contents.

PAGE

Figures 2

Tables 3

Executive Summary 5

Chapters.

1 Introduction 9 2 Local Development Scheme 14 3 and Contextual Indicators 15 4 Housing 20 5 Economy and Employment 28 6 Transport 35 7 Shopping and the Role of Centres 44 8 Open Space 47 9 Nature Conservation 51 10 Urban Design Policies 54 11 Physical Constraints on the Development of Land 55 12 Waste Management 57 13 Conservation and Heritage 59 14 Minerals 60 15 Renewable Energy 61 16 Community Involvement 62 17 Conclusion 64

Appendix.

1 Saved UDP Policies 65 2 5-year Housing Supply Site Details 71 3 Housing Figures - Core Output Indicators 2ai-v 82 4 Biodiversity Action Plan Priorities 84 Ancient Woodland, Black Redstart and Grassland Habitats 5 Community Involvement 92 6 Glossary 107

1 figures. 1-22

PAGE 15 1 sandwell in the and UK 15 2 Map of Sandwell 23 3 sandwell MBC Housing Trajectory 2007 25 4 Density of Completed Developments (COI 2c) 26 5 Percentage of Eligible Housing Sites Granted Planning Permission Providing Affordable Housing 26 6 sandwell Housing Supply, Building Rates and Average House Price and Income 27 7 Percentge of Completed New Dwellings (2006/2007) by Dwelling Type 27 8 Percentge of Completed New Dwellings (2006/2007) by Size 29 9 Amount of Land Developed for Employment by RSS Portfolio 30 10 RSS Employment Land Portfolio Supply 30 11 employment Land Available by Type (COI 1d) 33 12 Proportion of REL’s Sites by Type within 400m of a Half-Hourly Service Bus Route 36 13 Access to Fresh Food within a Reasonable Walking Distance 37 14 Monthly Average Cycling Levels of Cycling Monitoring Points in Sandwell Between 2004-2006 39 15 Target Progress on Bus Use in the West Midlands 39 16 Target Progress on LTP Light Rail Use in the West Midlands 40 17 Change in Area-Wide Road Traffic Mileage in the West Midlands 44 18 Percentage of Completed Retail, Office and Leisure Development in Centres (COI 4b) 45 19 Percentage of Completed Retail, Office and Leisure Development in Centres 2006/7 by Retail Hierarchy 52 20 Number of Ancient Woodland Sites in Sandwell 53 21 Proportion of the Borough Within Walking Distance of Accessible Wildspace 56 22 Breakdown of Environment Agency Objections to Planning Proposals 2006/7 (COI 7)

Appendix Figures.

4

84 4.1 Level of Protection Granted by the Planning System to Currently Known Ancient Woodland Sites in and the 85 4.2 Ancient Woodland Site by Local Authority 86 4.3 Black Redstart 1km Consideration Zones 87 4.4 Black Redstart 500m Consideration Zones 89 4.5 Distribution and Extent of Potential BAP Priority Grasslands 91 4.6 Area of the Different Types of BAP Priority Grasslands which are Currently Designated for their nature Conservation Value

2 tables. 1-28

PAGE 10 1 Core Output Indicators (COI) 11 2 Local Output Indicators 20 3 Potential Distribution of New Dwellings 2001-2006 gross Figures 20 4 Sandwell’s Five Year Housing Land Supply 2007 21 5 Sandwell Years Housing Supply 22 6 Sandwell Housing Trajectory 2007 (COI 2ai,ii,iii,iv,v) 23 7 Windfall Developments and Commitments 2006/2007 24 8 Percentage of New and Converted Dwellings on Previously Developed Land (COI 2b) 25 9 Number of Planning Applications Granted Between 01/04/06 and 31/03/07 that were conditioned to Provide Community Open Space. 26 10 Affordable Housing Completions (COI 2d) 28 11 Amount of Employment Land Developed During 2006/2007 (COI 1a)f 29 12 Amount of Employment Land Developed in Strategic Regeneration Sites During 2006/2007(COI 1b) 34 13 Proportion of REL’s Sites within 800m of a Public Transport Interchange 35 14 Percentage of New Housing in Sustainable Locations (COI 3b) 37 15 Provision of Cycle Parking in Residential Developments Built in 2006/7 38 16 Amount of Housing Built in 2006 within 400m of a Town or District Centre, Bus service, Metro Stop or Heavy Rail Station Meeting Density Target 41 17 Percentage of Non-Residential Development Complying with the Council’s Car Parking Standards by Type (COI 3a) 42 18 Number of People Killed or Seriously Injured in Sandwell in Road Accidents 43 19 Sandwell Company Travelwise – Annual Membership 44 20 Amount of Completed Retail, Office and Leisure Developments (COI 4a) 47 21 Accessible Green Space and Quality by Town 49 22 Green Space Provision by Town 52 23 Areas of BAP Priority Grassland in Sandwell 55 24 Land Identified as Derelict Land in 2006/7 57 25 Municipal Waste Arising and Managed by Management Type (COI 6b) 62 26 Consultation Stages of Development Plan Documents

3 appendix tables. chapter 1-5

PAGE 1

65 1.1 ‘Saved’ UDP Policies

2

71 2.1 Allocated Sites of 10 units or More Under Construction 72 2.2 non-allocated Sites of 10 units or More Under Construction 72 2.3 sites Under 10 Units Under Construction 74 2.4 Allocated Sites of 10 units or more with Planning Permission 75 2.5 non-allocated sites of 10 units or more with planning permission 76 2.6 sites of less than 10 units with planning permission 80 2.7 Allocated Sites without planning permission 81 2.8 Other Sites identified in the preparation of AAP’s (, and )

3

82 3.1 Past and Current Gross and Net Completions 82 3.2 completions, Conversions and Demolitions 2006/07 83 3.3 Projected Net Completions 83 3.4 Projected Net Annualised Requirement 83 3.5 outstanding Annualised Requirement

4

88 4.1 Areas of BAP Priority Grassland in Sandwell MBC 90 4.2 List of potential sites containing BAP Priority Grasslands in Sandwelll MBC

5

92 5.1 consultation undertaken for the Brades Village Supplementary Planning Document (Adoption) 93 5.2 consultation undertaken for the Brades Village Supplementary Planning Document (Draft) 94 5.3 consultation undertaken for the Brindley II Supplementary Planning Document (Adoption) 95 5.4 consultation undertaken for the Brindley II Supplementary Planning Document (Draft) 96 5.5 consultation undertaken for the Tipton Area Action Plan (Locarno Road) (Preferred Options) 97 5.6 consultation undertaken for the Hill Top Supplementary Planning Document (Adoption) 98 5.7 consultation undertaken for the Hill Top Supplementary Planning Document (Draft) 99 5.8 Consultation undertaken for the Intensification Supplementary Planning Document (Draft) 100 5.9 consultation undertaken for the Lyng Supplementary Planning Document (Adoption) 101 5.10 consultation undertaken for the Lyng Supplementary Planning Document (Draft) 102 5.11 consultation undertaken for the Smethwick Area Action Plan (Issues and Options) 103 5.12 consultation undertaken for the Tipton Area Action Plan (Preferred Options) 104 5.13 consultation undertaken for the Transport Assessments Supplementary Planning Document (Adoption) 105 5.14 consultation undertaken for the Transport Assessments Supplementary Planning Document (Draft) 106 5.15 consultation undertaken for the West Bromwich Area Action Plan (Issues and Options)

4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.

In the year to 31st March 2007:

• The Local Development Scheme Milestones have been met.

• The Statement of Community Involvement requirements for publicity and consultation were generally met and often exceeded.

• Considerable progress has been made towards the housing target, with the highest net completions recorded since 1998, dwelling completions are on track to reach and exceed the Regional Spatial Strategy targets.

• Sandwell has identified a 5-year supply of land available for housing.

• 220 affordable dwellings have been provided, with further provision being progressed.

• No inappropriate development was permitted in the Green Belt or on wildlife sites and 99.8% of residential completions were on previously developed land.

• Housing densities and car parking policies are being met thereby helping achieve sustainability objectives.

• 10.42 hectares of employment uses have been developed.

• 93 hectares of employment land is readily available.

• Some derelict land has been reclaimed.

• There has been some loss of employment land to other uses.

• Over 60% of all new dwellings were built in locations with good public transport accessibility.

• There are now two open spaces managed to Green Flag Award Standard with the addition of Victoria Park, Tipton.

• No consents were granted which would have adverse implications on watercourses.

• Minerals and waste monitoring indicate positive trends, particularly with regard to municipal waste.

• Many of the air quality indicators are below the level of concern, however an Air Quality Management Area has been declared for the whole of the Borough in response to widespread exceedances of Nitrogen Dioxide.

Overall the saved policies of the UDP appear to be working and do not currently need amending. However this is only the third year of the AMR and the first time that some of the indicators have been monitored, which has highlighted that in some cases procedures need to be put in place to be able to monitor them in the future.

The AMR will usefully form part of the evidence base for the development of policy through the Local Development Framework.

5 Executive Summary Table

POLICY POLICY REF POLICY WORKING H1 Housing Land Provision H2 Principal Housing Sites H3 Windfalls H6 Design of Housing Development H7 Amenity of New Housing H9 Affordable Housing H10 People and Their Housing Needs E1 Key Industrial Allocations E2 Business Zones E3 Redevelopment of Existing Non-Allocated Industrial Units E6 Locational Factors T1 General Policy ? T2 Walking T3 Public Transport, Accessibility and Location T4 Public Transport T5 Bus Services T6 Passenger Rail T7 Cycling T12 Car Parking T13 Park and Ride T16 Road Safety Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Commuter T17 Travel Plans T18 Safer Routes to School SRC1 Hierarchy of Centres SRC2 Need and the Sequential Approach SRC9 Catering Outlets ? SRC10 Retail Warehousing, Warehouse Clubs and Factory Outlet Centres OS1 Open Space Hierarchy OS2 Protection of Open spaces OS3 Green Belt OS4 Rowley Hills Strategic Open Space OS5 Community Open Space OS7 Sports Facilities OS15 Locational Policy for Sports/Recreation Facilities NC1 Nature Conservation and New Development

6 NC2 The Nature Conservation Network Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation and Local Nature NC3 Reserves NC4 Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation NC5 Wildlife Corridors NC6 Habitats NC7 Species NC8 Access to Natural Open Space UD1 General Urban Design Principles ? UD5 Landmark Buildings ? Land Affected by Contaminants, Mineshafts of Unsatisfactory Load PC6 Bearing Capacity or Other Constraints PC7 Surface Water PC8 Ground Water Protection PC9 Air Quality WM1 Waste Strategy WM3 Landfill WM7 Public and Private Waste Management Facilities WM9 Recycling C1 Conservation C2 Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest C3 Conservation Areas C4 The Local List of Buildings and Structures C6 Registered Parks and Gardens C10 Scheduled Ancient Monuments M2 New or Extensions to Existing mineral Workings M6 Area Specific Designations SO3 Renewable Energy ? Community Involvement – Plans and Policies Community Involvement – Planning Applications

Executive Summary Table Key

Policy Working Policy Partially Working Policy Not Working Not Enough Data ?

7 8 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 this is Sandwell’s third Annual Monitoring Report (AMR). It covers the period 1st April 2006 to 31st March 2007.

1.2 the purpose of this document is to assess the implementation of Sandwells’ emerging Local Development Framework (LDF) and the ‘saved’ policies of the UDP while the LDF is being formulated. (See appendix 1 for a list of the ‘saved’ policies).

1.3 The Sandwell Unitary Development Plan (UDP) was adopted in April 2004. It provides a significant part of the land-use planning framework for the Borough up to 2011 and it also contains policies and proposals that are used to assess planning applications submitted to the Council.

1.4 to replace the UDP, Sandwell now has to produce a Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF is a portfolio of documents that form the development plan for the Borough and which will include the following documents.

• Local Development Scheme (LDS)

• Development Plan Documents (DPDs)

• Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)

• A Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

1.5 It is a requirement of the new planning system that the LDF be continually reviewed and revised to ensure that it is kept up-to-date. The Annual Monitoring Report is the main mechanism for reviewing the effectiveness of the saved policies from the UDP and the policies that will emerge in future LDDs, and identifying the need for change. A review of the AMR will take place annually and be published in December of each year.

1.6 the AMR is required to assess:

• The Implementation of the Local Development Scheme; and

• The extent to which policies in Local Development Documents are being achieved.

Indicators

1.7 to achieve the above there are three different types of indicators that are used:

Contextual indicators set out the wider context within which the Local Plan operates. These indicators set out the key characteristics and the issues of the locality. They are set out in Chapter 3.

Output indicators are spilt into core and local. They measure the physical activities that are directly related to, and are a consequence of, the implementation of planning policies.

9 The Core Output indicators are set by central government and contribute to the monitoring of regional policy and are as follows:

Table 1: Core Output Indicators (COI)

Ref Chapter Indicator No. 1a Amount of floorspace developed for employment by type Amount of floorspace developed for employment by type, in 1b employment or regeneration areas Amount of floorspace by employment type, which is on previously 1c BUSINESS developed land. DEVELOPMENT 1d Employment land available by type Losses of employment land in (i) employment/regeneration areas 1e and (ii) local authority area 1f Amount of employment land lost to residential development Net additional dwellings over the previous five year period or 2a since the start of the relevant development plan document period, (i) whichever is the longer (ii) Net additional dwellings for the current year Projected net additional dwellings up to the end of the relevant (iii) development plan document period or over a ten year period from its adoption, whichever is the longer (iv) The annual net additional dwelling requirement

HOUSING Annual average number of net additional dwellings needed to (v) meet overall housing requirements, having regard to previous year’s performance Percentage of new and converted dwellings on previously 2b developed land Percentage of new dwellings completed at: (i) less than 30 dwellings per hectare 2c (ii) between 30 and 50 dwellings per hectare (iii) above 50 dwellings per hectare 2d Affordable housing completions Amount of completed non-residential development within UCOs 3a A, B and D complying with car-parking standards set out in the TRANSPORT local development framework Amount of new residential development within 30 minute public 3b transport time of key services 4a Amount of completed retail, office and leisure development LOCAL SERVICES Amount of completed retail, office and leisure development in 4b town centers

10 Amount of eligible open spaces managed to Green Flag Award 4c standard Number of planning permissions granted contrary to the advice 7 of the Environment Agency on either flood defence grounds or water quality. ENVIRONMENT Change in areas and populations of biodiversity importance, including: (i) change in priority habitats and species (by type) 8 (ii) change in areas designated for their intrinsic environmental value including sites of international, national, regional, sub-regional or local significance. 5a Production of primary land won aggregates 5b Production of secondary/recycled aggregates MINERALS, WASTE 6a Capacity of new waste management facilities by type & RENEWABLE Amount of municipal waste arising, and managed by ENERGY 6b management type, and the percentage each management type represents of the waste managed 9 Renewable energy capacity installed by type

Local indicators are locally set and are derived from the UDP and are as follows:

Table 2: Local Output Indicators

Reference Chapter Local Indicator Number L1 Windfall developments and commitments 2006/7 Housing L2 Loss of principal housing sites to other uses Proportion of eligible housing sites providing community open L3 space Percentage of eligible housing sites granted planning L4 permission (01/04/06-31/03/07) providing affordable housing Housing supply, building rates, average house price and L5 household income Percentage of completed new dwellings (2006/07) by type of L6 dwelling L7 Percentage of completed new dwellings (2006/07) by size Economy and L8 Amount of land developed for employment by RSS portfolio Employment L9 Employment land supply by RSS portfolio Amount and proportion of employment land supply that is L10 readily available Planning permissions in the business zone not for industrial use, L11 hotels, conference centres and training facilities Number of RELS sites by type within 5 mins; 5-10 mins; 10+ L12 mins from the strategic highway network Proportion of RELS sites by type within 400m of a half-hourly L13 service bus route Proportion of RELS sites by type with operational potential L14 access to rail network 11 Proportion of RELS sites by type within 800m of a public L15 transport interchange Transport L16 Access to fresh food within a reasonable walking distance L17 Cycle usage L18 Implementation of cycle routes L19 Proportion of new development providing cycle parking Density of residential development within 400m of a town L20 centre, town or district centre, bus service, metro stop or heavy rail station L21 Bus use in the West Midlands L22 LTP Light Rail Use in the West Midlands L23 Traffic Mileage in the West Midlands L24 Applications granted for strategic and local park and ride sites Number of people killed or seriously injured in Sandwell in road L25 accidents L26 Number of organisations with Travel Plans L27 Number of schools with Travel Plans Amount of completed retail, office and leisure development in Shopping L28 centres broken down by the retail hierarchy L29 Permissions for new catering outlets out of town centres Retail, warehousing, warehouse clubs, factory outlet L30 completions Open Space L31 Accessible green space and quality by town Amount of land (ha) granted planning permission on open space L32 land for other uses Amount of land (ha) granted planning permission for L33 development in the green belt L34 Inappropriate planning consents granted in the Rowley Hills L35 Amount of Community Open Space per 1000 population L36 Walking distance to at least 1 ha of Community Open Space L37 Provision and safeguarding of sports facilities L38 Inappropriate developments on sports pitches/facilities L39 Location of new indoor sports and community facilities Implementation of mitigation measures within Black Restart L40 consideration zones

Nature L41 Number of ancient woodland sites lost Conservation L42 Extent of BAP priority grassland habitat types Proportion of the borough within walking distance of accessible L43 wildspace Urban Design L44 Applications rejected on poor design grounds L45 Loss of landmark buildings

12 Physical L46 Derelict land reclaimation Constraints of the Development of L47 Annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations Land L48 Applications for landfill sites Waste Applications for waste management / recycling facilities by L49 Management location Conservation & L50 Number of listed buildings demolished Heritage Number of planning permissions for inappropriate development L51 in registered parks and gardens Applications granted or refused for development that would L52 adversely affect a Scheduled Ancient Monument Applications for new or extensions to mineral workings in the Minerals L53 Sandwell Valley and Rowley Hills The extent to which community involvement undertaken on the preparation of the Local Development Framework is L54 in accordance with the Sandwell Statement of Community Community Involvement Involvement Assessment of the effectiveness of the community involvement undertaken on planning applications and consideration as to L55 whether the consultation was in accordance with the Statement of community Involvement.

Significant Effects Indicators

They are indicators that are linked to the sustainability appraisal objectives and indicators. Monitoring of significant effects will be included in subsequent years Annual Monitoring as the Sustainability Appraisal Framework is produced during the production of the Joint Black Country Core Strategy.

13 CHAPTER 2. THE SANDWELL LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (LDS)

2.1 the Sandwell Local Development Scheme is a project plan setting out those documents to be included in the Local Development Framework. It provides the starting point for the local community to find out what the planning policies for their area are, and includes timetables informing people about the various stages of preparation of particular development plan documents. These new documents will gradually replace the “saved” policies of the UDP. Together with the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy and supported by the Black Country Study, these documents will provide the spatial strategy, policies and guidance for the Borough. The LDS is a 5-year programme of document preparation, and it will be reviewed on an annual basis. This will ensure that any new documents will be identified and the progress of existing documents can be monitored.

2.2 Sandwell’s LDS – Situation at 1st April 2007

• The Statement of Community Involvement was adopted

• The Black Country Core Strategy was working towards the Issues and Options Stage

• The Housing, Employment and Centres DPD had commenced

• The Smethwick Area Action Plan was at Preferred Options stage

• The Tipton Area Action Plan was at the Preferred Options stage

• The West Bromwich Area Action Plan had completed its Issues and Options stage and was progressing on the Preferred Options stage

• The Great Bridge and AAPs have been removed from the LDS for the near future.

• The nature of the AAP has been altered to reflect the current needs of the area.

• The Transport Assessments and Travel Plans, the Lyng Master Plan, the Hill Top Master Plan, the Brades Village Master Plan, the Brindley II and the Intensification of Residential Areas SPDs have all been adopted.

• A new SPD – A Guide to Density and Urban Context has commenced.

Policy Implications and Further Actions Therefore, in terms of actual plan progress, compared with the targets and milestones set out in the LDS, the authority met its targets for the monitoring year to 31st March 2007.

14 CHAPTER 3. SANDWELL AND ITS CONTEXT

Figure 1: Sandwell in the West Midlands and UK

Source: Ordnance Survey

3.1 sandwell is a Metropolitan Borough at the centre of the West Midlands conurbation. Surrounded by urban areas on all sides and home to more than 280,000 people, the Borough faces some major challenges to realise our long-term vision for the area.

3.2 sandwell has six towns, one of which is a Strategic Centre, West Bromwich. It has good transport links due to the proximity of the M5 and M6 and good public transport links with the Midland Metro, railway links, and modern bus depots. Sandwell also has an area of green belt, the Sandwell Valley and two award winning Green Flag Parks, , Haden Hill and Victoria Park, Tipton.

Figure 2 : Map of Sandwell

15 3.3 The Strategic Vision

The Sandwell of 2020 will be a thriving, sustainable, optimistic and forward-looking community. Sandwell residents will live in a transformed and safe living environment, will enjoy excellent health, rewarding work, experience choice in their lives, and have a positive view of life in Sandwell. Sandwell will have a positive role in a revitalised West Midlands. It will continue to be a diverse but harmonious mix of industrial/commercial activity and urban living, in which traditional environmental conflicts will have been minimised and the principles of sustainable development applied. Source: Sandwell Plan

3.4 Contextual Indicators Source: The Annual Statement of Sandwell Debate October 2007 - Key Indicators Demography and Liveability

Trend since Indicators Sandwell last year Area (sq km) 86 Persons per sq km 3344 Population ONS mid 2006 est. 287600 Males 140400 Females 147100 Population Net Inflow 10600 Population Net Outflow 11200 (Net Outflow)

Voter Turnout (%) 36%

Domestic Property Values (Apr - 07) 114566 Perceptions of Sandwell (% satisfied with neighbourhood / 60% local area as a place to live) - Source: Viewpoint BCPI Survey Perceptions of Street Cleanliness (% of people perceiving it as an area most in need of improvement)- Source: BCPI 41% Survey Decent Homes (Proportion of Local Authority homes which 56.5% were below decent homes standard)

Challenges and Issues

• The rate at which people are leaving Sandwell for other parts of the UK has remained around 4% in recent years. In 2004/05 there was a net outflow to the rest of the country of 1000 people, a rise of 400 from the previous year. However this has to be balanced against the fact that the mid-year estimates of population size have shown a year-on-year increase since 2001, with the latest figure (mid 2006) showing an increase of 1,300 people over the previous year.

• Sandwell have voter turnout rates slightly below average, and the turnout in 2007 fell slightly.

• Compared to & Wales, the gap in house prices has been widening since 2004/5, Apr 06 – Apr 07 Sandwell was 7%, England and Wales 8.7%. The rise in unadjusted average house price in Sandwell was 38.5% between 2003 and 2006, whilst average income rose by only 5.3% in the same period, making houses considerably less affordable in Sandwell. The average house now costs 4.5 times the average household income.

• The proportion of Local Authority homes that were below the ‘decent homes standard’ has been falling steadily since 2002/03.

16 Children and Young People

Trend Indicators Sandwell since last year GCSE Grades (2007 Percentage of students gaining five or more GCSE grades A*-C, provision) Source: Data Intelligence 54.5% Unit, SMBC/DCSF Teenage Conceptions (Conception rate per 1000 females aged 62.1% 15-17) Source: Teenage Pregnancy Unit/DCSF Infant Mortality (2004) Source: KPVS (ONS) May 2007 (3 yr 7.4 average)

Challenges and Issues

• Sandwell has made significant improvement in the proportion of students gaining five GCSEs at grade A*-C, from 47% in 2006 to 54.5% in 2007. It appears that Sandwell is closing the gap relative to national attainment levels, as it is improving at a faster pace.

• In 2005, the teenage conception rate for Sandwell was 62.1 per 1000 females aged 15-17 and is higher relative to the national average of 41.1. Although the rate had increased between 2004 and 2005, data from 1998 shows an overall declining trend.

• The rate of death within the first year of life is high in Sandwell compared to England & ales.W The gap between Sandwell and the national average has continued to widen since the lowest point in 1995. The 2004 average (2003-2005 data) has shown a slight improvement, closing the gap by 0.3 with England and Wales.

Health and Older People

Trend Indicators Sandwell since last year Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR) Source: Key Population 113 and Vital Statistics (ONS) May 2007 (single year Figures) Life Expectancy 2004 (Years) - Source: ODPM Floor Target Interactive, January 2007 (3 yr average) Male 74.4 Female 79.4 Cancer Mortality 2004 (Deaths per 100,000 population aged under 75 years) - Source: ODPM Floor Target Interactive, 137.4 January 2007 (3 yr average) Circulatory Diseases Mortality 2004 (Deaths per 100,000 population aged under 75 years) - Source: ODPM Floor Target 131.4 Interactive, January 2007 (3 yr averages)

17 Challenges and Issues

• The SMR rate for the UK is 100 and in 2005 the rate in Sandwell remained the same as 2004 at 113. Although there has been some improvement in Sandwell’s relative position since the late 1990s, it remains to be seen whether this can be consolidated.

• In 2004 Sandwell saw a steady rise in male and female life expectancy of 0.3 and 0.2 years respectively from 2003 (almost 4 and 3 months of life gained on average).

• The overall gap between Sandwell and the England average is 2.5 years for males and 1.7 years for females.

• Sandwell has seen a sharp reduction in Cancer Mortality of 7.1 deaths per 100,000 population aged under 75 years from 2003 to 2004. The gap between England and Sandwell has narrowed by 28% (7 deaths per year since 2002).

• Sandwell has seen a sharp rate of decline in the number of deaths, however whilst the performance for 2004 has improved since 2003 the rate of decline has slowed considerably.

Economy and Skills

Trend Indicators Sandwell since last year NVQ3+ (% of working age population) - Source: LFS/APS 26.8% (NOMIS) (2006) Claimant Unemployment (Rates based on resident working age 4.5% population) - Source: ONS (NOMIS) (July 2007)

Manufacturing / Services Ratio 2005 - Source: ABI, NOMIS 01:03.1

Number of Jobs in Sandwell’s Economy 2005 (Source: ABI, 122700 NOMIS Gross Value Added per Head (relative to UK) 2004 - Sandwell 81 & , Index - UK =100) Source: ONS Net VAT Registrations 2005 (Registrations minus De- 160 registrations) Source: BERR Retail Property Values West Bromwich 2007 (£ per sq. metre 800 pa) - Source: Valuation Office Commercial Property Values West Bromwich 2007 (£ per 115 sq.metre pa) - Source: Valuation Office

Challenges and Issues

• There is a drop between 2005 (28.8%) and 2006 (26.8%) in the percentage of working age population having NVQ3+, however this is against a long-term trend which had shown a steady increase. (The Figures are taken from a sample survey so are subject to error).

• JSA claimant rates fell in Sandwell in line with the national level.

• Between 2001 and 2005 manufacturing employment showed a greater proportional decrease in Sandwell than nationally while the rate of increase in services was slightly lower than nationally. Between 2004 and 2005 the ratio between manufacturing and services increased very slightly in Sandwell. For every job in manufacturing there are three service sector jobs compared with one in seven nationally.

• Between 2004 and 2005 there was a slight increase in the number of jobs in Sandwell of 0.5%, however the gap between Sandwell and England and Wales is still widening.

18 • Economic performance against the UK has been slowly deteriorating in recent years. There was no change between 2003 and 2004.

• The trend in net VAT registrations is positive. However rates in Sandwell remain below those nationally.

• Overall, the retail property market has been fairly static in West Bromwich, with low rental values and high commercial yields. Values peaked in 2006 but fell again in 2007.

• Office rental values in West Bromwich have doubled since 2001, overtaking in 2007. The last year has seen the greatest increase. However they are still very low compared with Birmingham and Merry Hill.

Community Safety

Trend Indicators Sandwell since last year Total Police Recorded Crime - Sandwell crimes per 1000 population 2006/7 - Source: Home Office and West Midlands 97.6 Police Recorded Crime: British Crime Survey Comparator 2006/7 59.8

Challenges and Issues

• There has been a steady decline in recorded crime and Sandwell is now at or slightly below the national crime rate.

19 CHAPTER 4. HOUSING

Objective: To secure the provision of housing of the right quantity, quality, type, tenure and cost to meet the needs and aspirations of the Borough’s existing and future population.

4.1 Housing Land Provision

Policy H1 was not included in the extension of saved policies listed in the Secretary of State Direction, (see appendix 1). However Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS 3) states that Local Planning Authorities should monitor the supply of deliverable sites on an annual basis, linked to the Annual Monitoring Report review process which will update the five years supply of deliverable sites.

4.2 the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) outlines the requirement for the number of new dwellings that should have been completed in a Local Authority area over a specific period of time. The current requirement for 2007-12 is 4575, an average of 915 dwellings per annum.

4.3 the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy – Phase Two Revision Preferred Option is due to be submitted to Government in December 2007. Within the Spatial Options document, which was consulted on between January and March 2007, there were three options for the potential distribution of new dwellings 2001 – 2026. They were as follows:

Table 3: Potential Distribution of New Dwellings 2001-2026 gross Figures

Option One Option Two Option Three Total Requirement 23600 34900 36400 Annual Requirement 944 1396 1456

4.4 In line with PPS3, Sandwell’s five year supply is outlined below:

Table 4: Sandwell’s Five Year Housing Land Supply 2007

Under Construction Units Allocated Sites 668 Non-allocated sites of 10 or more units 263 Small sites of less than 10 units 277 Total Under Construction 1208

Sites with planning permission Units Allocated sites 1889 Non-allocated sites of 10 or more units 1860 Small sites of less than 10 units 369 Total 4118

Sites without planning permission available within 5 years Units Allocated sites 1265 Total 1265

Other Units Sites identified in forthcoming AAP’s (West Bromwich, Tipton and Smethwick) 1867 Total 1867

Total 8458 20 4.5 table 6 shows the years supply available for the different RSS options, with 5.4 years supply available for the highest option.

Table 5: Sandwell Years Housing Supply

Constrained (10% discount on Capacity Unconstrained commitments based on UDP) Commitments (UDP sites without pp, density 6591 5932 calculated at 40 dph) Other known sites 1867 1867 Total capacity 8458 7799

Annual RSS requirement (current) Years Supply 9.2 8.5 Annual RSS requirement (RSS Revision

Option 2) Years Supply 6.1 5.6 Annual RSS requirement (RSS Revision

Option 3) Years Supply 5.8 5.4

Key Conclusions: At April 2007 Sandwell has enough land available to meet the 5-year supply requirement in PPS3, and even when measured against the most ambitious option being considered for the RSS Phase Two Revision. A list of all the specific deliverable sites can be found in Appendix 2. Further Action: Update the 5 year supply on an annual basis.

4.6 Policy H2 & H3 – Principal Housing Sites and Windfalls

Overall Housing Land supply

Indicators: COI - 2a (i,ii,iii,iv,v), RSS CF1 – The provision of housing land in accordance with the requirement of the RSS

Target: Minimum 900 (gross) new dwellings per year 2001-2011

21 Key Data: Table 6: Sandwell Housing Trajectory 2007 (COI 2ai, ii, iii, iv, v)

Total Total RSS Annual Manage: Monitor above or Projected Year Actual (Net) Completion Annual below cumulative (Net) Completions Requirement Requirement allocation completions 1998/99 283 478 1999/00 121 478 2000/01 19 478 2001/02 -216 340 -556 2002/03 259 340 -637 2003/04 605 340 -372 2004/05 727 340 15 2005/06 1065 340 740 2006/07 1126 340 1526 2007/08 1071 340 371 2257 2008/09 1301 340 371 3218 2009/10 1462 340 371 4340 2010/11 1121 340 371 5121 2011/12 773 585 371 5309 2012/13 548 585 371 5272 2013/14 433 585 371 5120

Commentary: Since 2001/2 the number of completions has increased significantly, due to both reduced demolitions and significantly increased completion rates. The housing trajectory (Table 6 and Figure 3) shows that net completion rates for last year were the highest level of net completions since the beginning of the plan period in 1998/99. This accords with RSS policy CF3 which sets minimum housing land provision requirement for the Borough and which is currently being exceeded, (for a breakdown of these figures see Appendix 3).

Key Conclusions: Sandwell is on target to meet the RSS requirement of 6589 (net completions) between 1998 and 2011, with net completions of 3992 which leaves an annualised requirement of 649 which Sandwell has exceed in the last three years. If projected completions proceed as predicted Sandwell will have exceeded the RSS requirement.

As identified in the 5-year supply, at current RSS requirement levels Sandwell has 8.5 years supply. Further Action: No further action required

22 Figure 3: Sandwell MBC Housing Trajectory 2007

6000

5500 5309 5272 5000 5121 5120

4500 4340 4000

3500 3218 3000

2500 2257 2000 1462 1500 1526 1301 1065 1126 1071 1121 1000 727 773 605 585 548 585 585 478 478 478 740 433 500 283 340 340 340 340 340 340 340 340 340 340 259 371 371 371 371 371 371 371 121 19 0 15 -372 -500 -216 -556 -637 Year -1000 to tal Actual completions to tal Projected completions Rss Annual completion Requirement Manage: Annual Requirement Monitor above or below cumulative allocation

4.7 Windfall Housing Development

Indicator: UDP L1-Windfall developments and commitments

Target: Maximum of 7038 windfall completions between 1998-2011

Table 7: Windfall Developments and Commitments 2006/2007

Number of dwellings Built (2006/2007) 812 Granted Planning Permission (position at 31/03/07) 2615

Key Conclusions: The UDP identifies a maximum number of windfalls to be developed over the plan period, 7038 between 1998-2011, to date there have been 2262 windfall completions. Therefore windfall completions are in line with this target. Further Action: No further action required.

4.8 New Housing Development on Previously Developed Land

Indicators: COI2b, RSS CF4 & UDP – Percentage of new and converted dwellings on previously developed land

Target: 100% on Previously Developed Land

23 Key Data: Table 8: Percentage of New and Converted Dwellings on Previously Developed Land (COI 2b)

2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 Greenfield 0 0 0 5.2% 0.7% 0.2% Sites Previously Developed 100% 100% 100% 94.8% 99.3% 99.8% Land RSS Target 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Commentary: There were two dwellings on one site completed in the last monitoring year on Greenfield land. This was an area of land that had houses on either side of it and was at the apex of a cul-de-sac and the development continued the flow around the cul-de-sac. Previous to 2004/2005, completions on PDL was 100% and subsequent years have been below the target but only by very small margins.

Key Conclusions: Although the target has not been reached in the last three years, it has only been below the target by a very small margin. Further Action: No further action required.

4.9 Principal Housing Sites

Indicators: UDP L2 – Number of Principal housing sites granted permission to other uses

Target: Zero

Key Conclusions: There have not been any planning permissions granted for other uses on Principal housing sites. Further Action: No further action required.

4.10 Policy H6 – Design of Housing Development

Densities Indicators: COI2c - Percentage of new dwellings completed at less that 30dph; between 30-50dph; above 50dph

Target: Minimum 30 dwellings per hectare net

24 Key Data: Figure 4: Density of completed developments (COI2c)

Less than 30 dws/ha 9%

30-50 dws/ha 31% over 50 dws/ha 60%

Average density figures for completed residential 53 dwellings per hectare development sites in 2006/2007

Commentary: 9% of completed dwellings were under 30 dph, this was largely due to design factors to ensure that the developments were in-keeping with the character of the surrounding area.

Key Conclusions: Around two-thirds of completed dwellings were built at a density of over 50 dwellings per hectare (dph). The average density figure for completed residential development sites in 2006/07 was 53 dph. This exceeds Government guidance of minimum density requirements of at least 30 units per hectare, and also exceeds the saved policy of the UDP (Policy T3) of at least 50 units per hectare in more accessible sites. Further Action: No further action required.

4.11 Policy H7 – Amenity of New Housing

Indicator: UDP L3 - Proportion of eligible housing sites providing Community Open Space (COS)

Target: New housing developments of 10 dwellings or more providing appropriate levels of Community Open Space (COS).

Table 9 : Number of Planning Applications Granted Between 01/04/06 and 31/03/07 that were Conditioned to Provide Community Open Space.

Decision Notices Number of eligible planning applications With conditions to provide COS 39 Without conditions to provide COS 3 Total 42

Commentary: One of the applications resulted in a net loss of bed spaces, Council practice at that time meant that COS did not need to be provided. Council practices have now changed and all eligible developments will need to provide COS even if there is a net loss of bed spaces. In the second case the Council agreed that COS did not need to be provided due to abnormal costs cited by the applicant. In the third case COS provision was not detailed in the decision notice.

25 Key Conclusions: In the main the policy is working with the exception of one application. Further Action: Ensure that all relevant officers are aware of the policy and when it should apply.

4.12 Policy H9 – Affordable Housing

Indicator: COI 2d, UDP - Affordable housing completions

Target: 25% on sites over 1 ha or 25 dwellings or more

Key Data: Table 10: Affordable housing completions (COI 2d)

Tenure Number of units Percentage Funded through registered social landlord or local 107 49% authorities Funded through developer contribution 113 51% Total 220 100%

Figure 5: Percentage of Eligible Housing Sites Granted Planning Permission (01/04/06-31/03/07) Providing Affordable Housing

not providing affordable housing 6% (1 planning application) In discussions 6% (1 planning application)

Policy not applicable 6% (1 planning application)

number providing affordable housing 57% (9 planning applications) outline application with condition 25% (4 planning applications)

Figure 6: Sandwell Housing Supply, Building Rates, Average House Price and Household Income

10000 140000 9000 120000 8000 7000 100000

6000 80000 5000 4000 60000

3000 40000 2000 20000 1000 0 0

Land supply (commitments as at 31st March) (Dwellings) Year completions (Dwellings) Average House Price (£000s) Average Household Income £s

26 Commentary: There was an even split between affordable housing provision between RSL/Local Authorities and developer contributions. This accords with the planning policy of providing affordable housing on developments of over 25 dwellings or sites that are over 1ha in size as the contributions have almost doubled from last year (29%) to 51% this year. Contributions are expected to increase further as the threshold at which the policy applies changed on 1st October 2007 to 15 dwellings in line with PPS3.

Of the permissions granted between 01/04/06-31/03/07 over 80% are conditioned to provide affordable housing with some agreed and others in discussions. Of the remaining 12%, it was determined that the policy did not apply.

Figure 6 shows land supply and building rates and also highlights that the average house price has risen steadily whilst the average household income has not risen at the same rate. The average house now costs around 4.2 times the average household income.

Key Conclusions: The policy is working well. Further Action: Ensure that all relevant officers are aware of the change in the threshold.

4.13 Policy H10 – People and their Housing Needs

Indicator: UDP L6 + L7 - Type and size of housing completions against need.

Target: No target yet, minimum requirements may come forward from new housing needs survey

Key Data: Figures 7 & 8: Percentage of Completed New Dwellings (2006/2007) by Number Dwelling Type and Number of Bedrooms

6 Bedrooms 5 Bedrooms 1 Bedroom 1% 2% 8% 4 Bedrooms Bungalow 14% 1%

House Flat 50% 49% 3 Bedrooms 2 Bedrooms 29% 46%

Commentary Of the completions in 2006/7 there appears to be a good mix of dwellings of different number of bedrooms with 2 and 3 bedroom dwellings being the most prominent. The Figures also show that the type of dwellings completed are evenly split between houses and flats. In future we will be looking to change our data collection to record a broader range of types of dwellings ie, terraced, semi-detached etc this will then be monitored on an annual basis to determine what is being built year on year. This can then also be aligned with the results of the new Housing Needs Strategy, which is due to be published later this year.

Key Conclusions: There is a good mix of dwellings being developed Further Action: Set up monitoring system to record data of a broader range of types of dwelling.

27 CHAPTER 5. ECONOMY & EMPLOYMENT

Objective: To strengthen the Borough’s economic base, maximise employment opportunities and reduce unemployment, within a framework of sustainable regeneration and secure the development of key sites capable of attracting significant industrial investment which achieves a greater diversity of the employment base.

5.1 Policy E1 & E3 – Key Industrial Allocations & Redevelopment of Existing Non-Allocated Industrial Sites

Indicators: COI 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, UDP - Amount of land developed for employment and loss of employment land

Target: 2004/2005-2007/2008: 15/18ha per annum (UDP Para 4.11). Total requirement 144-177 ha between 2000 & 2011

5.2 Amount of Employment Land Developed

Key Data: Table 11: Amount of Employment Land Developed during 2006/2007 (COI C1a)

Type Floor Space (m2) Ha Description B2 175 0.08 General Industrial B2/B8 14185.24 4.7 General Industrial/ Storage & Distribution B1/B2/B8 2979 1.18 Offices / General Industrial/ Storage & Distribution B8 13530 4.09 Storage & Distribution B1/B8 189 0.37 Office/ Storage & Distribution Total 31058.24 10.42

Commentary: In the last monitoring year 10.42ha of employment land was developed. This is higher than in the last monitoring year, although the amount of floorspace developed was lower (this may be due to a number of sites not actually developing floorspace on the site e.g. for open storage). This year we have seen a large increase in the amount of land developed for B8 uses and this is also accompanied by an increase in B2/B8 uses. The B8 trend appears to be following the national trend towards an increase in storage and distribution.

From the period 2000-2007, 62ha of employment land was developed across the Borough, this indicates that we are not on target to meet the 144 - 177 ha between 2000 & 2011. However these figures were set a number of years ago and since then there has been a general downturn in manufacturing which is likely to account for the lower than expected amount of land developed. However it is expected that next year we will have a large amount of land developed, and in recent years we have had a consistent amount of land being developed each year.

28 5.3 Amount of Land Developed for Employment by Type, which is in the Regeneration Zone

Key Data:

Table 12: Amount of Employment Land Developed in Strategic Regeneration Sites during 2006/2007 (Core Output Indicator 1b)

Type Floor Space (m2) Ha Description B2/B8 252 1.63 General Industrial/ Storage & Distribution B1/B2/B8 2979 1.18 Offices / General Industrial/ Storage & Distribution B8 13427 3.15 Storage & Distribution Total 16658 5.96

Commentary: This year 5.96 ha of employment land was developed in the Strategic Regeneration sites across the Borough.

5.4 Amount of Land Developed for Employment by RSS Portfolio (L8)

Key Data: Figure 9 below shows the amount of land developed for employment by RSS portfolio type in the last monitoring year

Figure 9: Amount of Land Developed for Employment by RSS Portfolio

7 6.17 6 5 4 3.5 Land in Ha 3 2 1 0 Good Quality employment site other Local site Portfolio Type

Commentary: This year the greatest proportion of Regional Employment Land Study (RELS) sites (sites over 0.4ha) were built in the ‘other local’ sites category of the employment land portfolio. These are sites that usually attract local firms rather than speculative private investment. Good quality employment sites are sites that are suitable for locally based firms wishing to expand/relocate and are unlikely to attract inward investment but are capable of commanding local speculative private interest.

29 5.5 Employment Land Supply by RSS Portfolio (L9)

Key Data:

Figure 10 : RSS Employment Land Portfolio Supply

RSS Employment land portfolio supply

60 52.07 50 43.57 36.16 40 30 20 Area(ha) 10 0 Good Quality Employment Site Sub-regional Employment Site Other Local Site Portfolio Type

Commentary: Figure 10 above shows the employment land supply by RSS portfolio type. The greatest amount of land is in the Sub-regional employment site category. These are sites that are between 10 to 20 hectares in size in sustainable urban locations including market towns, are high quality attractive sites, suitable to attract clients with an international/national/regional choice of location and are located on, or have direct link to the Strategic Highway Network, and are well, served, or capable of being well served by public transport. It is noticeable how important ‘other local’ sites are to our employment land supply as the greatest number of completions occurred on these sites.

5.6 Amount and Proportion of Employment Land Supply that is Readily Available (L10)

Key Data:

Figure 11 : Employment Land Available by Type (COI 1d)

100 91.32 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 19.91 20 7.65 11.05 10 3.17 3.12 0 B1 / B8 B1 / B2B2 B1/B2/B8 B2/B8 B8 Use Class

Commentary: Figure 11 shows the amount of land by type that is available. This is land with planning permission, currently under construction or a UDP allocation. The amount of land totals 136.22ha. Of this 93ha is available within 5 years. As in previous years the greatest proportion of land is available in the B1/B2/ B8 use class. This shows the speculative nature of planning permissions for employment uses. There has only been a slight change in the amount of land available across the other use classes with the largest increase in the B1/B2/B8 group.

30 Key Conclusions: The total amount of land developed for industrial uses has increased this year, which is a positive step, it would be beneficial to see more development across the RSS portfolio range, however next year it is expected that one of our Sub-regional Employment sites will have been completed which will boost the amount of industrial land development. Further Action: No further action required

5.7 Development on Previously Developed Land (COI 1c)

Indicator: COI 1a Development on previously developed land.

Target: 100%

Key Data: A total of 31058 m2 of employment land was developed, of which, 21303 m2 was built on previously developed land. This equates to 69% of employment land was developed on previously developed land and 31% on Greenfield land. The development is part of a larger development site and was a former sports ground, the sports facilities were relocated to another site nearby following discussions with Sport England and through the planning application process, therefore no actual provision was lost.

Key Conclusions: The policy is working Further Action: No further action is required.

5.8 Loss of employment land (COI 1e)

Target: There is no specific target, however the UDP’s policy aim is to safeguard employment land unless is can be shown that the site is no longer appropriate for industrial use.

Key Data: In the last monitoring year 8.46ha of employment land in Sandwell was lost to other uses, (actually completed). There was no loss of employment land in regeneration areas.

5.9 Amount of employment land lost to residential development

Target: There is no specific target, however the UDP’s policy aim is to safeguard employment land unless is can be shown that the site is no longer appropriate for industrial use.

Key Data: In the last monitoring year 13.33 ha of employment land was lost to residential development through commitments (given planning permission). Another 1.06ha was lost to other uses. Of this total 14.39ha, none of the commitments were within any strategic regeneration areas.

31 Key Conclusions: The amount of employment land lost is slightly higher than in the last monitoring year but still below the figure of 13.84ha when we first began to monitor this in the 2004/2005AMR, this shows that the policy aim is working well. Further Action: No further action is required.

5.10 Policy E2 – Business Zones

Indicators: UDP L11 - Permission in the Business Zone not for industrial use, or complimentary uses (hotels, conference centres & training facilities)

Target: No permissions

Key Data: Business Zones are areas of predominantly industrial use and are the focus for much of the future industrial employment in the Borough. Within the Business Zone, sites and premises will be safeguarded for industrial use (B1 (b) & (c), B2 and B8). In the last monitoring year 5.4ha of land was lost in the Business Zones. Of this 4.5ha was lost to residential uses. Two of the sites were given permission as it was proven that in line with PPG3 there were reasons to override the Business Zone policy. One site was given permission as circumstances for its inclusion in the Business Zone were related to the Health and Safety hazardous substances consultation zone around BIP (Oldbury) Ltd. It was not anticipated that there would be a change in the zone during the plan period, however circumstances changed and the zone was substantially reduced, now the site falls within the outer zone where the Health and Safety Executive do not advise against residential development.

One site was given permission for D2 Leisure use, this was against officer advice. The reason for the decision was the advantage of providing accessible indoor play space in an area of high social deprivation. This was considered to outweigh the concerns of the Business Zone policy issue. Overall the amount of land lost in the Business Zone is relatively small to the overall area of the Business Zone, which is 1350ha. This highlights that the policy aim is working very strongly to protect employment land in the core areas.

Key Conclusions: The policy appears to be working well with a small number of permissions granted for other uses in the Business Zone. Further Action: We must ensure that it is still used to protect industrial land until new policy emerges through new documents in the LDF.

32 5.11 Policy E6 – Locational Factors

Indicators: UDP L12– Number of REL’s sites by type within 5 mins: 5-10 mins; 10+ mins from the strategic highway and motorway network

Target: There is no specific target

Key Data: Drive time information is not currently monitored.

5.12 Proportion of REL’s Sites by Type within 400m of a Half-Hourly Service Bus Route

Indicators: UDP L13 - Number of REL’s sites within 400m of a half-hourly service bus route

Targets: There is no specific target.

Key Data: Figure 12: Proportion of REL’s Sites by Type within 400m of a Half-Hourly Service Bus Route

10.95

25.62

9.83

Commentary: Figure 12 shows the area of REL’s sites that are within 400m of a half-hourly bus service, the largest proportion of sites are other local sites, showing how accessible these sites are to the local workforce that often serve these areas. Around 50% of REL’s sites are within 400m of a half-hourly bus service. Of the four Sub-regional investment sites in the Borough only one of this (which makes up 10.95ha) is within 400m of a half-hourly bus service. Often industrial areas may be set back some distance from a main road where there is a frequent bus service. Sites are often more than 400m away from bus services.

5.13 Proportion of REL’s Sites by Type with Potential Operational Access to Rail Network

Indicator: UDP L14 - Number of REL’s sites by type with potential operational access to rail network.

Target: There is no specific target.

Key Data: There are relatively few sites that are within 800m of a public transport interchange only 11%, again due to the locational nature of industrial areas. An interchange is a railway/metro station or bus interchange. 32% of REL’s sites have potential operational access to rail network.

33 5.14 Proportion of REL’s Sites by Type within 800m of a Public Transport Interchange

Indicator: UDP L15 - REL’s sites by type within 800m of a public transport interchange

Target: There is no specific target

Key Data: Table 13: Proportion of REL’s Sites within 800m of a Public Transport Interchange

Type of Site Area Other Local Site 12.53 Good Quality Employment Site 0.51 Total 13.04

Key Conclusions: Around 50% of REL’s sites are within 400m of a half hourly bus service, but only 11% are within 800m of a transport interchange. Further Action: It is difficult to address such a factor due to the nature of industrial areas, but we must try to ensure that any new development is accessible through a range of transport methods.

Action is required to ensure that drive time information is available for next year’s AMR in order to consider progress in achieving this target.

34 CHAPTER 6. TRANSPORT

Objective: Deliver a transport system which is safe, efficient, clean and fair, and which encourages sustainable development.

6.1 Policy T1 – General Policy

Indicator: COI3b - Percentage of new residential development within 30 minutes public transport time of key services (GP, hospital a primary school; a secondary school; areas of employment; and a major retail centre(s))

Target: There is no specific target. Policy T1 seeks to ensure that proposals for new development are located where easy access can be gained by a choice of means of transport.

Table14: Percentage of New Housing in Sustainable Locations (COI 3b)

Amount of housing built in 2006/7 within 30 minutes public transport* time 878 of key services Total amount of housing built in 2006/7 1435 Percentage of new housing built in 2006/7 which is within 30 minutes 61% public transport* time of key services

*Metro information not available due to technical software issues. Information is thus based purely on bus services.

Key Conclusions: 61% (878 dwellings) of housing built in 2006/07 have been built within 30 minutes public transport time of key services. It is not possible to assess how this compares with previous years Figures due to the restriction of this year’s information to bus services only. Further Action: Action is required to ensure that metro information is available for next year’s AMR in order to consider progress in achieving this target.

6.2 Policy T2 and T7 – Walking and Cycling

Indicator: LTP2, UDP, Cycling SPG L16 - Increasing walking and cycling

35 6.3 Walking

Target: There is no specific target.

Figure 13: Access to Fresh food within a reasonable walking distance

Source: Food Access Document Commentary: Planning easy access to fresh food within a reasonable walking distance contributes to sustainable communities, supporting RSS policies regarding the social infrastructure, inequalities in health and the provision of services.

Figure 13 above shows walking distances of up to 600 metres around Eatwell shops and public transport distances for journey times of up to 10 minutes duration around major supermarkets. In 2006 there were 7 shops signed up to work in partnership with Sandwell Primary Care Trusts to improve access to, and the demand for, healthier food in Sandwell. At October 2007 42 neighbourhood shops had signed up to the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund ‘Eatwell in Sandwell’.

Key Conclusions: There has been a significant increase in the number of shops signing up to the scheme.This work is helping to encourage people to walk and is also helping to inform the West Midlands Accessibility Planning Working Group. Further Action: An accessibility standard is being considered for local shops.

36 6.4 Cycling

Levels of Cycling (L17)

Target: 1% increase in the cycling index between 2003/4 – 2010/11

Figure 14: Monthly Average Cycling Levels of Cycling Monitoring Points in Sandwell Between 2004-2006

Figure 14 : Monthly averages of all cycle monitoring points in Sandwell

80

60 Daily average numb er 40 of cyclists 20 2004 0 2005 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug sep oct nov Dec 2006

There has been a consistent increase in the number of people cycling in Sandwell between 2004 and 2006.

Target: Implement 3 new cycle schemes during 2006/7

The target for the provision of new cycle schemes for 2006/7 was 3:

• Cradley Heath to Blackheath • West Bromwich to Wednesbury • Hateley Heath to West Bromwich

These were implemented in 2006/7.

Target: Cycle parking target for residential development – minimum 1 space per unit

Table 15: Provision of Cycle Parking in Residential Developments Built in 2006/7

Amount of cycle parking in all new residential developments completed in 770 total spaces 2006/7 provided 1435 housing units Total amount of housing built in 2006/7 provided Average amount of cycle parking per housing unit built in 2006/7 0.54 spaces per unit

Key Conclusions: Targets are being met in relation to increasing the level of cycling and delivering new cycle schemes. However, it is evident in Table 15 that the target for cycle parking of a minimum of 1 space per housing unit is not being met. Further Action: It is important that more emphasis is placed at the planning application stage to ensure that the level of cycle parking provided meets the minimum requirements. 37 6.5 Policies T3, T4, T5, T6 – Public Transport, Accessibility and Location

Accessibility and Location

Indicator: UDP L20 -Density of residential development within 400m of either a Town or District centre, or a bus service, metro stop/ heavy rail station.

Target: Minimum 50 dwellings per hectare

Table16: Amount of Housing Built in 2006/7 Within 400m of a Town or District Centre, Bus Service, Metro Stop or Heavy Rail Station Meeting Density Target

Percentage of Housing built Total Housing Percentage of Housing built not meeting minimum 50dph built meeting minimum 50dph target target 975 units 66% (646 units) 33% (329 units)

Commentary: Two-thirds of housing (646 units) built in 2006/7 within 400m of either a town or district centre, or a bus service and either a metro stop or heavy rail station has exceeded the minimum density target of 50 dwellings per hectare.

Key Conclusions: As this target has not previously been monitored it is not possible to assess how much this has changed from previous years, and thus how much of an impact the policy is having. Only once similar information is obtained for future years will it be possible to identify the effect of the policy and consider whether targets are being achieved or whether they need amending or replacing. Further Action: No further action required.

38 6.6 Public Transport

Indicator: RSS 3a, UDP, LTP2, L21, 22, 23 : Increase public transport use in line with LTP2 and RSS targets.

Target: Bus Use – Increase bus use in the West Midlands from the 2003/4 base of 325 million trips per year to 355 million by 2010/11

Figure 15: Target Progress on Bus Use in The West Midlands

Due to the nature of bus use being cross-boundary there are no specific figures for bus usage in Sandwell at present. Figures for the West Midlands as a whole demonstrate that bus use has been decreasing since 2003/4. The target is therefore not on track.

Source: LTP Target Progress Report 2007 Target: Number of journeys on light rail – Increase light rail use in the West Midlands from 5.1 million trips per year in 2003/4 to 5.8 million in 2010/11

Figure 16: Target Progress on LTP Light Rail Use in the West Midlands

Due to the nature of Light Rail use being cross-boundary there are no specific figures for Light Rail in Sandwell at present. Figures for the West Midlands demonstrate that Light Rail Use has decreased during 2006/7. It is considered that the principle reason for this is vandalism which has caused the system to be unavailable at times, thus reducing the opportunity to travel and so passenger numbers. The target is therefore not on track.

Source: LTP Target Progress Report 2007 39 Target: Traffic growth – limit the increase in road traffic mileage to no more than 7% between 2004 and 2010

Figure 17: Change in Area-Wide Road Traffic Mileage in the West Midlands

Source: LTP Target Progress Report 2007

There are currently no figures available specific to Sandwell. Wholesale changes in the method of calculation means that this target cannot be monitored in the same way as previously, so it is currently impossible to assess progress across the West Midlands.

Commentary: There are no Sandwell specific figures for public transport targets available at present therefore it is possible only to assess how far the West Midlands as a whole is meeting the targets. In relation to Light Rail and Bus Use the targets are not currently being met and for road traffic mileage, changes to the monitoring system make it impossible to monitor progress at present.

Key Conclusions: Further action to increase bus usage and Light Rail Use is required. Further Action: Centro is working with key bus operators to increase frequencies on certain bus routes and to enable the provision of priority measures to increase reliability and speed up journeys.

6.7 Policy T12 – Car Parking

Indicator: COI 3a, UDP, RSS - % of non-residential development complying with the Council’s car parking standards

Target: To reduce the level of parking in new developments in order to promote sustainable travel choices and tackle congestion, as per T12, RSS 100%

40 Table 17: Percentage of Non-Residential Development Complying with the Council’s Car Parking Standards by Type (COI 3a)

Number of sites Number of sites Percentage of sites Use Parking Standard subject to parking complying with complying with standard parking standard parking standards 1 space per 14m2 for developments Food Retail over 1000m2 gross 1 1 100% (UCO A) floorspace

1 space per 20m2 for developments Non-Food Retail over 1000m2 gross 1 1 100% (UCO A) floorspace

1 space per 30m2 for developments Employment over 2500m2 gross 1 1 100% (UCO B1) floorspace

Non-Residential No Car Parking 1 site but not Institutions Standards in UDP subject to parking Not applicable Not applicable (UCO D1) standards 1 space per Cinemas and 5 seats for Conference developments over 0 0 - Facilities 1000m2 gross (UCO D2) floorspace

Leisure and Assembly other 1 space per 22m2 than cinemas, for developments conference over 1000m2 gross 3 3 100% facilities and stadia floorspace (UCO D2)

1 space per Stadia 15 seats for (UCO D2) developments over 0 0 - 1500 seats.

Commentary: Table 17 shows that there were 6 non-residential developments in 2006/07 for which the car parking standards are applicable. All of these sites complied with the maximum parking standards as set out through UDP policy.

These levels of compliance are an improvement on 2005/06 figures whereby 25% of non-food retail developments failed to comply with the parking standards. Therefore, as these standards are maximum levels, the levels of car parking in new developments in 2006/07 is less than in the previous year, which contributes towards the aim of promoting sustainable travel choices and tackling congestion.

41 Key Conclusions: Non-residential developments were 100% compliant with the parking standards as set out in UDP Policy T12. Further Action: No further action is required

6.8 Policy T13 – Park and Ride

Indicator: UDP L24 - Applications granted for strategic and local Park and Ride sites by location

Target: No specific target

Key Conclusions: During the period 2006/7 there were no planning applications received for either Strategic or Local Park and Ride sites.. Further Action: No further action required.

6.9 Policy T16 – Road Safety

Indicator: LTP2, L25 - Number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) in Sandwell in road accidents

Target: Reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in Sandwell in road accidents by 40% by 2010 from 1994-98 average, and a 30% reduction from 2004 to 2010.

Table18: Number of people killed or seriously injured in Sandwell in road accidents

Year Number of KSI in Sandwell 1994-98 224 2000 207 2001 195 2002 179 2003 146 2004 120 2005 103 2006 133 Source: LTP Target Progress Report 2007

Commentary: The percentage reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured between 1994-98 and 2006 is -40.5%. However between 2004 and 2006 the percentage has actually increased to +10.8%.

Key Conclusions: The long-range aspect of the target between 1994-8 and 2010 is currently being met, however the short-range target between 2004-2010 is not being met. Further Action: No further action required.

42 6.10 Policy T17 – Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Commuter Travel Plans

Indicator: UDP, LTP2, L26 – Number of employees in organisations with Travel Plans

Target: 30% of all employees to work in organisations committed to work place Travel Plans by 2011.

Table 19: Sandwell Company TravelWise - Annual Membership

Number of Number of Percentage of all Year ending in March Companies Employees Sandwell Employees 2002 23 7704 6% 2003 31 23543 19% 2004 77 31692 25% 2005 84 32212 26% 2006 99 33829 27% 2007 120 36131 29%

Note: Figures for the percentage of all Sandwell employees are calculated based on a total 124900 employees working in the Borough.

Key Conclusions: Target is on track. Further Action: No further action required.

6.11 Policy T18 – Safer Routes to School

Indicator: UDP, LTP2, L27 - Number of schools with Travel Plans

Target: 100% of schools to have Travel Plans by 2011.

Key Data: The number of schools with Travel Plans in Sandwell in 2007 is 124. This is 73% of all schools in Sandwell. (Source: LTP Target Progress Report 2007)

Key Conclusions: Target is on track. Further Action: No further action required.

43 CHAPTER 7. SHOPPING AND THE ROLE OF CENTRES

Objective: To promote a range of centres which provide for the shopping, leisure, cultural, service, social and community needs of all the residents of the Borough.

7.1 Policy SRC1 and SRC2 – Hierarchy of Centres and Need and the Sequential Approach

Indicator: COI4a & 4b, RSS 3b and 4b, RSS 2e, UDP - Retail, office and leisure completions (UCO A1, A2, B1, D2)

Target: In line with PA11 (RSS) & SRC2 (UDP) • PA11 requires (in Sandwell) that West Bromwich will be the focus for: • Major retail development (i.e. those of more than 10,000m2 gross floorspace excluding convenience goods) • Large scale leisure and office (B1) developments (over 5,000m2 gross) • The UDP has no specific target although SRC1 and SRC2 require a sequential approach to site selection on shopping and leisure proposals over 1,000sq metres.

Key Data: Table 20: Amount of Completed Retail, Office and Leisure Developments (COI 4a)

Use Class Gross Floorspace (m2) Net Internal Floorspace (m2) B1 (a) 600 N/A A1 1536 * A2 ** N/A D2 12568 N/A Total 14704 -

Source: Retail, Office and Leisure regional returns 2007

*There is no readily available information on net internal floorspace for these developments, as it is not normally given on planning applications. **It is proposed in future years to monitor these developments

Figure 18: Percentage of Completed Retail, Office and Leisure Development in Centres (COI 4b)

Local Services Developed By Location 2006-7

17% 33% In centre edge of centre outside a centre

50%

44 Figure 19: Percentage of Completed Retail, Office and Leisure Development in Centres by Retail Hierarchy (L28)

Local Services Developed 2006-7 by Retail Hierarchy

Main town town centre centre 17% 0%

District centre 0%

Local centre 0%

not in a centre 83%

Commentary: The information suggests that there may be some concern about the above policies however for each use there appears to be a reason to explain their departure. In total there have only been six applications assessed under this indicator this monitoring year.

In relation to the out of centre retail development, the applicant went through the sequential test and demonstrated that all sites within the centre were not suitable. The next preferential site, which is where the store is now located, is in an edge of centre location.

There was only one office development, the conversion of a residential property, which was on the edge of West Bromwich Town Centre in an area where the Council is trying to focus office growth as part of the centre expansion.

All the leisure developments were outside existing centres. Two of the developments were conversions of existing employment uses. The completion of a dance studio was on an edge of centre site and is also near to a train and bus station. The other for the development of a family entertainment centre was granted on the basis that the advantage of providing accessible indoor play space in an area with a high degree of social deprivation outweighed UDP policy concerns. The new development of an indoor training pitch and changing facilities is specifically linked to estW Bromwich Albion Football Club and Sandwell Academy School that are located very close to the facility. The nature of its use means it is probably not best suited to a centre location.

Key Conclusions: Despite initially looking like developments were not occurring in line with policy, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that developers are going through the sequential test, hence the reasons for the decisions in most of the above cases. However due to the small number of applications, and some departures from policy, it will be important to see how this policy is doing next year. Further Action: We will continue to ensure that the policy is applied.

45 7.2 Policy SRC9 – Catering Outlets

Indicator: UDP L29 - Permission for new catering outlets out of centre

Target: No specific target however SRC9 discourages proposals outside centres except where performing an ancillary role to employment uses or within a local parade of shops.

Key Data: This policy is not currently monitored.

Key Conclusions: This policy can be monitored in the future. Further Action: We will set up the procedure to monitor this policy in the future.

7.3 Policy SRC10 – Retail Warehousing, Warehouse Clubs and Factory Outlet Centres

Indicator: UDP L30- Retail Warehousing, Warehouse Clubs and Factory Outlet Centres Completions

Target: No specific target although SRC10 requires a sequential approach to site selection in line with SRC2.

Key Conclusions: There have been no applications for these types of development in this monitoring year. There have been some enforcement investigations on sites where such uses do not have planning permission and these are currently being looked into. This may result in planning applications in the future to test the policy. Further Action: No further action required.

46 CHAPTER 8. open space

Objective: To protect and enhance Sandwell’s stock of open spaces, and to improve their quality and accessibility in order to maximise their contribution to a sustainable pattern of land use including the diversity of nature.

8.1 Policy OS1 & OS2- Open Space Hierarchy & Protection of Open Space

Indicator: 4c, UDP - amount and quality of open space

8.2 Parks and Gardens to Green Flag Award Standard

Target: 5 Green Flags by 2010 as part of the Local Area Agreements (LAA), and the Cultural Strategy aims to achieve 6 Green Flags (one in each town).

Key data: Sandwell now has two parks managed to the prestigious Green Flag Award standard, (COI 4c). These are Victoria Park, Tipton and Haden Hill Park, Rowley Regis. They cover about 27 ha total, this means that just over 10% of the Boroughs parks and gardens are now managed to the Green Flag Award standard. (Source: Sandwell MBC Green Space Audit 2006. p19)

8.3 Open Space Provision (L31)

Target: There is no specific target, but the policy aim is to protect and enhance open spaces.

Key Data: Table 21: Accessible Green Space and Quality by Town Source: 2006 Greenspace Audit, P19 & 56

Average quality score (2006 green Area of accessible green space Town space audit) *(Highest achievable (Hectares) score was 100) Oldbury 120 29 Rowley Regis 232 36 Smethwick 141 40 Tipton 166 27 Wednesbury 81 32 West Bromwich 457 38

The table above shows accessible green space by the six towns, with average quality scores, the table also highlights the low quality of the green space available.

8.4 Amount of Land (Ha) Granted Planning Permission on Open Space Land for Other Uses.

Indicator: L32 Number of planning permissions granted on open space land for other uses

Target: Zero

Key Data: In the monitoring year only one application was granted consent for development that was previously categorised as open space. This was for a pair of semi-detached houses on 490m2 of private land, with no public access, where scrubland had grown. It was a renewal of a previous consent. 47 Key Conclusions: Open Space policies appear to be working in that existing open spaces are protected from inappropriate development, are distributed throughout the Borough.

The Council is on course to meet the target of 5 parks (or a park in each town) with Green Flag Award status as Victoria Park, Tipton has attained the prestigious Green Flag Award status. Further Action: No further action required.

8.5 Policy OS3 – Green Belt

Indicator: UDP L33 - Protection of Green Belt

Target: 100%

Key data: There were no planning consents granted for inappropriate development in the Green Belt in the monitoring year.

Key Conclusions: The policy is working Further Action: No further action required.

8.6 Policy OS4; Rowley Hills Strategic Open Space

Indicator: UDP L34 - Inappropriate planning consents granted in the Rowley Hills

Target: Zero

Key data: There were no inappropriate planning consents granted in the Rowley Hills in the monitoring year.

Key Conclusions: The policy is working Further Action: No further action required.

8.7 Policy OS5: Community Open Space

Indicator: UDP L35 - Access to Community Open Space

Target: Minimum ratio of 2 ha of open space per 1000 population.

Key data: The 2006 Green Space Audit has analysed the provision of open space per 1000 population, and calculates there is 4.24 ha of this per 1000 population (287600, 2006 mid year estimate- ONS). This more than meets the UDP minimum target of 2 ha.

48 Table 22: Green Space Provision by Town (Source Smbc Green Space Audit) (L36)

Typology Rowley West Oldbury Smethwick Tipton Wednesbury Total Level 1 Regis Bromwich Amenity 49.74 62.31 4.45 30.99 20.94 50.85 219.28 Green space Cemeteries & 0 12.67 20.09 10.78 12.79 19.72 76.05 Churchyards Green 0 4.81 18.35 19.13 1.91 12.76 56.96 Corridor Natural & Semi-Natural 13.7 97.2 1.27 72.92 22.18 268.06 475.33 Green space Outdoor Sports 28.88 7.34 10.03 0 7.88 44.08 98.21 Facilities Parks & 27.69 47.57 85.43 30.82 13.97 58.01 263.49 Gardens Provision for Children & 0.21 0.85 1.5 2.28 1.34 4.28 10.46 Young People Total 120.22 232.75 141.12 166.92 81.01 457.76 1199.78

Target: All residents to be within 400m of at least 1 ha of open space.

Key Data: The Green Space Audit identifies 300 areas of green space of at least 1 ha area. The vast majority of the Borough is within this 400 metre boundary, only a part of Wednesbury town centre, West Bromwich town centre and a predominantly employment area of Oldbury are outside.

Key Conclusions: The policy is working Further Action: No further action is required.

8.8 Policy OS7- Sports Facilities

Indicator: UDP, National Playing fields Association, L37 – Provision and safeguarding of sports facilities, Sandwell Playing Pitch Strategy (SPPS)

Target: NPFA Playing Fields - 1.2 ha per 1000 population, SPPS - 0.48 ha per 1000 population.

Key data: The NPFA’s Six Acre Standard states that for every 1000 people, 1.2 hectares of playing pitches should be provided. However, this is a national benchmark and has little value at a local level as local standards can be as low as 0.4 in urban areas. Therefore in line with PPG17, local standards have been developed that consider the local population and local community needs.

The current level of provision is equivalent to 0.49ha per 1000 population.

49 Playing Pitch Methodology calculations highlight shortages of pitch provision in four of the six geographical areas with only Tipton and West Bromwich having supply to meet demand. These shortfalls are particularly apparent in terms of junior pitches.

Future level of provision has been calculated taking into account residential growth up to 2026 as outlined in RSS Revision phase 2, at 0.48 ha per 1000 population. This is lower than the existing standard but is a minimum level of provision and also the emphasis on additional pitches for juniors (smaller than adult facilities) is also a key determinant of the lower standard.

Key Conclusions: The playing fields component of this policy is not being met against Local Standards. However these standards are a minimum and there is also a shortfall in junior pitches which needs to be addressed. Further Action: The Playing Pitch Strategy identifies the following ways forward and should be addressed in the production of development plan documents. - Protection of all pitch sites - Meet identified deficiencies - Ensure that all new developments contribute to the provision of outdoor sports facilities - Ensure the quantity of provision is sufficient to exceed local needs and enhance accessibility

8.9 Inappropriate developments on sports pitches/facilities (L38)

Target: No development on sports pitches/facilities

Key Data: There were no developments on sports pitches in the monitoring year.

Key Conclusions: The policy is working. Further Action: No further action is required

8.10 Policy OS15- Locational policy for sports/ recreation facilities

Indicator: UDP L39 - Location of new indoor sports and community facilities.

Target: New sports facilities to be within 400m of major public transport nodes or in town centres.

Key data: Only one qualifying facility has been developed in the monitoring year, this was the Tom Silk sports development adjacent to the Hawthorns. This is within 400m of a major transport node (a metro stop)

Key Conclusions: The policy is working. Further Action: No further action is required

50 CHAPTER 9. NATURE CONSERVATION

Objective: To protect important wildlife features such as rivers, canals and networks of locally important habitats, and to seek their continuing management.

9.1 Policy NC1, NC2, NC3, NC4, NC5, NC6 & NC7- Nature Conservation, SINC’s/ LNR’s,/ SLINC’s/ Wildlife Corridors, Habitats and Species.

Indicator: COI 8 - Change in areas and populations of biodiversity importance, including: (i) change in priority habitats and species (by type) (ii) change in areas designated for their intrinsic environmental value including sites of international, national, regional, sub-regional or local significance.

Target: There is no specific target.

Key data: • (ii) There has been no development allowed onto any of the designated areas (Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation- SINC’s or Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation-SLINC’s) since the last monitoring year 2005-06.

• (i) Change in priority habitats and species (by type) – Eco-Record manages information on species and habitats on behalf of the borough. They have together with the Birmingham and Black Country Urban Wildlife Trust, co-ordinated a common monitoring approach across the four Black Country authorities and Birmingham City. The information that they have collated for this year will serve as a baseline for the following years and upon which additional species and habitats will be added as resources allow.

A summary of the information is provided below but more detailed information and methodology is in the appendix 4.

9.2 Species

Black Redstart

Indicator: L40 - Implementation of mitigation measures within the Black Redstart consideration zones

Target: There is no specific target

Key Data: In 2006 an audit of the Black Redstart data was carried out. Records made available to EcoRecord were computerised and 1km and 500m consideration zones were defined based on this information. The consideration zones also include areas where habitat is likely to be suitable for this species such as canals and railways. (These consideration zones are shown in Figure 4.3 and 4.4 in Appendix 4). It has been agreed that, in line with PPS9 guidance, adequate mitigation measures would be encouraged within these zones where development is taking place and is likely to affect Black Redstart habitat requirements (through the provision of green/brown roofs, nesting boxes, etc.). Future reports will monitor the implementation of mitigation measures within these consideration zones (which will also be updated annually as more survey information becomes available).

51 Ancient Woodland

Indicator: L41 - Planning permissions granted for any development that would result in the loss or deterioration of ancient woodland.

Target: Zero

Key Data: PPS 9 identifies Ancient woodland as being a valuable biodiversity resource both for its diversity of species and for its longevity as woodland. Once lost it cannot be recreated. It states that Local Planning Authorities should identify any areas of ancient woodland in their areas that do not have statutory protection (e.g. as a SSSI). They should not grant planning permission for any development that would result in its loss or deterioration unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location outweigh the loss of the woodland habitat.

Figure 20 : Number of Ancient Woodland Sites in Sandwell

Sandwell

6 5 5 4 3 3 2 1 0 Woodland Sites

Number of Ancient SI C C n SS SIN LIN ow S Kn ot n/N tio na sig De No

Site Designations

In March 2007 the Wildlife trust for Birmingham and the Black Country on behalf of the Birmingham and the Black Country Biodiversity Partnership, prepared a draft preliminary inventory of ancient woodland in the conurbation. The objective of this first phase was to collate existing information available at EcoRecord, the Wildlife Trust and Natural England on ancient woodland sites within the region. The location of the currently known sites was recorded as well as its current level of protection through the planning system. A summary of the findings for Sandwell is presented in Figure 20.

9.4 Grasslands

Indicator: L42 - Extent of Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority grassland habitat types

Target: There is no specific target.

Table 23: Areas of BAP Priority Grassland in Sandwell MBC

BAP Priority Grassland Type Area (Ha) Lowland calcareous grassland 88.6 Lowland dry acid grassland 28.3 Other good quality grassland 246.2 Total Grassland Area 363.1

52 Key Data: In Sandwell 38 sites were identified with the total area of potential BAP priority grasslands increasing from number of sites in Natural England’s current Grassland Inventory to 363.1 ha. A complete schedule of these sites is presented in table 4.1 and 4.2 see Appendix 4. Table 23 gives a breakdown of the total area of the different grassland priority habitat types in Sandwell. The sites were mapped and a GIS layer was compiled and is available to inform planning decisions (a map of the sites identified is shown on Figure 4.5 in the Appendix 4). This review constitutes a good baseline for an audit of the extent and condition of priority grasslands in the region.

Key Conclusions: This year considerable progress has been made in developing a baseline for priority habitats and species and this will serve well to build on for future years monitoring. Further Action: Continue to work with Eco-Record and Urban Wildlife Trust to identify resources for monitoring and developing mitigation measures for priority species and habitats.

9.5 Policy NC8- Access to natural open space

Indicator: UDP L43, English Nature - Proportion of the Borough within walking distance of accessible wildspace

Target: All residents to be within 400m of accessible open wildspace.

Key data: English Nature defines wildspace as SINCs, SLINCs and wildlife corridors.A 400 m buffer around those is shown on the map below. This shows that there are areas of Quinton, Oldhill, Londonderry/ Bristnall, Great Barr and Tipton that are outside the accessible areas. However, these tend to be suburban residential areas and it is unlikely that there will be significant opportunities to site new wildspace in these areas due to the high price of residential property.

Figure 21: Proportion of the Borough within Walking Distance of Accessible Wildspace

Key Conclusions: This policy is doing more to protect existing wildspace than generate new wildspace in areas deficient in it. Further Action: In future planning documents will look to address and respond to this requirement. 53 CHAPTER 10. urban design

Objective: To promote the characteristics of the local area and reinforce the Borough’s cultural heritage, local distinctiveness and vitality and viability.

10.1 Policy UD1 – General Urban Design Principles

Indicator: UDP L44 - Applications Rejected on Poor Design Grounds

Target: No specific target however UD1 states the Council will reject poorly designed developments.

Key Data: This policy is not currently monitored.

Key Conclusions: There is a possibility that this policy can be monitored in the future. Further Action: We will investigate to see if it is possible to monitor this indicator in the future.

10.2 Policy UD5 – Landmark Buildings

Indicator: UDP L45 - Loss/Replacement of Landmark Buildings

Target: No specific target but UD5 states that landmark buildings will be protected/replaced where they are lost.

Key Data: This policy is not currently monitored.

Key Conclusions: There is a possibility that this policy can be monitored in the future. Further Action: We will investigate to see if it is possible to monitor this indicator in the future.

54 CHAPTER 11. PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAND

11.1 Policy PC6- Land Affected by Contaminants, Mineshafts of Unsatisfactory Load Bearing Capacity or Other Constraints.

Indicator: RSS 1a, UDP L46 - Derelict land reclamation.

Target: Increase the proportion of derelict land reclaimed.

Key data: In the monitoring year 2006/07, 0.06 ha of land was reclaimed by being developed. This was for housing purposes at Neptune Street, Tipton. In the same year, a total of 3.79 ha of land was newly identified as being derelict.

Table 24: Land Identified as Derelict Land in 2006/07

Address Area (Ha) Type of dereliction

Mounts Road, Wednesbury 0.37 General Industrial dereliction

Marlborough Road, Smethwick 0.05 General Industrial dereliction

Shireland Road, Smethwick 0.26 Other forms of Dereliction

Soho Foundry, Smethwick 3.11 General Industrial dereliction

Total 3.79

Key Conclusions: With the demise of Derelict Land Grant, land is only reclaimed as part of general redevelopment of a site. However, the decline of traditional industrial activity in the Borough may mean new derelict sites are revealed. In such a scenario, the performance of this policy may continue to depend on the redevelopment attractiveness of each site, and on the state of the property market at the time. Further Action: Continue to promote the reclamation of land in new Development Plan Documents.

11.2 Policy PC7 & PC8- Surface Water and Ground Water Protection.

Indicator: COI 7, UDP - Planning permission granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency on either flood defence grounds or on grounds of water quality

Target: Zero

55 Key data: Figure 22: Breakdown of Environment Agency Objections to Planning Proposals 2006/07 (COI 7)

Breakdown of Environment Agency objections to planning proposals on flood defence grounds 2007. Granted against eA Pending/ objection undetermined 5% 14%

Withdraw n 23% conditioned/ objection w ithdraw n Refused 49% 9%

Environment Agency records show that no planning applications in Sandwell were objected to for ground water protection reasons in the monitoring year.

In the same year there were 22 objections to planning applications on flood defence grounds. Of these, most were either refused consent, withdrawn before determination or had conditions imposed on them to deal with the issues raised by the EA. Only one application was granted against EA advice, but this was so minor in nature (it was a shelter for one school minibus) that it was felt EA advice should not be the determining factor.

Key Conclusions: The policy is working Further Action: No further action is required.

11.3 Policy PC9- Air Quality

Indicator: UDP L47- Annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations.

Target: Air pollution levels not to exceed national objectives.

Key data: Sandwell MBC Air Quality Action Plan (draft for consultation), shows latest trend information (2006) is good for all air pollutants with the exception of Nitrous Dioxide (N02). Air quality reviews and assessments in Sandwell have identified that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is exceeded at a number of locations. As a result Sandwell MBC has declared the whole borough an AQMA (Air Quality Management Area).

This pollutant is derived mainly from transport uses, where Sandwell’s position with a major motorway junction and an urban area causes problems. Although individual vehicles have been getting cleaner in recent years, through use of, for example, catalytic converters and more modern engine design, this has been more than offset by the growth in traffic levels overall.

Key Conclusions: The Air Quality Action Plan together with the Local Transport Plan will be addressing the growth of these N02 hotspots by reducing congestion and other road improvements, improving public transport, and using area planning methods to reduce traffic volumes and exposure. Further Action: Further monitoring is required. 56 CHAPTER 12. waste management

12.1 Policy WM1 – Waste Strategy

Indicator: COI 6B, RSS WD11 & WD12 Waste Strategy 2007 and UDP.

Targets: • Recover value from at least 53% of municipal waste by 2010, 67% by 2015 and 75% by 2020. • Recycle or compost at least 40% of household waste by 2010, 45% by 2015 and 50% by 2020.

Key Data:

Table 25: Municipal Waste Arising and Managed by Management Type (Coi 6b)

2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 Waste arising (tonnes) 158173.7 150542.9 139551.47 18705.01 25367.8 27552.68 Recycled and composted (11.83%) (16.85%) (19.74%) 4526.35 8061.1 15681.69 Waste to energy recovery (incinerated) (2.86%) (5.35%) (11.23%) 134942.3 117114.0 96317.11 Landfill (85.3%) (77.79%) (69.02%)

Key Conclusions: We are continuing to make steady progress in managing municipal waste further up the waste hierarchy. Further Action: No further action is required.

12.2 Policy WM3 – Landfill

Indicator: UDP L48– Applications for landfill sites

Target: Zero

Key Data: No applications were received for new landfill sites.

Key Conclusions: There is no expectation that any new landfill sites will be required during the plan period. Further Action: No further action is required.

57 12.3 Policy – WM7 & WM9 - Public and Private Waste Management Facilities and Recycling

Indicator: COI 6A, RSS WD10 and UDP L49 – Applications for waste management / recycling facilities by location.

Target: There is no specific target.

Key Data: There was only one application received for a fridge recycling facility in the Cradley Business Park (grid Ref. 396198, 286794). It was granted permission in line with the policies. No Figures for the capacity of the proposed plant were supplied.

Commentary: Although progress has been made in monitoring of new waste management facilities. There is some reluctance by developers to provide information regarding the capacity of the facilities.

Key Conclusions: Although there have not been significant number of applications to assess if policies are working in the way they were intended to, there is never-the-less a small indication that the policies are facilitating new waste management technologies. Further Action: We will continue to refine and develop monitoring tool for capturing data and capacity of new waste management facilities.

58 CHAPTER 13. conservation & heritage

Objective: Protect, preserve and promote the range of historical, architectural and archaeological sites, building and structures of merit or heritage value within the Borough.

13.1 Policy C1, C2, C3, C4- Conservation, Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Merit, Local List of Buildings and Structures

Indicator: UDP L50 - Number of listed buildings demolished

Target: Zero

Key Data: There were no listed buildings demolished in the monitoring year.

Key Conclusions: The policy is working Further Action: No further action is required

13.2 Policy C6- Registered Parks and Gardens

Indicator: UDP L51- Number of planning applications granted for inappropriate development.

Target: Zero

Key data: There were no applications for inappropriate development in registered parks or gardens in the monitoring year.

Key Conclusions: The policy is working Further Action: No further action is required

13.3 Policy C10- Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMS)

Indicator: UDP L52 - Applications granted or refused for development that would adversely affect a SAM

Target: Zero

Key Data: There were no applications for inappropriate development that would adversely affect a SAM in the monitoring year.

Key Conclusions: The policy is working Further Action: 59 No further action is required CHAPTER 14. minerals

14.1 Policy M2 – New or Extensions to Existing Mineral Workings

Indicator: COI5a & 5b - Production of primary land won aggregates, production of secondary/recycled aggregates.

Target: There is no specific target.

Key Data: There was one primary minerals works producing hard rock, which ceased operations during the year. It produced negligible amounts during its final year.

There were no new applications received for the production of secondary/recycled aggregates.

Comments: Edwin Richards Quarry, which was worked to produce hard rock has come to the end of its life and thus there is no production of primary aggregates in the borough. The Regional Aggregates Working party has re-allocated Sandwell’s apportionment to Warwickshire and .

Key Conclusions: Aggregates can only be worked where they occur and there are no further reserves that can be economically worked at the Edwin Richards Quarry. Further Action: We will continue to work with the Regional Aggregates Working Party to continue to monitor the situation and encourage the development of Secondary and recycled aggregates facilities in the borough.

14.2 Policy M6 – Area Specific Designations

Indicator: UDP L53- Applications for new or extensions to mineral workings in the Sandwell Valley and Rowley Hills

Target: Zero

Key Data: There were no applications for planning consent received for new or extensions to mineral workings in the Sandwell Valley and the Rowley Hills.

60 CHAPTER 15. renewable energy

15.1 Policy SO3 - Renewable Energy

Indicator: COI 9, RSS EN7, UDP - Renewable energy capacity installed by type.

Target: There is no specific target.

Key data: No planning applications came forward for renewable energy projects in the year 2006-07.

Key Conclusions: There have been no new applications for new capacity. Further Action: There is an added urgency emerging from international and national commitments to address the climate change agenda. Also there is an emerging realisation that there may occur a shortfall of energy from traditional sources to develop sustainability the regions economy. The emerging Joint Black Country Core Strategy is looking at this issue with a view to develop new mechanisms through the planning system to encourage and require the development of renewable energy capacity.

61 CHAPTER 16. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Objective: To enable communities within Sandwell to contribute to the preparation of plans and policies (the Local Development Framework) and to the consideration of planning applications (Development Control).

16.1 Policy: Sandwell Statement of Community Involvement

Plans and Policies

Indicator: L54 - The extent to which community involvement undertaken on the preparation of the Local Development Framework is in accordance with the Sandwell Statement of Community Involvement.

Target: Community Involvement in the preparation of the Local Development Framework is in accordance with the requirements set out in the Statement of Community Involvement.

Key Data: Consultation was undertaken on the following Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents, details of which is set out in Appendix 5.

Table 26: Consultation Stages of Development Plan Documents

Document Name Consultation Stage West Bromwich Area Action Plan Early Involvement Tipton Area Action Plan and Tipton (Locarno Road) Preferred Options Smethwick Area Action Plan Early Involvement Brades Village Supplementary Planning Document Draft and Adoption Hill Top Supplementary Planning Document Draft and Adoption Lyng Supplementary Planning Document Draft and Adoption Brindley II Suplementary Planning Document Draft and Adoption Intensification Supplementary Planning Document Draft Transport Assessments Supplementary Planning Document Draft and Adoption

Key Conclusions: The SCI was adopted in January 2007. A number of actions taken with regard to the DPDs/SPDs prior to adoption were not fully in accordance with the SCI. However, it is clear from the information set out in appendix 5, that they all met statutory requirements, and most SCI requirements, and in the circumstances this is acceptable.

All documents prepared after the SCI adoption must meet its requirements, and in the period January to March 2007, did so. Further Action: In order to monitor and review community involvement undertaken on Plans and Policies a Group has been established by the Council, made up of representatives of the local community and relevant planning officers. This Group meets on a 6-monthly basis.

62 16.2 Planning Applications

Indicator: L55 - Assessment of the effectiveness of the community involvement undertaken on planning applications and consideration as to whether the consultation was in accordance with the Statement of Community Involvement.

Target: Community Involvement on Planning Applications is in accordance with the requirements set out in the Statement of Community Involvement.

Key Data: The findings of the sample survey concluded that the Council continues to meet their statutory requirements for all planning applications and exceeded more than half of the applications surveyed. In particular the majority of major applications (for example, residential schemes of 10 units or more, or development on a site of 1 hectare or more), being the most contentious applications, did exceed statutory requirements with a much wider radius of residents being consulted together with the posting of two or more site notices in the local vicinity. However responses to planning applications remain generally poor being approximately a third of the applications surveyed. When objections are received, all planning applications that are recommended for approval by the planning officer must be reported to the planning committee.

Commentary: Following the initial sample survey further analysis was carried out regarding the public’s perceptions of the Planning Committee process. The planning committee affords the citizen an opportunity to voice their views (in particular objections) on planning applications in a public forum. This has its benefits not least the assurance of transparency within the decision making process. However, not all members of the public find it easy to contribute to discussions on issues, which directly affect them. Predominantly it is those individuals well acquainted with the process such as architects and agents who get their views across more eloquently.

Evidence collected through observational studies suggests that those members of the general public new to the planning committee find the set up daunting. This can lead to anxiety, which can affect their ability to express themselves as they would wish, resulting in frustration. In some cases this anxiety can lead to members of the public deciding not to participate despite their desire to do so.

The process is also unclear to some members of the general public despite the explanatory notes. The Committee often raise several motions before a decision is made which can lead to confusion as to what has been agreed despite the Chair’s summing up. Evidence also suggests that the manner and sometimes abruptness of the Committee alienates some citizens.

Key Conclusions: The Council continues to meet their statutory requirements for all planning applications and exceeded more than half of the applications surveyed. Further Action: Investigate ways to make the planning committee clearer to the public and less daunting.

63 CHAPTER 17. COnclusion

17.1 General: Overall the evidence suggests that the saved policies of the Unitary Development Plan are achieving their objectives. It is therefore not considered necessary to amend policies at this time. However the information provided will form part of the evidence base, which will underpin the development of new policy through the LDF process.

17.2 Housing: The Council is on course to meet its minimum housing targets as set out in the Regional Spatial Strategy, and the Council has identified a 5 year supply of housing land. Affordable housing continues to be delivered through policy, density targets were met, brownfield development achieved over 99% and there was an increase in the number of dwellings being developed in sustainable, accessible locations.

17.3 Economy and Employment: 10.42 hectares of employment land was developed, all on previously developed land. However there have been losses of employment land to other uses, but generally these were sites which were no longer appropriate to modern requirements.

17.4 Transport: Public usage has declined, however Centro are working with key bus operators to increase frequencies on certain bus routes and to enable the provision of priority measures to increase reliability and speed up journeys. Cycling targets are being met and there has been an increase in the number of shops joining the Eatwell scheme ensuring that people have access to fresh food. The number of companies and schools having travel plans are also on target.

17.5 Shopping and the Role of Centres: Town centre policies continue to work, with retail, office or leisure development generally occurring in town centres unless there were exceptional circumstances.

17.6 Open Space and Nature Conservation: Progress continues to be made on environmental objectives, with no inappropriate development in the green belt or new development on Wildlife sites. Sandwell now has two parks to Green Flag Award Standard, Haden Hill, Rowley Regis and Victoria Park, Tipton.

17.7 Physical Constraints on the Development of Land: Derelict land has continued to be reclaimed. Air quality reviews and assessments in Sandwell have identified that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is exceeded at a number of locations.As a result Sandwell MBC has declared the whole borough an AQMA (Air Quality Management Area). There were 22 objections to planning applications on flood defence grounds. Of these, most were either refused consent, withdrawn before determination of had conditions imposed on them to deal with the issues raised by the EA. No planning applications in Sandwell were objected to for ground water protection reasons.

17.8 Waste Management: We are continuing to make steady progress in managing municipal waste further up the waste hierarchy.

17.9 Conservation and Heritage: There were no listed buildings demolished and no applications were granted or refused for development that would adversely affect a SAM

17.10 Minerals: We will continue to work with the Regional Aggregates Working Party to continue to monitor the situation and encourage the development of Secondary and recycled aggregates facilities in the borough.

17.11 Community Involvement: Community involvement in plans, policies and planning applications is generally achieving and often exceeding requirements set out in the adopted Statement of Community Involvement. 64 Appendix 1. saved udp policies

Policies Schedule contained in the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council UDP adopted April 2004

Table 1.1 :‘Saved’ Policies

Policy no: Policy

SO1 Sustainable Development

SO2 Energy Conservation

SO3 Renewable Energy

SO4 Mixed Use Development. SO5 Housing SO6 Change of Use

SO7 Business Zones

SO8 Strategic Regeneration Sites

H2 Principal Housing Sites

H3 Windfalls

H4 Conversion to Residential Use

H5 Conversion to Homes in Multiple Occupation

H6 Design of Housing Development

H7 Amenity of New Housing

H8 The Relationship between Residential and Industrial Uses

H9 Affordable Housing

H10 People and their Housing Needs

H11 Housing for People with Special Needs

H12 Care Homes/ Nursing Homes

E1 Key Industrial Allocations

E2 Business Zones

E3 Redevelopment of Existing non- allocated industrial sites

E4 Existing Premises

E5 Relationship between Industry and Other Uses.

E6 Locational Factors

E7 Environmental Quality and Environmental Standards

E8 Access

65 T1 General Policy

T2 Walking

T3 Public Transport, Accessibility and Location

T4 Public Transport

T5 Bus Services

T6 Passenger Rail

T7 Cycling

T8 Hackney Carriages/ Private Hire Vehicles

T9 Traffic Calming

T10 Roads

T11 Road Improvement

T12 Car Parking

T13 Park and Ride

T14 Road Freight

T15 Rail Freight

T16 Road Safety

T17 Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Commuter Travel Plans

T18 Safer Routes to School

SRC1 Hierarchy of Centres

SRC2 Need and the Sequential Test

SRC3 Mixed Use development in Centres

SRC4 Main Town Centres

SRC5 Town Centres

SRC 6 District Centres

SRC7 Local Centres

SRC 8 Local Shops/Parades

SRC9 Catering Outlets

SRC10 Retail Warehousing, Warehouse Clubs and Factory Outlet Centres

OS1 Open Space Hierarchy

OS2 Protection of Open Space

OS3 Green Belt

OS4 Rowley Hills Strategic Open Space

OS5 Community Open Space

66 OS6 Open Space Network

OS7 Sports Facilities

OS8 Community Open Space in Association with New Housing Developments Public Space in Association with Major Industrial, Commercial & Retail OS9 Developments OS10 Allotments

OS11 Dual Use of Facilitates

OS12 Accessibility

OS13 Floodlighting Synthetic Turf Pitches & Multi Use Games Areas

OS14 Water Sports & Recreation Uses

OS15 Locational policy for Sports/Recreational Facilities

NC1 Nature Conservation & New Development

NC2 The Nature Conservation Network

NC3 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

NC4 Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation

NC5 Wildlife Corridors

NC6 Habitats

NC7 Species

NC8 Access to Natural Open Space

UD1 General Urban Design Principles

UD3 Security and Safety

UD4 Urban Spaces

UD5 Landmark Buildings

UD6 Public Art

CS1 Health & Social Services Facilities

CS2 Community Uses

CS3 Cemeteries & Crematoria

PC1 Areas Affected by Abandoned Limestone Mines

PC2 Zones Around Hazardous Installations

PC3 New Development and Hazardous Substances

PC4 Pollution Control

PC5 Land Affected by Tipped Material and Landfill Gas Land Affected by Contaminants, Mineshafts of Unsatisfactory Load Bearing PC6 Capacity or Other Constraints

67 PC7 Surface Water

PC8 Ground Water Protection

PC9 Air Quality

WM1 Waste Strategy

WM3 Landfill

WM4 Environmental Impact of Landfill Operations

WM5 Buffer Zones around Landfill Sites

WM6 Development in the Vicinity of Waste Management Facilities

WM7 Public and Private Waste Management Facilities

WM8 Environmental Impact of Waste Management Facilities

WM9 Recycling

TE1 Telecommunications Antenna and Masts

TE2 Telephone Kiosks

C1 Conservation

C2 Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest

C3 Conservation Areas

C4 The Local List of Buildings and Structures

C5 Areas of Townscape Value

C6 Registered Parks and Gardens

C7 Canals

C8 World Heritage Sites

C9 Industrial Archaeology

C10 Scheduled Ancient Monuments

C11 Archaeology and Development Proposals

C12 Enhancement of Archaeological Data

M1 Prospecting for Minerals

M2 New or Extensions to Existing mineral Workings

M3 Buffer Zones

M4 Ancillary Development

M5 Open Cast Coal

M6 Area Specific Designations

M7 Safeguarding Minerals

DC1 Access for Disabled People

68 DC2 Control of Poster Panels

DC3 Amusement Arcades

DC4 Canals

DC5.1 Car Parking for Disabled People and People with Mobility Difficulties

DC5.2 Pedestrian Movement within Town Centres

DC5.3 Cycles and Powered Two-Wheelers

DC6 The Boroughs Gateways

DC7 Hot Food Take Aways within the Boroughs Centres

DC8 Development in Conservation Areas and Areas of Townscape Value

DC9 Provision of Community Open Space & Play Space in New Residential Areas

DC10 Community Facilities including Places of Worship &/or Religious Instruction

DC11 Residential Moorings

DC12 Design and installation of shop front roller shutters.

DC13 Shop Front Design

WB1 The Retail Core

WB2 Maintaining a Vibrant Town Centre

WB3 Design Principles & Environmental Quality

WB4 Public Transport, Pedestrians and Access

B2 The Retail Core

B3 Non-Retail Uses

B4 Mixed Use Areas

B7 Residential Uses in First Floors

BH2 Area of Townscape Value

BH3 Maintaining a Vibrant Town Centre

BH5 Accessibility and Linkage

CA2 The Retail Core

CA4 Residential Uses in First Floors

CA5 Mixed-Use Areas

CH2 Cradley Heath Retail Core

CH3 Mixed-Use Areas

69 CH4 Cradley Heath Area of Townscape Value

GB3 Town Centre Services

GB4 Environmental Quality

OL3 Environmental Quality & Access

OL5 Townscape Value

OL6 Bus Access

OL7 Oldbury Bus Station

OL8 Civic Square

OL9 Residential Development Oldbury Bus Station

WE2 Retail Core

WE3 Mixed-Use Area

WE4 Conservation Area and Townscape

WE5 Environmental Improvements

WE6 Traffic and Transportation

SH1 Area of Townscape Value

OH1 Old Hill Local Centre

OH2 Old Hill Area of Townscape Value

70 Appendix 2. 5 Year supply site details

Appendix Table 2.1: Allocated Sites of 10 Units or More Under Construction

Number of Site Units Cape Hill Brewery (Phase 3)Smethwick 10 Duke Street West Bromwich 11 Summerton Road Oldbury 11 Land off Temple Way 11 Lenches Works Ross Street Blackheath 12 Bank Street Hateley Heath 12 Former Low Town Depot Stone Street Oldbury 12 Lenches Works Ross Street Blackheath 13 Queens Gardens / Kings Court Road Wednesbury 13 Lenches Works Ross Street Blackheath 14 Allsops Hill Rowley Regis 16 Road / New Meeting Street Oldbury 16 Queens Gardens / Kings Court Holyhead Road Wednesbury 19 Cape Hill Brewery (Phase 3)Smethwick 20 Duke Street West Bromwich 20 Timber Yard Tame Street Wednesbury 20 Bromford Road / New Meeting Street Oldbury 24 Cape Hill Brewery Cape Hill Phase 1 26 Road West Tipton 26 Queens Gardens / Kings Court Holyhead Road Wednesbury 30 Queens Gardens / Kings Court Holyhead Road Wednesbury 31 Sedgley Road West Tipton 32 Former Low Town Depot Stone Street Oldbury 39 Elwell Street Wednesbury 45 Duke Street West Bromwich 56 Elwell Street Wednesbury 58 Queens Gardens / Kings Court Holyhead Road Wednesbury 71 Total 668

71 Appendix Table 2.2: Non-allocated Sites of 10 units or More Under Construction

Number of Site Units Broadway Filling Station Pottery Road Oldbury 10 71-97 Bedford Road Hately Heath West Bromwich 10 Corner of Brecnock Road & Denbigh Drive Hateley Heath West Bromwich 11 Land adjacent to15-16 Hobart Road Tipton 12 Land at Kingsway and Hereford Road Oldbury 12 Land At The Junction Of Lloyd Street Meeting Street Wednesbury 12 Land at Gilbert Road Smethwick 13 Land Adjacent to Brickhouse Lane South Great Bridge, Tipton 13 22 Corbett StreetSmethwick B66 3PU 15 Graingers Lane Methodist Church Site Graingers Lane Cradley Heath 15 Land at Kingsway and Hereford Road Oldbury 16 The Heron 172 Broadwell Road Oldbury 16 Land Adjacent to Brickhouse Lane South Great Bridge, Tipton 19 Land adjacent to 123Harvest Road Rowley Regis 34 Bingo Hall, Stone Cross Island Road West Bromwich 55 Total 263

Appendix Table 2.3: Sites Under 10 Units Under Construction

Number of Site Units Cape Hill Brewery (Phase 3)Smethwick 1 Land at Wellfield House162 Oakham Road TividaleWarley 1 Eliza Tinsley Works Reddall Hill Road Old Hill Cradley Heath 1 The New Lodge Thimblemill RoadB67 5NR 1 1 Newhall Road Rowley RegisB65 9HA 1 Trotters Lane (adj 2-40)West Bromwich 1 A40 Piercy Street West Bromwich 1 Land Adjacent 2 Denbigh Road Horseley Heath 1 3 Leahouse Road Oldbury 1 Meeting Street Wednesbury 1 Adj 67 Bearmore Road Old Hill 1 Land adj 9 Road 1 Former Garage Corner of Thimblemill Road & Katherine Road Bearwood 1 Land adjacent to172 Hamstead Road Great Barr 1 Land at 39aEmily Street West Bromwich 1 Corner of Brecnock Road & Denbigh Drive Hateley Heath West Bromwich 1

72 75-79 Pear Tree Drive Great Barr 1 Lenches Works Ross Street Blackheath 2 Bank Street Hateley Heath 2 Summerton Road Oldbury 2 Summerton Road Oldbury 2 Graingers Lane Methodist Church Site Graingers Lane Cradley Heath 2 Land Adjacent To87 Holly Lane Smethwick 2 44A Westfield Road Smethwick 2 Balfour Drive Tividale 2 100 Dudley Street West Bromwich 2 Land adjoining 25 Railway Street West Bromwich 2 Land at corner of Devonshire Way & Stoney Road Smethwick 2 Highgate Street/Wagon Street Old Hill 2 Land to the rear of 2 Turner Road West Bromwich 2 Duke Street West Bromwich 3 Timber Yard Tame Street Wednesbury 3 Queens Gardens / Kings Court Holyhead Road Wednesbury 3 Allsops Hill Rowley Regis 3 Rowley Village Rowley Regis 3 12 Broad Street Langley 3 13A Holly Street Smethwick 3 Highgate Street/Wagon Street Old Hill 3 Land off Trinity Street Cradley Heath 3 Timber Yard Tame Street Wednesbury 4 Elwell Street Wednesbury 4 Sedgley Road West Tipton 4 Rowley Village Rowley Regis 4 Dudley Road Tipton 4 Rear 146 Park Lane West Tipton 4 22 Corbett Street Smethwick B66 3PU 4 Land at Corner Bloomfield Road and Newhall Street Titpon 4 Cape Hill Brewery (Phase 3) Smethwick 5 Duke Street West Bromwich 5 Timber Yard Tame Street Wednesbury 5 Summerton Road Oldbury 5 Land off Temple Way Tividale 5 Broadway Filling Station Pottery Road Oldbury 5 The Glen Neptune Street Tipton 5 Land at Corner Bloomfield Road and Newhall Street Princes End Titpon 5

73 Cape Hill Brewery (Phase 3) Smethwick 6 Elwell Street Wednesbury 6 Lyng Estate Bromford Lane West Bromwich 6 Allsops Hill Rowley Regis 6 Rowley Village Rowley Regis 6 Trotters Lane (adj 2-40) West Bromwich 6 68-78 Corporation Street Wednesbury 6 Land At The Junction Of Lloyd Street Meeting Street Wednesbury 6 The Heron 172 Broadwell Road Oldbury 6 Former Garage Corner of Thimblemill Road & Katherine Road Bearwood 6 12 Broad Street Langley 6 75-79 Pear Tree Drive Great Barr 6 Land at Kingsway and Hereford Road Oldbury 7 9A Myvod Road Wednesbury 7 Land at Gilbert Road Smethwick 7 Elwell Street Wednesbury 8 Allsops Hill Rowley Regis 8 Land at Kingsway and Hereford Road Oldbury 8 Timber Yard Tame Street Wednesbury 9 Land at Kingsway and Hereford Road Oldbury 9 Total 277

Appendix Table 2.4 : Allocated Sites of 10 Units or more with Planning Permission

Number of Site units Park Street/Cardale Street Blackheath 12 114-128 Claypit Lane West Bromwich 12 Cape Hill Brewery Cape Hill Phase 1 16 Alma Street Wednesbury 20 Lindsey Road Hateley Heath West Bromwich 24 Land at The Junction Of Thorncroft Way And Brackendale Drive Yew Tree Walsall 24 West Midlands Queens Square West Bromwich 24 Holly Lane Clinic St. Pauls Road Smethwick 27 100 Birmingham Road Great Barr 28 Cape Hill Brewery (Phase 3) Smethwick 31 Lower High Street Cradley Heath 40 John Street North West Bromwich 40 Cape Hill Brewery Cape Hill Phase 2 43

74 Allsops Hill Rowley Regis 45 Lenches Works Ross Street Blackheath 46 Cradley Road / Bannister Road Cradley Heath 51 Bank Street Hateley Heath 66 New Road / Horseley Heath Great Bridge Tipton 66 Cardale Street Blackheath 69 Road Old Hill Cradley Heath 74 Mill Street Great Bridge 87 Land And Premises At Winkle Street And John Street West Bromwich 101 Bagnall Street Great Bridge 131 Lyng Estate Bromford Lane West Bromwich 134 Seven Stars Road Oldbury 186 former Accles and Pollock Sports Ground Brades Rise Oldbury 191 Cape Hill Remain minus Phase 1,2 and 3 301 Total 1889

Appendix Table 2.5: Non-allocated sites of 10 units or more with planning permission

Number of Site units 1-2 Hobart Road Princess End Tipton 10 Car Park at corner of New Cross Street and Unity Walk Tipton 10 Land Off Alexandra Road/Spring Street Tipton 10 Land Between No.32 And George Betts School West End Avenue Smethwick 11 3-9 Waterloo Road Smethwick 12 Units 1-7 Wellesley Road Oldbury 12 Hill top and Witton Lane West Bromwich 12 Land at 2-4 William Road Smethwick 13 241/243 Titford Road OldburyB69 4QE 14 16-18 Ray Hall Lane Birmingham 14 Land At 13 - 23 Crosswells Road Oldbury 14 The Lagoon159 High Street Princes End 15 No’s 1, 9A & 11 Walsall Street West BromwichB70 7NX 16 Land between 319 and 327 Birmingham Road Great Barr 16 Adj 12 Bearmore Road Cradley Heath 16 Adj 101 Beeches Road Rowley Regis B65 0BB 16 Land at Peters Street Harvills Hawthorn Wednesbury 17

75 Corngreeves Hall Cradley Heath 18 The Tibbington Arms PH Central Avenue/Sycamore Road Tipton 18 Former Starlight Auto Sales Wolverhampton Road Oldbury 18 15 - 18 South Road Smethwick 18 Former Ryder House Site off Whitgreave Street West Bromwich 20 Swift AbrasivesToll End Road Tipton 20 Golden Lion Public House Hall Green Road West Bromwich 22 Reddal Hill Road and Brook Lane Junction Cradley Heath 22 Wilkinson Wheel Company Barton street West Bromwich 22 Former Rounds Timber Yard Castle Street Tipton 23 Land adjacent to Work House Bridge Upper Church Lane Tipton 24 King Edward VII PH and 87 Old Meeting Street West Bromwich 24 Tudor Works 36A Windmill Lane Smethwick 24 Upper Church Lane (Adj Workhouse Lane Bridge) 24 116 To 126 Pear Tree Road And 81 Pear Tree Drive Great Barr 26 Oak Garage 63 Gospel Oak Road Gospel Oak 28 Friar Park Road Wednesbury 31 Sandwell College Woden Road South Wednesbury 40 Parsonage Street West Bromwich 41 Great Bridge - Car Park Tipton 45 The Swan Inn Oldbury Road 49 Land at Meyrick Road, York Crescent and finchpath Road Harvills Hawthorn West 55 Bromwich Orchard School Coopers Lane Smethwick 59 Land off Leabrook Road Wednesbury 71 Wednesbury South PFI Millfields Estate 94 Former W H Keys Ltd Church Lane West Bromwich 148 Wednesbury South PFI Harvills Hawthorn Estate Wednesbury 177 Former Churchfields High School All Saints Way West Bromwich 214 Former Corus Premises Bloomfield Road Tipton 257 Total 1860

Appendix Table 2.6: Sites of less than 10 units with Planning Permission

Number of Site Units

68 Ethel Street Bearwood 1 R/O 26 Perry Hill Road Oldbury 1 Land Adjacent to 66 Reservior Passage Wednesbury 1 220-221 Toll End Road Tipton 1

76 Land adjacent to 4 William Road Smethwick 1 73 Wheatsheaf Road Tividale 1 144-145 High Street Black Heath 1 Winsor Road Rowley Regis 1 Land at rear of 64 Newton Road Great Barr 1 164 Spouthouse Lane Great Barr 1 Land adjacent to 69 Mincing Lane Rowley Regis 1 16 Broome Avenue Great Barr 1 Former Unicorn Pub Junction of Tibbington Road & Tibbington Terrace Tipton 1 8A Bason’s Lane Oldbury 1 1 Albert Road Oldbury 1 Land adjacent to 48 Beauty Bank Cradley Heath 1 10 Shrubbery Avenue Tipton 1 12 Oak Crescent Tividale 1 Land adjacent to71 Portway Road Rowley Regis 1 5 Regis Road Rowley Regis 1 Land adjacent to 8 Queens Road Tipton 1 Land adjacent to 27 Philip Road Great Bridge 1 Adj to 95 Causeway Green Road Oldbury 1 16 Ryders Green Rd West Bromwich 1 163 Abbey Rd Smethwick b67 5lx 1 Land Adjacent to No 34 Bilston Rd Wednesbury WS19 7JL 1 Vacant Site 28 Hill Street Tipton 1 Land Adjacent to 68 Blakeley Hall RoadOldbury B69 4ES 1 Rear of 70 Brunswick Park Road Wednesbury 1 22 Jill Avenue Great Barr 1 Rear of 168 Hall Green Road West Bromwich 1 Land to side of 2 Barrs Road Cradley Heath 1 Great Bridge Methodist Church Great Bridge Street West Bromwich 1 Land Adjacent 13 Church StreetTipton 1 Adj to 1 Castle Close Cradley Heath 1 Land Adjacent to 1 Mallen Drive Tividale 1 Land Adjacent to 320 Halesowen Road Cradley Heath 1 Adj 2 Oldbury Street Wednesbury 1 Rear of 10 Castle Road Tipton 1 7 St Marks Road Smethwick 1 Car Park at junction of Albion Street and Owen Street Tipton 1 147 Horseley Road Horsely Heath Tipton 1 Land To The Rear 2 - 6 Dudley Port Tipton 1

77 Land Adjacent 1 Wood Street Tipton 1 Land Adjacent 1 Perry Park Road Cradley Heath 1 Sandwell Pines Golf Course Tippity Green Rowley Regis 1 Land At Newtown Street Bannister Street Cradley Heath 1 1 Bedford Road Hateley Heath West Bromwich 1 Land Adjacent 67 Windsor Road Oldbury 1 Adjacent 27 Wadham Close Rowley Regis 1 Adjacent 37 St. Annes Road Cradley Heath 1 2 Lime Tree Road Yew Tree 1 108-111 Ross Rowley Regis 1 24 Bird End West Bromwich 1 27A Haden Road Cradley Heath 1 Land Adjacent 181 Pound Road Oldbury 1 608 Bearwood Road Bearwood 1 Wesley Street / Queen Street Oldbury 1 Bridge Street Oldbury 2 133 Dudley Road West Tividale, Warley 2 Land adjacent 102 Crankhall Lane Wednesbury 2 Site adjacent to 86 Bakeley Hall road Oldbury 2 Green Lane & Newton Manor Close Greatt Barr 2 Land at rear of 12 Unity Place Oldbury 2 Land adjacent to St margarets Vicarage Chapel Lane Great Barr 2 Land to rear of 332 & 334 Moat Road Oldbury 2 Land adjacent to1 Cox’s Lane Old Hill 2 Land to the rear of 71 Dudley Road Rowley Regis 2 Land adjacent to 138 Wood Lane West Bromwich 2 Rear of 62 & 64 Newton Road Great Barr West Bromwich B43 6BW 2 9 Woodbourne Road Oldbury 2 Beeches Road West Bromwich 2 Land to east of Reindeer Public House Prince Street Cradley Heath 2 Land at Bilston Road/ Short Street Wednesbury 2 5-7 Cradley Road Cradley Heath 2 Blackheath Post Office 36/37 High Street Blackheath 2 17 Dog Kennel Lane Oldbury 2 2 Manor Road Tipton 2 Land Between 33 and 37 Road Wednesbury 2 Site Of 25-26 Lakeside Road Black Lake West Bromwich 2 Land adjacent 65-67 Highgate Street Cradley Heath 2 Land to the rear of 409 Bearwood Road Smethwick 2

78 Land to the rear of Queens Head Public House Small Street West Bromwich 2 Land adjacent to Blue Ball Public House Peartree Lane Cradley Heath 3 Land adjacent to Tame Bridge PH Tame Road Great Bridge 3 Land between no’s 73-81 Bristnall Hall Lane Warley West MidlandsB68 9PA 3 159 Heath Lane West Bromwich 3 Beulah Clarkes Grove Tipton 3 Steel House 37 Church Street Oldbury 3 Jahal Supersave 90 Oxford Street Wednesbury 3 12 Queslett Road Great Barr Birmingham 4 Land at Coppice Street Tipton 4 Rear of 29 & 35 Penncricket Lane Oldbury 4 33-35 Shireland Road Cape Hill 4 Land at Martin Road/Compton Road Tipton 4 61-65 Clarkes Lane West Bromwich 4 Graingers Lane Methodist Church Site Graingers Lane Cradley Heath 4 88 Brades Road Oldbury 4 Rear Of 188 Oldbury Road Rowley Regis 4 Adams Close Princes End Tipton 4 25 Bell End Rowley Regis 4 Land at 29 Silverthorne Lane Cradley Heath 5 Land adjacent to15 East Avenue Tividale 5 90 Waterfall Lane Cradley Heath B64 6RJ 5 Adj 73 Victoria Road Tipton 5 John Edwards Auto Repair and Service Centre Cemetery Road Oldbury 5 Land off Pemberton Crescent Wednesbury 5 Poplar Avenue Tipton 6 Land at Wellfield House162 Oakham Road Tividale Warley 6 Dartmouth Street West Bromwich 6 30 Silverthorne Lane Cradley Heath 6 100,102 & 104 Dudley Road Rowley Regis 6 The Apprentice PH Windmill Lane Smethwick 6 Rear of 104-106A Bromford Lane West Bromwich 6 Land adjacent to 22 Riochards Road Tipton 6 Crown & Cushion PH Leabrook Road Tipton 6 18A Church Vale West Bromwich 6 Site Of 32-52 Phoenix Street Greets Green West Bromwich 6 Site Of 190 Halesowen Road Cradley Heath 6 Land Adjacent 301 Titford Road Oldbury 6 1 Hilton Road Tividale 6

79 Land at Salem Street Great Bridge 7 Land behind Griffiths Road Moorlands Road Wednesbury 7 New Street Hill Top West Bromwich 8 Newton Manor Close Great Barr 8 1A Dale Street Smethwick 8 63-65 Rood End Road Oldbury 8 New Inn Graingers Lane Cradley Heath 9 Land Between 31-37 Tudor Court Tipton 9 Titled Barrel Public House Parkes Lane Tipton 9 97-101 Bromford Lane West Bromwich 9 Total 369

Appendix Table 2.7: Allocated Sites without Planning Permission

Number of Site Units McKean Street Oldbury 2 Avenue Road Blackheath 5 John Street / Payne Street Blackheath 5 Mill Street Great Bridge 5 St Lukes Street / Newtown Lane Cradley Heath 6 Lower High Street Cradley Heath 8 Stanhope Road/Dale Street Bearwood 11 Wyndmill Crescent Charlemont West Bromwich 12 Tunnel Road Hill Top West Bromwich 12 31-43 Upper High Street Wednesbury 12 Land off Horner Way Rowley Regis 12 Whitehall Road Great Bridge 15 Phoenix Street / Irvan Avenue West Bromwich 21 Land at Newton Road Great Barr 16 Working Mens Club Cardigan Close West Bromwich 17 Hawes Lane Rowley Regis 22 Old Cross Street Tipton 24 Newbury Lane Oldbury 24 Lodge Street Low Town Oldbury 25 Beaconview Road West Bromwich 27 Former Accles and Pollock Sports Ground Brades Rise Oldbury 32 Sandwell Valley Riding Centre Water Lane West Bromwich 33 Wilson Road / Sycamore Road Smethwick 36 Beever Road Great Bridge 36

80 Elbow Street Old Hill 36 Sandwell College Oldbury Campus Brook Road Oldbury 39 Temple Way (Rattlechain etc) Tividale 44 St Anne’s Road Cradley Heath 46 Wellington Road Tipton 49 28-64 High Street West Bromwich 91 Mill Street Great Bridge 63 Groveland Road Dudley Port Tipton 65 Messenger Road Smethwick 80 Lyng Estate Bromford Lane West Bromwich 334 Total 1265

Appendix Table 2.8: Sites identified in the preparation of AAP’s (Tipton, Smethwick and West Bromwich)

Number of Site Units Claypit Lane II 10 Meadows School 47 Jervoise St III 1 Claypit Lane/Wattle Rd 215 Carters Green/Gun Lane 200 Sandwell Road/Temple Street 36 Guns Lane 124 Bailey Street/Eaton Ave 40 Edith Street 217 Central Avenue 40 Upper Church Lane/Moat Road 80 Tibbington Terrace 37 Rolfe Street 400 Grove Lane 108 Grove Lane 285 Windmill Lane Phase 3 27 Total 1867

81 Appendix 3. housing figures core output indicators 2ai-iv

Appendix Table 3.1 : Past and Current Gross and Net Completions Core Output Indicator 2ai

Total Gains Total Losses Total Net Year (New Build and (Demolitions and Completions Conversions) Conversions) 1998/99 764 481 283 1999/00 581 460 121 2000/01 619 600 19 2001/02 703 919 -216 2002/03 892 633 259 2003/04 1176 567 609 2004/05 1214 487 727 2005/06 1406 342 1064 2006/07 1479 353 1126

Appendix Table 3.2 : Completions, Conversions and Demolitions 2006/2007 Core Output Indicator 2aii

Residential Gains New Build 1435 Conversions to Residential 44 Total Additions (A) 1479

Residential Losses Demolitions 347 Conversions from Residential 6 Total Losses (B) 353 Net Additional Dwellings (A-B) 1126

82 Appendix Table 3.3 : Projected Net Completions Core Output Indicator 2aiii

Demolitions Gross New Total Projected Build and Net Net Completions Conversions 2007/08 605 1524 919 2008/09 605 1544 939 2009/10 675 1574 899 2010/11 675 1624 949 2011/12 675 1674 999 2012/13 777 1734 957 2013/14 777 1784 1007 2014/15 777 1774 997

Appendix Table 3.4 : Project Net Annualised Requirement Core Output Indicator 2aiv

Total Total Demolitions: RSS Completions: Net Requirement Figures RSS Figures 2007/08 560 900 340 2008/09 560 900 340 2009/10 560 900 340 2010/11 560 900 340 2011/12 390 975 585 2012/13 390 975 585 2013/14 390 975 585 2014/15 390 975 585

Appendix Table 3.5 : Outstanding Annualised Requirement Core Output Indicator 2v

A B C Outstanding Net RSS Net Requirement Sandwell Net Requirement 2006- 1998-2011 Completions 1998-2007 2011 to meet RSS Requirement 6589 3992 2597 Ave. 507pa Ave. 477pa Ave. 649pa (13 Years) (9 Years) (4 Years)

83 Appendix 4. biodiversity action plan priorities

Habitats - Ancient Woodland

PPS 9 identifies Ancient woodland as being a valuable biodiversity resource both for its diversity of species and for its longevity as woodland. Once lost it cannot be recreated. It states that Local planning authorities should identify any areas of ancient woodland in their areas that do not have statutory protection (e.g. as a SSSI). They should not grant planning permission for any development that would result in its loss or deterioration unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location outweigh the loss of the woodland habitat.

In March 2007 the Wildlife trust for Birmingham and the Black Country on behalf of the Birmingham and the Black Country Biodiversity Partnership, prepared a draft preliminary inventory of ancient woodland in the conurbation. The objective of this first phase was to collate existing information available at EcoRecord, the Wildlife Trust and Natural England on ancient woodland sites within the region. The location of the currently known sites was recorded as well as its current level of protection through the planning system. A summary of the findings so far is presented in Figure 4.1. A table for each local authority area is also presented in Figure 4.2.

Appendix Figure 4.1: Level of Protection Granted by The Planning System to Currently Known Ancient Woodland Sites in Birmingham and The Black Country.

35 33 Birmingham cc 30

25 Black country

20 Dudley MBc

13 13 15 12 sandwell MBc 10 10 8 8 7 Walsall MBc 5 5 5 6 5 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 2 1 Wolverhampton cc 0 Number of Ancient Woodland Sites SSSI SINC SLINC No Designation/Not Known Site Designations

As resources are made available additional sources of information will be consulted (e. g. historical maps), survey work and ground truthing work will be carried out in order to identify the actual extend (and condition) of the ancient woodland resources in Birmingham and Black Country. In particular it is expected that ancient woodland sites as yet unidentified, particularly small sites (under 2ha) which are likely to have been missed out from Natural England’s Ancient Woodland Inventory, will be identified and adequately mapped. These sites should then be granted adequate protection through the planning system.

In addition a review of the current levels of protection should be carried out to ensure currently identified ancient woodland sites are adequately protected through the planning system as PPS9 recommends, particularly as a proportion of sites have low levels or no protection at present.

The progress on the above will be reported in future AMRs.

84 Appendix Figure 4.2: Ancient Woodland Sites by Local Authority.

Birmingham Dudley

13 14 14 13 12 12 10 8 8 10 8 7 8 6 6 3 3 4 4 1 2 2 0 Woodland Sites Woodland Sites 0 Number of Ancient Number of Ancient SI C C I S IN IN ... SS INC INC wn S S SL t S S L no No S K n/ ot io n/N at tio n na sig sig De De o No N

Site Designations Site Designations

Sandwell Walsall

6 12 5 10 5 10 4 3 8 5 3 6 2 4 2 1 2 1 0 0 Woodland Sites Woodland Sites Number of Ancient I Number of Ancient SI C C n SS INC INC wn S IN IN w S S SL no S S SL no t K t K /No No on n/ ati tio n na sig ig De es o D N No

Site Designations Site Designations

Wolverhampton

6 5 5 4 3 2 1 1 1 0

Woodland Sites I C Number of Ancient S C n SS SIN LIN ow S Kn ot n/N tio na sig De No

Site Designations

Biodiversity Action Plan Priorities

In 2006 an audit of the Black Redstart data was carried out. Records made available to EcoRecord were computerised and 1km and 500m consideration zones were defined based on this information. The consideration zones also include areas where habitat is likely to be suitable for this species such canals and railways. These consideration zones are shown in Fig 1 and 2. . It has been agreed that, in line with PPS9 guidance1, adequate mitigation measures would be encouraged within these zones were development is taking place and is likely to affect Black Redstart habitat requirements (through the provision of green/brown roofs, nesting boxes, etc.). Future reports will monitor the implementation of mitigation measures within these consideration zones (which will also be updated annually as more survey information becomes available).

PPS9 “Local authorities should take measures to protect the habitats of these species from further de- cline through policies in local development documents. Planning authorities should ensure that these species are protected from the adverse effects of development, where appropriate, by using planning conditions or obligations. Planning authorities should refuse permission where harm to the species or 85 their habitats would result unless the need for, and benefits of, the development clearly outweigh that harm.” Appendix Figure 4.3. Black Redstart 1km consideration zones

86 Appendix Figure 4.4. Black Redstart 500m consideration zones

87 Biodiversity Action Plan Priorities

Habitat Indicators

Grasslands

Local Indicator 1: Extent Of Biodiversity Action Plan (Bap) Priority Grassland Habitat Types

In 2006 a review of the extent of BAP priority grasslands in Birmingham and the Black Country was carried out by EcoRecord. The current Grassland Inventory from Natural England was used as a starting point and other potential sites which may contain BAP priority grassland habitats were identified with the support of local ecologists and existing information.

In Sandwell MBC 38 sites were identified with the total area of potential BAP priority grasslands increasing from no sites in Natural England’s current Grassland Inventory to 363.1 ha. A complete schedule of these sites is presented in table 4.2. Table 4.1 gives a breakdown of the total area of the different grassland priority habitat types. The sites were mapped and a GIS layer was compiled and is available to inform planning decisions (a map of the sites identified is shown onAppendix Figure 4.5).

This work was essentially a desktop based exercise thus it is presented with some limitations:

• The area figures are likely to be overestimated to some extent. This approach meant that often whole sites were considered and not just the grassland proportion of all habitats present within the site. Thus where the extent of the resource was less well known, the whole site boundary was used and therefore the area of priority grassland has been overestimated.

• The identification of priority grassland types is based on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitat definitions1. This presents some difficulties, particularly in the urban area as the nature of sites and their management can make it difficult for definitions to be strictly adhered to (eg. Strictly the lowland calcareous grassland category is only found in Dudley. In all other areas of Birmingham and the Black Country these are base rich versions of neutral grassland). Furthermore the adequate translation into BAP priority habitats requires more information then the one available through this exercise. Survey information will be used in the future to further refine the classifications made.

• Although local experts will be able to reliably identify a large proportion of the potential priority grassland resource, it is likely that a proportion of sites have yet to be identified. Other methodologies, namely the use of remote sensing techniques can be explored to complement this approach.

• Further survey work/ground truthing is necessary to identify the actual extent and monitor the condition of the priority grassland resource. In particular the analysis carried out demonstrated that a large proportion of the priority grassland could not be reliably classified into a specific category; hence the large proportion of “other good quality grassland” i.e. there is not sufficient knowledge/ current information about these sites to allow a more adequate judgment to be made. A monitoring program should be devised and implemented as resources become available.

This review constitutes a good baseline for an audit of the extent and condition of priority grasslands in the region.

Table 4.1. Areas of BAP Priority Grassland in Sandwell MBC

BAP Priority Grassland Type Area (Ha) Lowland calcareous grassland 88.6 Lowland dry acid grassland 28.3 Other good quality grassland 246.2 Total Grassland Area 363.1

88 Appendix Figure 4.5. Distribution and extent of potential BAP priority grasslands

89 Appendix Table 4.2. List of potential sites containing BAP Priority Grasslands in Sandwelll MBC

Site Name Location BAP Priority Grassland Category Alsopp’s Hill SO968878 Other good quality grassland Blackheath Tunnel SO968859 Other good quality grassland Brades Hall SO979909 Other good quality grassland Brades Hall area of Open space SO974911 Other good quality grassland Bustleholme Lane SP015945 Other good quality grassland Bustleholme Lane SP016944 Other good quality grassland Darby’s Hill SO967896 Other good quality grassland Darby’s Hill Road SO965893 Other good quality grassland Dudley Golf Course SO962886 Other good quality grassland Friar Park Sewage Works SP011954 Other good quality grassland Galton Valley SP016891 Lowland dry acid grassland Galton Valley SP014896 Lowland dry acid grassland Haden Hill Park and Corngreaves SO954849 Other good quality grassland Hailstone Quarry SO963880 Other good quality grassland Hill Farm Bridge Fields SP034951 Lowland calcareous grassland Land at Beaconview Road SP020943 Other good quality grassland Land at Edale SO976891 Other good quality grassland Land bordering the SP027948 Other good quality grassland Land North of Ivy House Road SO977889 Other good quality grassland Mousesweet Brook SO936859 Other good quality grassland Open space by Castle View Industrial SO958913 Lowland calcareous grassland Estate Peak House Farm SP038954 Other good quality grassland Princes End Triangle SO951928 Lowland calcareous grassland Princes End Triangle SO953931 Other good quality grassland Ray Hall Sewage Works SP028945 Other good quality grassland Rowley Hills SO974889 Other good quality grassland Sandwell Valley SP022946 Other good quality grassland Sandwell Valley SP025931 Lowland calcareous grassland Shaw Street SO988936 Other good quality grassland Sheepfold Close/Brickhouse Lane SO964873 Lowland calcareous grassland Sheepwash SO976918 Other good quality grassland Warley Woods golf course SP009859 Lowland dry acid grassland Warren’s Hall SO957889 Other good quality grassland Warren’s Hall SO956887 Other good quality grassland Warrens Hall Farm SO959891 Other good quality grassland Warrens Hall Park SO953884 Other good quality grassland Waterfall Lane SO964865 Other good quality grassland Wilderness Lane SP040949 Other good quality grassland 90 Local Indicator 2 Current Level of Protection Granted by The Planning System to the Priority Grassland Resource (% of Potential Bap Priority Grasslands Protected by The Planning System)

An analysis of the current level of protection granted to the BAP priority grassland sites through the planning system/local wildlife sites system was carried out. The results are shown in Appendix Figure 4.6.

Appendix Figure 4.6. Area of the Different Types of Bap Priority Grasslands Which are Currently Designated for their Nature Conservation Value and are Therefore Granted Some Level of Protection Under the Current Planning System.*

140.00 125.6 126.7 120.00

100.00 Low land calcareous grassland 80.00 69.2 59.4 57.6 58.1 Low land dry acid grassland 60.00 54.0 other good quality grassland 40.00

11.0 13.5 14.6 20.00 8.9 5.8 2.8 0.7 0.00

R C C r * N n Area of BAP Priority Grassland (hectares) IN IN o o L S L id ti S rr a o n C ig s fe e li d D il o W N Site Designations * this category includes proposed (but not yet adopted) sIncs and sLIncs

*In considering the areas above please note that the same site can have more then one designation. Site designations for a particular area of land aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive (eg a particular area of land can be designated both as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and a Local Nature Reserve).

Overall the known priority grassland resource is reasonably well protected by the planning system. However a significant proportion occurs on non statutory local wildlife sites (SINCs and SLINCs) which though protected to some extent by the planning system still remains vulnerable. Furthermore there is still a proportion of the resource which has either no current protection or has a relatively low level of protection (see areas designated as Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation). Knowing the quality and extent of the resource is important in order to adequately protect the areas of priority grassland (either by designating new sites or upgrading the current designation to more adequately reflect their nature conservation value).

The area of calcareous grassland in particular has been greatly overestimated due to the lack of accurate information regarding the actual extent of the priority grassland within the sites where it is known to occur. In this assessment the total area of sites known to contain particular priority grasslands was considered where in reality the sites contain a variety of habitats not just the grassland priority in question.

As resources are made available the extent and condition of priority grasslands will be better known and more adequate protection should be granted to the sites that support it. This is in accordance with PPS 9 which states that through policies in plans, local authorities should also conserve important natural habitat types that have been identified in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 section 74 list, as being of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England and identify opportunities to enhance and add to them. This will be the subject of future reporting.

91 Appendix 5. Consultation stages of development plan documents

All the tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Brades Village Supplementary Planning Document (Adoption)

Appendix Table 5.1: Consultation Undertaken for The Brades Village Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Adoption This is due to be done when the - Letters to specific consultees final copy of the adopted SPD is “To ensure that all produced those involved in - Adverts in local newspapers None the process are informed of decisions - Documents at Libraries, Planning This is due to be done when the taken and to provide Office and Sandwell Council final copy of the adopted SPD is opportunity for House produced stakeholders to be - Information on Website inc. Information has been made aware of the new comments received available on the Council’s website SPD” This is due to be done when the - Distribute to consultees final copy of the adopted SPD is produced Displays (where appropriate) None

92 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Brades Village Supplementary Planning Document (Draft)

Appendix Table 5.2: Consultation Undertaken for The Brades Village Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Consultation on Draft Letters sent to specific consultees SPD at front loading, screening, - Letters to specific consultees scoping and consultation stages. “To give local Letters and leaflets sent to local communities and organisations and residents stakeholders a Adverts regarding the consultation formal opportunity on the Draft SPD were placed in to comment on the - Adverts in local newspapers the Express and Star and The Draft SPD, and Birmingham Mail the SA Report, and to make Documents and Representation - Documents at Libraries, Planning representations” Forms were placed on display in Office and Sandwell Council Oldbury library, the Planning Office House and Sandwell Draft SPD, Sustainability Report - Information on Website inc. and Representation Form were comments received made available on the Council’s website The Draft SPD was distributed to - Distribute to consultees consultees Local Forums/ Displays (where None appropriate) Event was held at Tividale Community Recreational Centre to Local Event (Area-based SPDs) launch the consultation period for the Draft SPD Feedback was provided via Feedback via letters meetings, telephone conversations and letters The Draft SPD was presented as a Presentations to Town Matter of Interest at Oldbury Town Committees Committee

93 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Brindley II Supplementary Planning Document (Adoption)

Appendix Table 5.3: Consultation Undertaken for The Brindley Ii Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Adoption Letters sent to respondents - Letters to specific consultees informing them of adoption “To ensure that all No notice in local newspaper those involved in - Adverts in local newspapers although adoption statement was the process are placed on the website informed of decisions taken and to provide - Documents at Libraries, Planning No documents available yet as opportunity for Office and Sandwell Council published adopted document has stakeholders to be House not yet been produced aware of the new - Information on Website inc. Consultation Statement was made SPD” comments received available on the website Published document is not - Distribute to consultees produced yet Displays (where appropriate) No displays provided

94 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Brindley II Supplementary Planning Document (Draft)

Appendix Table 5.4: Consultation Undertaken for The Brindley II Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Consultation on Draft Letters sent to statutory SPD - Letters to specific consultees consultees, stakeholders and local businesses “To give local Press release issued to local communities and newspapers and an article placed stakeholders a - Adverts in local newspapers in the Express and Star and formal opportunity Sandwell Chronicle to comment on the Draft SPD, and Documents were placed at - Documents at Libraries, Planning the SA Report, Sandwell Council House, the Office and Sandwell Council and to make Planning Office and Smethwick House representations” Library A copy of the Draft document was - Information on Website inc. placed on the Council’s website comments received including a representation form and the sustainability appraisal Press release issued to local newspapers and an article placed - Distribute to consultees in the Express and Star and Sandwell Chronicle Local Forums/ Displays (where North Smethwick Canalside appropriate) Steering Group Local Event (Area-based SPDs) No launch event was held No feedback was provided via Feedback via letters letter. A Consultation Statement was made available on the website The timing of consultation prevented a full report being Presentations to Town presented to Town Committee but Committees its forthcoming consultation was minuted prior to event

95 All the tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Tipton Area Action Plan (Locarno Road) (Preferred Options)

Appendix Table 5.5: Consultation Undertaken for The Tipton Area Action Plan (Locarno Road)

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Consultation on Letters sent to specific consultees - Letters to specific consultees Preferred Options and local organisations A press release was issued to local “To give communities newspapers and an article was and stakeholders a - Adverts in local newspapers placed in the Express and Star formal opportunity Newspaper to comment on the options and Copies of document and alternatives and - Documents at libraries, planning representation forms placed at the SA Report, office and Sandwell Council Sandwell Council House, Planning and to make House Office, Tipton Library and Town representations” Team office Document and representation - Information on website including form made available on Council’s comments received website Local Event at Summerhill School - Launch Event (Policy DPDs) or on 22/2/07. This drop-in event was Local Event (Area AAPs) advertised by local leaflets Feedback via letters and Feedback to respondents was meetings where appropriate provided via letter Presentation was made to Tipton - Town Committee presentations Town Committee on 6th February 2007 The preferred options AAP was - Distribute documents to specific distributed to specific consultees, consultees, respondents and respondents and local groups and local groups and stakeholders stakeholders A local event was held (see above) - Local forums/ displays (where and meetings were held with local appropriate) groups and landowners

96 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Hill Top Supplementary Planning Document (Adoption)

Appendix Table 5.6: Consultation Undertaken for The Hill Top Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Adoption Letters were sent to those who had made representations informing “To ensure that all them of the document’s adoption. - Letters to specific consultees those involved in In addition Copies of the adopted the process are document were sent to specific informed of decisions consultees taken and to provide A notice was placed in the Express opportunity for - Adverts in local newspapers and Star and the Evening Mail stakeholders to be aware of the new - Documents at Libraries, Planning Documents were made available at SPD” Office and Sandwell Council the Council’s planning office House - Information on Website inc. The adopted document was placed comments received on the Council’s website Copies of the adopted document - Distribute to consultees were sent to specific consultees Displays (where appropriate) None

97 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Hill Top Supplementary Planning Document (Draft)

Appendix Table 5.7: Consultation Undertaken for The Hill Top Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Consultation on Draft Letters sent out to occupiers and - Letters to specific consultees SPD landowners within the Hill Top area Adverts were placed in the Express “To give local - Adverts in local newspapers and Star and Evening Mail communities and stakeholders a Copies of the Draft document - Documents at Libraries, Planning formal opportunity were placed at Sandwell Council Office and Sandwell Council to comment on the House, the Planning Office and House Draft SPD, and Wednesbury Library the SA Report, - Information on Website inc. The Draft document was placed on and to make comments received the Council’s website representations” The Draft document was sent to - Distribute to consultees landowners and consultees with an interest in the area Local Forums/ Displays (where None appropriate) None, deemed not applicable due Local Event (Area-based SPDs) to the nature of the area and the type of document Letters were sent out providing Feedback via letters feedback to the 10 respondents Presentations to Town A presentation was made to Committees Wednesbury Town Committee

98 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Intensification Supplementary Planning Document (Draft)

Appendix Table 5.8: Consultation Undertaken for The Intensification Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Consultation on Draft Letters sent out to all relevant SPD stakeholders and those who - Letters to specific consultees expressed an interest in the “To give local subject on 20/11/06 communities and - Adverts in local newspapers None stakeholders a formal opportunity Draft document, representation to comment on the - Documents at Libraries, Planning form and prepaid envelope placed Draft SPD, and Office and Sandwell Council in West Bromwich Central library, the SA Report, House the Planning Office and Sandwell and to make Council House representations” Draft Document and - Information on Website inc. Representation Form was placed comments received on the Council’s website - Distribute to consultees See above Local Forums/ Displays (where None appropriate) Attended Great Barr and Hamstead Planning Forum to Local Event (Area-based SPDs) explain and discuss the draft document Summary of representations and Feedback via letters the Council’s response was made available to all respondents Presentations to Town None Committees

99 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Lyng Supplementary Planning Document (Adoption)

Appendix Table 5.9: Consultation Undertaken for The Lyng Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Adoption Letter sent to all respondents identifying how their comments “To ensure that all - Letters to specific consultees have been taken into account, the those involved in revisions made and how they can the process are obtain a copy of the adopted SPD informed of decisions - Adverts in local newspapers None taken and to provide opportunity for Copies of adopted SPD/ SA made - Documents at Libraries, Planning stakeholders to be available in Sandwell Council Office and Sandwell Council aware of the new House, Planning Office and West House SPD” Bromwich Libary A schedule of representations was - Information on Website inc. placed on the Council’s website. comments received An Adoption Statement was also placed on the website Copies of adopted SPD/ SA made available in Sandwell Council - Distribute to consultees House, Planning Office and West Bromwich Library Displays (where appropriate) None

100 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Lyng Supplementary Planning Document (Draft)

Appendix Table 5.10: Consultation Undertaken for The Lyng Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Consultation on Draft Letters sent to specific consultees, SPD - Letters to specific consultees local organisations and other interested parties. “To give local Press release issued to Express communities and and Star and Black Country stakeholders a - Adverts in local newspapers Evening Mail. Formal notice also formal opportunity issued to meet legal requirements to comment on the Draft SPD, and Copies of documents and the SA Report, - Documents at Libraries, Planning comments form placed at Sandwell and to make Office and Sandwell Council Council House, Planning Office, representations” House West Bromwich Library and Greets Green Neighbourhood Office SPD, SA and Comments Form - Information on Website inc. placed on Council’s website for comments received downloading Draft SPD and SA sent to specific - Distribute to consultees consultees, interested parties and local organisations An open day was held on 13th April 2006 at Lyng Community Local Forums/ Displays (where Association office. This was appropriate) advertised locally via posters and press articles Local Event (Area-based SPDs) See above Feedback was given via letter to all Feedback via letters respondents A presentation was made to West Presentations to Town Bromwich Town Committee on 23rd Committees March 2006

101 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Smethwick Area Action Plan

Appendix Table 5.11: Consultation Undertaken for The Smethwick Area Action Plan

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Early Involvement Letters sent to all statutory - Letters to specific consultees as consultees, local community appropriate “To work directly with groups and interested parties the local community and others to ensure Meetings with key agencies that the right issues - Survey and Evidence gathering including Regen Co and Urban are considered, Living and to develop and Issues and Options Paper was assess plan options - Local Forums/ Workshops presented to Smethwick Town and their effects Committee (the sustainability appraisal (SA) Meeting with Smethwick Town Team and Town Partnership inc. process)” - Meetings with key groups Councillors. Meeting with Youth Forums, Regen Co, Urban Living An Issues and Options Paper was - Paper(s) on key issues where sent to all statutory consultees/ appropriate stakeholders Additional letters were sent to Letters, newsletters or leaflets specific consultees during the consultation stage No launch event for Issues and Local Events (Area AAPs) or Launch Options stage, except Town Events (Topic DPDs) Committee and Cabinet Advisory Team A press release was issued to local newspapers and articles appeared Adverts in local newspapers in the Express and Star and the Birmingham Mail Feedback provided at Preferred Feedback via letters, meetings, Options Stage on how comments newsletters, press had been incorporated (via meetings and report to committee)

102 All the tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Tipton Area Action Plan (Preferred Options)

Appendix Table 5.12: Consultation Undertaken for The Tipton Area Action Plan

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Consultation on Letters sent to specific consultees - Letters to specific consultees Preferred Options and local organisations A press release was issued to local “To give communities newspapers and an article was and stakeholders a - Adverts in local newspapers placed in the Express and Star formal opportunity Newspaper to comment on the options and Copies of document and alternatives and - Documents at Libraries, Planning representation forms placed at the SA Report, Office and Sandwell Council Sandwell Council House, Planning and to make House Office, Tipton Library and Town representations” Team office Document, Sustainability Appraisal - Information on website including and representation form made comments received available on Council’s website Local Event at Summerhill School - Launch Event (Policy DPDs) or on 17th Oct. 2006. This drop-in Local Event (Area AAPs) event was advertised by local leaflets Feedback to respondents was Feedback via letters and provided via letter. Several meetings where appropriate meetings were also held Presentation was made to Tipton - Town Committee presentations Town Committee on 10th October 2006 The Preferred Options AAP was - Distribute documents to specific distributed to specific consultees, consultees, respondents and respondents and local groups and local groups and stakeholders stakeholders A Local Event was held (see - Local forums/displays (where above) and meetings were held appropriate) with local groups, individuals and landowners

103 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Transport Assessments Supplementary Planning Document (Adoption)

Appendix Table 5.13: Consultation undertaken for The Transport Assessments Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Adoption Consultees and respondents were - Letters to specific consultees informed about the adoption of the “To ensure that all SPD those involved in - Adverts in local newspapers None the process are informed of decisions - Documents at Libraries, Planning Document was available at the taken and to provide Office and Sandwell Council Planning Office opportunity for House stakeholders to be - Information on Website inc. The adopted SPD has been made aware of the new comments received available on the Council’s website SPD” - Distribute to consultees Displays (where appropriate) None

104 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

Transport Assessments Supplementary Planning Document (Draft)

Appendix Table 5.14: Consultation Undertaken for Transport Assessments Supplementary Planning Document

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Consultation on Draft Letters sent to specific consultees, SPD - Letters to specific consultees key stakeholders and interested parties “To give local A press release was distributed to communities and - Adverts in local newspapers local newspapers stakeholders a formal opportunity - Documents at Libraries, Planning to comment on the Office and Sandwell Council None Draft SPD, and House the SA Report, Draft document was placed and to make - Information on Website inc. on website along with the representations” comments received Sustainability Report and Representation Form Copy of the draft document was - Distribute to consultees distributed to consultees Local Forums/ Displays (where None appropriate) None. This is a technical document requiring commentary from Local Event (Area-based SPDs) practitioners in the planning and transportation field Feedback was provided via emails and letters. A consultation Feedback via letters statement was placed on the website Presentations to Town None Committees

105 All tables relate to the period April 2006-March 2007

West Bromwich Area Action Plan (Issues Options)

Appendix Table 5.15: Consultation Undertaken for The West Bromwich Area Action Plan

Stage and Purpose Requirements of SCI Actual Consultation Undertaken Early Involvement Letters to specific consultees at - Letters to specific consultees as screening, scoping and Issues appropriate “To work directly with and Options Stages the local community and others to ensure Land use surveys, use of other that the right issues surveys and reports; employment land survey, green space audit, are considered, - Survey and Evidence gathering and to develop and education programme, traffic assess plan options model, housing needs and demand and their effects study, housing strategy (the sustainability Monthly West Bromwich Place - Local Forums/ Workshops appraisal (SA) Group meetings held process)” For example: Lyng Industrial - Meetings with key groups Estate, Eastern Gateway Traders, Internal Departments - Paper(s) on key issues where An Issues and Options Paper appropriate was prepared and produced Letters were sent out with the Letters, newsletters or leaflets Issues and Options Paper Consultation Event was held at Wodensborough Community Local Events (Area AAPs) or Launch Technology Collage with Events (Topic DPDs) schoolchildren; Briefing sessions to Councillors. Presentations to Town Committees An article was placed in the Adverts in local newspapers Sandwell Herald Newsletter Feedback was provided to general queries and issues regarding Feedback via letters, meetings, specific sites and potential uses. newsletters, press This was done via letters and meetings

106