Summary

The purpose of this topic paper is to provide background information for the Cheshire West and Chester Core Strategy. The topic paper relates to the Ellesmere Port Area Partnership Board (APB) area. The APB areas have been used as a basis for the topic papers as monitoring information has been collected for these areas.

The Ellesmere Port APB area includes Ellesmere Port town centre, Cheshire Oaks, Wolverham, Westminster, Whitby, Little Sutton, Great Sutton, Groves, Stanlow and Ince.

National, regional and local context

The key reports, plans and policies relating to the Ellesmere Port area are:

North West of England Plan Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021 (September 2008) - particularly policies RDF1, RT6, LCR1, LCR3, LCR5 Spatial Strategy for West Cheshire and North East Wales (2007) Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Local Plan (2002) Central Ellesmere Port Area Action Plan Issues and Options (2008) and Preferred Options (2009) Draft Ellesmere Port Waterfront Development Brief (2008) Ellesmere Port Docks Conservation Area Character Appraisal (2004) and revision (2008)

Context and characteristics

The Ellesmere Port APB area has a population of 61,700 people and it is a predominantly urban area with a high population density. The population of the Ellesmere Port area is expected to increase by about 4% between 2006 and 2016 and it is a relatively young population, compared to the rest of Cheshire West and Chester.

The town of Ellesmere Port grew up around the dock and canal activities. Industrial and manufacturing uses such as Stanlow and Vauxhall are still major employers in the area, but several businesses have moved or closed and this has resulted derelict and vacant sites close to the town centre. The derelict areas and industrial nature of part of Ellesmere Port has had a negative impact of the perception of residents and visitors to the town.

Ellesmere Port is the main retail centre in the area but shops, leisure facilities and restaurants are also found at Cheshire Oaks designer outlet and The Coliseum. Consultation undertaken in relation to the Central Ellesmere Port Area Action plan has identified that local people feel that there is a lack of choice of shops in the town centre, particularly higher-end stores.

Cheshire Oaks retail outlet, the Coliseum leisure and retail area, the Blue Planet and the National Waterways Museum are key tourist attractions and leisure facilities in the Ellesmere Port APB area.

The population of Ellesmere Port have a higher incidence of certain health issues than the rest of Cheshire West and Chester, particularly in certain. For example, Westminster and Central Middle Super Output Area had the highest estimated percentage of people who smoke and Wolverham and Stanlow had the highest percentage of obese people. Westminster ward had the lowest estimated life expectancy in Cheshire West and Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - 1 Ellesmere Port In the 2008 Place Survey, the issue rated as the highest priority for improvement in Ellesmere Port APB was activities for teenagers and 56% of respondents from Ellesmere Port APB considered that teenagers hanging around on the streets was a 'very big or fairly big problem' compared to 42% of respondents in Cheshire West and Chester.

Unemployment rates were higher in Ellesmere Port APB (4.7%) than Cheshire West and Chester (3.6%) and were the highest of all APBs.

House prices are relatively low in Ellesmere Port compared with Cheshire West and Chester, but average household income is also lower.

12 of the 42 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in Ellesmere Port APB were in the top 20% most multiply deprived, according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007. There were significant pockets of disadvantage in certain areas. For example, Westminster and Central had the highest unemployment rate, the lowest average income and the area ranked highest for living environment deprivation. Wolverham and Stanlow had the highest proportion of social rented houses, the highest percentage of people with no qualifications and the highest proportion of people not in good health in Cheshire West and Chester.

There are no minerals workings in the Ellesmere Port area.

The 2007 Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan allocates four sites in the Ellesmere Port area for waste uses. The sites are: WM2 - Associated Octel; WM3A and 3B - Bridges Road; WM20 - North Road; and WM21 - New Bridge Road.

The majority of the Ellesmere Port area is not at risk of flooding, however there are areas that are at risk including Stanlow and the area alongside Rivacre Brook.

Ellesmere Port APB had the second highest rate of recorded crime after Chester APB, the highest rate of violent crime in Cheshire West and Chester and the highest number of fires started deliberately. In the Places Survey, 79% of respondents said they felt safe outside in daylight and 32% felt safe after dark, compared to 89% and 51% in Cheshire West and Chester. These were the lowest proportions of all APBs.

Key issues

The key issues are:

High population density resulting in pressure on services and facilities. Relatively high levels of deprivation. Poor health. Poor educational attainment. Relatively high unemployment. Lack of activities for teenagers. Relatively high levels of crime. Lack of choice in Ellesmere Port town centre of retail and leisure facilities. Competition between Cheshire Oaks / The Coliseum and Ellesmere Port town centre. Poor public transport and pedestrian linkages e.g. between the rail station and the town centre. Poor perception of Ellesmere Port. Development of key sites in the area, including Ellesmere Port Waterfront.

2 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Ellesmere Port 1 Introduction 4 2 National, regional and local context 5 3 Context and characteristics 8 4 Key issues 15

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Ellesmere Port

1 Introduction

1.1 The purpose of this topic paper is to provide background information for the Cheshire West and Chester Core Strategy. The topic paper relates to the Ellesmere Port Area Partnership Board (APB) area. The APB areas have been used as a basis for the topic papers as monitoring information has been collected for these areas.

1.2 The Ellesmere Port APB area is shown on the map below. It includes the following wards (or parts of them):

Central and Westminster Grange and Rossmore Groves and Whitby Sutton and Manor

1.3 The Ellesmere Port APB area includes Ellesmere Port town centre and Cheshire Oaks, Wolverham, Westminster, Whitby, Little Sutton, Great Sutton, Groves, Stanlow and Ince.

Map 1.1 Ellesmere Port Area Partnership Board Area

4 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Ellesmere Port 2 National, regional and local context

North West of England Plan Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021 (September 2008)

2.1 Policy RDF 1 states that the towns and cities of the three city regions should be the third priority for growth and development, after the regional centres (Manchester and Liverpool) and the inner areas surrounding the regional centres. Ellesmere Port is one of the towns in the Liverpool City region. The policy also states that development should be focused in and around the centres of the towns and cities and that emphasis should be placed on addressing regeneration and housing market renewal and restructuring.

2.2 Manchester Ship Canal and the Shropshire Union Canal run through the Ellesmere Port area and there are dock operations associated with Manchester Ship Canal to the north-east of the M53. Policy RT6 states that plans and strategies should support the economic activity generated and sustained by the Region's major ports and waterways and identifies the Manchester Ship Canal in particular. It also states that development that would impede the operational requirements of a port should not be permitted within the port boundary and there should be a strong presumption in favour of safeguarding land close to ports for port- related development, logistics and transport.

2.3 As the Ellesmere Port APB area is within the Liverpool City Region, Policy LCR 1 Liverpool City Region Priorities is important. It states that sustainable growth, local regeneration initiatives and development opportunities in the West Cheshire / North East Wales sub-region should be promoted. It also states that sites of international importance for nature conservation should be protected, such as the Mersey Estuary.

2.4 The supporting text to policy LCR 3 states that "Ellesmere Port for the purposes of articulating poilcy is included in West Cheshire. However, it is clear that Ellesmere Port shares many of the characteristics and has strong links with the outer area of the Liverpool City Region".

2.5 Policy LCR5 relates to West Cheshire - North East Wales and states that plans and strategies should "support the sustainable economic growth and regeneration opportunities of Ellesmere Port through sustained and co-ordinated programmes for development and investment, with emphasis on developing Ellesmere Ports reputation for 'high tech' manufacturing, through the diversification of the economy and the improvement of the image, quality of life and perception of Ellesmere Port". It also states that the links between areas of opportunity and areas of need should be enhanced, including transport corridors radiating out from Chester, in particular links to Ellesmere Port.

Spatial Strategy for West Cheshire and North East Wales (2007)

2.6 The Spatial Strategy supports the sustainable growth of the four strategic centres of Chester, Wrexham, the Deeside conurbation and Ellesmere Port. It also promotes the focus on the regeneration areas identified, namely those communities experiencing deprivation within Flintshire, Wrexham, Ellesmere Port and Chester. This includes several communities in the Ellesmere Port APB area.

2.7 It also identifies the need to enhance corridors radiating out from Chester - in particular the role of the M56 and A55/M53 corridors as critical transport links; the Chester-Hooton-Birkenhead corridor and links with both Ellesmere Port and Broughton.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - 5 Ellesmere Port 2.8 It states that Ellesmere Port is now firmly established as an international centre for both car manufacturing and processing and that there is an opportunity to build on this established reputation by promoting the area as a centre of excellence for high tech manufacturing. It also notes that there is a need to diversify the employment base to move away from reliance on the manufacturing industry.

2.9 The Spatial Strategy identifies that Ellesmere Port should benefit from the development of improved links between the sub-region and the Liverpool city-region, including the Mersey Gateway crossing.

2.10 The Spatial Strategy identifies Ellesmere Port and Neston as a Priority Area for the provision of affordable housing, along with Chester, Flintshire and Wrexham County Borough.

2.11 In relation to strategic employment sites, policy ECON2 states that action should focus on making employment provision on strategic sites, including new sites to diversify the economic base in the Ellesmere Port area. It also notes that the 4M Economic Development Zone provides an opportunity for the implementation of a number of key sites, such as Hooton Station (Roften), Hooton Park (Vauxhall) and Pioneer Park.

2.12 The Spatial Strategy suggests the creation of new strategic mixed-use sites in the Chester - Ellesmere Port corridor in order to build on the growth momentum of Chester and pull investment closer to Ellesmere Port. These are sites outside of the Green Belt area, and may involve reuse of brownfield sites / regeneration areas.

2.13 There is also an emphasis on employment provision in the main settlements of Chester, Ellesmere Port and Wrexham.

Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Local Plan (2002)

2.14 The Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Local Plan sets out the planning policies that currently cover the whole of the Ellesmere Port APB area.

Central Ellesmere Port Area Action Plan - Issues and Options (2008) and Preferred Options (2009)

2.15 Preparation of an Area Action Plan for the central part of Ellesmere Port has reached Preferred Options stage. Consultation has been undertaken on the Issues and Options and Preferred Options, however work has now been put on hold until the Core Strategy is progressed. The consultation has provided details of what local people and stakholders believe are the key issues for the central part of Ellesmere Port and how they could potentially be resolved.

2.16 The AAP covers the area from the town centre to the Manchester Ship Canal, all of which falls within the Ellesmere Port APB area.

Draft Ellesmere Port Waterfront Development Brief (2008)

2.17 The Ellesmere Port Waterfront Development Brief sets out the planning and design principles to inform the regeneration of the Ellesmere Port waterfront and its surrounding area.

2.18 The draft development brief was the subject of a five-week consultation period and has been amended to take account of the submitted comments. It has not yet been approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

6 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Ellesmere Port Ellesmere Port Docks Conservation Area Character Appraisal (2004) and revision (2008)

2.19 The Ellesmere Port Docks Conservation Area covers the area around the National Waterways Museum and is bounded by South Pier Road, Dock Street and Lower Mersey Street. The character appraisal provides an assessment of the special architectural and historic interest of the conservation area.

Other important documents

2.20 Other important documents include the consultation draft of the North West Regional Coastal Strategy.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - 7 Ellesmere Port 3 Context and characteristics

Overview of the Area

3.1 In 2007, the population of the Ellesmere Port area was 61,700 (Cheshire County Council population estimates 2007). The area of Ellesmere Port APB is about 5,800 hectares and the population density for 2007 in the built up ares of Ellesmere Port APB was 34.17 people per hectare, which is much greater than Cheshire West and Chester (3.49 people per hectare).

3.2 Ellesmere Port APB is divided into 9 Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs) and 42 Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs). These are based on population characteristics rather than administrative boundaries and form basic units for understanding local information.

3.3 The Ellesmere Port APB area is a predominantly urban area, with 45% of the population classed as urban (25% in Cheshire West and Chester) and only 7% classed as more rural than urban (23% in Cheshire West and Chester).

3.4 From the Places Survey, 69% of people surveyed said they were satisfied with where they lived. This was the lowest proportion of all APBs in Cheshire West and Chester.

Role and Function

3.5 The town of Ellesmere Port grew up in the late eighteenth century around the junction of the River Mersey and the Shropshire Union Canal. The historic docks, basins and canal at this meeting point are now incorporated into the National Waterways museum.

3.6 Much of the expansion of Ellesmere Port has been as a result of the industry located in and around the town. Significant growth followed the relocation here of the Wolverhampton Corrugated Iron Company in 1906 and an overspill agreement with Liverpool in 1959. The industrial heritage of the town continues to have a major impact and the Shell Petrochemical Refinery at Stanlow and Vauxhall Motors car factory provide significant levels of employment and contribute to the local economy. The industrial and manufacturing businesses provide petroleum products and other manufactured products for use throughout the north west and further afield.

3.7 Over recent years, several of the industrial and manufacturing businesses closer to the town centre have relocated or closed, leading to areas of vacant and derelict land. However, some, such as DSM Resins, have remained and invested and there has been a recent increase in higher quality light industrial uses north and east of the M53 and developments such as Pioneer Business Park.

3.8 The Ellesmere Port area provides a large number of houses and a mix of house types.

3.9 Ellesmere Port is the main retail centre in the area and this provides shops and services for people from the surrounding areas. Major retail provision is also found at Cheshire Oaks designer outlet and The Coliseum. Cheshire Oaks fulfils a different role to Ellesmere Port town centre. Generally, Ellesmere Port town centre provides for the day-to-day needs of local people, while people travel much longer distances to visit Cheshire Oaks designer outlet and are likely to visit less regularly than the shoppers at Ellesmere Port town centre.

8 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Ellesmere Port Key Facts and Figures

Housing and Population

3.10 Ellesmere Port APB area had a population of 61,700 in 2007, about a fifth of the population of Cheshire West and Chester (Cheshire County Council population estimates, 2007). The population of Ellesmere Port APB is expected to increase by about 4% between 2006 and 2016. The population of Cheshire West and Chester is expected to grow by about 2% over the same period (Cheshire County Council population forecast, 2008).

3.11 In 2007 Ellesmere Port APB had a relatively young population compared to the rest of Cheshire West and Chester, for example with: marginally the highest proportion of people in the 0-19 age range of all APBs in Cheshire West and Chester; the second highest number of 15-19 year olds in Cheshire West and Chester; and the lowest proportions of those aged 80+ of all APBs.

3.12 In the 2001 Census, 99% of people in Ellesmere Port APB area said they were either White British (60,002 people) or Other White (1,067 people), which was similar to Cheshire West and Chester.

3.13 According to the Mosaic classification (a system of classifying households by consumer behaviour) Ellesmere Port APB had the highest percentage of households classified as 'Municipal Dependence' - living in local authority housing and relying on public transport. It also had the highest proportion of Happy Families (families living in modern houses) and Blue Collar Enterprise (practical rather than academic and generally financially secure).

3.14 Ellesmere Port APB had the highest proportion of social rented houses in Cheshire West and Chester and the lowest proportion of houses in Council Tax bands above the average band D.

3.15 According to the 2001 census, 45% of people in Ellesmere Port APB lived in semi-detached houses (39% for Cheshire West and Chester) and 6% lived in a flat, maisonnette or apartment (the same as for Cheshire West and Chester). 24% of households were socially rented, which was the highest rate in Cheshire West and Chester. The MSOA with the highest percentage of social rented housing in Cheshire West and Chester was Wolverham and Stanlow (54%).

3.16 In 2006, the average property price for Ellesmere Port APB was £142,388 based on information from the Land Registry and 1085 house sales. In Cheshire West and Chester there were 7,079 sales at an average price of £188,089 (HM Land Registry).

3.17 The percentage of people with limiting long term illness or disability at the time of the 2001 Census was similar to the proportion in the unitary authority and in England, but Ellesmere Port was the APB with the highest proportion (7% of the population) of Disability Living Allowance claimants (Department for Work and Pensions). In the Places Survey, 21% of respondents in Ellesmere Port APB reported that they had a limiting long term illness or disability.

3.18 Estimates by the North West Public Health Observatory for the proportions of people who smoke were produced, based on survey data from 2003 to 2005. Wesminster and Central MSOA (39%) had the highest estimate in Cheshire West and Chester. Estimates for the percentage of obese people indicated that Wolverham and Stanlow had the highest percentage in Cheshire West and Chester (31%). This MSOA also had the highest percentage of people in Cheshire West and Chester reported being not in good health.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - 9 Ellesmere Port 3.19 From the Places Survey 7% of people reported being not in good health, compared to 5% in Cheshire West and Chester.

3.20 Westminster ward had the lowest estimated life expectancy in Cheshire West and Chester (74.6 years), based on statistics from the Office for National Statistics at birth 1999-2003. This is compared to Dodleston ward in Rural West, which had the highest healthy life expectancy in Cheshire West and Chester of 85.6 years.

3.21 Only 13.1% of adults in Ellemsere Port APB use sports / leisure facilities at least once a week, compared to 18.8% in Cheshire West and Chester.

3.22 In the 2008 Place Survey, the issue rated as the highest priority for improvement in Ellesmere Port APB was activities for teenagers. 53% of respondents placed this in their top five priorities. 56% of respondents from Ellesmere Port APB considered that teenagers hanging around on the streets was a 'very big or fairly big problem' compared to 42% of respondents in Cheshire West and Chester. 17% of people in Ellesmere Port APB agreed that parents took enough responsibility for their children, compared to a third of people in Cheshire West and Chester.

Employment and Economy

3.23 Unemployment rates were higher in Ellesmere Port APB (4.7%) than Cheshire West and Chester (3.6%) and were the highest of all APBs. The MSOA in Ellesmere Port with the highest unemployment rate was Westminster and Central (9.0%), which was the highest rate of all MSOAs in Cheshire West and Chester (NOMIS, 2009).

3.24 Ellesmere Port APB had the highest proportion of the working-age population claiming key benefits (Department for Work and Pensions). In 2008 £32,700 was the average household income in Ellesmere Port APB, 9% below that for Cheshire West and Chester and 5% below Great Britain. The MSOA with the lowest average income in Cheshire West and Chester was Westminster and Central (£25,100) (CACI PayCheck, 2008).

3.25 According to the 2001 Census, in Ellesmere Port APB, 22% of the population had Managerial and Professional roles (the lowest proportion of all APBs), 27% had never worked, were long term unemployed or were otherwise unclassified and 27% were in semi-routine and routine jobs (higher than the proportion for Cheshire West and Chester).

3.26 The number of business enterprises registered for VAT in Ellesmere Port APB rose by 1% between 2005 and 2007. In Cheshire West and Chester the number increased by 5% over the same period (Office for National Statistics).

3.27 16% of the working age population in the Ellesmere Port APB claimed at least one benefit, the highest rate of all APBs in Cheshire West and Chester (Department for Work and Pensions).

3.28 12 of the 42 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in Ellesmere Port APB were in the top 20% most multiply deprived, according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007. The most deprived LSOA in Ellesmere Port APB was Westminster and Central L4, which ranked 4th in Cheshire West and Chester.

3.29 There were significant pockets of social and economic disadvantage in the areas of Westminster and Central and Wolverham and Stanlow. Westminster and Central had the highest unemployment rate, the lowest average income in Cheshire West and Chester, and contained the area ranked highest in Cheshire West and Chester for living environment deprivation. It also had high incidence

10 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Ellesmere Port of mental health issues. Wolverham and Stanlow had the highest proportion of social rented houses, the highest percentage of people with no qualifications, the lowest average point score at A level and the highest proportion of people not in good health in Cheshire West and Chester.

3.30 The economy of Ellesmere Port has been reliant on manufacturing industry, which has meant that it has been vulnerable to decline within the manufacturing sector. This led the former Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council to adopt a strategy of trying to diversify the economy. Many industries close to the town centre have closed over the last 10 years, but some industry such as DSM Resins on Cromwell Road have chosen to remain and invest.

3.31 Due to the industrial nature of the Ellesmere Port area, many of the vacant and derelict sites have been contaminated by previous uses and this constraint on future development means that they require remediation before they can be used.

3.32 Other constraints include the designation of part of Whitby Road and Station Road as an Air Quality Management Area due to levels of Nitrogen Dioxide and parts of the Ellesmere Port APB area fall within hazard zones requiring the Health and Safety Executive to be consulted about new proposals. These issues will affect the redevelopment of sites in the Ellesmere Port area.

Retail and Town Centres

3.33 The current Port Arcades form the main retail area of Ellesmere Port town centre, which has extended westwards from the original town centre at the Cromwell Road / Whitby Road area. A covered market is located at the end of the Port Arcades. Smaller local shopping centres are found in Whitby and Westminster and there are also several small parades of shops within the Ellesmere Port area.

3.34 The households in the Ellesmere Port APB have greater access to services than those in Cheshire West and Chester, for example with 100% of households being within 2km of GP surgeries (83% for Cheshire West and Chester - Commission for Rural Communities). This is due to the relatively small size and high density of the area and the fact that Ellesmere Port town centre and Cheshire Oaks are located within the area.

3.35 Consultation undertaken in relation to the Central Ellesmere Port Area Action plan has identified that local people feel that there is a lack of choice of shops in the town centre, particularly higher-end stores. The lack of national multiples was identified in the Cheshire Town Centre Study (2007). Ellesmere Port town centre provides relatively few leisure and cultural facilities and most leisure facilities in the Ellesmere Port area are found at The Coliseum.

3.36 The Cheshire Town Centre Study indicates that in 2007 food shopping (convenience goods) turnover was higher in Ellesmere Port (£74.9 million) than Cheshire Oaks (£31.8 million), but that the non-food shopping (comparison goods) turnover was higher at Cheshire Oaks (£132.6 million) than Ellesmere Port (£82.1 million). This evidence indicates that Ellesmere Port provides a more local, day-to-day shopping role than Cheshire Oaks.

3.37 There is relatively little bulky-goods provision in Ellesmere Port and the Cheshire Retail Study (2006) identified that most expenditure by households within the Ellesmere Port area on bulky goods is outside the area.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - 11 Ellesmere Port Travel and Transport

3.38 Car ownership was second lowest in Cheshire West and Chester, after Chester APB (Census, 2001), reflecting the lower income levels in the area and the better accessibility of services in urban areas.

3.39 The rail station is some distance from the town centre and the pedestrian route to the town centre is poor. The rail station provides services to Liverpool, but to get to Chester it is necessary to change trains at Hooton.

3.40 The M53 forms a major barrier to the pedestrian movement and makes it difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to visit the Waterways area.

3.41 There is an Air Quality Management Area along parts of Whitby Road and Station Road.

3.42 There are relatively poor public transport linkages between the rail station and the town centre and the rail station and the bus station and the town centre and Cheshire Oaks / The Coliseum.

3.43 The Access Options Study prepared in 2009 for the Central Ellesmere Port Area Action Plan indicated that if all of the key vacant, derelict and under-used sites in Ellesmere Port were redeveloped, this could result in potential capacity issues in the central part of Ellesmere Port, particularly on Westminster Bridge, Station Road and Cromwell Road. The M53 is also close to capacity, which is likely to have implications for development of sites in the Ellesmere Port area if capacity issues are not addressed. The road capacity issues need to be investigated further and are covered in more detail in the Travel and Transport Topic Paper.

3.44 The use of the Shropshire Union Canal and Manchester Ship Canal for transport and recreation could be increased. However, the current use of Manchester Ship Canal is predominantly for commercial purposes and any recreational use of the canal must not have a significant detrimental impact on commercial operations.

3.45 From the Census, the car was the most popular means of travel to work by Ellesmere Port APB residents (73%, compared with 71% for Cheshire West and Chester). 7% travelled to work on foot, compared with 9% for Cheshire West and Chester. 6% of people worked from home, compared with 9% for Cheshire West and Chester. The lowest average distance travelled to work in Cheshire West and Chester was from Whitby West (9km / 6 miles).

3.46 According to the Integrated Transport Strategy Baseline Report (2009) slightly more people travel from outside the Ellesmere Port APB area into the area to work than travel from the Ellesmere Port area to work outside it. Ellesmere Port and Chester are the only net attractors of trips.

Minerals

3.47 There are currently no permitted minerals sites and no areas identified in the Cheshire Replacement Minerals Local Plan 1999 as Area of Search for sand and gravel or Preferred Areas for future mineral extraction. There are no minerals workings in the Ellesmere Port area.

Waste

3.48 There are four Preferred Sites identified in the Cheshire Replacement Waste Local Plan 2007 for waste management facilities at Associated Octel, Bridges Road, North Road and New Bridge Road. The sites are:

12 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Ellesmere Port WM2 Associated Octel - potential uses: Thermal Treatment, In-Vessel Composting, Mechanical Biological Treatment, Material Recycling Facility, Anaerobic Digestion, Bulking Facility WM3A and 3B Bridges Road - potential uses WM3A: Household Waste and Recycling Centre, Materials Recycling Facility, Bulking Facility, Waste Transfer Station. Potential uses WM3B: Thermal Treatment, Mechanical Biological Treatment, In-Vessel Composting, Anaerobic Digestion WM20 North Road - potential uses: Mechanical Biological Treatment, Thermal Treatment, Bulking Facility, Materials Recycling Facility, Household Waste Recycling Centre WM21 New Bridge Road - potential uses: Mechanical Biological Treatment, Thermal Treatment, Materials Recycling Facility, Household Waste Recycling Centre, Bulking Facility

Water

3.49 The majority of the Ellesmere Port area is not at risk of flooding, however there are three areas that are at risk: the area alongside Rivacre Brook; a small area in Hooton; and a large part of Stanlow (Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, 2008).

3.50 The main supply for the majority of Ellesmere Port is from the River Dee, supplemented by some boreholes in Cheshire (the 'Hapsford' water supply zone). Ellesmere Port wastewater treatment works serves the Ellesmere Port APB area.

Climate Change

3.51 There are no specific climate change issues that relate specifically to Ellesmere Port, apart from the potential impact on the flooding issues described in the water section above. General issues relating to climate change are covered in the Climate Change Topic Paper.

Other

3.52 In January 2009 there were 20 primary schools, 4 secondary schools and 2 special schools in Ellesmere Port APB.

3.53 The percentage of children in Ellesmere Port APB in their reception year at school (the year when they reach 5 years of age) who acheived expected outcomes was 44%, which was the lowest of all APBs (Department for Children, Schools and Families School Census).

3.54 Ellesmere Port APB had the lowest proportion of people with degrees in Cheshire West and Chester and the highest proportion of people with no qualifications. At Key Stages 2 and 3, results were lower than in Cheshire West and Chester and this APB had the lowest average point score at A-Level and the lowest percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs at Grades A* to C. Wolverham and Stanlow MSOA had the highest proportion of people with no qualifications in Cheshire West and Chester (2001 Census).

3.55 16 LSOAs in Ellesmere Port APB were in the lowest 20% for children in need in the 2009 Child Wellbeing Index, having high proportions of children supported by social services. This was the highest number of all APBs.

3.56 Ellesmere Port APB had the second highest rate of recorded crime after Chester APB, but the highest rate of violent crime in Cheshire West and Chester (21 per 1,000 population). The number of recorded crimes in Ellesmere Port APB was 96 per 1,000 population in 2007/8 (71 per 1,000 in Cheshire West and Chester) (Management Information Unit, Cheshire Constabulary). For the Crime Deprivation indicator, 8 out of the top 10 most deprived LSOAs in Cheshire West and Chester were

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - 13 Ellesmere Port in this APB. The Ellesmere Port APB also had the highest number of fires started deliberately (59 per 10,000 population, compared to 29 for Cheshire West and Chester) (Cheshire Fire Authority).

3.57 A question in the 2008 Place Survey asked what made somewhere a good place to live and the top criteria chosen by respondents in the Ellesmere Port APB was crime (chosen by 66% of respondents).

3.58 49% of respondents from Ellesmere Port APB to the 2008 Places Survey said that vandalism and graffiti was of concern, 44% said people using or dealing drugs and 43% said people being drunk or rowdy in public places. These figures were significantly higher than the average for Cheshire West and Chester.

3.59 In the Places Survey, 79% of respondents said they felt safe outside in daylight and 32% felt safe after dark, compared to 89% and 51% in Cheshire West and Chester. These were the lowest proportions of all APBs.

3.60 The Ellesmere Port APB area includes the Ellesmere Port Docks Conservation Area, which is includes the National Waterways Museum and the surrounding areas.

3.61 Cheshire Oaks retail outlet, the Coliseum leisure and retail area, the Blue Planet and the National Waterways Museum are key tourist attractions and leisure facilities in the Ellesmere Port APB area.

3.62 The first impression of most visitors to Ellesmere Port is likely to be a poor environment, particularly if they arrive from junction 9 of the M53. The vacant and derelict sites in the area, such as Cromwell Road, contribute to the poor perception of the area. Routes into Ellesmere Port town centre from Stanney Lane, Chester Road and Sutton Way are more attractive and create a good impression. The poor impression of Ellesmere Port was a key issue raised through consultation on the Central Ellesmere Port Area Action Plan.

14 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Ellesmere Port 4 Key issues

4.1 A wide range of consultation and analysis has been undertaken by other departments within Cheshire West and Chester Council, along with partnership organisations, to help identify the major issues and priorities for the Ellesmere Port APB area. The key issue are:

High population density - which means good access to services, but also increases pressure on services and facilities. Relatively high levels of deprivation - including high percentage of working age population claiming benefits and relatively low income. Poor health - including relatively low estimated healthy life expectancy, high levels of smoking and high levels of obesity. Poor educational attainment. Relatively high unemployment. Lack of activities for teenagers - leading to teenagers hanging around in the street Relatively high levels of crime - particularly violent crime and fires started deliberately and residents have relatively poor perceptions of safety. Retail provision - lack of choice in Ellesmere Port town centre due to the lack of higher end stores and national multiples. There is also a lack of leisure and cultural facilities in the town centre and a lack of an evening economy and competition between Cheshire Oaks / The Coliseum and Ellesmere Port town centre for retail spending. Poor public transport and pedestrian linkages between the rail station and the town centre and the rail station and the bus station and the town centre and Cheshire Oaks / The Coliseum. Poor perception of Ellesmere Port - linked to the number of vacant and derelict sites and the industrial nature of parts of the area. Development of key sites in the area, including Ellesmere Port Waterfront, which provide significant opportunities for regeneration. Ensuring that the local communities in the Ellesmere Port area are kept engaged and involved in all key decisions concerning their area. Air Quality Management Area along parts of Whitby Road and Station Road.

4.2 Within the Ellesmere Port APB area there are areas where the issues above are particularly bad. For example, in Westminster and Central MSOA there are particularly high levels of smoking and unemployment and in Wolverham and Stanlow there are particularly high levels of obesity.

4.3 The key issues relate to the following main themes:-

Maintenance and improvement of services and facilities, particularly for young people Relatively high unemployment and low average income Poor health Relatively high levels of crime Retail provision Poor perception of Ellesmere Port Spatial concentration of issues and problems Development of key sites

Maintenance and improvement of services and facilities, particularly for young people

4.4 The relatively small size of the Ellesmere Port area and the high population density, means that it is easy for most residents to access the existing services and facilities.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - 15 Ellesmere Port 4.5 Ellesmere Port town centre provides a relatively wide range of services and facilities. However, there is a lack of facilities for young people, especially teenagers, which leads to teenagers hanging around in the street. This may link to levels of disturbance and crime, including the deliberate setting of fires, which is a major problem in Ellesmere Port.

4.6 There is also a lack of leisure facilities in Ellesmere Port town centre as most of the provision in the area is at Cheshire Oaks.

4.7 If more houses are built in the Ellesmere Port area, this will increase the requirement for services and facilities.

Relatively high unemployment and low average income

4.8 Within the Ellesmere Port area there is a high percentage of working age population claiming benefits and the average income of residents in the area is relatively low. Unemployment is also relatively high and there is a low rate of start-up of new businesses, as indicated by the very low increase in the number of businesses registered for VAT.

4.9 The proportion of the population claiming benefits is likely to be linked to poor health, which is dealt with below.

4.10 Levels of income and unemployment are likely to be linked to the relatively low educational attainment in the area. The schools provision within Ellesmere Port is currently being reviewed, with the aim to provide a new academy.

4.11 Employment opportunities have increased in Ellesmere Port over recent years and the types of roles available have broadened, with less of a reliance on manufacturing. However, employment opportunities in the area could still be improved, which would help to reduce unemployment and also improve sustainability as it would reduce the number of residents in the Ellesmere Port area who travel outside the area to work.

4.12 General employment issues for the whole of Cheshire West and Chester are dealt with in the Employment Topic Paper.

Poor health

4.13 The key health problems in the Ellesmere Port area include the relatively low estimated life expectancy, high levels of smoking and high levels of obesity.

4.14 It is very difficult for the planning system and Core Strategy to influence levels of smoking. However, the planning system can have a significant influence on healthy living in terms of access to leisure and recreation facilities and provision of opportunities for walking and cycling. It is also possible for the planning system to control the use of premises, for example hot-food takeaways.

4.15 The towpath along the Shropshire Union canal provides opportunities for walking and cycling and the walking route alongside the Manchester Ship Canal could potentially be extended and improved. Apart from the canal towpath, there is a limited number of high quality cycleways in the Ellesmere Port area and the environment for pedestrians is sometimes poor, for example the route from the rail station to the town centre. The links between Cheshire Oaks and the town centre could also be improved.

16 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Ellesmere Port Relatively high levels of crime

4.16 There are relatively high levels of crime in the Ellesmere Port area, particularly violent crime and fires started deliberately.

4.17 The main ways that spatial planning can influence levels of crime are through provision of activities for young people (as described above) and design of buildings and developments.

Retail provision

4.18 There is a lack of higher-end retail stores and national multiples in Ellesmere Port town centre and the lack of leisure and cultural facilities in the town centre and lack of an evening economy has an impact on its vitality and viability.

4.19 Ellesmere Port town centre generally provides a more local shopping role than Cheshire Oaks, but there are still tensions and competition between the two retail areas and very few linked trips. In addition, most of the existing leisure facilities for the Ellesmere Port area are provided at The Coliseum.

4.20 A planning application has recently been approved by the Secretary of State for a large Marks and Spencer store at Cheshire Oaks, following a public inquiry in June 2009. General retail issues are dealt with in the Retail Topic Paper.

Poor perception of Ellesmere Port

4.21 The poor perception of Ellesmere Port held by both local people and visitors is linked to the number of vacant and derelict sites and the industrial nature of parts of the area.

4.22 The perception of Ellesmere Port relates to the view people get of the area when travelling through it, particularly on the M53. Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council has previously had a policy relating to the M53 Corridor which required that any developments in this area had a positive net contribution to the visual appearance of the area and also included high levels of tree planting and / or contributions to tree planting. This has also resulted in additional tree planting alongside the M53. These policies have resulted in improvements to the view of the area from the M53 and it is suggested that this approach is continued.

4.23 The perception people have of Ellesmere Port also relates to what attractions, shops, services and businesses people think are in the area and have visited. One of the key problems is that although Cheshire Oaks retail outlet village, The Coliseum shopping and leisure area, Cheshire Oaks Business Park and the Blue Planet are all within the Ellesmere Port area, people often do not associate them with Ellesmere Port and rarely make linked trips between this area and Ellesmere Port town centre.

Spatial concentration of issues and problems

4.24 Within the Ellesmere Port APB area there are smaller areas where the issues above are particularly bad. For example, in Westminster and Central MSOA there are particularly high levels of smoking and unemployment and in Wolverham and Stanlow there are particularly high levels of obesity.

4.25 Any potential solutions suggested in the Core Strategy will need to ensure that the pockets of deprivation and other problems are dealt with. This may mean that specific policies or solutions are required for particular areas.

Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - 17 Ellesmere Port Development of key sites

4.26 The availability of vacant, derelict and under-used land in the Ellesmere Port area means that there are significant opportunities for future development.

4.27 The largest and potentially most important development sites in the Ellesmere Port area are Ellesmere Port Waterfront and the Cromwell Road site. The owner of the Ellesmere Port Waterfront site would like it to be developed for a mix of uses, but predominantly housing. A draft development brief has been prepared for the site. No application has been submitted so far. The owner of the Cromwell Road site would like it to be used for a mix of uses, including retail, employment and housing.

4.28 The uses on these key sites will have a major impact on the rest of the Ellesmere Port area, for example they could provide new residents which would lead to a requirement for more services and facilities and greater demands on the transport network. The impact of development of these large sites will be assessed and taken into account at Preferred Option stage.

4.29 The key strategic sites for the whole of Cheshire West and Chester are dealt with in more detail the Strategic Sites topic paper.

18 Cheshire West and Chester Local Development Framework | Topic Paper - Ellesmere Port