1 Introduction 2 2 National, Regional and Local Context 3 3 Methodology 6 4 Proposed Hierarchy 10 Appendices 1 Planning Policy 12 2 List of Settlements 13 3 Settlement Matrix 14 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Draft Settlement Hierarchy October 2009 1 Introduction 1.1 As part of the Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework evidence base a new settlement hierarchy is being produced in order to inform the Core Strategy. This paper has been amended following consultation on the Draft Settlement Hierarchy Topic Paper, to take account of comments received. Most notably the methodology has been updated. The changes applied to the methodology have streamlined the process and the draft hierarchy is now focused on identifying sustainable locations in the Borough. 1.2 A primary aim of this settlement hierarchy is to promote the development of sustainable communities throughout the Borough whilst enhancing and protecting existing settlements. Sustainable communities are created through the correct location of housing, employment and services, integrated with a high quality supporting infrastructure that provides for its community whilst at the same time does not have an adverse affect on the environment. 1.3 The hierarchy will classify settlements according to their existing facilities and services, over arching development constraints and opportunities, and accessibility. The hierarchy will be used to assess whether windfall and/or infill development can be accommodated within a settlement. 2 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Draft Settlement Hierarchy October 2009 2 National, Regional and Local Context National Planning Policy Planning Policy Statement 1 - Delivering Sustainable Development (January 2005) 2.1 A key principle of PPS1 is that "development plans should ensure that sustainable development in an integrated manner", to do this they should have careful consideration of the relationships in and between "social inclusion, protecting and enhancing the environment, the prudent use of natural resources and economic development." The general approach taken to delivering sustainable development should be one that promotes national, regional and local economies, promotes both urban and rural regeneration, promotes inclusive, healthy and safe communities, whilst being able to bring forward suitable and sufficient land in sustainable locations to meet the needs for housing and industrial development, as well as for the exploitation of raw materials such as minerals. Development should be more efficient through higher densities and mixed uses, preferably on previously developed, brownfield, land. Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing (November 2006) 2.2 Planning Policy Statement 3 sets out the Government's key housing policy objective for everyone to be able to live in a decent home, which they can afford, in a community where they want to live. The Government is keen to ensure that more sustainable patterns of new development are provided, and that better use of land is made. The priority for housing development should be on previously developed (brownfield) land, and should have good access to jobs, key services and infrastructure. There should be a good mix of housing, the creation of sustainable communities and a high standard of housing design. Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres (2005) 2.3 PPS 6 promotes the sustainable development of town centres in an inclusive pattern of development that creates and maintains vital and viable centres. "The Government is committed to developing and supporting successful, thriving, safer and inclusive communities, both urban and rural." Guidance states that Local Authorities "should plan carefully how best to distribute any identified growth to achieve the objectives of their spatial strategies." Where there is an imbalance in the network centres i.e. largest centres dominate, this should be addressed through a more even distribution of town centre uses to ensure that local needs are met at a local level. Market towns should be retained and enhanced where possible, and development plans should consider re-introduction or creation of new market towns if possible. Planning Policy Statement 7: Sustainable Development in the Rural Areas (2004) 2.4 The key principles of PPS 7 are i) to raise the quality of life and the environment in rural areas, ii) to promote more sustainable patterns of development, iii) to promote the development of the English regions by improving their economic performances so that all are able to reach their full potential and iv) to promote sustainable, diverse and adaptable agriculture sectors. This policy statement emphasises the important role for LDDs in the promotion and facilitation of sustainable patterns of development and sustainable communities in rural areas. Polices should should sustain, enhance and where possible, revitalise towns and villages in rural locations. Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Draft Settlement 3 Hierarchy October 2009 Planning Policy Guidance 13: Transport (2001) 2.5 A key planning objective of PPG13 is to ensure that employment, facilities and services are accessible by public transport, walking and cycling, especially to those who do not have access to a car. This should be applied in both the urban and rural area. Land allocated for future development should "offer realistic, safe and easy access by a range of transport modes, and not exclusively by car". Regional Planning Policy Regional Spatial Strategy (2008) 2.6 The Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West, "The North West Plan", provides a framework for development and investment in the region up to 2021. The Plan sets out the broad vision, priorities for growth and regeneration, and policies to achieve sustainable development for the region and its sub regions. 2.7 The Liverpool City Region includes West Cheshire and former Vale Royal, identifying the historic city of Chester as a world-class tourist asset with a prosperous, compact retail and business centre, and the town of Ellesmere Port as a strong manufacturing base with scope for expansion. Both have links with North Wales with real opportunities for establishing more sustainable patterns of cross-border development and movement. 2.8 Policies RDF1 and RDF2 of the Plan state the priority areas for development within the region and also establish the basis of a hierarchy for development. Chester, Ellesmere Port and Northwich are identified as larger suburban centres within the city region which would be compatible for development provided it is of an appropriate scale and at points where transport networks connect and where public accessibility is good. Development elsewhere in the Borough may be acceptable if it satisfies other policies in RSS (DP 1 to DP 9). 2.9 In addition Appendix RT identifies Chester Railway Station as a regional gateway and interchange; these are gateways and interchanges which have more than sub-regional significance. Single Strategy for the North West 2.10 Work is underway to develop a new Single Integrated Strategy for the North West. This will give a clear vision for the North West, and will replace the Regional Economic Strategy (RES), Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and Regional Housing Strategy (RHS). These are currently the statutory documents which form the basis for the future development of the region. A draft of the Regional Strategy is to be consulted upon at the end of 2009, with the aim of agreeing a strategy in mid 2010. West Cheshire - North East Wales Sub Regional Strategy 2004 - 2021 2.11 The broad vision for this strategy is one that sees the sub region as "an area able to compete successfully in the regional, national and global marketplace, where the area’s special characteristics for growth are pursued ... where the economic and other strengths of individual centres are recognised and enhanced, where the desire to pursue economic growth is intertwined with the need to realise social inclusivity and promote environmental sustainability, where the distinctiveness of the local environment is appreciated and conserved, and where quality of life of the residents of the sub-region is paramount." 4 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Draft Settlement Hierarchy October 2009 Local Planning Policy 2.12 The Borough is currently covered by three existing adopted development plans of the former authorities of Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston, and Vale Royal. All three plans contain policies that identify settlements for growth as well as policies that protect existing settlements and facilities within them. These polices have been taken into account when formulating the settlement hierarchy for the Borough. Please refer to the Appendices at the back of this document for a list of policies. Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Draft Settlement 5 Hierarchy October 2009 3 Methodology 3.1 In order to form a development hierarchy of settlements for the Borough a number of factors will be taken into consideration which include: Existing services and facilities within a settlement; Accessibility and sustainability of a settlement; Prevailing constraints and opportunities which may restrict or promote the potential for future development. Stage 1: Settlement selection 3.2 A list of settlements for inclusion in the initial survey was collated using a range of sources including existing Local Plan policies, Supplementary Planning Documents and Regional Guidance.