Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Local Plan Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) August 2018 Infrastructure Delivery Plan August 2018 Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Contents Page Introduction 3 Background and Methodology 5 Topic 1: Transport 10 Topic 2: Education 17 Topic 3: Healthcare 21 Topic 4: Social Infrastructure 25 Topic 5: Public Services 29 Topic 6: Biodiversity and Flood Infrastructure 32 Topic 7: Utility Services 36 Summary 40 Next Steps 40 Glossary 41 Appendices Appendix 1: Infrastructure Delivery Schedules Appendix 2: Local Plan Development Strategy Map 2 Introduction 1.1 This Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) document has been produced by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (The Council). 1.2 An IDP is a document which specifically identifies the infrastructure (including physical, social and green infrastructure) which is necessary to support the development proposed within the Council’s Local Plan, including the Policy and Proposals Map. It is an important document which sets out what exactly is required and how this will be delivered. It is a technical piece of evidence which underpins the development strategy for the borough and ensures that the vision of the Local Plan can be achieved. 1.3 The provision and delivery of infrastructure is vital for the development of sustainable communities, new homes, and economic growth. 1.4 The IDP provides information on existing capacity or deficit in demand for services, details of existing committed infrastructure delivery, and the impact of proposed new development on services and infrastructure. It sets out what will be needed to support new development, including delivery body/bodies, location, type, timescale, cost and source of funding, where this information is available. 1.5 The IDP has been informed through consultation with service providers and is based upon information currently available as at August 2018. This document has been produced alongside the emerging Local Plan. 1.6 The IDP has been prepared in readiness for publication of the Regulation 19 version of the Local Plan. What is infrastructure? 1.7 Infrastructure planning is concerned with how the many different strands of infrastructure can be identified, considered and planned for. Whilst there is no definition within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Planning Act 2008 Section 216 (2) defines infrastructure as: (a) roads and other transport facilities, (b) flood defences, (c) schools and other educational facilities, (d) medical facilities, (e) sporting and recreational facilities (f) open spaces, and (g) affordable housing. 3 1.8 The Oxford Dictionary (online) states that infrastructure is “the basic physical and organisational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise”. 1.9 Within this document, the following forms of infrastructure are included for study: Topic Relevant Categories Transport Road, bus, rail, cycling and walking Education Primary and Secondary schools, further and higher education, adult learning/community learning Healthcare Doctors Surgeries, Hospitals, Healthcare/Adult social services Social Infrastructure Sports recreation and open space, libraries Public Services Emergency Services (police/fire/ambulance), recycling, waste management and disposal Biodiversity and Flood Infrastructure Biodiversity, flood and surface water management Utility Services Water, wastewater, electricity, gas, telecommunications 4 Background and Methodology National Policy and Guidance 2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (published March 2012 and updated July 2018) states that local planning authorities should set out the strategic priorities for the area in the Local Plan. This should include strategic policies to plan positively for the development and infrastructure required in the area to meet the objectives, principles and policies of this Framework. Furthermore, the Council has a duty to cooperate with neighbouring authorities, public, voluntary and private sector organisations. 2.2 In respect of infrastructure, the NPPF states that local planning authorities should work with other authorities and providers to assess the quality and capacity of infrastructure for transport, water supply, wastewater and its treatment, energy (including heat), telecommunications, utilities, waste, health, social care, education, flood risk and coastal change management, and its ability to meet forecast demands; and take account of the need for strategic infrastructure including nationally significant infrastructure within their areas. 2.3 The NPPF states that Plans should set out the contributions expected from development. This should include setting out the levels and types of affordable housing provision required, along with other infrastructure (such as that needed for education, health, transport, flood and water management and green infrastructure). Such policies should not undermine the deliverability of the plan. Adequate, relevant and up-to-date evidence must be used to assess the quality and capacity of such infrastructure and its ability to meet future demands. 2.4 The NPPF is clear that it is important to ensure that there is a reasonable prospect that planned infrastructure is deliverable in a timely fashion. To facilitate this, it is important that local planning authorities understand district-wide development costs at the time Local Plans are drawn up. For this reason, infrastructure and development policies should be planned at the same time, in the Local Plan. The Council is thus required to plan positively to ensure that development and infrastructure needs are met. 2.5 Fundamentally, the Local Plan must be capable of being delivered. Early discussion with infrastructure providers is particularly important. 2.6 National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) states that “the detail concerning planned infrastructure provision can be set out in a supporting document such as an infrastructure delivery programme that can be updated regularly. However the key 5 infrastructure requirements on which delivery of the plan depends should be contained in the Local Plan itself.” Local Context 2.7 The Council does not currently have an IDP. Tonbridge and Malling have historically sought funding for infrastructure where required for individual developments through Section 106 agreements (also known as planning obligations). New development typically is expected to meet the needs it generates either through this means or by delivery on site. This remains the case. Whilst an assessment of the capacity for introducing the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) has been undertaken as part of the whole plan viability work, the Council is not minded to progress work on CIL until the Local Plan has progressed and been examined. 2.8 The duty for statutory agencies and infrastructure providers to meet their obligations through their own funding sources and investment plans remains. South East Local Enterprise Partnership 2.9 The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) is one of 38 LEPs, established to “provide the clear vision and strategic leadership to drive sustainable private sector- led growth and job creation in their area”. 2.10 Several schemes within the borough were previously identified within the SELEP Kent and Medway Growth Deal. This included coordinated congestion relief for Tonbridge Town Centre at a cost of £3.87million (part funded through the Local Growth Fund (LGF)), and the partial funding of improvements to the Leigh Barrier flood defences. At Peters Village at Wouldham, additional investment at Junction 4 of the M20 was identified to also support Kings Hill as part of the West Kent (A21 corridor) SEFUND investments, at a cost of £100 million. 2.11 Some forthcoming and planned highways schemes continue to utilise SELEP funding. This is explored in Appendix 1. Methodology 2.12 This document will assess current infrastructure provision, needs, deficits and future requirements for the infrastructure listed in Section 1. These are: Transport; Education; Healthcare; Social Infrastructure; Public Services; Biodiversity and Flood Infrastructure; and Utility Services. 2.13 The key outcomes are: Provide an up to date picture of current infrastructure supply and demand; Outline any planned projects; 6 Assess the impact of the Local Plan Development Strategy on existing infrastructure and identify any gaps; Identify funding and costs where information is available, to ensure that the Local Plan Development Strategy is deliverable. 2.14 The Council has engaged with the following service and infrastructure providers in order to obtain the information required for this document. This includes: Highways England Environment Agency Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Kent County Council (Highways, Education, Waste, Libraries, Adult Social Services) West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS Property Services Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital Trust Kent Ambulance Services Kent Fire and Rescue Kent Police South East Water Southern Water UK Power Networks Southern Gas Networks South Eastern Trains Network Rail Arriva Hadlow College and West Kent College 2.15 This is an ongoing dialogue which will continue through to the adoption of the new Local Plan and beyond. Nb: The IDP is an evolving document. At the time of publication (August 2018) TMBC is awaiting contact and/or input/information from the following bodies/organisations: Kent County Council Libraries Kent County Council Economic Development (in respect