Local Development Framework Bolton’s Core Strategy Development Plan Document Adopted 2 March 2011 Shaping the future of Bolton Shaping the future of Bolton 3 List of policies Policy Name Page H1 Healthy 23 A1 Achieving 25 P1 Employment 29 P2 Retail and leisure 31 P3 Waste 33 P4 Minerals 35 P5 Accessibility 37 S1 Safe 38 CG1 Cleaner and greener 41 CG2 Sustainable design and construction 44 CG3 The built environment 47 CG4 Compatible uses 48 SC1 Housing 51 SC2 Cultural and community provision 53 TC1 Civic and retail core 56 TC2 St Helena 57 TC3 St Peter’s 57 TC4 Trinity Gateway 58 TC5 Cultural Quarter 60 TC6 Knowledge Campus 61 TC7 Merchant ’s Quarter 62 TC8 Church Wharf 64 TC9 Little Bolton 64 TC10 Urban Village 65 TC11 Design in the town centre 66 RA1 Inner Bolton 69 RA2 Farnworth 71 RA3 Breightmet 73 M1 Horwich Loco Works 76 M2 Horwich Loco Works 76 M3 Broad location for employment development 78 M4 Middlebrook 79 M5 Parklands and the Lostock Industrial Area 80 M6 Wingates Industrial Estate 80 M7 The M61 corridor built environment 80 OA1 Horwich and Blackrod 83 OA2 Retail and leisure uses at Middlebrook 84 OA3 Westhoughton 85 OA4 West Bolton 86 OA5 North Bolton 88 OA6 Little Lever and Kearsley 90 LO1 Links to other areas 93 IPC1 Infrastructure and planning contributions 96 See also: Appendix 1 - Policy Summary 102 Bolton’s Core Strategy 4 Local Development Framework Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 6 Chapter 2 Spatial portrait and issues 9 Chapter 3 Spatial vision and objectives 17 Chapter 4 Strategic Policies 23 Healthy Bolton 23 Achieving Bolton 25 Prosperous Bolton 28 Safe Bolton 38 Cleaner and Greener Bolton 40 Strong and Confident Bolton 50 Chapter 5 Area policies 54 Bolton Town Centre 54 Renewal Areas - Inner Bolton 68 Renewal Areas - Farnworth 70 Renewal Areas - Breightmet 73 The M61 Corridor 75 The M61 Corridor - Horwich Loco Works 76 The M61 Corridor - Broad location for employment development 78 The M61 Corridor - Middlebrook 79 The M61 Corridor - Parklands and the Lostock Industrial Area 80 The M61 Corridor - Wingates Industrial Estate 80 The M61 Corridor Built Environment 80 The Outer Areas - Horwich and Blackrod 82 The Outer Areas - Retail and leisure uses at Middlebrook 83 The Outer Areas - Westhoughton 84 The Outer Areas - West Bolton 86 The Outer Areas - North Bolton 88 The Outer Areas - Little Lever a nd Kearsley 90 Links to other areas 92 Chapter 6 Infrastructure and Planning Contributions 94 Chapter 7 Maps 98 Appendix 1 Policy summary 102 Appendix 2 Evidence base 122 Appendix 3 Parking standards 127 Appendix 4 Glossary 131 Appendix 5 Replacement of saved UDP policies 138 Appendix 6 Housing Trajectory 142 Bolton’s Core Strategy Shaping the future of Bolton 5 List of figures Figure Title Page 1.1 The Local Development Framework 6 1.2 The stages in preparing the Core Strategy 8 2.1 Diagram of Bolton 9 2.2 Bolton’s travel linkages 10 2.3 Deprivation in Bolton 13 4.1 Quantities of employment land across the borough 28 4.2 Town, district and local centres across the borough 31 4.3 The distribution of housing across Bolton 50 5.1 Bolton town centre 55 5.2 Inner Bolton 68 5.3 Farnworth 71 5.4 Breightmet 73 5.5 The M61 Corridor 75 5.6 Horwich and Blackrod 82 5.7 Westhoughton 85 5.8 West Bolton 87 5.9 North Bolton 88 5.10 Little Lever and Kearsley 90 7.1 Key Diagram 99 7.2 Proposals map - Horwich Loco Works Existing UDP 100 7.3 Proposals map - Horwich Loco Works Proposed Changes 101 A6.1 Housing trajectory 142 Bolton’s Core Strategy 6 Local Development Framework 1. Introduction What is the Core Strategy? 1.1 The Core Strategy is the key document in the Local Development Framework (LDF). It describes what we want Bolton to look like in the future up to 2026, and the planning policies that will be used to make it a reality. It reflects the spatial aspects of the work of Bolton Council and its partners. 1.2 Along with other documents within the LDF, the Core Strategy forms the basis for how planning application decisions are made in Bolton, a nd replaces the existing Unitary Development Plan (UDP). A site-specific Allocations Development Plan Document is also being worked upon which, once published, will also help guide planning decisions in Bolton on a site-by-site basis. National planning policy also needs to be taken into account in planning decisions, for example Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 1 on delivering sustainable development, PPS3 on housing, and PPS5 on planning for the historic environme nt. The council will determine planning applications in its role as local planning authority, but the Core Strategy policies refer to the council and its partners to reflect the importance of partners in delivering the policies. 1.3 The following diagram shows how the Core Strategy relates to other documents within the LDF folder. Figure 1.1: The Local Development Framework Bolton’s Core Strategy Shaping the future of Bolton 7 1.4 This document is Bolton’s adopted Core Strategy and is the result of extensive public consultation, factual evidence collection, a Sustainability Appraisal and policy document reviews prepared by Bolton Council and its partners. 1.5 The Core Strategy goes beyond traditional land use planning, bringing together policies for the development and use of land with other policies that influence the nature and function of areas in Bolton. It sets out broad aims for the de livery of housing and other requirements such as employment, retail, leisure, community and essential public services and transport. 1.6 This document contains the following information: • A description of the current state of Bolton and issues that need addressing. • The vision and objectives for Bolton’s development over the next fifteen years, including area-specific plans. • Information on how policies will be implemented and objectives achieved across Bolton. • A key diagram and other illustrations to explain the Core Strategy. 1.7 It is important to read this document as a whole, as each of the chapters and themes contained with the Core Strategy are integrated and describe an overall approach to the future spatial planning of Bolton. Facts and strategies 1.8 The Core Strategy has been developed by taking into account information gathered from a wide variety of sources, including studies conducted on behalf of Bolton Council. It also reflects a wide range of relevant council and partner strategies at national, regional and local levels. Appendix 2 contains a full list of the evidence base and strategies used in developing this document. 1.9 National policies for the conservation of the historic environment are set out in PPS 5: Planning for the Historic Environment. Guidance on the implementation of this policy is provided in the accompanying Practice Guide. 1.10 The following studies and asse ssments are of particular importance: • Employment Land Study • Strategic Housing Market Assessment • Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment • Retail and Leisure Study • Open Space Assessment 1.11 These strategies have strong links with the Core Strategy: • Bolton’s Sustainable Community Strategy • North West of England Plan – Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021 • Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 1.12 The Local Development Framework Annual Mo nitoring Report (AMR) tracks progress on the implementation of spatial planning policies. A wide range of up-to-date background information is contained in the latest version, published each December. Bolton’s Core Strategy 8 Local Development Framework Sustainable development 1.13 Sustainable development is the core principle underpinning planning. At the heart of sustainable development is the simple idea of ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations. The Core Strategy ensures that sustainable development is treated in an integrated way. It considers the interrelationship between social inclusion, protecting and enhancing the environment, the prudent uses of natural resour ces and economic prosperity. Stage Process Timescale Key Issues Paper Evidence gathering, establishing the Public consultation baseline and initial identification of January - April 2007 key issues Core Strategy Issues Refinement of issues, development Public consultation and Options Report of alternative spatial options August - December 2007 Core Strategy Formulation of preferred Targeted consultation Preferred Options policy direction September 2008 - Report September 2009 Core Strategy Formulation of detailed policies, Publication January 2010 Publication submission to the Secretary of State Submission May 2010 Document Binding Inspector's Independent examination Examination hearings Report by Inspector September - October 2010 Inspector's Report January 2011 Core Strategy Formal adoption March 2011 Figure 1.2: The stages in preparing the Core Strategy Bolton’s Core Strategy Shaping the future of Bolton 9 2. Spatial portrait and issues 2.1 This section looks at the main attributes of Bolton and key monitoring information. It looks at Bolton’s regional context, geography, accessibility, social characteristics and finally the economy including information on neighbourhood renewal and deprivation. All these characteristics and issues are interlinked. Figure 2.1: Diagram of Bolton Context 2.2 Bolton’s story is one of determination and ambition, a town built on aspiration and resilience. Since the middle of the 20th century the traditional manufacturing base has been completely re-shaped and other sectors have grown to replace manufacturing. Some production industries have modernised around new technology and the service sector has grown significantly. 2.3 The North West region is characterised by stark contrasts and striking landscapes. Bolton forms part of the Manchester City Region which is a major centre for economic activity and is the focus of a significant proportion of the future development activity for the region.