Local Plan for Pendle Core Strategy Publication Report September 2012 For an alternative format of this document phone 01282 661330 Pendle Core Strategy Publication Report 1 Foreword Foreword Pendle is a unique and special place: attractive, diverse, yet constantly changing. We care about our community, so it is important that we recognise the challenges that the future holds, and that we plan for those changes. We live in an age where rapid advances in technology are changing how we communicate, the way we shop, where and how we work and the life choices we make. We are living longer too; and have higher expectations for a future where we expect to enjoy good health and greater prosperity. We must direct future growth to the right locations and carefully manage regeneration activity. We need to provide guidance so that new development benefits those people who live and work in our towns and villages, whilst continuing to protect and enhance those assets that make the area both attractive and locally distinctive. In doing so we must carefully consider the social, economic and environmental impacts of our actions. Only in this way can we hope to realise our vision of making Pendle a better place to live, work, learn, play and visit. The Core Strategy will work alongside Our Pendle, Our Future: Pendle’s Sustainable Community Strategy, to help us shape the future of Pendle, by addressing issues that are important to our locality as well as matters of wider concern such as climate change. The policies in the Core Strategy have been influenced by the evidence available to us. In particular they reflect the responses you have supplied in response to earlier public consultations. As such, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to comment. We believe that this strategy provides the best possible response to your future needs and aspirations. It takes a balanced approach that helps to achieve the best possible outcome for you, your children and Pendle. I believe that by working together we can show the pride, passion and belief needed to successfully deliver our sustainable vision of Pendle’s future. Councillor Joe Cooney Leader of Pendle Council July 2012 Pendle Core Strategy Publication Report Contents 1 Preface 4 2 About the Core Strategy 5 3 Our Spatial Issues: Pendle Today 14 Introduction 14 A Portrait of Pendle 14 Our Key Issues 35 4 Our Spatial Vision: Pendle Tomorrow 36 Introduction 36 Sustainable Community Strategies 36 Our Vision for Pendle 37 5 Our Strategic Objectives: What We Need to Do 38 Introduction 38 Our Strategic Objectives 38 6 The Key Diagram 42 7 Our Spatial Strategy: Where and How We Will Deliver 44 Introduction 44 Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development 47 The Role and Function of Our Towns and Villages 48 Housing Distribution 53 Employment Distribution 56 Retail Distribution 59 Future Infrastructure Requirements 61 8 Our Foundations for a Sustainable Future: Improving the Environment We Live In 67 Introduction 67 Protecting and Enhancing Our Natural and Historic Environments 68 Achieving Quality in Design and Conservation 78 Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Generation 84 Promoting Sustainable Travel 91 Pollution, Unstable Land and Waste Management 98 Water Management 103 9 Place Shaping 110 Introduction 110 10 Living: Creating a Vibrant Housing Market 111 Introduction 111 Housing Provision and Delivery 112 Housing Needs 121 Affordable Housing 128 Designing Better Places to Live 135 11 Working: Creating a Dynamic and Competitive Local Economy 143 Introduction 143 Strengthening the Local Economy 144 Employment Land Supply 149 Retailing and Town Centres 158 Tourism, Leisure and Culture 165 Designing Better Places to Work 169 Pendle Core Strategy Publication Report Contents 12 Supporting: Creating Health and Confident Communities 175 Introduction 175 Community Facilities 176 Health and Well-being 180 Education and Training 185 Designing Better Public Places 188 13 Monitoring and Delivery 193 Introduction 193 A Affordable Housing Targets: Dynamic Viability Model 195 B Replacement Pendle Local Plan (2001-2016) Policies 200 C Glossary 203 D Bibliography and References 213 Policies Spatial Strategy 44 Policy SD 1 Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development 47 Policy SDP 1 Spatial Development Principles 50 Policy SDP 2 Housing Distribution 54 Policy SDP 3 Employment Distribution 57 Policy SDP 4 Retail Distribution 60 Policy SDP 5 Future Infrastructure Requirements 66 Policy ENV 1 Protecting and Enhancing Our Natural and Historic Environments 75 Policy ENV 2 Achieving Quality in Design and Conservation 81 Policy ENV 3 Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Generation 88 Policy ENV 4 Promoting Sustainable Travel 96 Policy ENV 5 Pollution and Unstable Land 100 Policy ENV 6 Waste Management 101 Policy ENV 7 Water Management 107 Policy LIV 1 Housing Provision and Delivery 119 Policy LIV 2 Housing Needs 125 Policy LIV 3 Affordable Housing 131 Policy LIV 4 Designing Better Places to Live 139 Policy WRK 1 Strengthening the Local Economy 147 Policy WRK 2 Employment Land Supply 153 Policy WRK 3 Retailing and Town Centres 162 Policy WRK 4 Tourism, Leisure and Culture 167 Policy WRK 5 Designing Better Places to Work 172 Policy SUP 1 Community Facilities 178 Policy SUP 2 Health and Well-being 183 Policy SUP 3 Education and Training 187 Policy SUP 4 Designing Better Public Places 191 4 Pendle Core Strategy Publication Report 1 Preface 1 Preface 1.1 We are increasingly concerned that our way of life is placing an increasing burden on the planet. But, without change we all face a future that is less certain and less secure. It is important to manage change if it is to benefit us all. 1.2 The Lyons Inquiry made it clear that the main function of local government is to shape places through the “...creative use of powers and influence to promote the general well-being of a community and its citizens.”(1) 1.3 Planning plays a major role in influencing places and the way in which they function, placing it at the heart of the Government's place-shaping agenda. As acknowledged in the Ministerial foreword for the National Planning Policy Framework the planning system is about helping deliver positive growth through sustainable development, ensuring economic, environmental and social progress for this and future generations. What is Sustainable Development? "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Our Common Future - The Bruntland Report (World Commission on Environment and Development, April 1987) 1.4 Everything we do is about achieving a better future for Pendle and the people who chose to live, work, learn or visit our community. This means providing: good quality affordable homes that meet the needs of all our residents; educational opportunities that allow our children to reach their full potential; a diverse range of jobs that enable young people to meet their aspirations locally; a selection of shops and services that cater for our daily needs; open space, leisure and cultural facilities that allow us to enjoy rewarding, happy and healthy lifestyles; all connected by an efficient and sustainable transport system. 1.5 The Core Strategy is the spatial expression of Our Pendle Our Future: Pendle’s Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS), which reflects the community's vision for improving quality of life in the area and establishes a blueprint for the social, economic and environmental transformation of the borough.(2) 1 HM Government (2007) Lyons Inquiry into local government - Place-shaping: a shared ambition for the future of local government. London, TSO. 2 Pendle Partnership (2008) Our Pendle Our Future: Pendle's Sustainable Community Strategy. Nelson, Pendle Partnership. Pendle Core Strategy Publication Report 5 About the Core Strategy 2 2 About the Core Strategy The Publication Report 2.1 The Core Strategy (Publication Report) represents our proposed strategy for managing development and growth in Pendle over the next 15 years. It is the first of two documents that will succeed the Replacement Pendle Local Plan 2001-2016, which was adopted by Pendle Council in May 2006. 2.2 To help deliver confidence in the Core Strategy, the Government requires it to be the most appropriate strategy when considered against all the reasonable alternatives. The Publication Report is the product of extensive engagement and consultation with members of the local community and a wide range of organisations that have an interest in the future of Pendle (see the section on ‘How Has It Been Prepared?' below). The views expressed in these consultations, together with an analysis of the available evidence and some new research to fill gaps in our knowledge, have helped to highlight the important roles played by each of our communities and the complex relationships between them. 2.3 Of course where there is more than one possible solution to a particular issue or problem, differences of opinion will undoubtedly arise. Pendle Council, and its partners, are committed to achieving the best we can with the resources available to us. We believe that on balance this strategy offers the best possible quality of life for all concerned, both now and in the future, minimises our impact on the environment and makes sure that scarce resources, such as land, are used efficiently. Why Do We Need It? 2.4 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004) introduced significant reforms to the planning system for England and Wales and the format of the statutory Development Plan for the area. The Localism Act (2011) and the National Planning Policy Framework (2012) have introduced further reforms. 2.5 These changes have resulted in a more streamlined planning system, which adopts a more proactive approach to managing development, promotes growth and provides increased opportunities for public participation.