South Worcestershire Development Plan Draft version Contains: List of policies Introduction, Spatial Portrait, Vision and Objectives Policies 1 – 63 Glossary Primary Policy Connections Policy links to objectives Appendix Y – infrastructure schedule Please note: This is a snapshot of a work in progress. It is not a final or definitive version and will be subject to further change, formatting and editing. This document is a Pre-Submission Draft, which includes significant changes as well as extant policies. It is intended as an informal version of the information to date. It has been subject to change and amendment following Members’ further consideration at JAP on the 15 – 16 November 2012. NOTE: policy numbers are subject to ongoing change / updating throughout 1 SWDP draft –version as at 26 November 2012 Note – this is a work in progress - contains elements subject to further change Contents Page SWDP 1: Overarching sustainability principles SWDP 2: Development Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy SWDP 3: Employment, Housing and Retail Provision Requirement and Delivery SWDP 4: Moving Around south Worcestershire SWDP 5: Green Infrastructure SWDP 6: Historic environment SWDP 7: Infrastructure SWDP 8: Providing the Right Land and Buildings for Jobs SWDP 9: Creating and Sustaining Vibrant Centres SWDP 10: Protection and Promotion of Shopping Choice SWDP 11: Vale of Evesham Heavy Goods Vehicles Control Zone SWDP 12: Rural Employment SWDP 13: Effective Use of land SWDP 14: Housing Mix SWDP 15: Meeting Affordable Housing Needs SWDP 16: Rural Exception Sites SWDP 17: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople SWDP 18: Replacement Dwellings in the Open Countryside SWDP 19: Dwellings for Rural Workers SWDP 20: Housing to meet the needs of Older People SWDP 21: Design SWDP 22: Biodiversity and Geodiversity SWDP 23: AONBs SWDP 24: Management of the Historic Environment SWDP 25: Landscape Character SWDP 26: Telecommunications and Broadband SWDP 27: Renewable and Low Carbon Energy SWDP 28: Management of Flood Risk SWDP 29: Sustainable Drainage Systems SWDP 30: Water Resources Efficiency and Treatment SWDP 31: Pollution SWDP 32: Minerals SWDP 33: Waste SWDP 34: Tourist Development SWDP 35: Visitor Accommodation SWDP 36: Static and Touring Caravans, Chalets and Camping Sites SWDP 37: Indoor Leisure and Community Facilities 2 SWDP draft –version as at 26 November 2012 Note – this is a work in progress - contains elements subject to further change SWDP 38: Local Green Network SWDP 39: Provision for Outdoor Community Uses in New Development SWDP 40: Waterfronts SWDP 41: Marinas and Moorings SWDP 42: Residential Moorings SWDP 43: Worcester City Allocations SWDP 44: Worcester City Centre SWDP 45: Directions for Growth outside the City Boundary SWDP 46: Pershore Allocations SWDP 47: Pershore Urban Extension SWDP 48: Droitwich Spa Allocations SWDP 49: Droitwich Urban Extension SWDP 50: Evesham Allocations SWDP 51: Evesham Urban Extensions SWDP 52: Malvern Allocations SWDP 53: Malvern Technology Centre (QinetiQ) SWDP 54: Blackmore Park SWDP 55: Three Counties Showground SWDP 56: Development at North East Malvern SWDP 57: Tenbury Wells Allocations SWDP 58: Upton upon Severn Allocations SWDP 59: Category 1 Village Sites SWDP 60: Category 2 Village Sites SWDP 61: Category 3 Village Sites SWDP 62: Implementation, Phasing and Monitoring SWDP 63: Monitoring Framework 3 SWDP draft –version as at 26 November 2012 Note – this is a work in progress - contains elements subject to further change Introduction South Worcestershire is the area covered by the districts of Malvern Hills, Wychavon and the city of Worcester. The South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) is framed by and in turn promotes a very clear vision of the sub-region during the years to 2030. Identified as a result of extensive consultation from 2007 and refined and adjusted as the SWDP was developed, this Vision reflects both the aspirations and the firm intentions of the three authorities to improve, protect and manage sustainable growth in the area over the coming years. A set of overarching aims has been identified that lie at the heart of the process. These are summarised as being: Delivering economic prosperity with Worcester at the heart; Locally justified housing; Protecting and enhancing the natural and historic environment; Infrastructure-led development The SWDP faces a number of economic, environmental, social and infrastructure challenges that will need to be met if the vision for south Worcestershire is to be realised. The SWDP will strive to achieve the Vision through the implementation of relevant policies. It is imperative for the future prosperity of south Worcestershire that new development proposed in the SWDP is supported by necessary and proportionate crucial infrastructure. This is fully in accordance with the stated Vision and Aims of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) The partner authorities embarked, therefore, on a four-stage process to strengthen their understanding of infrastructure, leading to the production of an Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) to support the Plan:- Consolidated the existing information at the Preferred Option Stage. Prepared an Infrastructure Delivery Plan Interim Position Statement to support the SWDP. Prepared an Infrastructure Delivery Plan to support the formal version of the SWDP. Update the Infrastructure Delivery Plan by spring 2013 to support the SWDP as submitted to the Secretary of State. The need for the timely delivery of infrastructure to support the delivery of development, necessary to support communities and the local economy, is a feature of many of the themes of the Sustainable Communities Strategies. The evidence in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan supports the SWDP in general and SWDP 7 and the Infrastructure Schedule set out in Appendix Y in particular, which is necessary in order to achieve the many objectives relating to infrastructure. A review of the SWDP will be undertaken in 2019 – 20. The review will consider any fundamental changes to the household projections and in parallel to a refresh of the underpinning evidence base, will reconsider and update extant policies. 4 SWDP draft –version as at 26 November 2012 Note – this is a work in progress - contains elements subject to further change Vision In 2030 south Worcestershire remains a highly desirable place in which to live and work. The Worcestershire Economic Strategy together with the partnership with the Worcestershire Local Economic Partnership has helped create a robust, competitive local economy, which in turn has retained and stimulated significant inward investment and generated numerous job opportunities. Businesses have access to a locally based, highly skilled workforce, thanks to the high quality educational and training provision available in the area. The University of Worcester goes from strength to strength and helps to attract and retain the best and brightest graduates in the sub-region. Residents and businesses enjoy better accessibility within and beyond the area through the implementation of major improvements to the highway network, in particular the A4440 at Worcester, the completion of Worcestershire Parkway and improvements to local railway stations. A series of smaller but no less vital infrastructure improvements impact positively on the day-to-day life of the residents of the three districts, including improvements to local roads, junctions, public transport provision, drainage and water infrastructure. Small-scale businesses have flourished in rural areas through the support offered by the SWDP policies to both home-based working and farm diversification opportunities. Farm diversification has enabled farming and horticulture to continue to play an important role in the local rural economy. This has been helped by significant improvements to electronic means of communication, including the roll- out of high-speed broadband and the promotion of live / work development. Employment and housing growth coupled with continued investment in retail and office space enables Worcester to successfully compete with the larger centres within and beyond the West Midlands. Worcester also provides high class and wide ranging leisure and service facilities. The main towns of Droitwich Spa, Evesham and Malvern are vibrant, offering a range of employment, shopping and community facilities to their residents and the wider community. The towns of Pershore, Tenbury Wells and Upton upon Severn also continue to offer local services and remain at the heart of the area’s rural economy. All the towns have benefited from public realm and local transport improvements. South Worcestershire residents have access to a range of housing types and tenures that help to meet the needs of young families, the elderly and single households. High quality development has incorporated innovative, environmentally friendly solutions that have helped to reduce resource consumption, achieve sustainable communities and militate against extreme climatic impacts, particularly flooding. Affordable and accessible housing is widely available and helps to secure and sustain local communities, services and facilities. People enjoy a high standard of living, good health and education and remain active and healthy throughout their lives. A growing market for tourism is based on the high quality natural and built environments, such as Worcester Cathedral and the Cotswolds (including Bredon Hill) and the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.