Annual Monitoring Report

What is an Annual Inside this Monitoring Report? document:

Monitoring and evaluation are both vitally important if councils are to demonstrate their Introduction………..…..…..2 effectiveness and value for money. Recent changes to Government Legislation now mean Profile of Worcester….…...4 councils are responsible for their own performance management and are accountable to Population………...…..……5 local communities rather than central government. Economy…………...... ……..6

Planning delivers the council’s objectives for Employment Land.….…..….8 Worcester through the planning policy and development management processes. Worcester City Council Housing……………………..9 The AMR assesses and demonstrates the Natural Environment……..14 effectiveness of Worcester’s planning policies, Annual Monitoring monitors Worcester’s City Council’s perfor- Built Environment………...16 mance in implementing Local Plan policies Report 2010/11 and monitors the council’s performance in Transport………………….18 producing and implementing Local Develop- Appendix…………………..19 ment Framework policy.

Worcester City Council Orchard House Complex Farrier Street Worcester WR1 3BB

Phone: 01905 722233 E-mail: [email protected]

achieved (Sections 13 and 35 of the Planning and Introduction Compulsory Purchase Act 2004). Executive Summary The AMR is helpful in that it looks to establish the value added by Development Management, Con- he primary purpose of this docu- servation and Enforcement activity. For example, a n 2010 Worcester produced a joint AMR ment is to share the performance statistic like the number of affordable houses de- with Wychavon and Malvern Hills districts. and achievements of the planning livered would translate into the outcome of The purpose of this was feed in to the joint service with the local community. ‘number of families housed’ and/or ’numbers re- T moved from local housing waiting lists’. development plan process. This year the The Annual Monitoring Report achieves this I production of a joint AMR has proven to be un- by: Should you wish to find out further details of the workable due to the constraints and pressures legal requirements regarding Annual Monitoring - reviewing the matters which may be ex- created by the South Worcestershire Develop- Reports you can visit www.legislation.gov.uk/. De- pected to affect the development of ment Plan consultation process. It is envisaged tails of the specific legislation governing AMRs can Worcester or the planning of its develop- that in 2012 the three authorities will once again be found in the Appendix. ment; produce a joint AMR. The Worcester AMR covers the period 1 April - monitoring the effectiveness of policies and The AMR is made up of nationally set Core Out- 2010 to 31 March 2011. Important changes to proposals in the authority’s adopted and put Indicators and Worcester-specific infor- legislation and policy have occurred since April emerging local development plans; and mation , which comprises data and analysis for 2011. These include the enactment of the Local- local indicators . These indicators are drawn - by providing information on the prepara- ism Act on 15th November 2011. Key sections of from the monitoring framework established in tion of planning documents and the extent the act have come in to force including the Secre- the authority as per the council’s adopted Local to which policies set out in these are being tary of State’s powers to revoke the Regional Spa- Plan, the Balanced Housing Market Development tial Strategy. The Secretary of State has not yet Plan Document and Sustainability Appraisals. exercised those powers. Other key components of the Localism Act are: The monitoring year 2010/11 saw the continua- tion of slow economic growth, though did not  Neighbourhood Planning and Community see economic recession as in the previous moni- Right to Build toring year. Although the impacts of this will still  Duty to consult on developments over a take time to feed through into some indicators, it certain size has had a marked impact on performance against  Right to bid for assets of community value housing and economic indicators. With regard to employment and housing targets Worcester City  Duty to cooperate Council had been awaiting primary legislation as

Housing at Sansome Place  Changes to Community Infrastructure Levy the Localism Bill was scheduled to begin its pas-

sage through Parliament from Christmas 2010. Worcester Stats Performance Since enacted it has returned powers of plan- Monitoring Indicator Data Source 2010/11 2010/11 making to local planning authorities. As it DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY stands the Regional Spatial Strategy remains Percentage of households built in the urban area SWHLM, 2011 100%  part of the Development Plan for the local au- COI, BD2: Total amount & type of completed floorspace on thorities across South Worcestershire but the SWELM, 2011 N/A  PDL weight afforded to it in the case of individual COI, H3: New and converted homes built on PDL SWHLM, 2011 100%  planning applications (and by Inspectors in the SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH case of appeals), will need to be judged against the advice issued by Government and its Chief Number of employees jobs WCEA, 2011 50,500  Planner. Unemployment Count (economic inactivity rate) WCEA, 2011 12,400  Whilst in this transition phase it will be chal- COI, BD1: Total amount of additional employment by type N/A Figure not available ? lenging for planning and delivery work to facili- COI, BD3: Employment Land Available WSEDM, 2011 33.08ha  tate a speedy recovery of the housing market COI, BD4: Total annual change in the amount of floor space N/A Figure not available ? when demand starts to pick up. The adoption for town centre uses of a development plan will provide greater cer- HOUSING tainty to the development process. Number of Households in Worcester DCLG, 2010 42,147 — Estimated popula- The Core Output Indicators are tabulated to Latest Government Population Projection to 2033 ONS, 2010 tion = 94,800 people — the right. The AMR comments on possible rea- 2009 = £175,777 sons for the performance against these indica- Average Household Price WCEA, 2011  2011 = £178,145 tors in 2010/11. A key factor has been the continuing economic recession. Prospects for COI, H2a: Net additional homes in monitoring year SWHLM, 2011 190 homes  1770 Homes built the housing market, and therefore the rate of COI, H2b: Net additional homes in previous years (since ‘06) SWHLM, 2011  since April 2006 future house building in Worcester, remain uncertain. Although the impacts of this will COI, H4: No. of Gypsy and Traveller Pitches Worcs County Council 20 Pitches  take time to feed through into some indica- COI, H5: No. of affordable houses delivered in 10/11 SWHLM, 2011 20 Homes  tors, it has had a marked impact on perfor- COI, H6: Building for Life N/A Unknown — mance against housing indicators in particular. ENVIRONMENT COI E1: No. apps contrary to EA advice Planning applications 0  COI E2: No. of apps contrary to WWT advice Planning applications 0  Key: COI E2: Sites of Biodiversity importance (hectares) N/A Unknown ? Change in performance from 2009/10 =  COI E2: Health of SSSI Natural England, 2010 Unknown N/A or  or  COI E3: Renewable Energy Generation Planning applications See appendix N/A

Geographically, it is located ap- Profile of Worcester proximately 120 miles (193 km) north west of London and 27 miles (43km) south west of Bir- mingham in the West Midlands. orcester is the principle The City covers an area of ap- urban area of Worcester- proximately 13 square miles, shire and is the primary varying between urban, residen- W administrative and em- tial and green spaces. The River ployment centre in the county. It was of Severn passes through the cen- England’s first settlements to gain city status tre of the city. Tourism attrac- by royal charter, in 1189 and is rich in ar- tions include the Royal chaeological and heritage sites; archaeologi- Worcester Porcelain Museum, cal finds have proved that Worcester was Commandary, Worcester Ca- New Road– home of Worcestershire CCC involved in many different battles, including thedral, The Racecourse and the Cricket important Civil War conflicts. Ground. countries and its largely rural landscape. The Worcester has good transport links with city is a key employment centre with large busi- the rest of the UK. Running close to nesses such as Mazak, Lea and Perrins, Mitsi- Worcester, there are motorway links to bushi Pencils and Worcester Bosch. Birmingham, Wales and the South West via The City has large employment areas in the the M5 and M50. Local railway stations north and east of the city in close proximity to provide rail access to London (2.5hrs) and the M5, while a new Worcester Technology Birmingham (40min). Additional public Park is planned to further take advantage of the transport links are provided by way of a city’s position. regional bus and coach station in the City Worcester has a rich cultural tradition through Centre with frequent local services and a music, with links to Elgar, and through the arts, national coach stop by Junction 6 of the theatre and museums and also a rich sporting M5. tradition. The city can boast top-flight rugby,

cricket and basketball teams, while Worcester Worcester is an attractive place for busi- City FC currently play in the Conference nesses due to its links to other cities and North.

Population distribution by age (000s)– 2001 v 2010 Population 10 “The graph below, projecting 9 population by age-group in 8 Worcester, emphasises the 7 growth of the retirement-age 6 population. While the projec- 5 tions suggest that the numbers n recent times Worcester City has 4 of 0-17 and 18-64 year-olds will seen a small net out-migration; howev- 3 stay fairly consistent, the num- er since 2006 the City has recorded 2 1 ber of 65+ year olds is predicted small net gains. Despite the out- I 0 to rise by around 42%. This rise

migration at the turn of the 21st Century in the elderly population is the

0-4

90+

5yr-9

15-19 20-24 35-39 40-44 55-59 60-64 65-69 75-79 80-84 85-89 30-34 45-49 50-54 70-74 the City does register an increase of popula- 25-29 main reason why Worcester’s tion due to a higher number of births com- 10yr-14 population is forecast to hit the pared to the number of deaths. 2001 2010 100,000 mark by 2030.”

Area (ha) 3,328 120 Population (2011 estimate) 94,800 group rose by 1,000 people, representing an increase of 7.5% The high level of retired persons Population density (per ha) 2,805 100 has a number of implications for the development Households 42,147 strategy. The level of development in sustainable Average household size 2.24 locations with access to a range of services and 80

Worcester Population as of 2010. Source: ONS public transport would assist in meeting the needs of the elderly population. 60 The number of young people aged 0 to 17 years in Worcester decreased steadily over Total Pop at Forecast Pop Forecast Pop the period 2001 to 2010. By 2010 there 2001 at 2011 at 2026 40 were over 1,000 fewer 0-17 year olds than 93,353 94,800 99,100 at the start of the decade– 20,000 in 2010 20 compared with 21,100 in 2001. During the The graph above shows the change in the distribu- same period the 18 to 64 years, often re- tion of population in Worcester between 2001 ferred to as to as the working age popula- 0 and 2010. The chart shows that in 2010 there 2011 2012 2013 2015 2020 2030 tion, has increased by 1,500 people to were fewer people in the 25-40 range, and more 60,500. The population of the 65-plus age 0-17 18-64 65-plus people in the 55-90 age range, than in 2001. Projected population (000s) by age group

had dropped to 68.6% while those in part-time SECTOR % Economy employment rose to 31.4%. This is reflective of, Manufacturing 10.9 and probably a result of, the difficult economic Health 15.7 situation facing the country at the present. Retail 11.2 he city of Worcester has experi- In 2008 there were 50,500 jobs in Worcester city. Education 10 The largest employment sector is Health, which enced an overall decline of 9.2% Accommodation & food services 5.9 in terms of population in employ- employs nearly 16% of Worcester’s workforce, Business administration & support services 8.9 ment between March 2010 and followed by Retail and Manufacturing. It should be T noted that as this data relates to 2008, it does not Professional, scientific & technical 5.4 March 2011 according to www.nomisweb.co.uk. It is thought that the reflect the full impact of the recession. Wholesale 2.8 city has been affected by the reduced availa- Worcester is quite heavily dependent on the pub- Construction 3.1 bility of credit, the UK economic recession, lic sector for much of its employment- public ad- Public administration and defence 6 and the subsequent post-recession period. In ministration, education and health is the biggest 2006/07 77.8% of Worcester city’s workers employer in the city, providing over 31% of the Transport & storage 3.8 were full time while 22.2 were part time. By city’s jobs. Information & communication 3.3 2009/10 the percentage in full-time work Tourism continues to play an im- Other service activities 2.5 portant part in Worcester’s Arts, entertainment and recreation 2.4 Economically active people in Worcester since 2005 economy. In 1998 2,300 people (5.1% of workforce) were em- Motor trades 1.9 51,000 ployed in tourism in Worcester. Finance & insurance 2.5 50,000 By 2008 the figure had risen to Property 1.9 49,000 3,800 (7.4% of workforce), an Agriculture, forestry & fishing 0 48,000 increase of 66.9%. 47,000 Jobs in Worcester by sector 46,000 45,000 RETAIL ranks them according to their relative retail 44,000 The Local Plan hierarchy is based strength and the assessed level of vitality and via- 43,000 on the Management Horizons bility. Based on 2003/4 data Worcester is ranked 42,000 Europe (MHE) Shopping Index. In 54th in the MHE rankings and significantly higher 41,000 terms of retailing, MHE surveys than any other centre in the South Worcester-

shopping centres in the UK and shire Sub-Region

Jul-08

Jan-06 Jan-11

Jun-06

Oct-09

Apr-07

Sep-07 Feb-08

Dec-08

Aug-10 Aug-05

Nov-06

Mar-05 Mar-10 May-09

Number % UNEMPLOYMENT Year Businesses

Economically Active 49,600 79.9% Unemployment in Worcester has risen in recent 2004 3,135 years, reaching 7.9% at the end of the monitoring 2005 3,145 year. The unemployment rate reflects the econom- Economically Active- 26,700 86.7% ic difficulties that the country has faced over the 2006 3,215 Male last 3-4 years. Economic activity is still high among Economically Active- 22,900 73.2% males in Worcester, whilst female rates are lower. 2007 3,240 Female Indeed the rate of male economic activity in 2008 3,190 Economically Inactive 12,400 20.1% Worcester compares favourably with the figures Change 07-08 -1.5% for Worcestershire (85.3%), West Midlands Businesses in Worcester 04-08 (WCEA) (82.3%) and England (83.0%). The economic activity Incapacity Benefit 2,870 4.6% rate amongst women in the city of 73.2% also Survival of new businesses in Worcester: compares well to the region and England but com- Business Start-ups (per 45.8 - 1 year = 93.3% pares less favourably to the rest of the county 10,000 people) (76.9%). 5 year = 47.6%

Worcester economic statistics 2010-11 WCEA 2011 Unemployment (%) in Worcester since Dec ‘04 (WCEA)

9 BUSINESSES IN WORCESTER

8 The table above displays the number of businesses in the city between 2004 and 2008. Although 7 these statistics only catch the very start of the 6 period of economic difficulty currently facing the country they do show a small fall in the number 5 of businesses in the city between 2007 and 2008. 4 93% of businesses in Worcester survive the first 3 year, with 47.6% surviving 5 years of trading. The 2 1 year figure compares unfavourably with neigh- bouring districts (with the exception of 1 Wychavon) and the national average, while the 5 0 year figure is broadly in line with local, regional and national averages. Given the economic climate one might expect business survival rates to wane.

ter experienced a net loss of employment land Employment Land during 2010 to 2011 due to employment sites being converted to other uses and no new employment land being created in the city. As the table below indicates, almost all of the 7.1 ha of n the monitoring year April 2010 to gross employment land in Worcester which is March 2011 0 (zero) hectares of em- potentially being lost to other uses is, rather in- ployment land (B1, B2, B8) moved from evitably, being lost to residential purposes. commitment to completion. This is I lower than previous years as in 2010 1.24 ha of land (gross) were made available for new COMMITMENTS B class while the figure for 2009 was 5.9 ha. The city has 33.08 ha of ‘committed employment Boiler testing at Worcester Bosch Over the fourteen years between 1996 and land’– that is to say land with planning permission 2011 (since the start of the City of Worces- for development into employment. There may be Another sign of the difficult economic situation ter Local Plan) there has been approximately a noticeable decline in the next monitoring year, affecting employment land availability in the 36,200m2 of new gross floor space built in however, as 11.26ha of permissions are set to past year is the amount of land under con- the city. This equates to less than half of the expire in 2012 if they are not implemented or struction. No land was under construction as target of making 75 ha of land available dur- renewed. There were no significant new employ- of April 2011, compared to 0.22ha in 2009/10. ing the Local Plan Period. ment land planning applications made within the The next few years are likely to be highly signif- last quarter of the monitoring year. Indeed rather than creating more , Worces- icant, with the next year expected to show further stalling in the progress of employment Ref. Address Land Type Area Lost Lost to sites as macro-economic fluctuations continue to filter down to the local level. P09D0488 17-19 Mealcheapen St B1 0.07 ha Residential “29.3 of the 33.08 hec- P08C0223 250 Bransford Road B8 4.09 ha Residential tares of committed P10C0557 202 Bransford B1 & B2 1.95 ha Residential employment land ex- EMPLOYMENT LAND SUPPLY ists between 3 allocated P10D0543 50 New St B1 0.025 ha Residential sites: Grove Farm, the Despite not yet reaching the Local Plan target P10D0342 St Swithens House B1 0.49 ha Residential former Ronkswood Hos- the city still has a rolling five-year reservoir of P10B0555 152 Bath Road B1 0.44 ha Residential pital and land south of employment land. However as stated earlier, Newtown Road” this may change in the next monitoring year P10D0396 16 Lowesmoor Wharf B1 0.008 ha Education due to the expiry of employment permissions. Total lost: 7.073 ha Employment land lost to other uses in 2010/11

Dwellings built in Worcester since 2003 sin and Royal Worcester Porcelain sites. When Housing 500 viewed by ward around 70% of development in 450 the city has taken place in Cathedral ward. 400 350 If these large sites are ignored then the majori- 300 ty of development has occurred in Arboretum, 250 n the twelve months ending 31 March Warndon and Warndon South wards. These 2011 a total of 210 dwellings were built 200 150 wards have however not seen a great deal of in Worcester City. This is 50 dwellings 100 development. less than the annual average of 260 50 I There are a number of wards that have seen completed dwellings over the least 10 years. 0 Taking into account demolitions, changes of no new dwellings built. uses in to and out of dwellings and conver- Ward Dwellings sions, the net increase to the dwelling stock Arboretum 24 during 2010/11 was 207 dwellings. Since Battenhall 0 2001 3059 dwellings have been built in the sions for residential units in Worcester (578) cou- Bedwardine 9 city. This figure is just over the Balanced pled with the number of dwellings currently under Cathedral 140 Housing Market DPD target of 3027 be- construction (440) suggests, however, that this is Claines 0 tween 2001 and 2011. not necessarily part of a long-term downward Gorse Hill 2 trend. Nunnery 0 The total amount of new builds in this moni- Rainbow Hill 2 toring period equates to 193 dwellings on 31 WHERE IS DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING? St Clement 5 sites. Since the high of 2006/7, when 460 St John 1 Housing development in Worcester between dwellings were built in the city, new build St Peter's Parish 0 1996 and 2011 has been spread across the city, rates have been slowly declining. St Stephen 1 although due to the relative small size of the city, Warndon 12 Compared to the previous 12 months, one or two large developments can make it ap- Warndon Parish North 0 2010/11 saw a 35% drop in net built dwell- pear that development is concentrated in a certain Warndon Parish South 14 ings. The number of extant planning permis- area. This is the case this year with the Diglis Ba- Total 210

Dwellings built by ward 2010/11

Average House Price 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Worcester £98,612 £119,738 £141,017 £159,811 £165,389 £176,296 £188,252 £177,644 £166,246 £178,145 City

AFFORDABLE HOUSING partment report that a further 24 units On PDL On Greenfield passed in to RSL hands through mortgage 20 affordable housing units were completed in 2010/11 rescue schemes or purchases. 2010-11, all of which are social rented units. A 2009/10 further 49 units have been completed on the The figure of 20 units is down from 82 2008/9 Royal Worcester Porcelain site but are stand- homes in 2009/10 and 149 homes in 2007/8 ing empty as of 1st April 2011 due a legal dis- 2008/09. Since 2006 407 affordable 2006/7 pute between the Registered Social Landlord homes have been completed in the city, 2005/6 (RSL) and the developer. As they have yet to an average of 80 per year. Current plan- 2004/5 pass in to the hands of the RSL they can not ning permissions for large housing sites 2003/4 count in this year’s figures. The Housing de- do suggest that there will a steady afford- 2002/3 able housing supply over the next five to 2001/2 ten years despite the relatively low num- 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Percentage of housing built on brownfield v greenfield ber of completions this year. PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED LAND achieved in 2009/10. It is not surprising that the city has managed to achieve 100%, or near- The plan, sets out the principle of maximising the ly 100%, brownfield development over the last use of previously developed (brownfield) land for seven years. This can be attributed to the im- new development. pact of policy and the fact that the city is con- In 2011 the Government removed National Plan- strained by environment and policy so that ning Policy for Housing (PPS3) which had set a na- previously developed land is the main source tional target for provision of new housing on of development. ‘previously developed land’ (PDL) at 60%. It is now Given existing policy it is expected that this the responsibility of Local Planning Authorities to position of nearly 100% of dwellings being built define locally derived targets via the Local Develop- on brownfield land within the city will not ment Framework. change significantly over the next few years. In 2010/11, 93.3% of gross dwelling completed in If brownfield sites within Worcester are una- Worcester occurred on Previously Developed ble to deliver local housing, employment and Land, some 33% points above the previous national service needs in the future , then greenfield target. This is not quite as high as the figure as

Market and Affordable homes built in Worcester

velopments should be built to higher than 40 sites on the edge of Worcester or in the No. Of Bed Units ‘Wider Worcester Area’ are likely to fill the dwellings per hectare and city centre dwellings Dwelling 4 Total 1 Bed 2 Bed 3 Bed void, rather than greenfield sites within the at higher than 70 dwellings per hectare. Type Bed+ city boundary. 2010/11 shows a marked decrease in the num- Houses & ber of sites built with densities of between 30 3 45 36 15 100 Bungalows and 50 dwellings per hectare. This indicates a HOUSING DENSITY broad alignment with council policy, given the Flats & The graph below charts site densities since location of the two major developments of Di- 27 81 3 0 110 glis Basin and Royal Worcester Porcelain sites. Maisonettes 2006. It is apparent that high density sites, i.e. those over 50 dwellings per hectare, are HOUSING TYPE Total 30 126 39 15 210 still the most common. This is broadly in line with Balanced Housing Market policy which The table on dwelling type and size demon- Totals as % 14.3 60.0 18.6 7.1 strates the types of dwellings built in 2010/11. states that all housing developments in the Dwelling types built in 2010/11 Flats (52%) were more popular than houses city should be built to densities higher than (48%) and two-bedroomed properties are the 35 dwellings per hectare, while ‘urban’ de- At present the market determines what type most popular size, totalling 60% of all dwellings and size of dwelling the city requires as the erected. Very few large city council has no targets or policies are in family homes were built as place regarding dwelling type. However to ac- 2010-11 dwellings with 3 bedrooms cord with guidance new plan-making will be or more totalled just 26% informed by evidence from the Strategic Hous- of all completions. 2009-10 ing Market Assessment on house type and size The high number of flats to inform policy on housing mix. built in 2010/11 can ac- 2008-09 counted for by the fact that the Diglis Basin site and the 2007-08 Royal Worcester Porcelain site, are currently under 2006-07 construction. Both contain a high number of apart- 0 50 100 150 200 250 ments, which would nor- >50 30>50 <30 mally be fairly unusual in Worcester. Housing site densities since 2006 House building in Worcester

a) 3,059 (2001-2010) It is unclear what is likely to happen over the Core Indicator H1 Plan Period and next monitoring year, however with the eco- Housing Targets: b) 207 (reporting year) nomic difficulties showing few signs of abating a) 2001 to 2021, 4897 dwellings, Bal- it is unlikely that the situation will be signifi- anced Housing Market DPD cantly better by this time next year. Core Indicator H2 (c & d) Net Additional b) 2006 to 2026, 3200 dwellings, Re- Dwellings in Future Years and Managed In order to maintain a robust evidence base gional Spatial Strategy Option 2 (2006) Delivery Target for our prediction of 5 year housing land supply we will refresh the housing supply calcula- As of April 2011 the building rate appears to tion for the City again in Spring 2012. have slowed significantly– the numbers of Core Indicator H2 (a & b) Net Addition- dwellings under construction was lower than al Dwellings in previous years and Net the previous years– 440 as of March 2011 com- Additional Dwellings in the reporting Core Indicator H3: New and Converted pared with 619 in March 2010 year: Dwellings on Previously Developed Land: 93% of all dwellings developed either through Year Total Completions Demolitions Net Completions No. on PDL Percentage on PDL conversion or new build were built on Previ- 2000/01 273 18 255 228 83.5 ously Developed Land in the 2010/11 monitoring year. This remains a high proportion, alt- 2001/02 279 4 275 202 72.4 hough lower than the 100% experienced dur- 2002/03 187 3 184 107 57.2 ing the previous monitoring year. This figure 2003/04 157 3 154 157 100 represents the sixth consecutive year that the proportion has been above 90% and is higher 2004/05 212 6 206 195 92 than the average of 92% (2001-2010). 2005/06 414 6 408 411 99.3

2006/07 460 6 454 460 100 Core Indicator H4: Net Additional Pitch- 2007/08 384 14 370 384 100 es Gypsy and Traveller: 2008/09 431 17 414 403 93.5 No new pitches were created in the monitor- 2009/10 342 17 325 342 100 ing year. 2010/11 210 3 207 196 93.3 TOTAL 3350 97 3252 3085 Ave. 92.1% RSS Total* 1827 57 1770 1785 Ave. 97.8%

* 2006-2011 Housing completions since 2000 12

Core Indicator H5: Gross Affordable hous- The effect the current economic conditions are To ensure that a variety of housing types ing completions having on the city’s house building rate are appar- are provided in terms of size, type, loca- 20 affordable housing units were transferred to ent. In the year ending 31st March 2011 just 210 tion and affordability: registered social landlords in the monitoring peri- units were completed– a reduction of 35% com- 1 To ensure that a proportion of total od, all of which were new unit completions. This pared to the previous year. The city however has new housing provision meets the needs of figure is significantly lower than the target of 75.5 a number of sites with planning permission and households identified as being in need of units for the monitoring year in the Balanced continues to provide the vast bulk of its new affordable housing; and Housing Market DPD adopted in December 2007. housing stock on brownfield land. 2 protect, where possible, improve exist- This figure represents a decrease of 62 units com- Despite this, and even factoring in an approximate ing housing areas pared to last year and a decrease of 127 units 1/3 slow down in the predicted build rate, the city NO CHANGE compared to 2008/09 is highly likely to meet its Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) target by 2026, therefore satisfying the ’no Progress has been made in the provision of af- change’ bracket for this criterion (The Secretary fordable homes in the city recently, although POLICY AIMS AND PERFORMANCE of State has not yet used powers to abolish the this year the number of affordable homes com- RSS) pleted, and the proportion of completed units that were affordable, was down on last year. 1 To ensure the provision of suitable sites for housing to meet the requirements of the Worcestershire County Structure Plan; 1. Submitted Calcula- 2. Contextual 3. Contextual Five Year Housing Land Supply 2 maximise the use of PDL and vacant Emerging SWDP requirements Adopted WMRSS Emerging WMRSS buildings in meeting these requirements 1st April 2011 - Preferred Options 3 ensure that new housing developments Adopted WMRSS WMRSS Phase II st are located in such a way as to maximise 31 March 2016 2001 - 2021 2006 - 2026 2006 - 2030 the opportunities to travel by modes other 5 year target 294 473 637 than the private car (Under Construction) 440 440 440 4 ensure that the city’s housing require- (Outstanding) 578 578 578 ments are met without the loss of valuable

open land; and Total 1018 1018 1018 Commitments 5 allow for housing development on suita- Local Plan Allocations N/A N/A N/A ble (previously-developed) windfall sites Total Supply 1018 1018 1018 and for changes of use/conversions of re- Balance (Total - 5 year target) 724 545 4381 dundant buildings to housing use Total calendar housing supply 18.2 11.0 8.1 NO CHANGE Worcester’s 5 year land supply 13

Name of Park Typology Area (ha) sites is important to achieving biodiversity targets with biodiversity being ultimately con- Oldbury Road Local park 2.8 served or lost at the local level. Natural Environment Hylton Rd– Henwick Parade Local park 1.4 Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Land off Springfield Rd Local park 1.13 Geological Conservation (PPS9) sets out the Cromwell Crescent Local park 2.13 Government’s vision for conserving and en- healthy environment and good hancing biological diversity in England, togeth- Gheluvelt Park Major park 7.56 design are embodied in Worces- er with a programme of work to achieve it. ter’s Local Plan and the emerg- Cripplegate Park Major park 4.2 This includes the broad aim that planning, de- A ing SWDP’s vision and objec- Fort Royal Park Major park 2.1 velopment and regeneration should have mini- tives. A range of indicators can be drawn mal impacts on biodiversity and enhance it Worc Woods Country Park Country park 33.68 from in order to provide an assessment of wherever possible. Parks in Worcester whether the strategy is having an effect over The AMR monitors three indicators to assess time. Key monitoring themes include design The 2006 Strategic Leisure PPG17 Open Spaces biodiversity. They are: quality, flooding, biodiversity and climate audit also identified 42 sites covering 152.48 hec- change. tares which are classified as Natural and Semi- 1. Sites of Special Scientific Interest Natural Green Space; this does not include green 1 International Site (Lyppard Grange corridors or parks. Ponds) and 2 National Sites: Northwick ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY Marsh and River Teme (north bank) Worcester has one Country Park, three NO CHANGE major parks and four local parks which pro- BIODIVERSITY 2. Management status of wildlife and geo- vide 56.72 hectares of open space within the Biodiversity brings benefits to the local community logical sites City boundaries. The parks are set out in through benefitting health, improving the local the table to the right. economy, maintaining environmental quality and 14 sites covering almost 119 hectares. Green corridors are defined as sites that providing recreation and educational resources NO CHANGE provide venues for walking, cycling and for people of all ages. The management of local 3. Key breed populations: birds, butterflies horse-riding amongst other uses. Often they and newts can provide a key green link and offer travel What is an SSSI? routes for local residents and migration “Sites of Special Scientific Interest are wildlife or geologi- No significant change in numbers of routes for local wildlife. There are 15 recog- cal sites of national importance. They are key to the con- bird, Great Crested Newt, nor of but- nised green corridors with a combined area servation of some of our most valued biodiversity and it terfly populations of 50.72 hectares in Worcester. is therefore essential that they meet their conservation objectives and that we have information on their condi- NO CHANGE tion, as a measure of the wider biodiversity of the city”

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT POLICIES POLICY AIMS & PERFORMANCE

Local Indicator 3: Number of refusals Local indicators moni- based on Flood Protection and Water Promoting environmental protection, tor the policies in the Quality policies biodiversity and enhancement of wildlife Worcester Local Plan habitats and assess whether Policy used for refusal 10/11 current policies need UNKNOWN to be reviewed or re- NE20 Safeguarding Watercourses 0 - Lack of historical data, though Urban Design placed. NE21 & 22 Floodplain (blue & yellow zone) 1 & Conservation Team beginning to improve the data held by the authority. NE23 Floodplain (red zone) 0

Total 1 Providing a positive context for protec- Local Indicator 1: Number of refusals tion and enhancement of open space and based on Green Network Policies encouraging new urban landscape design of a high standard which is appropriate in Policy used for refusal 09/10 10/11 character and commensurate with his- NE4 Nature Conservation 0 0 toric land form and ecological features NE5 Landscape Protection 0 3 NO CHANGE NE7 Landscaping Scheme 1 0 - Less work was undertaken to improve the quality of the city’s parks than in 2009/10 how- NE9 The Green Network 1 0 ever improvements continue. As in 2009/10 no NE11 M5 Protection Corridor 1 0 development was completed in the Green Belt. NE12 Green Belt Area 0 0 Enhancing the amenity feature of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, River Severn and protecting the flood plain of Local Indicator 2: Planning applications the River Severn and its tributaries in Green Belt Areas SOME IMPROVEMENT During the 2010/11 monitoring period there were no planning applications granted for - There have been improvements to public significant development in the Green Belt. realm in the River Severn corridor, especially landscaping work on the eastern bank improv-

Wild flowers at Battenhall ing the experience for pedestrians and cyclists.

The table below offers a full breakdown of policy use Local Indicator 4: Number of refusals based during the monitoring period Built Environment on design and environmental standards

Policy used for refusal 09/10 10/11 Policy Area & Policy Used For Refusal 09/10 10/11 BE1 Environmental Standards for 31 36 Policies relating to Conservation Areas It is the council’s aim for the historic envi- Development BE4 Percentage for Art 0 0 ronment to be maintained and protected. BE2 Character of the City 0 0 Any development affecting conversation are- BE12 Boundary Treatments in Conserva- 0 1 as, listed buildings, scheduled monuments, tion Areas registered parks and gardens and archaeo- Total 31 36 Total 0 1 logical sites should be appropriate and seek Policies relating to listed buildings to enhance and reflect the character of the

protected area. BE14 Alterations and Extension to listed 0 1 Local Indicator 5: Number of Listed Build- buildings Worcester has designated 18 conservation ing and Conservation Area Consultations areas and areas of historical importance. A BE16 The setting of listed buildings 0 1 (CAC) ; and full list of the city’s conservation areas can Total 0 2 be found in the appendix. Local Indicator 6: Number of Archaeologi- cal Recommendations and Heritage Policies relating to Buildings of Local Interest - These sections will be completed as soon as in- BE18 Buildings of Local Interest New De- 0 0 Items of Conservational Value formation becomes available velopment BE19 Buildings of Local Interest- Record- 0 0 Item Number ing Local Indicator 7: Number of permissions Listed Buildings 701 granted despite being recorded at applica- BE20 Buildings of Local Interest- Salvage 0 0 tion vetting stage as ‘deviating in principle Total 0 0 from the development plan’ Scheduled Monuments 25 (of which 3 are Archaeological Constraints to Development also listed buildings) - None recorded during the monitoring period BE21 Development within Archaeologi- 0 0

cally Sensitive Areas Buildings at Risk 19 buildings Local indicator 8: The number of applica- Protection of Nationally and Internation- 0 0 1 battlefield tions refused citing local plan built environ- ally Important Sites ment policies Total 0 0

accessibility to all members of the com- Policy Area & Policy Used For Refusal 09/10 10/11 POLICY AIMS & PERFORMANCE munity;

Policies relating to Historic Environment 3 promote the siting of development 1 Encourage a high standard of design in BE26 Historic Landscapes and Fea- 0 0 which reduces the need to travel; all parts of the city; tures 4 protect, preserve and enhance 2 ensure new development is sensitive and BE27 Access to and interpretation of 0 0 Worcester’s architectural and historic responsive to the neighbourhood and its the Historic Environment heritage both above and below ground; site context; Total 0 0 5 improve the appearance of the main 3 readdress the damage done in the past entrances to the city and the principal Policies relating to Environmental Safety by poor schemes insensitive to Worces- access ways through it; and Contaminated Land ter’s urban form; and 6 protect and enhance the historic sky- BE29 Light 0 0 4 encourage development which is energy line of the city; and efficient and conserves natural resources BE30 Noise 0 0 7 ensure development at the urban NO CHANGE Total 0 0 edge respects the city's rural setting - Building design policies continue to be the pri- NO CHANGE Advertisements and Communications mary reason for refusal; however the number of BE39 Advertisements affecting Con- 0 0 refusals based on these policies has declined in - There is evidence that due to a continuing servation Areas recent years. This reflects an overall trend of trend of redevelopment of Brownfield land in steeply declining numbers of major applications the city the work of the Conservation Area BE43 Telecommunications 0 0 for housing development and far fewer planning Committee (CAC) and the Archaeology Ser- Total 0 0 applications overall. The council has been effec- vice are increasingly vital. Although this years tive in refusing development contrary to policy. figures are not yet available for CAC, overall numbers of consultations have remained fairly - There has been little observable progress on consistent in recent years indicating that con- building renewable energy capacity in the city servation policy is becoming increasingly ef- fective at discouraging inappropriate develop- PICTURE HERE ment

1 Discourage development which would damage the amenities of its locality through activity , form or purpose; 2 ensure the best achievable standards of

View of the River Severn

Transport 5 make the most efficient use of existing transport infrastructure; and 6 seek to reduce energy consumption and air pollution by encouraging greater Local Indicator 9: Percentage of new use of public transport, cycling and walk- residential development less than 30 ing minutes public transport time from a NO CHANGE GP, hospital, primary school, secondary school, employment and retail centre: All new residential development was within 30 minutes of significant amenities and infrastruc- 100% of new residential developments were ture. This is a major benefit to the city, alt- built within 30 minutes public transport travel hough it should be noted that due to the rela- time of the amenities listed above. tively small size of the city it is unlikely that that anywhere would fail to satisfy this criteri- POLICY AIMS AND PERFORMANCE on.

1 Enhance the commercial viability and Mode % Worcester % National vitality of the city without compromising Work at home 7.6 9.2 the environment; Bicycle on towpath near Gregory’s Mill Train 1.4 4.2 Bus, minibus or coach 4.5 7.5 Transport in and out of Worcester (2008) 2 reduce the need to travel in the longer term, by the co-ordination of land use plan- Motorcycle, moped, scooter 1.2 1.1 Number of people transporting in to 14,981 ning with transport Worcester for employment Driving car or van 58.2 54.9 3 improve the attractiveness and conven- Passenger in car or van 7.1 6.1 Number of people transporting out of 19,018 ience of public transport, cycling and walking Worcester for employment Taxi 0.3 0.5 4 ensure people and goods can gain access to Number of people that both live and 32,097 existing and potential employment, shopping Bicycle 4.7 2.8 work in Worcester and leisure facilities by appropriate means On foot 14.7 10

18 Appendix

INFORMATION GLOSSARY

For further information regarding the legal requirements relating COI - Core Output Indicator to Annual Monitoring Reports you can consult Local Planning DCLG - Department for Communities and Local Regulation 48 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Develop- Government ment) (England) Regulations 2004 and Regulation 17 of the En- vironmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (SEA) Regula- DPD - Development Plan Document tions 2004. ONS - Office of National Statistics PDL - Previously Developed Land SOURCES PPG - Planning Policy Guidance PPS - Planning Policy Statement Unless otherwise stated statistics in this report come from the SWDP - South Worcestershire Development Plan following sources: SWHLM - South Worcestershire Housing Land Population- Office of National Statistics Monitor Economy- Worcestershire County Economic Assessment SWSEDM - South Worcestershire Sustainable Eco- 2010/11 nomic Development Monitor Employment Land- South Worcestershire Sustainable Eco- WCEA - Worcestershire County Economic Assess- nomic Development Monitor 2010/11 ment Housing- South Worcestershire Housing Land Monitor WMRSS - West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy 2010/11 Appendix

Table 1. Total amount of employment floor space on previously developed land (PDL) by type: Table 4. Population of Worcester wards:

B1 B2 B8 B Mix Total Ward Population Gross 0 0 0 0 0 Arboretum 5,830 Worcester Battenhall 5,089 % PDL - - - - - Bedwardine 7,601

Cathedral 8,651 Claines 7,992 Table 2. Employment land availability – by type (hectares) : Gorse Hill 5,009 Nunnery 8,030 B1 B2 B1/B2 Mixed Total Rainbow Hill 5,977 B8 (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) B (ha) (ha) St Clement 5,255

St John 7,877 Worcester 32.94 0.14 33.08 0 33.08 33.08 St Peter's Parish 5,689 St Stephen 4,845 Warndon 5,634 Warndon Parish North 5,742 Table 3. Net completed dwellings: Warndon Parish South 5,542 ONS mid-year estimates 2010 2006 to 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 2011

Worcester 454 370 414 325 207 1770 Appendix

Table 5. Number of gypsy & traveller pitches in Worcester:

Unauthorised Authorised Sites Unauthorised – own land Total Encampment

Not Tolerat- LA Private Tolerated Not Tolerated ed

WORCESTER 20 0 0 0 0 20

Table 6. Renewable Energy Applications Approved in Worcester 2010/11:

Renewable Energy Permitted installed Completed installed capac- Generation capacity in MW ity in MW

Solar Photovoltaic 1 Unknown

Ground Source 0 0

Wind 0 0

Biomass 0 0 Appendix

Table 7. Listed Buildings in Worcester:

Total Number of Total Number of Listed % Listed Buildings at Listed Buildings Buildings at Risk Risk

WORCESTER 702 18 1.7%

Table 8. Green corridors in Worcester:

Name Area (ha) Name Area (ha)

Riverside, New Road to Weir Lane 3.40 Droitwich Road Trees 1.3 Grandstand Road Gardens 0.73 Broomhall Buffer Zone 4.29 Land South of Broomhall Way 9.80 Kestrel Drive buffer zone 0.20 Balancing Area and Open Amenity Space 0.89 Broomhall Way East Buffer Zone 0.77 Adjacent to Norton Roundabout

St Peters Drive Play Area and cycle paths 0.24 Land north east of Duck Brook 4.69

Bakewell (Warndon Villages) 4.60 Cotswold Way buffer zone 2.00 Landscape corridor Beverbourne and Alford Avenue (Warndon Villages) 11.03 6.46 Pendlesham (Warndon) Corridor in Harley Warren (Warndon 0.32 Villages) Appendix

Table 9. Sites with conservation value in Worcester:

Conservation Value Classification Area Changes noted where known Site Name (ha) International Site - Special Area of Conservation Lyppard Grange Ponds 1.09 National Site - Site of Special Scientific Interest

Northwick Marsh 5.05 River Teme (north bank) Partially within Worcester City Special Wildlife Site (LNR) Denotes site is also Local Nature Reserve Laugherne Brook (LNR) 9 Perry Wood (LNR) 13.9 Kings Hill (LNR) 4.5 Ronkswood Hill Farm (LNR) 12 Gorse Hill 3.94 Elbury Park 3.74 Nunnery Wood (LNR) 22.3 Hornhill Meadows (LNR) 4.54 Leopard Hill 11.84 Tolladine Wood (LNR) 2.44 Warndon Wood (LNR) 6.25 Stock Coppice and Wood Meadow 10 River Severn 4.38 Worcester Birmingham Canal 9.8 Appendix

Table 10. Conservation Areas in Worcester:

CA Number Name Area (ha) Date designated

1 Historic City 48.2 1969 2 St Johns 6.5 1969 3 Lansdowne Crescent & Rainbow Hill 10.1 1969 4 Britannia Square 9.4 1969

5 Sidbury and Fort Royal 19.5 1980 6 Lark Hill 5.4 1980 7 St George’s Square 10.6 1980

8 Foregate Street and the Tything 12 1980 9 Warndon Court 1.7 1986 10 Trotshill 4.2 1986

11 Claines 2.5 1989 12 The Canal 19.3 1989 13 Lowesmoor 5.8 1989 14 Field Terrace 1.4 1989 16 Riverside 396 1992 17 Shrubbery Ave 5.8 1993 18 Royal Infirmary 2.7 2005 20 Battenhall 12.7 2006

Appendix

Table 11. Formal Parks in Worcester:

Name Typology Area (ha) Oldbury road Local Park 2.8 Hylton Road – Henwick Parade Local Park 1.4 Land off Springfield Road Local Park 1.13 Cromwell Crescent Local Park 2.13 Gheluvelt Park Major Park 7.56 Cripplegate Park Major Park 4.2 Fort Royal Park Major Park 2.1 Worcester Woods Country Park Country Park 33.68