OFFICIAL PLYMOUTH & SOUTH WEST DEVON JOINT LOCAL PLAN 2014-2034 25 February 2021 Partnership Board AGM Authorities Monitoring Report OFFICIAL THE VISION
Plymouth and South West Plymouth will be one of Europe’s Devon will be a highly most vibrant waterfront cities successful sub-region, whose where an outstanding quality of people and businesses benefit life is enjoyed by everyone. greatly from having both a major city and a network of South West Devon'sTowns and high quality market towns and Villages will be thriving, sustainable rural settlements, connected, communities. set within beautiful countryside and natural environments.
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL THE STRATEGY
TWO POLICY AREAS, ONE APPROACH: Plymouth Policy Area and Thriving Towns and Villages
26,700 6,600 new homes new affordable homes 13,200 19,000 new jobs across the JLP area of new homes to be built in requiring 312,700 sq m of the Plymouth Policy Area new employment space (71% of total)
Housing, Employment and 7,700 retail needs met in new homes to be built in the full through to 2034 Thriving Towns and Villages Policy area OFFICIAL OFFICIAL BENEFITS OF A PLAN
. An adopted and up to date plan means the policies have full weight . Allows us to resist applications that are not policy compliant . Ensures a housing supply that gives us control to get the applications we want . Failure to provide a 5 year housing land supply means we would be vulnerable to speculative development . On inappropriate sites, with inadequate provision, that don’t have infrastructure capacity, increase pressure on services
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT
. Adopted Summer 2020 . Provides guidance on how JLP policies should be implemented . A tool for officers and councillors to use to make decisions . Does not and can not introduce new policies . Structured around the DEV policies . Covers CIL and planning obligations . Supported by Developer Contributions evidence base and Barn Guide
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL CURRENT POSITION
Adopted 26 March 2019
Currently at the delivery stage of implementing policies and delivering sites
A key part of the process is understanding how the plan is working
First full year of monitoring data 2019-2020
Plan Examined and Monitoring Review key New Plan New Plan issues and Adopted and delivery evidence preparation submitted
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL MONITORING
The Authorities Monitoring Report 2019/20 reports against the JLP Indicators
Key topics Housing Population Jobs and employment development Retail and tourism Connectivity Air and Water Climate Change Neighbourhood Plans
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL HOUSING
A healthy and robust land supply across the whole plan area:
. 6.1 year housing land supply, that equates to 8,200 deliverable homes up to 2025
. Scored 139% (2019) and 144% (2020) in the Housing Delivery Test which means no sanctions apply
. So far 8,663 homes have been built, 653 homes above the plan target
. Potential supply of 33,000 homes over the plan period which is 24% above the requirement
. 15,232 homes have consent or are under construction OFFICIAL OFFICIAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING
. 1,933 net affordable homes provided . Plymouth 1,164 . South Hams 605 . West Devon 164
. Nearly 30% of the Affordable Homes target delivered 6 years into the 20 year plan period
. On track to meet affordable housing target due to sufficient supply
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL HOUSING
. Over 80% of homes were built on identified sites . Windfall development is increasing and there is considerable variation across the Local Planning Authorities: . Plymouth 10% windfalls . South Hams 32% windfalls . West Devon 46% windfalls . Housing delivery remains above 80% on previously developed land in Plymouth City . Greenfield development is far higher in the Thriving Towns and Villages
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY (I28)
. Higher proportion of homes built in the main towns this year compared to last . Although fewer homes built in the Countryside and AONB Villages this year, this distribution equates to 34% . Early signs that the spatial strategy is being implemented but monitor implications of dispersed growth contrary to the Climate Emergency
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL POPULATION (I17)
. Population has increased by 5,610 across the Plan area between 2014 and 2019 . Plymouth 1,588; South Hams 2,569 and West Devon 1,453 . Suggests the successful implementation of strategic growth in the urban fringe
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL EMPLOYMENT
. Around 75% of employment floorspace need has been completed, consented or is under construction . 2,900 new jobs have been created in the plan areas since 2014 despite a decline in working age population of nearly 4,000 people
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL EMPLOYMENT
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL EMPLOYMENT
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL RETAIL AND TOURISM
. Retail consents have reduced, particularly in Plymouth . City Centre vacancy rates (I22) increasing Year Rate . 108 vacant units out of 588 units 2017 14% . Above national rate of 12.4% 2018 15% . Includes some Covid19 affects 2019 17% 2020 18% . Increase in visitors and visitor spend (I23) in Plymouth
2017 2019 Day visits - 4,543,000 Overnight visits - 736,000 Total visitors 5.17 million 5.28 million
Total Spent £347 million £351 million OFFICIAL OFFICIAL CONNECTIVITY
Rail station footfall (I8) . Plymouth ‘local’ stations seeing continued increase in use. . Increase in Totnes footfall above national average Freight and passenger numbers through ports (I11) . Freight traffic has improved by 16% in the last 6 years, which is contrary to a trend of decline across all UK ports . Passenger traffic has seen a minor reduction over the last 5 years, but Plymouth is performing better than the UK average Broadband (I12) . Figures are consistent with national averages for urban and rural areas OFFICIAL OFFICIAL AIR AND WATER
Bathing water quality (I14) Water quality remains high, improving from last year with 17 excellent and 2 good swimming locations Air Quality (I15) . Air Quality has been improving . Plymouth 1 ‘voluntary’ AQMA - Mutley Plain improving but remains an area of concern . South Hams 3 AQMA’s (Western Road, Ivybridge; A385 Totnes; A38 at Dean Prior) . West Devon – Okehampton continues to be monitored . SHWD Air Quality Status report – not yet released % deaths attributable to particulate air pollution (I9) . Slight improvement and all areas show results well below national average OFFICIAL OFFICIAL AIR POLLUTION (I9)
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL CLIMATE CHANGE
Carbon emissions (116) . JLP target of 50% carbon reduction from 2005 levels due to be met . Improvements in 2018 data with all LPAs reporting carbon reductions: . Plymouth 44% . South Hams 41% . West Devon 32% . But this target is out of date because all three Authorities have declared a Climate Emergency
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS (I30)
27 Neighbourhood Plans across the Plan area, most in South Hams and West Devon and only 2 in Plymouth: . 12 Made and being used . 8 Plans ready for referendum . 1 Plan in Examination . 6 Plans in preparation
. Opportunity for more and to address specific issues . Support available . Challenge of effective dialogue and engagement with all communities
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL NEXT STEPS
. Deliver the site allocations – approve proposals in line with policy and work with developers to get them built out . Survey employment and retail consents to provide an up to date position . Monitor implications of permitted development and impact on JLP strategy . Work with officers to understand how the JLP is working and what needs to be addressed going forward . Work with members to understand the key issues through a series of engagement workshops
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL QUESTION 1
Are the sustainability criteria within the JLP stifling rural business?
. The NPPF is clear that sustainable development can only be achieved by securing economic, environmental and social gains at the same time . Strategic Objectives (SO8,9,10 and 11) support a thriving rural economy. Strategic Policies (SPT1, 2, 9 and 10) support sustainable development in appropriate locations . DEV15 supports proposals for local rural businesses in suitable locations . The plan needs to be read as a whole to understand where and under what circumstances new development will be supported . JLP Team continue to be proactive, working with DM colleagues and applicants to support appropriate commercial proposals . The way we apply all of our policies in regard to the rural economy, including TTV1 and DEV15 is upheld regularly at appeal
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL QUESTION 2
Does the Development in the Countryside policy (TTV26) enable appropriate development to support the needs of agriculture?
. The countryside is under pressure from a wider range of demands than ever before, including leisure, recreation, housing and employment . TTV26 seeks to protect the countryside from inappropriate development . The way we use TTV26 is being upheld regularly at appeal . However, the Use Class Order doesn’t give us the flexibility to recognise uses that are specifically within the agricultural supply chain . Opportunity to help define a clearer vision for the countryside, the rural economy and agriculture at upcoming Member engagement sessions . JLP Team to discuss with Cornwall Council how their draft agricultural development policy has been received
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL QUESTION 3
What can be done to ensure full weight is given to JLP policies on air quality when considering future planning applications? Have recent planning decisions in Totnes taken account of the need for an appropriate strategy to mitigate any impact on the A385 Air Quality Management Area? . The JLP Policy DEV2 together with the SPD provides a clear position and guidance on what is required in line with the Air Quality Action Plans. . The Development Management team implement these policies, assess Air Quality Impact Assessments and negotiate with developers to secure a range of measures. . These include electric charging points on sites, travel vouchers to encourage other more sustainable methods of transport and money through Section 106 agreements.
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL QUESTION 4
How will cumulative impacts from development in Torbay and Teignbridge be considered and addressed? . We work closely with the neighbouring authorities and Devon County Council to understand the impact of development. The JLP team through Duty to Cooperate raise concerns about traffic and air quality issues and cumulative implications at all relevant stages. Environmental Health meet regularly as an officer group to exchange information and share good practice . Torbay are starting to review their housing policies and are likely to identify new housing sites with consultation in the Autumn. . Teignbridge are progressing with their own local plan and are aiming to consult on a strategic options paper in May. . We will keep Members and other interested parties aware of the opportunities to comment.
OFFICIAL OFFICIAL QUESTION 5
What steps will be taken to ensure the impact of developments are mitigated by infrastructure improvements? . Air Quality is monitored annually with latest data available for 2019 and two years data will be published in 2021 . The Clean Air Strategy and Air Quality Action Plans are revised every 4 years so will be updated in 2022. . The delivery of the infrastructure improvements identified in the JLP infrastructure Needs Assessment is important. This includes the A385 corridor management and medical centre expansion. . These are outside the control of the JLP and there are no easy transport solutions for Bridgetown Hill. . Devon County Council are responsible for delivery and are currently focusing their attention elsewhere. . The Environment Bill will “result in all public bodies taking effective,
collaborative action to deliver air quality objectives” OFFICIAL