Community Plan for St. David’s to Six Cross Roads PUBLIC CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

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CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION...... 1 Planning for Sustainability...... 1 Preparing the Community Plan...... 3 Using the Community Plan...... 4

2. KEY ISSUES...... 5 Community needs and aspirations...... 5 Agricultural Land Supply and Demand...... 5 Population Change and Housing...... 7 Strategic Economic Development...... 8 Transport and Accessibility...... 9 Integrated Water Resource Management...... 16 Resilience to Hazards, Risks and Climate Change...... 10 Resource Efficiency and Conservation...... 11 3. VISION...... 12 4. OBJECTIVES...... 12 5. SPATIAL STRATEGY...... 13 Overview of the Community Plan’s approach to development...... 13 Spatial Planning Zones...... 15 Core Spatial Development Policies...... 15 6. POLICIES AND GUIDANCE...... 17 7. NEXT STEPS: IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEW...... 41 8. ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED...... 41 Sustainability Appraisal...... 43 DEFINITIONS & END NOTES...... 45 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This Community Plan provides a framework to guide development within Community Plans the area between Saint David’s, Christ Church to Six Cross Roads, Saint Philip The purposes of Community Plans are described in the National over a period of about ten (10) years. Social, cultural and economic needs Physical Development Plan, Amended, 2003, as being to: and aspirations of local people, businesses and other organisations have • identify opportunities for redevelopment, community been considered in preparing the Plan, as have national needs, objectives and improvement and resolution of land use conflicts or opportunities. infrastructure deficiencies in existing communities; 1.2 • ensure that new suburban areas are developed in a The Community Plan’s overarching purpose is to produce well-planned places rational and orderly fashion in conjunction with adequate that can support prosperous, healthy and resilient communities. This will infrastructure, community and park facilities, and commercial involve: and social amenities.

• reconciling different – and sometimes competing - demands for the use [Physical Development Plan, Amended, 2003, section 2.1.2.2] and development of land; • balancing change and continuity; without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own • ensuring that development is matched by adequate infrastructure and needs”. service provision; • providing for development to support people’s social, economic and 1.4 physical well-being; That global definition was elaborated upon in Barbados’s National Physical Development Plan, Amended 2003, in which it is stated that sustainable • protecting the natural environment and ecosystems; development “requires a comprehensive, coordinated approach to planning, • reducing vulnerability to natural and man-made hazards; developing and managing all aspects of human settlements and the environment. Its aim is to support the rights of all persons to have access to a secure and • responding to the effects that climate change is expected to bring about. fulfilling life in harmony with the natural environment and available resources”.

1.5 Planning for Sustainability The National Physical Development Plan sets out a number of key principles for 1.3 pursuing sustainable development in Barbados, as outlined below1: In short, the Community Plan’s primary purpose is to provide a framework • emphasis on protecting the natural environment and cultural heritage for sustainable development. Probably the most frequently quoted definition resources; of sustainable development is this one from the 1987 Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future (also • establishment of criteria and procedures for Environmental Impact known as the Brundtland Report): Assessments; “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present • a national development strategy aiming to minimize the negative

1 1 Physical Development Plan, Amended 2003 - Extract from Section 1, pp. 1-3 & 1-4 centres and corridors and in key employment areas in a variety of locations The Community Plan Area throughout the island; The boundary of the Community Plan Area is shown in Plan 1. • maintenance of Central Bridgetown as the nation’s primary location for financial institutions, offices, shopping and other commercial activities; The Plan Area lies to the immediate north, east and west of the • promotion of the tourism industry by encouraging redevelopment and “Urban Corridor”, as designated in the Physical Development modernization of older beach front properties, and providing opportunities Plan. The designated “Six Cross Roads Regional Centre” adjoins for other visitor experiences in the National Park the north-east corner of the Community Plan Area, and Grantley Adams International Airport borders its south-east corner. 1.6 The area extends approximately 10 kilometres east/west and has Where relevant to development within the area covered by this Community an average north/south “depth” of about 4 kilometres, giving a Plan, those national principles have been taken fully in to account in formulating total area of around 4,000 hectares (just less than 10,000 acres) its strategy, proposals and policies. of mostly gently undulating land, taking in some 24 plantations. 1.7 Much of the land is farmland: some in productive agriculture, To ensure that this Community Plan contributes to sustainable (rather than some currently disused. unsustainable) development a method known as Integrated Sustainability Appraisal has been used at each stage of its preparation to test the extent to In addition to the sizeable rural settlement of Saint Patrick’s, which the vision, objectives, strategy, policies and allocations meet sustainability the area includes a number of small to moderate size dispersed objectives. The Integrated Sustainability Appraisal process and its relationship villages; some moderate to large modern planned residential to the Community Plan’s approach are explained further in Section 8 (page 43) developments; several institutional users; and industrial and light industrial land users, including numerous natural gas and oil wells. 1.8 There are also small clusters of commercial activities within the The strategic policy goals of the Physical Development Plan, Amended 2003, study area. have been reviewed for the purposes of preparing this Community Plan and It is estimated that 7,702 people live in the Community Plan area they are considered to remain relevant and appropriate. The objectives for now (2015) and they occupy 3,178 housing units. This equates sustainability used in the preparation of this plan are consistent with those to about 2.7% of the national population and 3.2% of Barbados’s strategic policy goals, which are quoted on page 3. housing stock.

environmental and social impacts of scattered urban development, by concentrating new growth into a defined urban corridor; • protection of agricultural lands from incompatible urban development; • promotion of a strong, diversified economy through land use policies,

which encourage a wide range of employment opportunities in mixed-use 2 1.9 Economic Development Strategic Policy Goals of the Physical Development Plan, Amended 2003 • To promote further diversification and expansion of the national economy, while at the same time promoting the efficient use of land and the protection Growth Management & Agricultural Preservation and conservation of significant natural and heritage features. • To guide and manage the growth of the nation in a manner which is • To assist in the achievement of national economic development goals by consistent with the principles of sustainable development and healthy ensuring that sufficient land is available to meet the needs of the various communities. economic sectors. • To protect and encourage the use of agricultural lands by maintaining and preserving the agricultural function of the rural areas. Preparing the Community Plan Housing 1.10 • To promote the improvement of housing conditions for the population of As illustrated in the process diagram (page 4), the Community Plan has been Barbados. developed by: • To provide adequate amounts of land to meet the demand for new housing • examining what is happening now and what has been happening in recent and to provide opportunities to develop a broad range of housing types. years (survey); prices and tenures to meet the needs of residents, thereby enhancing • considering the issues and challenges that matter most to local people and the opportunities for adequate housing as well as opportunities for home to Barbados and its future well-being (analysis); and ownership. • looking at options for the future, and evaluating and comparing them to Social & Community Facilities identify a sustainable way forward (plan-making). • To optimize the range and accessibility of all social and community facilities for all residents of Barbados. 1.11 As the diagram shows, participation of “stakeholders” is a central part of the Cultural Heritage whole process as it helps those who are responsible for preparing, considering and approving the Community Plan to understand a wide range of views and • To maintain and conserve the cultural heritage of Barbados, including both expectations, including those of: the built heritage and areas of archaeological significance. • people living in the area now; Environment • people earning their living in the area; • To conserve and manage natural resources for valued ecological functions and to provide an improved quality of life for the residents and future • businesses based or operating in the area; generations of Barbados. • people owning land and property in the area; • To advance public awareness and appreciation of the essential linkages • people who may wish to build in the area or make other changes; and between the environment, quality of life and sustainable development. • organisations responsible for providing the services and infrastructure that • To limit the unnecessary and inefficient use of fossil fuels by promoting the area requires. environmentally friendly forms of energy production, such as solar and wind energy, and promoting environmentally sustainable modes of 1.12 transportation. The planning process does not stop with the approval of the Plan - that is 3 the point at which it really starts to shape change by guiding development decisions. It will be important to monitor the outcomes of those decisions Using the Community Plan closely to check how well the Plan is working and whether it is meeting the 1.13 intended objectives, and to adjust and amend it where necessary. On-going The main law governing spatial planning in Barbados is the Town and Country stakeholder participation will also make important contributions to that process Planning Act, 1968. That Act has subsequently been amended but the principles of monitoring and review. have not been changed. For simplicity, where the term “the Act” is used in this document, it means the Town and Country Planning Act 1968 with all the amendments that have been made since it first came in to force.

1.14 The Act provides the basis for two main components of the Town and Country Planning system: “Development Plans”; and, “Planning Control” (often referred to as ‘Development Control’) and it describes the ways in which plans are to be made and controls are to be exercised.

1.15 Section 5(2) of the Act states that a Development Plan should consist ofa report of a survey carried out by the Chief Town Planner, “together with a plan showing the manner in which he proposes that the land in Barbados may be used (whether by the carrying out thereon of development2 or otherwise) and the stages by which any such development may be carried out”.

1.16 Section 7 of the Act allows for plans to be produced for particular parts of the island as well as for the whole of Barbados, and states that both these types of plan have the legal status and effect of being a Development Plan.

1.17 The relationship between the Development Plan and Planning Control (making decisions on applications for planning permission, enforcing against contraventions etc.) is described in Section 16(1). It states that, when dealing with any application for planning permission, the Chief Town Planner “shall have regard to the provisions of the development plan, so far as material to the application and to any other material considerations…”. Figure 1: Community Planning Process Diagram 1.18 This means that the Development Plan has a very important part to play as the starting point for making decisions on applications for planning permission: it

2 “Development” is defined in the Act as: “the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under any land, the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land or the sub-division of land”. [Section 13(1)]. 4 will be used by The Chief Town Planner and others involved in operating the Planning system to guide decisions about development proposals and public 2. Key Issues interventions and investments. 2.1 1.19 Key issues to which the Community Plan must respond are summarised in the The Community Plan for St. David’s to Six Cross Roads should be read and used paragraphs that follow. They have been identified by collating and analysing a in conjunction with other relevant development plans, including: wide range of data and other relevant information, and obtaining opinions from • The (National) Physical Development Plan, Amended (2003)3, which sets a range of stakeholders interested in the area’s future. That information forms out spatial and land-use planning policies at a national level, many of which an evidence base underpinning the Community Plan and it has been detailed in will be relevant to the consideration of development in the St. David’s to Six a “Mid-Term Report”4, which is available on request. Cross Roads Community Plan area; • Six Cross Roads Community Plan, contained within the Physical Development Community needs and aspirations Plan, Amended (2003), which “seeks to implement a vision of an expanded 2.2 mixed use centre providing a range of shops, institutional and community A wide range of community needs must be addressed through this Plan, uses with greater coherence and cohesiveness to serve as the core area in including housing, employment, enterprise, transport and connectivity, the rapidly expanding south east of the island”. education, social and cultural support, and recreation. These do not stand in isolation from one another so, rather than address “community” as a discrete 1.20 topic, this Community Plan treats community needs as the basis for the whole Plan-making is an iterative process, so when the Physical Development Plan, Plan and as a thread that is interwoven with every topic that is addressed. Amended (2003) is reviewed and amended or replaced, the Community Plan for St. David’s to Six Cross Roads will be taken fully in to account in that process. Agricultural Land Supply and Demand 2.3 Barbados currently meets less than fifty percent of its domestic consumption requirements for a wide range of vegetables and livestock products from local production.

2.4 In the vegetables group, major quantities of imports are recorded in beets, carrots, melon, pumpkin, lettuce, sweet pepper, eddoes, onions, broccoli, and peanuts. The local livestock industry accounts for an insignificant share of domestic consumption of fresh beef and lamb. Domestic output in poultry, eggs

3 The 2003 National Physical Development Plan remained current at the time this Community 4 The Mid-Term Report referred to here was prepared as a “deliverable” in the process of Plan was prepared and has, therefore, set the wider, formal spatial planning context. It is preparing the Community Plan. recognised, however, that circumstances have changed significantly since 2003 and a revision and/or replacement of the National Physical Development Plan is now envisaged. In preparing the Community Plan for St David’s, Christ Church to Six Cross Roads, St. Philip it has also, therefore, been necessary to look ahead. Once finalised, the objectives and policies of this Community Plan will be considered as ‘inputs’ to the National Physical Development Plan. 5 and milk are the success stories in livestock performance. Sustainable (“Green”) Agricultural Options 2.5 The Green Economy Scoping Synthesis Report 2012 outlines ways in It is estimated that in order to attain self-sufficiency in vegetable production which “Green Agriculture” can be developed. over the next five years an additional 1,105 acres of land are required5. The projection assumes that productivity and the area under production will not “It is envisioned that green agriculture would be characterised decline in the short-term. by increasing the use of farming practices and technologies that simultaneously enhance farm productivity, reduce negative 2.6 externalities and rebuild ecological resources, such as soil, water, The Physical Development Plan, Amended 2003, sought to ensure sufficient air and biodiversity. Conventional farming practices tend to have agricultural land was maintained in order to meet Barbados’s export market major negative impacts, including damage to the environment and in and current levels of domestic production. This translated into a need for particular the soil structure; the creation of potential health hazards 18,000 hectares (45,000 acres) in agricultural use, of which 10,000 hectares in food; the reduction in food quality; a high use of energy; and, (25,000 acres) would be under cultivation for sugar, and 1,600 hectares (4,000 intensive animal production systems, which are ethically unacceptable acres) for cotton6. In 2003 it was estimated that 53,275 acres of arable land and generate exorbitant social costs. Organic farming is increasingly was available, of which 10,000 acres were lying fallow. Major changes in the being viewed as a solution to several of the negative externalities that availability of arable land have taken place since 2003, but there has, as yet, are directly caused by conventional farming methods.” been no recent survey to quantify the current situation accurately. There has been a steady decline in the area harvested under sugarcane since the early • production of cassava for human consumption and as inputs for animal 1990’s7. The targets for cotton cultivation have, so far, fallen substantially short, feed to reduce imports of corn; but in 2014, ambitious plans for the cotton sub-sector were reported by the Director of the Centre for Food Security and Entrepreneurship at the University • increased production and consumption of fish. of the West Indies Cave Hill campus. 2.8 2.7 In addition to the focus on meeting the domestic market demand for the above The repositioning of the agricultural sector is strategic to preparing Barbados8 commodities, a fundamental restructuring of the sugar sub-sector to transform to moderate the adverse impacts of climate change on the quality of life. the industry into a sugarcane industry has commenced. The restructuring Food import dependent countries such as Barbados are projected to face the project is intended to reposition the industry to supply: challenges of spiraling import prices, and shortages caused by un-seasonal • specialty sugars for export to the European Union market; weather in the major food countries. Five strategic activities have been selected to constitute the basis of a National Food and Nutrition plan for Barbados. • anhydrous ethanol to the US market; • increased production and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables; • molasses to meet the demand of the local rum industry; • increased production and consumption of root crops; • energy to satisfy the sole factory requirements and sale of the excess to the national power grid; • development of a Barbados Black Sheep industry;

5 National Agricultural Policy – “ A Vision for the Future of Agriculture in Barbados” Brathwaite Chelston W.D. and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture 2014. 6 Physical Development Plan Amended (2003) pagest 1-11 to 1-12 7 Inter-American Development Bank “Strategic Assessment, Sugarcane Industry in Barbados” July 2nd 2010, p.20 8 Braithwaite Chelston W.D. et al p.95 6 2.9 7,856 by 2020 if that rate of growth continues. The quantity of land required for these activities has not yet been defined, but it it is considered prudent to take a precautionary approach that conserves 2.13 land for agricultural use unless there is an overriding need to convert it to non- By comparison, the number of households – and hence the number of housing agricultural uses. The Community Plan area includes a substantial proportion of units required – has been growing at a faster rate, both nationally and within the country’s agricultural land resource and its conservation must be regarded the Community Plan area. This is because the average size of households as a priority. has been reducing. In 1970 the average number of people living together as a household was just over 4, but by 2015 this has reduced to 2.84 and it is expected to continue reducing for some time to come. This has meant that Population Change and Housing whilst the national population has grown by 19.7% between 1970 and 2015, the number of housing units has grown by over 70%. By 2020, it is forecast that the average household size nationally will be just Year Population Change Growth rate Housing Change Annual rate of Persons per 2.75 people. growth (%) household 1970 236,891 - - 58,598 - - 4.04 2.14 1980 247,129 10,238 0.43218 67,138 8,540 1.4574 3.68 In the Community Plan area, the average household 1990 260,491 13,362 0.54069 82,204 15,066 2.244 3.16 size is currently 2.42 (lower than the national 2000 268,792 8,301 0.31867 91,406 9,202 1.1194 2.94 average) and, if recent trends continue, it may be as low as 2.1 by 2020. This means that even if the 2010 277,821 9,029 0.33591 94,173 2,767 0.3027 2.95 population of the area does not grow there will still 2015 283,472 5,651 0.406825 99,729 5,556 1.18 2.84 be a requirement for more houses to meet local 2020 289,123 11,302 0.406825 105,285 11,112 1.18 2.75 needs. Table 1: National Population Change and Housing

2.15 Demand for additional housing is likely to be driven less by indigenous 2.10 population growth and more by other factors, including: It is estimated that 7,702 people live in the Community Plan area now (2015) a. the average size of households continuing to reduce; and they occupy 3,178 housing units. This equates to about 2.7% of the national population and 3.2% of Barbados’s housing stock. b. new households wishing to live close to their families and communities of origin; 2.11 c. people wishing to relocate to this area from other parts of the island; The population of Barbados is expected to continue d. people currently living abroad wishing to return in the future; growing relatively slowly over the period covered by this Community Plan. Between 2010 and 2015 it grew from 277,821 to 283,472 and it is expected to e. people living abroad wishing to acquire property as an additional home or grow to 289,123 by 2020. The rate of population growth, which averaged just mainly as an investment. over 0.4% per year from 1970 to 2010, is low on a global scale. 2.16 2.12 The need to promote agriculture and agricultural productivity will restrict the The population living within the Community Plan area has been growing at supply of land suitable for building new homes. It will not be possible to satisfy 7 a similar rate – from 7,549 in 2010 to 7,702 by 2015 and expected to reach all aspects of demand for housing, and housing development land in this area Year (Occupied) Housing Growth Population Persons per b. the need to safeguard natural gas and oil reserves occurring within the area stock (projection growth rate (projected using household so that they can be extracted appropriately; national growth rate rate from average of the c. alternative, compatible forms of business development that could help to three 10 year periods) avg. over 5 10 year periods) generate sustainable economic well-being and employment locally; 1990 1,291 0.2517 - - d. proximity of the Community Plan area to employment provided at the Six 2000 1,616 0.6163 - - Cross Roads designated Regional Centre, the Grantley Adams International 2010 2,612 0.434 7,549 2.89 Airport, and within adjacent parts of the urban corridor; 2015 3,178 5,651 7,702 2.42 e. ways in which the spatial relationship between homes and workplaces can 2020 3745 11,302 7,856 2.10 influence levels of economic efficiency and productivity; Table 2: Housing and Demographic Change in Commnity Plan Area f. potential for home-based working9. without unacceptable and unsustainable impacts on agricultural productivity 2.18 and potential. The priority should, therefore, be to provide for locally-generated Conserving productive and potentially productive agricultural land within the housing needs rather than for more speculative housing development, including area, as a significant component of the national agricultural resource, isan housing aimed at an overseas buyers’ market. over-arching objective. Within that context, removal of substantial areas of land from agricultural production over recent years - whether for non-agricultural development or simply to leave it unused – is a matter of concern and the Strategic Economic Development Community Plan seeks to complement other initiatives so as to reverse that trend. 2.17 Key economic issues and influences shaping the Community Plan’s approach to 2.19 economic development include: The Community Plan also needs to provide for diversification and for the further a. agriculture – development of appropriate non-agricultural employment opportunities to i. its current and future economic importance in the context of national support sustainable living within the area. It is expected that many people development and well-being; who live in the Community Plan area will continue to travel to work in adjacent areas but, through improved transport provision and development of more ii. expected and intended changes in practice, potential, production, employment opportunities locally, the impacts and prevalence of longer processing and promotion; distance commuting can gradually be reduced. iii. the role and significance of the Community Plan area in the national agricultural economy – particularly in the context of the Sugar Cane Industry Revitalisation Programme and agricultural diversification initiatives (including fuel crops); 9 Home-based working: the Physical Development Plan, Amended 2013, allows for home occupation ancillary to a residential use, subject to the following limitations: a) the business use must be ancillary (i.e. not the main use) and must take up no more than 25% of the gross floor area of the building; b) no more than 3 people may be employed on the premises; c) the business must be located wholly on the residential property; d) the business does not involve the sale of goods to the public or storage or use of hazardous materials; e) the business activities do not result in objectionable noise, vibration, fumes or odors and do not involve unenclosed storage. 8 Transport and Accessibility improvements will need to be made. 2.20 Road safety Within the last 20 years there has been a noticeable increase in private vehicular ownership within the Community Plan area and, even more so, 2.23 within the adjacent parts of Christ Church and St. Philip, which have 34 and Many roads in the Community Plan area presently have high levels of pedestrian- 15 percent respectively of the island’s vehicle population. Much of thisis vehicular interaction, due to a lack of sidewalks and bus laybys. Inadequate attributable to the scale of housing development and population growth to the drainage is also evident, where there is ponding on many of the sections of east of the Community Plan area rather than the more modest level of housing the roads, and this often results in pedestrians walking on the carriageway, development within the area itself. Nevertheless, the impacts of increased where there is a lack of sidewalks, to avoid being splashed by passing vehicles. numbers of vehicles on the roads are experienced within the Community Plan Conditions for cyclists are similarly problematic in many places. area as well as on the roads beyond, which residents of the area need to use. Because it has not been possible to increase road capacity and standards in line 2.24 with the growth in vehicle use, results have included: There will be significant gains through addressing road safety issues throughout the area, even without any additional housing or other development taking • increasing congestion, especially at junctions on the edge of the Community place, including: Plan area and in the urban areas beyond; • fewer serious accidents; • deteriorating conditions for pedestrians and cyclists sharing the roads with • better opportunities for people to include healthy exercise within daily motorists; routines; • relative decline in demand for public transport, making service provision • reduced stress; difficult (although current demand within the Community Plan Area itself is 10% above the national average of just 20%). • potentially, reduced congestion as people choose to make by foot or bicycle some of the journeys they would otherwise have made by motorcar. Congestion 2.21 2.25 Looking at main routes, the 2010 Capacity Analysis study as completed by the The issue of school-related traffic congestion – and associated safety concerns Ministry of Transport and Works showed that a number of heavily-used routes – is one that should be considered particularly carefully in this context, with and junctions – including Bright Hall Road, Vauxhall Road and St. Patrick’s Road priority given to creating safe routes to school. - have insufficient capacity to handle the numbers of vehicles expected to be using them. On observation, the situation has not changed significantly within Public Transport the last six years. 2.26 Public transport demand within the study area is 30% - ie, 30% of people Building large numbers of additional houses within the Community Plan area living in the area currently use public transport as a main mode of travel. This is would be expected to add significantly to levels of congestion unless such higher than the national average demand of 20% but the Transport Authority’s development is accompanied by major investment in road construction and study identifies an inadequate capacity of buses on some of the primary bus capacity improvement and/or a substantial modal shift from private motorcars routes within the Community Plan area, particularly on the Six Roads, Bayfield to public transport, cycling and walking (with car-sharing also having potential and Wellhouse routes. to contribute to congestion reduction). 2.27 2.22 Public surveys have revealed other inadequacies, including the lack of adequate Even without further residential development, some road capacity 9 bus laybys, bus shelters, bus stops and on-time scheduled services. There would also be benefits from improved communication mechanisms, where the • wildfire; public could get bus schedule information in a timely manner. • seismic activity (earthquakes); 2.28 • sink holes and land instability; A critical route which has been introduced within the last five years isthe • hazards associated with extraction of natural gas and oil. Airport route. This is proving to be a viable route. Climate Change

Resilience to Hazard Risks and Climate Change 2.32 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) Fourth Assessment 2.29 Report has predicted that annual rainfall in Barbados is likely to reduce by The Caribbean region’s experience of repeated disaster events over the last between -10.3% and -27.3%, depending on the mathematical model used. decade has increased understanding of the direct effects of hazard risk on The more recent CARIBSAVE Climate Change Risk Atlas for Barbados in 2012 human sustainability (in terms of economic and social development) as well forecast the following changes for higher emission scenarios: on environmental sustainability. At the same time, recognition of the risks • 32% decrease in mean annual rainfall by 2080; associated with climate change is being translated into the integration of community resilience and disaster vulnerability reduction in the community • 2.4 to 3.2 degree increase in mean annual temperatures; plan process. • 0.8% to 3.0% increase in Sea Surface Temperatures (SST); and, 2.30 • potential for an increase in the intensity of tropical storms. Hazard vulnerability reduction is far more effective when mainstreamed within larger development projects, programmes and policies. Within that context, These are significant changes that will impact both on hazard risk and many development plans such as this have an important part to play. In simple terms, other aspects of life in Barbados, including key economic sectors such as the aims are to: agriculture and tourism. • identify and understand potential sources of hazard and dramatic change; • understand the potential effects of those hazards and changes; Resource Efficiency and Conservation • plan to mitigate impacts, or to adapt to them, so as to reduce the risk of 2.33 hazards and changes leading to disasters. On a small island it is especially important that limited resources, such as land, natural gas and oil, and fresh water are all used as efficiently as possible. This means giving careful consideration to ways in which the type, location, Inefficiency has serious environmental, economic and social consequences. form, construction and maintenance of developments should be regulated in By influencing the type, location, form, construction and maintenance of the public interest. developments the Community Plan and other development plans have important roles to play. 2.31 Within the Community Plan area, particular consideration must be given to: Key issues include: • storms and hurricanes; • flooding; Energy Efficiency and Renewables • drought; 2.34 In recent years, the Government of Barbados has begun to introduce 10 measures designed to increase the share of renewable energy supply and energy conservation measures. This is due primarily to concerns about the green Green Design house gas emissions and extremely high fuel import costs. The Community Plan 2.37 can contribute towards greater energy efficiency and promotion of renewable The design, construction and use of individual buildings and whole places energy-use through: can influence significantly the ways in which finite resources are used. Itis • location of development; important, therefore, to design buildings and places so as to achieve resource efficiency and to minimise inefficient and harmful waste and pollution. This • connections between places; includes: • form of development; • energy-efficient siting, layout, design and construction of buildings; • potential for development and use of renewable sources, including bio- • facilitating use of energy from renewable sources; fuel; • using “green” / renewable material options when building; • solar and wind energy. • reducing waste and the use of toxic substances in building; Integrated Water Resource Management • enhancing water efficiency and sustainable site development (including 2.35 minimizing the areas of impermeable surfaces). Fresh water use and conservation are significant issues for Barbados and, particularly for the Community Plan area. With climate change likely to lead to drier conditions overall (but with increased storm intensity too) the need to address water use in integrated ways is becoming urgent.

2.36 The water requirements of agriculture must be considered and provided for as a priority, and conflicts between that priority and the competing demands on water resources that result from residential and other non-agricultural development must be addressed in that context.

2.37 Key issues that require an integrated approach include: • Water quality (the north-east part of the area includes designated Water Protection Areas); • Water supply and consumption; • Rates of storm-water run-off (which are increased by introducing large areas of hard surfaces such as buildings, roads, car parking areas etc.); • Drainage; • Waste treatment.

11 3. Vision 4. Objectives

3.1 4.1 The Community Plan for St. David’s, Christ Church to Six Cross Roads, St. Philip The purpose of a plan is to achieve particular objectives. It is important to be is based on the following Vision that has been developed in conversation with clear about those objectives because they: local communities and other stakeholders. • explain the intended purpose of the plan’s proposals and policies; The area between St. David’s and Six Cross Roads will support the life of • provide a basis for interpreting a policy if there is uncertainty; thriving, cohesive and distinctive communities within an attractive, healthy and • provide a basis for reviewing the plan and measuring its success. productive environment. 4.2 The landscape will continue to be characterised largely by open fields The objectives of this Community Plan are listed below. interspersed with small settlements. Those fields will make a significant contribution towards ensuring that agriculture underpins national development Agriculture through the production of crops for food and other purposes, increasing the nation’s self-sufficiency and sustainability while maintaining high aesthetic • to safeguard productive and potentially-productive agricultural land so that value for residents and visitors tourists. it can contribute towards meeting current and future requirements for food/crop production to increase food security, and improve food health, Sustainable development of land that is appropriately located and is not well- in light of the threats posed by climate change and the need to check the suited to agriculture will help to meet the social, cultural and economic needs of rate of growth in non-communicable diseases. local communities and some of the country’s wider needs too. Ecological health • to ensure that productive and potentially-productive land that is not and environmental quality will be safeguarded; risks from natural and man- currently required for agriculture is kept available for future productive use. made hazards will be managed; and the area’s distinctive physical and social character will be maintained. Community Needs

Within that context, well-designed and integrated development of homes, • to enable social and economic needs of local communities to be met services, employment and leisure facilities, will be matched with the capacities through development of appropriate type, scale and location; of the infrastructure necessary to serve them. Through their location, design and • to support the viability and vitality of local communities; connections, services and facilities will be made as accessible as possible for all • to ensure that development is matched with adequate and appropriate members of the local communities they are intended to serve. The sustainable infrastructure and community facilities; development of this part of Barbados will serve as a model for the country and the region. • to contribute towards meeting the national community’s requirements for housing, provided the agricultural capacity and productivity of the area is 3.2 not significantly reduced and the character of the area as a whole, and its It is recognised that this is an ambitious vision and that it will not be turned in to individual communities, is safeguarded and/or enhanced; reality without commitment and hard work by many organisations, individuals • to safeguard assets of community value. and communities acting together. Local Character and Distinctiveness • to maintain and enhance the area’s distinctive physical and social 12 landscape; 5. Spatial Strategy • to ensure that new developments reflect or interpret local identity and character; • to maintain and enhance the identity of individual communities within the Overview of the Community Plan’s approach to development area and to create distinctive, pleasing and well-functioning places; • to conserve significant heritage assets. 5.1 Led by the objectives described in Chapter 4, the Community Plan seeks to Connectivity pursue an integrated approach to the use and development of land through a Spatial Strategy that weaves together several sustainable development strands: • to ensure that access requirements of all members of local communities (younger and older: more and less wealthy; more and less physically mobile) • reinvigorating and diversifying agriculture, and safeguarding sufficient land are taken fully into account in the location and design of new developments of suitable quality to support this; and infrastructure; • meeting local communities’ needs for decent homes, employment, • to maximize opportunities to walk, cycle and use public transport safely education, healthcare, and other services; and conveniently, and to minimise reliance on cars for longer distance • helping to meet national development needs for decent homes and commuting; economic development; • to ensure that assets of community value are accessible and well-connected; • improving accessibility while reducing the need to travel in ways that result in congestion, pollution and wasteful use of non-renewable resources; Disaster Risk Reduction • increasing resilience to natural and man-made hazards; • to recognise, manage and, as far as possible, minimise risks from natural • creating places that work well for their communities and provide them and man-made hazards when considering land-use, the location and form with efficient, pleasant and locally distinctive environments in which to live, of buildings and the provision and maintenance of infrastructure; learn, work and play. • to take due account of the expected impacts of climate change when considering land-use; the location and form of buildings and the provision Agriculture and maintenance of infrastructure; 5.2 • to ensure that infrastructure and facilities necessary to deal with This is largely an agricultural area and, consistent with national priorities, emergencies are provided and maintained; agriculture is intended to remain the predominant land-use throughout the Environmental Protection and Enhancement period covered by this Community Plan. It is recognised that much agricultural land has been taken out of production in recent years, so in seeking to protect • to safeguard the area’s ecological integrity, the health of its environment agricultural land from inappropriate and unsustainable development, the and the distinctive qualities of its landscape; Community Plan both supports and is supported by concerted efforts to revive • to safeguard the quality and productive capacity of aquifers fed from land and diversify agriculture as a crucial component of the country’s economy within and adjacent to the Community Plan area; and security. • to avoid as far as possible the emission of pollutants that damage the local and global environments. Housing 5.3

13 To meet local needs and, in that process, contribute towards meeting national needs, the Community Plan allows for some further housing and other necessary development and infrastructure within the area. The scale of development must be limited so as to avoid prejudicing the overall viability and productivity of agriculture. Places where necessary development can be carried out without significantly reducing agricultural capacity and potential Map Showing the St. David’s - Six Cross Roads Community Proposed Transport Plan and where this can be done safely, in harmony with existing communities and without harming the distinctive character of the area as a whole are, therefore, identified through criteria-based policies. Edgecumbe Tenantry Hw 5 Marchfield Six Roads Services and Workplaces Proposed Road Widening and Sidewalks Proposed Location of Bus Terminal Zone 5.4 Four Roads The Community Plan seeks to balance housing provision with the development South District

Woodbourne of places of employment, services and infrastructure. It aims to enable Lower Birneys communities within the area to be more self-sufficient, so that people can Hw 6 Proposed Road Widening Oldbury Terrace become less reliant on travelling long distances to meet their day-to-day and Realignment Fort George Heights

Rock Hall needs. This will also mean that people on low incomes and those who do not Charnocks have access to private cars may be less disadvantaged and excluded by costs of Balls Land Coverley travel. ABC Hw

Proposed Location of Access and Transport Infrastructure St. Davids/Bannatyne Roundabout 5.5 To reduce congestion, and facilitate ‘modal shift’, the following initiatives will be pursued: i. The construction of a bus terminal within the catchment along with Scale: 1:50,000 È the implementation of a bus transfer system which would allow for the 10 5 0 10 20 30 40 optimization and rationlisation of the bus routes. Kilometers ii. The widening of St. David’s Road with lanes of 3.5 meters each, the construction of sidewalks and appropriately placed bus laybys. Client: TOWN & COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT Legend PLANNING OFFICE iii. The construction of a roundabout at the intersection of St. David’s and Proposed Bus Terminal Road Network Zone Bannantyne, with the realignment of the Bannantyne Road to improve the Road Classes St. Davids/Bannatyne Highways junction radii. This will lead to improvements in the performance of this Proposed Roundabout Main Road Road Widening and Secondary road intersection. Realignment Roundabout Road and Sidewalk Communities The proposals are illustrated in Map 1 opposite. Widening St. Davids - Six Cross Community Plan Study Area Consultants:

Map 1: Transport Map 14 Resilience Spatial Planning Zones 5.6 5.8 Measures to increase resilience to natural and man-made hazards are essential Taking all of those considerations together, it is proposed that, for spatial to sustainable development, and predicted changes due to climate change planning and development management purposes, the Community Plan area must be considered carefully in that context too. It is expected that Barbados should be treated as two broad “zones”, as outlined below: will become drier overall, whilst also experiencing more frequent and more severe storms. Agricultural Priority Zone Development in the Community Plan must: Core Spatial Development Policy • facilitate adaptation of agricultural practices to suit changing climatic Within the Agricultural Priority Zone: conditions; i. land suitable for agricultural usea will be safeguarded from non-agricultural • be consistent with a sustainable approach to water use and conservation; development unless, exceptionally, this is necessary in order to meet a • enable adequate storm drainage infrastructure to be provided and significant local or national needb that can not be satisfied by making using maintained; of other land; • seek to minimise risk from wild fires and other potential fire and explosion ii. the development needs of local communities may be met through infilling sources; and limited extension of existing settlements, provided this does not conflict • ensure that buildings are resilient to the effects of storms and earthquakes; with the primary objective of safeguarding land suitable for agricultural use; c • enable adequate emergency facilities, including resilient and accessible iii. “Green Belt Uses” may be allowed as a “buffer” between agricultural community shelters, to be provided and maintained. land and adjacent settlements or other development, provided there is no conflict with other policies in this Community Plan. Placemaking iv. Interim uses of “set aside”d agricultural land may be allowed provided such 5.7 uses do not prejudice the later return of the land to agricultural use, either Consultation with communities and individuals living within the Community by harming the quality of the soil or by reducing its productive potential in Plan area in the course of preparing the plan has shown that people value any other way. characteristics that give these parts of the island their own particular identity. An important aim of the Community Plan is, therefore, to promote forms of development that reflect and respect local identity and borrow the best from our heritage whilst meeting contemporary needs and making good places for Sustainable Rural Development Zone our future. Core Spatial Development Policy The aim of the Development and Design Guidance incorporated within this Community Plan is to help developers to make places that meet those Within the Sustainable Rural Development Zone, development to meet aims and are well-connected, compact and consistent with the objectives of community needse may be allowed on land that is less well-suited to agricultural sustainable development. productionf, provided that the site is:

i. an infill or redevelopment siteg within an area that has already been largely developed, or would form an integrated and sustainable extension of such an area; 15 or, exceptionally, ii. is another site that is appropriately located, taking due account of the objectives and policy requirements of this Community Plan; Map Showing the St. David’s - Six Cross Roads and, in all cases, provided that: Community Plan Policy Map a. sustainability, design quality and amenity criteria are met; b. there is no significant conflict with other policies in this Community Plan;

Edgecumbe Tenantry c. the predominantly rural character of the area as a whole is maintained, with Hw 5 Agricultural Priority Marchfield Zone Six Roads further development focusing primarily on the St. Patrick’s / Woodbourne Proposed Location of Bus Terminal Zone

area defined in the Physical Development Plan, Amended (2003) as a “Rural Oil & Gas Wells Gas Four Roads Settlement with Growth Potential”. South District Highland Village

Lower Birneys Woodbourne

St. Patricks 5.9 Hw 6 Oldbury Terrace The Policy Map - Map 2 shown opposite (and separate sheet) - shows: Fort George Heights Drilled and Abandoned

Rock Hall • the Spatial Planning Zones; Charnocks • protected areas; and, Balls Land Coverley ABC Hw

Sustainable Urban • other relevant proposals. Development Zone

Proposed Secondary School Newtown Slave Cemetery

5.10 The Core Spatial Development Policies, Development Management Policies and Design Guidance should all be read in conjunction with the Proposals Map, and vice versa. Scale: 1:50,000 È 10 5 0 10 20 30 40 Kilometers

Legend Client: TOWN & COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT Proposed Bus Terminal Zone Wells PLANNING OFFICE Type Road Network Drilled and Abandoned Road Classes Gas Highways Oil & Gas Main Road Parcels Secondary road Proposed Spatial Strategy Roundabout Proposed Zones Agricultural Priority Zone Ground Water Zones Sustainable Urban Development Zone GWZONES St. Davids - Six Cross Community Plan Study Area Zone 1 Parcels Consultants: Zone 2

Map 2: Policy Map 16 6. Policies and Guidance

Development Management Policies The policies set out in this section of the Community Plan will guide decisions on applications made for planning permission, including sub-division applications.

Agriculture Agricultural land “set-aside”

Objectives • to safeguard productive and potentially-productive A review of national agricultural policy is underway, considering both the future agricultural land so that it can contribute towards meeting of the sugar industry and wider issues such as the desirability of reducing current and future requirements for food/crop production; reliance on imported food; environmental and health benefits of growing more food more locally; and potential for producing fuel crops to reduce reliance on • to ensure that productive and potentially-productive non-renewable energy sources. Changes and interventions to stimulate new land that is not currently required for agriculture is kept and revived markets are being explored. Some changes are already happening, available for future productive use. others will take longer. In the meantime, it is important that productive land is Policies Policy Ag1: not lost to non-agricultural uses without due consideration of the longer-term Non-agricultural development of productive or potentially implications. productive agricultural land will only be permitted where allowed for specifically in other Policies in this Community Plan. The Community Plan area contains a large area of agricultural land that is Policy Ag2: (either currently or potentially) of significance in terms of national strategy. Interim uses may be allowed on “set aside” land (land that is Whilst, it is recognised that at present agricultural production may not be fully potentially productive but for which there is no current viable economically viable on some of that land, the Plan has to take a longer-term agricultural requirement) provided such development: view. This means that it may be prudent for agricultural land to be “set aside” as an interim measure, rather than it being developed for other purposes and, i. does not prejudice the subsequent use of the land for therefore, taken out of agricultural use permanently. productive agriculture; and, ii. is consistent with other policies relating to the development Financial / economic impacts on landowners and famers are being given of land within the Community Plan Area and in the National careful consideration and possible interventions are to be explored. Options Physical Development Plan. need to be considered in the context of fiscal challenges currently confronting Policy Ag3: the Barbados economy. Potential solutions to consider might include legal Development that is necessary for agricultural purposes will be and financial agreements between landowners and government to enable permitted on land that is productive or potentially productive responsibility for management of “set-aside” land to be entrusted to a suitable agriculturally, provided that; intervention body. • it is appropriately located and designed, and of appropriate scale; and Views on this matter are, therefore, invited at this stage as a contribution to • will not significantly harm the amenities that occupiers of on-going discussion. nearby properties may reasonably expect to enjoy.

17 Local Character and Distinctiveness A Design Statement should: Objectives • to maintain and enhance the area’s distinctive physical i. explain the intended purpose of the proposed development; and social landscape; ii. describe the site and its surroundings, identifying features and relationships • to ensure that new developments reflect or interpret local that have been taken in to account in the design process and have identity and character; influenced the proposal (eg, site topography and landscape character; • to maintain and enhance the identity of individual neighbouring buildings and uses; any natural or man-made hazard sources communities within the area and to create distinctive, that may affect the development; local building characteristics such as pleasing and well-functioning places; design, materials, ornamentation; trees and landscape features, heritage features); • to conserve significant heritage assets. iii. explain how the proposed design (including layout, where relevant) responds to any significant features and relationships that have been Policies Policy LC1: identified (eg, how the design and use of the development will relate New development must be consistent with Design Guidance for to adjacent buildings; how any issues relating to privacy and potential Development within the St David’s to Six Cross Roads Area. disturbance of neighbours are to be addressed; how any significant trees or other natural features are to be protected; how hazard risks are to Policy LC2: be managed; how the proposed design and building materials relate to characteristics of the locality); Applications for permission to carry out major developments must be accompanied by a Design Statement explaining the iv. explain the proposed access arrangements and, where relevant, how safe factors that have influenced the design of the development and and convenient connections with existing places and facilities are to be the ways in which these have been taken in to account. achieved; v. explain the proposed drainage arrangements; Design Statements vi. explain arrangements for disposal / treatment of waste and refuse; Design Statements should explain the considerations that have been taken vii. include whatever plans, drawings and other illustrations are necessary to in to account when designing a proposed development. They should help explain the matters considered and and design responses proposed (this the Chief Town Planner and other people and organisations involved in the may be by reference to the plans and drawings in the application if these consideration of applications for planning permission (including neighbours include the relevant information). and local communities) to understand why the proposed development has been designed in the way it has. If the Chief Town Planner considers that any significant matters have not been addressed adequately, this will be explained to the applicant and opportunity Preparing the Design Statement is best treated as an integral part of the design will be given to provide additional to address any concerns identified. The process and as a means of ensuring that all factors that should influence the Design Statement (including any amendments and supplements) will be taken design of the proposed development have been identified and responded to in to account when deciding the planning application. in appropriate ways.

18 Community Needs

Objectives • to enable social and economic needs of local communities to be met through development of appropriate type, scale and location; • to support the viability and vitality of local communities; • to ensure that development is matched with adequate and appropriate infrastructure and community facilities; • to contribute towards meeting the wider community’s requirements for housing, provided the agricultural capacity and productivity of the area is not significantly reduced and the character of the area as a whole, and its individual communities, is safeguarded and/or enhanced; • to safeguard assets of community value.

Policies Policy CN1: Within the Agricultural Priority Zone, small-scale development that is necessary to support the social and economic well-being of local communities (including, for example, housing, employment and local services) will be permitted on infill sites and vacant lots within existing settlements and on brown-field sites adjacent to existing settlements, provided that: a. the character and environmental quality of the settlement is not harmed; b. the amenities that occupiers of nearby properties may reasonably expect to enjoy are not significantly reduced.

Exceptionally, such development may be allowed on other land adjoining an existing settlement if it can be demonstrated that: i. there is an essential local social / community need for the development; and, ii. there is no suitable site available within the settlement, or the development of any other site would be inconsistent with provisos ‘a’ or ‘b’ above; and, iii. development of the site proposed would not result in a significant loss of agricultural land.

Policy CN2: To support and enhance community vitality and self-sufficiency and to minimise the need to travel longer distances: a. permission will be granted for development that contributes towards the achievement or maintenance of a mixture of mutually supporting and mutually compatible land-uses and activities within settlements; b. permission will not be granted for development that would (either itself or cumulatively) reduce the range of uses, facilities and services within a settlement to the extent that the vitality and self-sufficiency of its community would be harmed and/or people living in that community would need to make significantly longer journeys to meet their regular needs. Continued overleaf

19 Community Needs continued... Connectivity

Policies Policy CN3: Objectives • to ensure that access requirements of all members of local Larger-scale developments of housing will only be permitted communities, younger and older, with full or restricted on appropriate development sites within the Sustainable Rural mobility, are taken fully into account in the location and Development Zone and in no other part of the Community Plan design of new developments and infrastructure; area. Such developments will be expected to provide ready, • to maximize opportunities to walk and use public local access to a range of other uses, facilities and services transport and to minimise reliance on cars for longer sufficient to support the vitality of the future community and distance commuting; provide people living there with the opportunity to meet many of their regular needs locally, without needing to travel longer • to ensure that assets of community value are accessible distances, either: and well-connected. a. by including such other uses and provision within the development itself; or, Policies Policy Co1: b. by integrating effectively with existing settlements where Large-scale new developments should be designed and those uses and provision are already available. constructed so as to provide safe, convenient access throughout for pedestrians and cyclists - including people with restricted mobility and/or vision. Policy CN4: Uses, buildings and other developments that would be likely Policy Co2: to cause significant harm to the amenities that neighbours Large-scale new developments should be located only in places may reasonably expect to enjoy will not be permitted unless that can readily be served by public transport and they should adequate measures are taken to mitigate such harm. be designed so that people living, working or learning in the places created – or visiting them for any other purpose – have convenient access to the public transport services that are Policy CN5: available. Permission will not be granted for development that would result in the loss of assets identified as being of community Policy Co3: value. Residential and mixed-use areas should be designed so as to encourage and provide for safe driving of motor vehicles whilst prioritising access for pedestrians and cyclists.

20 Disaster Risk Reduction Evnironmental Protection and Enhancement

Objectives • to manage and minimise risks from natural and man-made Objectives • to safeguard the area’s ecological integrity, the health hazards of its environment and the distinctive qualities of its landscape; Policies Policy RR1: • to safeguard the quality and productive capacity of A Hazard Risk Assessment will be required for substantial aquifers fed from land within and adjacent to the developments (ie. a development comprising 50 or more units Community Plan area; of housing, or any other building which people will work in, learn in or occupy regularly for any other purposes) requiring Policies Policy EP1: planning permission. Planning permission will not be granted Potential impacts on the environment, ecosystems and for: biodiversity must be identified whenever development is • development that can be expected to increase the proposed and developers will be expected to ensure that community’s vulnerability to natural and man-made hazards adequate measures are taken to minimise and mitigate any (unless adequate mitigation measures are included); harmful impacts that may be identified, including impacts caused by emissions of carbon, air-borne and water-borne • development that does not incorporate adequate and pollutants, noise and odours. reasonable measures to protect the occupiers / users of the development itself from harm from foreseeable hazards; Policy EP2: Developments should be located, designed and constructed so • development proposed in a higher risk area that could as to minimise all harmful emissions and to realise as fully as reasonably be located in a lower risk area, taking due reasonably possible the potential to use energy and materials account of the vulnerability of the development proposed. from renewable sources. The Hazard Risk Assessment may be incorporated in a Design Policy EP3: Statement, where such a statement is required, or may be Developments must be compliant with the Physical Development submitted as a separate document. Plan’s policies relating to Ground Water Protection Areas and any other areas which have been or are about to be developed for water resources, and with the provisions of the Marine Pollution Control Act.

Note: Map 3 (overleaf) indicates the broad location of Protection Areas

21 Map 3 - Resources and Protection Areas 22 Development & Design Guidance The Community Plan aims to ensure that places created or changed during the plan period are well designed. Put simply, this means places that: • work well; • feel right; • are attractive; • are resilient; and, • provide people with security and a good quality of life.

Development & Design Guidance

Introduction The development and design guidance in this section of the Community Plan should be considered in conjunction with the Plan’s Vision, Objectives and Policies. Together, they describe the ways in which development and change should be managed.

The Guidance that follows sets out and describes key QUALITIES that developments in this area of Barbados will be expected to embody. It is expected that new developments will be: • Barbadian • Connected • Distinctive • Green • Productive • Secure and Resilient.

Information and expectations relating to each of those qualities are set out in the right-hand column. In the left-hand column are key questions that should be considered by those proposing developments and those responsible for assessing them.

The planning and design process is best approached in a spirit of creative collaboration and designers are recommended and invited to discuss emerging proposals with staff in the Town and Country Development Plan Office at an early stage.

Continued Overleaf

23 Development & Design Guidance cont... Barbadian The AIM is: • for Barbadian cultural identity and heritage to be reflected in the forms and styles of new buildings and groups of buildings, the spatial relationships between them and the relationships between buildings, settlements and the landscape.

Key considerations relate to: • Landscape • Roads and Streets • Buildings • Spaces

There are particularly strong relationships between this quality and two other qualities: “DISTINCTIVE” and “PRODUCTIVE”.

What is meant by “BARBADIAN”? It is always difficult to express in a few words the characteristics of a nation’s culture, because it is both multi-faceted and continuously evolving. Culture isa complex product of the place – its climate, its topography, landscape and ecology - and its people - their history, their beliefs and values, their economic, social and political structures. In planning the ways in which land should be used and buildings should be built, reference needs to be made to physical expressions of Barbadian culture, how these have evolved, the form they now take and the ways in which they relate to future requirements and aspirations.

Much has been written about Barbadian architecture and buildings. In the introduction to one of the better-known books on the subject, “Historic Houses of Barbados”10, the authors, Henry Fraser and Ronnie Hughes, explain that: “...since settlement in 1627 Barbados developed a unique range of domestic styles – sufficiently inter-related that it might be described as havingitsown Barbadian (or Bajan) architectural ordinance…Thus Barbadian vernacular architecture can be closely linked with its history and its national character”. The authors describe key components and influences, including: Georgian buildings, “replacing earlier medieval house forms”, imported and adapted by the British colonists; post-emancipation chattel houses; Victorian buildings, and, 20th Century “modernist” buildings. Since the 1960s and 1970s, what might be referred to as “international” styles have become more dominant and, with relatively large numbers of houses being built, there has been what some see as a dilution of Barbadian architectural and building traditions. This may be considered to have led to a degree of “placelessness” - a concern that is by no means peculiar to Barbados.

The challenge now may be to derive new architectural form and styles – and new approaches to urban design and place-making – that draw inspiration from the nation’s rich built heritage, and express this in buildings suited to modern requirements and expectations that are – again - distinctively Barbadian.

Continued Overleaf

10Historic Houses of Barbados, Henry Fraser and Ronnie Hughes, published in 1982 by Barbados National Trust, republished in 2008 by Wordsworth International. ISBN 13: 978-976-95153-3-8. 24 Barbadian cont... Landscape Questions to consider In this part of Barbados, the landscape is characterised strongly by cane fields on raised-but-flat or gently • Is the site in a prominent location – visible undulating land, interspersed with small settlements and occasional industrial and agricultural structures. from significant view points?

There is relatively little tree cover, although where this occurs it adds interest, shelter and value. There are • If so, what measures can be taken to minimise no significant rivers, streams other water features. and soften the visual impact of development? The openness of this landscape, the long views it affords – especially from the ridge that runs east/west across the area - and the cooling breezes that blow through, have all been identified as characteristics • Is the development likely to alter the landscape valued by people living here11. or have a major impact on it? -- If so, has a Landscape Impact Assessment It will normally be possible to assimilate smaller developments within the landscape without significant been undertaken? impact, provided they relate closely to existing settlements and building groups. • What measures are proposed to reduce the landscape impact and enable the development to harmonise within the landscape?

Larger developments may require more sophisticated and extensive building and landscape design measures to enable them to sit comfortably both within this characteristically open landscape and with existing settlements. In all cases, careful consideration should be given to the visual impact of the proposed development, taking due account of all relevant factors, including: • the siting of buildings within their lots; • their height and massing; • their visibility from significant viewpoints; Continued Overleaf • their appearance within the landscape and the impact they will have on it;

25 11 Placechecks and Community Meeting Landscape cont... • the use of trees and other planting to soften impacts and, where necessary, provide screening; • treating landscape – and landscaping – as integral design considerations, not after-thoughts.

Normally, the aim should be to achieve harmony within the overall landscape unless, in exceptional circumstances, there is a strong case for making a development of particularly high design quality and special significance prominent.

Where a proposed new development is in a sensitive position in relation to open spaces or viewpoints valued by the local community, or is likely to be highly visible in the wider landscape, an assessment of its visual and landscape impact should be undertaken and the proposals should be adjusted, as necessary, to avoid or mitigate any harmful impacts that may be identified. Roads and Streets Questions to consider Settlements in this mostly rural area, have generally had an “organic” form, contrasting strongly, for example, • Has the character of roads and streets in the with the more obviously urban form of much of Bridgetown, where many streets are laid out in a regimented, vicinity of the site been assessed? grid-iron pattern. Here, though, “streets” have generally had an informal character – often unpaved, with no differentiation between “carriageway” and “footway”, and of varying widths, mostly without kerbed edges. • Is there scope for that character to be continued or reflected in the new development? In the cores of the longer-established settlements, which have generally developed incrementally over many years, streets have been surfaced; in some places (though by no means all) footways and street-lights have • Is it possible to improve existing roads and been added. However, even here the overall character remains quite organic. streets in conjunction with the proposed new development? In some recent developments a more formal and uniform approach has been taken to street layout, design and construction, with much more regular layouts, metaled surfaces, strict kerbs and, sometimes, separately • Is the proposed road and street pattern defined footways or sidewalks. too rigid? Can a more “organic” pattern be achieved? Traffic levels are relatively low, compared with Bridgetown and its immediate suburbs, so conflicts between the needs and expectations of vehicle drivers and pedestrians are less marked, but there is a need for this • How well will the proposed road and street issue to be addressed positively, both as further development occurs and where the current situation is pattern sit alongside that of the existing village unsatisfactory. The needs – and safety – of all road and street users should be considered in an integrated or town? way. This does not necessarily mean that segregation of different users (vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists) is always the best solution.

26 Roads and Streets cont... In the largest recent development – The Villages at Coverley – the approach taken has been to provide paved, shared-user streets (ie, without separately defined carriageway and footways/ sidewalks), with “traffic calming” features built in. The approach used at The Villages is quite formal, with a very regular layout and standardised road dimensions, geometry and surfacing, contrasting strongly with the situation found in the area’s longer established settlements. Generally, however, to create a more recognisably Barbadian environment, a less formal approach should be applied when designing and constructing streets in larger new development areas. Where possible, it is often better for the street to be defined visually by the siting of buildings and means of enclosure (such as fences, walls) more than by the alignment of kerbs.

Buildings Questions to consider Barbados has a rich and varied • Could the proposed building(s) be heritage of architecture, building found almost anywhere, or is it clearly technology and settlement forms, Barbadian? Cultural influences on the shape and appearance of the built environment • Is there scope to include features that have included African, European would give the building(s) a more classical and colonial, North American Barbadian feel and appearance? and International Modernist. The range of house types and styles is wide, • How are the particular climatic and with traditional and simple chattel cultural influences on Barbados houses at one end of the spectrum and reflected in the design and construction grand colonial plantation houses at of the building(s)? the other. Civic, religious, institutional and commercial buildings also display a wide range of stylistic influences. Since the mid 20th Century, a less culture-specific modernism has been a major influence on the design and construction of buildings – in Barbados and across most of the Caribbean region.

Whatever the underlying influence, the more successful buildings have adapted what might be thought of as imported forms and styles to suit local climatic, environmental and socio- cultural conditions and expectations. Continued Overleaf

27 Buildings cont... There is no reason to expect new buildings simply to replicate older ones, but there is a risk that Barbadian identity may be lost from much of the country’s built environment - its towns and villages – if no consideration is given to the nation’s architectural and built heritage when designing additions and replacements. The advice given in 1982 by former Barbados National Trust President, Paul Foster, remains valid: “preserving what is good in our past for the benefit of the present will provide a guide into the future”12.

Incremental development, mostly using natural materials – timber and local stone - has been the norm for much of Barbados’s history. Achieving a recognisably Barbadian character in the architecture and form of larger developments and buildings constructed in less-traditional materials, presents a particular challenge (as is evident in many modern buildings and developments).

Spaces Questions to consider Even though a substantial amount of development (mostly residential) has taken place during the past 10 years or so, this • Will the proposed development is still a predominantly rural area with a spacious feel to it. Villages are generally set within an open landscape of fields include sufficient open space to and most have a relatively spacious character internally too. Many houses have “kitchen gardens” – some small, some maintain the overall character of larger - and undeveloped land often intersperses the buildings. The Community Plan envisages conservation of that same the area? character overall. To make efficient use of Barbados’s finite supply of land, and to make efficient use of other resources too, it may sometimes • Is there sufficient communal be necessary to build at higher densities, overall, than are often found at present in this area. When this happens, it will and private space in appropriate be important to achieve and maintain an appropriate balance between built areas and open space for several reasons: locations to satisfy people’s expectations regarding • relative spaciousness is an essential component of the distinctive character of this area of Barbados; recreation, gardening and • local communities value the appearance, presence and use of a variety of local open spaces; amenity? • some spaces provide social and recreational meeting places; • some spaces are of ecological value; • some spaces are productive – providing opportunities to use and enjoy locally grown food. Design issues relating to “density” are considered further under the heading “GREEN”. When larger scale developments are being planned and designed, provision should be made for a variety of open spaces to be retained or created. These should include spaces for communal recreation and children’s play; spaces for private and communal gardening and food production; spaces that allow the breeze to blow through and ventilate buildings naturally.

12 Quoted from Paul Foster’s Foreword to “Historic Houses of Barbados”, Henry Fraser and Ronnie Hughes, published by Wordsmith International for Barbados National Trust, 1982 28 Development & Design Guidance cont... Connected The AIM is: • for places and buildings to be connected in ways that enable people of all ages and abilities to move conveniently and safely between their homes and the local facilities and places they use or visit regularly, whilst maintaining their own health and the health of their community and their shared environment. Key considerations relate to: • Community • Roads and Streets • There are particularly strong relationships between this quality and two others: “GREEN” and “PRODUCTIVE”.

Community Questions to Consider This Plan is for a community of communities. • Will the proposed development be connected well with its “host” Across the area there are many settlements of varying sizes all housing distinct communities with their community ? own characteristics, requirements and aspirations. Connections within and between communities enable people to share facilities and services effectively and efficiently and to meet socially and for business and • Are adequate links to be provided for people to connect easily with friends and other purposes. It is important that connections are maintained and, where appropriate, enhanced as families, schools, churches, businesses changes and developments take place so as to support and enhance the social, economic and physical and employments, shops and services, well-being of each community. leisure and cultural facilities etc?

Telecommunications and internet connectivity is increasingly important too and this also needs to be • Have the access needs of people with considered, both in the design and development of new impaired mobility, vision, hearing or areas and in the “retro-fitting” of existing settlements and understanding been considered fully? buildings. The importance of this in relation to business, education and social contact and communication should not be underestimated and provision should be made accordingly.

Accessibility for All When designing and constructing new developments – whether individual buildings or new sub-divisions - the aim should normally be to enable accessibility by everyone, including people with impaired mobility and vision.

29 Roads and Streets Questions to Consider The purpose of roads and streets is to connect. They connect places with places, people with places • Are the proposed streets “people-friendly”? and people with people. They have important economic and social functions and they need to accommodate a wide range of users and uses. There are also significant health considerations. All • Is the proposed development designed to encourage those factors need to be considered in an integrated way when roads, streets and paths are being and support walking and cycling? designed, constructed, used and managed. A structured approach is outlined below, following a brief explanation of issues relating to each of the main transport modes. • What measures are being taken to support and facilitate the use of public transport? Walking Most people are pedestrians most of the • How will the layout and design promote safe, time. They may drive cars or use public pedestrian-friendly driving? transport or cycle but they will also spend a lot of their time walking. Encouraging • Is adequate provision being made for service and and enabling people to make more of their emergency vehicles? shorter, regular, local journeys on foot will help to reduce traffic and congestion (and • How is car parking to be dealt with? associated problems of pollution and resource depletion) and promote good health. It is • Will any rights of way or informal paths be affected also likely to increase social contact and by the proposed development? If so, how are they community cohesion. Consideration should to be accommodated? therefore be given to measures to make walking an attractive and safe alternative for more people, more often when making local journeys. This means looking at interaction between drivers and pedestrians (segregating or sharing surfaces? limiting vehicle speeds? increasing priority for pedestrians at crossings and junctions?); thinking about pedestrian comfort (how to shade from the heat of the sun and provide shelter from rain?); considering convenience (how to make sure paths and roads used by pedestrians connect easily with the places people want to get to?): thinking about security (how to avoid situations where pedestrians feel vulnerable to crime and anti-social behaviour?); and considering the user-friendliness of paths, sidewalks or shared surfaces pedestrians use (are the surfaces firm and even? are they well drained? are they properly maintained? where appropriate, are they lit at night?).

Cycling Historically, cycling has been a significant means of transport in Barbados and for some people, especially children and teenagers, it still is (and not only for play and leisure). However, across Barbados

Continued Overleaf

30 Roads and Streets cont... – as elsewhere - the increase in motorised vehicles has been accompanied by a decline in the use of bicycles, probably because of competition for the use of the same street space and the risk and fear of accidents. Across the world, there is growing recognition of the potential contribution that promoting greater use of bicycles can make towards reducing traffic congestion, carbon-emissions and other environmental pollution and simultaneously promoting improved health – much the same as the benefits of increased walking. Topography, climate and settlement patterns make cycling a realistic option for many of the shorter journeys that many people regularly make in Barbados and consideration should be given to measures to encourage a return to the use of bicycles as a means of movement within the community. To encourage the use of bicycles and consistent with the thrust to “green” communities, consideration should be given to including bike lanes where having to share a road with motor vehicles is likely to deter people from choosing to cycle.

Public Transport For longer journeys and for local journeys for which walking or cycling is not feasible or attractive for some people, public transport can provide an environment-friendly alternative – provided that it is reliable, regular and affordable. Public transport works best (in terms of economic viability) when it focuses on centres that large numbers of people wish to get to. It works less well (again, in terms of economic viability) where the origins and destinations of people’s journeys are more dispersed – as in a largely rural area like this. So, for example, although bus services to and from Bridgetown may be viable without intervention, operating bus services specifically to connect settlements within the area itself may be more problematic. Whilst those are mostly matters for transport and finance policies to address, developers of larger scale developments may have a role to play in subsidizing bus services in the first instance to ensure that people have the option of choosing public transport from the outset. As more people move in, the viability of the services may improve to the point where subsidy becomes unnecessary. In design terms, the main considerations should be: • ensuring good pedestrian connections to bus routes where available; • providing for bus access in the layouts of larger new developments; • providing bus stops in appropriate and convenient locations - where possible, allowing buses to pull in for other traffic to pass; • providing shade and shelter at bus stops (whilst also ensuring good visibility); • providing level access where possible, to facilitate use of buses by parents with children and people with impaired mobility or vision.

Cars and commercial vehicles For those who can afford them and are able to use them, private cars provide considerable flexibility and convenience when travelling between places. It is important that the reasonable requirements of people driving / using cars and commercial vehicles are taken in to account when new developments are being planned, designed and constructed. These include accessibility, safety and parking requirements. However, those considerations should be balanced against the reasonable requirements and expectations of other road users; the need to create safe, pleasant’ healthy and inclusive places; the need to make prudent use of

31 Roads and Streets cont... finite resources (including carbon-based fuels) and the need to protect the environment from harmful emissions.

Whilst the benefits of car availability must be recognised, so must the wider, external costs associated with high volumes of car use and dependency. For example: • congestion on heavily trafficked routes, resulting in high time and fuel costs, high levels of local pollution, and high levels of environment-damaging carbon emissions; • severance of communities when traffic volumes and/or speeds make it difficult or hazardous for pedestrians and cyclists to move around freely. • disadvantage and isolation experienced by people who do not have ready access to private cars – those who are too young to drive, too old to drive, have physical or mental health challenges, or insufficient financial means.

To address the issues and requirements outlined above in the planning and design and on- going development of the Community Plan area, access requirements should be considered in accordance with the following order of priority: • pedestrians and cyclists; • public transport operators and users; • users of cars and commercial vehicles.

Accessibility needs of people with impaired mobility, vision or hearing should always be considered.

Within that context, for the purposes of this development and design guidance, roads and streets in and adjacent to the Community Plan area are being categorized within a hierarchy consisting of: • Primary Highway (Tom Adams Highway) • Main Highways (Highway 5 and Highway 6) • Main Connecting Roads (Highway Q, Highway R); • Local Streets; • Public Rights of Way; • Informal paths.

All roads and streets should be designed, constructed and maintained with awareness that they are more than just channels for traffic: • they are features in the landscape;

32 Roads and Streets cont... • they affect our understanding and enjoyment of the places they run through; • they are places where people stop and chat; • they are places where children play.

In short, they perform crucial roles in the lives of communities, as well as being traffic routes. Safety and convenience – for all users – are important considerations in relation to all roads, streets and paths, but the ways in which those requirements are achieved should vary according to the type of route, the functions it performs and the users it serves. In that context, the following broad principles should be applied where new development is to be carried out and whenever other opportunities arise:

• Primary Highways: prioritized towards convenience of vehicle users, with junctions kept to a minimum and safety of other users provided for mostly by segregation. • Main Highways: generally prioritised towards vehicle users but constrained and regulated to allow safe use by cyclists and pedestrians, especially where segregation cannot satisfactorily be achieved, and with traffic “calmed” by design and regulation where the roads pass through settlements. • Main Connecting Roads: designed constructed and maintained so as to allow safe use by vehicle users, cyclists and pedestrians with traffic “calmed” by design, especially where segregation cannot satisfactorily be achieved. • Local Streets: shared by vehicles but designed to give priority to pedestrians and cyclists. • Public Rights of Way: for pedestrians and cyclists only. • Informal Paths: should normally be retained for use by pedestrians (and cyclists where appropriate) where they run through areas of new development. Where this is not feasible, safe and convenient alternatives should be created in their place.

Distinctive The AIM is: for positive physical and socio-cultural characteristics that distinguish one community from another, one place from another, to be retained and strengthened .

Key considerations relate to: • Community • Landscape • Roads and Streets • Buildings There are particularly strong relationships between this quality and “BARBADIAN”. Community Questions to Consider Distinctiveness can play an important role in supporting or fostering community cohesion. To many What distinctive architectural or building characteristics people a sense of local identity – things that mark one place out from another – is important. This are to be found in this area? applies to their own homes and it also applies to the communities and places they live in.

33 Community cont... Questions to Consider People often worry that the features and characteristics that give their village or town its special • What measures are being taken, to reflect local identity will be lost as change and development occurs. They worry that places that were distinct start character and identity in the proposed new to coalesce and that, somehow, both their own uniqueness and that of their community may also be development? lost in the process. It is important, therefore, for the features that give a place a particular identity are identified (preferably • Are significant buildings or landscape features being in discussion with the local community) and that new developments carry that distinctiveness forwards retained and incorporated? – or strengthen it – rather than erode it.

Landscape The landscape in which a settlement sits can be fundamental to its identity and distinctiveness – as can views into the landscape beyond the village or town. Such features should be identified and responded to appropriately in the design and construction of new developments. Normally, developments should be designed so as to sit comfortably within the landscape – or enhance its quality – and should not detract from it.

Views that are of significance to the local (or wider) community should be safeguarded and opportunities to benefit from views out, should be identified and taken advantage of when new developments are being planned and designed.

Roads and Streets The way a place has been developed or has evolved is often intimately connected with the form of its roads, streets and paths. The framework they provide often makes a major contribution to a place’s distinctive identity. This should be considered carefully when new developments are being planned and designed – particularly when they will form significant additions to an established village or town.

The ways in which buildings relate to the roads and streets they are served and connected by can also be distinctive. In some places buildings may be set back a regular distance from the road; in others the pattern may be irregular and informal. There may be a particular type of boundary treatment (walls, fences, vegetation) that is common to a particular place. Features such as this should be identified and responded to in ways that preserve and enhance local identity as new developments take place.

34 Buildings It is important to consider existing buildings in the vicinity when planning and designing a new development, looking carefully for any notable local characteristics in: • building form and character; • architectural style and detailing; • building materials and colours; • means of enclosure and definition (fences, walls, hedges etc).

Reflecting or interpreting locally notable characteristics in new buildings can help to perpetuate and strengthen local distinctiveness where it already exists.

Where there are no obviously discernable local building characteristics – or where they exist but are not consistent with the aims and principles of this development and design guidance, consideration should be given to ways in which characteristically Barbadian approaches to the design construction and detailing of buildings may be incorporated or reflected in new buildings. This does not necessarily mean creating a replica or pastiche of a building from a different era; it will often be more appropriate to make reference to “traditional” characteristics - particularly those that responded to the climate and cultural heritage of Barbados – re- interpreting them in a contemporary context.

Relationships between building; between buildings, streets and spaces; and between buildings and the landscape they “inhabit” can all contribute to local distinctiveness and should be given careful consideration in planning and design.

Colour can play a particularly important role in expressing or creating both local and individual identity and in enhancing people’s enjoyment of their built environment. Bright colours can lift people’s mood; dull colours can sometimes feel oppressive.

GREEN The AIM is: for development and the activities of individuals and communities within the Community Plan area to be consistent with the objective of maintaining environmental well-being, including protecting ecosystems, conserving non-renewable resources, and minimizing waste. • Key considerations relate to: • Site Planning and Development • Landscape • Roads and Streets • Spaces • Buildings • Community There are particularly strong relationships between this quality and three others: “BARBADIAN” “CONNECTED” and “PRODUCTIVE”

35 Site Planning and Development Questions to Consider New buildings and subdivisions should be planned, designed, constructed, and maintained in ways • Have the environmental and resource impacts of the that: proposed development been assessed? • minimise waste; • What measures are being taken to provide for • minimise the consumption and depletion of finite resources; renewable energy collection and use? • maximize the use of renewable resources; • How is water conservation to be facilitated? • protect and enhance local ecology and bio-diversity; • avoid pollution of water, air, soil and the ground; • How is efficient use of available land to be achieved through the form and design of the proposed • protect the visual and sensory quality of the local environment; development? • minimise – preferably avoid – emissions that contribute to climate change.

For any small island state, land is a crucial, finite and potentially scarce resource. It is vital, therefore, that it is used efficiently. Consistent with the need to provide adequate levels of space, privacy and amenity, new developments should normally be designed so as to make highly efficient use of the land available.

Consideration should be given to land –efficiency solutions such as providing accommodation on more than one floor, and joining buildings in pairs or larger groups. Good design can enable acceptable levels of space, privacy and amenity to be achieved, whilst building at relatively high densities. Roads and Streets Questions to Consider Roads and streets should be planned designed and constructed so as to: Will roads and streets be designed so as to achieve the specified expectations? • prioritise and encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport wherever feasible; • keep the distances people need to travel for to undertake frequent tasks as short as possible; • minimise traffic congestion. Spaces Questions to Consider Spaces within and around settlements play important roles in supporting the health and well-being • Has an open space strategy been prepared? of communities and individuals. Their presence or absence, their form and character and their • Is the balance of buildings, streets and open spaces accessibility can all affect people’s physical, mental and social well-being. appropriate? Spaces should be retained and incorporated in developments and subdivisions so that people may use them for a range of purposes such as recreation; socialising; and growing plants and food.

36 Spaces continued... Questions to Consider The function of open space in allowing breezes to provide natural ventilation and cooling should be • Has the need to protect and enhance ecology and recognised and planned and designed for. bio-diversity been taken fully in to account? • Has a landscape and landscaping strategy been The filtering and air-cleansing functions of trees and other vegetation should be used to create and prepared? support healthy environments.

The ecological importance of natural and semi-natural spaces – and the links between them – should be recognised and planned and designed for.

Buildings Questions to Consider When planning and designing new buildings and alterations to existing buildings careful consideration • How are requirements for ventilation, cooling, shade should be given to: and shelter being addressed in the design of the proposed building(s)? • orientation – to minimise heating from the sun, to provide cool shaded areas and to maximize natural ventilation; • How is energy and resource conservation to be achieved? • siting, height, shape and massing – to respect the requirements of neighbouring buildings and their occupants for light, shade and ventilation; • incorporation of renewable energy collecting and water-saving devices and technology; • incorporation of storage and collection facilities to facilitate recycling; • provision of garden space for household food production. PRODUCTIVE The AIM is: for land suitable agricultural production to be safeguarded from inappropriate development; for agricultural diversification to be supported and facilitated; for ventures and developments that will employ people living locally to be supported and facilitated.

Key considerations are: • Landscape • Spaces • Roads and Streets • There are particularly strong relationships between this quality and two others: “CONNECTED” and “GREEN”.

37 Landscape Questions to Consider The present-day landscape of this part of Barbados has been shaped to a great extent by agriculture. • Will the proposed development constrain Trees and other vegetation were cleared long ago to enable the land to be farmed, predominantly as productivity or support it? open field plantations. This is a landscape that has come to characterise Barbados. That is not to say that more trees and other vegetation should not be planted nor that the landscape must always stay as it is now but it appears to be valued in by local people in its current form.

Whatever changes may take place, it is important that this should remain a productive landscape. Barbados needs a strong agricultural sector to provide for: • reducing the national food import bill; • increasing food security (becoming less reliant on imports from elsewhere); • producing food and other crops; • supporting national economic development.

There are plans to revive sugar cane production. This would, of course, be entirely consistent with maintaining the characteristic landscape of this part of Barbados. It is expected that agriculture will also need to diversify if it is to meet all the needs required of it. In both cases, the need to maintain a productive landscape as a defining feature of this area is strong.

Spaces Questions to Consider Both public / communal and private spaces can be used productively. Farmed fields are an example of • Have productive open spaces been incorporated in productive private space – but so are kitchen gardens. the proposed development? In some circumstances it may be possible and desirable to provide communal space for production of crops – public allotments, perhaps – where other considerations do not allow for private gardens of adequate size. Roads and Streets Questions to Consider Good connections support productivity: poor connections create barriers to productivity. • How good are all the connections? Consistent application of the approach outlined in the section headed “CONNECTED” should help to create a more efficient, less energy-demanding and less congested transport system, reducing wasted time and other resources and supporting productivity in all sectors.

38 SECURE & RESILIENT The AIM is: For places to provide secure and inclusive environments for their communities and for the risks of disasters and injuries arising from natural and man-made hazards to be minimized.

Key considerations are: • Community • Buildings • Roads and Streets • Spaces

There are particularly strong relationships between this quality and “CONNECTED”. Community Questions to Consider The design and maintenance of buildings and spaces can affect the ways people behave and the degree • Will streets. paths and open spaces be to which they feel safe and secure in their local environments. For example, it has been demonstrated adequately overseen by people using adjacent that places that can be seen readily by people living nearby are less likely to be the scenes of criminal buildings? and anti-social behaviour than places that are concealed, where such activities can be carriedon without being seen. So, the way a place is laid out, ways that buildings interact with streets and public • Have potentially dangerous concealed places spaces, ways in which the private and public realms are differentiated can all influence a community’s been avoided in the design and layout of the sense of safety and well-being. proposed development? As a community’s sense of identity and security can affect its cohesion, these factors can also affect • Are public and private areas clearly defined? its ability to withstand and recover from traumas and potential disasters such as flooding, storms, • Is adequate emergency shelter and support hurricanes, droughts and fires. Communities in which people prepare together and support each other when traumatic events occur are more likely to recover well from their effects than are those in available and readily accessible? which individuals have little interaction. Provision and maintenance of buildings to provide shelter and protection for communities when natural – or man made – hazards strike is a fundamental requirement. Care should be taken to ensure that new development and other changes do not obstruct access to these or reduce their effectiveness in any other way. Care should also be taken to ensure that the capacity and accessibility of shelters remains adequate for the communities they need to serve, as growth and change occurs. Buildings Questions to Consider It is vitally important that buildings should be sited, designed and constructed so as to provide high • Have adequate resilience measures been levels of resilience to the effects of naturally occurring and largely unpredictable hazards such as seismic incorporated in the design and construction of the activity (earthquakes and tremors), violent wind storms and hurricanes; torrential rain and flooding, building(s)? and landslides. Building codes should be complied with and regarded as minimum requirements.

39 Buildings cont... Questions to Consider Buildings to be occupied by people should not normally be sited in areas where there is a greater than • Are areas of high hazard risk being avoided? normal risk of destructive hazards occurring. Buildings to be occupied by people who would be particularly vulnerable in the event of destructive hazards occurring should be located in the least hazard-prone areas and where good and rapid access to emergency shelter and support is available.

Roads and Streets Questions to Consider When planning, designing, constructing and maintaining roads and streets, primary considerations • Does the road and street layout provide for easy should includes the need to: access for emergency vehicles? • provide unimpeded access to emergency shelters; • Is good access to emergency shelters being provided / maintained? • allow access by emergency services; • What provision is being made to facilitate • facilitate rapid evacuation in the event of occurrences that require this. emergency evacuation?

40 7. NEXT STEPS: IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEW

The Community Plan is structured to achieve a balance between often competing national averages can be generated. economic, social and environmental impacts and its policies will ensure that the environment and ecosystems services are not merely an afterthought – instead, Ideally, these indicators should be monitored and the relevant conclusions and their protection (and ultimate enhancement) forms an integral part of the Plan. datasets included in the form of an annual monitoring report. This report should be produced to review the impacts of the implementation of the Community Implementation of the policies of the St. David’s to Six Cross Roads Community Plan and to assess whether the underpinning objectives and vision are being Plan (Draft) will be mainly through the legislative powers of the office of the successfully met. Chief Town Planner to grant or refuse planning permission. The Town and Country Planning Act, CAP 240 (1968) places prime importance on the policies of development plans in the determination of whether to approve a planning 8. Alternative Options Considered application. In accordance with these legislative guidelines, certain actions must be taken prior to the approval of the Community Plan by the Minister To explore alternative ways in which the Vision and Objectives might be responsible for town planning matters. These include inter alia, public achieved, three broad Spatial Development Options were formulated and notification of the proposed plan, opportunities for any written objections or then evaluated through Integrated Sustainability Appraisal so that an optimal representations and consultations with any authority or person as deemed approach could be identified. appropriate. Notwithstanding the recommendations of a public enquiry or consultation with any authority or person, the Minister has the discretion to The alternative Spatial Development Options were derived by considering, in approve the Community Plan (regional/local level development plan) with or combination: without modifications. • the overall direction and requirements of the Vision and Objectives; In implementing the policies of the new Community Plan, the Chief Town • the spatial implications of key social, economic and environmental issues Planner will be directed to promote and enable developments or improvements that need to be addressed; and, which are in accordance with the overall aim and objectives of the Community • review of recent spatial development trends. Plan. Also, it is expected that the Town and Country Development Planning Office will provide additional guidance notes to supplement the policies in the Through that process, the three alternative Spatial Development Options Community Plan, as deemed appropriate. formulated and evaluated were:

In the context of the ISA methodology used in the plan preparation, significant Spatial development Option 1: No Change environmental, social and economic effects of implementing a plan or programme are required to be monitored against measurable indicators. This This option essentially continues to pursue the approach set out inthe allows any unforeseen adverse effects to be identified at an early stage, and current Physical Development Plan. The Plan does not propose any significant provides opportunities to undertake appropriate remedial action. development in the Community Plan Area. The main features are as follows: • Woodbourne/St Patrick’s is designated as a Rural Settlement with Growth The key indicators for each Sustainability Objective identified in Appendix 3 of Potential, where the following uses would normally be permitted: the ISA under separate cover have, where possible, been drawn from existing -- Residential; sources so the baseline conditions can be established. It will be necessary to generate datasets specific to the Plan area so that comparisons with -- Community facilities;

41 -- Community centres; -- Light industrial; • Continuing expansion of development around larger centres – St.Patrick’s -- Small-scale offices; and, / Woodbourne, the areas adjacent to Six Cross Roads, St David’s, and the “urban fringe” area adjacent to the western boundary of the Community -- Shops (daily community needs). Plan area; • In other Rural Settlements (the boundaries of which are identified on the • Some large-scale housing developments in places readily accessible from Land Use Plan) permitted uses for infilling or minor extensions are stated the main highway network – not necessarily related to existing settlements; as: • Smaller / individual housing – developments spread sporadically across the -- Residential (single family); area; -- Small community orientated commercial uses and shops; and, • Commercial developments also occurring sporadically, particularly on sites -- Community facilities, centres and parks. adjacent to main highways;

• Water Protections Area in the north-east corner. • Significant areas of agricultural land taken out of production fornon- agricultural development (housing, commerce etc.). • Remainder of the Plan areas is predominantly classified as agriculture.

Spatial development Option 2: Market-led (Market-following) Spatial development Option 3: Intervention (Market-aware) In essence, “Market-led” would involve allowing most - or all - of the This option recognises market forces and seeks to steer them to achieve a developments that have been proposed in planning applications on the basis particular patter of development. It envisages two broad zones divided by a that these are reflections of market conditions: planning decisions would largely line roughly following Highway 6 in which land-use and development will be follow the market. managed as follows.

Quite how this would then be reflected in actual development on the ground is North and west: open to some conjecture as market conditions fluctuate, there is more than one • Land suitable for agricultural use to be safeguarded from non- agricultural “market” to consider, and the relationships between markets may be complex. development unless, exceptionally, such development is necessary in order to meet a significant local need that can not be satisfied by making use of At its simplest, there have been two main market forces influencing planning other land; applications in the area over recent years: one is the market for new homes (itself a composite of local, national and overseas markets); the other is the • Development needs of local communities to be met through infilling and agricultural market (a combination of markets relating to agricultural products limited extension of existing settlements, provided their fundamental and agricultural land). Where planning permission has been applied for and character is not lost; granted and new homes have been built, it is reasonable to assume that this • “Green Belt” uses to be allowed where interim use of “set aside” agricultural has been a successful response to housing market demand. Where planning land is required or where “buffer” required between agricultural and permission has been applied for and granted, but development has not “developed” land. followed, it may be that this represents an unsuccessful response to perceived housing market demand, or it may be a response to current agricultural market South and east: conditions prompting a land owner to seek an alternative use – or simply an • Development (including larger scale development) to meet local and wider enhanced land value. community needs to be allowed, on appropriate sites that are less well- suited to agricultural production, provided sustainability, design Main features of a Market-led option are likely to include: quality and amenity criteria are met; 42 • New development to be closely connected with existing settlements Option 1: Option 2: Option 3: and facilities; No Change Market Led Intervention • Residual agricultural land to be protected from non-agricultural development. Community identity + - ++ Poverty & exclusion ++ + ++ Crime + 0 + Sustainability Appraisal Health + 0 + Each of the Development Options has been appraised against the Leisure & culture + 0 + Sustainability Objectives to explore its strengths and weaknesses ina Traffic 0 - + structured way, considering in each case the extent to which the particular approach could be expected to deliver sustainable development overall. Accessibility 0 0 + Inevitably, all the options would produce a mixture of positive and Housing + + ++ negative impacts, so the aim has been to identify the option that would Education & Skills + 0 + deliver the most sustainable balance overall. Through that process a Employment preferred option has been identified and it is that option that has been + + ++ developed as the basis of the Community Plan. Economy + 0 ++ Food production + - + A detailed Compatibility Matrix has been prepared for each of the broad Biodiversity 0 - 0 spatial development options and these are included as Appendix 6of the Integrated Sustainability Appraisal under separate cover. A summary Water 0 - - table is set out in Table 3. Flooding ? ? ? Air quality 0 - + On balance, Option 3 – Intervention (Market-aware) – emerged as the option most likely to produce sustainable development, taking account DRR 0 0 0 of both local and national needs, and it is that option that has been Waste 0 - 0 developed as the basis for the draft Community Plan. Energy resources 0 0 + Score 11 -4 18 The summary table and detailed appraisal tables for each of the spatial development options indicate that the “Intervention” option achieves Table3 Compatibility of Sustainability Objectives and Spatial Development Options greatest compliance with the Sustainability Objectives. This spatial option has therefore been taken forward and integrated into the Community Plan.

All policies were assessed using the methodology described in section 2.2 of the Integrated Sustainability Appraisal (under separate cover) and a summary of the results presented in Table 3. Detailed assessment considerations are presented in Appendix 5 of the Integrated Sustainability Appraisal (under separate cover).

43 Ag1 Ag2 Ag3 LC1 LC2 CN1 CN2 CN3 CN4 CN5 Co1 Co2 Co3 RR1 EP1 EP2 EP3 Community identity 0 0 ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ + + 0 0 Poverty & exclusion + + 0 0 0 + + + 0 + + ++ ++ + 0 ++ 0 Crime 0 0 0 + + 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 Health 0 0 0 0 0 ? 0 ? ++ + ++ + + + ++ ++ ++ Leisure & culture 0 0 0 0 0 + + + 0 ++ 0 0 + 0 + 0 0 Traffic 0 0 0 + + + ++ ? 0 0 ++ + ++ 0 0 + 0 Accessibility 0 0 0 0 0 + ++ + 0 ++ ++ ++ + 0 0 0 0 Housing 0 0 0 + ++ + + ++ ++ 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 Education & Skills 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 Employment + + + 0 0 + + 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 Economy + + + + + + + ? 0 0 0 + 0 ++ 0 + 0 Food production ++ ++ + 0 0 + 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 Biodiversity + + 0 0 0 + 0 ? 0 + 0 0 0 0 ++ + 0 Water 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 ? 0 0 0 0 0 0 ++ 0 ++ Flooding 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 ++ + 0 0 Air quality 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 ++ 0 + + 0 DRR + + + ++ + + 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 ++ 0 0 0 Waste 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ? 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Energy resources + + 0 ++ + + + + 0 0 + + ? 0 0 ++ 0

Table 4 Compatibility of Sustainability Objectives and Spatial Development Option 3

44 45 Definitions & End Notes

46 DEFINITIONS OF PHRASES USED IN THE OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES - please refer also to the End Note Definitions, overleaf Phrase Definition Agriculture As defined in the Physical Development Plan, Amended, 2003, “agriculture” includes “horticulture, fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming, the breeding and keeping of livestock (including any animal kept for the production of food, wool, skins or fur or for the purpose of its use in the farming of land), the use of land as grazing land, meadow land, market gardens, and nursery grounds and the use of land for woodlands where that use is ancillary to the farming of land for other agricultural purposes” Agricultural land Land that is capable of being used for the purposes of agriculture, as designated on Map 4, the Land Use Plan, of the Physical Development Plan, Amended, 2003, or any subsequent amendment or replacement of that Plan. Land less well-suited to agricultural production Agricultural land outside classes 1,2 and 3, and land that has lawfully been divided in such a way that agriculture is no longer viable. Amenities that occupiers of nearby properties may reasonably expect to These amenities include levels of privacy, peace and quiet, and cleanliness that an average person would expect to enjoy enjoy when using their home. Appropriate development sites Sites identified as being suitable for development, either by specific designation or in accordance with specified criteria in the Plan. Brown-field sites Sites that have previously and lawfully been developed for non-agricultural purposes and are available for redevelopment. Buffer An area for an intervening use separating one main use from another. Design Guidance for Development within the St David’s to Six Cross Roads Design Guidance included in the Community Plan. Area Design Statement A statement to be submitted with a planning application, explaining the rationale behind the design and formof development proposed and the ways in which this has responded to relevant policies, constraints, contexts etc. “Green Belt” uses Uses of open land that are compatible with adjacent agricultural or residential use and that maintain the essential openness and landscape qualities of the land. Hazard Risk Assessment A statement in which potential hazard risks are identified, probabilities are gauged, vulnerability is assessed and appropriate precautionary measures are set out. Heritage assets Buildings of historic and architectural significance and important natural features. Infill sites Small, undeveloped parcels of land within settlements and otherwise built-up road and street frontages. Larger-scale developments of housing Developments of more than five housing units or more. Major developments Any development comprising 50 or more units of housing, or any non-residential building with a gross floorspace of 500 square metres or more. Productive or potentially productive agricultural land Undeveloped land used or previously used for agriculture and falling within Agricultural Land Classes I, II and III. “Set aside” land Productive or potentially productive land that is not currently used or required for agriculture but is to be safeguarded for agricultural use at a later date. Conservation uses that do not prevent such land from being returned to agricultural use at a later stage may be acceptable as interim uses. Vacant lot Land that has planning permission for development but that has not been developed.

47 End Notes Definitions a “Land suitable for agricultural use” includes: land currently in agricultural use; and, land that is currently unused, vacant or in another open-land use but is potentially suitable and viable for agricultural use. b “significant local need” means a need that relates directly to the community adjacent to the particular site, or, in some cases, the needs of the communities within (or immediately adjoining) the Community Plan area as a whole. c “Green Belt Uses” are uses of open land that are compatible with adjacent agricultural or residential use, and that maintain the essential openness and landscape qualities of the area in which the land is situated. Examples include: playing fields and open sports facilities; publicly accessible parks and recreation grounds; community / allotment gardens; woodlands and forestry. Small ancillary buildings necessary for carrying out or maintaining any of those uses will be permitted provided they are appropriately sited, designed and constructed, and do not detract from the essential openness and landscape qualities of the area. d “set aside” refers to productive or potentially productive farmland that is taken out of agricultural use for a temporary period, for environmental, social or economic reasons, but is maintained in a condition that allows it to be returned readily to agricultural use in future. Examples of interim uses that may be considered suitable for “set-aside” land include: conservation uses; passive recreation uses; habitat creation; allotment gardens. It is important that any interim uses that are allowed are managed in such ways that the agricultural capability of the land is not permanently reduced. e “Community needs” include housing, employment, commercial and social services, leisure and recreational needs and infrastructure. f “land less well-suited to agricultural production” means agricultural land outside classes 1,2 and 3, land that has lawfully been divided or isolated in such a way that agriculture is no longer viable, and land that is not in agricultural use and would not be suitable for future agricultural use. g “Infill or redevelopment site” means a gap between buildings on an otherwise built-up frontage within a settlement (infill) or a site that has already been built on (redevelopment). 48