Draft Local Plan 2006-2031 for Public Consultation March to May 2014

Tamworth Borough Council – Draft Local Plan 2006-2031 For Public Consultation March to May 2014 1 : A Spatial Strategy for Tamworth 21 CHAPTER 4: A Prosperous Town 27 CHAPTER 5: Strong and Vibrant Neighbourhoods 43 CHAPTER 6: A High Quality Environment 57 CHAPTER 7: A Sustainable Town 71 CHAPTER 8: Monitoring and Implementation 83 2 PPENDICES 87 Contents Page CHAPTER 1: Introduction 7 CHAPTER 2: Background: Spatial Portrait, 16 Vision & Strategic Spatial Priorities CHAPTER 3: A Spatial Strategy for 25 Tamworth CHAPTER 4: A Prosperous Town 30 CHAPTER 5: Strong and Vibrant 48 Neighbourhoods CHAPTER 6: A High Quality Environment 62 CHAPTER 7: A Sustainable Town 75 CHAPTER 8: Monitoring and 88 Implementation 3 LIST OF FIGURES AND APPENDICES Figure Page FIGURE 1: Stages in plan making 12 process FIGURE 2: Structure of the 15 document FIGURE 3: Tamworth typical urban 19 areas FIGURE 4: Key diagram of 26 Tamworth Borough FIGURE 5: Town Centre key 27 diagram FIGURE 6: Tamworth biodiversity 72 opportunity map Appendix Page Appendix A: Housing Trajectory 90 Appendix B: Proposed Housing Allocations 92 Appendix C: Proposed Employment 105 Allocations Appendix D: Infrastructure Delivery Plan 115 Appendix E: Car Parking Standards 119 Appendix F: Monitoring and Implementation 124 Framework Table Appendix G: Travel Plans 132 Appendix H: Schedule of Designations 137 Appendix I: Glossary 138 Policies Map Separate Document Town Centre Insert Map Separate Document 4 5 6 CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION Context to the Tamworth Local Plan 1.1 Since 2006, Tamworth Borough Council has been working with a wide range of stakeholders (local communities, local strategic partnership and developers etc) to produce a development plan for the borough. This was being produced in the context of previous national and regional planning guidance and was called a Core Strategy. It has now been renamed the Tamworth Local Plan, as part of the Government’s on going reform of the planning system. 1.2 In November 2012 the Council submitted the Local Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for examination. The Inspector raised a number of concerns relating to the soundness of the Plan, notably in respect of a lack of suitable land use allocations for housing, employment and town centre uses. An exploratory meeting was held in February 2013 to discuss the work required to overcome the Inspector’s concerns. Despite the Council’s intention to make additional allocations, the Inspector was of the opinion that the plan should be withdrawn. The Council subsequently withdrew the Local Plan in March 2013. 1.3 Since the withdrawal of the Local Plan the work set out in the exploratory meeting has been completed and parts of the evidence base updated and refreshed where necessary 1.4 Tamworth Draft Local Plan sets out the spatial planning strategy for the borough over the period 2006-2031 in terms of the type of development required to meet local community and business needs, its scale and location as well as the policies that will apply to ensure that development is sustainable. It also includes policies to ensure that appropriate supporting infrastructure is delivered and the area’s built and natural environment is protected and enhanced. The Plan aims to be sufficiently flexible to adapt to the changing circumstances during its life. 1.5 The government has published the National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012), which sets out planning policies for achieving sustainable development. Emphasis has been placed on the importance of ensuring that Local Plan policies contribute to achieving sustainable development, in terms of promoting sustainable economic growth. The Tamworth Local Plan has been prepared in compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). 1.6 It should be noted that, as part of the Government’s ongoing reform of the planning system, the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (WMRSS)1 has been revoked under the Localism Act 2011. The Local Plan reflects the NPPF requirement for a locally derived evidence base, particularly in relation to future housing need. Where considered relevant, working in partnership with neighbouring authorities to discharge the duty to co-operate has resulted in cross-boundary issues being addressed. 1.7 The Tamworth Local Plan is expected to be adopted by 2015 and will replace the existing Local Plan (Adopted in 2006/07)2. Further detailed guidance will be included in a limited number of SPDs which will support the implementation of the plan. Once it is adopted, planning applications will be determined in accordance with the Local Plan unless other material considerations (including the NPPF) indicate otherwise. 1 West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy: Phase Two Revision (2008) 2 Tamworth Borough Council - Local Plan 2006-2011 (Adopted July 2006 and Policies Saved in July 2011) 7 Delivering Sustainable Development 1.8 The NPPF places great emphasis on the presumption in favour of sustainable development. This is reflected through the policies within this Local Plan and its future implementation. The World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) defined sustainable development as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” 1.9 The Tamworth Local Plan policies and proposals will impact on the three facets of Sustainable Development (i.e. economic, social and environmental) and measures have been taken to integrate them and minimise any potential conflicts and adverse impacts, in order to achieve the most sustainable outcome for the borough. 1.10 For example: to promote the borough’s economic well being, the policies include measures to build a strong, responsive and competitive economy, by ensuring that land of the right type and location is available to encourage growth and innovation, including delivering the supporting infrastructure. This is balanced by policies to promote the social wellbeing of the borough, including measures to promote strong, vibrant and healthy communities through promoting an increased supply of the right type of housing, a good quality built environment, with accessible local services that reflect the community’s needs, whilst simultaneously considering the environmental wellbeing of the borough. The SA/SEA and other assessments have underpinned this approach. Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development 1.11 The NPFF sets out the presumption in favour of sustainable development and the need for sustainable economic growth, on which local plans are to be based and includes clear policies that will guide how the presumption should be applied locally. Overarching Policy for the Development Plan NP1: Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development Any proposals for development that demonstrate that they are in accordance with policies in this plan and are sustainable will be granted planning permission without any delay. When determining applications the Council will take the following approach to reflect the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework. It will always work proactively with applicants jointly to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in the area. Planning applications that accord with the policies in this Local Plan (and, where relevant, with policies in neighbourhood plans) will be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Where there are no policies relevant to the application or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision then the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise – taking into account whether: a) Any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably 8 outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole; or b) Specific policies in that Framework indicate that development should be restricted. SA/Combined Assessments 1.12 A Sustainability Appraisal (SA), which includes a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been undertaken during the production of the Local Plan. This considers the social, economic and environmental effects (including impact on natural resources) of the strategy and ensures it accords with the principles of sustainable development. Each of the draft policies was developed, refined and assessed against sustainability criteria throughout the preparation of the Local Plan. The Sustainability Appraisal Report is published alongside this draft document. 1.13 Under the Habitats Regulations, the council has undertaken in consultation with Natural England, a Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) to ensure that the policies in the Local Plan do not harm sites designated as being of European importance for biodiversity. 1.14 In addition to the assessments described above, the policies contained within this version of the Local Plan have been subjected to both a Health Impact Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment. 1.15 The Local Plan is closely related to the Tamworth Sustainable Community Strategy and associated strategic objectives which were produced by the Tamworth Strategic Partnership, a multi-agency partnership committed to improving the quality of life of local people. 12 strategic objectives have been defined, which concentrate the Vision into key specific issues that need to be addressed. A key element

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