Publication Salford Local Plan Development Management Policies and Designations Document

Statement of Common Ground (update)

January 2021

Contents

Preface ...... 2 1. Introduction ...... 3 2. The Process of Cooperation ...... 5 3. Governance and Management ...... 6 4. Summary of Strategic Matters and Signatories...... 7 5. Green Infrastructure ...... 9 6. Port Salford ...... 14 7. Town Centres ...... 15 A. City Centre ...... 15 B. The Quays ...... 18 8. Change Log ...... 21

Preface

A. This statement of common ground update has been prepared by Salford City Council and is to be published alongside the Publication Salford Local Plan: Development Management Policies and Designations (SLP:DMP) Addendum in February 2021. This statement has been updated to reflect the modifications proposed in the SLP:DMP Addendum. The signatories have been requested to review and approve the relevant sections where these have been updated. This statement also reflects the progress made in obtaining signatures since the Publication SLP:DMP was published.

B. The Publication Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) was due to be approved by the ten Greater Manchester local authorities in December 2020 for consultation and submission to the Secretary of State following the period for representations. Following the decision of Stockport Council in early December 2020 not to approve the Publication GMSF and supporting documents for publication, it was agreed in principle at a meeting of the AGMA Executive Board on 11 December 2020 to prepare a Joint Development Plan Document (DPD) of nine of the Greater Manchester Authorities, excluding Stockport. It is understood that the nine authorities will continue to work collaboratively to progress the strategic policies in the GMSF and utilise the evidence base already commissioned and completed. This decision has not changed the approach to the Salford Local Plan.

C. There are references to the GMSF in this statement of common ground update, reflecting the collaborative working and cooperation that has taken place as part of this process. The city council will continue to work with partners to ensure that this statement of common ground is complete for Submission of the Local Plan to the Secretary of State and that the necessary approvals are secured. References to the GMSF can be updated for submission to take account of the progress made on the Greater Manchester plan of the nine districts once this is further advanced.

1. Introduction

1.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that:

“In order to demonstrate effective and on-going joint working, strategic policymaking authorities should prepare and maintain one or more statements of common ground, documenting the cross-boundary matters being addressed and progress in cooperating to address these. These should be produced using the approach set out in national planning guidance, and be made publicly available throughout the plan-making process to provide transparency.”1

1.2 The ‘Plan-making’ section of the national Planning Practice Guidance states that:

“A statement of common ground is a written record of the progress made by strategic policy-making authorities during the process of planning for strategic cross-boundary matters.”2

1.3 This indicates that the statement of common ground should focus on ‘strategic’ issues rather than seeking to consider every potential cross- boundary impact. The term ‘strategic’ is interpreted in this context as meaning having a significant impact on at least two local planning authority areas3.

1.4 This draft statement of common ground has been produced as part of the process for producing the Salford Local Plan Development Management Policies and Designations Document (SLP:DMP). It has been published alongside the Publication version of that plan.

1.5 It relates to the area of Salford, as shown on the map below, which is considered to be the appropriate area for the statement as it is the same area as covered by the SLP:DMP. The cross-boundary issues involve neighbouring local authority areas and other parts of Greater Manchester.

1 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (February 2019) National Planning Policy Framework, paragraph 27 2 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (September 2018) Plan-making, paragraph 61-010-20190315 3 Based on the definition of “strategic matter” in Section 33A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

1.6 Although the SLP:DMP deals with a wide range of issues that are of strategic significance for Salford, most of the strategic cross-boundary issues involving the city are dealt with through the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF). A separate statement of common ground will be produced for the GMSF.

2. The Process of Cooperation

2.1 Section 33A of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, as inserted by section 110 of the Localism Act 2011, requires the city council to cooperate with other local authorities and prescribed bodies in maximising the effectiveness of preparing the Local Plan so far as it relates to strategic cross- boundary matters. This cooperation requires the city council to engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis. The city council publishes an annual monitoring report that sets out the main actions that have taken place as part of this statutory duty to cooperate.

2.2 This statement of common ground focuses on the strategic cross-boundary matters that are relevant to Salford, and how they are being addressed through the SLP:DMP (or, where relevant, the GMSF). It does not seek to compile all of the activities undertaken in relation to the duty to cooperate or cross-boundary working. Each relevant strategic cross-boundary matter is dealt with in turn in this statement, with an explanation of the issues, how the strategic matter is being addressed, any outstanding areas of disagreement or uncertainty, and a table listing the potential signatories to that part of the statement.

2.3 The process of producing the GMSF has involved an enormous amount of cooperation between Salford and the other nine local authorities in Greater Manchester. This includes the preparation of a wide range of evidence documents covering the whole of Greater Manchester, as well as frequent discussions about how to address cross-boundary matters within Greater Manchester and extending into neighbouring areas, and the production of a draft GMSF that seeks to tackle such issues. This work has in turn informed the production of the SLP:DMP, and so forms part of the city council’s compliance with the duty to cooperate.

2.4 The city council engages positively with all of the duty to cooperate bodies throughout the plan-making process. All such bodies are invited to comment on draft plans, supporting documents, and where relevant working drafts. Correspondence is exchanged and/or discussions take place where potential issues are raised in preparing the evidence base and writing the plan itself, and where duty to cooperate bodies have raised concerns in response to draft versions. This approach enables strategic cross-boundary issues to be addressed constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis, whilst being proportionate to the significance of the issues and any potential disagreement around how they should be addressed.

3. Governance and Management

3.1 This updated statement of common ground has been prepared by Salford City Council and is to be published alongside the SLP:DMP proposed amendments (February 2021). It is to be approved by Salford City Council as part of a package of documents in support of the Publication SLP:DMP – proposed amendments by the city council’s Cabinet and Council.

3.2 The plan-making and other relevant bodies identified in the statement have been asked to approve / sign the relevant sections. The signature of an organisation confirms that they agree with the content of the relevant part of the statement, but in no way precludes that organisation from making comments on, or objecting to, any part of the SLP:DMP. This reflects the ongoing nature of cooperation, and the need to take into account the latest evidence when producing a plan.

3.3 It has not been possible to obtain signatures from all parties in advance of the publication of the SLP:DMP proposed amendments. Any outstanding signatures will be sought, and the statement updated to reflect this, in advance of submitting the SLP:DMP to the Planning Inspectorate.

4. Summary of Strategic Matters and Signatories

4.1 The Salford Local Plan is being progressed in two parts. The first, the SLP:DMP, will include development management policies and designations. The scope of the SLP:DMP is therefore reduced from that covered by the Revised Draft Local Plan and consulted on in January 2019. Salford’s spatial strategy and land allocations will be contained within the second part of the Local Plan, the Local Plan Core Strategy and Allocations document (SLP:CS), which will be progressed at a later date.

4.2 The change in scope has meant that the strategic issues relevant to the SLP:DMP, and therefore this statement of common ground, are greatly reduced from earlier versions.

4.3 The strategic cross-boundary matters dealt with through the SLP:DMP, and discussed in the following sections of this statement, are considered to be:

• Green infrastructure o Great Manchester Wetlands Nature Improvement Area and Chat Moss o Irwell Valley • Port Salford • Town centres o City Centre (principles dealt with in GMSF) o The Quays (principles dealt with in GMSF)

4.4 Each section that follows, where relevant, explains the strategic matter under consideration, sets out the areas of agreement in relation to that matter, identifies any outstanding issues, and lists the signatories to that section.

4.5 Many of the strategic cross-boundary issues affecting Salford will be addressed through the GMSF and/ or the SLP:CS. These issues will be discussed in the statements of common ground associated with those documents. This includes issues such as air quality, flood risk, Green Belt, transport, and the scale and distribution of development.

4.6 The SLP:DMP does not raise any additional strategic cross-boundary issues on such matters and hence they are not discussed further in this statement of common ground.

4.7 This statement of common ground has been written by Salford City Council. Other plan-making authorities responsible for joint-working on the issues herein are:

• Bolton Council • Bury Council • Manchester City Council • Oldham Council • Rochdale Council • Stockport Council

• Tameside Council • Trafford Council • Warrington Borough Council • Wigan Council

4.8 Other relevant public bodies to the strategic issues herein are:

• Environment Agency • Natural England • Greater Manchester Local Nature Partnership

5. Green Infrastructure

A. Great Manchester Wetlands Nature Improvement Area and Chat Moss

Issue

5.1 The Great Manchester Wetlands Nature Improvement Area (NIA) covers around 48,000 hectares4 extending across parts of Salford, Wigan and Warrington. It is currently the only NIA within Greater Manchester.

5.2 The vision for the Great Manchester Wetlands NIA is for it to become an exemplar of biodiversity restoration, enhancement and the delivery of landscape-scale ecological networks. The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework identifies the Great Manchester Wetlands NIA as a strategically important area of green infrastructure. It is important that actions within Salford support the achievement of the vision for the Great Manchester Wetlands NIA, and its role within the wider strategic green infrastructure network.

Areas of agreement

5.3 The SLP:DMP requires development to support the achievement of the objectives of the Great Manchester Wetlands NIA. It identifies Chat Moss as a key component of Greater Manchester’s strategic green infrastructure network. It seeks to deliver nature conservation improvements across the area, particularly within the Biodiversity Heartland (which adjoins both Wigan and Warrington) where lowland raised bog restoration is identified as a priority. It restricts new turf operations within Chat Moss due to the associated loss of peat soil with the turf. It also seeks the provision of ecological connections to surrounding areas. These measures will make an appropriate contribution to delivering the vision of the Great Manchester Wetlands NIA, complementing actions in Warrington and Wigan.

5.4 The diagram below, taken from the SLP:DMP, identifies the key biodiversity assets within the city including the Great Manchester Wetlands NIA, Chat Moss and the Biodiversity Heartland.

5.5 Designated sites and habitats within the Great Manchester Wetlands NIA are sensitive to air pollution. The SLP:DMP excludes site allocations and proposals for the overall scale and distribution of development but it does provide a framework for managing development. In particular policy BG2 requires development to avoid having any adverse impact on the nature conservation value of internationally designated sites, including the Manchester Mosses Special Area of Conservation (criterion A). Policy PH1 notes that development will not be permitted where it would result in unacceptable levels of pollution, either individually or cumulatively with other

4 https://www.lancswt.org.uk/greatmanchesterwetlands

existing or proposed developments. The acceptability will be determined with regard to a number of criteria, including (C) which relates to “The proximity and sensitivity of environmental and heritage assets, including potential impacts on wildlife and habitats”.

Outstanding issues

5.6 There are no outstanding issues with regard to this strategic matter.

Signatories

5.7 The signatories to this section are:

Signatory Date agreed (See change log in section 8 for details of amendments made to this section) Environment Agency Agreement for amendments to this section requested in December 2020 (Previous versions agreed on 16/01/20 and 12/08/20.)

Natural England Agreed amendments to this section on 22/12/20 (Previous versions agreed on 13/12/19 and 24/08/20)

Signatory Date agreed (See change log in section 8 for details of amendments made to this section)

Greater Manchester Local Nature Agreement for amendments to this Partnership section requested in December 2020. (Previous versions agreed on 14/12/19 and 27/08/20)

Salford City Council Warrington Borough Council Agreement for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. (Previous versions agreed on 17/08/20)

Wigan Council Agreement for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. (Previous versions agreed on 09/01/20)

B. Irwell Valley

Issue

5.8 The Irwell Valley is a key component of Greater Manchester’s green infrastructure network, extending across Salford, Bury and Bolton. It provides multiple environmental, social and economic benefits and makes a major contribution to local identity and sense of place within these areas. Some of the valley is designated as Green Belt.

5.9 The GMSF recognises that river valleys and canals form an important part of Greater Manchester’s landscape, connecting urban areas with open countryside and providing opportunities for recreation and the movement of wildlife. Key priorities for the Irwell Valley include the management of flood risk and improvements to water quality.

Areas of agreement

5.10 The SLP:DMP seeks to enhance the Irwell Valley as a key landscape and wildlife corridor, with a strong emphasis on retaining the open character of the valley and securing a range of new and improved recreation facilities, and walking and cycling routes. The local plan policy also explains that a comprehensive and coordinated approach to flood risk will be taken, acknowledging that actions will be required both in Salford and upstream. Improvements to water quality and the associated waterside environments will also be important in working towards meeting the River Basin Management Plan objectives, and this is reflected in the policy.

5.11 The three councils will continue to work together to address the challenges and deliver improvements within the river valley.

Outstanding issues

5.12 There are no outstanding issues with regard to this strategic matter.

Signatories

5.13 The signatories to this section are:

Signatory Date agreed Environment Agency 16.01.2020 Bolton Council 23.03.2020 Bury Council 03.04.2020 Salford City Council

6. Port Salford

6.1 The SLP:DMP protects Port Salford in Irlam as a tri-modal facility. As this facility already benefits from planning permission, with elements of the associated infrastructure and one warehouse unit already complete, all relevant cross-boundary matters have already been addressed and so are not revisited here.

6.2 An extension to the permitted Port Salford facility is being considered through the GMSF and therefore relevant duty to cooperate activities will be documented as part of that process.

7. Town Centres

A. City Centre

Strategic matters

7.1 The City Centre is located within both Manchester and Salford, with that part in Salford referred to as City Centre Salford. The primary shopping area is located wholly within Manchester, but there are significant office, tourism and residential functions in City Centre Salford, together with smaller scale retail and leisure uses.

7.2 The GMSF identifies the City Centre as a key component of the strategy for Greater Manchester, and sets out an overall policy approach for it. It will be important that actions in Salford support the success of the City Centre as a whole, and its vital role within Greater Manchester.

7.3 Whilst the SLP:DMP defines the boundary of Salford City Centre and provides a policy framework guiding development within it, the levels of development anticipated in support of the area’s strategic role falls outside of the scope of the SLP:DMP. The scale of development is not therefore reflected in the areas of agreement below. These issues will instead be considered further through the GMSF and the SLP:CS, which will be informed by the Salford Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment.

Areas of agreement

7.4 The SLP:DMP designates the boundary of City Centre Salford as shown on the map below and identifies a series of neighbourhoods within it. This is agreed to be an appropriate boundary for the City Centre within Salford.

7.5 Policy AP1 of the SLP:DMP describes that development within the City Centre shall be fully integrated into, and contribute to the sense of place of, both the neighbourhood within which it is located and the City Centre as a whole. It is further described that development shall maintain the wide range of uses within City Centre Salford, reflecting its importance within the wider City Centre, supporting its roles as a business location, tourism, cultural and leisure destination, centre of learning and knowledge, and home to series of residential neighbourhoods. It is agreed that the SLP:DMP sets an appropriate framework for the ongoing development of City Centre Salford in the context of the overarching vision and levels of economic and residential development that will be defined through the GMSF and SLP:CS.

7.6 Manchester and Salford councils will continue to work together to coordinate development, infrastructure and environmental improvements across the City Centre.

Outstanding issues

7.7 There are no outstanding issues with regard to this strategic matter.

Signatories

7.8 The signatories to this section are:

Signatory Date (See change log in section 8 for details of amendments made to this section) Bolton Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. (Previous versions agreed 23.03.2020). Bury Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. (Previous versions agreed 03.04.2020). Manchester City Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. Oldham Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December

Signatory Date (See change log in section 8 for details of amendments made to this section) 2020. (Previous versions agreed 14.04.2020). Rochdale Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. Salford City Council Stockport Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. Tameside Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. (Previous versions agreed on 16.12.2019). Trafford Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020.(Previous versions agreed on 09.06.2020). Wigan Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020.(Previous versions agreed on 09.01.2020).

B. The Quays

Strategic matters

7.9 The Quays is located within both Salford and Trafford, with that part in Salford referred to as Salford Quays. The GMSF identifies the importance of the Quays and sets out an overall policy approach for it. It will be important that actions in Salford support the success of the Quays as a whole, and its essential role within Greater Manchester.

7.10 Whilst the SLP:DMP provides a policy framework guiding development within the Quays, the levels of development anticipated in support of the area’s strategic role falls outside of the scope of the SLP:DMP. The scale of development is not therefore reflected in the areas of agreement below. These issues will instead be considered further through the GMSF and the SLP:CS, which will be informed by the Salford Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment.

Areas of agreement

7.11 The SLP:DMP designates the boundary of Salford Quays town centre, recognising the area’s well-established tourism, employment, retail, leisure and residential functions. A primary shopping area (PSA) is also defined (identified by yellow hatching on the map below). The PSA has been drawn having regard to the existing concentrations of main town centre uses in the Quayside MediaCityUK shopping centre5 and at MediaCityUK. The primary shopping area also includes land east of Michigan Avenue and extends to the Broadway roundabout providing opportunities for further retail, leisure and food and drink development.

7.12 The Policy approach prioritises class E commercial uses and leisure and food and drink uses comprising cinemas, theatres, casinos, concert halls, bars and public houses within the PSA, and then elsewhere within the Salford Quays boundary and/or 300m from the PSA (or its potential expansion). Offices within the class E are considered to be acceptable throughout the town centre boundary.

5 Formerly The Lowry Outlet Mall

7.13 The designation of the centre, and primary shopping area within it, will support the further success of Salford Quays as a vibrant mixed use area. Providing a positive framework in respect of the delivery of services and facilities to meet the demands of those living, working and visiting the area. It is agreed that the SLP:DMP defines an appropriate boundary and policy framework in respect of Salford Quays town centre, its primary shopping area, and the focus of uses within.

7.14 Salford and Trafford councils will continue to work together to coordinate infrastructure and environmental improvements across the Quays.

Outstanding issues

7.15 There are no outstanding issues with regard to this strategic matter.

Signatories

7.16 The signatories to this section are:

Signatory Date (See change log in section 8 for details of amendments made to this section)

Bolton Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020.(Previous version agreed on 23.03.2020). Bury Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. (Previous version agreed 03.04.2020) Manchester City Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. Oldham Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. (Previous version agreed 14.04.2020) Rochdale Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. Salford City Council Stockport Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. Tameside Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. (Previous version agreed 16.12.2019) Trafford Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. (Previous version agreed 09.06.2020). Wigan Council Agreements for amendments to this section requested in December 2020. (Previous version agreed 09.01.2020)

8. Change Log

8.1 Table of changes made to the Statement of Common Ground since initial circulation in 8 November 2019.

Date of Revision Reason Recirculated revision to 26 November Correction to Figure 19 – Error on diagram All 2019 Biodiversity Assets to show correct boundary for Chat Moss 12 August New paragraph 5.5 in In response to Environment 2020 relation to the Manchester discussions with Agency, Mosses Special Areas of Warrington Borough Natural Conservation and Council England, subsequent renumbering Greater of following paragraphs. Manchester Local Nature Partnership, Warrington Borough Council and Wigan Council. December Addition to paragraph 5.3. To reflect proposed Environment 2020 in relation to reflect amendments to the Agency, proposed restrictions policy GI2 of the Natural regarding turf growing and Publication England, amendments to the SLP:DMP. Greater boundary of SBI BG2/27 Manchester on figure 19. Consultation on the Local Nature proposed Partnership, amendments to the Warrington Publication Borough SLP:DMP due to Council and take place during Wigan February to March Council. 2021.

December Amendment to 7.5 and the Amendment to 7.5 All local 2020 city centre boundary as to correct error. authorities shown on figure 2. listed in the Amendment to signatory box figure 2 to reflect at paragraph proposed 7.8 amendment to the city centre boundary to align with the

Draft Crescent Development Framework.

Consultation on the proposed amendments to the Publication SLP:DMP due to take place during February to March 2021.

December Paragraphs 7.11 and 7.12 To reflect the All local 2020 to reflect amendments to proposed authorities the designations within amendment to the listed in the Salford Quays town centre Publication signatory box SLP:DMP. In at paragraph response to the 7.8 amendments to the Use Class Order introduced by the government in September 2020.

Consultation on the proposed amendments to the Publication SLP:DMP are due to take place during February to March 2021.