1 Agenda Item No. 2 DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Minutes of The

Agenda Item No. 2

DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Minutes of the County Council held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Ruthin on Tuesday 30th June 2009 at 10.00am.

PRESENT

Councillors J Butterfield (Chairman), I W Armstrong, J R Bartley, J B Bellis, B Blakeley, J Cahill, J Chamberlain Jones, C Davies, M Ll Davies, P A Dobb, C M Evans, G C Evans, H H Evans, R L Feeley, S Frobisher, D Hannam, C Hughes, R W Hughes, T R Hughes, E R Jones, G A Jones, H Ll Jones, M M Jones, G M Kensler, L M Morris, P W Owen, D Owens, A G Pennington, B A Smith, D I Smith, D A J Thomas, S Thomas, J Thompson-Hill, C H Williams, J G Yorke

ALSO PRESENT

Chief Executive, Corporate Directors, Financial Controller, County Clerk and Administration Services Manager.

PRAYERS

Reverend John Glover offered prayers at the commencement of the meeting.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE WERE RECEIVED FROM

Councillors W L Cowie, J A Davies, J M Davies, P C Duffy, M J Eckersley. I A Gunning, D W Lee, P J Marfleet, G Williams

PETITION

Councillors R L Feeley and D I Smith presented to the Chairman a petition on behalf of local residents requesting the Council to reinstate the paddling pool at Cae Ddol, Ruthin. Councillor Feeley indicated that a meeting with officers had been arranged to discuss the matter. Councillor Smith referred to the strong message coming from local residents regarding the re-instatement of the paddling pool.

The County Clerk referred to the mechanism now put in place to provide feedback to Council following the receipt of petitions.

RESOLVED that the County Clerk be requested to acknowledge the petition and forward it to the Head of Leisure Services for consideration.

1 URGENT MATTERS

In accordance with Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman declared that she intended to include for discussion the following matter which required urgent attention:- Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen

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2 MINUTES

The minutes of the Annual meeting of Council held on 12th May 2009 (previously circulated) were submitted

Accuracy

i) Page 5 (Community Safety Partnership) – Councillor H Ll Jones indicated that he had not received any information on the current position regarding the introduction of alcohol free areas in Corwen

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 12th May 2009 be approved as a correct record.

3 VOLUME OF MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Volume of Minutes of the Council’s various meetings for the period 12th February to 15th April 2009 be received and noted.

4 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

The Chairman verbally reported upon the diary of events she and the Vice-Chairman had attended during May and June (diary of events circulated at the meeting).

RESOLVED that the report be received and noted.

5 “RHYL SIXTH”

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Mr Huw Evans, Principal, Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl and Ms Celia Jones, Director, Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl who had been invited to the meeting to give a presentation on the “Rhyl Sixth.”

The Corporate Directorate: Lifelong Learning welcomed the officers to the meeting and referred to the difficult decisions made to take forward the Rhyl Sixth project. He indicated that the Minister had approved the plans at the end of March 2009 and temporary arrangements would be put in place for September 2009. The Director felt confident that the 6th form provision would be a huge success for education, regeneration and the community of Rhyl.

Mr Huw Evans thanked the Council for the strength of its conviction in investing in the Rhyl Sixth which was a landmark project emanating from the Cambridge Education Report in 2007. That report had identified the problems with the sixth form provision in Rhyl and indicated that the only way forward was to work in partnership with the schools and colleges in the area.

Mr Evans indicated that the Rhyl Sixth would combine traditional Sixth Form College academic standards with a broad based curriculum to ensure that it prepared young people for success in higher education and the world of work in the 21st century. He

2 reiterated that it was a flagship project for Wales and he had been an adviser to a similar project being launched in Merthyr County Borough Council.

Mr Evans indicated that the Rhyl Sixth would assist with the regeneration of Rhyl and would give many opportunities to the young people of the area. With the aid of a power point presentation Mr Evans referred to:-

- some facts and figures relating to Coleg Llandrillo which had a budget of £34m with 23,000 students of which 4,000 were full time. The college had a presence in many towns throughout Denbighshire and Conwy and possible links were being established with Coleg Dwyfor which could provide sites in mid Wales

- the key features of the Rhyl Sixth with its ongoing partnership framework, wide curriculum choice, high quality and cost effective delivery and outstanding accommodation and resources

- the partnership framework involving Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl High School and the Local Authority and the links to Prestatyn High and Ysgol Glan Clwyd

- the current position for 2009/10 with 55 applicants from Rhyl High School to the Rhyl Sixth to date, a comprehensive induction planned, planning permission granted for the new building

- the projected position for 2010/11 with Coleg Llandrillo taking full responsibility and the move of the provision to the new centre and

- what learners and parents could expect with the new provision

Councillor R W Hughes paid tribute to Mr Evans for his vision in developing the sixth form provision in Rhyl, which would complement the grade 1 college already established in the area. She also thanked Mr Evans for his commitment to Rhyl and paid tribute to his inspirational leadership in the field of education. Members echoed those comments and congratulated the Principal on the development of Rhyl Sixth.

In response to Members’ questions the Principal referred to the:- working relationship with Ysgol Glan Clwyd; the provision only applying to areas where existing sixth form provision was not adequate and the links with Llysfasi College.

The Leader of the Council thanked the Principal for an excellent presentation and indicated that the Rhyl Sixth was a very brave project as the closure of sixth forms in Rhyl was very controversial. Councillor H H Evans referred to the publication of the Estyn report that day and the excellent progress made since the last Estyn report. He agreed that the Council had to work in partnership in all services and felt that the regeneration of Rhyl would start with the Rhyl Sixth project.

Ms Celia Jones extended an invitation to all Members to visit Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl which had outstanding facilities both for academic and vocational studies and had close links with local employers.

3 The Chairman thanked the officers for the presentation.

6 FINAL REVENUE ACCOUNTS 2008/09

The Lead Member for Finance submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting Council to

- agree the final revenue outturn position as recommended by Cabinet and subject to audit and

- to approve the treatment of reserves, provisions and balances as detailed in the report

Councillor J Thompson-Hill took members through the report and referred to the strengthening of the financial situation of the Council for 2008/09 which had made it possible to make recommendations for the creation of specific reserves and provisions that would assist the Council in addressing the financial pressures of the next few years.

The Lead Member referred to:-

- the final outturn figures as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report

- spend on the schools delegated budgets which was £550k above the level of the overall LMS budget

- individual school balances as detailed in Appendix 3 to the report

- under spends/over spends within each Directorate

- a one-off saving of £821k due to temporary conditions relating to borrowing costs

- the service under spends of £527k recommended for carrying forward for spending on services for 2009/10

- the one-off benefit of £241k through the assumptions on the Council Tax

- the unearmarked balances which stood at £6.4m as at 31st March 2009 in line with the level recommended by the Wales Audit Office i.e. 5% of the net revenue budget, excluding schools delegated budgets

- the main elements of the contributions made to and from Reserves and Provisions which had been allowed for within the accounts as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report and

- the potential pressures that would have an impact upon the new financial year

4 Members took the opportunity to raise various questions with the Lead Member regarding the final accounts. In response he reported that

- a detailed breakdown of the £780k allocated for areas of support was included in the recent Cabinet papers

- the Assembly settlement in future years would impact on the spend available for schools but funding would decrease

- the money allocated for the PFI building was planned expenditure and not extra spend

In response to concerns expressed by Councillor J Bellis, the Corporate Director: Lifelong Learning indicated that a business case had now been developed for Blessed Edward Jones High School, Rhyl and finance officers were working with the school. He anticipated that the budget situation would improve in the future. With reference to the Intervention Fund he indicated that a number of schools required assistance particularly those facing redundancies in staff. The Director felt that they were one-off instances but emphasised the need for schools to have forward planning measures.

The Corporate Director: Environment responded to questions from Councillor G M Kensler indicating the original business plan had been taken into account with regard to the Hyfrydle project. He reported that an options analysis was being prepared for the building and the Council was also looking at all vacant buildings on the site as part of the review. The Director indicated that a full consultation process would take place on the options.

In response to a question from Councillor L M Morris the Financial Controller reported that the true underspend was £1.7m. He referred to the contributions made to Supporting People provision and redundancy costs and indicated that £1m would be saved on salary costs.

In response to a further question from Councillor L M Morris the Corporate Director: Social Services and Housing referred to the underspend of £1/2m in the Directorate budget but highlighted the very volatile budgets within Social Services and Housing. She referred to the need to carry over the underspends to respond to demographic pressures particularly within the learning disabilities area. The Director agreed that the underspend was larger than expected but the closure of Llys Nant in 2008/09 contributed to the underspend. She indicated that a detailed projection for learning disabilities was easier to forecast compared with older people’s demographic changes. In conclusion she indicated that there would always be variables within the Directorate’s budgets.

RESOLVED that a) the final revenue outturn position, subject to audit, for the year ended 31st March 2009 be approved

5 b) the recommended movements in reserves and provisions and the carrying forward of earmarked balances as detailed in paragraph 4.10 and 4.13 and Appendix 2 of the report be approved

At this juncture (11:35am) the meeting adjourned for 15 minutes to allow Members to partake in refreshments.

7 CALL-IN PROCEDURE

The County Clerk submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting Council to approve and include in the Council’s Constitution the ‘call-in’ procedure rules as detailed in section 4 of the report.

The County Clerk paid tribute to the work undertaken by officers and Members to develop the call-in procedure and in particular to the workshop arranged for Scrutiny and Corporate Governance Members on 25th February 2009.

Councillor J B Bellis, Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee thanked the County Clerk and the Scrutiny Support Officers for developing the call-in procedures. He referred to the reference in the Wales Audit Office report on Corporate Governance for the need for joint scrutiny working and felt that the joint workshop was a good example of that type of work.

RESOLVED that the ‘call-in’ procedure rules as detailed in section 4 of the report be approved for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.

8 TIMING OF MEETINGS FOR COUNCIL/CABINET/COMMITTEES – 2010/11

The County Clerk submitted a report (previously circulated) seeking Members’ views on the timings and venues of meetings prior to consideration of the approval of the timetable of meetings later in the Municipal Year. He indicated that over the years meetings were generally held on a Tuesday/Wednesday and many of the meetings had been held in Ruthin to achieve opportunity savings as a majority of senior officers were based in County Hall. He also reported that the start times for meetings was normally 10:00am but some Scrutiny Committees now commenced at 09:30am. However he emphasised the need to have regard to the flexi-arrangements of staff and work-life balance when considering the timing of meetings.

The County Clerk indicated that previously some Members expressed the wish for evening meetings but the majority of Members wanted meetings to be held during the day. He also expressed concern at the holding of afternoon meetings which could drift into teatime/evening sessions and the possibility that some of those meetings could become inquorate.

In conclusion the County Clerk reported that the Council had now submitted its documentation relating to the Wales Charter for Member Support and Development and indicated that one of the criteria was that a review of the arrangements for council business had taken place and as a result, meeting times, timings and venues reflected the needs of Members as closely as possible.

6 Councillor D Hannam felt that the existing arrangements were acceptable which met flexi-time requirements and she did not support the holding of evening meetings.

Councillor J Bellis supported the existing arrangements but referred to the issue of lengthy meetings. He felt that there should be an earlier start time for meetings, possibly 9:00am.

Councillor L Morris felt that the fundamental issue was that the Council did not represent all elements of the community and suggested a mix of meetings held in locations convenient to all. She also supported a start time of 9:00am for meetings.

Councillor D A Thomas referred to the difficulty for self-employed Members taking time off for meetings whereas other employed Members were allowed 18 days a year for Council business. He felt that staff should be consulted on any proposed changes and all aspects needed to be considered as part of the review.

Councillor R L Feeley referred to her interview with the Remuneration Panel when the issue of evening meetings was raised and the difficulty for Members who did work to attend day time meetings. She raised concerns that some committees had been inquorate due to non-member attendance.

Councillor J Chamberlain Jones raised concerns over evening meetings, particularly during the winter months. She was pleased to note that more meetings were being held in Russell House, Rhyl and supported the existing arrangements.

Councillor J Thompson-Hill referred to the drive to encourage young people to stand for election and felt that day time meetings might discourage some candidates. He felt that the Council should trial some evening meetings.

Councillor C Davies felt that there needed to be a balance with the arrangements and supported an earlier start time for meetings which should obviate the need for some morning meetings to drift into afternoon sessions which posed a problem for full time employees who had specifically requested the morning off to undertake Council business.

The Lead Member for Personnel referred to the Members’ Charter and the need to take into account the views of Members, officers and residents when reviewing the arrangements. Councillor R W Hughes referred to the Council’s objective to be “closer to our communities” and the need to hold meetings around the County and invite local residents to those meetings. She indicated that the views of staff were important particularly with their flexi-arrangements. Councillor Hughes referred to the past training sessions held for Members in the evening with attracted a very poor attendance. She also queried whether it was feasible for Members who worked a full day to attend evening meetings. In conclusion Councillor Hughes indicated that all accommodation booked for meetings had to be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.

RESOLVED that a review of the existing arrangements for Council business be undertaken taking into account Members’ views above

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9 COUNTY COUNCIL FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME

The County Clerk submitted the County Council Forward Work Programme for consideration.

RESOLVED that the County Council Forward Work Programme be received and noted.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the ground that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

PART II

10 CAPITAL PLAN 2008/09 – 2011/12

The Lead Member for Finance submitted a confidential report (previously circulated) requesting Council to note the latest position on the 2008/09 element of the Capital Plan.

Councillor J Thompson-Hill took Members through the report and referred to the position with the major current projects (including the Rhyl developments), other projects considered and approved by Cabinet on 28th April 2009, other projects approved by CET on 20th April 2009, capital receipts and prudential indicators.

With reference to the Heather and Hillforts project Councillor G M Kensler referred to the sad passing away of Mr Michael Griffith who was Chairman of the Heather and Hillforts Partnership Board. She indicated that Mr Griffith brought great prestige and enthusiasm to the project and it was agreed that a letter of condolence be sent to the family. Councillor Kensler requested further information on the Convergence Business Accommodation project and an up date on the Ffrith.

Members took the opportunity to raise various questions with the Lead Member and in response he reported that

- the Convergence Business Accommodation project included many Council owned premises which were run down and would be converted to business units. All local Members had been involved with the individual projects

- the possible use of the field at Ysgol Dinas Bran as a car park would be investigated by the relevant Directorates

- the Heather and Hillforts project had drawn down major funds and was a great success

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- the policy on asset disposals had been approved previously and involved consultation with local Members on any potential disposals. Any authority for disposals would be approved by Cabinet

- capital allocations by WAG would be reduced in future settlements

- the new cycle bridge at Foryd Harbour had not reached final design stage and there was still time for further consultation on siting etc

- no capital receipts had been received during 2008/09

The County Clerk indicated that a report on the Foryd Harbour Empowerment Order would be considered by Cabinet in July.

The Corporate Director: Environment updated Members on the current position regarding the Modus (Ocean Plaza, Rhyl) development. He also indicated an assignment of the Lease had been recently undertaken in respect of the Ffrith and he hoped to have further information on the lessee’s plans very shortly. The Director indicated that the design of the Cycle Bridge had been more or less finalised except for the exact location which could be affected by the sea defence works to be carried out. In conclusion the Director reported that he had met with the Chairs of the Resources and Environment Scrutiny Committees and that a scrutiny working group was to be set up in conjunction with the Area Elected Members Group to review the list of Council assets in all towns.

RESOLVED that

(a) the latest position on the 2008/10 element of the Capital Plan be noted

(b) the approval by Cabinet that £1m be added to the Capital Contingency Budget be noted and

(c) the approval of the £41k by CET under delegated power for a Gwynfryn site feasibility study be noted

11 FORMER NORTH WALES HOSPITAL SITE, DENBIGH

The Head of Planning and Public Protection submitted a confidential report (previously circulated) which updated Members on the current position regarding the site. He referred to a report submitted to Cabinet on 21st October 2008 which updated Members on the owner’s stated position at that time, the interest of the Prince’s Regeneration Trust, the basis of advice from Counsel and options for a proposed strategy for the County Council.

The Head of Planning outlined to Members the key events that had occurred since October 2008, as detailed in the report and the current position with regard to compliance with the Section 106 agreement. He also explained that if the conditions of the Section 106 agreement had not been met by the end of September 2009 the

9 Council would be calling on the Bond to ensure that monies were paid into the Restoration Fund.

Members took the opportunity to raise various questions with the Head of Planning and it was

RESOLVED that the position be noted and the proposed actions as detailed in paragraph 10 of the report be endorsed.

12 ROYAL INTERNATION PAVILION, LLANGOLLEN

(this item was considered as a matter of urgency notice having been given by the Chairman at the commencement of the meeting)

The Lead Member for Finance submitted a confidential report (previously circulated) requesting Council to approve a project to re-roof the Royal International Pavilion in the Capital Plan. He indicated that the Welsh Assembly Government had offered up to £1m of match funding but with certain stringent conditions. The Lead Member reported that the timescales were very tight but the offer of funding would allow the Council to undertake the wider scheme of works that were missing from the original project bid. In conclusion he indicated that the scheme had been approved by the Capital Strategy Group on 29th June.

Councillor L M Morris felt that the scheme was very important to the town and a robust business plan had been developed for the project involving a number of key partners. She indicated that the scheme would provide an all year round facility and expressed concern that the existing roof only had a 12 month lifespan.

In response to Members’ questions the Lead Member reported that

- to “do nothing” was not an option because of the state of the existing roof

- the building of the roof would necessitate specialist work and the roof would have a 20/30 year lifespan and

- the project management team had been involved with the project

RESOLVED that

(a) the acceptance of the grant offer from the Welsh Assembly Government including the conditions be approved and

(b) the potential requirement for additional funds in the next financial year be noted and delegated responsibility to given to the Corporate Director: Environment to negotiate the final terms with the Welsh Assembly Government

The meeting concluded at 1:46pm

10 AGENDA ITEM No. 4 REPORT TO COUNCIL

REPORT BY: Head of Planning & Public Protection

DATE: 28th July 2009

SUBJECT: Denbighshire Local Development Plan (LDP) 2021: Approval of Deposit Plan for Consultation

1. DECISION SOUGHT

1.1 To seek Council approval for the draft Deposit LDP, attached as Appendix 1 together with the proposals maps on the accompanying CD (paper copies are available upon request) for public consultation.

2. REASON FOR SEEKING THE DECISION

Background

2.1 The Council is charged with preparing a Local Development Plan to guide development in the County over a 15 year period. The LDP is one of the four statutory documents the Council is required to produce. Members will recall that the Delivery Agreement for the LDP (agreed with the Welsh Assembly Government and reported to Council on 22nd September 2008), outlines a strict timetable for adopting the LDP by spring 2011. It is imperative therefore that Members and Officers continue to work together via the LDP Working Group to meet this timetable.

2.2 During the summer of 2008 a formal consultation exercise was undertaken on the Pre- deposit stage of the LDP with statutory consultees, government organisations, non-government organisations, town and community councils and members of the public. This consultation dealt with the Preferred Strategy of the plan in terms of the overall amount of housing and employment land required and where it should broadly be located. Over 400 responses were received and the majority related to specific sites rather than the overall growth levels proposed for the County. Key stakeholders such as the Welsh Assembly Government, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment Agency have broadly supported the Preferred Strategy. An summary consultation report is attached as Appendix 3 and will be published alongside the draft Deposit LDP.

2.3 Results of the consultation were reported to full Council in January and since that time the LDP Working Group have considered how best to proceed to the next stage of the Plan (the Deposit stage) taking into account further information from officers. Members agreed at full Council on 20th January 2009 that the strategy should remain largely as proposed in the Pre-Deposit Plan, with levels of growth of 500

- 1 - dwellings per year with 50 ha of employment land. It was proposed that this should be met through concentrating new development into one or more major new mixed development sites in the north of the County with smaller scale proposals in other County settlements.

2.4 The LDP Working Group has continued to investigate potential new development sites and develop the suite of policies to be included in the Deposit Plan.

2.5 The next stage in the preparation of the LDP is to go out to public consultation on the Deposit draft of the Plan. This is in effect the draft final version of the plan and contains strategic and detailed policies as well as land allocations. Any objections to the Plan received at this stage will go forward to a public Examination in Public held by a Planning Inspector. The Inspector will have to consider the soundness of the Plan as a whole. ‘Sound’ can be interpreted as “shows good judgement” and “is able to be trusted”. Local Development Plans Wales (2005) provides 10 criteria for assessing soundness. These criteria are, in effect, consistency, its coherence and effectiveness. A self assessment in respect of the soundness of the LDP has been undertaken and this is attached as Appendix 2.

2.6 Whilst agreement on the Deposit LDP to go out to public consultation could have been a Lead Member delegated decision, given the long term importance of this consultation it was felt appropriate to seek Full Council approval.

Content of the draft Deposit LDP

2.7 A Deposit LDP must contain the following elements: • Introduction • Strategy including: o Vision o Issues o Key aims and objectives o Key Policies o Monitoring indicators and targets o Spatial strategy • Detailed policies • Land allocations • Proposals maps The summary consultation report will also be made available alongside the Deposit LDP as part of the public consultation.

LDP Spatial Strategy

2.8 Following the Pre-Deposit consultation further work has been undertaken to determine which of the three potential Key Strategic Sites (Rhyl, Bodelwyddan and St Asaph) should go forward into the Deposit LDP. The work concentrated on the viability and feasibility of

- 2 - bringing forward the sites within the LDP Plan period. The LDP Working Group has recommended that the site at Bodelwyddan go forward as a mixed use site for consultation in the Deposit plan.

2.9 The Lower Growth Areas are recommended to be: o Rhyl o Prestatyn o St Asaph o Denbigh o Ruthin o Corwen

2.10 The spatial strategy also defines a number of villages and hamlets with associated growth levels appropriate to each settlements needs.

Draft LDP Policies

2.11 The policies have been organised into five themes as follows:

• Respecting Distinctiveness • Building Sustainable Communities • Promoting a Sustainable Economy • Valuing Our Environment • Achieving Sustainable Accessibility

2.12 The number of policies will be significantly less than those in previous development plans for a number of reasons.

2.13 Firstly, LDPs should not repeat national policy unless there is a local interpretation of this policy, such as identifying specific sites. This means that whole rafts of policies you may expect to see will not appear in the LDP, including policies relating to conservation areas, listed buildings etc; control of outdoor adverts; national biodiversity; tandem development; telecoms etc.

2.14 Secondly, LDPs are to be strategic documents that focus on the Council’s objectives for the use and development of land in the area and the general polices for implementing those objectives. Where more detailed guidance is required this should be through Supplementary Planning Guidance rather than through increased numbers of detailed policies.

2.15 As LDPs are not to repeat national policy, the appropriate national policy references have been included at the end of the Plan (as Appendix 1) to enable the relevant policies to be traced easily.

Sustainability Appraisal

2.16 The LDP is a key mechanism for delivering the spatial aspects of the Council’s Vision & Community Strategy. Sustainability is at the core of

- 3 - the LDP and the Plan is subject to ongoing appraisal throughout its development. The Sustainability Appraisal Report - Non-technical summary is attached as Appendix 4 and following approval by Council will be published alongside the draft Deposit LDP.

What happens next?

2.17 Once Members have approved the Deposit LDP for consultation, work will continue on finalising the background documents to accompany the LDP and to establish the specific consultation arrangements.

2.18 The Deposit LDP is the second statutory consultation stage which the Council is required to carry out. This consultation must be for a minimum of six weeks and regulations state who must be consulted as a minimum, although the Council seeks to consult with a far wider range of people and organisations than those set out in legislation. It is hoped to be able to hold the consultation starting in October and finishing at the end of November giving up to 8 weeks for people to respond. The details of the consultation were discussed at the last LDP Working Group held on 29th June 2009.

2.19 During the consultation period it is proposed that the following groups will be consulted using slightly different methods. Different approaches to different groups are required when sharing information and listening to views:

a) Members: A pre-consultation Member briefing session will be hosted by Officers who will guide Members through the Deposit LDP and accompanying consultation documents. There will also be an open invitation for all Members to attend any other event or exhibition.

b) Internal Officers: Officers will be made aware of the forthcoming consultation and asked to attend a one-off information event. The purpose of the event will be to provide information on the Deposit LDP, ask questions and consider how best to respond to consultation.

c) Key Stakeholder Group, Statutory Bodies & Neighbouring Authorities: Similarly to the Members LDP Working Group, these groups have been involved throughout the process to date in shaping the draft Deposit LDP. It is proposed that they will be invited to attend a one-off event. Officers will also encourage 1-to-1 meetings with these groups during the consultation period to ensure participation.

d) Town & Community Councils: A pre-consultation town and community council briefing session will be hosted by Officers who will guide representatives through the Deposit LDP and consultation documents. Town and Community Councils will

- 4 - be provided with a consultation pack, including reference copies of documents for their communities along with non-technical summary documents and posters to advertise local exhibitions.

e) Community Forum: Officers will attend the 6 Community Forum meetings to be arranged in September/October this year. It is planned to have a pre-meeting exhibition, with an opportunity for attendees to speak to officers and a brief presentation and question/answer session at the meeting.

f) Public: The general public will be primarily targeted through exhibitions to be held at accessible locations throughout the County. People will be able to attend any of these exhibitions and ask questions, etc. The exhibitions will be extensively advertised (press, radio, libraries, posters). It is also proposed to hold ‘surgeries’ at various council offices/one stop shops around the County where people can make an appointment to discuss a particular issue with Officers.

h) Documents: During this consultation period all documents and maps will be made available in a variety of formats. The choice of formats will include paper/print, exhibition, and DCC website (where people will be able to download, print out, and respond to documents). Hard copy references will be available at the 8 public libraries in the County, all 5 main DCC buildings (Trem Clwyd, County Hall, Caledfryn, Russell House and Ty Nant). All 37 Town & Community Councils will be provided with reference copy documents for their communities to consider. Officers are currently investigating the potential costs of producing a DVD for this stage as there was widespread support for the Pre-Deposit DVD as an innovative way of communicating the broad content of the LDP.

2.20 In addition, posters and press releases will be issued to publicise the consultation period and local exhibitions.

3. POWER TO MAKE THE DECISION

3.1 Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act (2004), and associated regulations and guidance.

4. RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

4.1 Cost Implications: There are cost implications of taking the Deposit LDP out to public consultation, primarily the printing and consultation of the document itself and production of consultation materials. These costs will be budgeted for from the existing service budget. This stage is a statutory requirement and the regulations set out minimum requirements.

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4.2 Ultimately, when approved in 2011 the LDP will of course have significant cost implications on several service areas and several towns and villages. Cost implications from development growth and population change could primarily manifest itself through impact on existing services and infrastructure e.g. highways, schools, open space provision, community facilities such as libraries etc. However the County's population is likely to grow even without the LDP in place - the LDP simply provides a more effective and planned mechanism for delivering this growth. Therefore an effectively prepared LDP should aim to secure social and physical infrastructure and services to accompany any growth which will provide an overall benefit rather than a burden to both our communities and Council Services.

4.3 Staffing/Accommodation Implications: None at this stage

4.4 IT Implications: None at this stage

5. RISK ASSESSMENT

5.1 Risks associated with not agreeing the recommendations:

The Council is required to produce a Local development Plan and not approving the draft Deposit LDP for consultation would prejudice the Delivery Agreement agreed with Welsh Assembly Government and could ultimately delay the adoption of the Plan. This would leave the Council exposed to development proposals (especially by appeal) by not having an up to date adopted development plan in place by the time the existing Unitary Development Plan expires in 2011.

5.2 Risks associated with agreeing the recommendations:

None identified

6. FINANCIAL CONTROLLER STATEMENT

6.1 The Council has been building up a provision within the accounts, fed by annual contributions, for the eventual cost of developing the Plan.

7. CONSULTATION CARRIED OUT

7.1 The draft Deposit LDP represents the culmination of extensive consultation with Members through the LDP Working Group on the Deposit LDP. This version of the LDP has also been informed by the comments received during consultation on the Preferred Strategy

- 6 - undertaken between June and August 2008. The Initial Consultation Report is attached as Appendix 3.

7.2 There has also been on-going consultation with a variety of external organisations, including the Denbighshire LDP Key Stakeholder Group – a group of key external stakeholders who have an interest in the outcome of the LDP, and can provide technical input, and extensive internal consultation with other Council service areas.

8. IMPLICATIONS

8.1 Consistency with/support for Corporate Priorities: The LDP is consistent with and will have a positive impact on all 4 of the Council’s Corporate Priorities. In particular, the LDP will have a direct role to play in achieving the priorities of Regeneration and Responding to Demographic Change through the policies and proposals within it, influencing development on the ground.

8.2 Assessment of Impact on the Vision, Community Strategy, Equalities and Sustainability The LDP when adopted will have a positive bearing on the above strategies and is a key mechanism for delivering the spatial aspects of the Vision and Community Strategy. Sustainability is at the core of the LDP and it will seek to make housing, employment, recreation and services available and accessible to all of the County’s residents.

9. ACTION PLAN

RESPONSIBLE ACTION TO BE OFFICER/DATE BY REVIEWED & ACTION WHEN ACTION TO BE MONITORED COMPLETED BY/DATE TO BE MONITORED 1. Seek full Council Policy, Information & Head of Service approval of draft Deposit Research Manager – Planning & Public LDP for consultation Angela Loftus Protection – 28th July 2009 Graham Boase 28th July 2009 2. Undertake consultation Policy, Information & Head of Service on draft Deposit LDP Research Manager – Planning & Public Angela Loftus Protection – Graham Boase Consultation period: 5th 30th November October – 30th November 2009 2009 3. Report back to Council Policy, Information & Head of Service on consultation Research Manager – Planning & Public Angela Loftus Protection – Graham Boase January 2010 January 2010

- 7 - 4. Publish additional site Policy, Information & Head of Service submissions Research Manager – Planning & Public Angela Loftus Protection – Graham Boase Winter/spring 2010 Winter/spring 2010

5. Preparation for Policy, Information & Head of Service submission of LDP to Research Manager – Planning & Public Planning Inspectorate & Angela Loftus Protection – Public Examination into Graham Boase LDP Spring/summer 2010 Spring/summer 2010

10. RECOMMENDATIONS:

It is recommended that Council:

i) approve the Deposit LDP attached as Appendix 1, for public consultation; ii) delegate authority for the Lead Member for Sustainable Development & Environment to agree any minor amendments to the Deposit LDP which may be necessary prior to consultation; iii) agree the broad principles for consultation set out in paragraphs 2.19 – 2.20 of this report; iv) endorse The Soundness Self-Assessment Checklist (attached as Appendix 2), Initial Consultation Report (Appendix 3), Sustainability Appraisal Report – Non- technical Summary (Appendix 4) to be published as technical supporting documents to the LDP.

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Appendix 1: Deposit LDP

Appendix 2: Soundness Self Assessment Checklist

Appendix 3: Consultation summary report

Appendix 4: Sustainability Appraisal – Non-technical Summary

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Appendix 1

DENBIGHSHIRE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

DEPOSIT DRAFT

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 1

CONTENTS

Page

Introduction 3

How to respond to this consultation 5

The County of Denbighshire 6

Planning Policy context 9

The LDP Vision 12

Issues & objectives 14

LDP Strategy 17

DEPOSIT DRAFT SPATIAL POLICIES 21

Monitoring & Implementation 71

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 2

INTRODUCTION

What is a Local Development Plan?

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, requires all local planning authorities in Wales, i.e. County or Borough Councils, and National Park Authorities, to produce a Local Development Plan (LDP) for their area.

The Local Development Plan provides a clear vision for how new development can address the challenges faced by the County and where, when and how much new development can take place up to 2021. The aim is to provide developers and the public with certainty about the planning framework for the area - once adopted local planning authorities have to comply with their Local Development Plans when making decisions on planning applications.

In general, Local Development Plans comprise a preferred strategy, allocations for development, area-wide policies for development types, and where necessary policies and proposals for key areas of change and protection. The Plan is accompanied by a Proposals Map, a Sustainability Appraisal, and a Consultation Report. Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) requires Local Planning Authorities to produce an Annual Monitoring Report and undertake a full review of the Plan every four years, as circumstances or Government guidance may be subject to change over the Plan period.

Local Development Plans place greater emphasis on sustainability, community involvement at an early stage and throughout the whole process, and the document will be shorter and more concise than a Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

Denbighshire Local Development Plan 2006 - 2021 was launched in 2006, and it sets out a new framework for land use planning within the County up to 2021. Once this document is adopted by Denbighshire County Council, it will replace the current Denbighshire Unitary Development Plan 1996 - 2011 which was adopted in 2002.

This LDP document was prepared in 2009 and represents the second formal consultation stage which is officially designated as the “Deposit” stage by WAG. The “Deposit” LDP contains the agreed strategy along with detailed policies and land allocations that will contribute to the delivery of the LDP.

Who has been involved in preparing Denbighshire’s LDP?

From the launch of the Local Development Plan in 2006, a variety of organisations have helped in bringing this policy document to its current stage. These have included various statutory bodies, such as Countryside Council for Wales; non- statutory bodies, such as housing associations; elected Council Members, Town & Community Councils and representatives from many other organisations, through the Denbighshire LDP Key Stakeholder Group.

Most importantly, the Council would like to know what the inhabitants of Denbighshire think about the proposed policies. The public have already had an opportunity to have their say on the preferred strategy, when the LDP went to its

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Pre-Deposit Consultation in summer 2008. As the whole process has moved forwards, we have now reached the stage where anyone who is interested has a chance to submit comments on the detailed policies and land allocations.

Sustainable development

The concept of sustainable development has to be at the heart of all LDPs, in line with requirements from WAG and legislation from the European Union. All development plans need to be tested in order to make sure that strategies and policies meet social, economic and environmental objectives. This is undertaken through the process of Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment. The SA/SEA highlights areas where the Plan is contributing to sustainable development and identifies where changes or mitigation measures can be included which make the Plan more sustainable.

A “Habitats Regulation Assessment” has also been carried out, and this procedure has been developed to ensure that the highest level of protection is afforded to European designated sites; namely “Special Areas of Conversation” (SAC) and “Special Protection Areas” (SPA).

How to use this document

This document includes a range of policies to take forward the vision, objectives and spatial strategy of the Local Development Plan. Policies are grouped under key themes: Respecting Distinctiveness, Building Sustainable Communities, Promoting a Sustainable Economy, Valuing Our Environment and Achieving Sustainable Accessibility. The Plan should be read as a whole as many of the policies are linked and several policies may apply to any development proposal. Cross-referencing has only been specifically used where another policy is directly relevant - all policies should be considered where they are relevant to a proposal.

The Local Development Plan does not repeat either national planning policies or planning guidance. However, in addition to the detailed policies contained in this development plan, those national policies will also be a material consideration when making decisions on planning applications and appeals. Tables setting out links with national policies are included as Appendix 1. Denbighshire County Council will also produce a number of Supplementary Planning Guidance Notes (SPGs), which will provide more detailed guidance on policies and will be used in the decision making process once they have been adopted. Together these documents will provide the framework for the development and use of land within the Plan area and will deliver the spatial planning strategy for Denbighshire up to 2021.

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HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS CONSULTATION

How to submit your comments

You are invited to respond to this document and play your part in shaping the future of Denbighshire. We genuinely want to hear individuals’ and organisations’ views and opinions on the content of the LDP. The easiest way to respond is via the web: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/ldp where you will find a response form. This form must be received by the local authority by 5pm 30th November 2009. The form is set out to relate to the ten tests of “soundness”. Further guidance on what this means is provided in Appendix 2. Anyone wanting to comment or object to the plan should indicate why they consider the plan to be unsound and what changes are necessary to make it sound. The forms also encourage support for the plan to be recorded.

The response form is available either as paper copies or electronically via Denbighshire Council’s website at: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/ldp If you have spoken to an officer of the authority to explain your views, you should still submit a formal response.

What will happen next?

Following this round of public consultation, the LDP will be submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government for independent examination, along with all the responses received. This stage is called the “Examination in Public” and will be carried out by an independent Inspector who is appointed by the Planning Inspectorate. The Inspector will examine the evidence submitted with the LDP, any representations received, and he/she must determine whether or not the LDP is “sound”.

When the examination has finished, the Inspector will issue a report assessing the “soundness” of the LDP. If the Inspector considers the LDP is fundamentally unsound, his recommendation would be to withdraw the Plan. The report is likely to include recommendations concerning any changes required to the LDP and any work considered necessary before the LDP can be adopted or examined further. This report will be binding, unless the Welsh Assembly Government intervenes. The local authority must accept changes recommended by the Inspector and has to adopt the LDP, including any changes made by the Inspector.

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THE COUNTY OF DENBIGHSHIRE

Denbighshire County Council is located in north-east Wales and borders with five local authorities: Flintshire in the east, Wrexham in the south-east, Powys in the south, Gwynedd in the south-west and Conwy in the west. The county is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north.

There are approximately 97,000 people living in Denbighshire, the area of which is 844 sq. km.1 The population distribution differs significantly within the county with an urbanised coastal strip around the seaside towns of Prestatyn (19,600 inhabitants) and Rhyl (25,500 inhabitants), and a predominantly inland rural area with a number of locally important market towns and main villages south of the A55 transport corridor.

The county has a high quality built and natural environment with numerous listed buildings, conservation areas, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, and protected wildlife species and habitats. Many of these have national or international recognition and protection status, such as the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the River Dee Valley which is designated as Special Area of Conversation (SAC) by the European Union. In particular, the area around the Llangollen Canal in the south-east of Denbighshire is designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Welsh culture and language is an integral part of the make up of Denbighshire. More than 26% of the population speak Welsh2, and this proportion rises to over 60% within many rural communities.

The seaside towns of Rhyl and Prestatyn, have well-established public transport links via the North Wales Coast main railway line with stations to Holyhead (Dublin) and Llandudno in North Wales, South Wales and West England. In Denbighshire’s rural area public transport is focussed mainly on serving market towns by bus and mainly in the Vale of Clwyd.

Three main roads cross the county which are part of the national trunk road network. The A55 forms an important transport route for all towns located alongside the coast in North Wales. Moreover, it is also part of the Euro Route E22 that links Scandinavia with the UK and Ireland. Like the A55 in the north, the A5 is a nationally important transport route for the market towns in the south of Denbighshire. It links London with Holyhead on the island of Anglesey. Finally, the A494 runs from the Chester area in the east through the towns of Ruthin and Corwen to Dolgellau in the south west.

The public service sector is the biggest employer in Denbighshire. Roughly 16,400 out of 38,000 employees work in public administration services, education and health services.3 Bodelwyddan is home of Glan Clwyd Hospital which is the

1 Welsh Assembly Government, Statistics for Wales (2008): “Population and Migration” 2 Welsh Language Board (2003): “2001 Census” 3 NOMIS Labour Market Profile Denbighshire (2009)

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County’s largest employer on a single employment site. Tourism and related services form another important field of employment and source of income for local enterprises. St Asaph Business Park is the County’s premier business park and a focus for firms that operate in the optoelectronic sector.

Rhyl is the largest shopping centre in Denbighshire and includes a number of High Street chain stores. In recent years a number of supermarket chains have established, or are seeking to establish outlets in many of the County’s market towns.

Denbighshire is faced with the challenge improving socio-economic conditions in areas of multiple deprivation in parts of towns like Rhyl, Prestatyn and Denbigh.4 In order to meet this challenge, a Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) has been designated to foster an economic upturn especially in northern Denbighshire and the neighbouring county borough of Conwy. The Welsh Assembly Government has committed to spend £38million in the North Wales Coastal Strategic Regeneration Area within four years commencing in 2009.

4 Welsh Assembly Government (2009): “Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2008”

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Map 1: County Character Map

Source: Denbighshire County Council (2009)

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PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT

The LDP forms part of a range of plans, policies and programmes at the national, regional and local level which have an influence over Denbighshire. In preparing this document the authority must have regard to these and the LDP plays an important role in delivering and implementing many of these plans and programmes. Summarised below are the key points from the relevant strategies and plans. A full list of all the plans, policies and programmes considered in the preparation of the LDP can be found as part of the Sustainability Appraisal contained in the Sustainability Appraisal Report that accompanies the LDP.

Wales Spatial Plan (2008 update)

Denbighshire falls into two Spatial Plan areas, the North East Wales – Borders and Coast, and Central Wales Areas.

North East Wales – Borders & Coast Priorities within the Wales Spatial Plan that have implications for the LDP can be summarised as:

Coastal Area • The identification of a Hub centred around Rhyl, St Asaph, Bodelwyddan and Prestatyn with the aim of fostering economic and social growth and inclusiveness, addressing socio-economic deprivation and improving access to services and employment inland. • A realistic scale of development needs to be considered. Developing a distinct identity, unique sense of place, outward looking, safe communities, enhancing Welsh language and culture, improved accessibility to the rural hinterland. • Health related growth is an opportunity at Bodelwyddan. • A Strategic Employment Site has been identified at St Asaph West and Bodelwyddan. • Coastal tourism resorts need to diversify their economies to improve their image and leisure offer. • Rhyl-Foryd harbour is identified as needing further assessment for development. • Regeneration programmes centred around Rhyl and Colwyn Bay are identified.

Rural Hinterlands and market towns • Denbigh and Ruthin are identified as rural service centres offering a range of facilities. Priority is to strengthen their role and reduce the need to travel. • Llangollen has been identified as having an international market for tourism.

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 9

Central Area The central area is rural in nature with a high quality environment and a drive to foster sustainable rural development.

• Denbigh, Ruthin, Corwen and Llangollen are identified as a primary settlement cluster with links to the Chester sub region and the Bala area. • Llangollen is earmarked as a settlement with a tourism focus.

Community Strategy – The Denbighshire Vision (2007)

The ‘Denbighshire Vision’ states that “Denbighshire in 2025 will be the ideal place to visit, live, work, conduct business and pursue a wide range of activities”. Key issues are:

• A clear strategy is needed to meet the County’s housing needs; • Housing need should primarily be met through mixed use development sites, in or close to main transport routes; • Emphasis to be placed on attracting high quality business and small and medium sized enterprises (SME) – build upon the success of the opto- electronic St Asaph Business Park in this regard. This could be through expansion of the Business Park or the creation of a new Business Park in relatively close proximity to it; • Support for regeneration schemes in Rhyl, Prestatyn and Denbigh.

Other Regional and Local Strategies

Due regard has also been given to many other approved and emerging regional and local strategies such as the Regional Waste Plan; Regional Transport Plan; Health, Social Care and Well Being Strategy; Children and Young People Strategy; Local Housing Strategies and the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Details of all plans considered whilst developing the LDP can be found in the Sustainability Appraisal report that accompanies the Deposit LDP.

Neighbouring areas

Denbighshire borders five other local authorities and the importance of the relationships and influences between these and the wider sub region has been recognised in the development of the LDP. Denbighshire has clear linkages in terms of housing, employment and tourism markets with Conwy, Flintshire and also the Cheshire West & Chester sub-region.

Collaboration

Collaborative working has been a key element in the development of the LDP, ensuring that the Plan takes into account relationships between places within and across administrative boundaries. Collaboration with various stakeholders has taken place at all levels (national, regional, sub-regional and local) and through various mechanisms including for example, the Regional Waste Planning process,

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 10 commissioning the North East Wales Housing Market Assessment and Policy Officers Group meetings. The North Wales Policy Officers Group has met regularly to discuss the regional apportionment of housing growth and cross border issues.

A key aspect of collaborative working with other bodies has been through the Key Stakeholder Group, which was established in 2006 to guide the development of the LDP. Membership of the Key Stakeholder Group was determined following a Stakeholder Mapping exercise and includes representatives from a cross section of organisations including public authorities, statutory consultees (such as the Environment Agency), business, health, social and environmental representatives.

In addition to the Key Stakeholder Group, on-going liaison has been undertaken with adjacent Planning Authorities; in particular Conwy, Flintshire and Wrexham, and with external agencies such as the Environment Agency, Welsh Water and Countryside Council for Wales, to ensure that the Plans and policies being developed by these authorities and agencies are complementary to the Denbighshire LDP and vice versa.

This collaborative working has been influential in the production of the LDP.

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THE LDP VISION

The LDP Vision sets how Denbighshire County will have developed by the year 2021 through the influence of the planning process.

Denbighshire by 2021

That Denbighshire, through sustainable development, will have a vibrant urban coast, with thriving market towns and rural areas. The housing and employment needs of the County will be met, the high quality environment protected and enhanced and a high quality of life maintained for all communities with full recognition that we have a strong Welsh language and culture that should be maintained and protected throughout the County.

Across the County the high quality environment will continue to have been protected and enhanced through directing development towards existing centres. The management of nature conservation interests will have been improved through management agreements linked to development sites.

New development sites will demonstrate high levels of sustainable development and seek to achieve low, or even zero, carbon status. Design standards will have been improved, enhancing the high quality natural and built environment of the County.

Denbighshire will be making a significant contribution to managing climate change through the promotion of renewable energy technologies and innovative design, the requirement for high levels of sustainable construction and development and through directing new development away from areas of flood risk.

The demographic profile of the County will be influenced through the provision of an adequate supply of quality housing and employment opportunities. Denbighshire will be retaining a greater proportion of its younger, economically active population and attracting more economically active migrants than previously.

Rhyl will be an attractive place to live and work with improved housing stock and a reduction in the levels of multiple deprivation currently seen. The LDP will play a part in this by encouraging regeneration through support for the initiatives arising from the Strategic Regeneration Area designation and by focussing development opportunities onto brownfield sites within the current town limits. The retail performance of Rhyl will have been improved through the re-development of the Queen’s Arcade, reinforcing its role as a sub-regional shopping centre.

The coastal resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn will be re-positioning themselves within the tourism market to take advantage of growth sectors such as short breaks and activity tourism. The LDP will assist in this through restricting the development of static caravan parks and seeking to improve existing ones. The coastal strips of both towns will be protected for tourism purposes and the development of appropriate outdoor activity will be supported.

Bodelwyddan will have become a much expanded settlement serving much of the housing and employment needs of the north of the County. The employment

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 12 allocations at Bodelwyddan and St Asaph will be supporting the regeneration of Rhyl and also providing attractive opportunities for inward investment and expansion of high quality businesses within the County. Transport linkages between the A55 corridor and the coast will have been improved through the increased viability of public transport services due to the rise in population in this area.

The market towns of Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen will have been strengthened through the development of new market and affordable housing and employment sites to meet local needs. Llangollen will have been supported in its role as an important tourism hub through the protection and enhancement of the town and its wider environment. Existing brownfield sites will have been redeveloped and the expansion of the town carefully controlled. These centres will continue to serve many of the needs of the surrounding rural areas.

The rural areas will be more sustainable having been allowed an appropriate level of growth to help to support rural services and facilities. Progress will have been made on meeting affordable housing needs for local people and appropriate rural employment proposals developed to strengthen and diversify the rural economy.

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ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES

The Pre-Deposit LDP identified a number of key issues. The following section summarises these key issues from which the Denbighshire LDP Objectives have been derived:

Key issues facing the County (in no particular order)

● There is a lack of housing, including affordable housing, for local needs to meet the predicted growth in population.

● There has been an historical lack of growth in rural areas to sustain facilities and provide homes for local people.

● There is a lack of serviced employment land to improve economic prosperity.

● Rhyl is currently underperforming as a sub-regional retail centre, other market town and village centres are vulnerable to increased competition from other centres outside of the County.

● Some areas in the north of the County are experiencing high levels of multiple deprivation.

● Access to transport - away from the coast and the A55 corridor both public and private transport networks are relatively poor.

● Welsh language and culture may be threatened by some types and scale of development.

● Infrastructure issues across the County, i.e. road, sewerage and waste management facilities, lack of open space and community facilities.

● There is a high quality built and natural environment in Denbighshire which should be protected and enhanced. The opportunities to enhance and develop environmental goods and services should also be explored.

● Areas of flood risk exist across the County; the coastal areas are particularly affected.

● Climate change - responses are required to address its potential impacts both in Denbighshire and on a wider scale.

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Objectives

The following objectives have been developed to address identified issues and needs within Denbighshire. These will need to be met in order to achieve the Vision for the County up to the year 2021.

Population and Community

1. The LDP will aim to meet projected housing needs in terms of a total number, type and size of dwellings, including provision of affordable housing.

Economy and Jobs

2. The LDP will ensure the County has economically viable, i.e. deliverable, and well planned strategic employment sites in areas of greatest demand.

3. The LDP will also allow sufficient flexibility to provide for local employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas.

Retail

4. The LDP will aim to re-establish Rhyl as one of the sub-region’s most attractive shopping centres.

Transport

5. The LDP will place emphasis on integrating land uses, such as, employment, housing, transport, with a view to reduce the need to travel and will promote sustainable transport.

6. The LDP will make the best use of the County’s two existing key transport corridors - the A55 trunk road and the North Wales Coast main railway line.

Welsh Language

7. The LDP will ensure that the impact of new development on the Welsh language and culture will be assessed in all parts of the county.

Public Open Space

8. The LDP will seek to protect existing open space and ensure that new developments make an adequate contribution to public open space provision.

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 15

Minerals

9. The LDP will seek to meet its local and regional mineral needs in the most sustainable manner.

Waste

10. The LDP will ensure that Denbighshire has adequate land available for the development of waste facilities to contribute towards meeting the needs of the region.

Energy

11. The LDP will ensure that Denbighshire makes a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gases through both supporting the principle of large wind farm development within identified zones and other renewable energy technologies, and ensuring that all new developments are built to minimise their carbon footprint.

Infrastructure

12. The LDP will ensure that an adequate level of physical and community infrastructure will be provided alongside new developments, e.g. water supply, primary care facilities, schools, roads, community facilities.

Mixed Use Development

13. The LDP will ensure that mixed use development sites are brought forward in key locations to ensure a better delivery of infrastructure and to support well integrated communities.

Design

14. The LDP will ensure that new developments will exhibit a standard of sustainable and good quality design.

Tourism

15. The LDP will seek to enhance and sustain tourism in the rural and coastal areas of the County.

Areas of Protection

16. The LDP will seek to protect and enhance the natural heritage of the County including aspects such as landscape, biodiversity, geo-diversity, designated sites and protected species. Environmental services and goods will additionally be enhanced and developed.

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DENBIGHSHIRE’S LDP STRATEGY

The LDP strategy sets out the broad approach that will be taken in addressing the County’s development needs in a sustainable manner. It takes account of other local, regional and national policies, key issues facing the County and the LDP Vision and objectives as outlined in previous chapters.

Sustainable development lies at the heart of the LDP; it underpins the objectives of the Plan and has been applied to the land use policies and land allocations that form the detail of the LDP. The sustainability of the LDP has been thoroughly tested via the Sustainability Appraisal process (incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment), details of which can be found in the Sustainability Appraisal report that accompanies the LDP.

Scale of Development

Denbighshire has a high quality natural and built environment and the LDP will aim to meet the needs of local communities within the environmental capacity of the County. This will require a careful balance to provide affordable homes, economic development and making communities more self sustaining along with restraint to ensure environmental protection. It is important to consider the capacity of each settlement to accommodate growth and their ability to accept different rates of development.

Housing

The LDP strategy provides for 7,500 new dwellings to be developed over the Plan period an average of around 500 per year. From this housing requirement figure, various factors need to be taken into account, in order to broadly calculate the amount of housing that needs to be accommodated in urban extensions (sites located outside but adjacent to existing settlements).

Of the 7,500 dwellings required, approximately 1,400 already have planning permission and a further 3,500 can be accommodated within existing development boundaries. This leaves approximately 2,600 homes to be provided on new sites outside existing development boundaries. This will be met through allocations at Bodelwyddan, Corwen, Rhyl, Ruthin, St Asaph and Prestatyn.

Employment Land

It is an LDP objective to provide employment opportunities within the County and reduce the need to commute long distances to improve sustainability. Around 50 hectares of employment land will be allocated in the LDP.

Spatial Strategy

The LDP spatial strategy is to focus development into a small number of large sites in the north of the County, with smaller scale new development being supported in other County settlements. The main justification for this spatial approach is based

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 17 on the issues and objectives set out in the preceding chapters, which in summary include:

• Benefits of large mixed use developments in integrating land uses (homes, shops, leisure facilities and jobs) to create sustainable communities; • Benefits of larger mixed use developments in delivering significant infrastructure investment and community facilities; • The north of the County has the 64% of the County’s population, the greatest level of housing need and the strongest housing market; • The County’s main public transport nodes are located to the north – primarily based around the train stations at Rhyl and Prestatyn; • The A55(T) is located in the north – this road is a trans-European network and is the source of considerable commercial and commuter activity; • The constraints on development land are more significant in the south of the County.

It is important to consider that, whilst this spatial strategy aims to concentrate the majority of the LDP’s development requirements into the north of the County, it does not aim to preclude development opportunities in other parts of the County. Smaller scale sites have been allocated in other settlements to meet local needs.

Settlement Strategy

The distribution of growth and new development in the County will be largely determined by the settlement hierarchy and associated spatial strategy. All settlements within the County have been placed into a five tier classification system as follows:

Tier Settlement(s) Approximate Expected Housing Contribution from New Allocations Key Strategic Site Bodelwyddan 1,715 Lower Growth Towns Rhyl 485 Prestatyn St Asaph Denbigh Ruthin Corwen Villages Betws Gwerfil Goch 300 Bodfari Bryneglwys Cadole Carrog Clawddnewydd Clocaenog Cyffylliog Cynwyd Derwen Dyserth Eryrys

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Gellifor Glyndyfrdwy Graigfechan Gwyddelwern Henllan Llanarmon yn Ial Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd Llandegla Llandrillo Llandyrnog Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd Llanferres Llangollen Meliden Nantglyn Pentre Llanrhaeadr Pwllglas Rhewl (nr Ruthin) Rhuallt Rhuddlan Trefnant Tremeirchion Hamlets Abbey Terrace 91 (Llangollen) Aberwheeler Bontuchel Cefn Mairwen Cwm Groesffordd Marli (inc Cae Onnen) Hendrerwydd Hirwaen Llanelidan Llangynhafal Llanrhaeadr yng Nghinmeirch Llanrhydd Llanynys Llidiart Y Parc Loggerheads Maeshafn Marian Cwm Melin-y-Wig Pant Pastynog Peniel Pentre Saron Pentrecelyn Pentredwr Prion

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Tafarn y Gelyn Y Green Total 2,591

Key Strategic Site – Bodelwyddan

Bodelwyddan has been identified as a Key Strategic Site to meet the needs of Denbighshire in line with the LDP strategy. This large mixed use site will deliver new housing, employment opportunities, open space and community facilities, creating a sustainable, expanded community. The site is identified on the proposals maps.

Lower Growth Towns

The towns of Rhyl, Prestatyn, St Asaph, Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen have been identified as lower growth towns. These towns function as regional and/or local service centres with wide rural hinterlands. These centres will collectively make an important contribution to the overall housing and employment requirements of the County. Development boundaries have been drawn for each town and the proposals maps show housing, employment and retail allocations as appropriate.

Villages

The settlement tier for villages contains both traditional villages and the towns of Rhuddlan and Llangollen. This tier in the hierarchy refers to the level of growth that it is considered is appropriate for each of these settlements as opposed to any strict definition of what constitutes a ‘village’. The amount of growth will vary between villages and growth will be primarily to meet local needs. All villages have defined development boundaries and where appropriate housing and employment allocations are shown on the proposals maps.

Hamlets

A settlement tier for hamlets has been developed in response to local concerns that development opportunities for local people have been overly constrained in very rural areas in previous Plans. Hamlets have been defined as having a community facility such as a school, shop, pub, place of worship etc either within the settlement or being a settlement that supports a neighbouring facility. Housing growth within hamlets will still be limited by a quota for each settlement and tied to local needs, with the aim of helping to sustain local communities and facilties. No development boundaries have been defined for hamlets as these would be overly restrictive given the limited amount of development that would be permitted; instead areas of search are shown on the proposals maps within which appropriate affordable housing proposals will be considered.

Open Countryside

All other areas are classified as open countryside where development opportunities will be strictly controlled in line with national policy. There will be a limited contribution to meeting housing needs through conversions of redundant rural

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 20 buildings and infill development. Appropriate employment opportunities will also be supported to help sustain local communities.

Phasing

In general, it is expected that housing development will be delivered by the private sector, including housing associations (Registered Social Landlords, or RSLs). The private sector is also expected to make a contribution towards much of the public infrastructure, including transport improvements and leisure, educational, and community facilities.

The ability of the private sector to deliver the above will be heavily influenced by external economic circumstances and infrastructure requirements. For this reason it is highly likely that delivery of housing completions in particular will vary considerably over the 15 year period of the Plan. It is anticipated that housing development will be broadly phased across the Plan period as follows:

Number of Dwellings per dwellings annum (approx) 2006/07 – 1,250 250 2010/11 2011/12 – 3,250 650 2015/16 2016/17 – 3,000 600 2020/21 TOTAL 7,500 500

The lower levels of projected development in the first phase of the Plan can be accounted for by (i) anticipated adoption of the Plan not occurring until Spring 2011 and (ii) a depressed housing market and subsequent low levels of dwellings being built. As the growth strategy for the county incorporates a major mixed-use site, it is anticipated that this will be delivered in a phased approach across the second and third phases of the Plan period. A significant amount of capacity has also been identified within the development boundaries set out in the UDP, which is anticipated to provide a constant supply of housing due to the lack of impacts arising from proposals contained within the Plan i.e. changes to development boundaries.

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DEPOSIT DRAFT SPATIAL POLICIES

Theme: Respecting Distinctiveness

Respecting distinctiveness is concerned with the identity of an area, about what makes it unique and what creates a sense of place. This includes aspects such as the character of the communities within Denbighshire, the quality and variety of the built and natural environment, the use of the Welsh language and the culture of the area.

Key aspects include the promotion and maintenance of the distinct identities of Denbighshire’s towns, villages and landscapes. This can be assisted via the LDP through the encouragement of sustainable design that reflects local distinctiveness and seeks to protect and enhance the historic environment.

Development boundaries as shown on the proposals maps are basic planning tools which define clear physical limits to developed areas. Development boundaries have been drawn to allow for an appropriate level of development for each settlement and to follow clearly identifiable features.

Within development boundaries, new development will, in principle, be supported provided that it meets the criteria of other policies in the LDP and material planning considerations. This assists in working towards a sustainable pattern of development by directing most development to existing settlements thereby making the most effective use of existing infrastructure, facilities and services and reducing the need to travel. Local distinctiveness is reinforced by maintaining traditional settlement patterns across the County.

Policy RD 1 - Sustainable and good standard design

Development proposals will be supported provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and that it: i) Respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design, density, materials, aspect, micro-climate and intensity of use of land/buildings and spaces around and between buildings; ii) Respects the form and character of the surrounding landscape and townscape and takes account of the County Landscape Strategy; iii) Respects and where possible enhances the local natural and historic environment; iv) Does not unacceptably affect prominent public views into, out of, or across any settlement or area of open countryside; v) Incorporates existing landscape or other features, takes account of site contours and changes in levels and prominent skylines; vi) Does not unacceptably affect the amenity of local residents, other land and property users or characteristics of the locality by virtue of increased activity, disturbance, noise, dust, fumes, litter, drainage etc., and provides satisfactory amenity standards itself;

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 22 vii) Provides safe and convenient access for disabled people, pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and emergency vehicles together with adequate parking, services and manoeuvring space. Proposals should also consider impacts on the wider Rights of Way network surrounding the site; viii) Does not have an unacceptable effect on the local highway network as a result of congestion, danger and nuisance arising from traffic generated and incorporates traffic management/calming measures where necessary and appropriate. A transport assessment and travel plan will be required where appropriate; ix) Has regard to the adequacy of existing public facilities and services; x) Does not prejudice land or buildings safeguarded for other uses, or impair the development and use of adjoining land; xi) Satisfies physical or natural environmental considerations relating to land stability, drainage and liability to flooding; xii) Takes account of personal and community safety and security in the design and layout of development and public/private spaces and has regard to implications for crime and disorder; xiii) Incorporates suitable landscaping measures, including where appropriate hard and soft landscaping treatment, the creation protection of green corridors, mature landscaping, and arrangements for subsequent maintenance. Landscaping should create a visually pleasant, sustainable and biodiversity rich environment that protects and enhances existing landscape features and also creates new features and areas of open space that reflect local character and sense of place; xiv) Has regard to the generation, treatment and disposal of waste.

Justification

It is an aspiration of the Council to raise the standard of design in all proposals. Good design is a key element in sustainable development and the LDP will promote high standards of design in terms of built development, including the standard of architecture, and in securing the best environment through landscape design.

All new developments must enhance and respect their surroundings and contribute towards the local identity. Developments must be of the appropriate scale, design and materials for their location and conform to the general principles set out above.

Supported by the strong commitment in the LDP to apply the policies that protect environmental assets, the LDP will seek to ensure that development in the County enhances and protects its local distinctiveness and visual quality and enhances quality of life. At the level of individual developments the LDP will promote sustainable construction and energy efficient and inclusive design.

In line with national policy, the Council will require the submission of an Access & Design Statement when making planning applications; this must show how the proposal’s design has evolved and how it responds to the context of its surroundings and ensures inclusive design.

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In addition, achieving safe designs and improving community safety will be an important consideration requiring liaison with the community and local authority partnerships to highlight these detailed design issues.

Further guidance will be provided in Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Policy RD 2 – Green Barriers

In order to reinforce the separation of neighbouring settlements, and to preserve the character of historic towns, a number of Green Barriers have been designated, as shown on the Proposals Map. Within Green Barriers, development will only be permitted provided that the open character and appearance of the land is not prejudiced.

Designated Green Barriers

Prestatyn – Rhyl Prestatyn – Gronant Prestatyn – Meliden Rhyl – Rhuddlan Meliden - Dyserth Trefnant – Clwydian Park Denbigh – South Ruthin – South

Justification

Green Barriers play an important role in the LDP strategy within which the need for development is balanced against the need to protect the countryside. Land within Green Barriers is open in character and appearance and serves to distinguish the separate identity of settlements or preserve their historic character.

Policy RD 3 - Extensions, Alterations and Replacement of Existing Dwellings

The extension or alteration of existing dwellings/land will be supported provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and that all the following criteria are met: i) the scale and form of the proposed development are subordinate to the original dwelling/land, or the dwelling as at the base date of 20 years prior to the current date; ii) the proposal is sympathetic in design, scale, massing and materials to the character, appearance and building style of the existing dwelling and the surrounding area;

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 24 iii) the proposal respects the character, appearance and amenity standards of the dwelling and its immediate locality; iv) the proposal does not represent an over development of the site or result in the domestication of an otherwise rural setting.

Only after an extension or alteration has been discounted because it is not feasible will the proposal for a replacement dwelling be considered.

Proposals for the replacement of an existing dwelling will only be supported where it can be demonstrated that: i) the dwelling has legal use rights as a dwelling; and ii) the dwelling is not of local historical importance or makes a valuable contribution to the character of an area; and iii) the dwelling is structurally unsound, of a poor design and inefficient in terms of energy and water.

Justification

It is a perfectly reasonable and legitimate aim of householders to improve their properties. This policy seeks to ensure that extensions to existing dwellings, whether in the open countryside or within development boundaries, are designed to reflect and enhance the existing property and the surrounding area in general. Extensions that are out of scale and character with their original design will not be permitted. The Council proposes to use a 20 year time period to define the original dwelling to take account of the varying needs of households between generations. It is also necessary to control extensions to dwellings in order to maintain a mix of dwelling types and sizes within communities as this helps to meet the diverse housing needs of the community and contributes to maintaining and supporting sustainable communities.

The designation of Conservation Areas within development boundaries and AONB, AOB, Green Barriers in the open countryside puts additional onus on the applicant to submit a well designed scheme. Regard to other policies in the LDP will be necessary such as RD 1 Sustainable and Good Standard Design. Particular regard in these instances must be paid to the original style, use of materials, landscaping and the treatment of boundaries to enhance biodiversity.

Further guidance will be provided in Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Policy RD 4 - The Welsh language and the social and cultural fabric of communities

In determining all planning applications, the needs and interests of the Welsh language will be taken into account. Development will be refused if its size, scale or location would cause significant harm to the character and language balance of a community.

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To be able to make an informed decision on applications that may have an effect on the future of the Welsh language within communities, applicants will be expected to submit, either a: i) Community and Linguistic Statement to accompany a planning application for smaller developments; or ii) More detailed assessment in the form of a “Community and Linguistic Impact Assessment” to accompany a planning application where developments are on a larger scale.

Developers will be expected to provide bilingual signage as a means of promoting the Welsh language.

Justification

Over the past decade there has been a small percentage increase in Welsh speakers in the more urban areas of the County. At the same time, however, the percentage of Welsh speakers in some of our rural communities has decreased in line with national trends. The LDP seeks to retain the County’s bilingual distinctiveness and the policy will apply to the whole of the County. Guidance has been taken from ‘Planning and the Welsh Language: The Way Ahead’ (2005). Policy RD 4 outlines the necessary requirement to ensure development does not harm the sociological-linguistic nature of our communities.

Guidance will be produced to outline the Council’s requirements for Community and Linguistic Statements and Community and Linguistic Impact Assessments.

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Theme: Building Sustainable Communities

Building sustainable communities is concerned with the provision of housing and employment opportunities along with regeneration and tackling deprivation.

Housing is one of the key factors that influence people’s health and well being. Providing opportunities for the right scale and mix of housing to meet the needs of a growing population including the provision of affordable housing are key considerations for the LDP.

Area of significant housing growth in the LDP have been linked to accessible locations which take account of environmental constraints and the opportunities for the sustainable development of communities. In the rural areas, levels of development have been allocated to support and sustain rural communities and services.

Policy BSC 1 - Growth Strategy for Denbighshire

New housing within the County will be required to meet the needs of local communities and to meet projected population changes. In order to meet these needs the LDP makes provision for approximately 7,500 new homes to 2021. Developers will be expected to provide a range of house sizes, types and tenure to reflect local need and demand and the results of the Local Housing Market Assessment.

New development will broadly be distributed as follows:

Key Strategic Site:

Site New Housing Allocation New Employment Land Allocation (Hectares) Bodelwyddan 1,715 26

A key strategic site has been identified at Bodelwyddan in line with the Preferred Strategy and is shown on the proposals map. This will be a mixed use site combining housing, employment opportunities, community facilities and open space in a sustainable new community. The Bodelwyddan Key Strategic Site lies within both the ‘Hub’ identified within the Wales Spatial Plan and the North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area announced by Welsh Assembly Government in 2008. A Development Brief will be produced for this site in consultation with local residents and key stakeholders prior to finalising the LDP.

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Lower Growth Towns

Town Site Housing Site Employment land allocation allocation (Hectares) Rhyl Land off 100 - 0 Trellewelyn Road / Bro Deg Prestatyn Ffordd 10 - 0 Penrhwylfa St Asaph Land at HM 75 St Asaph 14 Stanley Business Park Hospital Denbigh North of 8 - - Colomendy Industrial Estate Ruthin Glasdir 50 Lon Parcwr 5.5 Corwen Council 90 Ty’n Llidiart 6 depot, Industrial Estate Clawdd Poncen Total 325 33.5

The lower growth towns will provide for housing and employment needs primarily to meet local demand. Allocated housing and employment sites are shown on the proposals maps.

Villages The following settlements have been defined as Villages for the purposes of the LDP. Collectively the villages are expected to contribute around 300 new dwellings over the LDP Plan period to meet local needs. All villages have defined development boundaries to control the amount of potential development. Where sites capable of accommodating 10 or more units have been identified; these are shown as housing allocations on the proposals maps.

Villages Betws Bodfari Bryneglwys Cadole Carrog Clawddnewydd Gwerfil Goch Clocaenog Cyffylliog Cynwyd Derwen Dyserth Eryrys Gellifor Glyndyfrdwy Graigfechan GwyddelwernHenllan Llanarmon yn Ial Llanbedr Llandegla Llandrillo Llandyrnog Llanfair Llanferres DC DC Meliden Nantglyn Pentre Pwllglas Rhewl Rhuallt Llanrhaeadr (nr Ruthin) Rhuddlan Trefnant Tremeirchion

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Hamlets Hamlets have been allocated a quota of development over the Plan period to allow for growth appropriate to their size and the need for local connections affordable housing in the settlement. Detailed policy and guidance relating to local connections affordable housing is set out in Policy BSC 6 and forthcoming SPG – Affordable Housing.

Policy BSC 2 - Brownfield development priority

There will be a general presumption in favour of redevelopment of previously developed land before greenfield land.

In order to support this, development proposals in Rhyl, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan and Llangollen will be directed towards brownfield sites.

Justification

Planning Policy Wales (2002) states that previously developed (or brownfield) land should be used in preference to greenfield land wherever possible.

Whilst this approach will be adopted generally throughout the County, the towns of Rhyl, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan and Llangollen are identified as requiring particular focus upon the re-use of existing brownfield land. Brownfield land in Rhyl makes a significant contribution to the County-wide total (Denbighshire Housing Potential Study 2007) and it is considered important to emphasise redevelopment of these sites in line with wider objectives for regeneration in this area. Prestatyn and Llangollen are subject to significant physical constraints and restricting development towards brownfield land will help prevent ribbon development of the town. In both cases, this is reflected in the growth and spatial strategies of the LDP.

Policy BSC 3 - Securing infrastructure in new developments

All new development, where appropriate, will be expected to make adequate contributions towards new infrastructure to meet the additional social, economic, physical and/or environmental infrastructure requirements arising from the development or future maintenance and upkeep of facilities.

Justification

Planning obligations are legal agreements between landowners and/or developers and the Council, which secure contributions to make provision for facilities. In accord with Government guidance (Circular 13/97), such obligations will be sought where this would ensure that development is acceptable, which would otherwise be unacceptable in planning terms. Planning obligations can help to ensure that developments contribute to the creation and support of sustainable communities by ensuring that physical and social infrastructure is developed in line with community needs and seeking to mitigate the effects of climate change.

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Detailed guidance will be provided through Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Policy BSC 4 - Affordable Housing

Approximately 2,250-3,000 affordable homes for local people will be provided over the plan period.

All residential developments will be expected to make a contribution to affordable housing, which should be broadly as follows: i) On all developments of 3 or more dwellings a minimum of 30% should be affordable & provided on site. ii) Developments falling below the above threshold will be expected to make a financial contribution per dwelling. iii) All homes permitted through the infill and hamlets policies will be affordable housing for local needs.

In recognition of differing characteristics throughout the County, negotiations to determine the actual provision of affordable housing will be based on factors outlined in the Council’s Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance. In the interests of creating and maintaining sustainable mixed communities, proposals for 100% affordable housing sites will only be considered on sites of 10 units or less.

Justification

National planning policy and guidance requires local planning authorities to consider the community’s need for affordable housing when formulating development plan policies.

The usual method of securing affordable housing is through negotiation with the developer to provide affordable dwellings as an element of market housing development. An element of affordable housing will also be provided through conversion or redevelopment of existing buildings as well as new build housing schemes. All affordable housing secured through the planning system will be subject to a legal agreement ensuring that the level of affordability is maintained in perpetuity and that such homes will be available only to meet local housing needs.

Detailed guidance on the provision of affordable housing will be provided through Supplementary Planning Guidance.

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Policy BSC 5 – Key Strategic Site – Bodelwyddan

Land at Bodelwyddan has been identified as a Key Strategic Site as shown on the proposals map, as part of the Preferred Strategy of the Local Development Plan and in order to meet the acknowledged development needs of the north of the County. The site is intended to be an exemplar site in terms of sustainability.

Development will be phased over the plan period and should incorporate all the following key elements: i) 1,715 dwellings including 30 - 40% affordable housing; ii) education and health provision; iii) 26 hectares of B1, B2 & B8 employment land; iv) new highway network between the existing A55 Junction 26 and Sarn Road and other offsite improvements; v) onsite community facilities, open space, retail provision; vi) safeguarding and enhancement of any areas/species of nature conservation importance; vii) pedestrian and cycle facilities to serve connectivity between homes and jobs, including the surrounding Rights Of Way network; viii) new public transport links; ix) sustainable building materials, energy efficient and water efficient measures and aspire to be carbon neutral; x) consideration as to the potential impacts on the linguistic, cultural and social character of the area.

Justification

The Wales Spatial Plan, North East Wales Area, identifies a hub between the towns on the Denbighshire coast and St. Asaph. The hub provides a focus for future employment, housing and retail and provides continued support and opportunity for growth and regeneration for a wider area.

The site also lies within the North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area. The employment allocation at Bodelwyddan will assist in the regeneration of Rhyl and improved linkages between the two settlements will enhance the sustainability of them both.

The site is in close proximity to the County boundary with Conwy County Borough this lends itself to collaboration work in terms of identifying need for affordable housing, education and employment provision. Whilst a development of this size brings change to the existing residents of Bodelwyddan the Council identifies a number of opportunities in site masterplanning to address the strategic County issues such as housing needs, and building on the economic success of the St Asaph Business Park and local colleges. In environmental terms some real opportunities for enhancement exist. Bringing forward a strategic mixed development is likely to have a host of other benefits such as, greater opportunity to promote sustainable development principles, reduced reliance on the private car

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 31 and a mixed sustainable community. In addition to the delivery of serviced employment sites development could provide various community benefits such as funding of school places, transport improvements, affordable housing and extra care housing.

Building a sense of place through high quality design is key and masterplanning the infrastructure requirments to reduce water demand and increase renewable energy generation is integral to the design.

A Development Brief will be prepared in consultation with key stakeholders and the local community to ensure the development meets the needs of the County and the local community.

Policy BSC 6 - Local connections affordable housing in hamlets

Local connections affordable housing will be permitted in the hamlets listed below, provided the proposal is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and subject to the following criteria: i) the proposal would provide an affordable dwelling to meet local needs; ii) the proposals would help to secure the viability of the local community, and strengthen the community and linguistic character; iii) new housing is located within the defined settlement confines of the hamlet and overall growth levels restricted to that indicated below; iv) the proposal is in keeping with traditional building styles and is sympathetic in design, scale and materials to other traditional buildings in the locality; v) satisfactory arrangements are made to ensure the dwelling is retained in perpetuity as an affordable dwelling for local need and this is contained in a Section 106 agreement.

The hamlets included in the policy are listed below – the figure in the second column denotes the number of dwellings that will be permitted in each settlement over the Plan period.

Justification

New dwellings in the hamlets will be restricted to affordable housing only in order to meet local affordable housing need. An applicant must have a strong local connection with the Community Council area in accordance with the Council’s Local Connections Policy, as stipulated in the Supplementary Planning Guidance on Affordable Housing.

Applicants will not necessarily need to be registered on any housing waiting list but must:

1. not be able to afford to purchase a suitable property for their needs on the open market.

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2. not own a property already, unless a larger or smaller house is required to meet the needs of the household and they are not able to afford to purchase a suitable property on the open market or they wish to move because of relationship and family breakdown, or are unable to meet monthly payments on their existing property.

3. be subject to a financial appraisal which proves a genuine need for an affordable dwelling in the hamlet. This appraisal will be based on the specific needs criteria for hamlets as set out in the Council’s SPG on Affordable Housing.

The assessment of need and eligibility will be undertaken by a responsible body (ie a Registered Social Landlord) in accordance with the details set out in the Council’s SPG on Affordable Housing.

Settlement No. Dwellings To Be Permitted Over LDP Plan Period Abbey Terrace (Llangollen) 3 Aberwheeler 4 Bontuchel 2 Cefn Mairwen 3 Cwm 2 Groesffordd Marli (inc Cae Onnen) 4 Hendrerwydd 2 Hirwaen 2 Llanelidan 4 Llangynhafal 2 Llanrhaeadr yng Nghinmeirch 6 Llanrhydd 1 Llanynys 4 Llidiart Y Parc 4 Loggerheads 1 Maeshafn 2 Marian Cwm 2 Melin-y-Wig 4 Pant Pastynog 1 Peniel 1 Pentre Saron 1 Pentrecelyn 2 Pentredwr 12 Prion 3 Tafarn Y Gelyn 6 Y Green 13

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Total 91

Policy BSC 7 – Houses in Multiple Occupation & Self Contained Flats

Proposals which would lead to the creation of Houses in Multiple Occupation or non self-contained flats will not be permitted.

The sub-division of existing premises to self-contained flats will be permitted provided that the proposal is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and: i) the property is suitable for conversion to the number and type of flats proposed without unacceptably affecting the character, appearance and amenity standards of the locality (including cumulative effects of such proposals); ii) the proposal conforms to the Council’s approved space and amenity standards; iii) the proposal does not require any extension to the property to enable the conversion to take place.

Justification

Self-contained flats can help to address the needs of those wanting to purchase or rent small units of accommodation, as well as providing a relatively affordable housing option for those wishing to purchase their first property. Whilst the creation of such flats helps to meet housing need, in some instances their provision can be detrimental to the amenity of existing residential areas. In addition, areas with high levels of flats are often associated with low levels of owner occupation which in some instances can lead to lower standards of maintenance and associated environmental degradation issues. Furthermore, the cumulative impact of converting larger dwellings to flats can have a detrimental impact on creating mixed and balanced communities by reducing the number of family homes available within an area. It is therefore important that the development of such dwellings is strictly controlled.

There is a high concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation and small flats (both self-contained and non self-contained) in several areas of the county, particularly in the coastal towns, which has had an adverse impact upon the surrounding area and living conditions of some occupants. In order to support national and local regeneration aims, as well as other adopted council policy, further developments of this type will not be allowed anywhere in Denbighshire.

Policy BSC 8 - Rural exception sites

Affordable housing development for local needs will be supported as an exception to normal policy in certain circumstances. This policy does not relate to either Bodelwyddan or any of the designated Lower Growth Towns. In

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 34 other areas and adjoining development boundaries proposals will be supported provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and provided that: i) there are no allocated sites coming forward within the development boundary which could meet this need; ii) the proposal adjoins and forms a logical extension to the development boundary whilst avoiding ribbon and fragmented patterns of development; iii) evidence exists in the form of a local housing needs survey that there is a genuine demonstrable need for such accommodation; iv) the proposal would not form an intrusive feature in the landscape or create traffic or access problems; v) the siting, layout, scale, design, density and materials of the proposal are sympathetic and appropriate to the size and character of the settlement and also reflect the level of local need identified; vi) satisfactory arrangements can be made to ensure that the dwellings are retained as affordable housing for local needs in perpetuity.

Justification

The LDP aims to make provision for a range of housing needs and in particular for affordable housing. National Planning Policy allows special provision to release housing sites in rural areas adjoining development boundaries for the provision of affordable housing to meet local needs.

Exceptions sites will only be considered outside of the Bodelwyddan Key Strategic Site and the Lower Growth Towns as it is considered that these areas already have an adequate supply of potential housing land through either brown field redevelopment sites or green field allocations. In rural areas opportunities are reduced and therefore in exceptional circumstances, rural exceptions sites will be considered.

Exceptions sites will be considered adjacent to settlements where allocated sites exist within the development boundary but have not been brought forward. Evidence must be produced to demonstrate that the site is not likely to come forward. Affordable housing will still be required on allocated and windfall sites within the development boundary in line with policy BSC 3 Affordable Housing as need is constantly arising and to avoid land owners not bringing land forward until they feel that there will be no affordable housing requirement.

Policy BSE 9 - Local Connections Affordable Housing within small groups or clusters

In open countryside, local connections affordable housing development of one or two units will be permitted within small groups or clusters, provided that the proposal:

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 35 i) comprises infilling of a small gap between buildings within a continuously developed frontage; ii) does not result in ribbon development or the perpetuation of existing ribbon development; iii) is of comparable scale and size to, and is sited so as to respect adjacent properties and the locality; iv) satisfactory arrangements can be made to ensure that the dwelling(s) are retained in perpetuity as affordable dwelling for local need and this is contained in a Section 106 agreement.

Justification

Under current national planning policy in rural areas it is acceptable to build new housing within or adjacent to groups or clusters of existing houses. The opportunities to build houses in these locations are generally limited due to the need to reduce travelling. Because of their countryside location, building plots in such locations tend to have a financial premium which often precludes local people from building a home. They are often prevented from buying existing rural properties for the same reason.

To ensure that local people can continue to live in rural areas, it would be possible to restrict new housing in these locations to affordable housing to meet local need as set out in policy XX.

Once the principle of development has been approved the design of the new dwelling(s) should be in compliance with all other development polices.

Policy BSC 10 - Gypsy & Traveller sites

Proposals for gypsy & traveller caravan sites (including mixed residential and business sites) will be allowed provided that: i) the site is situated outside the AONB, AOB and the Pontcysyllte Canal and Aqueduct World Heritage Site (including the WHS buffer zone); ii) the site is located within an established settlement with reasonable access to a range of facilities / services (including schools), public transport and main transport routes and makes suitable provision for on- site play space, storage and parking; iii) the proposal would not be detrimental to the amenity of adjacent occupiers.

Proposals for sites outside but adjoining development boundaries must meet the above criteria and will only be allowed where there are no suitable sites available within the development boundary.

Proposals for sites not in or adjoining development boundaries will not be permitted.

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The Council will identify a caravan site for gypsies and travellers should an unmet need be identified for Denbighshire in the emerging North West Wales Local Housing Market Assessment.

Justification

Welsh Assembly Government Circular 30/2007 (‘Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites’) requires local planning authorities to make provision for gypsy and traveller caravan sites through site allocations, where a need is identified, along with criteria-based policies.

Based upon the Welsh Assembly Government biannual gypsy-traveller caravan count and other sources of information identified in the Circular, the Council considers that there is currently insufficient identified need for the allocation of specific caravan sites within the County. Proposals for sites will therefore be assessed in accordance with the above policy. This policy, and need for site allocations, will be reviewed upon completion of the ongoing North West Wales Gypsy-Traveller Accommodation Assessment being completed as part of the North West Wales Local Housing Market Assessment.

Open Space and Play Space

Public Open Space

The need for new developments to make adequate provision for recreation and open space for the benefit of its residents is well established. Open space can include open space within housing developments, formal sports pitches, allotments and informal natural green and amenity spaces. The County Vision and Health, Well-being & Social Care Strategy recognise the linkages between opportunities for exercise and people’s general health and well-being.

Strategic Objective 8 states that the LDP Vision will be achieved by “seeking to protect public open space and ensure that new developments make an adequate contribution to public open space provision”.

Policy BSC 11 - Recreation and Open Space

Existing recreation, public open space, allotments and amenity greenspace will be protected and where possible enhanced.

Development that would result in the loss of public or private land with recreational and/or amenity value will only be permitted where alternative provision of equivalent or greater community benefit is to be provided.

In relation to new development sites:

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 37 i) The County minimum standard of 3.8 hectares per 1,000 population will applied to all development sites; ii) Open space should always be provided on-site, commuted sums will only be acceptable where it can be demonstrated that a site becomes financially unviable with full open space provision being made on-site or where it is wholly impractical to make full open space provision on site; iii) Within the Key Strategic Site at Bodelwyddan open space requirements will form an integral part of the Development Brief for the site.

Justification

Retaining, protecting and enhancing open space provision is a key objective for the LDP. All land that has an existing recreational, amenity or open space use will be protected from development and measures to support and enhance usage will be encouraged. Additional provision will also be encouraged.

Within the Key Strategic Site (See Policy BSC 5) open and recreational space will form part of the master planned development of the site and provision levels will be expected to be higher than the County Standard.

The County Standard has been developed in line with Technical Advice Note 16 – Sport, Recreation and Open Space (2009) which recommends that where there is no comprehensive Open Space Assessment available that it may be appropriate to use the Fields In Trust ‘benchmark’ standards. This is the approach that has been used in developing the current LDP policies and standards. It is intended that a comprehensive Open Space Assessment will be completed within the first five years of the LDP and that the County Standard will be reviewed at this time.

New housing developments place increased demand on existing open space, sport and recreation facilities both formal and informal. The Council expects developers to include the required amount of formal and informal open space within their developments and on site. Commuted sums may be acceptable where it is not feasible to provide open space on site ie the development of a block of flats on a brown field site. In instances where there is no identified shortfall of open space in the local area, the Council will expect developers to make a financial contribution by means of a commuted sum to enhance the quality of existing open space in the area.

An updated SPG will be prepared to provide additional guidance on these requirements.

Policy BSC 12 – Community facilities

Proposals for the provision of community facilities and services will be supported provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and where: i) they are located within existing development boundaries; or

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 38 ii) outside of development boundaries where the proposal will provide an essential facility to support the community.

The change of use from a community service or facility will be refused unless it can be shown that the potential for continued use of the facility is un-viable, or unsuitable.

Justification

Access to community services and facilities is an essential element of sustainable and inclusive communities. Community facilities such as schools, public houses, village halls and places of worship often serve a network of small settlements and are essential to reduce the amount of travelling to reach alternative community facilities. The loss of local services and facilities will lower community sustainability. The Council will support and encourage the retention and improvement of community facilities and services which provide an essential facility to support the sustainability of Denbighshire’s communities.

The Council provides over 100 allotment plots in 4 settlements (Llangollen, Ruthin, Denbigh, Prestatyn) in the County and the demand for new and additional plots is increasing. The Council will safeguard these community facilities and the loss of a site will be resisted except where it will be replaced by an equal or better alternative provision. Settlements with identified need for allotments are St. Asaph, Ruthin, Denbigh, Llangollen, Rhyl and Prestatyn (need to find a better site). There is potential to secure new allotment sites for the following settlements through use of Council owned land: Corwen, Gwyddelwern, Henllan, Llandegla, Llandrillo, Rhewl and Rhuallt. Funding contributions will be sought, in line with policy BSC 2 – Securing infrastructure in new developments, to deliver new allotment sites.

Health care provision is also a key facility for communities. The Primary Care Estates Strategy (January 2008) identifies the development of community health care services over the next 10 year period. They have identified that they will be looking for new or improved sites at Rhyl, Corwen, Denbigh, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, St Asaph, Bodelwyddan and Ruthin.

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Theme: Promoting a Sustainable Economy

The policies developed under the theme of Promoting a Sustainable Economy aim to support the local economy in ways that reflect local issues, and in particular reflect local potential.

The Wales Spatial Plan identifies the Rhyl/Prestatyn/Bodelwyddan/St Asaph area as a focus for investment in future employment, housing, retail, leisure and services. In addition the designation of this area as part of a Strategic Regeneration Area provides further emphasis in terms of supporting sustainable employment opportunities. This has been recognised by the Council in the selection of Bodelwyddan as a Key Strategic Site within the LDP.

Throughout the County there is a wish to support the start up and growth of local businesses. This is an important part of moving towards achieving a more balanced population structure and encouraging the retention of younger, economically active members of the population. Retaining our younger people also has important implications for strengthening the cultural and linguistic character of Denbighshire.

There is an identified need to improve the skills base of the County and the LDP looks to support developments in this sector both within Denbighshire and through partnerships with neighbouring areas.

In line with the LDP Spatial Strategy the majority of new employment land will be located within the Major Mixed Development Area identified under policy BSC 4 at Bodelwyddan and at the St Asaph Business Park.

New employment land allocations have also been identified in the Lower Growth Settlements as shown on the Proposals Maps as follows:

Settlement Employment Allocation (Hectares) Rhyl - 0 Prestatyn - 0 St Asaph St Asaph Business Park 8 Denbigh Colomendy North 8 Ruthin Lon Parcwr 5.5 Corwen Ty’n Llidiart 6 27.5

Policy PSE 1 – North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area

Proposals in the North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area will be required to: i) retain and develop a mix of employment generating uses in the town centre; ii) support new or resist the loss of existing family residential accommodation (in line with policy BSC 7 HMO’s);

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 40 iii) enable the retention, enhance and development of tourism related facilities; and iv) serve to address existing problems of deprivation in order to sustain and develop communities in a manner that is consistent with the underlying principles of sustainable development.

Justification

The coastal hub area between Prestatyn, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay will benefit from significant additional funding over the next 7-10 years. This area is shown on the key proposals map. The Development Strategy for the North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area seeks to exploit appropriate development opportunities where they exist in the more deprived northern part of the County, in particular Rhyl, with a view to creating a viable future for all of the communities in this area.

Improved accommodation and a need to diversify the housing stock in order to tackle chronic housing conditions, empty homes and the proliferation of Homes in Multiple Occupation is a key land use issue and has links to policy BSC 7 . Allocating the Key Strategic Site at Bodelwyddan will improve employment opportunities within the regeneration area. New education opportunities and focused training and improvements to the public transport system will open up opportunities for the population of Rhyl to find employment at Bodelwyddan. Regard must be had to policy BSC 1 Key Strategic Site when considering improvements in the Strategic Regeneration Area and vice-versa. A new tourism marketing approach is proposed for Rhyl with lessons learnt from the Colwyn Bay ‘Bay Life’ brand. New health facilities delivered in conjunction with the Local Health Board and improvements to community facilities, such as community allotments, are proposed to improve the well-being of local residents.

In the past the private sector has shown a reluctance to invest in this part of the county. More recently there have been signs that this is changing but implementation of proposals in this area will still be more dependent on public finance than areas closer to the A55. Low land values and weak demand mean that significant contributions from planning obligations are unlikely in this area.

As this area qualifies for both North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area funding (which is a long term commitment from WAG for the part of the Plan period) and European Convergence Funding (2007-2013) and is a priority area for investment for the Council substantial input of public sector funds is anticipated.

Policy PSE 2 - Land for employment uses

Existing employment sites and new allocations specifically for employment purposes are shown on the Proposals Map. Within these areas employment development for the following use classes will be permitted subject to being acceptable in terms of other LDP policies:

• B1 Business Use • B2 General Industrial & waste management facilities

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• B8 Warehousing and Distribution

Land and premises at the St Asaph Business Park, as shown on the Proposals Map, is safeguarded and allocated as a high quality employment site, where proposals will be supported provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies for:

• B1 Business use for light industry; offices (non town centre uses), research and development; • B2 General Industrial and waste management facilities only within the area designated for B2 uses on the proposals map.

Hazardous development and development of other land uses in close proximity to existing hazardous developments will only be permitted where there are no unacceptable risks to the public, other land uses or the environment.

Justification

Employment areas define where most employment development will take place over the LDP plan period and enable the expansion and/or intensification of existing businesses. Employment areas are defined on the proposals maps and include:

i) existing employment locations; ii) land with employment related planning permission; iii) undeveloped employment allocations.

This policy is intended to retain employment areas specifically for employment rather than retail related business classes.

Denbighshire has 3 hazardous installations around which are identified HSE consultation zones:

Parcel of land on St Asaph Business St Asaph Park DT. Jones and Son Denbigh LE Jones Ltd, Lon Gwenydd Ruthin

These installations carry an element of risk, however small, which may cause a degree of hazard beyond the site itself. The Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) have identified consultation zones around each of the installations, within which the HSE must be identified of proposals for development. Where the HSE considers the risk of development is unacceptable they will object to the proposal. In such circumstances planning permission will be refused.

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Policy PSE 3 - Protection of existing employment land and buildings

Proposals which would result in the loss of employment land or buildings will only be supported provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and provided that: i) no other suitable site for the development is available; ii) the site or premises is no longer capable of providing an acceptable standard of accommodation for employment purposes; iii) the loss of the site or premises would not prejudice the ability of an area to meet a range of local employment needs; iv) the proposal involves the satisfactory relocation of a non-conforming use from an unsuitable site.

Justification

Allocated employment sites, both existing and newly allocated will be covered by this policy. There is often pressure to allow alternative, higher value land uses on employment sites which if uncontrolled will reduce the scale, range and type of employment sites available. In addition to allocated employment sites there are a significant number of smaller sites that provide valuable employment premises for local businesses but which are not specifically allocated for employment use. It is important to retain all these types of sites for employment use in order to ensure a range of opportunities are made available in terms of location, type and size of employment land.

Policy PSE 4 – Re-use and adaptation of redundant rural buildings in open countryside Over and above the criteria contained in national planning policy (PPW & TAN 6) the conversion of rural buildings for residential use will only be permitted provided the proposal is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and the building(s) have architectural or historic merit and make a positive contribution to the landscape.

Justification Traditional rural buildings make an important contribution to the quality of the landscape in Denbighshire and securing new uses for buildings that have become redundant can help to preserve them. In cases where the redundant building makes little or no positive contribution to the landscape quality, conversion will not be considered acceptable for alternative uses including residential. In line with national guidance, re-use for employment use will always be the first priority. Where an application for the reuse of a rural building for residential purposes is acceptable, the Council will require that the applicant demonstrates that the occupant of the new house satisfies the requirements of both the affordable housing policy BSC 4 and the forthcoming Affordable Housing SPG.

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Policy PSE 5 - Rural development strategy

In order to help to sustain rural settlements, tourism and commercial development, including agricultural diversification, will be supported throughout the County subject to detailed criteria, which include making a significant contribution to sustainable development and recognising the special status of the AONB/AOB.

Appropriate employment proposals for both conversions and new build outside of development boundaries will be supported provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and the following criteria are met: i) the proposal is appropriate in scale and nature to its location; ii) any suitable existing buildings are converted or re-used in preference to new build; iii) the proposal is supported by an appropriate business case which demonstrates that it will support the local economy to help sustain local rural communities; iv) any proposals within the AONB/AOB, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site (including the buffer zone) or other regionally important landscape area, take full account of and seek to enhance the nature and distinctive qualities of the local landscape. In line with national policy any proposals that are considered to be detrimental to the quality of the AONB and World Heritage Site will be refused.

Justification

The need to sustain rural employment throughout the County is recognised and relevant considerations relating to sustainability and minimising environmental concerns are identified.

The policy requires the demonstration of a business case for the development, in order to establish the benefits of the scheme in relation to sustaining local employment and the rural economy. The benefits could include provision of local employment opportunities, use of locally sustainable sources for any raw materials, scope to sell local produce, and provision of services to local communities.

Development proposals will have to evaluate their impact to ensure no detriment to the landscape character in accordance to policy RD 1 – Sustainable and Good Standard Design.

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Retail

Retail can contribute towards the local economy, reduce the need to travel and help maintain cohesive communities. Retail provision within the County is predominantly located within 8 towns, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, St Asaph, Denbigh, Ruthin, Corwen and Llangollen. The LDP will seek to reinforce these town centres as the most appropriate location for new retail development. Other uses which attract large numbers of people such as leisure, commercial and community uses will also be encouraged to locate within town centres providing the retail character of the towns are retained.

Policy PSE 6 - Retail

Proposals for retail within defined town centres will be supported provided that they are acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and are of a scale and type appropriate to the size, character and function of the centre.

Sub Regional Centre: Rhyl

Town Centres: Prestatyn, Denbigh, Ruthin, Llangollen,

District Centres: Rhuddlan, St Asaph, Corwen, Clwyd Retail Park

Justification

Planning Policy Wales seeks to avoid new development out of town centres in favour of enhancing town centres. The LDP will reinforce this through the direction of new retail and services towards the County’s main town centres. Policy PSE 8 addresses other types of development which will be acceptable in town centres, such as leisure uses which attract a large number of people, commercial uses or community uses.

Policy PSE 7 - Proposals for new retail development

The following allocations for retail are identified on the proposals map:

Rhyl: High Street/Queen Street area: Predominantly non-food retailing, leisure and commercial offices

Prestatyn: Town centre redevelopment: Mixture of food & non-food retailing

Denbigh: Station Yard site: Mixture of food & non-food retailing

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Justification A quantitative need for additional non-food retailing has been identified within the County (Update of the Quantitative Retail Capacity Analysis from the Denbighshire Retail & Leisure Study - Roger Tym & Partners 2006). In order to reinforce Rhyl as a sub-regional centre, an allocation is made at the Queen Street/West Rhyl Parade area which is being actively promoted by the Council. Proposals should include a mix of uses, comprising predominantly non-food retailing, and with elements of food retailing, leisure and commercial uses.

No additional quantitative need has been identified specifically for Prestatyn and Denbighbecause of a number of extant permissions to the north east of the town. To date, these permissions have not been implemented and the Council is concerned that failure to allocate the area within the LDP could result in the loss of these areas for retail, or result in piecemeal development which would jeopardise the Council’s regeneration objectives for the town. Proposals include a mixture of non-food and food retailing, including supermarket provision.

No further retail allocations have been made; however, it is considered that there are adequate opportunities for further provision to be made through redevelopment of existing town centre retail units, the Clwyd Retail Park at the disused Park and Ride facility for bulky goods only and on the Rhuddlan Triangle site for bulky goods only.

Whilst the 2006 retail study identified a qualitative need for supermarket provision in Corwen, Llangollen and St Asaph, no allocations have been made. No suitable town centre sites have been identified in the towns and it is felt that out of town provision would negatively impact on the viability and vitality of the towns. Furthermore, St Asaph suffers from congestion problems which it is considered would be exacerbated by the development of a supermarket within the town. Proposals for retail development will be considered using policies PSE 8 and PSE 9.

Policy PSE 8 - Development within defined town centres

Development proposals within town centres will be permitted provided that they are acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and: i) they enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre; ii) they do not result in an unacceptable balance of retail and non-retail uses; iii) within the principle shopping frontage of Rhyl the change of use of ground floor retail premises (A1 shops) to any other use class will be resisted.

Justification

Appropriate retail provision across the County is essential. It can help ensure the vitality of rural communities by acting as a central meeting place, a regeneration catalyst in deprived areas, enhance the economy, and help reduce the need for private transport.

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Town centres may appropriately accommodate non-retail uses; however, it is essential that the primary function of the town centre is not eroded by incremental development. Towns across the County perform a variety of different roles which will be supported through the LDP. Proposals for non-retail uses such as financial institutions, leisure uses, offices and proposals that relate to the nigh time economy (e.g. pubs, clubs etc) will be permitted where they enhance the vitality of the town, do not result in an unacceptable balance of non A1 uses and do not conflict with other Plan policies.

A primary frontage has been identified in Rhyl to preserve its retail function. Non- retail uses will be encouraged to locate outside of the primary frontage.

Policy PSE 9 – Out of centre retail development

Proposals for retail uses within development boundaries will be permitted outside of town centres provided they are acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and: i) are less than 500m2 gross area ii) serve the local area iii) do not jeopardise the viability and vitality of town or district centres

Justification

Retail development outside of town centres can jeopardise the vitality and viability of existing town centres. The LDP will seek to limit the scale of retail development outside of town centres, whilst recognising the need to allow some development to help sustain communities, particularly in rural areas. Proposals that are outside of the main town centre will be determined using the sequential approach outlined in Ministerial Planning Policy Statement 02/2005: Planning for Retailing and Town Centres. Where proposals are of a scale that is found to be unacceptable they will be refused. The Council will seek to direct any new supermarket provision either within or on the edge of existing town centres. Proposals for retail on industrial estates will be resisted to prevent incremental change in the overall use of the site.

Policy PSE 10 - Local shops and services

Proposals for new or expansion of existing shops and local services within settlements will be supported provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies. Proposals to combine a number of services within a single location to ensure their overall continued viability will be looked upon favourably.

Proposals that result in the loss of such shops or services to other uses will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that: i) the unit is no longer financially viable; ii) the unit has been actively marketed for a period of 12 months without success;

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 47 iii) all reasonable other options to find a new user for the unit have been pursued.

Justification

Denbighshire possesses a significant number of shops and other local services such as meeting halls, public houses, community transport etc in its towns, villages and rural settlements, many of which are under threat. These perform a vital role in meeting the daily needs of people and it is important that these facilities are not lost.

The Council will support proposals for new small scale shops, and pubs and post offices etc within development boundaries or associated with identified hamlets that meet other LDP policy criteria.

Where proposals relate to the loss of shops or other facilities, the Council will require applicants to produce evidence to substantiate the lack of viability of the use. This will include access to the financial records of the business in appropriate circumstances. Where services can be combined in a single unit to improve their viability then this will be supported.

The Visitor Economy

The visitor economy encompasses a variety of elements that contribute to making a successful visitor destination such as:

• the natural environment, the heritage and culture, iconic buildings, the retail, sport, leisure and cultural facilities, food, gardens, the events, the scenery; all the things that make the place special, distinctive and capable of engendering pride and interest and a place worth experiencing. • The infrastructure that helps to reinforce and shape the sense of place and make it an easy place to visit; the signs, the transport, parking and orientation, interpretation, public space, amenities, etc. • The services that cater for the needs of visitors (and of residents), that create economic and social activity and increase spending; including the hotels and bars, pubs and restaurants, galleries, the everyday events and the day-to- day services that make the place clean, safe and welcoming.

The visitor economy is valuable to Denbighshire and contributes around £250 million5 to the economy annually and employs around 5,000, approximately 10% of the workforce making it one the key employment sectors for the County.

Denbighshire has a diverse tourism offer from the coastal resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn; a wealth of attractive market towns set within a high quality environment, and a growing reputation in the outdoor activity sector. High quality development proposals that support and enhance the visitor economy of the County will generally be supported and encouraged.

5 Denbighshire STEAM analysis 2007.

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The coastal resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn have long been dominated by the visitor economy, traditionally attracting large numbers of both staying and day visitors. Rhyl and Prestatyn have largely failed to respond to the changes in the visitor market and have remained over dependant on long family holidays and having limited appeal to those seeking new types of visitor experience. It is essential that these resorts position themselves to attract new and growing tourism markets in the future.

The failure to adapt has resulted in the tourism season being short and a high proportion of employment being seasonal and poorly paid. This has been a significant contributory factor in leading to high levels of multiple deprivation seen in some wards in Rhyl.

On-going initiatives to regenerate Rhyl are beginning to have significant effects in terms of improving the environment and this will ultimately lead to increased economic prosperity and the repositioning of Rhyl and Prestatyn within the tourism market. The following policies should be read in conjunction with others such as Policy PSE 1 North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area.

The outdoor activity sector is one that has significant potential to grow within Denbighshire. There is an area of outdoor activity specialism building up around the AONB, Llandegla area – based on the mountain bike and shooting centres across the County; to the Hiraethog Moors and Llyn Brenig areas.

Policy PSE 11 – Major new tourism developments

Proposals for sustainable forms of tourism development, of a regional or national significance, which meet the needs of residents and visitors will be supported if also acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and subject to meeting the following criteria: i) is appropriate to its setting and within the capacity of the local environment; ii) is within the capacity of the local infrastructure, or it can be demonstrated that the development can fully address any infrastructure deficiencies identified; iii) is accessible to all potential users, offering large scale and appropriate public transport and where possible access by walking and cycling; iv) will support and extend the range of facilities on offer within the County; v) will assist in the regeneration objectives of Denbighshire; vi) will utilise available local labour where possible.

Justification

Large scale innovative projects can significantly enhance the visitor economy and offer wide reaching benefits throughout the County. Developments such as major holiday parks and visitor centres of national or regional significance can significantly increase visitor numbers and can be an effective way of raising the profile and reputation of a visitor destination.

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Policy PSE 12 - Chalet, static and touring caravan and camping sites

Proposals for the environmental improvement of existing static holiday caravan or chalet sites by remodelling, provision of new facilities and by landscaping will be supported provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and meets the following criteria: i) the proposal results in the overall improvement of the facilities, layout and landscaping; ii) the development does not increase the number of static caravan or chalet units on the site; and iii) does not result in an overall increase in the site area.

Proposals for the change of use of a static caravan or chalet from tourist use to residential use will not be permitted. Proposals for the conversion of touring caravan sites to statics will not be permitted.

Proposals for new touring caravans and tent sites will be encouraged where all the following criteria are met: i) the site is small in scale and proportionate to its location, particularly within and adjoining the AONB; ii) the development would not result in an over concentration of sites in any one locality to the detriment of the landscape or residential amenity; iii) the development makes a positive contribution to the local biodiversity, and natural and built environment; iv) the development would not appear obtrusive in the landscape and is high quality in terms of layout, design and landscaping in line with the development principles; and v) does not allow individual caravans/tents to remain on site for more than 31 consecutive days.

Justification

Static and touring caravan sites together with chalets and camp sites are an important source of holiday accommodation, which can be crucial to the success of the tourism industry, although such sites are often seen as being visually intrusive. This is particularly felt in the main resort areas of Rhyl and Prestatyn where a series of adjoining sites are prominent and in various countryside locations. In some areas the cumulative impact of existing sites may be considered visually obtrusive and dominant in the landscape therefore the Council will encourage landscaping schemes to improve and screen sites. The Plan will seek to ensure that future development is permitted only where the proposal would not result in an over concentration of similar uses in the locality and where there is significant enhancement of the biodiversity of the area. The occupancy of static caravans and chalets will be restricted to holiday use and any residential use will be subject to enforcement action.

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There is already an over provision of caravan type development in the north of the County much of which is of low quality. Much of the coastal area is exposed with little tree cover which makes the assimilation of caravan sites into the landscape difficult. In the inland rural areas, caravan development, particularly static caravans, can be obtrusive in the landscape and damaging to the character of the rural area unless strictly controlled.

The replacement of static caravan sites with woodland-lodge style developments will be permitted where it improves the appearance and landscaping of the site. However, as with all development, proposals for any accommodation will only be allowed after it has been demonstrated that no adverse impact on the integrity of nature conservation and biodiversity sites will result. The use of a caravan or chalet for residential purposes will be resisted due to the unsuitability of this type of property for permanent residential occupation.

Touring caravan sites and camp sites have a lower impact as they are not permanently occupied and in winter months there may be little evidence of activity. However in summer months they can be intrusive in the landscape and may add to visitor pressure on particular areas if not controlled. Where visitor pressures are less they may be suitable, subject to other environmental considerations.

The policy is intended to ensure that proposals for touring caravan sites only cater for short term tourist use, are unobtrusive in the landscape, can be safely accessed, are attractively designed and include a high quality landscaping scheme. Beyond the settlement limits landscape and other environmental considerations become more important, so it is unlikely that many new touring caravan and tent sites will be developed in the rural area during the plan period. It is envisaged that this policy could be used to allow small-scale development on new sites providing this does not adversely impact on the landscape. It is recognised that the number of pitches would probably not be economically viable as a stand alone business enterprise. Instead it is considered that the policy can be used by the agricultural community as a form of farm diversification and a means of providing an additional income.

Policy PSE 13 - Coastal tourism protection zones

Within the coastal tourism protection zones shown on the proposals maps only tourism related development proposals will be supported provided they meet other LDP policy criteria.

Justification

The coastal areas of Rhyl and Prestatyn are vital to the visitor economy of the area. An integral part of the regeneration of the coastal area is to reposition the resorts to attract new and higher spending visitors with quality attractions, activities, accommodation and environment. Restricting land uses in the coastal tourism protection areas to those relating to the visitor economy is complementary to the regeneration aims for the area.

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Policy PSE 14 – Outdoor activity tourism

Development proposals that expand or reinforce the tourism offer of the County in the outdoor activity sector will be supported provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and the following criteria are met: i) the development is appropriate to its setting and within the capacity of the local environment and infrastructure; ii) that any suitable existing buildings are converted or re-used in preference to new build; iii) necessary mitigation measures are included and the proposals would not have an unacceptable impact on neighbours.

Justification

Denbighshire is well placed to take advantage of the growth in the outdoor activities sector. The success of current facilities such as the Llandegla Mountain Bike Centre should be built upon and encouraged. Expenditure by participants in outdoor activities is often high and the County is supportive of developments that will encourage sustainable growth in this sector within environmental capacity limits.

Minerals

Minerals can contribute towards the Welsh economy; however, they can also have significant costs, including social and environmental costs associated with them. Historically, mineral extraction has largely occurred within the AONB and AOB. The LDP will steer new mineral extraction away from the AONB and AOB and seek to ensure that future mineral extraction is necessary, and contributes towards meeting regional and local demand.

The North Wales Regional Aggregate Working Party has identified a need for Denbighshire County Council to make provision for additional sand and gravel extraction over the life of the LDP and to safeguard limestone and sand and gravel deposits within the County for future generations. Minerals Planning Policy Wales and Minerals Technical Advice Notes 1: Aggregates and 2: Coal requires local authorities to safeguard minerals for future generations and to identify where new extraction would be acceptable. The LDP will safeguard minerals from development which would hinder their future extraction and ensure that existing and proposed quarries have buffer zones around them to provide a separation distance between potentially conflicting land uses. Minerals allocations are identified on the Minerals Proposals Map.

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Policy PSE 15 - Safeguarding Minerals

High quality resources of minerals, including limestone, sand and gravel, Denbigh Gritstones, igneous and volcanic deposits will be safeguarded from development that would result in its permanent loss or hinder future extraction. Development will only be permitted where: i) it can be demonstrated that the need for the development outweighs the need to protect the mineral resource; or ii) where such development would not have a significant impact on the viability of that mineral being worked; or iii) where the mineral is extracted prior to the development.

Justification

The safeguarding of an area does not indicate an acceptance of working but protects potential resources from other types of permanent development which would either sterilise them or hinder future extraction. Small scale developments may be suitably located so as to minimise impacts on the mineral reserve and its likelihood of being worked in the future. Developments that are adjacent to existing settlements are unlikely to have a significant impact because of the need to retain a buffer between mineral working and dwellings however, large scale developments could potentially sterilise mineral reserves. Where this is the case, the mineral should be removed prior to, or as part of, the development of the site. The LDP allocations are not considered to jeopardise the safeguarding of minerals due to their proximity to existing built up areas. In addition there is a need to ensure a sufficient supply of housing comes forward over the life of the LDP.

Policy PSE 16 - Mineral buffer zones i) Sensitive development within buffer zones, as defined on the proposals map, will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that working has ceased and will not be resumed. ii) Extensions to quarries within the AONB will not be permitted unless there is an overriding national need that cannot be met elsewhere. iii) Extensions to quarries outside of the AONB will only be permitted where a suitable buffer can be retained, i.e. where such an extension would not cause other development to become part of a buffer, and where it can be demonstrated that there is no unacceptable impact on the environment or human health.

Justification

Sensitive development, as defined within Minerals Planning Policy Wales, includes residential development, hospitals and schools. Operations undertaken at mineral workings may be incompatible with these uses. The buffer zones selected reflect the nature and activities of the mineral extraction in question. In the case of sand and gravel, buffer zones are 100m and in the case of hard rock, they are 200m. Where quarries are no longer permitted to operate, such buffers are not necessary. However, where sites are dormant and may continue operations at a later date, it is undesirable to inhibit further working by introducing sensitive development. Buffer

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Policy PSE 17 - Future mineral extraction i) Applications for the working of minerals within the AONB will not be permitted unless there is an overriding national need that cannot be met elsewhere. ii) Applications for the extraction of aggregate minerals will only be permitted where it is necessary to maintain stocks of permitted reserves having regard to the Regional Aggregate Working Party apportionment figures, or, where no figure exists, the demonstrated need of the industry concerned. iii) Applications for the extraction of up to 1 million tonnes of sand and gravel will be permitted in Preferred Areas (identified on the proposals maps); taking into account the above criteria. iv) Applications for the extraction of coal will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that there is an overriding national need; v) Applications that accord with the above criteria will be permitted provided that they accord with other plan policies and: a. An appropriate buffer is included, within which no mineral working or sensitive development will be allowed; b. Suitable access and transport routes are identified; c. Final reinstatement of public rights of way should be close to their original alignment with intermediate reinstatements where possible; d. Noise is kept to an acceptable level; e. Measures to reduce the impact of dust, smoke and fumes are implemented; f. Suitable blasting controls are implemented; g. Impacts on groundwater and water supplies are found to be acceptable; and h. An appropriate after use is identified for the site.

Justification

Minerals can only be worked where they are found; however, the existence of a mineral reserve does not justify its extraction. The need for the extraction of the mineral should be demonstrated and found to outweigh the environmental impacts of such development. Minerals Technical Advice Note 1: Aggregates (paragraph 49) requires local authorities to maintain landbanks of 10 years crushed rock and 7 years sand and gravel to be maintained over the entire plan period. The Regional Aggregates Working Party produced a Regional Technical Statement (RTS) in 2009 which forecast levels of demand for aggregates in the region and apportioned allocations to local authorities in the region to enable the region to maintain a 15 and 12 year landbank for crushed rock and sand & gravel respectively. The RTS identified that there was no need to allocate crushed rock (limestone) as adequate landbanks already exist. However, it did identify the need for Denbighshire to allocate 1MT sand and gravel.

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In order to ensure that an adequate land bank of sand and gravel is maintained preferred areas (as defined by Minerals Planning Policy Wales, paragraph 14) have been identified on the proposals maps. Within these areas resources have been identified in GIS data supplied by the British Geological Survey. Preferred Areas have been determined by removing areas that are considered sensitive, such as the AONB, AOB, SSSIs, SPAs. The area can accommodate well in excess of 1mt. This will ensure that a degree of market choice is retained and will ensure towards the end of the LDP the landbank can be maintained beyond 1mt if required. Coal can contribute towards the energy requirements of Wales. The Energy Review (2006) states the Government believes that it is right to make the best use of UK energy resources, including coal reserves, where it is economically viable and environmentally acceptable to do so. Minerals Technical Advice Note 2: Coal, sets out the Assembly’s requirements with respect to coal and LDPs. LDPs are required to identify shallow coal areas that should not be worked. Denbighshire has two areas of shallow coal deposit in the Prestatyn/Dyserth area and the Trefnant/Henllan area. It is felt that neither of these areas is acceptable for future working of the coal because of the presence of sensitive development, environmental designations and constraints. Further information is available within the minerals background paper. The majority of existing quarries are located within the AONB or AOB, which conflicts with the objectives of the AONB strategy.

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Theme: Valuing Our Environment

Valuing Our Environment is concerned with the protection and enhancement of those assets, both natural and man made, that make up Denbighshire’s unique environment. The natural and historic environment can contribute towards the economy, and maintain the health and well being of those who live and work in Denbighshire. Denbighshire has a quality natural and man-made environment which the LDP will seek to enhance and protect. National policy affords these assets a degree of protection, particularly Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation , Ramsar sites, AONB, high quality agricultural land, listed buildings, conservation areas, sites of archaeological interest, historic parks and gardens and ancient monuments. Specific policies are included within the LDP to outline the Council’s priorities in terms of areas of protection, protection of the AOB, Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site, to control enabling development, and to guide waste and renewable energy development.

Climate change is perhaps one of the largest threats to our environment. Denbighshire needs to minimise the impact it has on climate change by ensuring new development can be accessed sustainably, minimises energy use, and by ensuring that the use of renewable energy is maximised wherever possible. Denbighshire also needs to ensure that it can adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as increased flood risk, extreme weather events and rise in sea levels, by ensuring that new development is located away from those areas that are susceptible to flooding. The use of sustainable drainage systems will be encouraged within all new development proposals.

Policy VOE 1 - Key areas of protection

The following will be protected from inappropriate development: i) Areas designated / identified because of their landscape, biodiversity, archaeological and / or agricultural value; ii) Formal public open space and leisure facilities; iii) Employment land and buildings; iv) Greenfield land within a defined floodplain; v) Land designated for community use

Justification

National policy provides a degree of protection to areas that are designated because of their landscape, biodiversity, archaeological or agricultural value.

Public open space and leisure facilities are important as they help to maintain the social fabric of communities. Some areas within the County are particularly limited in terms of the quality and distribution of open space. The LDP will therefore protect formal public open space and leisure facilities.

Employment land is vital to the local economy. There is therefore a need to ensure that there is an adequate and appropriate supply of employment land within the County. Development that would compromise existing employment land within the County will be refused.

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National policy is relatively comprehensive in terms of flood risk. Technical Advice Note 15: Flood Risk states that development on Greenfield land in areas that are within the flood plain should not be permitted. The LDP will seek to ensure that this is strictly enforced.

Landscape Protection

Denbighshire has a high quality landscape, including the Clwydian Range which is identified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Y Berwyn which has been identified as an Area of Outstanding Beauty in the LDP. The AONB is afforded protection in national policy.

Policy VOE 2 - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Area of Outstanding Beauty

Development proposals within the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Area of Outstanding Beauty (AOB) will be supported where there would be no unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the landscape and provided the development is acceptable in terms of other LDP policies.

The Clwydian Range and Y Berwyn were identified as being of national landscape importance by the Hobhouse Report in 1947. The Clwydian Range was statutorily designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1985, whilst Y Berwyn is under consideration by CCW for full AONB status.

The purpose of this policy is to demonstrate that the AOB and AONB will be afforded equal protection in order to ensure development does not prejudice the future designation of Y Berwyn area as an AONB.

Consideration will be given to both the impact of development within the AONB and AOB and the impact of development within the setting of the AONB and AOB. Important views to and from the AONB and AOB will be protected.

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Policy VOE 3 - Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site

Development impacting upon the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal and/or within the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal Buffer Zone will only be permitted where they are acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and: i) it provides essential non-residential visitor facilities for the World Heritage Site and is compatible with the reasons for its designation; and ii) it is sensitively located and designed.

Developments which would harm the setting of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Scheduled Ancient Monument, the key views to and from it or the interpretation of the qualities which justified its designation as a World Heritage Site will not be permitted.

Justification

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and canal contains a number of outstanding and internationally important features and is a World Heritage Site. The aqueduct and canal, its immediate setting and key views to and from the site and its wider historic and social context (e.g. the immediate locality provided materials and engineering expertise) that underpin the justification for building the aqueduct are critical to the interpretation of the site and will be protected. There is a need to provide essential facilities to meet the needs of visitors to the site. Since the site lies largely within open countryside it is not always possible for these facilities to be located within developed areas and it is therefore recognised that limited development (such as car parking, toilets) in the open countryside will be necessary. Essential facilities must be sensitively located, landscaped and designed so as not to conflict with the reasons for designating the site.

The aqueduct and its immediate environs extend into Wrexham and Shropshire and this policy has been jointly formulated to ensure a consistent approach.

Policy VOE 4 - Enabling development

Enabling development may be permitted as a way of resolving the status of heritage assets designated as ‘at risk’, provided all of the following criteria are met: i) The enabling development will not materially detract from the archaeological, architectural, historic, landscape or biodiversity interest of an asset, or materially harm its setting; ii) the proposal avoids detrimental fragmentation of management of the heritage asset; iii) the proposal will secure the long term future of the heritage asset, and where applicable, its continued use for a sympathetic purpose; iv) the problem arises from the inherent needs of the heritage asset, rather than the circumstances of the present owner or the purchase price paid; v) sufficient financial assistance is not available from any other source;

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 58 vi) it is demonstrated that the amount of enabling development is the minimum necessary to secure the future of the heritage asset, and that its form minimises disbenefits; and vii) the value or benefit of the survival or enhancement of the heritage asset outweighs the long term cost to the community (ie disbenefits) of providing the enabling development.

Justification

Enabling development is development which would normally be unacceptable in planning terms but for the fact that it would bring public benefits sufficient to justify it being carried out and which could not otherwise be achieved. In some rare cases the only way of securing the future of a heritage asset is to allow enabling development, which normally would not be allowed, thereby releasing funds. This will only be allowed where all the criteria in this policy are met. In addition, the guidance as set out in the document "Enabling Development and the Conservation of Heritage Assets" published by English Heritage will be applied.

Enabling development, as an approach, will only be considered in relation to heritage assets designated as ‘at risk’ and not to any other heritage asset or other type of building/facility.

Policy VOE 5 - Protecting natural resources: biodiversity/nature conservation

Development proposals will be required to submit a biodiversity statement which must have regard to the County biodiversity aspiration for conservation, enhancement and restoration of habitats and species. Where the benefits of development outweigh the conservation interest, mitigation measures required to offset any adverse effects will be secured by planning condition and/or obligation.

Permission will not be granted for development which would cause significant harm to biodiversity priority habitats, sites of geological importance, or to species that are protected or under threat.

Justification

The County has a varied landscape and natural environment which supports a rich variety of habitats and species, some of which are nationally rare (e.g. oak woodlands and upland moors). There are several international sites of nature conservation (proposed Ramsar site, Special Areas of Conservation, and Special Protection Areas), which benefit from the highest level of protection under European and International legislation. Sites designated under national & international legislation will be protected under the terms of that legislation.

In addition there are over 250 regionally and locally important sites for nature conservation (wildlife sites) and over 200 species of conservation importance to Denbighshire. The Denbighshire Local Biodiversity Plan has undertaken surveys to

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 59 prioritise education, awareness and conservation of the above. There are also a number of Regionally Important Sites for Geology which currently have no statutory protection. Locally important sites will be protected and enhanced as appropriate to their local importance.

Support will be given to the enhancement and increase in number of sites and habitats of high nature (biodiversity/geodiversity) value, and in particular to meeting the objectives identified in the proposals of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

Whilst many important areas for biodiversity are covered by recognised designations, it is important that the biodiversity value of non-designated areas is also understood and recognised. The Local Biodiversity Action Plan provides the relevant information on the habitats and species which are of local importance, and the local wildlife trust and/or Local Biological Records Centre are likely to be key partners/consultees when developing an understanding of the baseline situation.

The restoration or enhancement of habitats and species numbers will be supported where these contribute to the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Facilitating species adaptation and migration through protecting habitat connectivity corridors and enhancing biodiversity is necessary to adapt to climate change.

New development will have regard to the impact, either direct or indirect, on people’s opportunity to enjoy and experience nature, enabling where appropriate, improved public access and understanding of local environmental characteristics.

Development proposals will be expected to undertake appropriate survey and include measures that maintain and enhance important features whilst incorporating them within any development of the site.

Practical guidance for applicants will be offered in an SPG.

Policy VOE 6 - Water management

All development should incorporate water conservation measures where practicable. Major development proposals (greater than 1,000 m2 or 10 dwellings) should be accompanied by a Water Conservation Statement.

All development should incorporate methods to eliminate or reduce surface water run-off from the site. The run-off should not be any greater that that of a greenfield site, where applicable.

Justification:

Wales’ waters are there for us all. We use and enjoy them in different ways and we all need to look after them.

The UK Climate Impacts Programme predicts hotter drier summers, warmer wetter winters and rising sea levels. These changes need to be taken into account in assessing the scale of the pressures on the water environment.

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Denbighshire falls into two river basement management plan areas, the Dee and Western Wales. They identify land use actions for the Local Development Plan.

The River Basin Management Plans identify measures for long term improvements to drinking water supply and the wider water environment & for the first time ever, all issues affecting water can be addressed together to find shared solutions to improving water quality, supply, flood risk and to reducing pollution.

High quality drinking water is frequently used for activities where rain water or grey water could be used. There are a number of ways water conservation can be achieved, such as water saving devices, rainwater harvesting, and grey water recycling, and the policy offers a degree of flexibility on the exact methods used. Water storage and treatment technologies are required to ensure safe use of these. Grey water could be for garden use or toilet flushing, etc. Rainwater harvesting could also have these and other uses. In some circumstances with the correct water treatment/s to ensure satisfactory water quality to ensure protection of human health, could be used for drinking water.

Rainwater falling on undeveloped land soaks into the ground and arrives in rivers and streams gradually. However, large developments, or the cumulative impact of smaller developments, incorporating water storing measures could by reducing surface water run-off, have the potential to reduce flow levels in water courses and water tables, and thereby have a negative impact on biodiversity. Too much storing of surface water can also raise the water table level, and there by have a negative impact on ground stability. A balance must be achieved between management of water recycling and ensuring no adverse impact on the water environment and biodiversity. Where achievable, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS’s) will be expected.

Developers will be referred to SUDS Working Group guidance which is updated regularly, www.ciria.org.uk/suds for guidance. Guidance on the requirements of a Water Conservation Statement will be contained in a General Development Consideration SPG.

Waste

Waste is a cross cutting issue because it is produced by all types of land use, during construction, operation and demolition. The need to change the way in which we deal with waste is recognised in policy at all levels, particularly to reduce its production in the first place. Mechanisms to reduce the production of waste have been introduced at the national level, including the need to consider materials efficiency in Design and Access Statements, and the requirement for Site Waste Management Plans for large scale projects.

In order to deal with waste sustainably it is essential that the County has an adequate network of waste facilities. The North Wales Regional Waste Plan 1st Review has identified the level of need across the County, taking into account

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 61 existing provision and apportioned the area of land that each local authority should allocate within their LDPs.

Policy VOE 7 - Locations for waste management

The following sites are identified on the Proposals Map for waste management facilities: WM1: Rhuallt: Design needs to reflect the rural nature of the surrounding area. Landscape will be important due to proximity of AONB WM2: St Asaph Business Park: High quality, in-built facilities, emphasis on design. WM3: Bodelwyddan Key Strategic Site: High quality, in-built facilities. Design needs to reflect the rural nature of the surrounding area and the location of St Margaret’s Church WM4: Denbigh Quarry: Small scale to serve the local area WM5: Graig Lelo Quarry: Mixture of uses including open-air WM6: Ruthin: Bus Depot: Small scale to serve the local area WM7: Ruthin: Fedw Fawr: Small scale to serve the local area WM8 Corwen Ty’n Y Gottel: Small scale to serve the local area

In addition to allocated sites, waste sites for in-built facilities, including in- vessel composting and anaerobic digestion, will generally be acceptable on existing industrial estates. Waste sites for composting, including anaerobic digestion and in-vessel composting, where appropriate, will be acceptable on sites with existing agricultural use as part of farm diversification, outside of the AONB and AOB.

Justification

The North Wales Regional Waste Plan 1st Review (NWRWPR) identified that there is an urgent need to address the current lack of recycling and recovery facilities in the County. The allocations identified above provide in excess of the minimum requirements set out in the NWRWPR in order to provide maximum flexibility to the market and allow for the fact that not all sites will come forward for waste management purposes. Rhuallt and St Asaph Business Park are considered to be of a strategic nature, whereas the sites in the south of the County are considered to be of local significance. Denbigh quarry could potentially be of strategic significance. There are a number of employment sites across the County which also offer potential in terms of their suitability for waste management. The Bodelwyddan employment site is considered to offer potential and a detailed allocation will be identified within the Master Plan for the area. Small scale, localised waste management can help to reduce the transport impacts waste can have and assist the local economy. The way in which waste is managed will change over the life of the LDP and it is important that policies do not prevent such change but ensure that it is carried out in such a way as to maximise benefit and minimise or remove any negative impacts.

The above allocations have been included to direct developers to locations that are considered suitable for waste management in the County. It is acknowledged that there may be other suitable sites on existing industrial sites. The suitability of a site will depend upon a variety of different factors, including the nature and scale of the

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 62 waste facility and any site constraints such as flood risk, sensitive landscape and ecological sensitivity. No industrial sites will be excluded from consideration for waste facilities.

Community based facilities, by their very nature, may need to be located within existing communities which do not have industrial estates. In such cases, an application would be viewed positively.

Policy VOE 8 - Waste management outside development boundaries

Proposals for the management of waste outside of the development boundary will be permitted provided that they are acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and: i) There is an unmet need identified in the Regional Waste Plan; OR the proposal relates to the management of waste generated and to be dealt with entirely on that site. ii) Allocated sites are either unavailable or unsuitable for the proposed activity. (The location of the allocated sites will be taken into account, particularly for small scale proposals); iii) There are no suitable sites within the development boundary; iv) The proposal accords with other LDP policies in terms of environmental, amenity and landscape impacts and highways impacts; v) The proposal will not have any unacceptable community impacts; vi) The proposal is of an appropriate scale and nature; vii) The proposal seeks to avoid the disposal of waste in landfill; OR viii) Where the proposal is for landfill, the site is outside of the AONB and AOB; and ix) There is an appropriate scheme for restoration and aftercare.

Justification

There is an identified need for new waste facilities within the County. Whilst it is important that waste infrastructure is developed within the County, it is necessary to ensure that the infrastructure is suitably located so as to minimise the impact of new waste facilities on the environment and surrounding communities. National policy states that the majority of waste facilities are likely to be acceptable on existing industrial estates, with landfill and windrow composting likely to be suitable on farms as part of farm diversification. The Council considers that in some instances, facilities such as anaerobic digestion and in-vessel-composting may be acceptable on farms as part of farm diversification, particularly where it can be demonstrated that the output of the process is to be applied locally. In exceptional circumstances, other facilities may be acceptable on farms as part of farm diversification. Proposals should demonstrate that there is an overriding need for the development, and that there are no suitable alternative sites. In general, consideration should be given to the proximity principle and the need to locate waste facilities close to the source of the arisings. Facilities in rural locations that are to serve a local need may be considered to be appropriate. Proposals should demonstrate, through a sequential test, that the choice of location is appropriate. No sites have been allocated for

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 63 landfill within the County. Proposals for landfill will be considered on their own merits taking into account need.

Renewable Energy

The LDP will encourage development to consider REDUCING the energy demand of buildings through sustainable design, and reducing the energy by designing-out energy demands. PROMOTE energy efficiency during the ongoing use of the building and PROVIDE sustainable alternatives from renewable sources.

This three-step approach is called the “energy hierarchy” and minimises the impact of the use of the development upon the environment.

Policy VOE 9 - Large scale wind farms

As a broad principle and subject to other environmental considerations the LDP will permit large scale wind farm applications within the Clocaenog Strategic Search Area provided that that they are acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and: i) where habitat creation or restoration is necessary it is in keeping with the Clocaenog Statement of Environmental Master Planning Principles; and ii) consideration is given to the cumulative impact on surrounding communities. Where the development of a wind farm will have an unacceptable cumulative impact on a community it will be refused.

Justification

The Strategic Search Area (SSA) has been identified at the national level (in TAN 8) and is therefore carried through into local policy. The SSA is expected to provide a minimum of 140 MW by 2010. Further targets are expected by the Welsh Assembly Government, however, it is uncertain whether these can, and should be met within the SSAs. Further guidance by WAG is therefore required on these matters. TAN 8 provides detailed guidance to developers and local planning authorities as to the types of factors that should be taken into account when planning for large scale wind farms. Large scale wind farms also require environmental impact assessment which ensures that there are no significant impacts on the environment as a result of the development. These requirements have therefore not been repeated here. The purpose of this policy is to ensure developers adhere to the Clocaenog Statement of Environmental Master Planning Principles (SEMP), developed by the RSPB in conjunction with a steering group made up of Denbighshire and Conwy local authorities, CCW, and the North Wales Wildlife Trust. The SEMP identifies broad ecological character zones and draws up schedules of land management in order to maintain, improve or convert habitats within zones. One of the key objectives of the SEMP is to avoid a pattern of inappropriate and conflicting land management and provide a rationale for the spatial location of community benefit.

The impact of wind farms on local communities, particularly cumulative impacts, needs to be considered when determining appropriate locations within the SSA for a

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 64 wind farm. Whilst Environmental Impact Assessment considers the impact of a proposal on populations, the focus tends to be on environmental impacts and impacts on animal species rather than impacts on human communities. In order to determine whether or not there is an unacceptable impact on a community, developers should submit a Health Impact Assessment as part of their application. This should include consultation with the affected community and identify measures taken to address any negative impacts, including cumulative impacts if applicable.

Policy VOE 10 - Large scale wind farm applications over 5MW and outside of the Strategic Search Area

Applications for large scale wind farms outside of the SSA will only be permitted where they are acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and it can be demonstrated that there is an overriding need which cannot be met within the SSA and providing any impacts on wildlife and the surrounding environment, including indirect impacts of deforestation, can be suitably mitigated.

Justification

The SSA has been identified at the national level and is felt to offer the greatest potential in terms of large scale wind farm locations. However, there may be just cause for a development on the periphery of the SSA, which may cause part of the development to be located outside of the SSA, or where targets have been revised and cannot be met within the SSA. In such circumstances such an application would be considered. Within SSAs the visual impact associated with wind farms are expected, however, the authority does not wish to see the whole of the County’s landscape impacted by wind farms and will seek to restrict large scale wind farms to the SSA. Whilst TAN 8 identifies Brownfield sites as potentially suitable for wind farms between 5MW and 25MW, Denbighshire does not have large Brownfield sites on which to accommodate such large scale turbines. In addition, the majority of Brownfield land in the County is located within Rhyl, where turbines could not be located at a suitable distance from residential development due to its built up nature. The restriction of such large scale wind farms to the SSA is therefore considered appropriate.

Policy VOE 11- Community based wind farms

As a broad principle and subject to other environmental considerations the LDP will permit community based wind farms outside of the AONB, AOB, conservation areas and other sites designated for their ecological or historical value. Turbines should be suitably located so as to minimise the visual impact of the turbines on the surrounding landscape whilst seeking to maximise their efficiency. Where proposals are found to have a detrimental visual impact on important views, or conflict with other policies within the LDP they will be refused.

Justification

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Community wind farms can vary considerably in height, which in terms of the landscape, has the greatest impact. For the purposes of the LDP, community wind farms are considered to be less than 5MW in total and no more than 50m from the base to the top of the turbine, including the rotor. The LDP will support community based schemes for renewable energy, including wind farms, however, proposals will be considered in terms of their overall impact and whether there are more suitable alternatives that could be reasonably be implemented. The County has a high quality landscape which the LDP will seek to preserve. In visually sensitive areas, such as the Vale of Clwyd, alternative forms of renewable energy such as Combined Heat and Power may be more appropriate.

Policy VOE 12 - Renewable energy technologies

Renewable energy technologies will generally be supported within development boundaries providing they are suitably located so as to minimise visual, noise and amenity impact. In areas that are visually sensitive, including the AONB and AOB, conservation areas and in close proximity to historic buildings, it is unlikely that visually intrusive technologies will be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that there is no negative impact on the designated area or there is an overriding public need for the development.

Outside development boundaries small scale renewable energy schemes will be permitted within the curtailage of existing properties and providing they are located so as to minimise visual, noise and amenity impact.

In exceptional circumstances, large scale schemes will be permitted outside development boundaries where it can be demonstrated there is an overall benefit to the community from the proposal and suitable mitigation measures can address any negative impacts of the proposal.

Justification

This policy covers a range of renewable energy technologies, including micro-wind, solar, biomass, Combined Heat and Power (CHP). This policy does not cover large scale or community based wind energy which are covered by policies VOE 9, 10 & 11 above. Renewable energy has a large part to play in reducing the impacts of climate change and addressing the depletion of fossil fuels. Renewable energy schemes can also help address rising fuel costs, particularly in rural areas where larger community based schemes may not be viable. There remain uncertainties regarding the impacts and benefits associated with some renewable energy technologies. Further work by the Welsh Assembly Government is being undertaken to address this gap in knowledge. Developers should consider whether on-site provision is the best approach in terms of off-setting carbon or whether near-site provision, through CHP may be more appropriate, enabling economies of scale to be achieved. The impact of any proposal should be considered in relation to other policies contained within the plan, including their visual impact, impact on ecology, the historic environment and amenity. Developers should carefully consider the most appropriate technology to be used in order to comply with National Policy contained in MIPPS 01/2009.

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Anaerobic digestion facilities may utilise human sewage, animal slurry or fuel crops, and may therefore be appropriately located alongside sewage treatment facilities, intensive livestock units and farms which grow fuel crops. The majority of sewage treatment works within the County are located within a flood plain and further development would be contrary to the tests outlined in TAN 15: Flood Risk. There is therefore limited opportunity within the County to co-locate anaerobic digestion with sewage treatment works.

Biomass, particularly wood fuel, will have requirements for fuel storage facilities. In rural locations, the use of wood fuel provides a reasonable alternative to oil which is a common fuel source. Fuel storage may fall within the permitted development rights of a dwelling house. Where planning permission is required applications will generally be supported.

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Theme: Achieving Sustainable Accessibility

Transport Policies

LDP Objectives no. 5 (‘reducing the need to travel’), no. 6 (‘best use of existing transport corridors’), and no. 12 (‘ensuring an adequate level of physical and community infrastructure’) support the need to improve accessibility to facilities and promote sustainable forms of transport. It is accepted that Denbighshire is largely car dependent given the rural nature of the county. Welsh national policies require a reduction in the need for and length of travel, whilst recognising that access by car will continue to some extent.

Policy ASA 1 - New transport infrastructure

Proposals for the provision of new transport infrastructure, including the development of new transport routes, or improvements to existing infrastructure will be supported providing that they are acceptable in terms of other LDP policies and: i) There is sufficient need and justification for the proposal on economic and/ or social grounds; ii) There are no unacceptable impacts upon the natural and built environment; iii) Provision is made for safe access by all users, including cyclist, pedestrians and the mobility impaired; iv) The proposal has been identified in the North Wales Regional Transport Plan.

The development of the following transport projects will be supported: - Any transport proposals identified in the North Wales Regional Transport Plan, - The use of suitable disused railway lines as recreational routes, - The development, extension, and improvement in any local and national cycle network, - Extension of the Llangollen Railway from Carrog to Corwen.

Justification

The aim of this policy is to allow for new transport proposals or improvements to existing infrastructure, which may be required, to alleviate existing highway problems, based on evidence of need, or to facilitate major developments, which cannot be accommodated within the existing infrastructure. This policy is not restricted to consideration of roads or road improvements only. It also covers sustainable forms of (public) transport. For instance, there are several disused railway lines throughout the county. Their location close to centres of population makes them a useful resource in providing safe, accessible routes for walking, cycling and horse riding. There also are several routes planned across the county, which incorporate the National Cycle Network (NCN). Safeguarding these will assist

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 68 in the joining-up of the NCN as well as ensuring links to destinations and routes of local or national importance. A Non Motorised Users (NMU) audit should be carried out for any major proposal and the recommendations incorporated into the development.

Where proposals are of a significant scale, these will be considered in light of their inclusion in the North Wales Regional Transport Plan.

Policy ASA 2 - Provision of sustainable transport facilities

Proposals expected to result in a need to improve or bring forward improvements to public transport, walking or cycling infrastructure in general will be required to incorporate or contribute to the cost of their provision. Subject to individual assessments, schemes may be required to provide or contribute to: i) Capacity improvements or connection to the cycle network, ii) Provision of pedestrian links with public transport routes/ interchanges, iii) Improvement of public transport services.

Justification

This policy links to the theme “Building Sustainable Communities”, policy BSC 3 “Securing infrastructure in new developments”, in setting out the contribution which new developments will be expected to make in supporting sustainable forms of transport. This is an important element in ensuring that developments likely to generate an increase in trips contribute to reducing carbon emissions, whilst improve accessibility for those unable to (or who choose not to depend on the) use (of) a car.

Policy ASA 3 - Parking standards

All new development, including changes of use, will be expected to provide appropriate parking spaces for cars and bikes. If the use of a property requires parking infrastructure for mobility impaired people, then these facilities will additionally be taken into account when determining the amount of space. In determining parking provision, consideration will be given to the following circumstances (where they apply): i) The site is located within a high-densely populated area. ii) Access to and availability of public transport is sufficiently secured. iii) Public parking is available in an adequate distance to the site. iv) Alternative forms of transport are available in this area.

Justification

This policy is aiming at ensuring sufficient parking spaces for any new development or changes of use of a site. Where access to any form of sustainable transport is available, site owners are encouraged to use these facilities. The use of maximum standards is intended to avoid the unnecessary induction of individual car-based

Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 69 trips. The need to avoid exacerbating parking and congestion problems in surrounding areas has to be a priority. Further information on parking standards will be set out in a Supplementary Planning Guidance.

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MONITORING AND IMPLEMENTATION

Monitoring of the LDP is increasingly important to understand the characteristics of the local area, assess the impact of policies and whether the strategy is delivering sustainable development so that the policies can be reviewed as appropriate.

The Welsh Assembly Government has expressed a preference for indicators which are related to measurable physical activities that are directly related to the implementation of LDP policies.

The Council is required to produce an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) of the LDP to review its progress and assess the extent to which the policies are being achieved. The indicators and targets set out below will help to inform this process and will provide the basis for the AMR.

The indicators and targets chosen are restricted to those that it is considered the LDP will have a direct influence over. In terms of time scales, the LDP will be adopted in 2011, some 5 years into the LDP plan period. The monitoring results will therefore only be relevant from this date as prior to this the current UDP policy regime will have been applied.

LDP Objective or Indicators Targets How Policy Measured

LDP Theme Respecting Distinctiveness The LDP will Number of Welsh Increase in the 2011 Census ensure that the Speakers and their number of Welsh impact of new distribution. Speakers development on recorded in the the Welsh County. language and culture will be Number of Welsh assessed in all Language Impact parts of the assessments County. submitted

Protection of Amount of land 0 DCC Planning Green Barriers within designated records & AMR Green Barriers lost to development

LDP Theme: Building Sustainable Communities The LDP will aim The number of That as an annual Annual Joint to meet projected additional market average, up to Housing Land housing needs in and affordable 350 market and at Availability terms of total dwellings built. least 150-200 Study (TAN1) number, type and affordable size of dwellings, dwellings are built including providing each year.

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LDP Objective or Indicators Targets How Policy Measured affordable housing.

The number of The key strategic Annual Joint dwellings built at site may have a Housing Land the Bodelwyddan long lead in time Availability key strategic site but average Study (TAN1) and lower growth annual settlements. completions over Monitoring of LDP period individual should seek to planning meet target of applications on approximately Key Site and 10% of the total allocations number of within Lower dwellings per Growth Towns annum. Lower growth towns average of between 1 and 10 completions per annum. Current Housing A minimum 5 year Annual Joint Land Supply Housing Land Housing Land Supply to be Availability maintained Study (TAN1) Average density of Density on sites Annual Joint housing permitted. should not be less Housing Land than 30 per Availability hectare in rural Study (TAN1) areas and 35 per hectare in urban areas. The LDP will Percentage of 100% Monitoring of ensure an residential permissions adequate and developments granted. planned level of making relevant physical and infrastructure AMR community contributions infrastructure e.g. roads, water supply and drainage, community facilities, primary care facilities, extra care homes, schools etc must

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LDP Objective or Indicators Targets How Policy Measured be provided alongside new developments. Local Connections Number of units 91 over plan DCC Planning Affordable granted planning period post Records & Housing in permission in adoption. AMR Hamlets designated hamlets The LDP will seek Number of 100% AMR to protect existing residential public open space permissions and ensure that granted post new developments adoption where make an adequate the open space contribution to requirements are public open space met. provision. 0 AMR Amount of designated public open space lost to development post adoption.

LDP Theme: Promoting a Sustainable Economy The LDP will Amount of As an annual Annual ensure the County employment land average 3.3 Employment has economically taken up annually. hectares of Land Survey. viable employment land (i.e.deliverable) been taken up per AMR and well planned annum. strategic Key site and employment sites lower growth in the areas of towns to be greatest demand. monitored individually.

Amount of Minimal, below AMR allocated 5% over plan employment land period. lost to non employment uses. The LDP will aim Progress on the Completion of the AMR to re-establish implementation of project by 2015 Rhyl as one of the the Queen’s sub-region’s most Arcade attractive shopping redevelopment centres. scheme. Shops & Services Number of existing Minimal, less than DCC Planning

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LDP Objective or Indicators Targets How Policy Measured Outside Town shops or services 10 over plan records & AMR Centres lost to other uses period post over plan period adoption. The LDP will seek The extent of A regional Annual to meet its local primary won minimum land monitoring by and regional aggregates bank of sand and North Wales mineral needs in permitted as a % gravel of 7 years Working Party the most of the total to be maintained. on Aggregates. sustainable capacity required manner. as identified in the A minimum Regional regional land Technical bank of hard rock Statement. of 10 years to be maintained.

LDP Theme: Valuing Our Environment The LDP will seek Number of 0 AMR to protect and permissions enhance the granted for natural heritage of development on the County statutory or locally including aspects designated nature such as conservation sites. landscape, biodiversity, geo- Number of 0 AMR diversity, permissions designated sites granted for and protected development species. affecting Environmental Scheduled Ancient goods and Monuments. services will also be enhanced and developed.

Amount of 0 AMR vulnerable development permitted on a floodplain.

Number of 0 Analysis of planning planning applications decisions. permitted contrary to EA advice on flooding.

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LDP Objective or Indicators Targets How Policy Measured The LDP will Amount of waste The amount of AMR ensure that management waste Denbighshire has capacity permitted management adequate land that contributes to capacity should available for the the total capacity meet the total development of required as capacity required waste facilities to identified in the as identified in meet the local Regional Waste the Regional authority’s needs Plan Waste Plan. and contribute towards the needs of the region.

The LDP will Amount of wind In line with 2020 AMR ensure that energy generation targets Denbighshire permitted makes a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gases through both supporting the principle of large wind farm development within identified zones and other renewable energy technologies; and ensuring all new developments are built to minimise their carbon footprint.

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Appendix 1 Links with National Policies

Policy Issue Planning Policy Ministerial Wales reference Interim Planning Policy Statement reference

Theme: Respecting Distinctiveness • Conservation and enhancement of the 2.4.5 --- countryside • New building in the open countryside 2.5.7 --- • Scale, siting and appropriate building 2.9.7 2.9.9 materials in areas recognised for their landscape, townscape or historic value • Early consultation on design matters 2.9.8 2.9.12 • Development control in green barriers 2.6.5, 2.6.12, --- 2.6.14 – 2.6.18 • Material planning considerations and 2.9.9 2.9.8 rejection of poor design • Control of outdoor advertisements 4.5 --- • Planning conditions 4.6 --- • Planning for sustainable buildings 2.12.1 – 2.12.7 •

Theme: Building Sustainable Communities • Securing the provision of infrastructure 2.3.2 • Infilling or minor extensions to rural 2.5.7 --- settlement • Preference for use of previously 2.7.1 --- developed land • Coastal development 5.7.2, 5.8.1 – 5.8.3 --- • Coastal defence works 5.8.4 --- • Integration of new housing with 9.3.1 9.3.1 existing settlement • Tandem development 9.2.12 9.2.13 • Housing in open countryside 9.2.18, 9.2.21, 9.3.6 9.2.21, 9.2.23, 9.3.6 • Infill development 9.3.2 – 9.3.4 9.3.2 – 9.3.4 • Extensions of small towns and villages 9.3.2 9.3.2 • Housing in the vicinity of industrial use 9.3.2 9.3.2 • Affordable housing as a material 9.3.5 9.3.5 consideration • Agriculture and forestry dwellings 9.3.6 – 9.3.10 9.3.6 – 9.3.10 • Protection of open spaces 11.1.10 --- • Protection of playing fields 11.1.11 --- • Capacity of existing infrastructure 12.1.7 --- • Water supply and sewerage 12.3.1, 12.4.1, 12.4.3 --- • Flood risk 13.2.1 --- • Development proposals should seek to 13.2.4 --- reduce flood risk Denbighshire Local Development Plan - Deposit Draft 77

• Hard engineered flood defence 13.3.1 ---

• Unobstructed floodplains 13.3.2 --- • Justification of new development areas 13.4.1 --- of high flood hazard • Environment Agency flood warning 13.4.4 --- service • Guiding development to minimise risks 13.5.1 --- from land instability and contamination • Investigating and overcoming land 13.7.1, 13.7.2, 13.9.1, --- contamination and instability 13.9.2

Theme: Promoting a Sustainable Economy • Sustainable economic development 7.1.7 --- • Economic development in residential 7.2.5 --- areas • Prevention of alternative use on 7.2.7 --- employment sites • Employment developments within or 7.3.2 --- adjoining rural settlements • Development considerations for 7.6.2 --- industrial and commercial use • Business development in primarily 7.6.3 --- residential areas • Use of occupancy conditions 7.6.4 --- • Intensification of employment uses 7.6.5 --- • Agricultural development proposals 7.6.7, 7.6.8 --- • Re-use and adaptation of rural 7.6.9, 7.6.11 --- buildings • Locating retail and other services in --- 10.1.2 existing centres • New regional shopping centres --- 10.2.2 • Mixed use development --- 10.2.4 • Uses best located in centres – key --- 10.3.1, 10.3.16 factors • Uses best located in centres – need --- 10.3.2 • Major new retail proposals – --- 10.3.6 incremental and cumulative effects • Retention of food shopping and --- 10.3.7 essential services etc in centres • Out of centre food supermarkets --- 10.3.8 • Change of use to/ from local shops --- 10.3.9 and village shops, and to/ from public houses • Shops ancillary to uses eg farm shops --- 10.3.10 • Change in nature of edge of centre --- 10.3.11 and out of centre retail • Bulky goods --- 10.3.12 • Factory outlets --- 10.3.13 • Warehouse clubs --- 10.3.14

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• Amusement centres --- 10.3.15 • Inappropriate retail allocations --- 10.3.16 • Retention of allocated retail sites --- 10.3.17 • Retail development on land --- 10.3.18 designated for other uses • Sympathetic rural Tourism 11.1.6 --- • Maintenance and accessibility of areas 11.1.7 --- and facilities • Provision of green routes and rights of 11.1.7 --- way • Provision on previously developed 11.1.8 --- land • Protection of open spaces 11.1.10 --- • Protection of playing fields 11.1.11 --- • Protection of Rights of Way 11.1.13 --- • Recreational and tourist development 11.3.1, 11.3.2 --- control considerations • Protection of Rights of Way 11.1.13 --- • Recreational and tourist development 11.3.1, 11.3.2 --- control considerations

Theme: Valuing our Environment

• Conserving the best and most versatile 2.8.1 --- agricultural land • Areas with statutory landscape 5.3.4 – 5.3.7, 5.5.6, --- designation (AONBs and National 5.5.7 Parks) • Areas and sites with statutory nature 5.3.9 --- conservation designation (SSSi, Ramsar sites, SPAs, SACs) • Protected species 5.5.11 --- • Development affecting SSSis 5.5.8 --- • Protection of trees and woodlands 5.2.8 --- • Common land 5.2.10 --- • Town and village greens 5.5.17 --- • Allotments 5.5.18 --- • Minimising adverse environmental 5.5.2, 5.5.5, 5.5.9 --- impacts • Financing archaeological works 6.4.3 --- • Preservation of listed buildings and 6.4.6 --- optimum viable use • Conservation Areas and assessments 6.4.7 --- • Ancient monuments and archaeological 6.5.1 --- remains • Archaeological investigation before 6.5.3 --- development commences • Proposals affecting a listed building or 6.5.7 --- its setting • Consent to demolish a listed building - 6.5.10 --- exceptional circumstances/ use of conditions

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• Conservation area consent: need to 6.5.15 --- preserve or enhance character • Conservation Area consent 6.5.16 --- considerations • Advertisements in Conservation Areas 6.5.17 --- • Trees in Conservation Areas 6.5.18 --- • World heritage sites 6.5.22 --- • Effect on historic landscape, park or 6.5.23 --- garden and settings as a material considerations • Waste management 12.5.1, 12.5.3, 12.5.4 --- • Waste facilities and major 12.7.1 --- developments • Assembly Government renewable --- 12.8.3, energy targets 12.8.6 • Support for all forms of renewable --- 12.8.6, 12.8.12 energy projects where environmental impacts are avoided or minimised • Strategic search area --- 12.8.9, 12.8.10 • Development control for renewable --- 12.8.11, energy 12.10.1 • Facilitation of additional grid network --- 12.8.11, infrastructure • Large scale renewable energy --- 12.8.11 development in internationally or nationally designated areas • Renewable energy proposals, nature --- 12.8.13 conservation and landscape considerations • Minimise detrimental effects on local --- 12.8.13 communities arising from renewable energy • Telecoms mast and site sharing, re-use 12.12.3, 12.13.2 --- of existing sites • Siting of telecoms equipment 12.13.2 --- • Taking account of modern telecoms 12.13.4 --- • Need for proposed telecoms system 12.13.5 --- • Radio interference 12.13.10 --- • Noise generating development, 13.5.2 --- statutorily designated areas and protected species • Satisfaction that any remaining pollution 13.12.2 --- concerns are capable of being dealt with under other pollution regimes • Designing development to prevent 13.12.3 --- adverse affect to the environment • Minimising emissions and levels of 13.13.1 --- ambient noise • Balance provision of lighting with 13.13.2 --- protection of amenity and environment

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Theme: Achieving Sustainable Accessibility • Accessibility for all 2.9.5 2.9.10 • Access for all 4.4.2 – 4.4.4 --- • Access to historic buildings 4.4.5 --- • Promoting walking 8.2.1 --- • Encouraging cycling 8.2.2 --- • Promoting public transport 8.3.1 --- • Traffic management (urban and rural) 8.4.1 --- • Car parks to meet strategic aims 8.4.5 --- • Shift of freight to non-road modes; 8.5.3, 8.5.4 --- promotion of modal transfer • Distribution centre location 8.5.3 --- • Airport development 8.5.5 --- • Transport infrastructure impacts 8.5.7 --- • Transport considerations in 8.7.1 --- development control • Transport assessments and travel plans 8.7.2 --- • Access to developments 8.7.3 --- • Motorway and other road junctions 8.7.4 ---

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Appendix 2

Tests of Soundness

Following this public consultation stage and prior to its final approval by the County Council, the LDP passes through a key public scrutiny stage - the “Examination in Public” (which is an independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate). The “Planning and Compulsory Act 2004” requires this “Examination in Public” to determine whether or not the LDP is “sound”.

If you are interested in a detailed explanation of the soundness test, please refer to a document that was produced by the Planning Inspectorate (2006): “Guide to the Examination of Local Development Plans”. It can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website: www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk

The broad principles and the ten tests of soundness are explained and summarised below:

Procedural Tests (there are two procedural tests that the LDP must meet):

P1: it has been prepared in accordance with the Delivery Agreement including the Community Involvement Scheme

P2: the plan and its policies have been subjected to sustainability appraisal including strategic environmental assessment

Consistency Tests (there are four consistency tests that the LDP must meet):

C1: it is a land use plan which has regard to other relevant plans, policies and strategies relating to the area or the adjoining areas

C2: it has regard to national policies

C3: it has regard to the Wales Spatial Plan

C4: it has regard to the relevant community strategy/ strategies

Coherence & Effectiveness Tests (there are four coherence and effectiveness tests that the LDP must meet):

CE1: the plan sets out a coherent strategy from which its policies and allocations logically flow and, where cross boundary issues are relevant, it is compatible with the development plans prepared by neighbouring authorities CE2: the strategy, policies and allocations are realistic and appropriate having considered relevant alternatives and are founded on a robust

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evidence base

CE3: there are clear mechanism for implementation and monitoring

CE4: it is reasonably flexible to enable it to deal with changing circumstances

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Denbighshire Local Development Plan – Soundness Self Assessment Checklist

The table below sets out the 10 tests of soundness and the Authority’s assessment of its progress to Deposit in meeting each of the tests.

Test of Soundness Self Assessment Procedural Tests P1 The Plan has been The Delivery Agreement (2005) prepared in accordance which includes the Community with the Delivery Involvement Scheme sets out the Agreement process for the preparation of the including the Community Denbighshire Local Development Involvement Scheme. Plan and associated documents.

A revised Delivery Agreement was agreed by the Welsh Assembly Government on 24th October 2008. The revisions were required to accommodate the extensive engagement with the public and key stakeholders in the participation and pre-deposit stages.

Placing the LDP on Deposit in October 2009 is slightly behind the agreed schedule of Summer 2009 but it is considered that this will not adversely affect the overall timetable and the anticipated adoption date is still Spring 2011. P2 The plan and its policies Statutory bodies and all relevant have been subjected to organisations were consulted on sustainability appraisal the draft SA/SEA between July and including strategic September 2007. Over 30 of those environmental consulted attended a workshop assessment. session in November 2007 to firm up the SA/SEA issues and objectives. The revised Scoping Report was then finalised by consultants Atkins and published by the Authority.

As part of the Pre-Deposit consultation and preparation of the

1 Preferred Strategy an initial Sustainability Report was produced in-house and published for consultation. The document highlighted how the alternative and preferred options had been assessed against the SA objectives. It also summarised how the SA/SEA process had informed the development of the Preferred Strategy.

As part of the preparation of the Deposit the initial sustainability report was taken into account and built upon in the assessment of the Deposit LDP. The Environmental Report has been published alongside the Deposit LDP for consultation. Consistency tests C1 It is a land use plan The Deposit LDP document which has regard to identifies the national, regional and other relevant plans, local PPS documents which have policies and strategies implications on land-use planning. (PPS The Deposit LDP has taken into documents) relating to account the implications that are the area or to the relevant. adjoining areas. The SA/SEA documents (Scoping Report, initial Sustainability Appraisal Report, Sustainability Report and Environmental Report) also include a review of PPS documents. The review identifies sustainability implications for the County and the LDP. C2 The Plan has regard to The Deposit LDP document National Policy identifies the national, PPS documents which have implications on land-use planning. The Deposit LDP has taken into account the implications that are relevant.

The SA/SEA documents (Scoping Report, initial Sustainability Appraisal Report, Sustainability Report and Environmental Report) also include a review of PPS

2 documents. The review identifies sustainability implications for the County and the LDP. C3 The Plan has regard to Denbighshire falls into two regional the Wales Spatial Plan areas within the Wales Spatial Plan, the North East Wales (Border & Coast) and Central Wales area. The strategic principles of both the approved Spatial Plan document and the interim statements have been considered in the Preferred Strategy document. C4 The Plan has regard to Developing the Vision and the relevant community Objectives for the Deposit LDP strategy. document has drawn on the land- use issues identified in the ‘Denbighshire Vision 2025’. Coherence and Effectiveness Tests CE 1 The plan sets out a The Preferred Strategy takes into coherent strategy from account work undertaken at the which its policies and regional level. allocations logically flow and, where cross The Authority has worked in boundary issues are collaboration with other North relevant, it is compatible Wales Authorities in the with the development apportionment of housing growth plans prepared by projected for north Wales as a neighbouring authorities. region. The Deposit LDP has taken into account the apportionment figure and its implications.

Neighbouring Authorities also attended the regular LDP Key Stakeholder Group meetings, where the open discussion of cross-border land use issues was held with representatives from other disciplines.

Denbighshire County Council has also worked collaboratively with Flintshire and Wrexham Councils to prepare the North East Local Housing Market Assessment. The assessment has clarified the Authority’s understanding of the housing issues facing the region.

In addition, Conwy and

3 Denbighshire worked together with the Welsh Assembly Government to prepare a Sub- Regional Spatial Strategy. The document has increased understanding of the inter relationship of the sub-regions.

Regular liaison meetings have also been held between officers of neighbouring authorise to ensure consistency and share best practise. CE 2 The strategy, policies The strategy, policies and and allocations are allocations are considered realistic realistic and appropriate and appropriate having considered having considered reasonable alternatives. relevant alternatives and are founded on a robust The LDP strategy was agreed evidence base. following consultation on the options for the preferred strategy at pre-deposit stage.

The evidence base has been continually reviewed, updated and extended throughout the LDP preparation process to ensure that the Deposit LDP is well supported.

The input from the Members Working Group and the LDP Key Stakeholder Group has helped make sure that the views from the members of the public have been balanced with the wider interests of the County and the sub-region. CE 3 There are clear The Council is required to produce mechanisms for an Annual Monitoring Report implementation & (AMR) of the adopted LDP to monitoring review its progress and assess the extent to which the policy objectives are being achieved. This will form the basis for identifying any requirements for the review the Plan.

Implementation and monitoring proposals are included within the Deposit LDP for consultation. CE 4 It is reasonably flexible It is recognised that the LDP is a

4 to enable it to deal with long term planning document and changing circumstances. must be capable of adapting to changing circumstances. The policies have been developed to allow for this and this is also reflected in the implementation and monitoring schedules.

The policy framework has been developed to provide clear guidance without being overly prescriptive.

A contingency of 20% has been built into the housing supply calculations to increase flexibility in the range of sites that can come forward and improve the deliverability of the LDP objectives.

The LDP will be monitored through the Annual Monitoring Report which includes trigger points for any substantive review of the LDP to ensure that the objectives are being met.

5 Appendix 3

Denbighshire Local Development Plan 2006 - 2021

Initial Consultation Report

Contents

Section 1 Introduction 1 Section 2 Compliance with CIS 2 Section 3 Consultation Bodies 5 Section 4 Plan Publicity 6 Section 5 Summary of responses to the consultation 7 Section 6 Main issues raised 7 Section 7 How issues raised have influenced the LDP 9

Appendix 1 Summary of responses received in terms of tests of 10 soundness Appendix 2 Specific and general consultation bodies 22 Appendix 3 Current membership of the LDP Working Group 24 Appendix 4 Current membership of the Key Stakeholder Group 25

Table 1 Actions undertaken during the Pre-Deposit Consultation 3 Table 2 List of public exhibitions 6

ii 1 Introduction

1.1 This document forms part of a suite of documents which are published alongside the Denbighshire Local Development Plan (LDP) Deposit Draft.

1.2 The purpose of this document is to give a broad overview of the consultation undertaken for the Local Development Plan Preferred Strategy, the document produced as part of the Pre-Deposit Consultation stage.

1.3 Consultation on the Preferred Strategy was undertaken from the 2nd of June 2008 until the 1st of August 2008. Following consultation on the Preferred Strategy a report1 was produced informing Local Authority elected Members of the results of the public consultation exercise. The report was taken to the Local Development Plan Working Group2 in September 2008 and Full Council in January 2009 after which the report was published on the Denbighshire County Council website3.

1.4 This report builds on the report published in January 2009 and fulfils the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development Plan) (Wales) Regulations 2005 by identifying: • how the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) has been complied with. • which bodies were engaged or consulted on the Preferred Strategy; • steps taken to publicise Plan preparation; and • the main issues raised and how they have influenced the Deposit LDP.

1.5 More importantly, this report provides feedback to those who responded to the consultation, and identifies how comments received have been taken into account during production of the Deposit Draft Denbighshire Local Development Plan.

Structure of the Report

1.6 The report is structured into sections which collectively will demonstrate how the Council has complied with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development Plan) (Wales) Regulations 2005. Appendix 1 provides a summary of responses shaped in terms of the tests of soundness. A comprehensive schedule of responses received during the consultation period is available from the Planning Policy team on request.

1 Denbighshire County Council Local Development Plan Pre-Deposit Consultation Summary of Key Responses and Issues Arising 2 The Local Development Plan Working Group is made up of Local Authority elected Members. Membership of the LDP Working Group is contained in Appendix 3 3 http://denbighddms.wisshost.net/webfiles/Pre_Deposit_Public_Consultation.pdf

1 2 Compliance with Community Involvement Scheme

2.1 The Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) outlines the consultation that will take place during each of the key stages of the LDP. There are 11 main stages identified within the CIS where the Council will convey information to the public: Definitive Stages • Stage 1: Pre-Deposit Participation • Stage 2: Pre-Deposit Public Consultation • Stage 3: Preparation for the Deposit Plan Indicative Stages • Stage 4: Deposit of Proposals

------Currently at Stage 4------

• Stage 5: Post Deposit Plan Feedback • Stage 6: Approach to Alternative Sites • Stage 7: Preparation for Submission to EIP • Stage 8: Independent Examination in Public • Stage 9: Post Examination in Public • Stage 10: Publication of the Inspector’s Report • Stage 11: Adoption

2.2 The Council is currently at stage 4: consultation on the Deposit of Proposals. The purpose of this section is to identify how the Council has complied with stage 2: Pre-Deposit Public Consultation, also known as the Preferred Strategy, as identified within the CIS.

Consensus Building

2.3 The Council established two groups early on in the Local Development Plan Process to discuss key issues and try to build consensus. These two groups are the LDP Working Group, made up of local authority Members, and the LDP Key Stakeholder Group.

2.4 The LDP Working Group is open to all Members of the Council, though Membership is limited to 10 Members who by virtue of their membership may agree final recommendations. Current membership of the LDP Working Group is identified in Appendix 3.

2.5 Key Stakeholders were identified through a stakeholder mapping exercise undertaken by the Council on the 21st of April 2006 Key Stakeholders were drawn from a range of different organisations, including environmental, social, health and economic organisations. A full list of Key Stakeholders is identified in Appendix 4.

Pre-Deposit Participation

2.6 The Council undertook the Pre-Deposit Participation stage between April 2005 and January 2007. As part of the Pre-Deposit Participation stage 3 public launch events were held at Rhuddlan, Ruthin and

2 Llangollen in September 2006. Landowners were asked to submit expressions of interest, identifying any land that they would like considered for inclusion in the LDP. The candidate sites received have been made available on-line and updated weekly.

2.7 Further details of consultation undertaken are included within the revised Delivery Agreement which is available on the Council’s website.

Pre-Deposit Consultation

2.8 Consultation on the Pre-Deposit LDP was undertaken between the 2nd of June 2008 and the 1st of August 2008. The CIS committed the Council to a number of actions which the Council has met and exceeded in some cases. Table 1 identifies the activities undertaken during the LDP Pre-Deposit consultation.

2.9 The consultation was undertaken over a period of 9 weeks. The decision to extend the period of consultation beyond the 6 weeks required by the regulations was taken to allow for the summer holidays and ensure that everyone had ample opportunity to respond to the consultation.

Table 1: Actions undertaken during the Pre-Deposit Consultation Action proposed in CIS Action Undertaken Formal and informal • A press briefing was given prior to the consultation arrangements to help publicise the consultation. • Town and Community Councils within Denbighshire and adjacent to Denbighshire were invited to attend one-to-one sessions with Officers in the Council to discuss the LDP. • A DVD was produced to explain the purpose and content of the Pre-Deposit LDP. The DVD was sent to secondary schools, including an LDP information pack, and to members of the public on request. Written consultation Approximately 1,400 Letters sent to all individuals and organisations on the LDP database notifying them of the consultation and giving details of public exhibitions. On-line consultation All consultation documents made available on-line via the Denbighshire website. Written representations could be made via the website. One Stop Shops All consultation documents made available in the one- stop shops, libraries, and all local authority offices, including details of public exhibitions. Use of External Internal Officers attended all public exhibitions. facilitators where needed Stakeholder Conferences A stakeholder event was undertaken on the 5th of June 2008 with attendees from the Key Stakeholder Group and internal officers Public Exhibitions A total of 15 public exhibitions were undertaken across the County on a variety of days/times.

3 Summary leaflets Non-technical slim version distributed at all events and made available in all libraries, one stop shops and Local Authority offices. Exhibition Boards Key information to provide a broad overview of the LDP Preferred Strategy and to stimulate questions. Posters Posters were distributed to County Councillors, Town and Community Councils, libraries, and on notice boards in local communities,

4 3 Consultation Bodies

3.1 There are a number of organisations that the Council should consult with, as required by the Town and Country Planning (Local Development Plan) (Wales) Regulations 2005, including: • The Assembly Government; • The Council of any Community Covered by the Proposals; • Any adjacent Local Planning Authority; • The Environment Agency; • The Countryside Council for Wales; • Those general consultation bodies as the authority considers appropriate; • The Secretary of State.

3.2 The CIS identified specific and general consultation bodies that the Council will consult with during the Pre-Deposit and Deposit stages of the LDP. Those bodies that the Council engaged with are identified in Appendix 2.

3.3 A variety of consultation methods were used to engage the various consultation bodies, as identified in Table 1 on page 3.

5 4 Publicity

4.1 Publicity for the LDP has been fundamental in order to ensure that everybody with an interest in the LDP is aware of their opportunity to engage with the process. On-going publicity of the LDP process has been via the website which provides up to date information and acts as an interface between members of the public and the Council.

4.2 Press notices were issued publicising the Pre-Deposit consultation. Notices were published in the Denbighshire Free Press and the Rhyl Journal. Press releases were also sent to a wide range of local media and a press briefing held to further publicise the consultation. An article was published in the County Voice, the Local Authority’s own newspaper, which has a circulation list of 44,000 homes across the County.

4.3 A number of exhibitions were undertaken during the consultation period across the County. The exhibitions were publicised in the County Voice and on posters which were distributed around the County, as shown in table 2. The purpose of these exhibitions was to provide members of the public with the opportunity to ask Planning Officers questions regarding the LDP prior to submitting their representations.

4.4 During the consultation two further exhibitions were organised in response to local requests, including one in Prestatyn and one in Rhuallt.

Table 2: List of Public Exhibitions DATE TOWN LOCATION AND TIME Monday, 2 June Rhyl Town Hall (2pm-8pm) Friday, 6 June Prestatyn Conference Room, Ty Nant council offices, Prestatyn (2pm-8pm) Saturday, 7 June Rhyl Town Hall (9am-12pm) Monday, 9 June St Asaph Dean’s Library (2pm- 8pm) Tuesday, 10 June St Asaph Dean’s Library (2pm- 8pm) Thursday, 12 June Bodelwyddan Community Centre (3pm-8pm) Friday, 13 June Bodelwyddan Community Centre (2pm-8pm) Monday, 16 June Ruthin County Hall (2pm-8pm) Tuesday, 17 June Denbigh Town Hall (2pm-8pm) Wednesday, 18 June Corwen Pavilion (2pm-8pm) Thursday, 19 June Llangollen Town Hall (2pm-8pm) Friday, 20 June Rhuddlan Community Centre (2pm-8pm) Monday, 23 June Rhyl Town Hall (2pm-8pm)

6 5 Summary of Responses to the Consultation

5.1 462 responses to the consultation were received regarding the consultation of the Pre-Deposit LDP4. A number of issues were raised during the consultation on the Pre-Deposit. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the issues raised and identify how they have influenced the Deposit LDP. A breakdown of responses received by test of soundness has been included within Appendix 1 A comprehensive schedule of responses has been published as an addendum to this report and is available from Planning Policy Officers on request.

5.2 A large number of responses related to candidate sites rather than the overall strategy. Where possible, responses relating to candidate site representations have been interpreted in terms of their implications for the overall strategy.

5.3 The majority of responses were either individual representations, or individual representations submitted on behalf of organisations. In addition, two petitions were received: One from the Meliden Residents Group with 19 signatures (objecting to further development in Meliden) and another regards Graigfechan, with 56 signatures (regarding development in Graigfechan). A questionnaire regarding Bodelwyddan was also prepared and distributed by the Town Council and a total of 92 questionnaires received.

6 Main Issues Raised

Growth Options

6.1 The majority of respondents raised concern about levels of growth at particular sites rather than the levels of growth proposed for the County as a whole. Where comments related specifically to the growth levels for the County they were mixed, with some support and some objection.

6.2 Concern was expressed that provision was being made for people outside of the County rather than local people. The justification for the level of growth proposed was also questioned, both in terms of whether growth levels were high enough, or whether they were too high.

Spatial Strategy

6.3 There was significant objection to the spatial strategy, however, in most cases this related to the inclusion of specific sites, rather than the direction of a large proportion of growth to the north of the County. A relatively small number of respondents suggested dispersing

4 This figure includes a number of late representations which were not originally reported to Members in September 2008.

7 development due to constraints in the North and need in more rural southern areas.

Key Strategic Sites

6.4 Rhyl – Limited comments received regarding the proposed key strategic site (4 in support, 5 objections). However, some of the comments received included: need to avoid coalescence of neighbouring settlements, need for open space, flood risk on parts of the potential Key Strategic site, need for development to support regeneration objectives and need for relief road to ease congestion highlighted.

6.5 Bodelwyddan – A larger number of representations (6 in support, 97 objections) to the potential key strategic site though smaller levels of development supported by the majority. Lack of existing infrastructure and development on high quality agricultural land and Greenfield land a concern. The majority of representations received were in response to a questionnaire distributed by the Town Council as a separate exercise to the County Council’s consultation.

6.6 St Asaph – A small number of representations (2 in support, 6 objections) to the potential key strategic site citing highways as a constraint. The ability of proposed development to be linked with existing town also raised as a key issue.

Areas of Lower Growth

6.7 Prestatyn – a small number of responses received (1 in support, 7 objections), some objecting to the proposed level of growth, one suggesting Prestatyn have higher growth, in line with Rhyl. Concern expressed about flood risk and whether the area is suitable for further development as a result. Concern expressed about the impact of development on the Offa’s Dyke trail.

6.8 Rhuallt – a large number of representations (No support, 79 objections) received regarding the inclusion of Rhuallt as a lower growth settlement. Concern expressed about the impact such an increase would have on the character of the village and whether the existing infrastructure could support it. Concern expressed about the impact of development on the AONB and the Offa’s Dyke trail.

6.9 Denbigh – limited comments received regarding Denbigh. No clear support/objection to the level of growth proposed at Denbigh.

6.10 Ruthin – limited comments received regarding Ruthin. No clear support/objection to the level of growth proposed at Ruthin.

8 6.11 Corwen – limited comments received regarding Corwen. A small number suggested that there is a need for higher levels of growth in the south of the County, including Corwen.

Candidate Sites

6.12 A large number of responses were received in relation to candidate sites. Comments relating to candidate sites have been interpreted in terms of their overall implications for the Pre-Deposit LDP strategy, in particular, the need to: • retain existing open space, including amenity space; • minimise traffic impacts; • minimise impacts on landscape; • prevent loss of biodiversity; • avoid flood risk areas; and • avoid coalescence of settlements.

7 How Issues Raised Influence the Deposit LDP

7.1 The responses received during the Pre-Deposit Consultation influenced the LDP Deposit in a number of different ways, a summary of which is provided below: • 500 dwellings per annum and 50 ha employment land over plan period has been retained as the overall growth strategy;

• The 3 potential key sites have been assessed in detail to determine the combination of the 3 sites that should be included in the Deposit LDP;

• Due to the level of interest stimulated by the 3 proposed key strategic sites both during and following the Pre-Deposit consultation 3 exhibition events were undertaken in 2008 to provide further information.

• The 5 lower growth settlements have been reviewed. Prestatyn, Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen have been retained as lower growth settlements.

• Rhuallt has been deleted as a lower growth settlement. Llangollen was reconsidered as a lower growth settlement, however, following discussions with Members at the LDP Working Group Llangollen was not proposed as a lower growth settlement.

• Minor amendments have been made to some of the Key Policies.

9 • Increased level of growth for rural areas to support community facilities and provide increased levels of affordable housing in rural areas.

10 Appendix 1: Summary of responses received in terms of the ‘Tests of Soundness’.

Ultimately, the LDP will be assessed in terms of whether or not the plan is sound. Responses that have questioned the soundness of the plan have been identified below in terms of the tests that they are considered to relate to. Those comments that support the LDP in terms of soundness have generally not been included in this appendix unless they are fundamental to the soundness of the plan. Detailed representations can be found in the main schedule of responses which is available on request from Planning Policy Officers.

Procedural Tests P1: It has been prepared in accordance with the Delivery Agreement including the CIS

Comment (consultee reference) How comment has influenced the plan Need to demonstrate that the Section 2 demonstrates that the consultation arrangements employed consultation arrangements employed have been equivalent / improved to were improved to the intentions set the intentions set out in the out in the Community Involvement Community Involvement Scheme. Scheme. (WAG) Need to consult with children and The Council engaged with children young people (PDP 215) and young people through the YouthDen website and attendance at Children and Young Peoples Open Day.

P2: The plan and its policies have been subjected to sustainability appraisal including strategic environmental assessment.

Comment (consultee reference) How comment has influenced the plan Consider the SEA process is The detailed comments have been generally sound, although there are taken into account in detailed policy some minor amendments required formulation and amendments made in which will feed into the Preferred the Sustainability Appraisal Report. Strategy. (CCW) Need to clarify how the SA/SEA has Clear links between the SEA/SA influenced selections made (WAG) process and the LDP have been identified within the Sustainability Appraisal.

Consistency Tests C1: It is a land use plan which has regard to other relevant plans, policies and strategies relating to the area or to adjoining areas

11 Comment (consultee reference) How comment has influenced the plan It is unclear whether the proposals for The landtake apportioned to allocation of land for waste are drawn Denbighshire in the RWP 1st Review from the RWP 1st Review. (EAW) has been used to guide the allocation of land for waste within the LDP. Highlight that the plan does not refer The plans highlighted have been to some relevant plans, including the taken into account during the Biodiversity Action Plan, AONB development of the LDP. The plans Management Plan (PDP 333), AONB identified have now been identified Geodiversity Action Plan and AONB within the SA/SEA Scoping Report. tourism strategy (PDE 30) Catchment Flood Management Plans, North Wales Tourism Strategy and the Rural Development Plan (CCW) It is unclear how some regional Clarity over cross border issues has issues have been taken into account, been provided in the Deposit LDP. e.g. Conwy’s inability to meet housing Housing contingency has been set at apportionment. (WAG) 20% to allow increased flexibility. More evidence of joint working A section on collaboration is included between other Council Services, within the Deposit LDP. other authorities and other agencies required. (WAG) Request reference to Conwy- Reference made in Deposit LDP. Denbighshire Sub-Regional Framework (PDE 67) Concerned about a number of A review of education needs in the omissions, including Lifelong County is currently being undertaken. Learning, its strategic strands, the 14- The results of this review will be taken 19 agenda and that the Learning into account in the review of the LDP. Country, Single Plan and Webb Report were not taken into consideration during the development of the LDP.(PDP 4) Rhyl Regeneration Strategy needs to Rhyl Regeneration Strategy and the be considered (PDP 265) designation of Rhyl within the North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) has been taken into account during the production of the LDP and influenced the decision to limit greenfield development in Rhyl in order to prioritise the redevelopment of brownfield land and the retail allocation in Rhyl town centre.

Need to mention Wrexham and A section on collaboration is included Gwynedd (PDE 5) within the Deposit LDP. Consider that the Local Housing The Local Housing Market Market Assessment should be subject Assessment was consulted upon with to consultation with stakeholders interested parties.

12 before it can be used as an evidence base for the LDP. C2: It has regard to national policy

Comment (consultee reference) How comment has influenced the plan Consider the focus of the strategy on It is considered that the proposed housing and employment and the strategy should be retained. reliance on the A55 and car borne Measures to mitigate the reliance of movement for commuting are the proposed Key Strategic site on contrary to Planning Policy Wales and the A55 and car borne movement for its associated MIPPS and TANs commuting will be included within the (CCW) Development Brief SPG produced for the key strategic site. Furthermore, the Wales Spatial Plan identifies a hub in the north of the County, within which the Key Strategic site is located. The purpose of the WSP hubs is to direct growth in a coordinated way across Wales. The Key Strategic site is proposed as a mixed use site which will enable people to live and work in the same area, thereby reducing commuting and dependence on the car. Preferred Strategy conflicts with Whilst Planning Policy Wales seeks Planning Policy Wales Paragraph to protect high quality agricultural land 2.8.1 which seeks to protect high it does accept the need to allow quality agricultural land. (WAG) development if there is an overriding need for the development and either previously developed land or land in lower agricultural grades is unavailable, or has a designation which outweighs the agricultural considerations. Unclear whether affordable housing The target was informed by the issue has been adequately addressed Housing Market Assessment. (WAG) The target should be derived However, the Council considers that from the Housing Market Assessment the Housing Market Assessment (TAN 2, para 9.1) figure is unachievable over the life of the LDP because it will make developments unviable. Key Policy 10 does not accord with Within the Deposit LDP there are no national policy (WAG) key policies. Key Policy 10 has been identified as Policy VOE 1: Key Areas of Protection. The wording of the policy has been changed to accord with national policy and highlight that greenfield land in the flood plain will be protected from development.

13 The LDP should have regard to The LDP Deposit has addressed this proposed changes to Planning Policy issue through the inclusion of Policy supporting sustainable development BSC 9 which requires infill in the open in rural areas – meeting housing countryside to be affordable, and needs Consultation document issued policy BSC 6: Local connections by WAG (July 2008) (PDP 341) affordable housing in hamlets. Need to incorporate likely implications Policies have been introduced which from on-going consultations on the support various forms of renewable Energy Route Map (PDE 4) energy. The revised TAN 16 indicates a Whilst TAN 16 recommends a needs requirement for a needs based based assessment is undertaken, in assessment. The requirements of order to avoid delay in the publication para 5.7 should be removed until an of LDPs TAN 16 recommends that assessment is provided. (PDE 22) the Fields in Trust bench mark standard is used in the interim, which is what the Council proposes to do. No consideration is given to site Site assessments have been carried viability contrary to TAN 2. out for the Deposit LDP and an Affordable Housing viability Study.

C3: It has regard to the Wales Spatial Plan (WSP)

Comment (consultee reference) How comment has influenced the plan Overall, there is a good fit between Cross-boundary issues have been the Preferred Strategy and the WSP, assessed in more detail and a section although further assessment of cross- on collaborative working included boundary issues needed, especially within the Deposit LDP. connections to Wrexham, commuting pattern, improving links between coastal and border towns. (WAG) Llangollen needs to be given The status of Llangollen as a tourism recognition in terms of its status in the hub is recognised within the LDP. The WSP. (WAG) town is constrained by flood risk and topography, limiting the amount of development that can take place within the town. The LDP is focussing development on brownfield land, thereby minimising environmental impact and encouraging the regeneration of the town centre which will encourage tourism and environmental improvements. Need to incorporate likely implications The WSP has been taken into from on-going consultations on the account throughout the LDP process. WSP (PDE 4) Officers have liaised with the WSP team to ensure that the LDP adequately takes into account any implications from WSP.

14 C4: It has regard to the relevant Community Strategy/is

No specific comments received Coherence and Effectiveness Tests CE1: The plan sets out a coherent strategy from which its policies and allocations logically flow, and where cross boundary issues are relevant, it is compatible with the development plans prepared by neighbouring authorities.

Comment (consultee reference) How comment has influenced the plan The Vision needs to be more locally The LDP Vision has been expanded distinct. (WAG) (PDP 190) to identify how the towns, villages and hamlets will have changed. Sustainable development has been placed at the heart of the Vision. Greater linkages required between The themes used within the Wales policy topics – currently an Spatial Plan have been used to group overemphasis on topics. (WAG) policies, removing the overemphasis on topics and ensuring that policies are complementary. There is a potential conflict between Transport linkages between the A55 objective 6, to make the best use of and the coast will have been the A55 corridor: a corridor used improved through the increased predominantly by private vehicles, viability of public transport services and 11, that the LDP will make a due to the rise in population in this significant contribution to reducing area. greenhouse gases. (CCW) Support Option 2 (CCW) (PDP 12) Option 2 has been taken forward into the Deposit LDP. Support use of mixed development The principle of mixed development sites (PDP 12, PDP 42, PDP 335, sites has been taken forward in the PDP 339) A large number of Bodelwyddan Key Strategic Site. representations received in response to the questionnaire distributed by the Bodelwyddan Town and Community Council. There were mixed views regarding the suitability of mixed use sites. Support higher growth. Number of Consider level of growth proposed is representations. PDP 265 (needed to appropriate to meet local needs and support regeneration) allow for some growth. Furthermore, there are environmental constraints associated with all major settlements in the County which restrict development. Support the principle of a small The Bodelwyddan Key Strategic site number of large developments to has been taken forward. make infrastructure provision viable Highlight the omissions of the Sustainability has been put at the

15 sustainability aspect from the LDP heart of the LDP through its inclusion (CCW) in the Vision and the use of the WSP themes to structure the policies. CE2: The strategy, policies and allocations are realistic and appropriate having considered the relevant alternatives and are founded on a robust evidence base.

Comment (consultee reference) How comment has influenced the plan Evidence base needs to The evidence base will be contained improved/provided for retail, open within the background papers. The space, Previously Developed Land detailed evidence base was not availability, and minerals and waste. published at the Pre-Deposit stage. (WAG)

Consider appropriate alternative The Council is required to consider possible allocations have not been realistic alternatives. The alternatives adequately assessed. (PDP 265) considered were based upon a ‘do nothing’ scenario or the most up to date evidence base. Concern at the inclusion of Rhuallt as Rhuallt has been removed as a lower a lower growth area due to lack of growth settlement and has been mains sewerage provision (EAW) and treated as a village when allocating the potential adverse visual impacts growth. on the Clwydian Range AONB (CCW), and question over its sustainability (WAG). A large number of representations were received from members of the public objecting to the inclusion of Rhuallt as a lower growth town. Concern at the impact of proposed The growth proposed is considered to growth on Offa’s Dyke (PDP 14) have little or no impact upon Offa’s Dyke. Rhuallt has been removed as a lower growth settlement and growth in Prestatyn has been limited. Concern the Corwen lower growth The quality of development will be settlement has the potential to controlled at the planning application adversely affect the proposed stage to ensure that there is no extension area to the Clwydian negative impact on the proposed Range AONB. extension area to the Clwydian Range AONB. Policies should protect the character The character of the entire County will of the rural areas, including (but not be protected through policy RD 1: exclusive to) the AONB (CCW) and Sustainable and Good Quality towns and villages (PDP 205, PDP Design, and policy RD4: The Welsh 339) language and the social and cultural fabric of communities. Policies should protect open space Open space will be protected through (CCW) and a large number of policy BSC 10: Recreation and Open

16 representations received regarding Space. various candidate site representations on open space. Green barriers should be protected Green barriers have been subject to (PDP 32, PDP 166) and a number of strategic review and will be protected representations relating to candidate through Policy RD 2: Green Barriers. sites. Strategy is currently focussed The Pre-Deposit focussed on towards homes and employment, strategic issues regarding the level of, exacerbating the potential for conflict and direction of growth. The Deposit between developments and covers a whole range of issues, environmental and sustainability including social, environmental and objectives. (CCW) economic, all of which are interrelated. Where there is the potential for conflict measures to mitigate those conflicts have been proposed. Prestatyn suffers from 3 forms of The level of growth proposed at flooding which severely restrict Prestatyn is very low considering it is development (EAW) the second largest settlement in the County. This is because the town is subject to a number of constraints, including flood risk, which limits development. The rationale needs to be clearer to The rationale behind the housing explain the housing figures selected. figures selected is provided within the (CCW) (PDP 32, PDE 22 PDE 27, introductory text in the Deposit LDP. PDE 29 objected to growth levels as a result) (PDP 190, PDP 201, PDP 205, PDE 8) Question evidence base for the The evidence base for the housing selection of 150 homes for villages. numbers for villages was partly (PDE 31) derived from the Urban Potential Study and partly through the development of a settlement hierarchy. A candidate site exercise was undertaken to determine final numbers. Recommend level of growth proposed The housing needs survey results for villages reflects housing needs were made available during the surveys (PDE 37) candidate site exercise and were considered by Town and Community Councils when determining final housing numbers for rural areas. Sites should be allocated for 100% Development within hamlets and infill affordable housing for local people. will be 100% affordable for local people. Question the 20% contingency for The 20% is considered a reasonable housing sites not coming forward. figure for some sites not coming (WAG) forward and to allow a degree of

17 flexibility within the Plan. Housing requirement for Detail regarding the housing villages/market towns unclear (WAG) requirements is contained within the Deposit Plan, under the theme Building Sustainable Communities. Question the deliverability of All candidate sites have been candidate site due to site constraints subjected to a site assessment to (PDP 1) ensure that they are suitable and deliverable. Object to residential development in Residential development within areas areas of flood risk. (PDP 5) of flood risk is restricted by virtue of TAN 15. It is considered inappropriate to go beyond TAN 15 by restricting all residential development within the flood plain as this would potentially conflict with the Council’s regeneration objectives, particularly in Rhyl and Prestatyn. Residential development in the flood plain will be limited to brownfield sites that are within flood zone C1 only. Highlight the need for additional Additional allotment provision will be allotment provision in Prestatyn. (PDP sought through policy BSC 3: 7) Securing infrastructure in new developments. St Asaph, Ruthin, Denbigh, Llangollen, Rhyl and Prestatyn have been identified as settlements with additional allotment needs. Highlight the need to update/replace Secondary school provision within the existing secondary school provision in County is currently under review. The Rhyl (PDE 9) outcome of this review will feed into the review of the LDP. Concerned the Key Strategic Site St Asaph has not been taken forward proposed at St Asaph will create an as a Key Strategic site. The isolated community. (PDP17, PDP employment allocation in the UDP 84, PDE 13) has been taken forward albeit reduced in size. Concerned the Key Strategic Site Careful master planning of the proposed at Bodelwyddan will change Bodelwyddan Key Strategic site will the character of the village. A large be included within an SPG to ensure number of representations received. that the character of the area is not adversely affected. Concern over growth being located in No allocations have been made on the North (PDP 177, PDP 201, PDP Greenfield land in the flood plain. In 341, PDE 6, PDE 27) due to flood order to encourage the regeneration risk. (PDP 5, PDP 11, and PDP 249) of Rhyl and Prestatyn, development is and lack of employment in the County directed towards brownfield sites (PDP 220) within the town, including brownfield sites within the flood plain.

18 The allocation of employment land is intended to increase levels of employment within the County. Policies required on static holiday Policy PSE 12 has been included to caravans and chalets, touring address Chalet, static and touring caravans and tents, extensions and caravan and camping sites. improvements. (PDP 34) Believe higher growth at Prestatyn is Prestatyn is constrained by flood risk. merited because it is the second It is considered appropriate to restrict largest settlement in the County. growth to promote the development of (PDP 63, PDP 165) brownfield land. Provision in rural areas should be Provision in rural areas has been greater (PDP 93, PDP 249, PDP 341, increased to address current PDE 10) deficiencies in affordable housing. Recommend higher levels of growth Ruthin, Denbigh and Corwen have in Ruthin, Denbigh and Corwen (PDP been given levels of growth that can 167, PDE 6 relates to Corwen only) be accommodated within current environmental constraints. Question soundness of the Plan Welsh language and culture is an because a Language Impact objective in the SA/SEA which helps Assessment was not undertaken. to evaluate LDP options and (PDP 201) proposals. As a result of the SA/SEA, the LDP places a requirement on developers to ensure that they determine whether there is an impact on Welsh language and Culture. It is not considered possible to undertake a Language Impact Assessment at the LDP stage because of the strategic nature of the document. An assessment of the Key Strategic site will be required. New housing should be restricted to New housing in hamlets will be local people in need. (PDE 1) restricted to local connections affordable housing through policy BSC 6. Need to take into account the need Proposals for new development have for energy grid connections (PDE 4) been directed towards existing settlements to make the best use of existing services. Utility companies are on the LDP database and have been sent consultation documents. Furthermore, the utility companies have been consulted during the assessment of the Key Strategic sites. The 3524 dwelling assumption for The dwelling assumption for sites sites within current boundaries is too within current boundaries is high. (PDE 22) considered to be suitable. There should be greater Consideration of climate change has

19 consideration of climate change. been reinforced through the (PDE 29) development of themes, which each identify how climate change has been taken into account and addressed by the policies within the themes.

CE3: There are clear mechanisms for implementation and monitoring

Comment (consultee reference) How comment has influenced the plan Phasing needs to be made clear Further detail on phasing is contained especially with regard to existing within the Deposit Plan. commitments and previously developed land. (WAG) Only sites that have reasonable The suitability of sites has been prospects of coming forward should assessed using a range of criteria. be allocated. (PDP 339) The sites that are allocated are considered to be the most suitable and therefore the most likely to come forward for development. The majority of sites have been put forward by landowners, thereby indicating a willingness to bring land forward for development. Development should be phased to A phasing plan has been included ensure brownfield sites and those within the Deposit LDP. The majority contributing to urban regeneration are of brownfield land is located in Rhyl. delivered in advance of Greenfield In order to promote the regeneration sites. (PDP 339) of Rhyl and encourage the development of brownfield land, only a relatively small Greenfield allocation has been made in Rhyl. Delivery bodies/agencies need to be Delivery bodies/agencies have been identified. (WAG) identified within the implementation plan. Need for housing trajectory (WAG) A housing trajectory will be published at Deposit stage. Infrastructure capacity and Infrastructure capacity and investment needs addressing (WAG). investment has been taken into account during the assessment of sites.

CE4: It is reasonably flexible to enable it to deal with changing circumstances.

Comment (consultee reference) How comment has influenced the plan Contingencies should be identified A 20% overprovision of housing has (WAG) been included as a contingency.

20 Triggers for a Plan Review should be Triggers for a Plan Review have been identified (WAG). identified within the implementation and monitoring section of the Deposit LDP. Support level of growth proposed as a The inclusion of 20% overprovision minimum – higher levels should be has been included to give a degree of allowed if dictated by the market flexibility. Annual monitoring will (PDP 335, PDE 4) assess whether there is a need to amend the plan in any way, including housing numbers. Consider that the Plan does not It is considered that the Plan is provide adequate flexibility to deal flexible enough to deal with future with future changing circumstances. changing circumstances. Annual (PDE 22) monitoring will ensure that the Plan remains relevant.

21 Appendix 2: Specific and General Consultation Bodies

Specific / Statutory Consultation Bodies

Welsh Assembly Government Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) Environment Agency Wales (EAW) Cadw Town and Community Councils Neighbouring Local Planning Authorities and Town & Community Councils Statutory Utilities - Welsh Water, Manweb (and others) and National Grid, BT

General Consultation Bodies

Elected County The LPA set up a Working Group of Members which Council Members has been used throughout the LDP process as an initial sounding board for the discussion of issues, alternative scenarios, policies etc. Individual Members have also been involved in local topics / issues and have been encouraged to organise local meetings. Internal Council Consultation has taken place with and in partnership Departments with other internal departments such as the Strategic Policy Unit, Housing, Health, Social Care and Well Being, Transportation and Infrastructure, Countryside Services and Development Services. General Public Members of the public who have an interest in the development of their area Hard to Reach This includes older people, young people, minority Groups ethnic / religious groups, rural communities, Gypsies and Travellers and other under-represented members of the community. Business Groups Includes the commercial sector involvement, business organisations, chambers of commerce, retail and town centre interest groups Community Groups This includes Residents Associations, Town and Community Councils. Environmental This includes conservation and biodiversity, flora and Groups fauna interest groups at both the national and local level. This includes the North Wales Wildlife Trust, Friends of the Earth, the RSPB, Wales Environment Link and Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales Developers / Includes organisations such as the Home Builders Landowners / agents Federation, Housing Associations, development agents and developers, National Farmers Union Cymru, Farmers Union of Wales and Country Landowners Association. Other focus / interest Any other focus / interest groups which may be groups relevant to the development plan process. This may

22 include Disability Groups, Crime / Disorder or those who made representations to the previous UDP process. Voluntary sector Voluntary organisations will be consulted where they have an interest in the development plan preparation process, usually via the Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council.

23 Appendix 3: Current membership of the Local Development Plan Working Group

Cllr Eryl Williams Cllr Rhys Hughes Cllr Gwilym Evans Cllr Richard Jones Cllr Selwyn Thomas Cllr George Green Cllr Ian Gunning Cllr Pauline Dobb Cllr Peter Owen Cllr Brian Blakely

24 Appendix 4: Membership of the Key Stakeholder Group

Interest Name Group Federation of Small Economy Gwyn Evans Business (FSB) DCC Officer (Economic Economy Mark Dixon Regeneration) Federation of Small Economy Michael Learmond Businesses Economy Richard Price Home Builders Federation DE&T (Government Economy Terry Stevens Economy) Environment Agency Environment Debbie Hemsworth Wales Environment Glyn Evans Sustrans Environment Richard Ninnes CCW Environment Les Starling Sustainable Denbighshire Environment Michael Skuse CPRW /AONB Environment Mike Webb RSPB Environment Moira Young DCC Officer (Ecology) Environment Ursel Luhde Friends of the Earth Health Chris Wilcock North Wales NHS Trust Denbighshire Local Health Health Roy Drinkwater Board Welsh Assembly OBSERVER Robert Newton Government (not attending) PLANNING Andy Roberts Flintshire Planning Officer PLANNING Clive Nicholas Wrexham Planning Officer PLANNING Stan Yates Conwy Planning Officer Social Bryn Davies Housing Association Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council Social John Watkins (Represents Voluntary Orgs) Social Iwan McWilliams DCC Officer Social Mike Sinclair One Voice Wales Cymdeithas yr laith Social Osian Jones Gymraeg Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Utilities Steve Daniel (Utilities)

25 APPENDIX 4

DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2006 -2021

DEPOSIT LDP CONSULTATION (OCTOBER 2009)

SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL REPORT

NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Denbighshire LDP 2006 – 2021 Sustainability Appraisal Report – Non Technical Summary

Non-Technical Summary

This non-technical summary of the Sustainability Appraisal Report (SAR) provides an overview of the findings of the Sustainable Appraisal (SA) process. More detailed information can be found in the Sustainability Appraisal Report that accompanies the Denbighshire Local Development Plan (LDP) Deposit October 2009 document.

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires a Sustainability Appraisal to be carried out for all development plans in Wales. This SA process also meets the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) required by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2004. The use of the term ‘SA’ in this non-technical summary incorporates SEA.

Local Authorities in Wales are required by the Welsh Assembly Government to carry out a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of their LDPs. The SA looks at what significant effects the LDP may have on issues relating to social, economic and environmental concerns that are important within the County. Where the SA shows that there may be a problem arising from a particular policy, this can be addressed through changes to the LDP or through measures being put in place to minimise an impact. This should help to make the LDP and future development more sustainable. This summary presents the progress made on SA work on the LDP to Deposit stage.

The preparation of the SA involves three key stages: 1. The production and consultation of a Scoping Report setting out the range of issues that the SA would consider. 2. The production and consultation of the initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (iSAR), published along with a non-technical summary to accompany the LDP Preferred Strategy document (June – August 2008). 3. Amendments, further assessments production and consultation of the Sustainability Appraisal Report (SAR). Statutory consultee and the public are currently (October 2009) being consulted on the SAR and the Deposit version of the LDP.

The Scoping Report identified the following key sustainability issues in Denbighshire:

• An unbalanced population – growing numbers of older people, fewer young people. Fewer economically active people to support the rest of the population. High numbers of people in the 18 – 30 age group leaving the County. • House prices rising sharply, increasing need for more affordable housing. • High levels of multiple deprivation in areas of Rhyl and Denbigh. • Poor take up of employment land across the County. Lack of available sites in the north and A55 corridor where demand is high. • High environmental quality across the County and the need to manage and adapt to the likely impacts of climate change.

The initial Sustainability Appraisal Report identified the following Key Findings and Likely Significant Effects in assessing the Preferred Strategy of the LDP:

• Overall levels of growth – the preferred growth option reflected the most suitable economically and socially. The location of development was more critical in terms of environmental effects.

2 Denbighshire LDP 2006 – 2021 Sustainability Appraisal Report – Non Technical Summary

• Spatial distribution of growth – the SA helped establish that concentrating growth in areas of greatest need would help meet economic and social needs. Again the environmental effects of the preferred option much depended on location. • Use of previously developed and green field land – using previously developed land would not be sufficient alone to meet the development needs of the County and so preformed less well in economic and social assessments. In recognition of the fact that some green field land would be required the assessment scored mixed-use sites higher because of the opportunities this could create for improved management and access of nature conservation and other sustainable development concepts. • Location of major growth areas – three of the six potential major growth sites scored positive in economic and social terms. Much depended on implementation when considering the environmental effects. • Affordable housing – greater positive effect if all householder development contributed to affordable housing. • Employment land – bringing forward mixed use strategic sites was more likely to deliver economic benefits than employment on its own. • High environmental quality – assessment highlighted that the preferred growth option may have a number of negative and positive impacts. The masterplanning of the major sites must look to minimise the negative effects and maximise the positive opportunities.

Key feedback from the Pre-Deposit Consultation of the SA (June – August 2008)

The iSAR did not receive a high volume of comments but the following points are considered fundamental and have been considered in the amendments to the SA and subsequently LDP.

• EAW (PDP 257) specific comment altered the wording of SA Objective 14. New wording: “Prevent development in areas of high flood risk and ensure new development does not increase flood risk on or off site”. Deleted wording: “Minimise the vulnerability to flooding and ensure new development does not increase flood risk” • EAW recommend that the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems was promoted in LDP policies and SPG’s – see policy VOE 6. • EAW commented on the LDP Policy 14 Renewable Energy and recommend that consideration should be given to the environmental impacts of deforestation in the Clocaenog Forest area as a result of windfarm construction. This should have translated from the SA/SEA. • EAW reminded not to use TAN 15 in the assessments as a tool to facilitate development of green field land as it does not cover the implications for the natural drainage of an area. • CCW (PDP 345) supported Denbighshire SA commitment to giving careful consideration to biodiversity and landscape in the development of the LDP, however were concerned that no specific objective for this had transposed into the LDP. As a consequence a new LDP Objective 16 has been inserted: “The LDP will seek to protect and enhance the natural heritage of the County including aspects such as landscape, biodiversity, geo-diversity, designated sites and protected species.

3 Denbighshire LDP 2006 – 2021 Sustainability Appraisal Report – Non Technical Summary

Environmental services and goods will additionally be enhanced and developed”. This has featured in the new SA compatibility matrix. • WAG (PDP 368) – comment that it’s not always clear how the SA/SEA process has influenced the option selection. Greater emphasis on the links have been made. • WAG comment that the implications, mitigation and adaptation of climate change have not been followed through from initial SA to the Preferred Strategy document. This has been strengthened in the SA and Deposit LDP text.

The SA Framework The SA Framework was developed using the review of plans and programmes, baseline data and key sustainability issues and opportunities. The framework comprise a series of SA Objectives which are aspirational goals that Denbighshire should strive to work towards through the preparation and implementation of the LDP.

The SA Framework is used to test the sustainability performance of the LDP and highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. The SA Objectives are below.

SA Objective 1. Ensure the housing needs of the community are met 2. Promote community health and well-being 3. Promote safer neighbourhoods and contribute to a reduction in fear of crime 4. Enhance existing and promote the development of high quality recreation, leisure and open space and provide opportunities for people to experience and respect the value of the natural environment 5. Increase the provision of public transport, walking and cycling networks and reduce the dependency on the private car 6. Protect and enhance the Welsh Language and culture, including the County's heritage assets 7. Support County economic development and regeneration, including the provision of opportunities for rural diversification 8. Maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of town and rural centres 9. Make the best use of previously developed land and existing buildings in locations served by sustainable transport modes 10. Safeguard soil quality and function and maintain long term productivity of agricultural land 11. Protect and enhance all international, national and locally designated nature conservation sites and protected species and avoid their damage or fragmentation. Protect, enhance and create appropriate wildlife habitats in urban and rural areas thus enhancing biodiversity 12. Preserve and enhance landscape character across the County, particularly the AONB 13. Protect and improve the water quantity and quality of inland and coastal waters 14. Prevent development in areas of high flood risk and ensure new development does not increase flood risk on or off site 15. Protect and improve air quality 16. Contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (especially CO2) by increased energy conservation and efficiency in development and support increased provision and use of renewable energy 17. Protect mineral reserves from development that would preclude extraction 18. Encourage waste reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery and regional self- sufficiency

4 Denbighshire LDP 2006 – 2021 Sustainability Appraisal Report – Non Technical Summary

The Assessment Process

Assessment of Alternatives: The initial SAR consulted upon in summer 2008 included the assessment of a range of high-level options for strategic development. The options were based around different ways of approaching levels of growth, spatial approach and location of growth and high level policies.

Business as Usual Scenario: The assessment of alternatives also considered the potential effects of not writing the LDP. ‘Business as usual’ scenario looked at not writing the LDP and continuing with the strategy and policies in the Denbighshire Unitary Development Plan (2002). Adapting to climate change through sustainable development and delivering housing provision in rural hamlets for people with local connections scored high. For this reason, the iSAR recommended pursuit of the LDP.

Reassessing the amended Vision and additional Objective: The key messages of the SA, namely Welsh language, culture and mitigation and adaptation to climate change did not translate strong enough into the Pre-Deposit LDP Vision were the comments from WAG. Revisiting the SA findings and the Pre-Deposit consultation responses, recommendations were put to the LDP Working Group and the LDP Vision was reviewed. The new Vision works positively towards the achievement of a number of the SA Objectives however, the links between improving air quality and safeguarding soil quality are not made explicit.

LDP Objective 16 – Areas of Protection was inserted to provide better protection to natural heritage of the County in line with stakeholder recommendation. This does not pose any conflict with the SA Objectives but help strengthens the environmental case.

Refining the Pre-Deposit options for Key Strategic Sites: A further assessment of the three site options for locating major growth was undertaken following the collection of baseline information for the ‘Strategic Masterplan and Infrastructure Exercise (SMIE)’. Having visited and explored the reasonable options for the three Key Strategic Sites (KSS) the SMIE concluded that developing residential homes on the St Asaph site would not be recommended due to topography and accessibility issues. The key SA recommendations were:

• Socially and economically, development of the SE Rhyl KSS may detract from the priority afforded to the regeneration of the existing town by the North Wales Coast SRA.

• SE Rhyl scored a combination between options and ‘business as usual’ scenario with retaining accessible landscape and not overloading the infrastructure as being positive and the risks and cost of delivering the relief road in its entirety as having a negative effect on the economy and socially (drawing public money from other priority projects in the town).

• Developing the Bodelwyddan KSS scored positively better in many aspects (improved local health and wellbeing services, opportunity to combine producers and users of renewable energy) than continuing with the ‘business as usual’ scenario.

5 Denbighshire LDP 2006 – 2021 Sustainability Appraisal Report – Non Technical Summary

The following recommendations have been made to strengthen the positive outcomes of delivering a successful Key Strategic Site at Bodelwyddan in line with the SA Objectives. The recommendations will help shape the masterplan details in consultation with the community:

• Need to communicate the design detail that are associated with ‘creating a sense of place’ in particular community safety and efficient use of natural resources (water, energy) and the principle of waste minimisation, re-use and recycling.

• Strengthen the opportunity for local business to start up in Bodelwyddan to provide diversity of employment and less reliance solely on large employers.

• Phasing of development should ensure that employment land, community facilities and infrastructure are provided in advance of residents (existing or new) to engender sustainable patterns of travel and to promote community development and identity.

• Consider strengthening the opportunities for new public access to parcels of land, currently private, for enhanced enjoyment of the landscape. But to do this without causing a deterioration to the habitats of protected species.

• Explore the potential to extract minerals from the site prior to development.

Assessing the LDP Policies: A number of potential policies were drafted for the benefit of Key Stakeholders and the LDP Member Working Group each assessed informally against 18 sustainability objectives and the ‘business as usual’ scenario . The policy wordings that have gone into the Deposit LDP are generally those that were considered to produce the most positive and least negative effects. Measures to reduce the impact of negative effects and strengthen positive impacts were also identified. Table 1 (Appendix 1) below presents a summary of the overall performance of the policies and highlights the influences to push to wording toward having a more positive impact against the SA Objectives. The overall performance of the policy is identified by a colour, in the table, to indicate a positive, neutral, negative or combination of effects.

Assessment of Site Allocations: Each candidate site has been assessed using the Site Assessment Criteria. The Site Assessment Criteria had been assessed using the 18 SA Objectives at the Pre-Deposit stage (see SAR).

Mitigation and Monitoring

Mitigation measures have been recommended where there are potentially negative impacts arising from the implementation of a policy. In order to assess whether the LDP is moving towards sustainable development, the LDP polices will be monitored on an annual basis. The way in which the LDP will be monitored including what sources of information will be used can be found in Chapter XX ‘Monitoring Framework’ of the Deposit LDP document. These monitoring policies link with the monitoring policies of the SAR.

6 Denbighshire LDP 2006 – 2021 Sustainability Appraisal Report – Non Technical Summary

Habitat Regulations Assessment

European law required that if the LDP is deemed to have a significant effect upon a designated wildlife site of European importance, which is not directly concerned with the management of the site for nature conservation, it must be subject to a procedure known as, ‘Habitats Regulations Assessment”.

Denbighshire County Council has carried out the first stage of the HRA process (the screening stage) at the Pre-Deposit stage. The screening stage identifies whether the LDP preferred strategy may impact upon any European sites. The initial assessment identified that there is potential for adverse effects on the River Dee, arising from possible development in Llangollen and Corwen.

A second round of assessment has been undertaken for this Deposit version of the LDP – assessing likely significant effects of the strategy, policies and sites. This is documented in the Appendix for the SAR. The report concludes that the LDP would not have significant effects directly or indirectly on European sites.

How to Comment on the Report

The Deposit LDP and Sustainability Appraisal Report will be published for consultation from 5th October 2009 to 30th November 2009. Should you wish to submit comments on the Sustainability Appraisal Report, please send your comments in one of the following ways:

By email to [email protected]

Via the website – www.denbighshire.gov.uk/ldp electronic response forms are available here.

By post to: Local Development Plan Consultation, Sustainability Appraisal Report, Planning and Public Protection Services, Denbighshire County Council, Caledfryn, Smithfield Road, Denbigh, LL16 3RJ.

7 APPENDIX 1 – Non-Technical SAR.

TABLE 1 – Summary of the effects of the Deposit LDP Policies.

LDP Policy Overall Key Comments Recommendations Performance THEME: Respecting Distinctiveness RD 1 – Sustainable and 5 Clear No further Good Standard Design commitment to all recommendation. 3 SA aspects. RD 2 – Green Barriers 5 Important from an No further environmental recommendation. and social perspective. RD 3 – Extensions, 5 Policy seeks to Could make Alterations and apply consistency reference to the Replacement of Existing to the need to consider Dwellings determination of biodiversity with planning cross - reference applications from made in the a social justification to policy perspective. VOE 5. Environmental benefits gained by replacing poorly designed homes. RD 4 – The Welsh 5 This policy No further Language and the promotes recommendation. Social and Cultural consideration of Fabric of Communities Welsh language and culture prior to giving development consent

LDP Policy Overall Key Comments Recommendations Performance THEME: Building Sustainable Communities BSC 1 – Growth 5 4 There are No further Strategy for environmental recommendation. Denbighshire and infrastructure implications associated with high growth levels BSC 2 – Brownfield 5 4 Whilst the Cross - reference to Development Priority principle of the biodiversity directing policy should be development made. towards PDL is acceptable the option of designating is as open space in urban areas should be tested. APPENDIX 1 – Non-Technical SAR.

TABLE 1 – Summary of the effects of the Deposit LDP Policies.

BSC 3 – Securing 5 Focuses on No further Infrastructure in New planning recommendation. Development contributions which should benefit all 3 aspects of SA. BSC 4 – Affordable 5 Policy commits to This policy should Housing the provision of enable the provision affordable of A/H outside of housing across development the County. boundaries. BSC 5 – Key Strategic 5 4 The site selection No further Site, Bodelwyddan could cause recommendation. disturbance to protection species. However wider SA objectives score positively which could outweigh concerns. BSC 6 – Local 5 4 This policy should No further Connections Affordable enable the recommendation. Housing in Hamlets provision of A/H outside of development boundaries. BSC 7 – Houses in 5 Seeks to No further Multiple Occupation and eliminate poor recommendation. Self Contained Flats. housing standards. BSC 8 – Rural 5 4 The policy limits Policy should cross- Exception Sites new A/H to land reference to VOE 1 adjoining the to protect any development interest or boundary only. designation on this land. BSC 9 - Local 5 The infill policy No further Connections Affordable goes beyond recommendation. Housing within small national policy in groups or clusters asking for new homes to be A/H. BSC 10 – Gypsy and 5 4 Traveller Sites BSC 11 – Recreation 5 Policy likely to No further and Open Space benefit landscape recommendation. quality and preserve and enhance provision.

APPENDIX 1 – Non-Technical SAR.

TABLE 1 – Summary of the effects of the Deposit LDP Policies.

BSC 12 – Community 5 Positively No further Facilities contributes to recommendation. social cohesion and sustainability.

LDP Policy Overall Key Comments Recommendations Performance THEME: Promoting a Sustainable Economy PSE 1 – North Wales 5 Addresses the Seek to avoid Coast Strategic social and conflict between Regeneration Area economic improving flood risk objectives of the on development SA. sites and exacerbating flood risk off site. PSE 2 – Land for 5 Both policies No further Employment Uses through recommendation. PSE 3 – Protection of promoting and Existing Employment safeguarding Land and Buildings employment opportunities in settlements, will benefit the residents and the economy. PSE 4 – Re-use and 5 4 Priority to the Potential biodiversity Adaptation of adaptation of threats, such as bat Redundant Rural rural building. roosts. Buildings in Open Countryside PSE 5 – Rural 5 4 The policy is There is potential Development Strategy written to be risk to the natural more flexible than environment if this the previous UPD policy isn’t read in policy. conjunction with other LDP policies. PSE 6 – Retail 5 Retail development is No further PSE 7 – Proposals for directed to a retail recommodations New Retail core within town Development centre development PSE 8 – Development boundaries and not within Defined Town out of town. This Centres should reduce travel PSE 9 – Out of Centre distance and need to Retail Development take a private car. Retail development also provides employment opportunities close to public transport networks.

APPENDIX 1 – Non-Technical SAR.

TABLE 1 – Summary of the effects of the Deposit LDP Policies.

PSE 10 – Local Shops 5 Protecting rural The long-term and Services local shops and benefits should be services helps explained in the communities to justification. be self- sustaining. PSE 11 – Major New 5 4 Potential for a Make sure it has Tourism Developments new tourism strong Welsh development to language and bring revenue to cultural links so as to County and promote rather than employment degrade the history opportunity. of the area. PSE 12 – Chalet, Static 5 4 There is a Whilst new provision and Touring Caravan presumption must consider the and Camping against new natural environment development of there is no link in the this type and the first part of the policy policy seeks to to making positive upgrade existing contribution to facilities by biodiversity. making them more biodiversity and landscape positive. PSE 13 – Coastal 5 Strong links to the Better link made Tourism Protection regeneration between the policy Zones priority for the and flood risk coastal area and improvements on a commitment to and off site, Welsh improving the language and culture quality of themes and attraction and landscape/biodiversit accommodation. y improvements. PSE 14 – Outdoor 5 Supports rural Better link made with Activity Tourism diversification in this policy and Welsh the tourism theme language and culture which can bring themes. improvements to the economy and skills PSE 15 – Safeguarding 5 4 Policy seeks to Negative in-direct Minerals avoid large scale and cumulative PSE 16 – Mineral Buffer mineral workings impact effects should Zones in the AONB and be considered. PSE 17 – Future Mineral preserve quality Extraction mineral resource.

APPENDIX 1 – Non-Technical SAR.

TABLE 1 – Summary of the effects of the Deposit LDP Policies.

LDP Policy Overall Key Comments Recommendations Performance THEME: Valuing our Environment VOE 1 – Key Areas of 5 Seeks to protect Policy only seeks to Protection areas of local protect from sensitive development. designation Enhancing the identified on the quality should also proposal maps or be a priority. County maps. VOE 2 – Area of 5 Focus major No further Outstanding Natural development recommendations Beauty and Area of away from Outstanding Beauty landscape sensitive and design small scale development to reflect the character of the area. VOE 3 – Pontcysyllte 5 New designation, Links with the Aqueduct and Canal the policy seeks objective on welsh World Heritage Site to protect the culture should be landscape and strengthened in the integrity of the policy. WHS. VOE 4 – Enabling 5 Tool to protect Development heritage resources. Likely to have indirect benefits for landscape and townscape. VOE 5 – Protecting 5 Protection and Policy title does not Natural Resources: enhancement are refer to the Biodiversity/Nature the policy focus. ‘enhancement’ of Conservation sites and species. Include reference to geodiversity as this is not included in national policy. VOE 6 – Water 5 Policy to evaluate Policy derived from Management the efficient use the recommendation of water and of the SA. discharge of waste water. VOE 7 – Locations for 5 Mostly compliant Need to further Waste Management with the SA explore the indirect VOE 8 – Waste 5 objectives. effects. Management Outside Development

APPENDIX 1 – Non-Technical SAR.

TABLE 1 – Summary of the effects of the Deposit LDP Policies.

VOE 9 – Large Scale 5 4 Commitment to Environmental Wind Farms generating impacts of VOE 10 – Large Scale renewable energy deforestation, such Wind Farm Applications source from the as habitat loss and over 5MW and Outside natural resources flood risk and of the Strategic Search of the County. sedimentation Area Conflicts with increase to rivers VOE 11 – Community landscape should be listed as

Based Wind Farms protection policy. issues. VOE 12 – Renewable 5 Commitment to Policy appears to Energy Technologies the development restrict hydro of other RE schemes which are technologies. very site specific and can have adverse affect on aquatic ecology if proposal is not thoroughly scrutinised.

LDP Policy Overall Key Comments Recommendations Performance THEME: Achieving Sustainable Accessibility ASA 1 – New Transport 5 These policies No further Infrastructure include a recommendations. ASA 2 – Provision of commitment to Sustainable Transport improve access Facilities to local facilities and reduce the need to travel by private car. Undertaking assessments of NMU on major development is commended. ASA 3 – Parking 5 Making a Congestion and air Standards commitment to quality monitoring ensuring roads along with the quality and public areas and quantity of are safe and public transport sensitively should be reviewed designed. The before permitting policy could help new or extensions to prioritise the car parks pedestrian and cyclist in town centre developments.

AGENDA ITEM NO: 5 REPORT TO COUNCIL

CABINET MEMBER: COUNCILLOR H H EVANS, LEADER AND LEAD MEMBER FOR EDUCATION

DATE: 28 JULY 2009

SUBJECT: DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S CORPORATE PLAN 2009 – 2012 AND DRAFT MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN

1 DECISION SOUGHT

1.1 That Council adopts Denbighshire County Council’s Corporate Plan 2009 – 2012 subject to any amendments agreed by Members.

1.2 That Council notes the likely financial position of the Council as detailed in the draft Medium Term Financial Plan 2009-2012

Please note:- The most recent versions of the Corporate Plan and the draft Medium Term Financial Plan have been placed on the Members Database. Hard copies are available on request from the Strategic Policy Unit, if required for the meeting.

2 REASON FOR SEEKING DECISION

In summary, the draft Corporate Plan sets the strategic direction for the Authority. The Plan details what the Council is trying to achieve over the medium term, how this contributes to wider agendas such as Denbighshire’s Community Strategy, the rationale behind Members’ choice of priorities and how resources will be aligned so that priority outcomes and targets can be achieved.

Denbighshire County Council’s draft Corporate Plan is the result of a process by which Members and senior management analysed the Council’s environment, priorities, objectives and strategies in light of its Statement of Intent and overall strategic planning framework. The Corporate Plan looks at the present as well as the longer term and aims to guide Members, senior management and staff in a cohesive effort to carry out the Council’s overall Vision. It informs everyone involved (including the public and stakeholders) about the Council’s priorities and objectives and how they will be resourced. The Council will use a basket of qualitative and quantitative measures to assess how well it is achieving objectives in its Corporate Plan. The Council also has a statutory obligation to produce an annual Improvement Plan1 in two stages. The information all improvement plans must contain and the outcomes of the two stages are the subject of forty-eight pages of Assembly Guidance.

1 Welsh Assembly Guidance for Local Authorities Circular 28/2005 – Wales Programme for Improvement

Page 1 of 5 As there are many similarities between the role of the Corporate Plan and the Improvement Plan and the processes and information required for both it was agreed that the Corporate Plan and Improvement Plan would be included in one document “Denbighshire County Council’s Corporate Plan 2009 – 2012”, which would be reviewed and revised annually.

The Corporate Plan Summary, which will target members of the public, will be published in the Autumn following the release of all Wales performance data against which we can compare the Authority’s performance.

3 POWER TO MAKE THE DECISION

The Corporate Plan is a key element of the Wales Programme for Improvement which is underpinned by the statutory requirements of the Local Government Act 1999.

4 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

4.1 Cost Implications:

Appendix 4.1 of the draft Corporate Plan details the financial scenario for the next 3 years based on the assumptions explained in Section 6 below.

4.2 Staffing / Accommodation Implications:

The programmes and projects required to achieve the outcomes set out in the Corporate Plan will have staffing/accommodation implications, some of which will be significant. These will be identified in individual project business cases and plans as required by the Council’s corporate project management methodology.

4.3 IT Implications:

These will also be identified in individual project business cases and plans.

5 RISK ASSESSMENT

5.1 Risks associated with not agreeing the recommendation/s

Assembly Guidance requires the Council’s Plan to be published in quarter one of each financial year so that it can provide the strategic direction and lead activities in the current year and set the scene for financial and business planning in subsequent years. Publication of the Plan has already been delayed until quarter two to allow time for the new Chief Executive to effectively lead the process. A further delay would increase the risk of the Wales Audit Office giving the Corporate Plan a qualified opinion which would raise questions about the Authority’s corporate governance and could have a detrimental impact upon its reputation.

Page 2 of 5 5.2 Risks associated with agreeing the recommendation/s

There is a risk that the Plan commits the Authority to measures and targets which are not achievable.

6 FINANCIAL CONTROLLER STATEMENT

The draft Medium Term Financial Plan provides Members with the likely financial context for the next 3 years. The Plan will remain draft until certain key elements are clarified. These include the level of Assembly funding for Revenue & Capital purposes. Central Government recently announced that the Comprehensive Spending Review that was due to be carried out this summer will be delayed until after the next General Election. The result of this decision is that WAG will not be able to produce a meaningful budget beyond the next financial year.

WLGA and Councils currently only have the indicative budget details for 2010/11 that were supplied 2 years ago. The WLGA together with the Institute of Fiscal Studies have produced settlement assumptions for 2010/11 to 2012/13 for local government as a whole in Wales, based on this indicative data together with the detail behind the Chancellor’s Budget statement in May. The Assembly budget for 2010/11 will not be available until the Autumn.

A prudent approach has been taken to the draft assumptions built into the MTFP namely:

a 0% increase in WAG Revenue Support for each of the 3 years, a 10% reduction in Capital funding from WAG for each year, an assumption that inflation will be in line with HM Treasury forecasts.

Appendix 4 to the Plan exemplifies the position for each of the 3 years covered by the plan with a further assumption that £1m is invested in the Council’s agreed priority areas per annum.

This scenario produces a required increase in Council Tax of 9.59%, (well in excess the Minister’s capping powers i.e. 5%). The lower left hand box in page 1 of the appendix demonstrates the level of savings needed to be delivered to reduce this increase to more reasonable levels. The lower right hand box details the sort of savings that are potentially deliverable that officers are currently seeking to achieve. It is currently felt that about £2.5m of savings could be delivered from the areas detailed. This would produce a Council Tax increase of 2.5% which is in line with the guaranteed minimum increase in Old Age Pension promised by the Chancellor in his Budget speech.

Members are requested to consider this position together with the current assumption of £1m to deliver improved outcomes for the Priority areas.

Page 3 of 5 7 CONSULTATION CARRIED OUT

The Plan has been developed through regular sessions with the Corporate Executive Team, Cabinet and CET awaydays and two full day sessions with senior management and policy and performance leads.

Progress against the project which is sponsored by the Chief Executive and managed by the Head of Strategic Policy, has been regularly reported to the Focused Agenda Board and Corporate Business Planning Group with Directorate Heads of Policy and Performance being asked to confirm that information relating to their Directorate is accurate. The information in the Plan relating to Corporate Priorities has been the subject of discussion and agreement by the Improvement Boards - Demographic Change, Regeneration and Modernising Education.

The draft Plan was presented to:-

• Informal Cabinet for comments on the 23 June • the Corporate Governance Committee on the 30 June • Denbighshire’s Local Service Board (LSB) on the 1 July • Resources Scrutiny on the 2 July where all Members were invited for the Agenda Item on the draft Corporate and Medium Term Financial Plan • Monthly Management Conference on the 2 July • Cabinet on the 14 July • A meeting between the Chief Executive, Group Leaders and Scrutiny Chairs on the 22 July

The draft Plan was sent to the Wales Audit Office for initial comments on the 7 July. Annex 2 provides a table of all the comments which were made and information about how the Plan has been amended in light of the feedback received.

8 IMPLICATIONS

8.1 Assessment of Impact on Corporate Priorities:

The draft Corporate Plan sets out Corporate Priority outcomes, measures and targets and explains how achievement of the targets will be resourced.

8.2 Assessment of impact on the Vision, Community Strategy, Equalities and Sustainability:

The Corporate Plan contributes to the four high level outcomes which have been agreed by the LSB for Denbighshire’s Community Strategy 2010. A Healthy County (Demographic Change priority), A County of Opportunity (Modernising Education priority), A Prosperous and Sustainable County (Regeneration priority) and A Safe County (Roads and Floods priority). The Corporate Plan is supported by Directorate and operational plans and all the Council’s plans take into account equal opportunities and sustainability.

Page 4 of 5 9 ACTION PLAN

ACTION RESPONSIBLE OFFICER / ACTION TO BE DATE BY WHEN ACTION TO REVIEWED & BE COMPLETED MONITORED BY / DATE TO BE MONITORED The draft Corporate Plan presented Chief Executive Project Sponsor to full Council for adoption subject Project Sponsor 29 July 2009 to any further amendments Head of Strategic Policy Project Manager 28 July 2009 Stage 1 Corporate Plan published Head of Strategic Policy Project Sponsor on Denbighshire’s internet 31 July 2009 30 July 2009 Hard copies of the Corporate Plan Head of Strategic Policy Project Sponsor produced and distributed to 27 August 2009 at the 24 August 2009 Members, senior managers, town latest and community councils and key partners Stage 2 Corporate Plan agreed by Head of Strategic Policy Project Sponsor Cabinet for recommendation to full Cabinet 29 September 09 10 September Council. Analysis of comparative 09 data following publication of all Wales figures in August Stage 2 Corporate Plan agreed by Head of Strategic Policy Project Sponsor full Council and published on Council – date tbc 20 October 09 Denbighshire’s internet with Publication 30 October 09 Corporate Plan Summary

10 RECOMMENDATION

10.1 That Council adopts Denbighshire County Council’s Corporate Plan 2009 – 2012 subject to any amendments agreed by Members.

10.2 That Council notes the likely financial position of the Council as detailed in the draft Medium Term Financial Plan 2009-2012

Page 5 of 5 Annex 2

Corporate Plan and Medium Term Financial Plan Consultation Feedback

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought The draft Plan 1. Somewhere in the introduction the document needs to A new version of Complete was presented to refer to the national policy context and its relevance to the Introduction Informal Cabinet our plan. has been for comments on produced in the the 23 June draft for Cabinet 2. There is now a good understanding of the Demographic A new paragraph Complete Change priority and what we are going to do, but we on younger people need to say more about the aspects of the agenda that and a reworking of we are still developing, e.g., young people. There needs the introductory to be cross-reference to other corporate priorities and prose for the major developments, like the LDP. Demographic Change priority has been introduced in the draft for Cabinet

3. The Regeneration priority still needs a lot of work. There A reworking of the Complete needs to be a stronger link to the LDP and also on urban introductory prose issues. There were also questions about how much for the impact the council will have on the targets. This should Regenerating Our be explained in the text. There needs to be cross- Communities reference to other corporate priorities. priority has been introduced in the draft for Cabinet

1 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought 4. The Modernising Education priority needs more work. A new version of Complete The wider context for this priority does not come across the Modernising in the text e.g., young people, links with the other Education Priority priorities. section has been produced in the draft for Cabinet. 5. The Roads and Flood Defences priority still doesn't have Targets have Complete targets. been added in the Draft for Cabinet The draft Plan 1. In relation to Demographic Change, Members queried A new paragraph Complete was presented to whether there should be additional measures relating to the on younger people the Corporate quality of homecare and the quality of life of those older and a reworking of Governance people encouraged to live in their own homes. the introductory Committee on the prose for the 30 June. Demographic Change priority has been introduced in the draft for Cabinet

2 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought 2. It was felt that there could be risks for older people A New paragraph Complete associated with targets relating to independent living. on younger people and a reworking of the introductory prose for the Demographic Change priority has been introduced in the draft for Cabinet 3. With regard to the Regeneration Priority, Members at both A reworking of the Complete meetings were concerned that the outcome measures introductory prose focused mainly on the deprivation domains of employment for the and housing but there were no measures for other Regenerating Our deprivation domains such as income, health, education, Communities skills and training or geographical access. priority has been introduced in the draft for Cabinet 4. Members also felt that the measures were too focused on A reworking of the Complete urban residential areas and that there should be measures introductory prose relating to town centre regeneration. for the Regenerating Our Communities priority has been introduced in the draft for Cabinet

3 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought 5. Questions were also posed as to why criminal damage was A reworking of the Complete chosen as an outcome measure. introductory prose for the Regenerating Our Communities priority has been introduced in the draft for Cabinet 6. Members were particularly concerned that the Council’s A reworking of the Complete activities would not be able to sufficiently influence issues introductory prose such as Job Seekers Allowance rates, economic inactivity, for the criminal damage and the housing/income ratio. Regenerating Our Communities priority has been introduced in the draft for Cabinet 7. Members suggested that Council outcome measures and Additional council Complete targets should focus on areas in which the Authority has a output measures greater role to play, has more control and has the potential have been to make a significant contribution to their achievement. included in the draft for Cabinet

4 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought 8. Members of the Corporate Governance Committee The new version Complete recommended that in light of the comments made, the of Regenerating Regeneration Board should review regeneration outcome Our Communities measures and targets at its next meeting on the 15 July. priority section of the Corporate Plan, as per the draft for Cabinet will be discussed at the Regeneration Board

5 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought The draft Plan Members’ Comments were as follows: Timescales will be Complete was a Resources improved next Scrutiny About the Process year due to the Committee • Scrutiny members were concerned at the timescale for new Financial and Agenda Item on producing the Corporate Plan and MTFP. Business Planning the 2 July and • Scrutiny requested earlier inclusion in the Scrutiny Forward timetable. members from Work Plan other scrutiny • Concern over cost associated with promoting the draft The Focused committees were Statement of Intent only for it to be subsequently amended Agenda Board will Agreed by Cabinet invited for this • Concern over colour printing of documents and cost discuss the way item. involved. forward in • Better communication between Improvement Boards is facilitating needed in the future. communication • A further meeting of scrutiny before the document goes to between Council was suggested Improvement Boards. • A plain language review of the document was needed

• Charts in the draft Plan should be ‘hatched’ so that they can The Strategic Agreed By Cabinet be seen better in black and white and photocopied versions Policy Unit will

conduct a plain language review of the final version of the document prior to submission to Council.

6 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought Medium Term Financial Plan Financial Complete • A broader range of Council Tax options and their associated Controller has scenarios was requested. provide these for the draft presented to Cabinet Vision The ‘How We Plan Complete • Greater clarity needed on the difference between the Our Work’ section County Vision and the Council Vision has been amended in the draft for Cabinet. Improvement Themes Members will Cabinet agreed to • Consideration should be made as to whether support for the need to make proceed without the Welsh language and culture should be an improvement decision on suggested new theme in its own right. whether there Improvement Theme th • Community & Citizen Focused Improvement Theme should should be a (5 ) as its commitment to include more on Youth Welsh Language bilingualism is • Community & Citizen Focused Improvement Theme should and Culture articulated in the include more on Participatory Budgeting. Theme and Statement of intent • Video conferencing should be added as a tool whether the plan and Community and • The Plan should refer to ‘People’ rather than ‘Citizens’. should refer to People Focused • In the Outward Looking Improvement Theme more was people rather than Theme needed on how influencing regional and national agendas citizens. would be achieved.

7 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought The Improvement Themes section Complete has been amended in the draft for Cabinet to reflect the other issues.

Corporate Priorities A New paragraph Complete • More of the projected changing demographic profile could on younger people be included in the demographic change section with more and a reworking of key statistics/projections reported. the introductory • More attention to the need to attract and retain younger prose for the people is needed in the section on the demographic change Demographic priority Change priority • Regenerating Our Communities priority needs to include has been more on town centre development and tourism introduced in the development. draft for Cabinet • More discussion of climate change should be included in the roads and floods priority. A reworking of the Complete • Modernising Education priority needed expanding and introductory prose should be more explicit about the latest ESTYN inspection for the and resulting actions. Regenerating Our

8 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought Communities priority has been introduced in the draft for Cabinet

Roads and Floods Complete section has been amended in the draft for Cabinet to include climate change information.

A new version of Complete the Modernising Education Priority section has been produced in the draft for Cabinet. Directorate Priorities Amendments Complete • Discussion of Leisure, Libraries and Youth facilities, in the have been made Lifelong Learning Directorate priorities, should be split and to the Lifelong contain more information on each one. Learning • The Sustainability section, of the environment directorate Directorate priorities, should be expanded. Priorities section in the draft for

9 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought Cabinet. Complete Amendments have been made to the Environment Directorate Priorities section in the draft for Cabinet.

A draft of the They would like to see more in the Plan about the role of the The Strategic Complete Plan was voluntary sector Policy Unit has presented to amended the draft Denbighshire’s for Cabinet to Local Service reflect this Board (LSB) by the Chief More information in the Leader’s Foreword and the Outward The Strategic Complete Executive on the Looking theme, about the LSB Policy Unit has 1 July. amended the draft for Cabinet to Partners’ initial reflect this comments were

10 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought that they found One partner requested more information about the condition of A new version of Complete the Plan easy to school buildings in the Modernising Education priority and Lifelong the Modernising follow and well Learning Directorate section Education Priority structured. The section has been LSB has been produced in the given a deadline draft for Cabinet. of the 10 July to It was suggested that a local indicator should be added which Roads and Floods Complete provide further gives a percentage of the roads which are in good overall section has been comments. condition. amended in the draft for Cabinet.

MMC 2 July Demographic change improved link between active lifestyles and Amendment to Complete leisure facilities Demographic Change priority section Leadership Programme added as a tool to strong governance and The Strategic Complete leadership for improvement theme Policy Unit has amended the draft for Cabinet to reflect this

Leisure Strategy to be added as a tool to the ‘Outward Looking’ The Strategic Complete Improvement Theme Policy Unit has amended the draft for Cabinet to reflect this

11 Annex 2

Meeting Comments/ Matters Arising Actions/ Complete/Requiring Decisions Decision Sought Corporate Plan basket of indicators to be added as a tool to the The Strategic Complete ‘High Performance Culture Delivering Value for Money’ Policy Unit has amended the draft for Cabinet to reflect this

Cabinet 14 July Add to Statement of Intent that we will assess everything we do or New version Complete plan to do to ensure that the activity does not have a negative added by SPU in impact upon sustainability or equalities (or similar wording) about consultation with mainstreaming sustainability and equalities. Send to the Chief Mohammed Executive for agreement Mehmet

Page 16 - explain how we will be ensuring Members will have the Further Complete opportunity to effectively scrutinise collaboration and partnership Information added activities - Partnership Governance Framework by SPU

Page 18 Link down from One Wales and Regional Spatial Plans New version Complete i.e. Community Strategy will be countywide expression of North included by SPU East Wales and Central Area Spatial Plans

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR VALUABLE COMMENTS – THEY HAVE BEEN GREATLY APPRECIATED AND HAVE IMPROVED OUR CORPORATE PLAN

12 AGENDA ITEM NO: 6 REPORT TO Council

COUNCIL MEMBER: COUNCILLOR H H EVANS, LEADER AND LEAD MEMBER FOR EDUCATION

DATE: 28 JULY 2009

SUBJECT: WORKING TOGETHER IN DENBIGHSHIRE – UPDATE ON PARTNERSHIP WORKING

1 DECISION SOUGHT

Denbighshire County Council, in its community leadership role, leads or is involved in a number of key strategic partnerships. Members are asked to note the progress being made by the below partnerships, as shown in the diagram at Appendix 1. Appendices 2 - 6 provide a detailed update against each of the five partnerships.

2 REASON FOR SEEKING DECISION

Denbighshire County Council is currently a member of five key strategic Partnership Boards. The Partnership Boards are:

- The North Wales Regional Partnership Board (NWRPB) - Denbighshire’s Local Service Board (LSB) - Denbighshire’s Health Social Care Well-Being Partnership Board (HSCWB) - Denbighshire’s Children and Young People’s Partnership Board (CYPP) - Denbighshire’s Community Safety Partnership Board (CSP)

A brief explanation of the membership and role of each of the Partnership Boards is provided below:

The North Wales Regional Partnership Board (Appendix 2 refers)

The North Wales Regional Partnership Board is a sub-committee of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and comprises the Leaders and Chief Executives of the six North Wales Local Authorities: - - Anglesey County Council - Conwy County Borough Council - Denbighshire County Council - Flintshire County Council - Gwynedd County Council - Wrexham County Council

Page 1 of 4 The purpose of the North Wales Regional Partnership Board is to provide the political framework and leadership to implement collaborative working across the region and to provide a “North Wales Voice” on key strategic issues,

Denbighshire’s Local Service Board (Appendix 3 refers)

Denbighshire's Local Service Board was formed in July 2006 and is an executive board made up of the most senior representatives of organisations across Denbighshire and the Welsh Assembly Government. The aim of the Board is to improve people’s quality of life in Denbighshire in line with the County’s Vision. The Board adds value by ensuring that organisations work together to achieve agreed shared outcomes and is responsible for producing Denbighshire’s Community Strategy and Local Delivery Agreement.

Denbighshire’s Health Social Care and Well-Being Partnership Board (Appendix 4 refers)

Denbighshire’s HSCWB Partnership places further emphasis on partnership working, joint commissioning and collaboration to deliver better services and to support individuals and communities to improve their own health and well- being. This compliments the Community Services Framework which is about bringing services to people either in their own homes or close to their own homes in a range of community based settings. The work of the Board is reflected in the Health Social Care and Well-Being Partnership Board Strategy, called ‘Healthy Denbighshire’.

Denbighshire’s Children and Young People’s Partnership Board (Appendix 5 refers)

Denbighshire’s Children and Young People’s Partnership is a partnership set- up to enable organisations to work together and improve the lives of children and young people, parents and carers, and the people who provide services for children and young people. Following the completion of a needs assessment, which included the view of children and young people, the CYPP developed a Single Plan. The Plan aims to achieve improvements against the rights and entitlements agreed for children and young people in Wales. These build on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which are expressed in seven core aims for all children and young people.

Denbighshire’s Community Safety Partnership Board (Appendix 6 refers)

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 makes local authorities responsible for effectively tackling crime and disorder. With partners (Police, Police Authority, Fire & Local Health Board) the Community Safety Partnership is obliged to conduct an annual strategic assessment and the subsequent Action Plan has now been published.

Page 2 of 4 Appendices 2-6 provide an update of the work carried out by the partnerships listed above. Members should note that the Council is also involved with numerous other partnerships, details of which can be found on its ‘Partnership Register’, which can be found on Denbighshire’s Information Centre.

3 POWER TO MAKE THE DECISION

Local Government Act 1999.

4 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

4.1 Cost Implications:

There are no cost implications to this report. However, partnership working seeks to provide seamless services to the people of Denbighshire and to drive efficiencies from current systems.

4.2 Staffing / Accommodation Implications:

There are no staffing/accommodation implications to this report. The staffing/ accommodation implications of any partnership projects will be highlighted in project plans.

4.3 IT Implications:

There are no IT implications to this report. The IT implications of any partnership projects will be highlighted in project plans.

5 RISK ASSESSMENT

5.1 Risks associated with not agreeing the recommendation/s

The report is for information only.

5.2 Risks associated with agreeing the recommendation/s

The report is for information only.

6 FINANCIAL CONTROLLER STATEMENT

There are no obvious financial implications to this report. The cost implications of any partnership projects should be identified in project plans and contained within budgets.

Page 3 of 4 7 CONSULTATION CARRIED OUT

The updates, as shown in Appendices 2-6, have been provided in consultation with Strategic Partnership Managers.

8 IMPLICATIONS

8.1 Assessment of Impact on Corporate Priorities:

Partnership working is vital to the achievement of the Council’s priorities which will require a contribution from other organisations.

8.2 Assessment of impact on the Vision, Community Strategy, Equalities and Sustainability:

Partnership priorities have been developed with reference to the Vision of the County and equalities and sustainability have been mainstreamed in partnership plans.

9 ACTION PLAN

ACTION RESPONSIBLE OFFICER / ACTION TO BE DATE BY WHEN ACTION TO REVIEWED & BE COMPLETED MONITORED BY / DATE TO BE MONITORED Progress reports to Council every Head of Strategic Policy Chief Executive six months. Next report January December 2009 2010.

10 RECOMMENDATION

Denbighshire County Council, in its community leadership role, leads or is involved in a number of partnerships. Members are asked to note the progress being made by Denbighshire County council’s key strategic partnerships.

Page 4 of 4 Appendix 1 Strategic Partnerships

Page 1 of 7 Appendix 2 Progress Report – Key Strategic Partnerships

The North Wales Regional Partnership Board

The North Wales Regional Partnership Board meets quarterly and consists of the six North Wales Leaders and Chief Executives. Membership of the Board and a brief description of Roles and Responsibilities are provided at Annex 1. The Chief Executive from the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) acts as an advisor to the Board and attends all meetings. Additionally, the Leaders have established a WLGA North Wales Leaders' Panel and the North Wales Chief Executives meet regularly as a group.

The Board was established to drive forward collaboration and joint working across the region and it has developed to become a voice for North Wales. It is focusing on producing a strategic Vision for North Wales with other public services and elected representatives and sharing and co-coordinating approaches to key challenges facing local authorities such as financial pressures and schools re-organisation.

Examples of collaborative projects to-date at a regional or sub-regional level, include the North Wales Procurement Partnership, Managed Agency Staffing Solution (MASS), Adoption, Transport (previously School Transport), Telecare, Learning Disability, Community Services, Joint Head of Highways and Transportation, Specialist Planning Services and the Parking Penalty Processing Partnership.

The Board last met on the 17 July 2009 where it was agreed that Members would sign up to a "Statement of Commitment" by the autumn which would articulate a pledge to joint working across North Wales from all Leaders and Chief Executives. The discussion in relation to the 'Statement' reflected an acceptance that with ever increasing pressures on local authority budgets, working together would be the only way to maximise protection for front-line services in the future. Over the coming months Leaders and Chief Executives will be escalating their engagement with Members and senior officers in all authorities to ensure commitment to the collaboration agenda. Additionally, the Board agreed the following four areas would be their particular focus over the medium term although professionals were encouraged to identify and progress collaboration opportunities in all areas:- School Improvement, Design and Property/Asset Management, Social Services Commissioning and Back Office services.

Page 2 of 7 Annex 1

COLLABORATION IN NORTH WALES – ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ROLE RESPONSIBILITY North Wales Regional The six North Wales Leaders and Chief Executive Officers meet every quarter to discuss issues affecting the region including collaboration. Partnership Board Authority Conwy Denbighshire Flintshire Gwynedd Wrexham Ynys Mon (NWRPB) Leader Dilwyn Cllr Hugh Arnold Dyfed Cllr Aled Cllr Clive Roberts Evans Woolley Edwards Roberts McGregor CEO Byron Mohammed Colin Harry Isobel Richard Davies Mehmet Everett Thomas Garner Parry-Jones (Acting)

North Wales Chief The six Chief Executive Officers meet prior to the Regional Partnership Board to Executive Officers Group prepare for the meeting and discuss national and regional issues. (NWCEOG)

North Wales Also, known as ‘COGGERS’, these officers represent each authority in North Collaboration Wales. They work on behalf of the NWRPB and NWCEO to drive forward the collaboration agenda. COG meets monthly and its main aim is to provide support Officer Group so that collaboration projects can progress and provide value for money. COG (NWCOG) also has a ‘scrutiny’ role and can “call in” professional groups and projects, reporting back issues to the NW Chief Executive Officers Group. Project Doctor The Project Doctor is at Chief Executive level and is only ‘activated’ when projects need support from someone with the authority to unblock barriers and/or intractable issues. It is the responsibility of the Project Sponsor to regularly brief the Project Doctor, once activated.

At Strategic Director or Head of Service Level - project sponsorship is an active Project senior level management role with responsibility for ensuring the project remains focused on achieving its objectives and that the anticipated benefits can be Sponsor achieved. The sponsor is the person to whom the Project Manager is accountable.

The establishment of a Project Board is only required when demanded by the Project Board scale and complexity of the project. Members for the Project Board are usually identified by the Project Sponsor and Project Manager, and are drawn from key stakeholders. The Project Manager is responsible for delivering the project on behalf of the Project Project Sponsor, and has the responsibility of running the project on a day to day basis. Their key objective is to ensure that the project is delivered on time, on Manager budget, and to the agreed quality specification.

Project Team The Project Team is made up of those individuals required by the Project Manager to assist in delivery of the project’s outputs and benefits. Each Authority which is involved in a regional or sub regional collaboration will have an Authority Project Lead. This role is particularly important as it will be the Project Lead’s responsibility to ensure that agreed actions are carried out within their own organisation and information about the project is effectively communicated to key stakeholders Authority Project Lead

Page 3 of 7 Appendix 3 Progress Report – Key Strategic Partnerships

Denbighshire’s Local Service Board

Denbighshire’s Local Service Board (LSB) meets quarterly and held its last meeting on the 1st July 2009. The LSB recently agreed its Local Delivery Agreement (LDA) which the Assembly acknowledged as an example of good practice. The LDA is made up of five programmes and these are; Engaging with Denbighshire’s Communities, Reducing Deprivation in West and South West Rhyl, Providing the Right Skill’s for Denbighshire’s Existing and Future Workforce, Making Better Use of Denbighshire’s Assets, and Integrating Health and Social Care. Each programme has a high level programme sponsor and lead organisation. Projects to support the five programmes are currently being developed. Once agreed the Board will receive regular project status update reports.

The LDA will also be reflected in the new Community Strategy which the LSB is responsible for developing by 2010. Key projects to date include the joint Jobs Event held 6th June 2009, Area Profiles and InfoBaseSirDdinbych, Denbighshire’s Citizens’ Panel, a multi-agency jobs and apprenticeships website, integrating Health and Social Care in Prestatyn, and Community Forums. The LSB launched the LDA and engaged key stake holders in the development of the Community Strategy in the extremely successful Working Together in Denbighshire Conference which was held on Friday, 19th June 2009. There were several key note speakers including Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister; Dr. Alan Netherwood, Netherwood Sustainable Futures; Steve Thomas, Chief Executive, Welsh Local Government Association; Mary Burrows MBE, Chief Executive (Designate) Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for North Wales; and Reg Kilpatrick, Head of Local Government Policy Division, Welsh Assembly Government. The event was chaired by Dilwyn Morgan, who is a familiar face on the Noson Lawen Stage and a regular presenter on S4C and Radio Cymru.

Page 4 of 7 Appendix 4 Progress Report – Key Strategic Partnerships

Denbighshire’s Health Social Care Well Being Partnership Board

An approach which involves both the collation and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data is being taken to the monitoring and evaluation of the HSCWB Partnership and the implementation of the strategy: - The Base-line Bulletin Report was published spring 09. This has brought together base-line information relating to objectives grouped under 12 shared outcomes that require actions from several partners. This will be the base-line for the first annual HSCWB Strategy progress report in October. - Ceri’s Family reference group has been meeting regularly to contribute to the performance management of the strategy. - A PAT 2 survey of partners was carried out to inform a partnership workshop. Although the response rate was low (probably due to very tight timescales), some key themes for further exploration (via the Denbighshire HSCWB partner survey) have been identified. - A Denbighshire HSCWB partner survey involving structured interviews with key partners will be carried out in the Autumn 09. - A peer review of the Partnership (with Carmarthenshire) will take place August/September. This will involve desktop analysis of information and exchange of information through structured interviews with key people.

The effect of the restructuring of the NHS on the work of the Denbighshire HSCWB Partnership was the focus of a Strategic Partnership Board (SPB) workshop on the 8th July. Key opportunities and threats were identified and there was some early exploration of potential management strategies. The report from this workshop will inform the development of an action plan for the Partnership. The results from this workshop will also be shared with the Regional HSCWB Partnership Managers meeting this month. Recruitment and retention of staff is a major issue for teams with posts that are grant funded for 1 year only. However, the HSCWB team will soon be back up to full strength, with the appointment of a half-time Quality and Evaluation Officer and a full-time Reablement Project Manager.

Current partnership projects include: - Telecare; a project manager for this stream of work is funded until March 2010. - Community Equipment Services Integration (CESI): a Section 33 Agreement is already in place and current work is focused on further embedding this way of working. - Development of an Intake Model Reablement Service: a Section 33 is in place for Health and Social Care support workers. The vision is that all new referrals for domiciliary care packages will have a comprehensive reablement service that ensures that outcome based care plans (with genuine shared ownership between the prescribers of care, those delivering direct care and service- users and their informal carers) are managed by skilled care coordinators.

A work-stream that is in the very early stages of development is exploring the potential for identifying areas where partnership work can be developed across the Conwy and Denbighshire HSCWB Partnerships.

Page 5 of 7 Appendix 5 Progress Report – Key Strategic Partnerships

Denbighshire’s Children and Young People’s Partnership Board

Since the Single Plan for Children and Young People was published in September 2008, progress has been subject to comprehensive performance management arrangements. These include quarterly reporting to the Strategic Partnership and a regular cycle of reporting to a Joint Scrutiny Group comprising members from both Social Services and Housing and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committees. Ceri's family is also being used to illustrate aspects of performance.

The Partnership is ensuring connections are made with Denbighshire's corporate priorities. In terms of Regeneration, for example, the last Partnership meeting considered actions to address child poverty. The July 2009 meeting will have a brief workshop session considering demographic issues and young people- what factors cause the County to be a net exporter of 18 - 35 year olds- and what might be done to mitigate that.

Service Level Agreements have been finalised with all organisations receiving Cymorth Grant for 2009 - 11. All the grant allocations match priority areas identified in the Single Plan.

The Partnership Team has developed "locality networks" to ensure that the work of the Children and Young People's Partnership is able to impact on issues being raised locally, including via community forums. An example of this is joint work with local organisations and the Police in Denbigh.

An "Integrated Services Programme" has been developed across Social Services and Education, and with partners in Health and the voluntary sector. This is focusing on three priorities from the Single Plan i.e. the integration of services for disabled children; integrated "pathways" for children and young people to access emotional and mental health services; and piloting "team around the child" type approaches linked to schools

Having received the Estyn report, including the partial re-inspection of Youth Support Services, the Extending Entitlement Group, a sub-group of the Strategic Partnership, is developing its Action Plan to the required timescales. Progress is systematically reported to the Strategic Partnership and to Joint Scrutiny.

Joint work across Partnerships is also progressing well, and takes a number of forms- collaboration with the Local Safeguarding Children Board on the recent safeguarding audit, sharing of information, planning groups and methods with the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategic Partnership- to ensure streamlined systems and reporting against common outcome measures. Work with the Conwy Partnership also continues- most recently on a joint Working Group on Childhood Injuries. Regional work is also developing- for example on children's workforce issues through the regional meetings of Lead Directors.

Page 6 of 7 Appendix 6 Progress Report – Key Strategic Partnerships

Denbighshire’s Community Safety Partnership Board

Since April 1st 2009 Community Safety in Denbighshire has been working collaboratively with Community Safety in Conwy. During May a Joint Manager was appointed (Sian Taylor) to manage both Conwy and Denbighshire. Prior to April 2009 Roly Schwarz and Sian Taylor looked at the structures of both Community Safety Partnerships and came up with a suitable structure for both CSP’s. We now hold joint meetings for nearly all community safety business, therefore reducing the meetings considerably and enabling us to commission community safety projects jointly. We also produced a Joint Action plan with local variances (to cover any local issues pertaining to that County), and came up with a delivery structure that suited both Counties and fulfilled legislative obligations.

This is proving to be a very robust structure with excellent governance and accountability which has been well received by all partners who now only have to attend one meeting. The Home Office has indicated that this could be used as an example of Best Practice for other CSP areas.

There are five priority areas which have been decided on by both CSP’s from conducting a strategic assessment of all crime and disorder.

They are;

1. Substance Misuse 2. Serious Crime and Terrorism- Domestic Violence and other Alcohol related crimes 3. Reducing Reoffending 4. Promoting Community Safety 5. Local Priorities- Local issues raised by the public in community meetings and Neighbourhood meetings.

The CSP consulted on its action plan in February, and intend to consult regularly with updates on the five priority areas.

Page 7 of 7

CYDWEITHIO YNG NGOGLEDD CYMRU - ROLAU A CHYFRIFOLDEBAU

RÔL CYFRIFOLDEB Bwrdd Partneriaeth Mae chwe Arweinydd a Phrif Weithredwr Gogledd Cymru yn cwrdd pob Rhanbarthol Gogledd chwarter i drafod materion a affeithia’r rhanbarth gan gynnwys cydweithio. Awdurdod Conwy Dinbych Fflint Gwynedd Wrecsam Ynys Môn Cymru (BPRhGC) Arweinydd Cyng. Cyng. Hugh Cyng. Cyng. Cyng.Aled Cyng. Clive Dilwyn Evans Arnold Dyfed Roberts McGregor Roberts Woolley Edwards Prif Byron Mohammed Colin Harry Isobel Richard Weithredwr Davies Mehmet Everett Thomas Garner Parry-Jones (Gweithredol)

Grŵp Prif Weithredwyr Mae’r chwe Prif Weithredwr yn cwrdd cyn y Bwrdd Partneriaeth Rhanbarthol i Gogledd Cymru baratoi ar gyfer y cyfarfod a thrafod materion cenedlaethol a rhanbarthol. (GPWGC)

Grŵp Adwaenent hefyd fel ‘COGGERS’, cynrychiolai’r swyddogion hyn awdurdodau Swyddogio Gogledd Cymru. Gweithient ar ran BPRhGC a’r GPWGC i wthio’r rhaglen cydweithio. Mae’r GSC yn cwrdd yn fisol a’i brif nod yw darparu cefnogaeth i n alluogi prosiectau cydweithio symud ymlaen a rhoi gwerth am arian. Mae rôl Cydweithio craffu hefyd i’r GSC a gallent alw ar grwpiau proffesiynol a phrosiectau, gan Gogledd Cymru (GSCGC) adrodd ar faterion i Grŵp Prif Weithredwyr GC. Doctor Prosiect Mae Doctor Prosiect ar haen Prif Weithredwr a ni fydd angen iddynt gyflawni’r rôl ag eithrio fod prosiect angen cefnogaeth gan unigolyn â’r awdurdod i ddatrys rhwystron a/neu materion afreolus. Unwaith y bydd y Doctor yn weithredol, cyfrifoldeb Noddwr Prosiect yw briffio’r Doctor Prosiect yn gyson.

Ar haen Cyfarwyddwr Strategol neu Bennaeth Gwasanaeth, mae cefnogaeth Cefnogwr prosiect yn rôl weithredol lefel uwch reolwr efo cyfrifoldeb am sicrhau fod y prosiect yn parhau â ffocws ar gyflawni ei amcanion ac y gellir gwireddu’r Prosiect buddion disgwyliedig. Mae’r Rheolwr Prosiect yn atebol i’r Cefnogwr Prosiect.

Dylid sefydlu Bwrdd Prosiect i oruchwylio’r prosiect. Bydd ffurf ac amlder y Bwrdd Prosiect cyfarfodydd Bwrdd yn ddibynnol ar raddfa a chymhlethdod y prosiect. Fel rheol, fe adwaenir aelodau i’r Bwrdd Prosiect gan y Rheolwr Prosiect a Chefnogwr y Prosiect ac fe ddônt o blith rhan ddeiliaid allweddol. Mae’r Rheolwr Prosiect yn gyfrifol am gyflawni’r prosiect ar ran y Cefnogwr Rheolwr Prosiect a chanddo’r cyfrifoldeb o reoli’r prosiect o ddydd i ddydd. Y prif amcan yw sicrhau y caiff y prosiect ei gyflawni ar amser, o fewn gyllideb ac i’r fanyleb Prosiect ansawdd gytunedig.

Tîm Prosiect Cyfansoddir y Tîm Prosiect gan yr unigolion hynny bydd y Rheolwr Prosiect eu hangen i gynorthwyo i gyflawni buddion ac allbynnau’r prosiect. Bydd pob Awdurdod sydd ynghlwm wrth gydweithio rhanbarthol neu is ranbarthol yn meddu ar Arweinydd Prosiect Awdurdod. Mae’r rôl hwn yn neilltuol bwysig oherwydd cyfrifoldeb yr Arweinydd Prosiect ydyw sicrhau fod camau a gytunir yn cael eu gweithredu o fewn eu corfforaeth hwy ac y caiff gwybodaeth am y prosiect ei gyfathrebu’n effeithiol i rhan ddeiliaid allweddol. Arweinydd Prosiect Awdurdod

AGENDA ITEM NO: 7

REPORT TO COUNCIL

FROM: Councillor J Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance

DATE: 28 July 2009

SUBJECT: Review of 2008/09 Capital Plan Achievements

1. DECISION SOUGHT

1.1 That Members note the successful projects delivered in the year.

2. REASON FOR SEEKING DECISION

2.1 During 2008/09 the Council spent £37.3m on its County Fund Capital Plan with a further £9.5m on HRA capital projects. This section of the this report is intended to focus on the achievements of 2008/09 so that Members can appreciate the scale and impact that the capital plan has on the delivery of services in the County.

2.2 This expenditure enabled the Council to deliver a number of important improvements to its infrastructure. A large number of officers worked hard to deliver these projects often with tight deadlines, multiple funding sources, large numbers of stakeholders and keen interest from the public, press, auditors and government. There are always problems to overcome as each project is unique and complex and requires initiative, creativity and endurance from the officers (and members) involved.

2.3 Many of the projects have had a significant direct impact on individuals who live or work in the County eg improvements to the homes of disabled people or extensions to schools, but many projects that are carried out are unseen and possible unnoticed yet are equally vital, such as highway improvements, ICT infrastructure etc, without which many of our delivery infrastructure would be unviable.

2.4 Departments were asked for summaries on a sample of projects that were underway during 2008/09 to give Members an idea of the scope and scale of projects delivered in the year. These are shown in Appendix 1.

3. POWER TO MAKE THE DECISION

3.1 Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003 determines the arrangements for capital financing from 2004/05 onwards.

4. RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

4.1 Cost Implications There are no cost implications from this report.

Page 1 of 2

5. FINANCIAL CONTROLLER STATEMENT

5.1 It is important that Members understand where the capital plan funds are spent and the impact they make on service delivery.

6. CONSULTATION CARRIED OUT

6.1 All Heads of Service and Corporate Executive Team were asked to nominate projects for inclusion.

7 IMPLICATIONS

7.1 Projects have been reviewed to ensure that they satisfy the Council’s Corporate Objectives.

8. ACTION PLAN

8.1 Directorates monitor capital projects to identify any slippage and will continue to do so.

9 RECOMMENDATIONS

9.1 Members note the successful projects delivered in the year.

Page 2 of 2 Review of 2008/09 – Capital Projects Appendix 1

List of Awards Received

Drift Park

• Roses Design Awards 2008 - Silver • Landscape Institute Awards 2008 - Highly Commended in the Design 1-5 Hectares Category • Civic Trust Award 2009 • Civic Trust Special Award 2009

International Green Apple Awards for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage (sponsored by the Environment agency, Chartered Institute of Env. Health, Chartered Institution of Waste Mgt, and the Green Organisation)

• National Award for Ysgol Clawdd Offa, Prestatyn

2009 The Ruthin Civic Society Quayle Award: Nant Clwyd y Dre, Ruthin

2009 RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) award for architecture: Ruthin Craft Centre - One of only 2 awards made in Wales.

Highways

Major Projects Group successfully Project Managed the delivery of Denbighshire Council’s allocation of Transport Grant and TAITH funding.

A Transport Grant of £2.8m was expended on schemes that included Brickfields Pond Cycleway, Rhyl College Bridge link, Sun Centre Connecting Route, Dyserth cycleway and safe route to school scheme, and Ceg y Ffordd.

2009/10 Forward Programme design work was started and includes projects such as: The completion of Cycle Routes in Rhyl, Ceg y Ffordd cycle route and the Prestatyn Connecting Route, and Bodnant Bridge in Prestatyn.

A TAITH final Grant of £1.18m was expended resulting in the extension of the RTI (Real Time Information) system, DDA compliant bus stops and shelters, completion of the Llangollen Bus Hub, implementation of Rhyl Bus Station and advance work for Prestatyn Bus Station.

In addition, a Welsh Assembly Government grant of £1.67m was obtained via economic regeneration as match funding to undertake further amenity enhancement at Rhyl Bus Station.

2009/10 Forward Programme design commenced for expansion of RTI, Rhyl Bus Station connecting routes and amenity improvement, Prestatyn Railway Station and amenity improvement, and Prestatyn Bus Station and amenity improvement

Bridges & Structures

Bridges

£0.6m Refurbishment of Victoria Bridge, Corwen. £100k Re-decking of two bridges in Henllan. £100k Strength Assessments to 20 bridges. Secured Welsh Assembly Government grant funding for £4m Foryd Harbour Cycle Bridge. Repairs and strengthening to various bridges throughout the County.

Coastal Protection

Strategic Investigation carried out to look at coastal defences for the whole of the Denbighshire’s coastline.

Flood Alleviation

Works for £1.0m Llangollen Flood Alleviation Scheme commenced.

ICT Department

Uninterruptible Power System Installations UPS upgraded in County Hall, Ruthin. They have been installed in the main nodes of the network, namely; Trem Clwyd, Russell House, Caledfryn, Brighton Road , Hen gapel, Bodelwyddan Depot, Ty Nant, Nant Hall Road, Corwen library, St.Asaph library and 46, Clwyd Street.

Lotus Notes Infrastructure New Intel based infrastructure installed in line with upgrade to Lotus Notes V8.

Replacement of end of life equipment The content engines and proxy equipment was replaced.

Local Area Network Wireless A corporate wireless solution was investigated and procured. (Ist phase to be installed for WorkSmart project in Caledfryn)

Home bridging pilot Bridging device pilot initiated to establish the best solution for Denbighshire Homeworkers who want to use wireless technology.

Local Area Networkn Upgrades LAN upgrades took place in Ruthin library and Ruthin leisure centre.

Cabling Russell House's old cabling was updated for increased performance.

Government Connect Secure Extranet This is a secure, encrypted network which facilitates the secure transfer of information from one public sector organisation to another.

Laptop Upgrades for the authority Internal vulnerability software USB Control software e-mail server installation URL Filtering software upgrade and Anti Virus at the gateway

Schools – Expenditure £6.9m

During the 2008/2009 financial year a number of projects were undertaken at schools throughout the County.

These include:

• The opening in September 2008 of Ysgol Clawdd Offa

• Improved Dining Facilities at Rhyl High School

• New Dining Room//Kitchen and classrooms at Ysgol Dinas Bran (due for completion September 2009)

• 20 ‘Shade Sail’ outside teaching spaces constructed at various primary schools.

• Community Learning Centres opened at Prestatyn High School, Ysgol Brynhyfryd and Ysgol Dinas Bran

• Energy efficiency measures at 13 schools

• DDA works at 10 schools

• Extended Car Park provision at Ysgol Bryn Clwyd, Llandyrnog

School Kitchens

The following are a breakdown of improvements in school Kitchens:

• Meliden - complete kitchen refurbishment, including all new equipment

• Dewi Sant - new ventilation system and dishwasher • Bryn Hedydd - new ventilation system

• Ysgol y Llys - new counter, Mixer

• Emmanuel - new counter

• Twm o'r Nant - new work surfaces, mixer

• Ysgol Mair - new dishwasher

• Tremeichion - new work surfaces, mixer

• Trefnant - New mixer and work surfaces.

• Gwaenynog - complete Kitchen refurbishment including ventilation

• Bodnant Infants - new mixer

• Llanbedr – Refurbishment of Kitchen incorporating improvement to power supply.

• Llanfair D.C – Refurbishment of kitchen including new ventilation system.

• Bryn Collen/Gwernant – New Servery Counter , dishwasher & mixer.

• Corwen – new mixer & steamer

• Cynwyd – New steamer and cooker.

Public conveniences:

A new semi automated unit is being installed in the Events Arena, Rhyl. Two semi automated units were installed in Cae Ddol, Ruthin.

Building Services

• Carried out CDM (Construction, Design and Management) Coordinator duties on over £10.5m worth of capital contracts. • 26 small building works contracts carried out on site ranging from a £7k re-modelling of Rhyl Fire Station to provide a Telecare Demonstration Unit working with Social Services & Housing and outside Agencies; £15k of alterations at Ysgol Gwernant, Llangollen; Mobile accommodation for Student Support Unit contract at Prestatyn High School; All Weather Pitch Refurbishment at Rhyl; Automated Bill Payment System at Denbigh Library £30k; WorkSMART alterations in several phases at Caledfryn. • Agricultural Estate works at several farms to improve the farmhouses and farm buildings totalling in excess of £75k. Rationalisation and possible disposal of redundant farm buildings together with planning applications for conversion to domestic or commercial uses. • £100k spent on replacing furniture in 25 Primary Schools, 8 Secondary Schools and 2 Special Schools including classroom tables, chairs and storage units, library shelving/ furniture, computer benching/operators chairs and staffroom furniture.

Building Services - Maintenance

£180k spent on upgrading school fire alarms

Works to improve security at 7 schools

Improved toilet facilities at 12 schools

Over £600k of maintenance works carried out at 8 high schools within 57 separate contracts

Over £760k of maintenance works carried out at 48 primary schools

Re-roofing works at 8 schools

Re-surfacing works at 8 schools

New windows at 6 schools

Numerous mechanical and electrical works at schools including new boilers and controls, re-wiring, works to lifts, ventilation works, new light fittings.

New heaters, new oil tanks, emergency lighting, hot water systems etc.

£400k maintenance works carried out at non-school public buildings including £90k at libraries, £75k at Arts & Cultural Attractions and over £100k at Countryside & Leisure properties.

Numerous maintenance works carried out at non-school public buildings including re-roofing, new boilers, drainage, high level lighting, doors, fencing, resurfacing.

Changing room refurbishment, electrical works etc.

Heather and Hillforts

The Heather and Hillforts project was the first Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Partnership Scheme in Wales. In late 2007 £1.5 million was awarded by HLF to the project which is matched by £700,000 from partners. The 3 year project is run through the Denbighshire Countryside Service with dedicated Officers employed and it is a Partnership led by a Board made up of representatives of Landowners, local businesses, Flintshire County Council, Denbighshire County Council, the Countryside Council for Wales, Cadw, RSPB, the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments Wales, National Trust, The Fire Service, Llysfasi College and the Clwydian Range AONB amongst others.

The team has now been in place for one and a half years, halfway through the 3 years, much has been achieved in this time. 1,906 people and 649 children have taken part in activities organised through the project. All Heather and Hillforts work falls into four main programme areas; Our Moorland Heritage, Our Hillfort Heritage, Understanding our Uplands and Access for All.

Our Moorland Heritage

Successful heather management work has taken place for the first time in recent years across all areas of moorland in the project area, on both public and private land. A £40K programme of bracken spraying took place on Llantysilio Mountain in 2008 and similar work is planned for the central part of the Clwydian Range in July 2009. A Tir Gofal Agri Environment scheme has been agreed by the Moel Famau graziers which will ensure positive management of the moorland for several years to come. This has taken a great deal of negotiation through which we have been helped enormously by the WAG Tir Gofal Officer The difficult issues relating to agri-environment schemes and Common Land were discussed on site recently with the Rural Affairs Minister when she visited Moel y Parc.

In an effort to combat illegal off road activity the project has produced posters to encourage reporting of incidents to the Police. ‘Don’t Leave Home without It’ promotes the police incident number and asks people to put the incident number in their mobile phones. Operations have taken place alongside the Police and successful prosecutions have taken place. Officers are also involved in groups seeking to find suitable locations for the activity. Promotional material is being distributed to discourage accidental heather burns, portable ashtrays have been produced.

Our Hillfort Heritage

Two successful excavations have taken place at Penycloddiau hillfort. A mound thought to be a bronze age burial mound is being worn away by the Offa’s Dyke National Trail. Excavations have confirmed its date, it will now be partially reconstructed to preserve the remains. Over 400 people visited the excavations when they took place in May 2008 and 2009. Two, week long Archaeology Uncovered Activities took place whereby members of the public were involved in archaeological survey work at Penycloddiau and Moel y Gaer Llanbedr Hillforts. Both produced useful archaeological results giving a better understanding of occupation of the sites. Work at Moel y Gaer Llanbedr has directly led to involvement from Bangor University and it is hoped that they will carry out an excavation on the site in July 2009. Results of palaeobotanical examination of a core of peat from the Moel Llys y Coed area of the Clwydian Range has given clear evidence of vegetation change in the area from about 9000 years ago. This work has been jointly funded by the Royal Commission as part of their Upland Initiative.

Erosion repair work has taken place at Moel Arthur hillfort where a ‘floating’ ramp has been placed over the ramparts, similar work is ongoing this summer at Moel Fenlli, where an £80K programme of repair work is taking place. At Penycloddiau work will begin on repairing sheep scrapes (patches of erosion on the banks of the fort caused by animals), secondary school children will be helping with this work. All of these works are funded 50% by Cadw.

Understanding our Uplands

A great deal of work has taken place to help people understand these upland areas. Perhaps the most innovative are the production of two mobile phone/audio tours. One is for the walk up to Moel Famau and the other up to Caer Drewyn Hillfort in Corwen. Both give people the opportunity to hear about the sites from experts as they are walking and looking at the area. The Heather and Hillforts website has been completely redesigned and the audio tours can be downloaded from the website. Two further audio tours are planned. The website is kept up to date with activities planned as well as containing a great deal of educational material. Currently visitors to the site are being encouraged to enter a photographic competition (www.heatherandhillforts.co.uk www.ygrugargaerau.co.uk ) More traditional interpretation panels have also been produced for Caer Drewyn in Corwen and for Moel Arthur.

Work has begun on the production of resource packs for schools, A Moorland Treasure Chest and a Celtic Hoard. Working with a group of teachers these will be materials that schools can borrow from the schools loans service and will have everything teachers need to cover these aspects of the curriculum. Inset training days will be run once the packs are complete to give teachers the confidence to take groups out into the area. Much work has already taken place with schools, on a school by school basis, such as work with Ysgol Pen Barras in Ruthin, Ysgol Llanbedr and Ysgol Parc y Llan Treuddyn as well as activities linked with the Denbighshire Walking Festival and the Prestatyn Walking Festival. This year’s Denbighshire Walking Festival is focussing on the Heather and Hillforts area and offers a broad range of walks. Schools activities will once again be linked in.

A new Heather and Hillfort Exhibition has been produced, this will form the centrepiece of the County Marquee at the Denbigh and Flint Show in 2009. It is a portable interactive display. It will also be at the Royal International Eisteddfod, The Treuddyn Show, The Cilcain Show and it is hoped it will be in Ruthin Craft Centre at some stage.

Work has been starting on new designs for treatment of the perimeters of the Bwlch pen Barras car park Moel Famau. Design Services have drawn up plans which aim to give the car parks an ‘Iron Age feel’. The plans have been well received by the AONB and the Heather and Hillforts Partnership Board.

Access for All

The project has input funding into production of the Clwydian Ranger bus timetable, this has details of a walk people can undertake utilising the bus service as well as the necessary timetable details. Promotional material will appear on a second bus and we are hoping to develop some audio information, via blue tooth, onto a bus service to the east and west of the Clwydian Range.

Funding from this element of the project has also gone towards paying for transportation costs for schools to come into the area. During the Prestatyn Walking Festival over 160 primary children walked up to the Jubilee Tower Moel Famau, quite a challenge for a lot of them. More recently the 5x60 Officer in Rhyl has organised a visit to the area by youngsters from Blessed Edward Jones school and it is hoped that Rhyl High will come in the Autumn.

Work has continued to develop links with local tourism groups under the Heritage Hosts banner, this has particularly linked in with the Clwydian Country group.

A great deal has been achieved in the first eighteen months of the project and the combination of the natural and historic heritage of the area creates a unique and special landscape which so benefits from the integrated landscape management approach of the Heather and Hillforts project. The scheme has been able to share good practice developed over the last year with colleagues in many other areas. Groups have visited the project from Blaenafon, Cheshire and The Llyn and Officers are asked to give talks at both local regional and national conferences.

Housing Capital Programme (HRA)

The capital programme for improving Council housing continued during 2008/09 in line with the target of achieving Welsh Housing Quality Standards in all properties by 2012. The two specialist contracts for window and doors and for central heating are now complete and the main remaining works for new kitchen and bathrooms, rewiring and general repairs are continuing in groups with priority to the oldest properties first.

Clwyd Heating Ltd were the main central heating contractors in 2007/08 and installed 277 new systems during that year. Again this virtually completes the programme and almost all dwellings now have full central heating – a few have been finished during 2008/09 alongside other improvements to those particular homes. Gas is the main form of fuel but electric storage heaters and some oil boilers are used in rural areas.

The full improvement programme to older dwellings continued with Mansells Ltd working on 424 properties providing new kitchens, bathrooms and rewiring plus general repairs and upgraded insulation. Tenants in a small number of the older properties had to move out whilst work went on but most people stayed in their homes. Inevitably having major building works can be dusty and disruptive but most tenants reported that the major benefits of their improved facilities were worth the upset.

One important aspect of the whole programme is the involvement of tenants themselves. Everyone is consulted individually before work starts and the Denbighshire Tenants and Residents Federation has been involved with setting the priorities and programme, also the setting up of an Improvement Sub-Group with members who assist with the selection of contractors – and the representatives of the group attend regular review meetings, reporting back to the Federation.

There are two additional smaller but very important parts of the HRA Capital Programme,namely Environmental Improvements and Disabled Adaptations. During 2008/09 10 major and 22 minor environmental improvement schemes were completed throughout the county ranging from parking schemes, fencing schemes and planting of amenity areas and upgrading of sheltered housing intercoms and door entry systems. Housing Services took over the responsibility for organising adaptations for disabled tenants of council housing from the start of 2007/08 and 99 bathrooms alterations were carried out and 12 stair lifts were installed during that year along with other minor works to make it easier for people to manage in their homes. This facility has now been extended with considerations for adaptations being part of the overall improvement programme.

The total capital spend in the HRA for 2008/09 is £9,522,721 which is in line with the original budget for that year. The programme is on time to achieve WHQS and is still shown to be viable in the Housing Stock Business Plan.

Housing & Area Renewal

Improvement Grants

Expenditure - £1.85 Million

These projects are funded from Denbighshire’s capital plan. All grants are targeted to assist older people, disabled people and disadvantaged children and families with works necessary to improve the standard of their home or make it suitable for any need arising from a disability. All grants are means tested and based on persons ability to pay.

In total £1,844,220 of capital was spent on 215 Improvement Grants to improving homes of vulnerable people within the private housing sector.

£1,400,000 of this was spent on disabled adaptations. Projects can range from providing a stair lift or ramped access to major adaptation works to provided an extension for the provision of ground floor bedroom and bathroom facilities. Projects can also included some specialist equipment such as a ‘rise and fall’ bath and ceiling tracking hoist system to enable transfer from bedroom to bathroom etc.

Essential repairs were carried out to homes of homeowners aged 60yrs or disadvantaged families. £370,000 was spent on repairs to enable these homeowners to remain in their own homes. 77 homes were repaired in total.

£62,000 was spent on our Houseproud project which facilitates homeowners to repair their properties by either using their own funds or by helping them to access loans. Houseproud levered in some £250,000 of private finance into private sector housing repairs/improvements.

Renewal Areas

Expenditure – £1.4 Million

These projects are funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and administered by the Housing Renewal Section in Planning & Public Protection. The scheme sets out to achieve a good standard of repair to a group of properties within the designated boundaries of Renewal Area and includes repairs and improvements to the external envelope of properties and environmental improvements to boundary walls and community projects. All properties in Denbigh Renewal Area are improved in accordance with conservation standards as the area is also a Townscape Heritage Conservation Area.

Denbigh Renewal Area A Group Repair Scheme of 22 properties in Ruthin Road/Park Street areas of Denbigh was carried out.

Environmental improvement schemes to rebuild front boundary walls and replace railings to the gateway of the town along Ruthin Road and in Vale Street was also undertaken to improve the street scene.

Other environmental improvement projects include:- • Communal Garden to rear of Park Street (landscaping/paths/drainage to make the area usable for residents) • Factory Place Arches (improvements to paving, stonework and replacement of doors to the arches) • Theatr Twm o’r Nant, Denbigh (Façade repairs and decoration)

Rhyl Renewal Area Similarly, properties in Bath Street/Russell Road, Rhyl were renovated to bring them up to a good standard of repair and fitness. A large project to renovate 20 properties in Millbank Road is currently underway.

Environmental Improvement Schemes to re-surface the alleys to rear of Gamlin Street including drainage and street lighting was carried out. The provision of boundary walls, gates and ‘alleygates’ has provided additional security to the residents.

Another environmental improvement project was carried out in Church Street to rebuild boundary walls and provide hard standing areas for cars. Entrance paths were re-instated to original design.

A similar project was carried out in Russell Road to re-instate stone boundary walls, cast iron railings and entrance paths to original design.

Rhyl Going Forward

Completion of renovation of a derelict property at 16-18 Edward Henry Street in Rhyl to provide business units.

Agricultural Estates

Programme of investment in farm house and buildings for Peronne Farm, Denbigh.

Social Services

Sale of Llys Nant Nursing Home, Prestatyn to Wales and West Housing Association for an extra care housing scheme.

Leisure Services

The All Weather Pitch at Rhyl Leisure Centre recently underwent a £240,000 refurbishment of its playing surface, fencing and associated equipment. This investment was funded through our Leisure Capital Investment Programme and the Building Services Capital plan. This refurbishment shows Denbighshire’s commitment to providing quality, fit for purpose facilities that meet the needs of both Rhyl High School and the Community. A fourth pitch was added to this development which has allowed more groups to access the facility which already attracts more than a 1,000 users per week during the winter season. The scheme also included the provision of a spectator’s area allowing better viewing and more teaching space.

In August 2008 St. Asaph Leisure Centre had its Male changing rooms refurbished with joint investment from Leisure, Education and Building Services. The work covered new seating, flooring, lighting and associated fixtures and fittings. There has been provision made for a similar scheme in the female changing area for 2009 / 2010 Capital Programme.

Denbigh Leisure Centre has also undergone improvements to their changing areas by updating customer lockers for both the fitness suite and swimming pool. This investment has improved the overall appearance of the changing area and provided more secure storage for customer’s personal belongings.

Playgrounds

Improvement works totalling £0.5m were carried out at the following sites:

Penrhywlfa PA, Prestatyn Pen Tywyn PA, Prestatyn Ffrith PA's & MUGA, Prestatyn Cwrt Berllan PA, Prestatyn Ffordd Pantycelyn PA, Prestatyn Bruton Park play area, Rhyl Holland Park Drive PA, Rhyl Marine Lake PA, Rhyl Coronation Gardens, Rhyl Gwynfryn Avenue, Rhyl Fforddlas PF, Rhyl Botanical Gardens, Rhyl Maes Esgob Play Area, Dyserth Heol Clwyd PA, St Asaph Tremeirchion School playing field Clos Deganwy PA, Bodelwyddan Denbigh Rd PA, Trefnant Maes Gruffydd PA,Trefnant Middle Park, Denbigh Lower Park, Denbigh Ty Coch playing field, Henllan Maes Sadwrn, Henllan Cae Ddol, Ruthin Nant y Pandy PA, Glyndydrfdwy Riverside Park, Llangollen

Tourism, Culture and Countryside

Scala

The Scala Cinema & Arts Centre opened to the public on 13 February 09, following extensive redevelopment costing £3.89m. The Scala which was officially opened by the Minister for Heritage on 19 June 09 boasts the following facilities:-

• 1 fully digital cinema to seat 150 with provision for satellite productions • 1 fully digital cinema to seat 150, that can also be adapted for stage productions or for dance • Cafe bar • Media/educational suite on the top floor • Meeting rooms • Community areas • Shop adjacent to the cinema'

Ruthin Craft Centre

£4.3 million re-development

The re-developed centre successfully re-opened to the public at the end of July 2008

Since re-opening (25 July 2008) through to end of May 2009 (first 10 months) the visitor numbers have been 87,775

The centre has since been included on the mid-list of 20 for the Sterling Prize for architecture.

The centre was also one of the 4 finalists in the UK for the prestigious Art Fund Prize 2009 for Museums and Galleries - just losing out to The Wedgewood Museum who received the £100,000 prize earlier this month.

The Art Fund prize judges had the following to say about the achievements of the Ruthin Craft Centre:- 'A beautiful new building has dramatically increased the exhibition space at this major contemporary crafts venue and has provided, for the first time, dedicated education space and craft studios. The development represents a major enhancement of the Centre's role in bringing work of national and international stature to North Wales, and touring many of the exhibitions it produces around the UK and abroad. It is also a jewel in the crown of an historic market town of just 5,000 people whose economic sustainability is strongly reliant on cultural tourism. The judges were hugely impressed by the new building, by the quality and ambition of the Centre's exhibition programme, its excellent range of original publications and, not least, by the expertise, enthusiasm and commitment of its small team'. David Puttnam Chairman of the Judges 2009

Other Schemes

Food Waste Treatment Project – Purchase of former Abattoir, Rhuallt

Denbighshire County Council, Flintshire County Council and Conwy County Borough Council have joined together to secure food waste treatment facilities to process food waste produced by householders across the three counties.

The proposed treatment facility will adopt AD (Anaerobic Digestion) technology, which is a natural treatment process similar to composting to break down organic matter.

This will help meet the Council’s statutory duty to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being sent to landfill.

The project is at an early stage, with the purchase of a site - the former Abattoir, Rhuallt being made with financial support from the Welsh Assembly Government.

COMMITTEES/PANELS SCRUTINY COMMITTEES LIFELONG SOCIAL SERVICES & CORPORATE CABINET (9) RESOURCES (9) ENVIRONMENT (9) LEARNING (9) HOUSING (9) GOVERNANCE (6) Dobb, P A Bartley, J R Blakeley, B Armstrong, I Chamberlain-Jones, J Bellis, J (Ch) Evans, H H (Leader) Cahill, J Davies, J M Cahill, J Davies, C Davies, M Ll Frobisher, S Evans, G C (Ch) Eckersley, M Davies, C Davies, J A Jones, G Hughes, R W Green, G Feeley, R L (Ch) Evans, G C Evans, C M (V.Ch) Morris, L (V.Ch) Jones, M M Jones, H Ll (V.Ch) Hughes, T R Green, G Feeley, R L Smith, B A Marfleet, P J Kensler, G M Jones, E R Gunning, I (V. Ch) Hughes, N J Labour Vacancy Thomas, D A J Lee, D Owen, P (V. Ch) Hughes, C Owens, D (Ch) Thompson-Hill, J Owens, D Pennington, A Kensler, G M Thomas, S Williams, E W Williams, G Williams, C H Smith, D I (Ch) Yorke, J

1 - 21/07/2009

COMMITTEES/PANELS CORPORATE HEALTH & SAFETY (8) L.J.C.C. (6) SACRE (8) PLANNING (30) Blakeley, B Evans, G C Davies, J A Armstrong, I Cahill, J Gunning, I Evans, G C Bartley, J R (V. Ch) Evans, C M Hughes, R W Hughes, C Bellis, J Frobisher, S Jones, G Jones, G Blakeley, B Green, G Kensler, G M Jones, M M (V.Ch) Chamberlain-Jones, J Hughes, R W Williams, G Yorke, J Cowie, W L Jones, E R Independent First Vacancy Davies, J M Jones, H Ll Independent Vacancy Davies, J A Dobb, P (Rev B H Jones - Chair) Duffy, P Eckersley, M Evans, G C Gunning, I Hannam, D Hughes, C Hughes, N J Hughes, T R Jones, E R Jones, H Ll Kensler, G M Morris, L M Owen, P W Owens, D Pennington, A Smith, B A Smith, D I Thomas, D A J Thomas, S (Ch) Thompson-Hill, J Williams, C H

2 - 19/06/2009 COMMITTEES/PANELS APPEALS AND LICENSING COMMITTEE COMPLAINTS (11) COMMITTEE (11) Armstrong, I Bellis, J Bartley, J R Blakeley, B Bellis, J Cowie, W L Blakeley, B Davies, M Ll Duffy, P Hannam, D Feeley, R L Hughes, N J Gunning, I (V. Ch) Jones, E R Kensler, G M Owen, P W Lee, D Williams, G Pennington, A Yorke, J Williams, C H (Ch) Independent Vacancy

3 - 21/07/2009 COMMITTEES/PANELS DYFFRYN VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY HOUSING SECTOR LIAISON HOUSING - SHADOW WORKING GROUP (6) BOARD (5) PARTY A.O.N.B. (6) GROUP LEADERS GROUP SECRETARIES Dobb, P A Evans, C M Evans G C - Independent Evans, G C Bellis J - Conservative Owen, P W Williams C H - Plaid Cymru Smith, B A Chamberlain-Jones J C - Labour Thomas, D A J Thomas S - Independent First Agenda Item No. 9

COUNTY COUNCIL FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME

REPORT TITLE AUTHOR

28th July 2009

Local Service Board & Partnerships Leader of the Council

Local Development Plan – Deposit Head of Planning & Public Protection Plan

Capital Plan Achievements 2008/09 Lead Member for Finance

Capital Plan Lead Member for Finance

Corporate Plan Lead Member for Modernisation

Committee Membership County Clerk

22nd September 2009

Carbon Reduction Portfolio Lead Member for Modernisation

Presentation re: Accidental Fire North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Deaths

Capital Plan Lead Member for Finance

Committee Membership County Clerk

Cabinet Achievements Presentation by Cabinet Members

27th October 2009

Corporate Plan Lead Member for Modernisation

Former North Wales Hospital site Head of Planning and Public Protection

Capital Plan Lead Member for Finance