‘strong vibrant and healthy communities’ with ‘accessible services and open spaces that reflect the community’s present and future needs and support its health, social and cultural well-being (Para 8). o Planning policies should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places. They should: o promote social interaction including opportunities for meetings between people who might not otherwise come into contact with each other. o ensure that places are safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion. (Para 91) o plan positively for the provision and use of shared space, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments o guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs o ensure that established shops, facilities and services are able to develop and modernise in a way that is sustainable, and retained for the benefit of the community o ensure an integrated approach to considering the location of housing, economic uses and community facilities and services (Para 92) o consider the social, economic and environmental benefits of estate regeneration and help deliver estate regeneration to a high standard (Para 93) o ensure that there is a sufficient choice of school places and to take a proactive, positive and collaborative approach to bringing forward development that will widen choice in education, and resolve key planning issues before applications are submitted (Para 94) o promote public safety and security, reduce vulnerability, and increase resilience (Para 95)
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o provide access to a network of high-quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important for the health and well-being of communities (Para 96) o be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space, sport and recreation facilities (Para 96) o not allow existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, to be developed on unless it is surplus to requirements; or the loss would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the loss of the current or former use (Para 97) o protect and enhance public rights of way and access, including taking opportunities to provide better facilities for users (Para 98)
Cornwall Local Plan. 6.2 Key messages from the Cornwall Local Plan include: • Community facilities should, wherever possible, be retained and new ones supported (Policy 4) • Loss will only be acceptable where the proposal shows there is no need for the facility or service, it is not viable; or adequate facilities or services exist, or the service can be re- provided in accessible locations (Policy 4) • The CLP (Policy 16) aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Cornwall’s communities, residents, workers and visitors, by: o requiring that development should protect, and alleviate risk to people and the environment from unsafe, unhealthy and polluted environments by avoiding or mitigating against harmful impacts and health risks; o not causing increased risk to human health from air pollution or exceeding EU standards; o maximising the opportunity for physical activity through the use of open space, indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities and providing or enhancing active travel networks that support and encourage walking, riding and cycling; o encouraging provision for growing local food in private gardens which are large enough to accommodate vegetable growing or greenhouses or through the provision of allotments; and
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o providing flexible community open spaces that can be adapted to the health needs of the community and encourage social interaction. • Developer contributions will be sought to ensure that the necessary physical, social, economic and green infrastructure is in place to deliver development (policy 28) • The CLP also reflects the NPPF requirements that the needs of the local community are met, including through affordable housing provision.
Other plans and studies 6.3 Open Space Strategy for Larger Towns in Cornwall – Cornwall Council say that for smaller towns and settlements in rural areas not covered in the plans the Fields in Trust quantity standards (formerly National Playing Fields Association) will continue to apply. Also applicable are the and Natural England (Access to Natural Green Space Standards - ANGSSt). Eventually it is planned that the methodology set out for the 16 Cornish towns can be applied and used for informing Neighbourhood Planning and eventually rolled out to all of Cornwall. Baseline
Village shops. 6.4 There are no village shops in the Parish. Community Halls and other facilities 6.5 St Wenn WI Hall is situated in the heart of St Wenn. It is a small hall which holds approximately 100 people. It has a small kitchen and disabled toilets. There is good car parking sited opposite the hall. Several organisations have the hall on a regular basis. The hall can also be hired for private functions, suitable for all occasions. 6.6 Opposite is St Wenn Car Park, an area of 0.15ha in community ownership and used for parking by users of the school, church, hall and by local residents. Churches. 6.7 St Wenn Church, located within St Wenn, is an active C of E Church providing Worship and Communion on a weekly cycle, and also Christening, Wedding and Funeral Services. There is also a Methodist Chapel at Tregonetha.
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Pubs. 6.8 There are no Public Houses in the Parish. However, a popular ‘pub night’ is held in the WI Hall 5 times per year. Community Initiatives and Groupings 6.9 St Wenn parish has a good level of community cohesion (‘community spirit’). The St Wenn Community Project is a Charitable community organisation in which all residents of the St Wenn Parish and the surrounding area are considered to be ‘members’ eligible to attend, participate in and contribute to its activities. It has achieved an £6,000 grant from the National Lottery Awards for All scheme for activities and events. The Community Project now owns the field previously called the School Field and now to be called the Community Field. [The field is licenced to the School for use during School Time and can be used by the whole community at other times]. There are currently negotiations to have the St Wenn WI Hall transferred to the Community Project. The St Wenn Parish Society is a separate organisation that has organised fund raising events, the regular ‘Pub Night’ held in the WI Hall, community lunches for the elderly and an annual Garden Show. 2 events a year are also held in the church with support from Carne to Cove. 6.10 Another example is the joint Church and School biomass boiler project, in which a partnership between the two organisations, combined with considerable volunteer effort coordinated through the Parochial Church Council and facilitated by a large British Gas Eco Grant, led to the installation of a new boiler which heats both Church and School. Friends of St Wenn School is the school fundraising committee which organises events which raise funds to enhance learning. Availability of Funding for Community Initiatives 6.11 Funding is available to support community-based initiatives from Community Funds set up in association with local renewable energy projects. For example the St Wenn Community Project, was supported by the St Breock Wind Farm Community Fund, provided by REG Power Management though the Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network [WREN], with a £10,000 grant for the purchase of St Wenn village field. A similar fund exists through the Denzell Downs Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund with grants between £250 and £4,000 available. 6.12 Funding will also become available, albeit limited, through Community Infrastructure Levy [CIL]. allows local authorities to raise funds from new building projects undertaken in their area, and is governed by the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended). CIL is charged as a fixed rate per square metre of new floor space
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created, and the money raised can be used to help fund a wide range of infrastructure that is needed to support development. 6.13 A development is liable for CIL if it: • creates a new dwelling of any size or • creates over 100sqm of gross internal floorspace and • involves new buildings into which people normally go. Self-build, affordable and social housing and charitable development are usually exempt 6.14 St Wenn Parish is within Value Zone 1 (out of 5) for CIL charging and is therefore subject to the highest rates of CIL charge. As a designated rural parish, new developments of 1-5 dwellings will be liable to pay £400 per sqm, and developments of 6 or more will be liable to pay £200 per sqm. CIL will only become payable on commencement of a development (not granting of planning permission), which means there is always likely to be delay between a development being granted permission and when it has to make a CIL payment. Having an adopted Principal Residence Policy will mean the CIL rate charged on residential development will move down to the next charging zone. Therefore, if such a policy is adopted, residential development in St Wenn would be charged Zone 2 rates, i.e., 1-5 dwellings will be liable to pay £200 per sqm, and developments of 6 or more will be liable to pay £100 per sqm. 6.15 Of the CIL income received, 5% can be retained by the Charging Authority (Cornwall Council) for administering the process. Parish Councils will receive 15% of any CIL raised from development within their area. This is capped at £100 per existing Council Tax paying dwelling. Where there is an adopted Neighbourhood Development Plan, the Parish Council will receive 25% (uncapped) of any CIL raised in their area. This ‘Neighbourhood Portion’ can be used ‘support the development of the local council’s area, or any part of that area, by funding: a) the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure: or b) anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area’. In other words it can fund a very broad range of facilities such as affordable housing transport, schools, play areas, parks and green spaces, cultural and sports facilities, community heating schemes and community safety facilities. 6.16. The 70-80% CIL ‘Strategic Share’ that is retained by Cornwall Council must be spent on infrastructure to support the development of the area is going to be made available to communities, organisations, and
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other Council services, via a bidding process. Applications ranging from £20,000 to £100,000 for the ‘Strategic Share’ are invited from 1 July 2020. Applications for infrastructure projects will be welcomed from constituted community groups, Town and Parish Councils, and not-for profit organisations (including Cornwall Council services). Deadline for applications is 19 October 2020. Projects must demonstrate how they will contribute to achieving low carbon living for communities. The application form and guidance documents are available at https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/planning- policy/adopted-plans/community-infrastructure-levy-cil/cil-fund/. More information on CIL can be found on the Councils website at www.cornwall.gov.uk/cil. Any specific queries can be sent to [email protected]. Schools. 6.17 The main source of primary education is St Wenn School, which is a ‘foundation school’ within the Lanhydrock Schools Partnership, along with Robartes Junior School in Bodmin. Its establishment capacity is 80 pupils, and at November 2019 had a roll of 73. Its official catchment extends beyond the parish into parts of Withiel and St Columb Major parishes. 6.18 The northernmost limits of St Wenn Parish fall within the catchment of St Breock Primary School and Wadebridge Primary School, whilst the extreme south of the Parish falls within the catchments of St Columb Major ACE Academy and Roche Community Primary School 6.19 For secondary education most of the parish falls within the catchment of Bodmin College which has a capacity of 1600 and a roll of 1420. Small portions of the parish fall within the catchments of Newquay Tretherras School and Treviglas Academy, Wadebridge School and Brannel School. Access to Health Care. 6.20 There are no GP practices in the parish. Local residents are able to access services from the Stillmore House Medical Practice and Carnewater Practice in Bodmin, the Petroc Group Practice in St Columb, and the Wadebridge and Camel Estuary Practice at Wadebridge, and the Clays Practice, Roche, all in excess of 5 miles from the Parish. 6.21 Minor Injury Units are available at Bodmin and Newquay. For emergency care the parish is within the catchment of Treliske General Hospital located at Truro. Community Assets
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6.22 Community assets can be identified to guide which particular properties in the Parish are regarded important and to which Cornwall Local Plan Policy 4.4 should apply, offering a degree of protection against changes of use to alternative less socially valuable uses. The following are suggested to fall under this category: TYPE LOCATION AREA (Ha) Village Car Park St Wenn 0.15 WI Hall St Wenn 0.02 Methodist Chapel Graveyard Tregonetha 0.05 Church St Wenn 0.26 Methodist Chapel Tregonetha 0.05 Methodist Church (Sunday Rosenannon 0.01 School) St Wenn School St Wenn
Local Green Spaces 6.23 Where there are areas which are of local significance and particular importance to the local community they can be identified and protected. They must fulfil the requirements of the NPPF 2019 (paras 99 & 100) for Local Green Space designation in that each green space: • Is in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves; • Is demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife • and the land involved is local in character and is not an extensive tract of land. 6.24 Areas with potential for inclusion on the NDP under their terms are identified as follows: TYPE LOCATION AREA (ha) REASON FOR INCLUSION AS A LOCAL GREEN SPACE Cemetery St Wenn Church 0.13 A quiet extension of the adjacent Churchyard valued for its tranquillity. War Memorial Patch St Wenn 0.01 A small patch on which the Parish War Memorial is located, shaded by trees, viewed against the backdrop of gravestones in the slightly elevated Churchyard beyond. Several listed structures in the vicinity, and all together the scene is pleasantly respectful and bucolic.
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Village Green Tregonetha (part of village 0.06 The polygon of open land at the centre of the approach to Tregonetha, which green not included in common looks like a village green, is registered common land subject to CROW access land.) provisions, but the phone box patch to its north, and the green area to its west Verge Tregonetha Phone Box Patch 0.01 which link visually with it, are not. In 1991 the land to the west was registered as a village green in recognition that it had been in continued use for lawful sports and pastimes for not less than 20 years. It is partly occupied by a Nissen Hut, thought to be of WW2 origin [possibly originating as part of the RAF decoy airfield located at nearby Tregonetha Down], that contributes to the particular and distinctive character of the area.
Recreation spaces and sports pitches. 6.25 Provision. Formal open space and sports provision is very limited in St Wenn Parish. There are no allotments, and the only equipped playspaces in the Parish is the limited facilities available at St Wenn Community Field. TYPE LOCATION AREA (HA) Playing Field/Rec Ground St Wenn Community Field 0.36
6.26 However, there is plenty of informal, natural green space to which the community have access under various provisions of the CROW Act. These come to a total of 213.25ha. There are also significant additional areas of countryside to which there are access rights in surrounding Parishes, for example St Breock Down, Tregwindles Wood, Hustyun Wood, Bishop’s Wood, Great Grogley Down, Tredinnick Downs, Trelow Downs. TYPE LOCATION AREA (HA) Natural Tregonetha Downs, Village Green 0.18 Natural Tregonetha Well Moor 1.87 Natural Tregonetha Downs 54.6 Natural Demelza Moor 5.4 Natural Rosenannon Downs 147.9 Natural St Breock Down (in Parish) 3.3
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6.27 Needs. The Fields in Trust and other standards recommend provision as given in Figure 13 following. FIGURE 13: NATIONAL OPEN SPACE STANDARDS
National Guidance Type of Open Space Quantity/area per Distance resident (m2/person)
Fields in Trust (former Formal sports pitches 16.0 1200m NPFA Six Acre Standard) Children & young people’s equipped 2.6 240 – 600m play Informal open space including 2.75 60m unequipped ‘play space’. Assuming 50% could be provided by natural space covered below. Access to Natural Green 2 Ha of ‘local’ natural green space 300m Space Standards - ANGSSt 20 Ha ‘regional’ natural green space 2000m The Thorpe Report on Allotments -15 plots per 1000 1.63 N/A Allotment Provision 1969 Total 22.98 m2 per person or 52.84 m2 per dwelling *
* Based on an occupancy rate of 2.3
6.28 In view of the small numbers of the local population, its dispersal and age distribution, the small size of the Parish settlements, the strong likelihood that most residential properties have good sized gardens suitable for play, vegetable growing, and passive recreation, and the presence of extensive CROW Act access land, it is very difficult to apply these standards meaningfully. A better approach may be to focus on addressing children and young peoples’ equipped play and social needs which are really only effective if located 240-600m of the focus of residential development.
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6.29 On this basis the Parish settlements of Tregonetha, St Wenn and Rosenannon should ideally each have a playspace featuring basic play equipment for younger children and space/equipment for older children (eg kickabout). This may be something for CIL or other funding to be used.
Development Infrastructure 6.30 Any development requires ‘infrastructure’ to support it. Development infrastructure includes such things as approach roads, internal roads, sewage treatment arrangements (drains and capacity at the treatment works), water supply, surface water drainage, open space, education, etc, which must be adequate to meet the needs of the incoming population without harming the ability of infrastructure suppliers to meet the requirements of existing development and customers. Development infrastructure is usually paid for by the developer, either directly by provision on site, or through contributions to the infrastructure supplier/operator if the additional provision required is off-site. This is usually arranged under S106 of the 1990 Planning Act, or s253 of the 1980 Highways Act. 6.31 By law, such contributions cannot be required to pay for improvements to overcome existing infrastructure inadequacy beyond the requirements of the new development concerned, although by careful timing and co-ordination of other matching funds, this may be achievable. 6.32 A perceived issue within communities is that infrastructure provision is often delayed, sometimes well beyond the time at which it was agreed to be delivered. The community wants infrastructure and facilities to be developed alongside development. 6.33 In St Wenn Parish, infrastructure contributions will be necessary to cover: • Adequate vehicular access • Education provision • Open space, including an open space delivery plan outlining phasing, detailed design specifications, maintenance requirements & estimated costs and how this will be sustained in the long term • Sewage treatment • Water supply 6.34 Most dwellings in the Parish rely on private water supplies from boreholes and wells as they cannot easily connect to the mains supply and a private supply is their only option for water. The private water
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supplies team within Cornwall Council’s Public Protection Dept., manages the quality of private water supplies in Cornwall, ensuring the water is safe and enabling the Council to meet its legal responsibilities on water quality. Most dwellings rely on septic tanks, cess pits and soakaways for foul drainage. Modernisation of these through development is necessary to ensure that the water environment is protected and improved.
Related Community Engagement Feedback
6.35 Local community facilities, activities and groups are valued by the Parish community [WA4.20].
6.36 The protection of green spaces is strongly supported, including the School (Community) Field [WA 4.32], Well Moor north of Tregonetha [WA 4.32], and the meadow east of Rosenannon [WA 4.01]. Other sites identified were Rosenannon Down, Tregonetha Down, Tregonetha Green, The grade 1 listed buildings or Demelza fort, all local woodlands, the local footpaths in Tregonetha.
6.37 In fact most of the additional sites mentioned are already protected as Common Land or Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Objections were received to the inclusion of the medow east of Rosenannon.
6.38 People support the protection of community facilities such as the playground in the Community Field at St Wenn [WA 4.54], the St Wenn WI village hall [WA 4.77] and the St Wenn car park [WA4.45], and suggested that the school and Church should also be included. One comment said that Rosenannon is in need of a children's play area.
Key issues and implications for the NDP • National and local policy is that Planning should: o support ‘strong vibrant and healthy communities’ with ‘accessible services and open spaces that reflect the community’s present and future needs and support its health, social and cultural well-being. o promote social interaction including opportunities for meetings between people who might not otherwise come into contact with each other. o ensure that places are safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion.
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o guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs. o ensure that established shops, facilities and services are able to develop and modernise in a way that is sustainable and retained for the benefit of the community. o plan positively for the provision and use of shared space, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments. • St Wenn Parish’s community has a good level of community cohesion and funding is available to support community-based initiatives from several community funding sources. Its stock of community facilities is however limited, and ongoing maintenance and improvement is a typical issue for such facilities. • These facilities could be identified so that they clearly gain the benefit of protection under Cornwall Local Plan Policy 4.4. • There are also several ‘green spaces’ around the Parish which contribute to its character and heritage and are worthy of protection. • The Parish has a good supply of natural recreational space, but equipped provision for children and teenagers is poor. Ideally playspace should be available at Rosenannon and Tregonetha, and the equipment at St Wenn improved. • Although excellent and active Church and Primary School facilities and services are available locally residents have to travel out of the Parish for many key services and amenities, including health services and secondary schooling. • The existing community and recreational facilities are obviously highly valued by the community. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • Consideration should be given to including an NDP policy to build on CLP Policy 4 for the safeguarding of existing facilities and to build on their viability and sustainability, possibly identifying them as a focus for CIL funding. • A clear aim that development must be appropriate for the ability of infrastructure to support it should be included. • A policy should be considered for the support of playspace provision for children and teenagers. • Green spaces around the Parish which of particular importance to local communities are worthy of protection, and a policy which identifies and protects them should be considered.
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Map : Community Facilities, Local Green Spaces and Recreation Spaces Rosenannon
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Map : Community Facilities, Local Green Spaces and Recreation Spaces Tregonetha
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Map : Community Facilities, Local Green Spaces and Recreation Spaces Demelza
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Map : Community Facilities, Local Green Spaces and Recreation Spaces St Wenn
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7. Green Infrastructure, Biodiversity and Geo Diversity
Planning Policy Background
National Planning Policy Framework 2019. 7.1 Key messages from the NPPF are that Planning policies should aim to: • Achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places (para 91) and should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment (Para 170). They should: • Protect and enhance valued landscapes, biodiversity, geological or soils; • Recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services (ie green infrastructure) • Minimise impacts on and provide net gains for biodiversity, and establish coherent ecological networks ; • Avoid unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability, and • Encourage remediation and mitigation of despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land (Para 170). • Designate green areas of particular importance to local communities to rule out new development other than in very special circumstances (Para 99—101). • take a strategic approach to maintaining and enhancing networks of habitats and green infrastructure; • Not permit development where it is likely to have an adverse effect on a Site of Special Scientific Interest or result in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats, including ancient woodland and the loss of aged or veteran trees found outside ancient woodland (Para 175), • Protect Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation and ‘Ramsar’ wetlands sites from harm (Para 176) • Take into account the effects (including cumulative effects) of pollution on health, the natural environment or general amenity, and the potential sensitivity of the area or proposed development to adverse effects from pollution (Para 180). • Take into account ground conditions and land instability, including from natural hazards or former activities such as mining, and contamination (Para 178).
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NPPF 2019 defines Green infrastructure as network of multi-functional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities
Cornwall Local Plan. 7.2 Key messages from the Cornwall Local Plan include: • The CLP (Policy 16) aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Cornwall’s communities, residents, workers and visitors, by: o requiring that development should protect, and alleviate risk to people and the environment from unsafe, unhealthy and polluted environments by avoiding or mitigating against harmful impacts and health risks; o not causing increased risk to human health from air pollution or exceeding EU standards; o maximising the opportunity for physical activity through the use of open space, indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities and providing or enhancing active travel networks that support and encourage walking, riding and cycling; o encouraging provision for growing local food in private gardens which are large enough to accommodate vegetable growing or greenhouses or through the provision of allotments; and o providing flexible community open spaces that can be adapted to the health needs of the community and encourage social interaction. • The CLP also reflects the NPPF requirements that the needs of the local community are met, including through affordable housing provision. • Good quality well planned and appropriately located green infrastructure is critical to Cornwall’s future. Not only does it help us to live more healthily, sustainably and self-sufficiently, it helps to increase resilience and adaptation to climate change and supports ecosystems services providing for food production, flood control and wildlife and their component parts: water, soil, nutrients and organisms (Para 2.190). • Open space and Green Infrastructure can play an important role in improving health and wellbeing by providing accessible space for recreation (Para 2.192); • New developments should use the environmental features of sites as the foundation of their design…. The impact of new development on green infrastructure assets will be assessed as part of determining planning applications (Para 2.194).
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• Existing green infrastructure … which is important to recreation, leisure, community use, townscape and landscape quality and visual amenity will be protected and enhanced. New development should retain and enhance the most important assets…take in to account and show hoe GI assets have positively contributed to place making and influenced the proposal….provide buffers to natural spaces with GI significance…restore or enhance the connections of nature and people through physical integration and links with GI assets…provide accessible and quality open space…include arrangements for maintenance of GI assets…mitigate any losses by provision elsewhere (Policy 25).
Other plans and studies 7.3 Natural England - Green Infrastructure Guidance Natural England’s ‘Green Infrastructure Guidance defines green infrastructure as: ‘…a strategically planned and delivered network comprising the broadest range of high quality green spaces and other environmental features. It should be designed and managed as a multifunctional resource capable of delivering those ecological services and quality of life benefits required by the communities it serves and needed to underpin sustainability. Its design and management should also respect and enhance the character and distinctiveness of an area with regard to habitats and landscape types. Green Infrastructure includes established green spaces and new sites and should thread through and surround the built environment and connect the urban area to its wider rural hinterland. Consequently, it needs to be delivered at all spatial scales from sub-regional to local neighbourhood levels, accommodating both accessible natural green spaces within local communities and often much larger sites in the urban fringe and wider countryside.’ 7.4 ‘Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services’ aims to ‘halt overall biodiversity loss, support healthy well-functioning ecosystems and establish coherent ecological networks, with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people’. 7.5 The Natural Environment White Paper 2012 says that a healthy, properly functioning natural environment is the foundation of sustained economic growth, and a vital support for our well-being and security. The White Paper is intended to halt and reverse the decline in biodiversity and signaled a move away from the traditional approach of protecting biodiversity in nature reserves to adopting a wider and more inclusive approach at ‘a landscape scale’ to protecting and enhancing biodiversity. It also aims to create a ‘green economy’ in which
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economic growth and the health of natural resources sustain each other and markets, business and Government better understand and reflect the value of nature. It includes commitments to: • Halt biodiversity loss, support functioning ecosystems and establish coherent ecological networks by 2020; • Establish a new voluntary approach to biodiversity offsetting to be tested in pilot areas; • Enable partnerships of local authorities, local communities and landowners, the private sector and conservation organisations to establish new Nature Improvement Areas; and • Address barriers to using green infrastructure to promote sustainable growth. 7.6 ‘A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment’ the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, includes policies within Chapter 2 ‘Recovering nature and enhancing the beauty of landscapes’ and Goal 6 ‘Enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment’ which directly relate to the Biodiversity and Geodiversity theme. 7.7 The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out the Government’s environmental plan of action over the next quarter century, in the context of Brexit. The Plan aims to ‘tackle the growing problems of waste and soil degradation…improve social justice by tackling the pollution suffered by those living in less favourable areas…. and by opening up the mental and physical health benefits of the natural world to people from the widest possible range of ages and backgrounds’. It also sets out how the Government will address the effects of climate change – ‘still perhaps the most serious long-term risk to the environment given higher land and sea temperatures, rising sea levels, extreme weather patterns and ocean acidification, which harms marine species.’ These aims are supported by a range of policies which are focused on the following six key areas: • Using and managing land sustainably; • Recovering nature and enhancing the beauty of landscapes; • Connecting people with the environment to improve health and wellbeing; • Increasing resource efficiency, and reducing pollution and waste; • Securing clean, productive and biologically diverse seas and oceans; and • Protecting and improving the global environment. (Executive Summary, P9 and 10) 7.8 Safeguarding our Soils: A Strategy for England, sets out a vision for soil use in England.
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7.9 The Water White Paper3, which sets out the Government’s vision for a more resilient water sector. It states the measures that will be taken to tackle issues such as poorly performing ecosystems, and the combined impacts of climate change and population growth on stressed water resources. 7.8 The Cornwall Biodiversity Action Plan is presented in 4 volumes: • Cornwall’s Biodiversity Volume 1: Audits and Priorities • Cornwall’s Biodiversity Volume 2: Action Plan • Cornwall’s Biodiversity Volume 3: Action Plans 2004 • Cornwall’s Biodiversity Volume 4: Priority Projects 2010-2015 7.9 ‘Cornwall’s Biodiversity Volume 1: Audits and Priorities set recommendations for Action Plans, which were produced for the Cornish priority habitats and species and published in ‘Cornwall’s Biodiversity Volume 2: Action Plans’. A further volume, ‘Cornwall’s Biodiversity Volume 3: Action Plans 2004’ was produced in line with the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) process, highlighting the 25 UK BAP priority habitats and 127 BAP priority species occurring in Cornwall. In light of a progress review, Cornwall’s BAP was reviewed and updated, taking into consideration the new UK list of priority habitats and species, and the England Biodiversity Strategy (EBS) delivery framework. This document is ‘Volume4: Priority Habitats’ 2010 identifies priority project areas. The Environment Bill 2020 7.10 The draft Environment Bill includes an intention to require ‘Net Biodiversity Gain’ in all new development. Anticipating the passage of this as an Act of Parliament, Cornwall Council are now seeking a net gain requirement of up to 10%. [See https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and- planning/planning/planning-policy/adopted-plans/planning-policy-guidance/biodiversity-net-gain/] Baseline 7.11 Green Infrastructure (GI) assets range from common land, playing pitches, streams, lakes and woodlands to green roofs and street trees. They can be specific sites at the local level or broader environmental features at the wider landscape scale within and between rural and urban areas.
3 http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm82/8230/8230.pdf
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7.12 St Wenn Parish has, and needs, its own GI, and also forms part of the GI of Cornwall, and is therefore functionally important on a wider scale than the local neighbourhood perspective of this Plan. Key Green Infrastructure assets in St Wenn Parish are described below. See Figure 16. Common Land and S4 Crow Act Access Land 7.13 St Wenn Parish benefits from the presence of over 213 ha of Common Land and Access Land under the terms of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. This provides grazing in support of local agricultural businesses, a biodiverse habitat, drainage, landscape quality, tranquil leisure opportunities and a tourism resource. Trees and Woodlands 7.14 The National Forest Inventory (NFI) provides accurate information about the size, distribution, composition and condition of our forests and woodlands and also about the changes taking place in the woodlands through time. It is essential for developing and monitoring the policies and guidance that support the sustainable management of woodland. The NFI shows that St Wenn Parish is not well wooded, although there are some small (and recent) plantations and steeply incised wooded valleys that play an important role in the rural character of the local landscape. None of the woodland is classified as Ancient, but most is included in the Priority Habitat Inventory Deciduous Woodland category. The NFI confirms this as broadleaved stock, and also shows some areas of more recent planting to the south of Rosenannon. [Source: MAGIC map application, see Figure 14 for extract below]. There are no Tree Preservation Orders extant in the Parish. There are two ancient trees in the Parish – see evidence note: http://ndp.stwenn.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ANCIENT- WOODLANDS-AND-TREES-EVIDENCE-NOTE-ST-WENN.pdf Water Quality and Water Resources 7.15 The main watercourses flowing through St Wenn Parish are the Upper River Ruthern and the Demelza Stream, both being part of the River Camel Operational Catchment. The Environment Agency Catchment Data Explorer describes both to be not heavily modified by human activity and gives them an overall ‘good’ ecological and chemical quality. The Upper Ruthern is a Priority River Habitat Headwater designated on the basis of the naturalness of the landcover - this area is of high naturalness.
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Soil Resources 7. 16 The Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) classifies land into size grades (plus ‘non-agricultural land’ and ‘urban’), where Grades 1 to 3a are recognised as being the ‘best and most versatile’ land and Grades 3b to 5 of poorer quality. In this context, there is a national policy based need to avoid loss of higher quality ‘best and most versatile’ agricultural land. See Figure 15. 7.17 In terms of the location of the best and most versatile agricultural land, a high proportion of the Parish falls into Grade 3, with the remainder being Grades 4 and 5. 7.18 Soils across the majority of the Parish are mainly in the Soil Associations ‘Soilscape 6’ that is freely draining slightly acid loamy soils suitable for range of spring and autumn sown crops; under grass the soils have a long grazing season. Free drainage reduces the risk of soil damage from grazing animals or farm machinery. Shortage of soil moisture most likely limiting factor on yields, particularly where stony or shallow. To the south are areas of ‘Soliscape 13’, freely draining acid loamy soils over rock, which is mostly steeply sloping and with restricted mechanised access; suited to grassland with potential for year-round grazing. Between Tregonetha and Demelza is a valley bottom area of ‘Soilscape 25’, comprising Blanket bog peat soils, only suitable for seasonal extensive grazing. See Figure 17 [Source: Cranfield Soil and Agrifood Institute Soilscapes Viewer at http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/ ] Mineral Resources 7.19 There are no mineral resources (natural concentrations of minerals or, in the case of aggregates, bodies of rock that are, or may become, of potential economic interest due to their inherent properties) notified as existing within the NDP Designated Area. However, a mineral safeguarding area for metalliferous resources is notified just across the Parish boundary to the east at Castle-an-Dinas. Geodiversity 7.20 Geologically the Parish is mainly in the ‘Looe Basin’ Lower Devonian area of Meadfoot slates ranging in age from 2 to 411 million years, covering the Devonian and Carboniferous periods, including areas of igneous intrusion and sedimentary rocks. Figure 18 below shows the bedrock geology and superficial deposits locally [Source BGS Geology of Britain Viewer at http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html]
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FIGURE 14: TREES AND WOODLANDS IN ST WENN PARISH
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Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 7.21 The Parish hosts several areas of SSSI status: Rosenannon Bog & Downs SSSI – An area of poorly drained and nutrient-deficient land which supports a variety of heathland plant types with a rich flora and fauna. The valley bog has remained largely undisturbed for a long period and supports purple moor-grass and cross-leaved heath, bog asphodel, common cottongrass, white beak-sedge, pale butterwort, bog pimpernel, Royal fern and lesser skullcap. Of particular note is the presence of wavy St. John’s-wort, a plant of very limited distribution in Britain. The Bog and Downs also provide important feeding and nesting habitat for a number of heathland birds including snipe, curlew, meadow pipit, stonechat. Both hen harrier and Montagu’s harrier have been recorded. River Camel Valley and Tributaries SSSI – The upper River Ruthern forms a limb of the larger SSSI, a network of ‘the most unspoilt river corridors in the South West’, its steeper sides supporting oak woods with bramble and bracken or birch and wavy hair-grass, whilst heather and bilberry dominate the ground flora. A mix of broadleaved dominate the lower slopes, whilst willow and alder are present on the flatter ground, all supporting a rich understorey. Fauna include buzzard, green woodpecker, wood warbler and redstart. In the area near Demelza there is wet and humid heath which support a range of nationally scarce plants such e Cornish moneywort, coral-necklace, wavy St John’s wort, pale dog violet and yellow centuary. A wide range of orchids have been recorded and the area is also rich in invertebrates including the nationally scarce marsh fritillary, the scarlet tiger moth and damselflies such as the beautiful demoiselle and nationally scarce small red damselfly. Birdlife includes sedge warbler, grasshopper warbler and reed bunting. Mid Cornwall Moors SSSI – This is a detached part of a wider SSSI, a diverse mosaic of semi-natural habitats, including heaths, fens, grasslands, woodlands, scrub and species-rich hedgerows, with ponds and waterways. It is of special interest as it includes an assemblage of nationally rare and nationally scarce flowering plants and ferns; populations of Cornish eyebright, coral-necklace, chamomile, lesser butterfly- orchid, chaffweed, lesser water-plantain and allseed, the marsh fritillary butterfly a variety of invertebrates chiefly associated with scrub heath and moorland; breeding willow tit and geological features that demonstrate the mineralisation which occurs at the latest stage of granitic emplacement. The area around this SSSI is a Wild Bird General Licence Exclusion Zone where control of wild birds is restricted.
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SCALE 1:50000 FIGURE 15: AGRICULTURAL LAND CLASSIFICATION
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FIGURE 16: EXTRACT FROM MAGIC MAP SHOWING BIODIVERSITY DESIGNATIONS
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Soilscape 6: Freely draining slightly acid loamy soils
Soilscape 13: Freely draining acid loamy soils over rock
Soilscape 25: Blankety bog peat soils
FIGURE 17: SOILSCAPES IN ST WENN PARISH
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Staddon Formation - Bovisand Formation - Sandstone, Siltstone Metalimestone And Pelite. And Mudstone. Sedimentary Bedrock Sedimentary Bedrock formed approximately 393 formed approximately to 411 million years ago in 393 to 408 million years the Devonian Period. Local ago in the Devonian environment previously Period. Local dominated by shallow seas. environment previously dominated by shorelines. Alluvium - Clay, Silt, Sand And Gravel. Superficial Deposits formed up to 2 Bovisand Formation - million years ago in the Mudstone, Siltstone And Quaternary Period. Local Sandstone. Sedimentary environment previously Bedrock formed dominated by rivers approximately 393 to 411 million years ago in the Devonian Period. Head - Clay, Silt, Sand And Local environment Gravel. Superficial Deposits previously dominated by formed up to 3 million shallow seas. years ago in the Quaternary Period. Local environment previously Bovisand Formation - dominated by subaerial Hornfelsed Slate And slopes Hornfelsed Sandstone. Metamorphic Bedrock formed approximately Unnamed Dyke, Permian - 393 to 411 million years Felsite. Igneous Bedrock ago in the Devonian formed approximately 252 Period. Originally to 299 million years ago in sedimentary rocks the Permian Period. Local formed in shallow seas. environment previously Later altered by high dominated by intrusions of temperatures of igneous silica-rich magma. intrusion.
FIGURE 18: GEOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN ST WENN PARISH
Special Area of Conservation 7.22 The River Camel Valley and Tributaries SSSI is also an SAC, in this case selected because of the presence of:
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• Bullhead, a small bottom-living fish that inhabits fast-flowing, clear shallow water with a gravel/cobble/pebble bottoms and is frequently found in the headwaters of upland streams. It is not found in badly polluted rivers. • Otters, the population of which is so dense as to make the area the ‘main stronghold in England in the south-west of the country’ for this species.
County Wildlife Sites 7.23 County Wildlife Sites (CWS) are the most significant areas of semi-natural habitat in Cornwall outside of statutory protected sites such as SACs and SSSIs. CWS range from small copses and linear features like river valleys, to ancient woodlands, large moors and wetlands. Many of these are Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) habitats i.e. habitats which are considered of conservation significance either locally or nationally. 7.24 In the St Wenn Parish there is one County Wildlife Sites at the Rosenannon Valley [Site R57]. This moderately sheltered valley features wet willow woodland bordering the stream along the flat valley floor. This grades into mixed broadleaved woodland along the drier valley slopes to the south west, mainly consisting of oak, ash, sycamore, willow and alder, and with a varying ground flora. There is also a small beech plantation. A small area of purple moor grass and rush pasture supports pale butterwort and has a small Sphagnum bog in the centre. Gorse and bracken are encroaching in parts, and the adjacent area is rush-dominated, grading into wet grassland. It includes BAP Priority Habitat of Wet Woodland, Purple Moor Grass and Rush Pastures, and the BAP Priority Species otter has been recorded in a nearby tributary. An active badger sett has also been recorded within the woodland (protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992). Green Infrastructure Network 7.25 As noted above, the NPPF 2019 defines Green infrastructure as network of multi-functional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities. 7.26 In St Wenn the ‘green infrastructure is very special and contains a variety of biodiversity assets, several of which are of international importance. These are generally related to the valleys of the Ruthern and Demelza Stream , and include (see Figure 16):
o Priority Habitat Inventory Deciduous Woodland
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o Priority Species (Otter) o Priority Habitat Inventory Purple Moor Grass and Rush Pasture o National Forestry Inventory Woodland o Areas of SSSI o A wide selection of Environmental Stewardship Agreement and Woodland Grant Scheme areas o The Camel River SAC o A Cornwall Wildlife Site. 7.27 If considered appropriate, it is possible to designate a Green Infrastructure Network to ensure that these features are recognised in planning processes.
Air Quality 7.28 There are no air quality management zones in the Parish. Net Biodiversity Gain 7.29 Net Biodiversity Gain [NBG] follows the principle of the ‘mitigation hierarchy’ which seeks to: • Enhance habitat • Avoid habitat loss • Minimise habitat loss • Restore habitat loss • Compensate for habitat loss • Offset Habitat loss 7.30 DEFRA have published a ‘Biodiversity Metric’ to provide a way of measuring and accounting for biodiversity losses and gains resulting from development or land management change. Examples of appropriate methods to address NBG might include: • Purpose designed boxes and bricks for bats, birds (including owls in remoter areas), • Bees and other invertebrates, within the structure of the building, or within the site • Boundaries on non-built features if this is not possible; • Hedgehog access points in fences, • Planting new native trees and hedges and flower-rich habitats • The intentional use of suds, and drainage ponding, as habitat,
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• ‘re-wilding’ of areas to support drainage and create habitat • Measures to protect the integrity of any affected wildlife corridors, mitigate any • Harmful impact, and incorporate linkages to provide new connections between corridors • Contributions to a ‘green reserve’ nearby.
Related Community Engagement Feedback 7.31 Asked which characteristic of the Parish was most important top them, respondents rated ‘local wildlife and biodiversity’ as second [WA 4.56] only to ‘countryside and landscape’ [WA 4.71].
Key issues and implications for the NDP • Most of the high-quality biodiversity and geodiversity in the Parish is protected by international, national and county level policies. • National and local policy is that Planning should:
o aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places and should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment o Designate green areas of particular importance to local communities to rule out new development other than in very special circumstances o allow only the most exceptional developments to be permitted in, and that the highest levels of protection should apply, to SSSI, SPA and SAC. o Protect locally designated sites, unless the need and benefits of the development clearly outweigh the loss o protect and where possible improve biodiversity o Avoid unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability, and encourage remediation and mitigation of despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land • Forthcoming legislation will require up to 10% ‘net biodiversity gain’ from new development. • The Parish has a good quality green infrastructure network, with plenty of footpaths and lanes linking green ‘access land’, and to local open space and leisure facilities.
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• There is a good supply of woodlands, some ancient, but trees and hedgerows close to villages are subject to development pressures • Internationally, nationally and locally designated nature conservation sites are present in the Parish, or nearby, and a number of areas of Cornwall BAP Priority Habitat. Protected species are also present at many locations in the parish. • As part of the principle water catchment for the Camel there are many springs, streams and the valleys, which provide habitat but also restrict development potential. Waterways in the Parish have and overall ‘good’ ecological and chemical quality. The Upper Ruthern is a Priority River Habitat Headwater designated on the basis of the naturalness of the landcover - this area is of high naturalness.
Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • Most of the high-quality biodiversity and geodiversity sites in the Parish is protected by international, national and county level policies so NDP policies are not necessary. • Consideration should be given to a planning policy framework to support Net Biodiversity Gain by requiring the submission of a Biodiversity Metric Gain Plan with planning applications. • Consideration should be given to including a policy which seeks to protect existing trees and supports the approach set out in the Cornwall Design Guide.
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8. Landscape Planning Policy Background
National Planning Policy Framework 2019. 8.1 Planning policies should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment (para 170) whilst good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities (para 124). Heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource, and should be conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of existing and future generations. Planning policies should:
o Protect and enhance valued landscapes (Para 170a) o Recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services (Para 170b) o Not permit major developments in AONBs, where great weight should be given to conserving landscape and scenic beauty, ensure that development conserves and enhances the landscape character and scenic beauty of the AONB(Para 172) o Protect tranquil areas which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are prized for their recreational and amenity value for this reason (Para 180b). o Limit the impact of light pollution from artificial light on local amenity, intrinsically dark landscapes and nature conservation (Para 180c). o be grounded in an understanding and evaluation of each area’s defining characteristics, identifying the special qualities of each area and explaining how this should be reflected in development Para 125) o ensure that developments function well, are visually attractive, are sympathetic to local character and history, allow an appropriate amount and mix, and create places that are safe, inclusive and healthy (para 127) o not permit development of poor design that fails to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an area and the way it functions (Para 130).
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Cornwall Local Plan. 8.2 Key messages from the Cornwall Local Plan include • Objective 10(a) within key theme number 4 states to ‘respect the distinctive character of Cornwall’s diverse landscapes’. • Policy 2 – Spatial Strategy states that new development should ‘maintain and respect the special character of Cornwall, recognising that all urban and rural landscapes, designated and undesignated, are important’... by identifying ‘the value and sensitivity, of the character and importance of landscapes, biodiversity and geodiversity and historic assets’ • Policy 23 – Natural Environment – states that development proposals should sustain local distinctiveness and character and protect and enhance Cornwall’s natural environment where development should be of o 2. ‘of an appropriate scale, mass and design that recognises and respects landscape character of both designated and undesignated landscapes… must take into account and respect the sensitivity and capacity of the landscape asset, considering cumulative impact and the wish to maintain dark skies and tranquillity in areas that are relatively undisturbed, using guidance from the Cornwall Landscape Character Assessment and supported by the descriptions of Areas of Great Landscape Value.
Other plans and studies 8.3 ‘A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment’ the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, includes policies within Chapter 2 ‘Recovering nature and enhancing the beauty of landscapes’ and Goal 6 ‘Enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment’ which directly relate to the Landscape theme. 8.4 The ‘Cornwall landscape character best practice guide’ says that for ‘smaller-scale development particularly in rural areas: i. consider how new development can foster the existing rural character ii. ensure residential entrances and approaches avoid over-engineered solutions, favouring designs which follow the site topography
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iii. retain trees and Cornish hedges, ditches and walls, especially where these form backdrops, soften roof lines, and produce screening. Replace features which have to be removed to fit in with the existing landscape pattern iv. reflect vernacular and local rural detailing at gates, entranceways and boundary treatments v. retain grass verges and avoid upstanding kerbs and highway bollards, avoiding the extension of garden features such as close-mown lawns, flowerbeds and ornamental shrubs beyond the garden boundary, as these have the effect of suburbanisation of rural lanes vi. site garages and other utility features such as rubbish bins and fuel storage away from property frontages in screened areas vii. locate parking and turning spaces at the sides and rear of buildings, or within courtyards, reducing their visibility from the highway viii. provide new native structure planting of Cornish hedges, copses, shelterbelts, (where appropriate) to help integrate new buildings into the landscape. Carefully consider the use of exotic species, especially evergreens such as cypresses Baseline
Topography 8.5 The topography of St Wenn is dominated by the Ruthern Valley and its tributary Demelza Stream, between which is a low ridge through the centre of the Parish. To the north the ground rises up to St Breock Downs, and to the south to Castle an Dinas and Belosda Beacon. St Wenn village and Tregonetha occupy areas on the higher ground, with long views across the terrain, whereas Rosenannon nestles on the Ruthern Valley sides
Landscape character 8.6 National Character Areas (NCAs) are landscape areas with similar characteristics, following natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries. NCA profiles describe the natural and cultural features that shape each of these landscapes, providing a broad context to its character. The St Wenn NDP Designated Area falls within NCA 152: Cornish Killas 4. The NCA is broad but provides
4 http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6654414139949056
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some context to the character of the Plan area, with the following characteristics from the NCA profile particularly relevant: • An undulating shillet (shale) plateau, with open vistas and a characteristic network of stone- faced earthen banks (Cornish hedgebanks), many enclosing fields in use since medieval times. From higher ground there are long views across a rather uniform landscape of mixed farming, with small villages and market towns. • Renewable energy structures, (eg wind and solar farm)s, which are a recent addition to the landscape. • Broadleaved wooded valleys, dominated by internationally important western oak woodland habitat, which dissect the plateau • A dispersed settlement pattern of hamlets, farmsteads, historic mining villages and small fishing villages, often formed of simple, austere buildings, with nonconformist chapels and wayside crosses, and located where steeply incised valleys meet the coast. • Lowland heath, wet woodland, wetland, scrub and unimproved grassland complexes, which are common and are sometimes associated with areas of past industrial activity. [ see: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/file/6125360068427776 ] 8.7 Cornwall Local Landscape Assessment. At the local level, the Cornwall LCA describes variations in character between different areas and types of landscape, providing an evidence base for local development frameworks and plans, articulating what people perceive as distinctive and special about all landscapes in Cornwall. It also sets out strategies and guidelines for the protection, management and planning of the landscape. The following LCAs cover the Neighbourhood Plan area, as viewed on the Cornwall Interactive Mapping Tool: 8.8 Each LCA is accompanied by a descriptive statement. The most important parts of these statements for the St Wenn NDP Designated Area baseline are those covering the current condition of and pressures on the landscape. From these the following objectives for each are can be drawn:
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Area of Great Landscape Value 8.9 About half the Parish, to the north, is within the Camel and Allen Valley Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV). These areas are landscapes designated as being of County importance. [See Plan XX below] 8.10 The AGLV area is subject to Cornwall Local Plan Policy 23.2(b) as an area of high landscape quality with strong and distinctive characteristics which makes it particularly sensitive to development. Within AGLVs the primary objective is conservation and enhancement of their landscape quality and individual character. Historic Landscape Characterisation 8.11 A basic premise of Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) is that the whole of Cornwall is one continuous but multifarious historic landscape. In St Wenn Parish the Historic Landscape Characterisation shows that the lower land to be mostly medieval with anciently enclosed field patterns that are distinct from the generally straight-sided fields of later enclosure. These areas are fringed by Post-Medieval enclosed land substantially altered by large-scale hedge removal and intakes from rough ground, woodland and lowland marsh, leaving just the rough ground at Rosennanon and Tregonetha Downs, plus a few new isolated patches of rough ground such as south of Demelza. There are a few areas of modern plantation. More details are given in the following sey8on on Heritage.
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CA14 Newlyn Downs LDU 354 Physiographic: Hard rock uplands Ground type: Shallow brown soils on hard rock Cultural pattern: Clustered with small farms Landcover: Settled pastures http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/reports_landscape_chr/areaC A14.pdf CA18 St Breock Downs LDU 297 Physiographic: Hard rock slopes and ridges Ground type: Impoverished soils on igneous rocks Cultural pattern: Settled common Landcover: Settled pastures http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/reports_landscape_chr/areaC A18.pdf CA 33 Camel and Allen Valleys LDU 357 Physiographic: Hard rock slopes and ridges Ground type: Shallow brown soils on hard rock Cultural pattern: Clustered with small farms Landcover: Secondary wooded pastures http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/reports_landscape_chr/areaC A33.pdf CA 20 Mid Cornwall Moors LDU 027 Physiographic: Hard rock slopes and ridges Ground type: Impoverished soils on igneous rocks Cultural pattern: Settled common Landcover: Settled pastures http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/reports_landscape_chr/areaC A20.pdf
FIGURE 19: CORNWALL LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS ST WENN PARISH
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FIGURE 20: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREA DESCRIPTOR UNIT RECOMMENDATIONS, ST WENN PARISH Area Distinctive Features Vision and Objectives Planning Guidelines CA14 Newlyn Downs LDU The distinctive feature of this This area has an intrinsic, quiet • Conserve and enhance the existing 354 landscape is its wide rolling rural character where the landscape by encouraging the use pastoral and arable character landscape is generally of agri-environmental schemes. with Cornish hedges. Windfarms uncluttered. The objective must • Encourage woodland form prominent elements. be to encourage the conservation management, in particular the wet of the existing countryside while woodland in the valleys as well as strictly controlling development further planting to extend the tree which would clutter the cover. landscape. • Develop a design guide to improve the relationship of the built areas with the open countryside and reduce visual intrusion. CA18 St Breock Downs LDU The most distinctive features are An open, upland heathland area, • Prepare a plan for the 297 the two highly visible tracts of with a wild landscape character management of the existing Lowland Heathland, prehistoric and sweeping views diminished heathland and create linkages ritual monuments, including by the presence of windfarms. between the separated areas. barrows, a stone row and several Much of the heath has been lost • Keep forestry to the flanks of the standing stones on this open to 19th and 20th century high ground and avoid planting the exposed landscape. Windfarms enclosure. The objective must be open upland. and masts are prominent to conserve the open and wild • Regenerate heathland on rough features. landscape character of the area areas planted with conifers ar re-introducing heathland where Hustyn. possible. • Restrain development out of keeping with the area especially large scale holiday parks. • Encourage the use of agri- environmental schemes to maintain traditional field boundaries and farming methods.
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• Conserve archaeological features and their settings. Encourage the creation of footpaths to link and access the open access areas.
CA 33 Camel and Allen The most distinctive features are Conserve and enhance the • Manage the broadleaved Valleys LDU 357 the steep valleys and rivers of the broadleaved woodlands in the woodland to maintain landscape Camel and Allen and their valleys, the valley floor wetlands character. associated woodland, wetland and the strong Cornish hedges • Replace coniferous planting with and enclosed pastures. These are and hedgerows whilst controlling broadleaved over time. enjoyed by cyclists on the Camel development strictly in Conserve and enhance the Cornish Trail. The granite of the buildings rural/semi-rural areas. hedges and hedgerows and the character of Bodmin is encouraging trees. Manage the also distinctive as is Bodmin valley floor wetlands for biodivisity Beacon where the nineteenth- • Encourage appropriate planting century obelisk on the Beacon is around settlements which are a landmark over a wide area. expanding and are in exposed locations. • Protect and enhance the Beacon area in Bodmin. Support the continued management of the Camel Trail.
CA 20 Mid Cornwall Moors Castle-an-Dinas and Belowda An area that despite the presence • Conserve local distinctiveness by LDU 027 Beacon to the west. Helman Tor of the A30 dual carriageway, encouraging farmers to retain rock outcrop is a prominent and retains its wild character. The large boulders within fields. distinctive landmark from the objective must be to protect this • Restore disused china clay neighbouring LCA; large boulders landscape character and manage workings to enhance local in fields, some of which have the valuable habitats, supporting landform and indigenous habitats been removed for use in hedges such schemes as the Heathland and species. and as gate posts. Distinctive Project. • Restore and conserve derelict stone-faced hedges. Extensive mine workings and associated
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areas of wet heath and Wet structures, such as tramways and Woodland. Electricity substation tracks, and maximise their and power station near St Dennis contribution to local biodiversity with associated pylons. and amenity (footpaths). • Conserve important heathland habitats by encouraging grazing regime to prevent scrubbing up and resisting further dumping of inert waste. • Conserve significant and unusual former field systems by providing landowners with information and incentives to ensure their survival.
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SCALE 1:40000 FIGURE 21: AREA OF GREAT LANDSCAPE VALUE ST WENN PARISH
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SCALE 1:40000 FIGURE 22: TOPOGRAPHY OF ST WENN PARISH
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Dark Skies 8.12 Rural areas in Cornwall enjoy a dark sky at night, and because of the lack of development in the St Wenn area the night sky is particularly dark. The dark nightime sky in itself a natural asset which is enjoyed by the community of St Wenn Parish as part of the experience of living in the area. It can also brings several other benefits: • Scientific advantages – enabling enhanced conditions for astronomy; • Educational outreach – facilitating both formal education and more informal activities; • Enjoyment and appreciation – improving quality of life and provide creative inspiration; • Health – promoting improved sleep patterns and reducing stress; • Wildlife – providing a more natural environment for both nocturnal and diurnal animals; and • Energy efficiency – reducing wastage from unnecessary or excessive lighting.
8.13 However, lighting is often installed which is overly bright, needlessly spills upwards, is poorly aimed and creates shadows – making it harder to see as well as being wasteful and harmful to the night sky. This is particularly obvious from the higher ground in the Parish, with the lights from the A30 service area AT Victoria Interchange causing a sky glow to the south, and a significant light ‘bloom’ on misty nights. Summary of Key Distinguishing Characteristics of the St Wenn Parish Landscape 8.15 The distinguishing distinctive and contrasting landscape features include: • the wide rolling pastoral and arable character of the low ridge through the centre of the Parish giving long views from St Wenn village, particularly to the east, overlooking the Ruthern and Demelza Stream valleys • the prominent high rising ground formed by the approach to the lowland heath of St Breock Down to the north, and to the south to Castle an Dinas and Belowda Beacon • Windfarms, individual turbines and masts as prominent features in the field of view; • by contrast the intimacy and small scale of the Ruthern and Demelza Stream valleys, • the characteristic narrow, winding lanes, with high hedges and Cornish hedgerows; • the field patterns, particularly in the lower areas of the Parish, relict of the medieval farming and administrative systems.
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Related Community Engagement Feedback 8.14 The ‘countryside and landscape’ was rated by respondents as the top priority distinctive and attractive character that the Neighbourhood Plan should help to preserve and enhance [WA 4.71]. The associated aspects of ‘peace and tranquillity’ and ‘the dark night sky’ were rated third and fifth priority [Was of 4.46 and 4.27]. Key issues and implications for the NDP • National and local policy is that Planning should: o Protect and enhance valued landscapes o Recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside o Protect tranquil areas which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are prized for their recreational and amenity value for this reason o Limit the impact of light pollution from artificial light on local amenity, intrinsically dark landscapes and nature conservation o be grounded in an understanding and evaluation of each area’s defining characteristics, identifying the special qualities of each area and explaining how this should be reflected in development • The countryside and landscape is perceived by the local community as the most distinctive and attractive character of the Parish that should be preserved and enhanced.
Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • National and local planning policies are sufficient to protect the AGLV and no local policy is needed in the St Wenn NDP. • However there are locally distinctive aspects of the landscape within and outside these areas and an NDP policy could be considered to ensure that new proposals - whether they be for repair, extension or new development - draw their design inspiration from local sources and thereby fit well within existing landscape and topography in character and form of the landscape • A policy encouraging design that will help to preserve the quality of the ‘dark sky’ above the Parish and secure the tranquility and dark skies quality of the landscape for current and future generations should be considered.
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9. Heritage and Design Planning Policy Background
National Planning Policy Framework 2019. 9.1 Key messages include- • Key Heritage assets should be recognised as an ‘irreplaceable resource’ that should be conserved in a ‘manner appropriate to their significance so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of existing and future generations’ (Para 184). This should take account of ‘the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits’ of conservation, including ‘the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets’, the opportunities to draw from the historic environment to support the character of a place, and recognising the positive contribution new development can make to local character and distinctiveness (Para 185). • Plans should set out a ‘positive strategy’ for the ‘conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment’, including those heritage assets that are most at risk (Para 185).. • ‘When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation (and the more important the asset, the greater the weight should be). This is irrespective of whether any potential harm amounts to substantial harm, total loss of less than substantial harm to its significance’ (Para 193).
Cornwall Local Plan. 9.2 Key messages include- • Objective 10 within key theme 4 refers to enhancing and reinforcing local natural, landscape and historic character and distinctiveness and raising the quality of development through; ‘a. Respecting the distinctive character of Cornwall’s diverse landscapes’ …and…’c. Excellence in design that manages change to maintain the distinctive character and quality of Cornwall.’ • CLP Policy 24 relates to the historic environment. It states that development proposals will be permitted where they will sustain the cultural distinctiveness and significance of Cornwall’s historic rural, urban and coastal environment by protecting, conserving and where appropriate enhancing
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the significance of designated and non-designated assets and their settings. Development proposals will be expected to: o sustain designated heritage assets o take opportunities to better reveal their significance o maintain the special character and appearance of Conservation Areas, especially those positive elements in any Conservation Area Appraisal o conserve and, where appropriate, enhance the design, character, appearance and historic significance of historic parks and gardens o conserve and, where appropriate, enhance other historic landscapes and townscapes, including registered battlefields, including the industrial mining heritage o protect the historic maritime environment, including the significant ports, harbours and quays.
Other plans and studies 9.3 ‘A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment’ the Governments 25 Year Environment Plan, includes policies within Chapter 2 ‘Recovering nature and enhancing the beauty of landscapes’ and Goal 6 ‘Enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment’ which directly relate to the Historic Environment SEA theme. 9.4 The Government’s Statement on the Historic Environment for England sets out its vision for the historic environment. It calls for those who have the power to shape the historic environment to recognise its value and to manage it in an intelligent manner in light of the contribution that it can make to social, economic and cultural life. 9.5 Historic England Guidance and Advice notes are particularly relevant and should be read in conjunction with the others: Conservation Area Designation, Appraisal and Management: Historic England Advice Note 1 (February 2016) outlines ways to manage change that conserves and enhances historic areas in order to positively contribute to sustainable development. Principally, the advice note emphasises the importance of:
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• Understanding the different types of special architectural and historic interest which underpin the designations; and • Recognising the value of implementing controls through the appraisal and/or management plan which positively contribute to the significance and value of conservation areas. Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA): Historic England Advice Note 8 (December 2016) provides support to all stakeholders involved in assessing the effects of certain plans and programmes on the historic environment. It offers advice on heritage considerations during each stage of the SA/SEA process and helps to establish the basis for robust and comprehensive assessments.
Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets (2nd Edition) (December 2017) provides general advice on understanding setting, and how it may contribute to the significance of heritage assets and allow that significance to be appreciated, as well as advice on how views can contribute to setting. Specifically, Part 2 of the advice note outlines a five stepped approach to conducting a broad assessment of setting: Step 1: Identify which heritage assets and their settings are affected; Step 2: Assess the degree to which these settings make a contribution to the significance of the heritage asset(s) or allow significance to be appreciated; Step 3: Assess the effects of the proposed development, whether beneficial or harmful, on that significance or on the ability to appreciate it; Step 4: Explore ways to maximise enhancement and avoid or minimise harm; and Step 5: Make and document the decision and monitor outcomes. Neighbourhood Planning and the Historic Environment: Historic England Advice Note 11 (October 2018) outlines the importance of considering the historic environment whilst preparing the plan (section 1), which culminates in a checklist of relevant of issues to consider, followed by an overview of what this means in terms of evidence gathering (section 2). Sections 3 to 5 of the advice note
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focus on how to translate evidence into policy, understand the SEA process and Historic England’s role in neighbourhood planning. 9.6 Cornwall Council’s Historic Environment Supplementary Planning Document [Draft] requires the historic environment impact assessments to: • identify the site, the heritage assets and their settings • Understand its significance, its sensitivities and capacity for change irrespective of any known proposals • Understand the potential impact of specific proposals on that significance • Use that understanding to inform the design process to: • look for opportunities to avoid, minimise or mitigate impact • look for opportunities to better reveal or enhance significance, create a more sustainable and interesting place • justify any harmful impacts (in terms of sustainable development, the need for change, overriding benefits etc.) • offset negative impacts through recording, disseminating and archiving archaeological and historical information.
Baseline
Conservation Areas 9.7 There are no Conservation Areas in the Parish.
Listed Buildings 9.8 Listed Buildings and other structures are those that have been listed by the Secretary of State (for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) as being of special architectural or historic interest. The general principles are that all buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are likely to be listed, as are most buildings built between 1700 and 1850. Particularly careful selection is required for buildings from the period after 1945. Buildings less than 30 years old are not normally considered to be of special architectural or historic interest because they have yet to stand the test of time. On listing, buildings
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are graded as I, II* or II. The grading is a general indication of the level of importance of the building. Grade I and II* buildings make up roughly 2.5% and 5.8% of the total list, respectively. Over 90% are Grade II. 9.9 The effect of listing is that Listed Building Consent will be required for demolition or alteration or extension works that affect the character of the building as a building of special architectural or historic interest. Consent is sought from the local planning authority and procedurally is handled much like a planning application. Anyone carrying out works without proper consent may be required to reverse them and/or face prosecution. 9.10 In St Wenn Parish there are 23 Listed structures. These are;
Church of St Wenna, St Wenn. Grade I Steps Walls and Coffin Rest at the West Entrance to the Churchyard of Church of St Wenna St Wenn. Grade II
Merifield Monument in The Churchyard About 10 Metres North West of Tower of Church of St Wenna Hutchings Monument in The Churchyard About 18 Metres North East of Chancel of Church of St Wenna, St Wenn. Grade II Farmhouse About 100 Metres North West of Church of St Wenna, St Wenn. Grade II Bible Christian Chapel, Tregonetha. Grade II Brentons, Tregonetha. Grade II Tregolls Farmhouse, Grade II Killeganogue Farmhouse, Grade II Farmhouse at The East Side Of Tregonetha Village Green, Grade II Borlase Farmhouse, Grade II Borlase Burgess Farmhouse, Grade II Trewollack House, Grade II
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Cross at Cross Hand, at Sw 957626, Grade II Lancorla Farmhouse, Grade II
Scheduled Monuments 9.11 There are 6 Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the Parish, although some are of multiple objects, so in fact the actual number. These are:
Wayside cross 515m north east of Castle Farm
Burial chamber on St Breock Downs
Eight round barrows north of Scotland Corner, 980m south west of Pawton Gate Farm
Two bowl barrows 385m south east of Higher Tregolls
A bell barrow, a bowl barrow and a platform barrow 620m west of Higher Cransworth
Small multivallate hillfort 127m south east of Demelza Farm
Archaeology 9. 12 Apart from the officially scheduled and protected ancient remains, the Parish features and extensive archaeology, dating from pre-historic times through to the modern. These include features such as Neolithic ‘findspots’, the site of a possible early medieval chapel, evidence of early and later medieval field systems, and post medieval quarries and spoil tips. Historic Landscape Characterisation 9.13 A basic premise of Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) is that the whole of Cornwall is one continuous but multifarious historic landscape. The HLC allows the historic dimension of the whole landscape to be fully considered and provides a readily understood context for surviving archaeological and historical remains. It enables historic environment assessments to be placed alongside the natural environment and other landscape character studies in discussions of sustainable development. 9.14 In St Wenn Parish the Historic Landscape Characterisation shows that the lower land to be mostly medieval, featuring farming settlements documented before the 17th century AD with anciently enclosed
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field patterns that are distinct from the generally straight-sided fields of later enclosure. These areas are fringed by Post-Medieval enclosed land whose field systems have been substantially altered by large-scale hedge removal and intakes from rough ground, woodland and lowland marsh. Dotted around these there are a few areas of plantation (replanting of harvested ancient woodlands and more recent investments), and to the extreme north and south much of the former grassland, marsh and heath was enclosed in the 17th to 19th centuries, leaving just the rough ground at Rosennanon and Tregonetha Downs, plus a few new isolated patches of rough ground such as south of Demelza.
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SCALE: 1:40000 FIGURE 23: LISTED BUILDINGS AND SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENTS ST WENN
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FIGURE 24: ARCHAEOLOGY OF ST WENN. Source:
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FIGURE 25: HISTORIC LANDSCAPE CHARACTERISATION ST WENN
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Morasses, Moors and Marshes - Lost corners of Cornwall’s Historic Environment 9.15 This 2005 study examined the areas of marshes enclosed in the 17th to 19th centuries in the Ruthen valley catchment. The study provides information about the traditional uses of lowland marshes and how they have been lost, demonstrates the changes that has taken place in marshland extend from 1840 to 1996, including a useful habitat mapping at the latter date. It describes the potential benefits of retaining and recreating the wetlands, including ecological, water management and pollution control, landscape and visual amenity and heritage benefits. It that in the later 20th century, small parts of the catchment has seen some reversion to wetlands of the more marginal stretches of streams, especially at their heads where flat ground makes maintaining drainage systems difficult. It concludes that this reversion ‘offers hope that further reversion can be deliberately planned as…. agriculture moves into an era where environmental gains are rewarded as much as production. Fairly easily won ecological, environmental and landscape gains can be made from encouraging improved wetland to return to its former state’. The report goes on to recommend: 1. Cessation of marshland drainage and improvement. a. Work towards changing perceptions of marshland as neglected or wasted farmland b. Extend protection of surviving wetlands 2. Re-creation of marshland a. Tie in re-creation of marshland (relatively easy to achieve) with moves towards more extensive and environmentally aware agricultural practice b. Encourage RDS to adopt marshland re-creation as a Cornish target in Environmental Stewardship 3. Encourage sustainable uses of marshland, especially those that do not act as a drain on a farmer’s time and resources a. Make productive use of willows, alder, reeds, etc; tie in with local crafts networks; work with co-operatives b. Extend use of marshes for wildfowling, either through organised sporting syndicates or through farmers fowling on their own marshes.
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Rosenannon Downs Archaeological Assessment 9.16 This 2000 report is an archaeological and historic assessment of the Rosenannon Downs Nature Reserve. It provides much detail on the historic significance of the area and makes recommendations as to the management of the site in a way that respects this heritage. Heritage and Design 9. 17 The design of buildings has in the past been influenced by factors such as the local availability of construction materials, the technology of the times, social needs and functional roles, and the traditional skills (and ability) of the builders. This has imparted the locally distinctive architectural style and the pattern and layout of development that is now highly valued.
9.18 As part of the preparation of the neighbourhood development plan, the Parish Council commissioned a Design Code from AECOM. This document records that ‘Settlements within the Neighbourhood Plan Area are referenced within the Doomsday book which reinforces the area’s long settlement history, owned until relatively recently by a small number of wealthy landowners. Development within the Neighbourhood Plan Area’s reflect these historical origins as well as the Cornish agricultural context in which they are located. Local material usage and an agricultural aesthetic and morphology underpin the Neighbourhood Plan Area’s development character which is strongly linked to place. Small scale incremental development through the years has resulted in a unified settlement character albeit with demonstrable instances of material evolution through the use of uPVC windows and examples of prefabricated concrete panel construction for farm workers housing. Built-form typologies within the Neighbourhood Plan Area consist of bungalows, 2 storey terraces, semi-detached dwellings and detached dwellings. The scale of built-form also varies across the Neighbourhood Plan Area from modest village terraced cottages on small plots to large farmhouses with substantial acreage’. 9.19 It goes on to note that the elements which help to underpin the special architectural character and quality of built-form within the St Wenn Neighbourhood Plan Area are: • Stone constructed/faced built-form; • Stone constructed/faced lower stories with rendered or slate-hanging upper stories; • Cob construction; • Lime render;
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• Slate roofs with contrasting ridge tile; • The incorporation of chimneys, at times projecting beyond gable ends; • Cornish hedge banks • Stone walls and gate posts; and • External surfacing, cobbles and gravels. 9.20 The report goes on to provide guidance as to how new development in the Parish could be designed to fit into local character. A copy can be downloaded from here: https://plansupport.services/wp- content/uploads/2020/02/St-Wenn-DDC-draft-140012020-compressed.pdf
Related Community Engagement Feedback 9.21 ‘Heritage features’ are valued by respondents, but less than other aspects of distinctive character [WA 3.99]. Respondents consider that the bulk and form of buildings is more important than the detailing.
From your knowledge as a local resident, please say which are the most important features that you think the Plan should give guidance on?
Answer Choice Weighted Average
1 Number of storeys, height, and size of buildings 4.23 2 Use of local/traditional style materials (eg granite, slate) 4.16 3 Relationship with adjoining development 4.09 4 Roof styles 3.94 5 Extensions, dormers and out-buildings 3.80 6 Use of colour in materials, render etc 3.72 7 Window and door design 3.63
Key issues and implications for the NDP • National and local policy is that Planning should:
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o contribute to and enhance the natural and historic environment o ensure that developments function well, are visually attractive, are sympathetic to local character and history, allow an appropriate amount and mix, and create places that are safe, inclusive and healthy o not permit development of poor design o give great weight to outstanding or innovative designs which promote sustainability or help raise the standard of design more generally in the area o give great weight to the conservation of designated heritage assets (which include Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas), o take a balanced judgement on the scale of harm to the significance of non-designated heritage assets o seek opportunities for new development in WHS and the settings of heritage assets to enhance or better reveal their significance o Treat loss of a WHS asset which makes a positive contribution to its significance as substantial or less than substantial harm • Numerous features and areas of historic environment interest and archaeological heritage are present in the parish, including many listed buildings and scheduled monuments. • The setting of the many listed building and the general character of the villages is attractive but, in some places, harm has been caused through new development and extensions. For example, windows and doors marred by modern replacements whilst some of the infill development has paid little regard to the vernacular. • A concern may be that future extensions and repairs to the properties may introduce less sensitive treatments. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • National and local planning policies are sufficient to protect listed heritage assets and no local policy is needed in the St Wenn NDP.
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• Opportunities to enable the repair and subsequently maintenance of heritage assets should be supported. • The adoption of an NDP policy to support development which accords with the Design Code, should be considered, with the aim of raising standards in line with the establishing and appropriate local format.
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FIGURE 26: RUTHERN VALLEY CATCHEMENT 1840. Source: Morasses, Moors and Marshes - Lost corners of Cornwall’s Historic Environment
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FIGURE 27: RUTHERN VALLEY CATCHEMENT 1996. Source: Morasses, Moors and Marshes - Lost corners of Cornwall’s Historic Environment
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10. Accessibility and Connectivity (Transportation)
Planning Policy Background
National Planning Policy Framework 2018.
10.1 Key messages from the NPPF are that Planning should:
o support an appropriate mix of uses across an area, and within larger scale sites, to minimise the number and length of journeys needed for employment, shopping, leisure, education and other activities; o provide for high quality walking and cycling net-works and supporting facilities such as cycle parking (Para 103) o ensure an adequate provision of spaces for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles. (Para 105) o give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements and second to facilitating access to high quality public transport, o address the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility in relation to all modes of transport; o create places that are safe, secure and attractive – which minimise the scope for conflicts be-tween pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, avoid unnecessary street clutter, and respond to local character and design standards; o allow for the efficient delivery of goods, and access by service and emergency vehicles; and be designed to enable charging of plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles in safe, accessible and convenient locations (Para 110) o If setting car parking standards, should take account of the accessibility of the development, the type, mix and use of development, the availability of and opportunities for public transport, local car ownership levels, an overall need to reduce the use of high-emission vehicles (para 105). o Require all developments which generate significant amounts of movement should be required to provide a Travel Plan (Para 111)
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Cornwall Local Plan. 10.2 Key messages are to ensure a resilient and reliable transport system for people, goods and services development through: • Location near to and/or incorporate a mix of uses so that the need to travel will be minimised and the use of sustainable transport modes can be maximised by prioritising safe access by walking, cycling and public transport and providing new facilities and services to minimise car travel; • Convenient accessible and appropriate cycle and pedestrian routes, public transport and road routes within and in the immediate vicinity of the development; as well as the inclusion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and real time passenger information/journey; • Use of effective travel plans to mitigate the impact of development; • Avoiding significant adverse impacts on the local or strategic road network which cannot be managed or mitigated; and • Safeguarding strategic transport opportunities including land around existing facilities to allow for expansion and use for future sustainable modes of travel.
Other plans and studies 10.3 European Common Transport Policy5 and UK transport policies and plans place emphasis on the modernisation and sustainability of the transport network. Specific objectives include reducing pollution and road congestion through improvements to public transport, walking and cycling networks and reducing the need to travel. National policy also focuses on the need for the transport network to support sustainable economic growth. 10.4 ‘Connecting Cornwall 2030’ is the third Local Transport Plan (LTP) for Cornwall6. The plan is a strategic policy tool through which the council exercises its responsibilities for planning, management and the development of transport in the county. The vision of the plan is that by 2030 ‘transport in Cornwall will be excellent, with our transport system connecting people, communities,
5 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/123/common-transport-policy-overview 6 http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/transport-policy/local-transport-plan-connecting-cornwall-2030/connecting-cornwall-2030-strategy/
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businesses and services in a way that is reliable, efficient, safe, inclusive and enjoyable’. In order to achieve this goal, the LTP is supported by implementation plans that cover 3-4 year periods up until 2030, with the most recent plan covering the period 2015-2019.UK transport policy Baseline
Rail Network 10.5 There are no rail lines or railway station serving the Parish directly. Rail journeys must be started at either Roche or St Columb to access the Newquay branch line, and to Bodmin Parkway or St Austell for the national rail routes. Bus Network 10.6 Two infrequent bus services serve the core of the Parish. For access to services the 405 from Pedna Carne via Nanstallon to Bodmin, is operated by Age UK CIoS. The bus runs Tuesday and Fridays only, leaving Rosenannon at 10.08 and the St Wenn Turn at 10.15, arriving Bodmin at 10.48, with request stops at Sainsburys and Morrisons. The return journey departs 13.07, arriving St Wenn Turn at 13.40 and Rosenannon at 13.47, allowing just over 2 hours in Bodmin for shopping etc. 10.7 For access to education at Nanstallon School, Robartes Junior and Bodmin College, the 453 operated by Travel Cornwall leaves Tregonetha at 07.43, taking approximately 1 hour to reach the College. The return trip leaves at 15.40, reaching Tregonetha at 16.22. Road Network 10.7 The principal road route into St Wenn Parish is the B3274 which connects Tregonetha with Roche to the south, and then onto the Victoria interchange on the A30 trunk road, giving access to Truro and Bodmin. To the north the B3274 leads to Padstow, crossing the A39, which gives access to Wadebridge and St Columb. The remaining roads in the Parish are either C roads or are unclassified. These roads are quite long almost universally narrow with poor vertical and horizontal geometry. The village centre of St Wenn is included in the County level Sensitive Traffic Route assessment as being traffic sensitive at school drop-off and pick-up periods. The nearest motorway is the M5 which begins at Exeter. Availability of Cars and Vans 10.8 Based on the 2011 census data presented in Figure 26, 93.5% of households in the Neighbourhood Plan area have access to at least one car or van, which is very significantly higher
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than the percentages for Cornwall (82.7%), the South West of England (81.1%) and England (74.2%). The percentage of households in the Neighbourhood Plan area with access to at least two cars or vans (65.9%) was very much higher than the total for Cornwall (38.0%), the South West of England (37.6%) and England (32.0%). 10.9 As shown in Figure 26, the most popular method of travelling to work in the Neighbourhood Plan area is via driving a car or van (56.3%) which is less than Cornwall (64.5%), the South West of England (62.3%), and England (57.0%). The lower proportion of other forms of journey to work are accounted for by the much higher proportion of those who work mainly at or from home , at 25.5% compared to Cornwall (8.7%), the SW (7.0%), and England (5.4%). In Total, the daily travel to work alone consumes 2,593 km. Parking 10.10 There is various on and off-road parking in the villages, including a community funded car park alongside the St Wenn Church and School. However the majority of parking is either on-site, in a few laybys, and on-street, the latter often heavily competed for and acting as a source of obstruction to the flow of wider vehicles. Public Rights of Way, Cycleways, footpaths and bridleways 10.11 St Wenn has a reasonably good network of footpaths, and many local lanes that typically have light traffic, which are local assets for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. However, some of the lanes can be steep of have high banks, making them uncomfortable for pedestrians and cyclists. To the east immediately abutting the Parish boundary is the Saints’ Way Trail, which crosses mid-Cornwall from coast to coast covering approximately 30 miles / 48 Km from Padstow in the north to Fowey in the south. St Wenn Parish has no current connections to the National Cycle Network Related Community Engagement Feedback
11.12 Respnondents put improved public footpath maintenance [WA 3.72] Low speed limits (i.e. 20 MPH areas) [WA 3.63] and extended speed limit areas [WA 3.37] as priorities for change, but people are less positive about traffic calming [WA 2.73]. Comments suggest road marking at the School to prevent dangerous parking and a need for improved road maintenance to deal with frequent potholes and flooding There are several comments about blocked and poorly maintained footpaths. Better signage is seen as a help.
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Key issues and implications for the NDP • National and local policy is that Planning should: o Prioritises safe access by walking, cycling and public transport and providing new facilities and services to minimise car travel o incorporates facilities for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles o prevent development which will cause increased risk to human health from air pollution or exceeding EU standards (Policy 10) • Accessibility to services and facilities is a key issue in the parish. • The road and footpath network links settlements reasonably well, but the roads are constrained by vertical and horizontal alignment restrictions, ands road safety is perceived as an issue due to the lack of pavements on the narrow roads, so there is a demand for more pedestrian links. • Within the villages the unclassified roads are often congested from parked vehicles, and speeding is seen as an issue. • Public transport links are reasonable at least from Stoke Climsland Village and Venterdon, but reliance on jobs in major employment centres means the parish has a high car dependency and car ownership is much higher than Cornwall averages. • There is ‘Superfast Broadband’ throughout the parish but speeds can vary. This affects the ability of residents to access information and the performance of businesses that rely on broadband as a means of communication in a rural area. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • Consideration should be given to including policy criteria in the NDP that encourages a sustainable transport hierarchy in new developments. • Consideration should be given to include a policy relating to the protection and enhancement of footpaths and their identification as a CIL priority.
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FIGURE 28: CAR AND VAN AVAILABILITY 50.0%
45.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0% St Wenn 25.0% Cornwall South West 20.0% England
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0% No cars or vans in 1 car or van in 2 cars or vans in 3 cars or vans in 4 or more cars or vans household household household household in household
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FIGURE 29: ST WENN: METHOD OF JOURNEY TO WORK 70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0% St Wenn 20.0% Cornwall South West 10.0% England
0.0%
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FIGURE 30: FOOTPATHS IN ST WENN PARISH
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11. Climate Change (including drainage and flood risk)
Planning Policy Background 11.1 Climate change represents a fundamental threat to global well-being, which is recognised internationally though the Kyoto and Paris Climate Conference Agreements and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) Interim Report, 20187 . The UK Government has a commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% on 1990 levels by 2025 and by 80% on 1990 levels by 2050. In May 2019, Parliament declared a 'climate change emergency'. In May 2019 the Committee on Climate Change recommended a ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 and a new law mandating this is under discussion8. 11.2 The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment is published on a 5-yearly cycle in accordance with the requirements of the Climate Change Act 2008. It required the Government to compile an assessment of the risks for the UK arising from climate change, and then to develop an adaptation programme to address those risks and deliver resilience to climate change on the ground. For both the 2012 and the 2017 UK Climate Change Risk Assessment, the Adaptation Sub-Committee commissioned an evidence report aiming to understand the current and future climate risks and opportunities. The evidence report contains six priority risk areas requiring additional action in the next five years, see below9 : • Flooding and coastal change risks to communities, businesses and infrastructure; • Risks to health, well-being and productivity from high temperatures; • Risk of shortages in the public water supply, and for agriculture, energy generation and industry; • Risks to natural capital, including terrestrial, coastal, marine and freshwater ecosystems, soils and biodiversity; • Risks to domestic and international food production and trade; and
7 https://report.ipcc.ch/sr15/pdf/sr15_spm_final.pdf 8 https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Net-Zero-The-UKs-contribution-to-stopping-global-warming.pdf 9 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-climate-change-risk-assessment-2017
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• New and emerging pests and diseases, and invasive non-native species, affecting people, plants and animals. 11.3 The UK Climate Change Act was passed in 2008 and established a framework to develop an economically credible emissions reduction path. It also highlighted the role it would take in contributing to collective action to tackle climate change under the Kyoto Protocol, and more recently as part of the UN-led Paris Agreement. 11.4 The Climate Change Act includes the following:
• 2050 Target. The Act commits the UK to reducing emissions by at least 80% in 2050 from 1990 levels. • Carbon Budgets. The Act requires the Government to set legally binding ‘carbon budgets’. A carbon budget is a cap on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in the UK over a five- year period. The carbon budgets are designed to reflect the cost-effective path to achieving the UK’s long-term objectives. The first five carbon budgets have been put into legislation and run up to 2032. • The Committee on Climate Change was set up to advise the Government on emissions targets, and report to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 11.5 The National Adaptation Programme requires the Government to assess the risks to the UK from climate change, prepare a strategy to address them, and encourage key organisations to do the same10. 11.6. The Committee on Climate Change report listed the ‘key pillars’ of a net-zero economy, including a supply of low-carbon electricity (which will need to quadruple by 2050), efficient buildings and low- carbon heating (required throughout the UK’s building stock), electric vehicles (which should be the only option from 2035 or earlier), developing carbon capture and storage technology.
National Planning Policy Framework 2019. 11.7 One of the three overarching objectives of the NPPF is an environmental objective to ‘contribute to protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment’ including by ‘mitigating and adapting
10 https://www.theccc.org.uk/tackling-climate-change/preparing-for-climate-change/uk-adaptation-policy/
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to climate change’ and ‘moving to a low carbon economy.’ ‘NPPF 2018 (Para 148) says that the planning system should support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate, taking full account of flood risk and coastal change. It should help to:
o shape places in ways that contribute to radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, minimise vulnerability and improve resilience;
o encourage the reuse of existing resources, including the conversion of existing buildings; and
o support renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure. 11.8 ‘Plans should take a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change, taking into account the long-term implications for flood risk, coastal change, water supply, biodiversity and landscapes, and the risk of overheating from rising temperatures. Policies should support appropriate measures to ensure the future resilience of communities and infrastructure to climate change impacts, such as providing space for physical protection measures, or making provision for the possible future relocation of vulnerable development and infrastructure.’ 11.9 Para 152 of NPPF 2018 encourages planning support for community-led initiatives for renewable and low carbon energy, including developments outside areas identified in local plans or other strategic policies that are being taken forward through neighbourhood planning. 12.10 Direct development away from areas at highest risk of flooding (whether existing or future). ‘Where development is necessary, it should be made safe for its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere.’
The Cornwall Local Plan: Strategic Policies. 11.11 Objective 9(a) and 9(d) within key theme number 4 states to ‘reduce energy consumption while increasing renewable and low carbon energy production’ and to ‘increase resilience to climate change’. In Policy 2 it says that development should assist the creation of resilient and cohesive communities by: a. Delivering renewable and low carbon energies, increasing energy efficiency and minimising resource consumption through a range of renewable and low carbon technologies;…..g. Supporting smart specialisation sectors including; food; aerospace; marine; renewable energies (including geothermal); and cultural industries’
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11.12 Policy 14 strongly supports the development of proposals that will increase use of and production of renewable and low carbon energy. It adds that in the case of wind turbines, they are within an area allocated by Neighbourhood Plans for wind power and avoid, or adequately mitigate shadow flicker, noise and adverse impact on air traffic operations, radar and air navigational installations. It also says that 'In and within the setting of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and undeveloped coast, developments will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances and should generally be very small scale in order that the natural beauty of these areas may be conserved. When considering proposals for renewables that impact upon the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its setting and / or the World Heritage Site or other historic assets and their settings, applicants should apply other relevant policies in the Plan’. 11.3 The following also directly rate to Climate Change:
• Policy 14: Renewable and low carbon energy; • Policy 15: Safeguarding renewable energy; • Policy 25: Green infrastructure; and • Policy 26: Flood risk management and coastal change 11.14 The lower case text in CLP says that 'Proposals within the AONB, or those that would affect its setting will be supported where they are small scale and meet an identified local need, where landscape capacity can be demonstrated and the natural beauty of the AONB can be conserved and enhanced in accordance with Policy 23’.
Other plans and studies 11. 15 The Flood and Water Management Act11 highlights that alternatives to traditional engineering approaches to flood risk management include:
• Incorporating greater resilience measures into the design of new buildings, and retro-fitting properties at risk (including historic buildings);
11 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/29/contents
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• Utilising the environment in order to reduce flooding, for example through the management of land to reduce runoff and through harnessing the ability of wetlands to store water;
• Identifying areas suitable for inundation and water storage to reduce the risk of flooding elsewhere;
• Planning to roll back development in coastal areas to avoid damage from flooding or coastal erosion; and
• Creating sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). 11.16 Further guidance is provided in the document ‘Planning for SuDS’12. This report calls for greater recognition of the multiple benefits that water management can present. It suggests that successful SuDS are capable of ‘contributing to local quality of life and green infrastructure’. 11.17 Detailed guidance on specific considerations, such as landscape and cumulative impact (in particular for wind turbines and solar farms) is given in detailed Planning Advice given by Cornwall Council to provide a proactive tool guide new development, inform planning decisions and support the development of Neighbourhood Plans across Cornwall. This advice can be found on the Cornwall Council website at: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/18406307/cornwall-renewable-energy-planning-advice-march-2016.pdf 11.18 This includes a Landscape Sensitivity and Strategy Matrice for each Landscape Character Area: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/18361627/renewable-spd-march-2016-appendix-1.pdf 11.19 “Neighbourhood Planning Energy efficiency and renewable energy; a community-led approach” by Cornwall Council (http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/19534882/neighbourhood-planning-advice-energy-efficiency-and- renewable-energy-a-community-led-approach-final.pdf )says that ‘Neighbourhood Plans can include policies which support a range of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies which are appropriate for the area, promote community ownership and encourage associated jobs. In doing so, they can help tackle some of the key issues facing communities today and in the future. A Plan which focuses on community ownership and leadership can provide long term sources of income for the community, reduce fuel bills and lead to improved living conditions for residents’.
12 http://www.ciria.org/Resources/Free_publications/Planning_for_SuDS_ma.aspx
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Cornwall Climate Emergency Development Plan Document [DPD] 11.20 Para 4.0.1 of the consultation draft DPD says it ‘will act as an umbrella document to help in the development of Neighbourhood Development Plans, creating a link between the Local Plan and the climate emergency. Cornwall Council is keen to put in place policies that create consistent standards to help applicants and communities. Whilst there will be a number of local actions that groups will wish to pursue, Neighbourhood Development Plans will be expected to follow the emerging policies and guidance set out in this DPD when considering developing policies in their neighbourhood plan areas to help ensure later conformity. Further guidance has been developed by the Neighbourhood Plan team to help guide groups that wish to create local climate change policies and how they fit with the policies of the DPD’.
11.21 The Draft DPD says in its policy RE1 that:
Wind energy development proposals will be permitted where they: a. Are located in a ‘broad suitable area’ identified on the Policies Map or are for the repowering of an existing wind turbine/farm; and b. Demonstrate that, following consultation, the planning impacts identified by the affected local community have been fully addressed by the proposal; and c. Avoid or adequately mitigate shadow, flicker, noise and adverse impact on air traffic operations, radar and air navigational installations; and d. Do not have an overshadowing or overbearing effect on nearby habitations. e. Ensure that potential implications of wind farm development on the migratory flightpaths of birds in Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are considered where they would be within a 3km buffer of the Marazion Marsh SPA, Tamar Estuaries Complex SPA and the Falmouth Bay to St Austell Bay SPA. Solar energy development proposals, including both building mounted and standalone ground mounted installations and extensions or repowering of solar installations will be supported where they are focussed on previously developed land and away from best and most versatile agricultural land unless exceptionally justified. Hydroelectricity development proposals will be supported as part of the transition to a low carbon economy where they can demonstrate that they would not have significant adverse impacts on the water regime, landscape and nature conservation. a. Hydroelectricity schemes in estuaries (e.g. tidal barrages or tidal stream technologies) will need to demonstrate that they do not impact the hydrodynamic regime in intertidal habitats. Any identified impacts will need to be addressed in consultation with the Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation. b. Applications should provide an assessment of the potential impacts of in-river hydroelectricity schemes in their Habitat Regulations Assessment. Any potential impacts on the migratory behaviour of Anadromous fish or the continuity of riverine habitats should be addressed through proposed mitigation accompanying the application.
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Deep geothermal and mine water energy development proposals will be supported as part of the transition to a low carbon economy where: a. the outstanding universal value of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, the significance of heritage assets and their settings, and the character of historic townscapes, landscapes and seascapes are conserved and, where appropriate, enhanced; b. There would not be a significant adverse impact on the water regime and water quality impacts are assessed and adequately mitigated; and c. The visual impact of associated buildings and equipment is minimised.
Energy storage: There is a presumption in favour of energy storage where it meets one or more of the following: a. it is co-located with an existing or proposed renewable energy development; b. it can be shown that it alleviates grid constraints; c. it allows further renewable developments to be deployed.
11.22 When the Climate Emergency DPD is adopted following its Examination, it will supersede any policies on renewable energy in the St Wenn NDP. However, in the interim it is appropriate for the NDP to include policies on renewable energy, and those policies will remain a material consideration.
1.23 A copy of the document can be found here.
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/ytsowko1/climate-emergency-dpd.pdf
Baseline
Contribution to Climate Change 11.17 In relation to greenhouse gas emissions, source data from the Department of Energy and Climate Change suggests that Cornwall has broadly similar per capita emissions in comparison to the South West of England and England as a whole since 2005 (see Table 4.1). Cornwall has also seen a 36.3% reduction in the percentage of total emissions per capita between 2005 and 2016, slightly lower than the reductions for the South West of England (36.7%) and England (37.6%).
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Potential effects of Climate Change 11.18 The outcome of research on the probable effects of climate change in the UK was released in 2018 by the UK Climate Projections (UKCP18) team13. UKCP18 gives climate information for the UK up to the end of this century and projections of future changes to the climate are provided, based on simulations from climate models. Projections are broken down to a regional level across the UK and are shown in probabilistic form, which illustrate the potential range of changes and the level of confidence in each prediction. 11.19 As highlighted by the research, the effects of climate change (under medium emissions scenarios 50th percentile) for South West England during the period 2040-2059 compared to the period1981-2000 are likely to be as follows14: • The central estimate of increase in annual mean temperatures of between 2ºC and 3ºC; • The central estimate of change in annual mean precipitation of +10 to +20% in winter and - 20% to -30% in summer. 11.20 Resulting from these changes, a range of risks may exist for the Neighbourhood Plan area, including:
• Increased incidence of heat related illnesses and deaths during the summer; • Increased incidence of illnesses and deaths related to exposure to sunlight (e.g. skin cancer, cataracts); • Increased incidence of pathogen related diseases (e.g. Covid-19, legionella and salmonella); • Increase in health problems related to rise in local ozone levels during summer; • Increased risk of injuries and deaths due to increased number of storm events; • Effects on water resources from climate change; • Reduction in availability of groundwater for abstraction; • Adverse effect on water quality from low stream levels and turbulent stream flow after heavy rain;
13 http://ukclimateprojections.metoffice.gov.uk/ 14 https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/approach/collaboration/ukcp/land-projection-maps
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• Increased risk of flooding, including increased vulnerability to 1:100 year floods; • Changes in insurance provisions for flood damage; • A need to increase the capacity of wastewater treatment plants and sewers; • A need to upgrade flood defences; • Soil erosion due to flash flooding; • Loss of species that are at the edge of their southerly distribution; • Spread of species at the northern edge of their distribution; • Deterioration in working conditions due to increased temperatures; • Changes to global supply chain; • Increased difficulty of food preparation, handling and storage due to higher temperatures; • An increased move by the insurance industry towards a more risk-based approach to insurance underwriting, leading to higher cost premiums for business; • Increased demand for air-conditioning; • Increased drought and flood related problems such as soil shrinkages and subsidence; • Risk of road surfaces melting more frequently due to increased temperature; and • Flooding of roads. Flood Risk 11.30 New development should be sustainable and be located in sustainable locations. In flood risk terms, this means that development should be directed to areas at the lowest risk of flooding. Inappropriate development in flood risk areas should be avoided, to limit risk to people and property. It also means that new development should not make existing flood risk worse and should reduce existing overall flood risk where possible. It is therefore important that information about flood risk is available to planners and developers from early on in the planning process. 11.31 The Cornwall Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) provides a tool to assess the flood risk in Cornwall. The SFRA gives essential information for the allocation of land for development. It also provides information for planners and developers to manage development, to limit flood risk to people and property wherever possible and manage the risk elsewhere.
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11.32 Figure 29 following indicates that there are flood risk issues in the Ruthern Valley, particularly affecting roads in Rosennanon and further east along the valley. CO2 Emissions in St Wenn Area 11.33 The UK Emissions Data Map shows the range of St Wenn Parish emissions per annum for each SqKm. (See Figure 33). From this it can be seen that the Parish lies in an area of lower CO2 emissions, enclosed entirely by higher emission areas along the A30, the A39 and A389.
Generation Potential
1. Wind Turbines 11.34 The main source of information on the UK wind resource is the NOABL (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Boundary Layer) wind speed database produced for the former Department of Trade and Industry. The database contains estimates of the annual mean wind speed throughout the UK at a height of 10m, 25m and 45m above ground level (agl). The database has a resolution of a 1km grid square. 11.35 The minimum economic wind speed (i.e. the speed at which a turbine becomes economically viable) used in Cornwall Council studies is a level of 5.5m/s at 10m above ground level so this has been used in this assessment. 11.36. One limitation of the NOABL dataset is its resolution. A 1km square resolution at the normal measurement level of 45m does not allow for variations in local topographical effects and surface roughness. As the wind shear is affected greatly by local topography and the surrounding environment (i.e. trees, walls, buildings etc) it is more appropriate to use the 10m dataset with the known minimum economic wind speed at the same level. Therefore, all grid squares with a wind speed below 5.5m/s at 10m height can be discounted as having commercial wind generation potential, although there may still be potential for small scale turbines to support energy independence for small group of dwellings or farmsteads. From Figures 31 and 32 it can be seen that potential exists mainly to the west and south of the Parish.
Figure 32a, drawn from the Cornwall Council Climate emergency DPD ‘broad suitable area’ on the DPD Policies Map, suggests that the entire Parish is suitable for turbines up to and including band C in size.
TURBINE HEIGHT BANDING a) BAND A TURBINES (APPROX. 18-25 METRES TO TIP, EXCLUDES ROOF MOUNTED TURBINES);
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b) BAND B TURBINES (APPROX. 26-60 METRES TO TIP); c) BAND C TURBINES (APPROX. 61-99 METRES TO TIP); d) BAND D TURBINES (APPROX. 100-150 METRES TO TIP).
TURBINE CLUSTER SIZES a) SINGLE TURBINE b) SMALL SCALE CLUSTERS (UP TO 5 TURBINES) c) MEDIUM SCALE CLUSTERS (6-10 TURBINES) d) LARGE SCALE CLUSTERS (11-25 TURBINES) e) VERY LARGE SCALE CLUSTERS (>26 TURBINES)
SOLAR PANEL ARRAY SITE BANDINGS • BAND A: < 1 HA (2.5 ACRES) • BAND B: >1 TO 5 HA (2.5 TO 12.4 ACRES) • BAND C: >5 TO 10 HA (12.4 TO 25 ACRES) SOURCE: ‘CORNWALL RENEWABLE ENERGY PLANNING ADVICE SPD’ MARCH 2016.
2. Solar Arrays 11.37 As can be seen from figure 33, the entire area is in the zone exposed to 3.39 kWh/m2/day solar radiation and therefore with potential to support solar array farms. This is of course constrained by landscape factors affecting the southerly facing slopes. 11.38 Domestic Solar Panels. Currently, solar panels on residential houses with the average 28 SqM (‘4Kw rated’) set up can produce 3,400 kW per annum, enough to power a typical three-bedroom house for a year (Energy Saving Trust). This varies throughout the year, being lower in the winter time when extra heating is required for houses. The average house consumes 8.5 – 10kWh electricity a day plus 33-38kWh gas per day. So, although solar panels can positively contribute to the renewable energy used in a home it cannot provide sufficient energy for heating and lighting unless the solar energy is being produced from a larger communal plant. Fitting of solar panels to heritage buildings can be detrimental to historic settings and significance. Most domestic solar panel fittings do not require planning permission and so are outside the scope of the NDP, however the Plan could encourage provision as part of a general support for micro-generation.
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3. Geothermal 11.39. For every 1kW of energy consumed by the operation of a heat pump around 4kW of energy is generated in return. Although relatively expensive to install heat pumps have low maintenance requirements giving close to 300% cost effectiveness overall. Fitting of heat pumps to heritage buildings can be detrimental to historic settings and significance. Most domestic and small-scale industrial ground source heat pump fittings do not require planning permission and so are outside the scope of the NDP, however the Plan could encourage provision as part of a general support for micro-generation. 11.40. Deep Geothermal. Due to the lack of intensive mining into subterranean granite across the parish there is likely to be little potential for relatively easy access to harness energy from water which has absorbed heat from surrounding rock in deep mineshafts. 4. Heat Pumps (air to air and air to water). 11.41 These are the most energy efficient ways of generating energy as although they use electricity to run the pump, they have a coefficient ratio of between 3 and 4 times in producing electricity. They are considered very appropriate for houses with good thermal insulation especially new homes and can be installed in existing properties to good effect. Fitting of heat pumps to heritage buildings can be detrimental to historic settings and significance. Most domestic and small-scale industrial air heat pump fittings do not require planning permission and so are outside the scope of the NDP, however the Plan could encourage provision as part of a general support for micro-generation. 5. Biomass boilers. 11.42 These are mostly run on wood chip and create CO2 as they burn. At best these are only carbon neutral if the wood and fibre used in them are grown for that purpose, during which time they may capture a nearly equivalent amount of CO2 through photosynthesis, although there can be negative biodiversity impacts as large tracts of mono-culture planting can be encouraged. Felling of existing woodland for biomass boilers would not be positive, reducing the beneficial effect that trees have in consuming carbon dioxide, supporting biodiversity and contributing to landscape character. The use of forestry residue and ‘waste wood’ may be insecure and involve considerable transportation. Larger biomass boilers can produce other emissions and noise which can be an issue for nearby residential development. However, smaller boilers may have a small role to play in microgeneration for small numbers of homes where there is a reliable and nearby sustainable supply of the biomass.
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6. Microgeneration. 11.43 Microgeneration15 is the production of heat or power on a small scale, using a variety of local means, for consumption nearby. To meet the key target of net-zero carbon by 2050 our homes need to be decarbonised to 0% (Ref CCC). In order to support this target, the UK Government announced in March 2019 that no new homes could be heated by fossil fuels from 2025 and by 2050 all homes would have to be heated from a renewable heat source. However, the future ability of the Grid to collect and deliver renewable energy on a macro scale is uncertain, and these targets are consequently likely to spur on microgeneration, promoting energy diversity and alleviating concerns relating to security of supply, energy shortages and power cuts. This will also support the current trend towards the local consumption of locally generated electricity often on site, to support farms, businesses and groups of homes, which will encourage take up of renewable generation opportunities. To counter the unpredictability of wind and solar energy, the use of new small-scale electric storage technologies is likely to emerge and is likely to be an important component in microgeneration. 11.44. It is a realistic prospect that our homes can be heated by either one or a combination of microgeneration systems. The NPPF 2018 (para. 151c) says we should ‘identify opportunities for development to draw its energy supply from decentralised, renewable or low carbon energy supply systems and for co-locating potential heat customers and suppliers’. 7. Hydro Electric Generation. 11.45 Due to its topography, St Wenn Parish may have some opportunity for hydroelectric power generation. The ‘Technical Paper E2: An Assessment of the Renewable Energy Resource Potential in Cornwall’ Cornwall Council March 2013, indicates that up to 10kw of hydro power could be generated in the Parish. Hydro power, harnessing the energy of our rivers as they fall towards the sea, can be of very low impact if small and carefully designed nor to interfere with natural pathways form of energy production, and can provide opportunities for small farms and dwellings to go ‘off grid’ easily. Larger schemes can have significant negative impacts on landscape, biodiversity and hydrology. The high quality of the Ruthern Valley and Demelza Stream, with the associated biodiversity, would be a major constraint.
15 To be regarded as microgeneration the installation should meet the definition of microgeneration under the terms of the Green Energy Act 2009 and adopted by the Government’s microgeneration strategy i.e. up to 50kW for electricity and up to 300kWth for heat. This limit allows that microgeneration technologies can be installed at scale above domestic - namely community and small commercial sites.
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Current Provision of Renewable Energy
A12/02635 | Proposed Endurance E3120 wind turbine and ancilliary equipment (Turbine height 24m to hub. 3 x Blades at 9m each. Max blade tip height 33m. Rotor diameter 19.2m.) | Higher Tregolls Tregolls Hill St Wenn Bodmin Cornwall PL30 5NT
PA13/10652 | Installation of 1 x 5 kW small wind turbine (Evance R9000) on a 15m tower. | Pengelly Farm St Wenn Bodmin Cornwall PL30 5PR
PA15/01769 | Siting of a single small endurance 3 bladed, horizontal axis wind turbine measuring 25 metres to the hub and 34.5 metres to the tip, with associated equipment cabinet | Land West Of Lancorla Farm Kernick Road St Wenn Bodmin Cornw
PA11/00508 | Installation of a 5 KW Evance Iskra R9000 Wind Turbine on a free standing 18m mast. The turbine has a triple blade design. | Kerpit Farm St Wenn Bodmin Cornwall PL30 5PF
PA15/03281 | Installation and operation of a 100kW ground mount solar array at Kathellen | Kathellen St Wenn Bodmin PL30 5PL
Related Community Engagement Feedback 11.46 Overall respondents are marginally in favour of identifying areas for one or more wind turbines, suggesting some clear nervousness about the impact of new turbines on the countryside and landscape that is so valued by local people. However, support for a community energy project is clearly more positive.
Please say whether you agree or disagree with the following statement:
Strongly Positive / Weighted Disagree Neutral Agree Negative Average The St Wenn Parish Neighbourhood Plan 27.9% 1.5% 23.5% 14.7% 32.4% should identify areas for one or more wind 47.1% / 29.4% 3.22 (19) (1) (16) (10) (22) turbines in its area. I would support a community energy 9.0% 0.0% 17.9% 32.8% 40.3% 73.1% / 9% 3.96 project for St Wenn Parish (6) (0) (12) (22) (27)
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11.47 Respondents more strongly support the adoption of design approaches in new development that will reduce carbon footprints.
The Neighbourhood Plan could also encourage designs in new development that will reduce their ‘carbon footprint’ and be eco-friendly. Please say which aspects you think are the most important:
Answer Choice Weighted Average Using more thermally efficient building materials, loft and wall 1 4.59 insulation and double glazing. Sensitive fitting of energy efficiency measures in heritage 2 4.31 properties. New housing developments to achieve 5 stars in sustainable 3 building quality assessments. 4.26
4 Installing on-site renewable sources 4.04 5 Layout to optimise passive solar gain and natural cooling 4.00 6 Use of rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling etc) 3.93 7 Provision of shelter belt planting in areas exposed to wind 3.90
Key issues and implications for the NDP • National and local policy is that Planning should:
o support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate…contribute to radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions…minimise vulnerability and improve resilience… support renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure
o take account of landform, layout, building orientation, massing and landscaping to minimise energy consumption.
o support community-led initiatives for renewable and low carbon energy, being taken forward through neighbourhood planning • The emerging Cornwall Council Climate Emergency Development Plan Document includes polices on a range of climate change issues that will be relevant during the period to 2030 and beyond.
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• The Parish is the location for 5 small to medium scale wind-turbines but several large individual and grouped turbines are visible in locations around the Parish. • Wind speeds sufficient to support wind turbines exist across the Parish. However, the opportunities for large multi wind turbine schemes are very restricted because of the intervisibility of the existing wind turbines on the landscape setting of the Parish. • There is the potential for single turbines at a scale of A to C to support farm energy independence. • Potential for solar generation is fair but constrained by landscape factors affecting the southerly facing slopes. • Due to its topography, St Wenn Parish may have some opportunity for hydroelectric power generation. • Overall the community of the Parish see a need to take action to deal with the causes and impacts of climate change. Those supporting renewable energy are more in favour of solar as a solution (as opposed to wind) but there are also many people who do not welcome any kind of renewable measures. In terms of siting the general consensus is to be away from housing or out of sight. Respondents more strongly support the adoption of design approaches in new development that will reduce carbon footprints. • Flooding is seen as the main local impact from climate change.
Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • Aiming to be Carbon Neutral by 2030 is not realistically achievable. • Policies should be considered which encourage measures to reduce the causes of climate change, covering for example: . Encourage energy efficient and small carbon footprint development . Encouraging 10% (or more) of energy consumption on a site to be generated on site or other sustainable source . Encourage community sustainable energy projects . Encourage ‘modal shift’ from cars . Encourage digital networks to reduce need to travel . Encourage the inclusion of facilities for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles . Planting to encourage carbon sequestration (natural solutions). . Support local community ‘coproduction’ of foods, goods • Policies to reduce impact of climate change could also be included, covering:
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. Layouts that encourage passive cooling / Planting to provide shade . Use sustainable materials . Flood management including ’natural’ SUDS . Dealing with ground instability . Green Infrastructure Networks • Bearing in mind the need to support agriculture and other land based industry, and encourage community take-up of locally generated renewable energy, whilst taking into account community concerns about possible environmental impacts, planning policy could support single turbines and other forms of generation (PV, Hydro, Thermal) facilities subject to careful criteria • Any Planning policy in the NDP on renewable energy generation should refer to the ‘Landscape strategy and siting guidance’ given in Cornwall Council’s Landscape Sensitivity and Strategy Matrices for each Landscape Character Area. March 2016 • When the Climate Emergency DPD is adopted following its Examination, it will supersede any policies on renewable energy in the St Wenn NDP. However, in the interim it is appropriate for the NDP to include policies on renewable energy and these policies will remain as a material consideration.
•
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FIGURE 31: CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS AND SOURCES, PLUS EMISSIONS PER CAPITA, 2005- 2016 Industrial and Commercial (t CO2) Domestic (t CO2) Transport (t CO2) Total (t CO2)
8.5 8.4 8.1 8 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.8 7.6 7.6 7.3 7.3 7.2 7 7 6.8 6.7 6.7 6.6 6.6 6.5 6.4 6.4 6.3 6.2 6.1 6.1 5.9 5.8 5.7 5.6 5.4 5.3 5.3 5.1 5
3.8 3.8 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 3.1 3 3 3 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.5
CORNWALL SOUTH WEST ENGLAND 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
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FIGURE 32: EXTRACT FROM STRATEGIC FLOOD RISK ASSESMENT MAPPING, ST WENN PARISH
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FIGURE 33: CO2 EMISSIONS IN ST WENN PARISH AND VICINITY
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FIGURE 34: MINIMUM ECONOMIC WIND SPEED (5.5 M/S AT 10M HEIGHT) (SOURCE: RENMAPS) NB: Yellow and red 1km squares have ‘economic windspeed’ for wind energy generation.
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FIGURE 35: WIND SPEED AT 45M HEIGHT) (SOURCE: RENMAPS)
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FIGURE 36: SOLAR ENERGY POTENTIAL IN ST WENN PARISH
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FIGURE 36A: Are suitable for wind energy generation (Source: CC Interactive Mapping) Suitable for Wind Band C Turbines
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12. SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RESULTS ON PLAN SCOPE
12.1 In the survey, respondents were asked to suggest which topics should be covered in the NDP. In response they said:
Answer Choice Weighted Average
1 The countryside and landscape 4.58 2 Local wildlife and biodiversity 4.51 3 Green spaces 4.30 4 Climate change causes and impacts 4.11 5 Affordable housing for local people 4.10 6 Size and design of new homes and other buildings 4.07 7 Transport links 4.07 8 Community facilities, activities and groups 4.03 9 Local heritage 3.99 10 Health facilities and wellbeing 3.87 11 Commercial development/employment/enterprise 3.21 12 Tourism development 2.62
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SUMMARY KEY ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
Figure 37: Key Issues and Implications from the Evidence Baseline.
Theme Key Issues and what they mean for our Neighbourhood Development Plan Our Community • National and local policy is that Planning should: • ensure adequate provision of housing, social and community facilities, for all residents • ensure there are no harmful impacts on health and well-being • maintain and enhance opportunities for activity and inclusiveness • encourage local food production in gardens and allotments. • Population growth in the parish has been significantly above Cornwall, regional and national averages. • The population of the parish is ageing. Between 2002 and 2018 the proportion of children decreased significantly, whilst the proportion of ‘young workers’ (aged 18 to 49), dropped to around the average. Conversely, the proportion of ‘older workers and early retirees’ (50 to 64) grew slightly and now the proportion of the population within the 65+ age range represents nearly 25% of the community. • The Parish has a lower proportion of single person households than the average for Cornwall and England • There is a need to support the provision of services, facilities and amenities to meet the needs of an ageing population, whilst ensuring that the service,
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housing and employment needs of the dwindling proportion of young people and families are not neglected. • About a third hold managerial/professional posts, and a further third having skilled trade occupations, and a third in more routine occupations. The proportion of ‘own account workers’ was also noticeably higher than in Cornwall and England. • Whilst most residents in work are in good jobs within or outside the Parish, there is a core of less well-educated residents for whom basic local employment may be important. • A higher proportion of the Parish population said they were in good health than the average for Cornwall and England, with a smaller proportion saying their day-to-day activities were limited by ill health. • The Index of Multiple Deprivation Score of being in the 30% most deprived areas reflects relatively low local incomes and attainment, relative isolation from services, housing affordability, and the absence of central heating in traditional properties locally. However the latter score is skewed by the inclusion of nearby settlements in the calculations. • Taken with the other data above there is possibility of there being a small core of less well educated, poorly housed younger people being at risk of increasing deprivation. • Whilst community survey respondents prioritised natural environment aspects such as the countryside and landscape, local wildlife and biodiversity, and the peace and tranquillity of the area as their top three, the sense of community and Local community facilities, activities and groups were also highly prized. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan o NDP policies should be considered which address the community’s prioritisation of the natural environment,
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o NDP policies should also protect and support the provision of services, facilities and amenities to meet the needs of the ageing population, whilst ensuring that the housing, service and employment needs of families and young people continue to be supported. Housing • National and local policy is that:
o Housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities.
o New isolated homes in the countryside should be avoided unless there are special circumstances
• House prices in St Wenn Parish have increased by around 344% since 1995. The affordability ratio for Cornwall in 2016 was 9.27, a slight decrease from 9.43 in 2008. This is significantly higher than the ratio of 8.00 for England. • The current housing tenure mix in St Wenn Parish is heavily biased in favour of owner/occupation compared to Cornwall generally, and much less on the private and public rented sectors • Levels of overcrowding are lower in St Wenn Parish than in comparison to Cornwall, regional and national averages • The proportion of second homes in St Wenn Parish is lower than Cornwall and Community Network Area averages. • Nevertheless the local community are enthusiastic to restrict 2nd homes. • The Parish has a higher proportion of larger (4 to 5 bedroom) dwellings than has Cornwall and England, and a lower proportion of medium (2 to 3 bedroom) dwellings. • However, household size is predominantly small (1 to 3 people) so there is a mismatch between dwelling and household size.
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• No further dwellings are needed to meet the CLP remaining target for St Wenn Parish. • The current level of housing need in St Wenn Parish is minimal. • An ageing population in the Parish will require appropriate housing provision which is suitable for older people, possibly in the form of downsizing opportunities. • To address the decline in the proportion of younger people, smaller affordable dwellings may be appropriate, including self-build. • Strong views were held that the majority of homes should be from infill, ‘rounding off’ existing development and the use of ‘brownfield’ land. The idea of merging of adjoining homes into one larger dwelling, conversions of mobile homes to permanent dwellings and new small estates on the edge of existing settlements, were seen as being least important. • There was also concern that growth in 2nd home occupation of dwellings would restrict the amount of housing available to local people, force local house prices up beyond reach of local people, reduce the viability of local
services and bring little in the way of beneficial effects to the Parish. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan o The St Wenn NDP does not need to allocate land for new housing to comply with the Cornwall Local Plan
o Consideration should be given to NDP policies which encourage continued infill on small sites, rounding-off, and ‘brownfield’ land development subject to criteria for design, to address market demand and the need for more affordable homes, including self-build proposals.
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o There is a clear mismatch between HH size and dwelling size, and the current housing need is for 1 bedroom dwellings, suggesting a need to help address the nucleus of social housing need in the community by:
o Providing for some more smaller dwellings; o Protecting the existing remaining stock of small dwellings o From the preceding section a need for housing to support increasing numbers of elderly people is emerging.
o The local community would support policies for a very limited number of new and adaptable dwellings mainly targeted on meeting local needs for young people, families and older people.
nd o The local community perceive 2 homes and holiday-lets as a problem and wish for them to be restricted.
o The policy issues controlling conversions of mobile homes to permanent dwellings should be made clear. Economy and • National and local policy is that Planning should: Employment o focus on sustaining existing and new businesses and the traditional industries of, farming and minerals, and also supporting ability to work from home. o long-term protection of sites allocated for employment use should be avoided where there is no reasonable prospect of a site being used for that purpose. o Provide for new employment development that is located either within or well-integrated to … villages well served by public transport and communications infrastructure. o Also recognise that sites to meet local business and community needs in rural areas may have to be found adjacent to or beyond existing
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settlements, and in locations that are not well served by public transport. In this case they should be sensitive to surroundings, not have an unacceptable impact on local roads, and exploit opportunities to make a location more sustainable. o Encourage the use of previously developed land, and sites that are physically well-related to existing settlements, where suitable opportunities exist. • The agricultural sector continues to be an important economic activity supporting most of the jobs based in the Parish, helping to sustain the broader rural economy and maintain the character of the landscape and environment. There is a need to support business diversification and measures to reduce business costs, such as energy and materials. • Many of our community work outside the Parish, in professional and/or managerial posts, mainly in nearby towns and Plymouth or Truro, and there are few local jobs available. Encouraging local business development might provide local jobs, reduce the need to travel, and increase prosperity. • It is likely that many local young and working age people tend to leave the area to find work and careers. • Tourism has the potential for further growth focusing on local environment, heritage and culture. • There is a higher proportion of self-employed people working in St Wenn Parish compared to Cornwall averages and the number of people working from home in the Parish is unusually high. • Encouraging local business development (in workshops and at home) might provide local jobs, reduce the need to travel, and increase prosperity. • There is ‘Superfast Broadband’ through most of the parish but speeds can vary and in some northern areas it is lacking. This affects the ability of residents to
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access information and the performance of businesses that rely on broadband as a means of communication in a rural area.
Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • The local community supports more economic growth in the Parish at a scale that is appropriate for the area, but is very wary of tourism development. • The St Wenn NDP should prioritise support for the agricultural sector and other land management based enterprises as important economic activities which sustain the economic base of the Parish and maintains the character of the landscape and environment. • The St Wenn NDP should consider a policy supporting sites for new small- scale rural workshops and retail, possibly including space to support live/work, home businesses and/or start up business, which must be sensitive to their surroundings and local road conditions. • The use of previously developed land, and sites that are physically well- related to existing settlements, should be encouraged where suitable opportunities exist. • Consideration should be given to NDP policy to support forms of tourism which are suitable for location within sensitive biodiversity and landscape areas, or where their impacts on such areas would be acceptable, subject to criteria to ensure that any adverse impacts are mitigated. • Steps to encourage take up of Broadband connectivity though new development should be supported. Infrastructure • National and local policy is that Planning should: and Community o support ‘strong vibrant and healthy communities’ with ‘accessible facilities services and open spaces that reflect the community’s present and future needs and support its health, social and cultural well-being.
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o promote social interaction including opportunities for meetings between people who might not otherwise come into contact with each other. o ensure that places are safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion. o guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs. o ensure that established shops, facilities and services are able to develop and modernise in a way that is sustainable and retained for the benefit of the community. o plan positively for the provision and use of shared space, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments. • St Wenn Parish’s community has a good level of community cohesion and funding is available to support community-based initiatives from several community funding sources. Its stock of community facilities is however limited, and ongoing maintenance and improvement is a typical issue for such facilities. • These facilities could be identified so that they clearly gain the benefit of protection under Cornwall Local Plan Policy 4.4. • There are also several ‘green spaces’ around the Parish which contribute to its character and heritage and are worthy of protection. • The Parish has a good supply of natural recreational space, but equipped provision for children and teenagers is poor. Ideally playspace should be available at Rosenannon and Tregonetha, and the equipment at St Wenn improved.
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• Although excellent and active Church and Primary School facilities and services are available locally residents have to travel out of the Parish for many key services and amenities, including health services and secondary schooling. • The existing community and recreational facilities are obviously highly valued by the community. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • Consideration should be given to including an NDP policy to build on CLP Policy 4 for the safeguarding of existing facilities and to build on their viability and sustainability, possibly identifying them as a focus for CIL funsing. • A clear aim that development must be appropriate for the ability of infrastructure to support it should be included. • A policy should be considered for the support of playspace provision for children and teenagers. • Green spaces around the Parish which of particular importance to local communities are worthy of protection, and a policy which identifies and protects them should be considered. Biodiversity and • Most of the high-quality biodiversity and geodiversity in the Parish is protected Geodiversity by international, national and county level policies. • National and local policy is that Planning should:
o aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places and should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment o Designate green areas of particular importance to local communities to rule out new development other than in very special circumstances o allow only the most exceptional developments to be permitted in, and that the highest levels of protection should apply, to SSSI, SPA and SAC. o Protect locally designated sites, unless the need and benefits of the development clearly outweigh the loss
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o protect and where possible improve biodiversity o Avoid unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability, and encourage remediation and mitigation of despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land • Forthcoming legislation will require up to 10% ‘net biodiversity gain’ from new development. • The Parish has a good quality green infrastructure network, with plenty of footpaths and lanes linking green ‘access land’, and to local open space and leisure facilities. • There is a good supply of woodlands, some ancient, but trees and hedgerows close to villages are subject to development pressures • Internationally, nationally and locally designated nature conservation sites are present in the Parish, or nearby, and a number of areas of Cornwall BAP Priority Habitat. Protected species are also present at many locations in the parish. • As part of the principle water catchment for the Camel there are many springs, streams and the valleys, which provide habitat but also restrict development potential. Waterways in the Parish have and overall ‘good’ ecological and chemical quality. The Upper Ruthern is a Priority River Habitat Headwater designated on the basis of the naturalness of the landcover - this area is of high naturalness. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • Most of the high-quality biodiversity and geodiversity sites in the Parish is protected by international, national and county level policies so NDP policies are not necessary.
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• Consideration should be given to a planning policy framework to support Net Biodiversity Gain by requiring the submission of a Biodiversity Metric Gain Plan with planning applications. • Consideration should be given to including a policy which seeks to protect existing trees and supports the approach set out in the Cornwall Design Guide. Landscape • National and local policy is that Planning should: o Protect and enhance valued landscapes o Recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside o Protect tranquil areas which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are prized for their recreational and amenity value for this reason o Limit the impact of light pollution from artificial light on local amenity, intrinsically dark landscapes and nature conservation o be grounded in an understanding and evaluation of each area’s defining characteristics, identifying the special qualities of each area and explaining how this should be reflected in development • The countryside and landscape are perceived by the local community as the most distinctive and attractive character of the Parish that should be preserved and enhanced. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • National and local planning policies are sufficient to protect the AGLV and no local policy is needed in the St Wenn NDP. • However, there are locally distinctive aspects of the landscape within and outside these areas and an NDP policy could be considered to ensure that new proposals - whether they be for repair, extension or new development - draw their design inspiration from local sources and thereby fit well within existing landscape and topography in character and form of the landscape
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• A policy encouraging design that will help to preserve the quality of the ‘dark sky’ above the Parish and secure the tranquility and dark skies quality of the landscape for current and future generations should be considered. Heritage • National and local policy is that Planning should: o contribute to and enhance the natural and historic environment o ensure that developments function well, are visually attractive, are sympathetic to local character and history, allow an appropriate amount and mix, and create places that are safe, inclusive and healthy o not permit development of poor design o give great weight to outstanding or innovative designs which promote sustainability or help raise the standard of design more generally in the area o give great weight to the conservation of designated heritage assets (which include Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas), o take a balanced judgement on the scale of harm to the significance of non-designated heritage assets o seek opportunities for new development in WHS and the settings of heritage assets to enhance or better reveal their significance o Treat loss of a WHS asset which makes a positive contribution to its significance as substantial or less than substantial harm • Numerous features and areas of historic environment interest and archaeological heritage are present in the parish, including many listed buildings and scheduled monuments. • The setting of the many listed building and the general character of the villages is attractive but, in some places, harm has been caused through new development and extensions. For example, windows and doors marred by modern replacements whilst some of the infill development has paid little regard to the vernacular.
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• A concern may be that future extensions and repairs to the properties may introduce less sensitive treatments. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • National and local planning policies are sufficient to protect listed heritage assets and no local policy is needed in the St Wenn NDP. • Opportunities to enable the repair and subsequently maintenance of heritage assets should be supported. • The adoption of an NDP policy to support development which accords with the Code, should be considered, with the aim of raising standards in line with the establishing and appropriate local format. Accessibility and • National and local policy is that Planning should: Connectivity o Prioritises safe access by walking, cycling and public transport and providing new facilities and services to minimise car travel o incorporates facilities for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles o prevent development which will cause increased risk to human health from air pollution or exceeding EU standards (Policy 10) • Accessibility to services and facilities is a key issue in the parish. • The road and footpath network links settlements reasonably well, but the roads are constrained by vertical and horizontal alignment restrictions, ands road safety is perceived as an issue due to the lack of pavements on the narrow roads, so there is a demand for more pedestrian links. • Within the villages the unclassified roads are often congested from parked vehicles, and speeding is seen as an issue. • Public transport links are limited and reliance on jobs in major employment centres means the parish has a high car dependency and car ownership is much higher than Cornwall averages. • There is ‘Superfast Broadband’ through most of the parish but speeds can vary and in some northern areas it is lacking. This affects the ability of residents to
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access information and the performance of businesses that rely on broadband as a means of communication in a rural area. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • Consideration should be given to including policy criteria in the NDP that encourages a sustainable transport. • Consideration should be given to include a policy relating to the protection and enhancement of footpaths and their identification as a CIL priority. Climate Change • National and local policy is that Planning should:
o support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate…contribute to radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions…minimise vulnerability and improve resilience… support
renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure
o take account of landform, layout, building orientation, massing and landscaping to minimise energy consumption.
o support community-led initiatives for renewable and low carbon energy, being taken forward through neighbourhood planning • The emerging Cornwall Council Climate Emergency Development Plan Document includes polices on a range of climate change issues that will be relevant during the period to 2030 and beyond. • The Parish is the location for 5 small to medium scale wind-turbines but several large individual and grouped turbines are visible in locations around the Parish. • Wind speeds sufficient to support wind turbines exist across the Parish. However, the opportunities for large multi wind turbine schemes are very restricted because of the intervisibility of the existing wind turbines on the landscape setting of the Parish.
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• There is the potential for single turbines at a scale of A to C to support farm energy independence. • Potential for solar generation is fair but constrained by landscape factors affecting the southerly facing slopes. • Due to its topography, St Wenn Parish may have some opportunity for hydroelectric power generation. • Overall the community of the Parish see a need to take action to deal with the causes and impacts of climate change. Those supporting renewable energy are more in favour of solar as a solution (as opposed to wind) but there are also many people who do not welcome any kind of renewable measures. In terms of siting the general consensus is to be away from housing or out of sight. Respondents more strongly support the adoption of design approaches in new development that will reduce carbon footprints. • Flooding is seen as the main local impact from climate change. Implication for the Neighbourhood Development Plan • Aiming to be Carbon Neutral by 2030 is not realistically achievable. • Policies should be considered which encourage measures to reduce the causes of climate change, covering for example: . Encourage energy efficient and small carbon footprint development . Encouraging 10% (or more) of energy consumption on a site to be generated on site or other sustainable source . Encourage community sustainable energy projects . Encourage ‘modal shift’ from cars . Encourage digital networks to reduce need to travel . Encourage the inclusion of facilities for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles
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. Planting to encourage carbon sequestration (natural solutions). . Support local community ‘coproduction’ of foods, goods • Policies to reduce impact of climate change could also be included, covering: . Layouts that encourage passive cooling / Planting to provide shade . Use sustainable materials . Flood management including ’natural’ SUDS . Dealing with ground instability . Green Infrastructure Networks • Bearing in mind the need to support agriculture and other land based industry, and encourage community take-up of locally generated renewable energy, whilst taking into account community concerns about possible environmental impacts, planning policy could support single turbines and other forms of generation (PV, Hydro, Thermal) facilities subject to careful criteria • Any Planning policy in the NDP on renewable energy generation should refer to the ‘Landscape strategy and siting guidance’ given in Cornwall Council’s Landscape Sensitivity and Strategy Matrices for each Landscape Character Area. March 2016 • When the Climate Emergency DPD is adopted following its Examination, it will supersede any policies on renewable energy in the St Wenn NDP. However, in the interim it is appropriate for the NDP to include policies on renewable energy and these policies will remain as a material consideration.
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