Report To: Middle Quinton Eco-Town Joint Working Group - 15 September 08 By: Gill Collin Head of Planning

Title: An Information Report detailing The Current Position

1. Government Publications 1.1 In July 2008, Communities and Local Government (CLG) issued two new publications: • Eco-Towns: Living a Greener Future: Progress Report • Eco-Towns: Sustainability Appraisal - Scoping Report for the Planning Policy Statement on Eco-Towns.

1.2 The latter concludes the initial scoping stage of the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and sets the way forward, leading to the publication of the SA Report for public consultation. It re-emphasises the key criteria for eco-towns, as set out in the Eco- Town Prospectus published in July 2007, i.e:

• Eco-towns must be new settlements, separate and distinct from existing towns but well linked to them. They need to be additional to existing plans, with a minimum target of 5,000 homes. • The development as a whole should reach zero carbon standards, and each town should be an exemplar in at least one other area of environmental sustainability. • Eco-town proposals should provide for a good range of facilities within the town - a secondary school, a medium retail centre, good quality business space and leisure facilities. • Affordable housing should make up between 30% and 50% of the total with a particular emphasis on larger family homes. • A management body which will help develop the town, provide support for people moving to the new community, for businesses and manage facilities.

1.3 The document states that there will be three strands to the SA: 1. An appraisal of the forthcoming national policy statement (PPS) on Eco-towns 2. An appraisal of the individual locations and the proposed developments 3. An appraisal of the cumulative impact of the eco-towns.

1.4 Interestingly, it is stated that the SA will look at reasonable alternatives where they have some formal backing from the Government Office, Regional Development Agency, Regional Assembly or Local Authority. These will be considered alternative proposals for eco-towns or other freestanding settlements in order to ensure comparability. However the appraisal will not examine alternatives in the form of urban extensions or densification. It is also acknowledged that this is an unusual situation as an SA is not normally undertaken at national level.

1.5 The document then sets out the proposed SA framework which identifies a series of objectives against which the PPS, locations and proposed developments will be judged. These objectives include issues such as climate change mitigation, waste, water resources, biodiversity and green infrastructure, mobility and transport, Heritage assets, flood risk, decent affordable homes, health and wellbeing, etc.

1.6 The Progress Report confirms that the Government is assessing proposals for thirteen locations (as at July 2008 following the withdrawal of bids for two locations), including three areas of further review.

1.7 In addition to all eco-towns being expected to comply with existing national planning policies in terms of high environmental standards, the Report specifies the following stretched standards: -

• Long term governance and engagement proposals for the development, including financial, management and legal arrangements. • Demonstration that over a year the net carbon dioxide emissions from all energy use within the buildings will be zero or below. • Demonstration that more than 50% of trips originating in eco-towns can be by foot, bicycle or public transport, with particular emphasis on primary schools being within walking distance (800m) from homes. • Homes should achieve Building for Life silver standard and a minimum of level four of the Code for Sustainable Homes, and at least 30% should be affordable. • A requirement for an economic strategy that demonstrates how access to work will be achieved, with a minimum of one employment opportunity per new dwelling that is easily reached by walking, cycling or public transport. • Access to an appropriate mix of facilities and services. • Exemplars in terms of water efficiency and the use of sustainable drainage systems. • 40% of the eco-town’s total area should be allocated to green space of which at least half should be public and consist of a network of well-managed, high quality green/open spaces which are linked to the wider countryside. • Exemplars in sustainable waste management and recycling.

1.8 In terms of the planning process, the Government states that it expects Regional Spatial Strategies to consider how eco-towns can help deliver housing when they are reviewed. Where a Local Development Framework (LDF) Core Strategy is in preparation, as is the case in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Wychavon, Local Authorities are told that proposed eco-towns should be included as an option for consideration. However, it is conceded that there is no requirement to adopt an eco- town if a better way of meeting future needs exists. It has been confirmed that planning applications will need to be submitted for eco-towns, but that the forthcoming PPS and the list of locations emerging from the SA process will be national policy, and therefore a material consideration in the decision-making process.

1.9 The document then clarifies the next stages in the process and summarises details of the ten locations subject to full proposals (note: this is now nine following the withdrawal of Hanley Grange in Cambridgeshire at the end of August), and three broad geographical areas where there is considered to be potential for a scheme

(Rushcliffe, (Nottinghamshire), the Leeds City Region, and the Greater Norwich Area).

1.10 The Government has also commissioned a Financial and Deliverability Assessment based upon information provided by both the promoters and Stratford-on-Avon and Wychavon District Councils. To date we have been given an opportunity to comment upon the notes of the interview that took place with representatives of both Councils on 11 July 2008.

2. The Timetable 2.1 What is evident is that the timetable originally set out by the Government has slipped. We had been informed that the draft PPS and SA would be released for consultation during the summer, with an announcement on the selected ‘up to ten’ eco-towns chosen by October.

2.2 The Government’s Progress Report states that the draft SA and the draft PPS on eco-towns will be released during September for consultation. It is now unclear whether or not a draft SA will be released for consultation at all. It is feared that a final version may be published in the new year without an opportunity for comment.

2.3 A final version of the PPS is scheduled to be published early in 2009, with the final list of locations for eco-towns to be announced by the end of March 2009 at the latest. It is anticipated that planning applications could be submitted soon after the announcement of the final selection of eco-town sites.

3. Middle Quinton 3.1 Over the last few weeks, the promoters have forwarded working drafts of various aspects of their emerging evidence base to us, namely: • Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment • Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Assessment • Draft Travel Plan Framework • Land Quality Assessment • Remediation of Land Contamination • Affordable Housing Strategy • How Low Zero Carbon Homes will be achieved • Draft Trip Generation Methodology • Water Management Scope • Arboriculture Tree Survey • Bus and Rail Strategy • Ecological appraisal

3.2 Some of these only relate to the former Central Engineers depot in Stratford-on-Avon District, and gaps in the evidence base are being identified. The information submitted is being assessed by appropriate Officers within Wychavon and Stratford- upon-Avon District Councils, and Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire District Councils.

3.3 With respect to the Transport Assessment (TA), meetings have taken place between the promoters, the Highway Agency and the Highway Authorities of Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire County Councils. A two-stage approach has been agreed with the production of a Travel Plan Framework at this stage, but the Highway

Agency and the Highway Authorities have some concerns about this. It is understood a full TA will be produced if the site is selected.

3.4 An draft Employment Strategy has recently been forwarded to us for consideration. This is to be assessed by Entec, who have been commissioned by Advantage West Midlands on our behalf. Entec will also be producing an Economic Impact Study of the eco-town proposal.

3.5 In relation to education provision, it is proposed that two tier system will be proposed, comprising a secondary school and three primary schools (all likely to be located within Warwickshire).

3.6 It has recently been announced that the new “Vision” for Middle Quinton has been launched (which includes the proposed ‘Masterplan’). This is on the promoters’ website ( www.middlequintonecotown.co.uk ) and it is anticipated Members will be provided with copies on CD.

3.7 Any further information received will be provided as a verbal update at the meeting.

4. CLG Funding 4.1 It has been confirmed that CLG will grant up to £100,000 towards additional expenditure incurred by the Local Authorities in relation to the eco-town bid. At present, your Officers’ view is that this will be used towards expenses incurred relating to assessment of the TA; assessment of the SA, and the employment of a Project Manager/Coordinator.