THE LIVERPOOL LOCAL PLAN Initial Consultation - Dec 2013 - March 2014 FORM C – CALL FOR SITES
Why are we consulting?
The City Council is preparing a Local Plan for Liverpool. Covering a period of at least 15 years, this document will contain policies on housing, employment, shopping and other land uses and it will also allocate sites for such uses.
In accordance with Government Regulations1, the City Council is now notifying interested bodies and persons, and inviting representations on what the Local Plan should contain.
The Local Plan will allocate sites for development, and identify land to be protected from development. If you wish to propose a site to be allocated for a particular type of development (e.g. housing, employment etc.) OR a site to be protected from development, please use this Form
If you wish to make a quick comment on what you think the Plan should contain, please use Form A
Alternatively, if you wish to make more detailed comments on what the Plan should contain, please use Form B, which has a number of questions on housing, employment and other types of development
If you require further information, please see the “Shaping the Liverpool Local Plan” document, which can be found on line at www.liverpool.gov.uk/consultation. Hard copies are also available from the Development Plans Team, Planning & Building Control, Millennium House, 60 Victoria Street, Liverpool L1 6JD. Tel. 0151 233 3021. Email: [email protected]
Please return all completed forms to one of the addresses below by 31st March 2014
Your contact details* *if an agent is appointed, please provide their contact details, as appropriate Name Richard Gee Job Title (if appropriate) Director Organisation (if appropriate) Roman Summer Associates Ltd 105 Manchester Road Bury Address (inc. Postcode) Manchester BL9 0TD Telephone Number 0778 971 0352 Email [email protected] What is your interest in the site? Owner & Prospective purchaser (of part of site) (Owner/Lessee/Prospective purchaser/neighbour etc.)
Please return completed form(s)to : By Email [email protected] In Person Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2DH FREEPOST RRUK-HRTT-LATT, Liverpool City Council, Planning and Building Control, By Post Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2DH Note that all comments will be made available for the public to read and therefore cannot be treated as confidential. (NB: Only the consultee name will be included in published reports).
1 Regulation 18, Town and County Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Introduction
As part of its early consultation on its new Local Plan, Liverpool City Council is inviting landowners, developers, businesses and members of the public to submit details of:
sites considered suitable for development / redevelopment over the next 15-20 years - especially for housing, employment, retail and leisure / commercial uses; and/or,
land which it is considered should be protected from development.
Information from all sites submitted, either for development / redevelopment or land to be safeguarded, will help us determine land allocations and designations in the City’s new Local Plan. Putting a site forward in this exercise does not guarantee that the Council will allocate / designate it or support its development / protection in the future. All sites will need to be judged against relevant planning policies and other considerations.
For assistance on completing the form please read the Guidance Notes below. If you require further assistance please contact the Development Plans Team, as above.
PLEASE USE A SEPARATE FORM FOR EACH SITE (1) Site Details Name of site / other names it is known by Former grounds of Woolton Manor
Land at Woolton Manor, Allerton Road / Hillfoot Road, Woolton Address
Postcode: L25 7TB Ordnance Survey Easting Northing Grid Reference It is essential that you provide a map showing the site’s location and detailed boundaries. Please see the accompanying guidance note or the website for information on how to obtain an appropriate map.
(2) Proposed future use(s)
Are you proposing that this site be developed OR protected from development? Please tick as appropriate If you are proposing a site for development, please complete this and all subsequent sections.
If you are proposing that a site be protected from development, please fill in relevant sections.
2.1 Please indicate the preferred use that you would like the site to be considered for. 2.2 Please also indicate any other uses you would consider acceptable. (If you wish the site to be considered for a mix of uses, please tick all uses that apply.) Commercial Residential Employment Retail Other* Leisure 2.1 Preferred future use 2.2 Alternative future use(s) # houses: _ ___5,000__ 2.3 Potential Capacity ______SqM _____ SqM ______SqM SqM or # flats:_____ Health care/ Mental health care / Extra care / * If “Other”, please indicate which use(s): Alzheimer Care Unit
2.4 Has any design work been done (for any use)? Yes No (3) Site Ownership 3.1 Please record the details of the owner(s) of the site. If there are more than three owners, please record the 4th owner, etc. on a separate sheet. Please indicate the extent of individual landholding(s) on the site map. If you do not know who owns the site, please state so below.
Owner 1 Owner 2 Owner 3 Name Rushton Properties Ltd
148 Aigburth Rd, Liverpool, Address Merseyside L17 7BR
Or: I do not know who owns the site 3.2 Has the owner (or each owner) indicated support for proposed redevelopment? Please also record these details for the 4th and subsequent owners (where necessary). Yes No Don’t know (4) Market Interest Please choose the most appropriate category below to indicate what level of market interest there is in the site. Any comments Site is owned by a developer Site under option to a developer Enquiries received MHC Ltd for a mental health proposal on northern part of the site. Site is being marketed None Not known
(5) Site Condition 5.1 Please record the current use(s) of the site (or for vacant sites, the previous use, if known). Current use(s) Unused greenfield wasted unmanaged unkempt resource If Previous use(s) vac ant Date last used
5.2 What proportion of the site is made up of buildings, and what proportion is (open) land? Proportion covered by 1% Proportion not covered by buildings 99% buildings
5.3 If there are buildings on the site, please answer the following questions: How many buildings are there on the site? 2 decrepit shelters and former tennis pavilion What proportion of the shelters are currently in % in use: 0 % use? % derelict: 100 % Approximately what year were the shelters built? Early 1900s (If there is a mix of buildings, please give the age of the predominant building type.)
5.4 For the parts of the site not covered by buildings, please answer these questions: What proportion of the land is currently in active use? 0 % What proportion is greenfield (not previously developed)? 95 % (A)* What proportion is previously developed and cleared? 5 % (B)* What proportion is previously developed but not cleared? % (C)* (e.g. demolition spoil, etc.) * A plus B plus C should add to 100%. Please provide any additional comments on a separate sheet if necessary. (6) Constraints to Development Please tell us about any known constraints that will affect development for the proposed use, details of what action is required, how long it will take and what progress has been made. Please use a separate sheet where necessary to provide details. Confirmed by Constraint Yes, No Nature and Action needed, or Don’t severity of timescales and technical study or by know constraint progress service provider? Yes No a) Land contamination No b) Land stability No c) Mains water supply No d) Mains sewerage No e) Electricity supply No f) Gas supply No g) Telecommunications No h) Highways No i) Ownership, leases The land etc. is held on a 999 year lease from NHS j) Ransom strips, There is covenants a restrictive covenant that the 12 acres should be used as ‘urban amenity land’ only k) Drainage, flood risk No l) Other (please provide details)
(7) Site Availability Excluding planning policy constraints, when do you believe this site could be available for development? Immediatel (Note: to be “immediately available”, a site must be cleared of all buildings, y unless buildings are being considered for conversion.) If not immediately, please state when it could be available: (Year) If the site is not available immediately, please explain why – e.g. the main constraint(s) or delaying factor(s) and actions necessary to remove these:
Connected the 2 derelict convalescent shelters and the 2 tennis courts (8) Any Other Information Please tell us anything else of relevance regarding this site. Please explain in as much detail as possible why you are proposing the development or protection of the site and provide evidence for the points you make.
Please see the following enclosed documents for supplementary details :
Woolton Manor – Needs Assessment (mental health care only) Woolton Manor – Concept Images (mental health care only) Ecology Assessment
The owner supports Liverpool City Council’s wish for the city to grow during the next 20 years and the recognition that sites must be found to deliver new special care accommodation and market residential development to help facilitate an increase in population and economic growth. The owner supports the allocation of this land for such uses (either in part or whole).
The owner considers the site to be appropriate for health and care uses – in keeping with the original concept for the site where the whole area was dedicated to TB and care for the wounded in both World Wars and to convalescence.
Times change, and there is now a need for quality mental health facilities, Dementia Care, Extra Care and ordinary Care residential accommodation. The site should be allocated as such, in combination with an alternative option for market and/or special needs housing.
The whole of the original 20 acre site was dedicated to Health Care, in particular for the healing and convalescence of TB patients. In this connection half of the 12 acres of land now owned by Rushton contained allotment gardens with 2 associated greenhouses and pigsties which catered for patients welfare. The other half was set out as parkland with stands of specimen native English trees served by a network of paths for ambulatory convalescence; these connected the 3 now derelict convalescent shelters plus a tennis pavilion and 2 tennis courts. These latter facilities were particularly utilised for the convalescence of wounded soldiers during both World Wars.
The Dementia unit suggested via these representations would be a complementary adjunct for the existing 60 Bed Nursing Home for which the former TB Hospital is now being used (Woolton Manor).
By way of further background, Peter Fletcher Associates (PFA) were commissioned to undertake a needs assessment for an extra care service on this site. PFA is an independent research and consultancy organisation, which undertakes needs assessments and strategic and service planning across health, social care, housing and regeneration for older people and a range of other vulnerable groups.
The PFA needs assessment was based on a review of City Council and Health Service strategies in respect of the needs of older people. Demographic data was analysed and a review was undertaken of the availability of other similar services in the area. The report concluded that there was a need for additional extra care housing in this area, and was submitted at the time to the LPA in support of an earlier pre-application enquiry.
Peter Fletcher Associates were also commissioned to undertake a needs assessment for a service for people with learning disabilities on this site (enclosed with this submission). The report was based on an analysis of local need taking into account national and local strategies and concluded that there was a need for the service.
There is also a nursing home on the adjacent site (Woolton Manor) and Peter Fletcher Associates understand that the owner feels there is a need for more units on the site which could provide care for those with dementia. Peter Fletcher Associates have not been involved with the nursing home but would acknowledge that it is generally accepted that as we live longer the number of people experiencing dementia will increase. City Council strategies also accept that the number of people with dementia is likely to rise substantially. The site itself is close to Woolton village and therefore has easy access to shops and local other amenities which would be important for those with limited mobility.
The site is in a highly accessible location. It lends itself to sensitive and well designed development for the following reasons :
The site consists of ‘ready made’ and verdant grounds, ideal for the care and health of residents and as a general residential setting.
It is very close to the community. Isolated sites are not ideal for the types of uses being promoted.
The land has been unused for many years. It serves no worthwhile purpose. No public access is permitted, and as such it possesses no recreational value.
The land is overgrown and unmanaged. There are some fine trees and groups of trees, which could be retained and supplemented. But there are many others that are not valuable and of poor / mediocre quality. A small element of tree loss is inevitable, but the best trees will be retained, and those removed replaced with better quality.
The site is a far cry from the carefully planned and formally laid out grounds of the former convalescent home (Woolton Manor), with its interlinking, sweeping paths and characterful shelters.
There is undoubtedly ecology on the site. But our ecologist advise that the land needs management if it is not to be taken over by invasive species. The best of the ecology can and will be protected, and sensitive management measures put in place (which will create recreational, therapeutic and work opportunities / experiences for residents of the proposal, and the public of Woolton).
There is a very clear and demonstrable demand for facilities such as this. By way of one example, we have provided a Need & Demand Assessment report with this submission, produced by one of the UK’s most reputable specialists in this field (who have previously worked on behalf of the City Council, all other Merseyside Authorities, and numerous branches of national and regional Government).
The owner is committed to delivering high quality, bespoke, sensitive, sustainable design and layout.
As it stands today, the City Council spends around £7.5 million each year paying for the care – outside of Liverpool - of Liverpool citizens suffering from mental health issues. That is a waste of finite resources and a good quality scheme on this site could help to save some of that.
Proposals could comply with both UDP Policies OE3 (Green Wedge) and OE11 (Greenspace), and yield enhancements in respect of both designations (such as making the site more open; restoring views and vistas; and introducing public access and recreational opportunities where none currently exist).
The existing access to the site (past The Lodge) is limited. On Hillfoot Road there is a gap in the avenue/perimeter planting of mature Lime trees, 150 metres from the Allerton Road traffic lights. This would give an easy alternative access to the site – without loss of tree cover.
The NPPF lends considerable support to the proposition in its drive for sustainable economic development.
This site meets the three criteria of sustainable development: it can deliver economic and social benefits to the city by providing much-needed land for special housing development; and it can deliver environmental benefits to the city because any proposed development could offset any potential loss of trees with increased planting and would seek to re-introduce the public use of the land by developing up to half of the site for residential use and turning the remaining land into high quality, landscaped public open space.
This is a sustainable, viable, available and deliverable site that can help Liverpool to meet its aspirations for economic prosperity and special housing needs / care during the Local Plan period.
The owner considers that the Green Wedge and Greenspace policies are overly rigid and in need of review. In many respects they are more onerous than national Green Belt policy. We suggest that these sites should not be mothballed in perpetuity and ought to be considered as assets for the City, providing options for the type of homes and other facilities that the city needs now and needs in the future. Allowing much needed, high quality sustainable development need not destroy the overall integrity of this land or harm the character of this part of Liverpool. Guidance Notes
How the site information will be used Information from all sites submitted either for development / redevelopment or land to be safeguarded will inform the Local Plan process. We must stress that putting a site forward in this exercise does not guarantee that the Council will allocate / designate it or support its development / protection in the future. All sites will need to be judged against relevant planning policies and other considerations.
Two previous ‘Call for Sites’ exercises have been carried out by the City Council. The first, in 2008, was for sites for housing only, as part of the City’s original Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). The second, in 2010, was for all uses and also covered land to be protected. Its main purpose was to inform early work on sites and allocations under the old Local Development Framework plan-making system, but was also used to inform the SHLAA update.
If you submitted site suggestions to those earlier exercises and your submissions remain valid, we ask you to re-submit as part of this Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation. This will enable the City Council to take account of the most up-to-date position on development intentions and site availability. Sites identified for housing, or for mixed use development including housing, will be considered for inclusion in future updates of the City’s SHLAA.
How to fill in the Call for Sites Form Most of the fields on the form should be self-explanatory; further guidance is provided below. If you are identifying a site for development / redevelopment, please fill in all sections of the form. If you are identifying land to be protected from development, please fill in as many sections as possible.
Submitting more than one site You are welcome to submit a number of different sites. We will require a separate form to be used for each site. However, it will be sufficient to simply record your own name and interest in the site on page 2 of the form (“Your details”) for second and subsequent forms.
Section 1 – Contact details Your contact details are required, and as this is a public consultation process, your name and organisation and the site location will be published with your representation. Please note that sites cannot be treated as confidential. However, in accordance with the Data Protection Act, no other personal details will be divulged to third parties or published without your permission. An email address is helpful as it enables us to save time and paper contacting you. You do not necessarily need to be the owner of a site to promote it for development; please indicate your interest in the site at the end of Section 1.
Section 1 – Site location plans We need to be able to clearly identify the location and boundaries of all sites that are submitted. We require a good quality map at a scale which shows the detailed site boundaries, and any surrounding buildings, with the site boundary clearly edged with a red line. This is so that we can precisely identify the site and record it on our own mapping system. More than one site boundary may be marked on one map (e.g. if they are close together), provided the sites are clearly labelled.
Ordnance Survey base site plans can be purchased from:
Entwistle 19 Hatton Garden, Liverpool, L3 2DH (Tel: 0151 236 5151) email: [email protected]
Or,
Blackwell Alsop Building, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5TX (Tel: 0151 709 8146) E-mail: [email protected]
Site plans can also be purchased online from CentreMaps, an external supplier whose website is www.centremapslive.co.uk.
For a demonstration of how to obtain an electronic location plan from CentreMaps please view the following webpage: http://www.centremapslive.co.uk/page/a_quick_flash_demonstration.
Please note that before you can use CentreMaps you will need to download and install the Adobe SVG viewer by visiting this website: http://www.adobe.com/svg/viewer/install
Alternatively, site plans can be created using internet sources such as Bing or Google Maps.
Please call if you need further advice.
Section 4 – Ownership You do not need to be the owner of a site to promote it for development. The Council does not tend to hold information on who owns land (apart from its own). If you require details of who owns a particular site, we suggest you contact the Land Registry. Section 7 – Site constraints We are asking for an indication of the extent of various constraints which may affect how easily or quickly the site could be developed. Please provide supporting evidence, wherever possible. It is important to note, as already stated, that the Council will make its own assessment of these matters for each site, perhaps in consultation with utilities providers, the highways authority, etc, and may come to a different conclusion from that submitted on the form. However, any information provided on these forms will be a useful starting point in assessing each site. Date: 4th November 2013
Mr R Gee Roman Summer Suite 17 Hahnemann Building 42 Hope Street Liverpool L1 9HW
Enquiry ref: 0431/13
PRE-APPLICATION REPORT
Location Land to the west of Woolton Manor Allerton Road/Hillfoot Avenue Liverpool L25
Description of Proposal The submitted pre application document sets out a development proposal by MHC Ltd for area of land to the west of Woolton Manor, a Grade II listed building which is a purpose built nineteenth century convalescent home. The proposal is to erect two single storey linked buildings to provide residential accommodation with associated staffing facilities for up to 20 people with learning disabilities. It is MHC’s intention that the scheme would create a unique and state-of-the art mental health care facility to serve Liverpool and beyond. As part of the proposals for the site, the original landscaped parkland and 3 Curtilage listed structures within the grounds of the Manor are proposed to be restored.
The comments made in this document are based on the pre application enquiry submitted to the Local Planning Authority in June 2013 and further to a meeting held with the Divisional Manager Planning and planning officer on the 18th September 2013.
Site Description & Background Woolton Manor is a Grade II listed building which was opened in 1873 as a purpose- built convalescent home by the architect Thomas Worthington. It has an ‘E’ plan form (approved by Miss Florence Nightingale) with two tall ward blocks each housing 80 – 100 patients and its surroundings provided “generous space for exercise and recreation”. An extension to the home was added in 1878. Extracts from historic Ordnance Survey maps show that the original landscape resembled “parkland” but that the “gently curving footpaths” were not laid out until c.1900. Convalescent patients were also encouraged to use the grounds for exercise for the benefit of their health: Winding paths lead through the mature woodland to a series of rustic Victoria park shelters, carefully sited to provide regular resting points. In the late twentieth century, the grounds, including the land subject to this enquiry, have become neglected and overgrown obscuring the original landscaped parkland and shelters which have been vulnerable to vandalism. These shelters are listed structures by their close historic association with the Manor.
The woodland setting of Woolton Manor, together with the grounds of the Grade I listed Woolton Hall and the archaeologically significant Camp Hill, now forms important character area within the Woolton Village Conservation Area.
Planning Constraints The site constraints below are relevant to the development under consideration but do not constitute a formal response under the Land Charges Act 1975.
The site is located in the Greenwedge and Greenspace therefore Policy OE3 and OE11 are the overarching policy considerations. In addition, the site is located within the Woolton Village Conservation Area and within the original landscaped grounds of a Grade II listed building, Woolton Manor and therefore policies HD8 and HD3 are also pertinent to the consideration of this proposal. Other relevant UDP policies are listed below.
Relevant Planning Policies Section 38(6) of the 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act states that development should be carried out in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The development plan comprises the Liverpool Unitary development Plan (UDP) adopted 2002, the North West England Plan Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) to 2021 adopted 2008 and the emerging Local Development Framework (LDF).
National Planning Policies The NPPF must be taken into account as a material consideration in planning decisions.
Liverpool Unitary Development Plan Polices OE3 – Greenwedge OE5 – Protection of Nature Conservation Sites & Features OE7 – Habitat Creation & Enhancement HD5 – Development Affecting the Setting of Listed Buildings HD8 – Preservation & Enhancement of Conservation Areas HD11 – New Development in Conservation Areas HD18 – General Design Requirements HD19 – Access for All HD22 – Existing Trees & Landscaping HD23 – New Trees and Landscaping T12 – Car Parking Provision in New Developments T13 – Car Parking for the Disabled
Design for Access for All SPD Ensuring a Choice of Travel SPD Internal Consultations The following key Council services would be consulted over a planning application. (others may be added during the planning application process) - Urban Design & Heritage - Highways - Parks & Environment
In addition to internal consultees, the views of English Heritage have been sought in respect of the proposal given the sensitivity of the site adjacent to a Grade II Listed Building.
External Consultations The following key external organisations/individuals would be consulted over a planning application. (others may be added during the planning application process) - Neighbouring residents/businesses - Local Resident Groups - Ward Councillors - English Heritage
Pre-application advice The advice given below is as accurate as possible but is an officer’s view of your proposal based upon the information provided and material planning considerations. Advice is given without prejudice to any subsequent planning decision by the City Council.
Principle of Development: As mentioned above, the site is designated as Greenspace and Greenwedge and therefore Policy OE11 and OE3 is the overarching policy consideration. The policy is designed to protect extensive linked areas of open spaces of citywide importance. Policy OE3 does not preclude development per se but any development should not undermine the objectives of the Greenwedge with the most appropriate uses being the retention of land for outdoor recreation uses. The principal of OE3 is to protect and improve the open character, landscape, recreational and ecological value of the Greenwedge.
In light of the Greenwedge designation of the site, the proposed development would fail to fully comply with these principle aims and objectives and although based on the concept images, its scale and mass is of fairly modest scale, it would no doubt affect the predominantly open character of the Greenwedge. Similar concern applies to the impact of the proposed development on the Greenspace and Policy OE11.
As discussed at the meeting, the LPA are anticipating that by the end of 2013, the initial consultation on the City’s Local Plan will be underway which is likely to run to the end of March 2013. This consultation ‘Call for sites’ will provide the opportunity to present sites in the city which are challenging for a review of existing allocations in the saved UDP. Given the existing designation of the site as both Greenwedge and Greenspace, it is may be prudent for your client to consider engaging in this consultation process in relation to the development proposal for this site.
If however, a full planning application is submitted without engaging in the local plan consultation, the development proposal would need to be assessed against the current Greenwedge and Greenspace allocations and a strong and robust argument would need to be presented for consideration as part of the assessment of the planning application. Notwithstanding the above issue of principle of the development in the Greenwedge and Greenspace, the following comments in respect of other aspects of the proposal should be considered.
Heritage In addition to the above mentioned site designations, the site also lies adjacent to a Grade II Listed building and is also within the Woolton Village Conservation Area and therefore policies HD5 (Development Affecting the Setting of a Listed Building) and HD8 (Preservation & Enhancement of Conservation Areas) are relevant to the consideration of this proposal. These policies have particular regard to the desirability of preserving the setting of a listed building or heritage asset when considering development proposals which may harm a potential impact on their special character.
The LPA consider that the proposal would have an impact upon the setting of the Listed Building and the conservation area however in accordance with paragraphs 132 and 134 of the NPPF, in considering the impact of a proposed development, the level of harm should be weighed up against the significance of the heritage asset. In particular the NPPF states that “Where a proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal.” In this instance, the designated heritage assets are the main listed Manor and associated structures and the wider Woolton Village conservation area.
On the basis of the current scheme presented, it is considered that the harm of the proposal is likely to be less than substantial and therefore the public benefits associated with the restoration of the historic parkland and shelters which would be undertaken as part of the development proposal for the site are key consideration. The restoration of the park and shelters would not only be a visual improvement to this part of the conservation area but will also restore the former setting of the Manor which is significant, not just visually but also from the point of view of its use as part of the convalescent process. In addition, the pre application documents state that there would be public access to the grounds, a further public benefit within the meaning of paragraph 134 of the NPPF.
English Heritage also shares the view that the development proposals could potentially enhance the significance of the conservation area by securing a restoration plan for the parkland context for the Manor, including the restoration of the shelters within the curtilage of the Manor.
Need/Site Suitability The pre application documents place significant weight on the need for the development proposal in the absence of any other similar facilities in the City. The document refers to a previous alternative sites assessment being undertaken and the fact that this assessment highlighted very few sites in the City have the desired location which MHC wish to achieve i.e. the development achieving a link to an existing community whilst also achieving an element of separation. In addition, the landscaped setting of this site provides a more informal environment for the facility whilst also offering the opportunity to participate in outdoor recreation or work-related activities.
It is important to note that in considering the development proposal for the site, the LPA has had special regard to the specific and intended use of the development which aims to provide specialised mental health facility in the City and the comments made in this report are based solely upon the submitted scheme. In the event that an alternative scheme is proposed, for example a general residential scheme, then a separate detailed assessment would have to be undertaken.
Scale & Massing The preliminary concept images submitted indicate modest single storey buildings that have a form and mass which would have the potential to develop a discrete development which could sit well within the mature landscape. Whilst it is appreciated that the design concept of the buildings are at a very early stage, on the basis of the preliminary images provided, the LPA consider that the use of green roofs is appropriate and a unified design rather than one comprised of a series of separate structure would ensure that the development occupies a compact area without encroaching onto the surrounding parkland. The pre application concept images describes the curved elevations as allowing the building to have a diminishing scale however it is considered that this would only really be appreciated from an oblique angle looking towards the double gable ends. As such, it is the view of English Heritage that a series of options for the precise siting and alignment are explored to assess whether the visibility of the building could be reduced further, for example by aligning the gables towards Allerton Road rather than the elevation (with the car parking area screened from Allerton Road itself).
Access & Parking Arrangements The continued use of the existing access to serve the new development from Allerton Road, whilst not ideal, provides sufficient visibility and access onto Allerton Road for vehicles to enter and leave the development safely and in a forward gear.
Ideally Highways would prefer additional width to this gated access to provide a wider margin for vehicles to pass-by one another however; this alteration would not be supported in conservation terms. It is considered however, that it can continue providing access to the developed site as it is currently doing. It is noted that should a vehicle have to wait to exit the site due to an incoming vehicle, that there is sufficient space within the access road for this to be accommodated without causing vehicles to block back and out onto Allerton Road.
In addition, the level of vehicles associated with the development proposal are likely to be fairly low in number (staffing requirements) and that during the morning and evening peak periods when traffic on Allerton Road is more congested, the traffic generation from the development would be minimal.
Minor works to the footway outside the development access would be required to install dropped kerbs and tactile paving so as to provide satisfactory and level access for walking routes to and from the nearby Bus Stops in Allerton Road. Although it is noted that services from this location are limited there are additional, more frequent Bus services available from Woolton Street which is also within acceptable walking distance and would benefit from these minor improvements.
Trees The initial pre application submission refers to a preliminary Tree Constraints Plan prepared by Bowland Tree Consultancy Ltd, however this has not been shared with the LPA at this time and therefore an assessment of the quality stock has not yet been undertaken by the Council’s Tree & Landscape Officer. In light of this, it is not possible to comment upon whether the proposed development would result in the loss of significant trees on this particular part of the site.
Notwithstanding the above, it is accepted that the site is in need of some urgent arboricultural and woodland management intervention to prevent further deterioration of the woodland and quality trees which are currently at risk of being suppressed.
Ecology and wildlife The site clearly has considerable nature conservation value and would therefore fall to be considered under policies OE5 and OE7.
The pre application submission included a preliminary ecological survey for the site. Whilst the comment in the report in saying that habitats are changing and becoming less diverse through a lack of management is noted, the real value of the site is in its lack of disturbance and development. The site is valuable in its own right but also performs a significantly important role within the Green Wedge. Its role as a corridor of connectivity between other sites cannot be ignored.
The preliminary ecological report contains a number of presumptions which the LPA consider are open to question. The suggested value of the site for badgers, birds and bats is considerably under played. With particular regard to the presence of badgers on the site, the report suggests to only look more intensively for this species once the clearance phase has taken place. Such an approach is unacceptable and therefore to enable a full and proper assessment of any potential impact of the development upon the nature conservation value of the site, it is strongly advised that significantly more faunal data is required together with more information of the proposed development.
As such, the LPA consider that whether or not the site’s value as a nature conservation resource can be mitigated on site is open to question and it is considered that the preliminary report certainly does not answer this fundamental question.
Conclusion In light of the above, there are fundamental issues regarding the principle of the proposed development given its location within designated areas of Greenwedge and Greenspace. Notwithstanding this, there appears to be merit in the proposal in terms of heritage issues associated with the restoration of the historic parkland and shelters within the grounds of the Manor. Other matters such as the impact on existing trees, ecology and design of the proposed development require further consideration following the submission of more detailed information.
Application Requirements In the event that a planning application is submitted despite the initial comments regarding engaging in the local plan consultation, the following key documents should be submitted with a planning application. Further documents may be required during the planning application process. Planning Statement Tree & Ecological Survey Statement of Historical Significance Topographical Survey Design and Access Statement Transport Statement including MASA and Travel Plan I hope you find this response useful but would point out that it is given without prejudice to the consideration of any formal application for planning permission.
Freedom of Information Act We will generally not preclude access to information on pre-application discussions unless confidentiality is requested in writing. If confidentiality is requested, any request for information will be considered within the “exemptions” provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
Note: Officers will be sensitive and flexible to the needs of the developer and the nature of any proposals, but will also be guided by the need to secure the best development and design, in accordance with national and local planning policy. There is an expectation that developers will respond positively to advice given when an application is formally submitted.
Ecological Appraisal Land West of Woolton Manor Woolton, Liverpool
Report reference: R-1545-01 May 2013
Report Title: Ecological Appraisal Land West of Woolton Manor, Woolton, Liverpool
Report Reference: R-1545-01
Written by Robert Weston BSc(Hons) MSc MCIEEM Technical Director
Technical review: Christopher Shaw BSc(Hons) GradCIEEM Assistant Ecologist
QA review: Peter James Brooks BSc (Hons) MA MIEEM CEnv Director
Approved for issue Robert Weston BSc(Hons) MSc MIEEM Technical Director
Date 13.05.13
Unit A, 1 Station Road, Guiseley, Leeds, LS20 8BX Phone: 01943 884451 01943 879129 Email:[email protected] www.brooks-ecological.co.uk Registered in England Number 5351418
Summary Statement
Re-survey of the site has found that the site is of moderate ecological value but that its future is threatened through a lack of management.
The limited development proposed presents opportunities to secure the site’s future and enhance it for wildlife.
Woolton Manor
Introduction
1. Brooks Ecological Ltd was commissioned by Roman Summer Ltd to produce an ecological appraisal of land west of Woolton Manor (SJ 421 862).
Figure 1
Survey site boundary (approximate)
2. The site has been the subject of planning applications in the past and during 2012 recent proposals were submitted to Liverpool City Council as part of a pre- application screening. This process was supported by a pre-application summary report produced by the Appleton Group - this appended a report by the Tyrer Partnership on the site's Ecology and Biodiversity (further referred to as 'the Tyrer Report'). This report itself references an ecology report produced for the site in 2003 by ERAP (the ERAP report).
3. Comments were received back from the Council outlining concerns in relation to the proposals. With a view to moving towards submitting a successful application at the site the owners and their planning consultants have sought further advice, an updating survey and support in terms of providing a clear understanding of the site's biodiversity and how it could be accommodated within the site's development.
4. The previous Tyrer report is felt to present a useful and accurate baseline of the site's ecology, particularly in terms of providing information on the suite of plants present in summer and of the site's potential to support bats and birds in their active seasons. Other than providing a summary and update of this baseline situation, the current work will not dwell on this baseline but provide extra information where relevant and further insight on the potential impacts of the proposals.
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Site Proposal and Impacts assessment
5. Our assessment of impacts is based on the proposal plan illustrated in Figure 2 which shows in outline the area where it is proposed to build 58 sheltered accommodation units. Our work considers this layout in relation to the following activities and their associated potential impacts:
• Site preparation including vegetation and habitat removal; • Direct effects on significant faunal groups or protected species; • Effects on adjacent habitats or species such as disturbance and pollution; and • Operational effects on wildlife such as noise and light disturbance.
Figure 2 Proposal plan
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Phase 1 Habitat Survey
Survey Method
6. The survey was carried out on the 14 th March 2013 by an experienced field ecologist who is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (MCIEEM).
7. The survey followed a Phase 1 habitat survey methodology (JNCC, 1993) and was extended to assess faunal potential. This involves walking the site, mapping and describing different habitats (for example: woodland, grassland, scrub). Evidence of fauna and faunal habitat is also recorded (for example droppings, tracks or specialist habitat such as ponds for breeding amphibians). This modified approach to the Phase 1 survey is in accordance with the approach recommended by the Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment (IEA, 1995).
Results
8. The old Woolton Manor building dates from the late 19th Century is in separate ownership and is operated as a care home. The application site comprises land to the west of Woolton Manor - occupying what would have originally been part of the Hall's extensive gardens.
9. The site is bounded to the south by large expanses of amenity grassland in the form of sports pitches and is separated from similar grassland to the west by the tree lined A562. To the north Woolton Road separates the site from the sub-urban development of Woolton and to the east it borders the mature woodland and parkland associated with Woolton Manor. On a landscape scale the site represents part of a local network of established woodland, parkland, and open amenity habitat such as golf courses and sports pitches.
10. Distinct habitats present within the application site can be assigned the following broad descriptions:
• Overgrown gardens; • Planted woodland; and • Neutral grassland.
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Overgrown gardens 11. Considering its origins this habitat type essentially describes the whole site, however in terms of valuing the site it is felt that splitting some of the area out into the further two categories of planted woodland and neutral grassland is useful.
12. The expansion of species previously part of the managed gardens at the site account now for large swathes of vegetation. This includes grown-out privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium ) hedgerows and rampant stands of cherry laurel ( Prunus laurocerasus ) and rhododendron ( Rhododendrom ponticum ). Any original planted borders of lawns have been lost with only occasional examples of Corydalis or soapwort ( Saponaria officionalis ) surviving in the few places where they are not shaded out.
Figure 3
Growth of Rhododendron and ivy under-storey. This is in the north of the site around the area occupied by the proposed option 2.
13. Other areas have become dominated by more natural invaders and large parts of the site are now covered by expanses of dense bramble ( Rubus fruticosus agg.) or ivy ( Hedera helix ) as well as regenerating willow ( Salix sp.), cherry ( Prunus sp.) and elm ( Ulmus sp.). Areas not yet colonised by these scrub elements support a dense / competitive coarse grassland community dominated by grasses such as fescues (Festuca rubra agg.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and false oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius ) alongside ragwort ( Senecio jaccobea ), rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium ), foxglove ( Digitalis purpurea ), broad buckler fern (Dyopteris dilatata ) and nettle ( Urtica dioica ). Some vernal species such as bluebell (Hyacynthoides non-scripta ) and celandine ( Ficaria verna ) were emerging at the time of surveys as well as persisting planted bulbs such as croci ( Crocus vernus ) and daffodil ( Narcissus sp.).
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Figure 4
Dense stands of bramble in the centre of the site.
Figure 5
Spring bulbs planted around a specimen tree - part of the site’s original landscaping.
14. Old hard standing - presumably once tennis courts in the centre of the site - have been colonised by the common mosses Brachythecium rutabulum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Caliergonella cuspidatum and a small range of ruderals such as american willowherb ( Epilobium ciliatum ), ragwort and Canadian fleabane (Conyza canadiensis ).
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Planted Woodland
15. The site is well planted with specimen trees, boundaries and avenues which formed an integral part of the original landscaping. Many are introduced species, although a range of more naturally occurring species such as beech ( Fagus sylvatica ), pine (Pinus sp.) oak ( Quercus sp ). lime ( Tilia sp.) ash ( Fraxinus excelsior ) and birch (Betula sp .) are also present. The extent, location and full account of the species present can be found in the arboricultural report for the site. Many of the trees are fine old specimens, although many are in some state of decay - again the arboricultural report provides more information in this respect. None of the trees support a distinct woodland under-storey other than the dense vegetation described above, although in some a pleasant assemblage of finer fescues ( Festuca rubra agg.), planted croci and a covering of the lower trunk and roots by Hypnum cupressiforme .
Figure 6
One of the more open parts of the woodland on site – towards the boundary with Woolton Manor.
Neutral Grassland
16. A central section of the site - presumably old lawns, has become a small area of neutral grassland. This now supports a relatively natural assemblage including the grasses Yorkshire fog ( Holcus lanatus) , red fescue ( Festuca rubra agg.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) . The only forbs apparent at the time of survey were common sorrel ( Rumex acetosa ), pignut ( Conopodium majus ), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens ) and yarrow ( Achillea millefolium ). This area is being significantly encroached upon by the regeneration of scrub species such as elm, willow and cherry. The owner has made some in-roads in controlling this process through coppicing although it is likely that without management this grassland will be lost from the site through succession in the near future. 7
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Figure 7
Grassland in the south east of the site.
Figure 8
Shows the current extent of neutral grassland at the site.
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Fauna
Bats
17. The site does support some good foraging for bats with plenty of woodland edge habitat and some mature trees presenting a good source of target prey species (invertebrates).
18. The mature trees on the site present some opportunities for roosting bats. Work has been carried out during 2012 (in the production of the Tyrer report) into the potential presence of roosting. This work followed best practice but did not find any evidence of roosting at the site. It did confirm the presence of foraging by common pipistrelle and noctule bats.
19. It must be noted that the site continues to present some good opportunities for roosting bats in the mature trees on the site and precautions must be put in place to prevent potential impacts. Our survey of the site looked at the trees potentially impacted by the current outline proposals, these trees were assessed against the criteria in Table 1 below:
Table 1 Roost potential in trees Roosting potential Criteria
Good Trees that have many areas suitable for roosting with a large number of potential roosting features such as fissures, holes and flaking bark. These are normally in areas of good habitat such as close to water or in a landscape with well connected linear features. Trees with good potential could be used for a whole range of roosts including maternity and hibernation roosts. Moderate Trees with a smaller range of features suited to roosting in less valuable habitat, but still supporting features that could be attractive to bats and potentially support maternity roosts. Limited Trees with limited range or quality of roosting features in poor habitat. They could be used as occasional or transient roosts, but are unsuitable for maternity roosts. Very Limited Trees that have few places for bats to roost located in poor foraging habitat, but due to superficial features such as flaked bark etc. could be used on an occasional basis for solitary or small groups of bats. None Trees which appear unsuitable for roosting bats due to clear lack of roosting spaces such as voids etc and/or absence of suitable access points.
20. All of the trees assessed on this occasion presented very limited or no potential, being semi mature and in many cases multi stemmed sycamore ( Acer pseudoplatanus ), holly ( Ilex aquifolium) , horse chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum ) or beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) presenting no obvious accessible cavities. Any roost potential was limited to a light covering of ivy ( Hedera helix ) or stem joints on some trees.
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Figure 9
Multi-stemmed semi- mature trees typical of those to be affected by the footprint of the proposals - these trees do not present any significant roost potential for bats.
21. It should be noted that by its nature the woodland cover at the site is quite confusing and this assessment should be updated once it is possible to mark out the trees to be affected on the ground. Other trees within the woodland do present some good accessible cavities and any re-alignment of the scheme should be informed by a re-survey of any trees potentially affected.
Amphibians
22. There are no potential breeding ponds on the site or in close proximity, although the site presents good terrestrial habitat for this group. However, the lack of potential local breeding sites means that they (and particularly in the case of great crested newt) will not be present in significant numbers.
Birds
23. The site will provide habitat for a range of woodland and urban bird species. Although potentially on BAP or BTO Red/Amber lists due to loss of habitat to agricultural practises these species will be common in a local context and their conservation status would not be expected to be at risk from the current proposals.
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Protected mammals
24. There has been much discussion in the past in relation to the potential presence of badgers on the site. From a review of the available information it would appear that no definitive evidence of their presence on the site has been found, with any evidence being limited to potential foraging or presumed old / abandoned outlier setts.
25. Our survey of the site did find three burrows on the site but no evidence of their current use by badger.
26. The first appeared to be the same burrow pictured in the previous Tyrer report but this was leaf choked and showed no signs of recent use.
Figure 10
Hole 1 - leaf choked
27. The second was closely associated with this burrow and showed recent signs of use, it was very marginal in terms of its size, contained no evidence of badgers and a wooden stake at its entrance contained scratch marks of a much smaller mammal - presumed to be rabbit.
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Figure 11
Hole 2 - with scratched stake
28. The third accessed the space under the root ball of a fallen tree; whilst apparently suitable from the exterior the only burrows leading on from the space within the root ball were much too small for badgers to use.
Figure 12
Hole 3 accessing the space within the root ball of a fallen Rhododendron
29. Aside from very occasional snuffle marks, which it would be difficult to positively attribute to badger, there was no evidence suggesting their regular presence on the site. Notably there were no distinct track ways through the woodland vegetation which are usually apparent close to setts or in areas frequented for foraging. Rabbit fur, fox droppings and fox feeding remains were all found on the site during the survey. This and the fact that the site supports a good number of un- 12
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protected bee hives (a good source of potential food for badgers) kept by the owner suggests that they are not regular users of the site.
Reptiles
30. The site does not present good reptile habitat. This coupled with the absence of records in the area suggests that it is highly unlikely to be of value to this group.
Invasive species
31. Rhododendron ponticum is the only plant identified on the site which is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended). This plant alongside the unlisted cherry laurel presents a threat to the site's biodiversity at present. Both species are vigorous in habit, are allelopathic (actively inhibit other species) and do well in the shady confines of woodland habitats. It is felt that without management they will come to dominate much of the site.
Desk Study
Designated Sites
32. A search of the MAGIC website was undertaken. The MAGIC site is a Geographical Information System that contains all statutory (e.g. Sites of Scientific Interest [SSSI’s]) as well as many non-statutorily listed habitats (e.g. Ancient woodlands and grassland inventory sites). It is a valuable tool when considering the relationship of a potential development site with nearby important habitats.
33. There are two locally designated statutory sites within 2km of the application site. These are Allerton Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and Childwall Woods and Parks LNR. Allerton LNR is located c.200m west of the application site while Childwall Woods and Park LNR is approximately 2km north of the site. Neither site would be directly impacted by the proposals although Allenton LNR forms part of the same habitat network in the area and maintaining links with it must be considered.
34. Records show several locally designated sites;
• One Local Nature Reserve/Local Wildlife Site - Childwall Woods • Several locally designated sites – Halewood Triangle 2km east of the application site , Loop Line (wildlife corridor) within 2km of site, Blackwood, c.2km north, Calderstones park 1.7km north west, Nursery sewage works site, Hillfoot road and Simpsons Pavillion 450m south west of the site. 13
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• Several more proposed Local Wildlife Sites – including Allerton Cemetary 2km south east of site, Allerton Green Wedge and Clarke gardens – within 900m of application site.
• Woolton Woods and Camp Hill are adjacent to the application site (to the east and south east). Although they will not be directly impacted by the proposals care should be taken to retain and manage significant areas of trees on the application site which would create useful links to this designation.
Natural England Natural Area
35. The site falls within Natural Area 26 Urban Mersey Basin
36. This natural area, centred on the Rivers Mersey and Irwell has become drastically modified and habitats fragmented by large and dense populations that have risen from industrial cities such as Manchester and Liverpool. This area represents one of the most densely populated areas of the country. As a result little natural habitat remains with wetland habitats taking priority as a result of the canal expansions based around early industry. Of particular importance in this area are its populations of great crested newt which have developed in the many water bodies of the area.
37. National conservation priorities within this natural area are:
• Earth Heritage • Lowland heathland • Lowland raised bog • Lowland wood pasture and parkland • Reedbeds • Standing open water and canals
38. Local Conservation priorities within this natural area are;
• Ancient and/or species rich hedgerows • Coastal floodplain and grazing marsh • Inland rock • Lowland meadows • Wet woodland
39. The application site does not present any good examples of these habitat types.
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Local Biodiversity Action Plan
40. Consideration is given to the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP), which for this site is the ‘North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan’.
41. Table 1 lists the local Species Actions Plans and, with reference to the field study presented later in this report, assesses a) whether the species potentially have any degree of dependence on the site, and b) if so whether development would be likely to have a significant bearing on the objectives of the UK/LBAP.
Table 1: Species Action Plans Species/group Potentially on site Could development impact significantly on BAP objectives Corn bunting No - Grey partridge No - Lapwing No - Skylark No - Song thrush Yes Yes Urban birds Yes Yes Bats Yes Yes Brown hare No - Red squirrel No - Water vole No - Common lizard No - Sand lizard No - Great crested newt No - Natterjack toad No - Dark green fritillary No - Dragonflies No - Grayling butterfly No - Vernal mining-bee No - North dune tiger beetle No - Sandhill rustic moth No - Bluebell Yes No Dune helleborine No - Purple ramping-fumitory No - Isle of man cabbage No - Petalwort No - Sand-grass No - Sefton coast plants No -
42. Potential impacts on birds and bats are considered later in the report.
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43. Table 2 lists local Habitat Action Plans and assesses a) whether habitats on site could represent valuable examples of the habitat type within the spirit of the BAP and b) whether loss of the habitat would have a significant bearing on the objectives of the BAP.
Table 2: Habitat Action Plans Habitat Valuable Could development examples impact significantly present on site? on BAP objectives Conifer woodland No - Lowland mixed broad leaf woodland No - Wet woodland No - Lowland wood-pasture and parkland No positively Urban trees No positively Lowland acid grassland No - Lowland heathland No - Urban grassland No positively Lowland raised bog No - Canals No - Ponds No - Reedbeds No - Coastal saltmarsh No - Coastal sand dunes No - Field boundaries No - Urban green infrastructure No positively
44. Although currently in a poor state the project presents an opportunity to secure the better management of trees, woodland parkland/ gardens and increase the amount of accessible and useful urban green infrastructure.
Aerial Photography and Detailed Map Study
45. Aerial photographs published on commonly used websites were studied to place the site in its wider context and to look for ecological features that would not be evident on the ground during the walkover survey. This approach can be very useful in determining if a site is potentially a key part of a wider wildlife corridor or an important node of habitat in an otherwise ecologically poor landscape. It can also identify potentially important faunal habitat (in particular ponds) which could have a bearing on the ecology of the application site. Ponds may sometimes not be apparent on aerial photographs so we also refer to close detailed maps that identify all ponds issues and drains. We use Promap Street + scale maps for this purpose.
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46. The site comprises an area of woodland park associated with Woolton Manor to the south east of Liverpool.
47. Considering its location the site occupies a relatively open area with woodland parks and golf courses bordering the site to the north west, west and south. Immediately to the south east land associated Woolton Manor including Woolton Wood are found. A small area of further woodland and amenity grassland is found to the east before residential development is found. Beyond the road to the north residential development is reached. In the wider area this open landscape is surrounded by the development of the suburbs off southern Liverpool.
48. Mapping shows very little standing or flowing water in the close vicinity of the site. drains are located c.380m north and c.200m west. A single small pond can be seen within an ornamental park c.330m east. The River Mersey estuary is located c.4.3km west.
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Evaluation and Recommendations
49. The site has resulted from the dereliction of a former ornamental garden. As such it supports a limited range of species poor habitats and is threatened in the longer term from the establishment of the more invasive elements of the former landscaping.
50. Although the site will be of some value to local bird populations, it has not been found in this, or indeed other, studies to be of importance to any legally protected species. Notwithstanding this, a level of caution is advised in relation to bats and badgers and recommendations are made in this respect later in the report.
51. In terms of the scale of the site the proposals represent a relatively small incursion into the wider site but an opportunity to bring a large part of it into better management - as gardens and infrastructure serving the proposals (sheltered accommodation) and potentially the residents of the adjacent Woolton Manor care home. Such a resource could provide opportunities for residents and visitors to:
• Experience the natural world at close quarters and encounter/explore an environment which is safe but less planned and structured - semi-wild.
• Get involved in healthy outdoor activities and help with the management of the site as a wildlife resource.
52. The therapeutic, psychological and general health benefits of these types of interactions are increasingly understood, and are presented well in documents such as the RSPB's 'Natural Health'. The established links between such activities and our 'well being' (a key SD indicator) provide a means for carefully planned and designed projects such as this to demonstrate a positive contribution to the UK governments drive for Sustainable Development.
53. Better management of the site would allow the threats to the site from succession and colonisation by invasive species to be addressed whilst maintaining its role as part of the local network of parkland, gardens, woodland and amenity habitats. It is envisaged that the design of such management would involve careful design and significant ecological input and would be best formalised in an Ecological Enhancement and Management Plan (EEMP) produced as a condition of planning and based around the finalised design and proposed use of the site. This would require careful co-ordination with the landscaping plan for the site. It is envisaged that an EEMP for the site would include, amongst others, the following key elements:
• Restoration of parts of the original designed grounds. Perhaps not to the point where high input formal beds and shrubs are the result, but opening up views of and access to specimen trees.
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• Restoration of access through the site and of the garden buildings which could incorporate nesting sites for birds and bat roosts in their design.
• Removal of all invasive introduced species ( Rhododendron and cherry laurel).
• Clearance of scrub and trees to create a managed mosaic of grassland, scrub, coppiced woodland and broadleaved trees. This should require little planting but rather the careful utilisation of species already present.
54. In pre-application consultation the Local Planning Authority has pointed to the value of the site on the following basis:
• Its diversity of species and habitats . But any such diversity is founded on the presence of a mosaic of habitats and a large amount of edge habitat. This advantage (and the site's diversity) will decline as without management it succeeds towards a closed canopy of trees and invasive scrub species.
• The site's connective function . This need not be lost to the proposed development - through careful design and control of the developments footprint this function and the site's potential value to groups such as bats, birds and invertebrates could be enhanced.
• Its lack of disturbance. Disturbance is a key feature of any ecosystem and given the site's location it will not support species intolerant of relatively high levels of human disturbance. Attempting to retain the site as some sort of wilderness ignores the social and economic strands of Sustainable Development and is not likely to benefit biodiversity in this location.
55. Given that the type of careful and well designed development outlined above can be secured through the planning process, it is difficult to see how the proposals would necessarily be contrary to the Councils policies OE5 and OE7. Clearly though the project has some work to do in order to state this case effectively, and the process of producing an EEMP will be key.
56. In addition to the principles discussed above the following specific precautions are recommended in relation to avoiding significant impacts on biodiversity and associated offences. The likely absence of impacts on these groups has been established at this stage and the following precautions are recommended on the basis of the changing nature of the site, the outline nature of the current proposals and the transient / ephemeral nature of the groups involved. It is anticipated that these surveys could be delivered as a condition of planning.
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Nesting birds
57. To prevent the proposed works impacting on nesting birds, clearance of the hedgerow and building on site will need to be undertaken outside of the breeding bird season which is 1 st March – 31 st August inclusive. Any clearance that is required during the breeding bird season should be preceded by a nesting bird survey to ensure that the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) is not contravened through the destruction of nests and that any active nests are identified and adequately protected during the construction phase of the development. Any loss of nesting resulting from the development should be compensated by the erection of a range of hole and open fronted nest boxes throughout the woodland on site.
Badgers
58. The potential past use of the site by this species is recognised, as is the fact that large tracts of the site are currently excluded from survey for this species by dense scrub. Any clearance of the site should be preceded by a survey by the ecologist and a meeting with contractors where a precautionary approach to clearance of scrub can be set out.
Bats
Trees to be affected by the proposals (through clearance or proximity to development) should be subject to re-survey for bats. This should happen at such a time as these trees can be clearly marked out on the ground and a suitable level of survey be designed by the ecologist.
Enhancement
59. In line with planning guidance now outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) development should take account of the value of ecosystem services and enhance ecological networks.
60. The potential enhancement of the site has been outlined above and would be delivered through the production of an EEMP for the site.
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References
Andrews H. L. (2011) A habitat key for the assessment of potential bat roost features in trees
Bird. W. (2012) Natural Health, RSPB
IEA. (1995). Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment . Chapman and Hall
Nature Conservation Committee (1990). Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey: A technique for environmental audit . NCC
Peacock. J, Hine. R, and Pretty. J (2007) Got the Blues, then find some Greenspace - The Mental Health Benefits of Green Exercise Activities and Green Care Mind Week Report, Centre for Environment and Society, University of Essex
Sustainable Development in Government http://sd.defra.gov.uk/progress/national/ (accessed 17.04.2012)
World Health Organisation (2005). Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Health Synthesis . A report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Geneva: World Health Organization
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“Bluebells” Project, Woolton MHC Learning Disabilities Service Needs and Demand Assessment
Report by Peter Fletcher Associates Ltd
May 2013
MHC Learning Disability Service Needs and Demand Assessment
Contents Executive Summary 1. Introduction
2. The structure of the report
3. The proposed development
4. Meeting strategic priorities 5. Meeting needs and aspirations
6. Current provision in Liverpool
7. Needs and demand assessment
8. Peter Fletcher Associates (PFA)
Figures
Figure 1: Registered residential care homes in Liverpool
Figure 2 People placed out of Liverpool
Executive Summary This needs and demand assessment was prepared by Peter Fletcher Associates for Mental Health Care in respect of a planning application for a registered nursing home development in Woolton.
The proposed development
Mental Health Care are seeking permission to build two single story ‘bungalows,’ one for 10 men and the other for 10 women.
Each unit will have 8 single en suite bedrooms and one two bedroom self contained apartment.
Both bungalows will be registered as ‘Care Homes with Nursing’ and will be subject to Care Quality Commission inspection.
Care and rehabilitation will be provided for people with borderline to moderate learning disability some of whom may have co-existing secondary conditions such as autism, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other complex needs.
The service will be nurse led and staffed on a 24 hour basis by non resident nurses and support staff.
The majority of the nurses will be Registered Nurses Learning Disabilities (RNLD) who will be experienced in working with people who have a diagnosed Learning Disability as well as co-existing secondary conditions.
The primary purpose of the service is to help people develop their self care skills and live as independently as possible.
Residents will have an individualised care package which will address their therapeutic and recreational needs.
This will be a short/medium stay service. The service does not provide long term accommodation.
On leaving the service the residents should be able to return to their local community where they will receive support that promotes independence, allows them to exercise choice and enjoy a better quality of life.
The proposed service will be able to support people ‘stepping down’ from acute hospital based services and hopefully help them to move to greater independence in more community based services like supported housing.
The service will also be able to offer more intensive support to people in community based services who might need to ‘step up’ into a service which can provide a higher level of care and rehabilitation in the hope they can move back into community based services.
Each service users care and rehabilitation is coordinated by a named nurse.
A team of dedicated support workers and team leaders will be employed to deliver the care and rehabilitation programmes.
Two full-time activity staff will ensure that all service users are offered a range of work placements and educational and vocational college courses.
Mental Health Care also has its own psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists ,speech and language therapists who will provide advice and support to front line staff and work directly with some residents.
There will be a staff team of approximately 80 people 75 of whom are likely to be new employees.
This will create a significant number of employment and training opportunities for local people.
This is a community facing service and not a segregated facility.
Staff will be actively working to integrate residents into the local community. Residents will be enrolled in local colleges, undertake work placements and be supported to participate in community activities.
The location of the service is particularly important for Mental Health Care.
The close proximity to the local shops and services in Woolton village is seen as an advantage. The staff will be able to support residents to use local shops and services as part of a rehabilitation programme which will prepare them for moving on into more independent accommodation.
The proposed development stands within 13 acres of parkland. This parkland will be maintained by the developer and public access will be facilitated.
It will also play a part in the therapeutic programme by involving residents in the care and maintenance of the site.
Mental Health Care has other services in North Wales in which they make use of the surrounding green space as part of the therapeutic environment.
National and Local Strategies
Attitudes to people with learning disabilities have changed dramatically as have the range of services provided for people with learning disabilities.
These changes have been driven by a series of national and local strategies.
The White Paper Valuing People ‘A New Strategy for the 21 st Century’ which emphasises the need to ensure people with learning disabilities have their rights as citizens recognised, are seen as full members of their local community and are given real opportunities to live independently.
Large institutions have closed and people with learning disabilities have moved people back into their communities into smaller more ‘homely’ services.
There is now an emphasis on developing the skills of people with learning disabilities and providing them with the support that enables them to manage their own lives rather than deciding what was in their best interests.
It is now accepted that people with learning disabilities want to be seen as fellow citizens who should as far as possible be able to live ‘normal’ lives, exercise choice and have some control over their own lives.
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 gives local authorities responsibility for the health and wellbeing of the local population.
Liverpool now has a Health and Wellbeing Board which has developed a Liverpool Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2012 – 2015.
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment on which the Health and Wellbeing Strategy is based states that learning disability is a priority for the Health and Wellbeing Board because people with learning disabilities are more likely to lead unhealthy lifestyles, have poorer physical and mental health, be socially excluded, and die prematurely when compared to the general population.
Liverpool has a Joint Commissioning Strategy for People with Learning Disabilities commissioned by Liverpool City Council and the former Primary Care Trust.
The strategy uses an outcomes framework to measure progress which is underpinned by six principles one of which states that people should be offered services close to their own communities. The strategy acknowledges that there have been some significant improvements in services but notes there is a need to meet the needs of Liverpool residents currently in out of city placements. This report argues that the proposed service will enable Liverpool to meet national and local strategic priorities. This service will help to integrate people into their local community and help them to develop the skills which will enable them to exercise more choice and control over their own lives.
The type of self development support offered by this service will have a positive impact on individual’s mental and physical health and improve health and well being in Liverpool which is the primary goal of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
The proposed service will also enable Liverpool to address some of the issues identified in the Winterbourne View report, ‘Transforming care: a national response to Winterbourne View hospital’.
This report was in response to the abuse that had taken place in Winterbourne View Hospital near Bristol which was exposed in a Panorama programme in 2011.
The report noted that many of the patients who were abused had been placed more than 40 miles from their families which made contact difficult. It was felt this lack of contact made it less likely that abuse would be identified.
The government has ordered a review of people placed in independent hospitals and is seeking to ensure services are in place to support people with complex needs nearer their own homes.
The service will be able to facilitate the return of people in out of city placements and reduce the need for those who need additional support to be placed outside of the city.
This is consistent with the principles which underlie Valuing People and the Liverpool Joint Commissioning Strategy.
The housing, care and support needs of people with learning disabilities To fully understand the need for this service it has be seen as part of a network of services.
The needs of people with learning disabilities vary in relation to their level of disability and will change over time as they grow older, become unwell, recover, experience short term or longer term crisis’s etc.
Every area needs a range of services that can offer different levels of support.
The majority of people with learning disabilities in Liverpool live with their families or on their own with some support being provided by friends, relatives or social care services.
The majority of those who cannot live independently or with their families live in some form of supported housing.
In most cases people share a house. They will each occupy a bedroom or a small apartment and share some communal facilities.
They will be supported by staff to care for themselves and maintain their home.
The level of staff support will vary according to the needs of those sharing the property and in some houses there may be a 24/7 staff presence in others staff may visit periodically.
These supported accommodation services are small and integrated into the local community.
Those with physical care needs are accommodated in registered residential care homes.
Like supported accommodation the majority of registered residential care homes are in ordinary houses or bungalows. Although the buildings are physically similar the residents’ needs are different.
Those in residential care need direct physical care which is why they are registered as care homes. Those in supported housing can care for themselves with guidance and encouragement.
Those who need nursing as well as physical care are supported in nursing homes. May of the people in nursing homes will be older people but some will be younger people who have co existing conditions e.g. physical disabilities, mental health issues etc.
Those with the greatest need and whose behaviour can often be seen as challenging are supported in specialist NHS hospitals or independent hospitals. These tend to be regional units and usually mean that people have to leave the community in which they and their family live.
The services outlined above can be seen to form a ‘care pathway’.
As individual needs change people should be able to move to the most appropriate service.
At times of crisis they may need to move into a service which can provide more support, at other times they may be able to live in services which provide less support and give them the opportunity to exercise more control over their own lives.
It is now generally agreed that the most effective way to support people with learning disabilities is in their own homes or in small residential or supported accommodation services in their local community.
The proposed service is designed to facilitate movement within the care pathway.
It will help people to develop their self care skills and enable them to live in their own homes or in small residential or supported accommodation services close to their family.
The service will be able to support people stepping down from acute hospital provision and those currently in the community who may be experiencing a crisis and need to step up to into a service which can provide a higher level of care and rehabilitation before returning again returning to the community.
Current provision in Liverpool The report analyses current provision in Liverpool.
Liverpool has a range of services in place which can address the varying needs of people with learning disabilities.
The majority of people live in their own homes or with their families (79.9%)
There are a significant number of small supported accommodation and small residential care units across the city. This is consistent with the belief that people are best supported in small services within the local community
The proposed service is a registered residential care home with nursing (nursing home).
There are already four nursing homes in Liverpool but they do not specialise in the type of short/medium term care and rehabilitation which this service provides.
Needs and demand assessment
It is difficult to use demographic data to reflect the demand and need for services.
The Liverpool Local Learning Disabilities Partnership Board Annual Self Assessment Report 2010 -2011 states there are 1735 people with learning disabilities known to the local authority.
Public Health England produces estimates of the number of people with learning disabilities in each area based on population data and developed by Eric Emerson and Chris Hatton.
They state there are 9,125 people of all ages in Liverpool who have learning difficulties.
This discrepancy illustrates the difficulty of using demographic data to reflect need or demand.
This is a specialist service designed for people with borderline to moderate learning disabilities with co existing conditions like autism, challenging behaviour, hyperactivity etc.
The Clinical Commissioning Guide produced by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Psychiatrists argues that at any one time there are likely to be 24 people per 100,000 of the general population who will present a serious challenge at any one time.
Using the 2011 population estimate for Liverpool (465,700) there will be 111.7 people who present challenging behaviour at any one time.
These estimates exclude autistic spectrum disorders which the proposed service can address and so the potential community for this service is likely to be larger.
The demographic data presented by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests there will be demand for this service particularly as there is no other comparable registered nursing home service in Liverpool.
The Liverpool Local Learning Disabilities Partnership Board Annual Self Assessment Report 2010/2011 identifies 76 people from Liverpool living outside of the city at a cost of £7,391,808.
As a result of the abuse at Winterbourne View the government has ordered a review of people placed in independent hospitals and is seeking to ensure services are in place to support people with complex needs nearer their own homes.
This service will facilitate movement within the care pathway enabling people to ‘step down’ and ‘step up’ when necessary
It will help people to develop the skills they need to move into accommodation in which they will need less support and can exercise more choice and control over their own lives.
This service will be able to help some of those living outside of Liverpool to return and live nearer their families and reduce the need for people to be placed outside of the city.
The service provides an alternative to admission into in-patient provision. This will enable NHS commissioners to reduce the demand on in patient services.
The service also provides an opportunity to use legislation including guardianship and the Mental Capacity Act to facilitate admissions on a less restrictive basis than under the provisions of the Mental Health Act.
There are no cost implications for the city.
The financial risk is all with the developer and no capital is required from the public purse.
The commissioners will spot purchase services as and when required and all of the financial risk is with the developer.
It is our understanding the Clinical Commissioning Group who may choose to ‘purchase’ places accepts there is a need for this type of service in Liverpool.
1. Introduction
1.1 This report is a needs and demand assessment prepared by Peter Fletcher Associates Limited (PFA) and commissioned by Mental Health Care. 1.2 Mental Health Care is seeking planning permission to develop a residential care home with nursing for people with learning disabilities on a site in Woolton Liverpool.
2. Structure of the report
2.1 The report begins with an outline of the proposed development.
2.2 National and local strategies which relate to the housing needs of people with learning disabilities are then reviewed with a view to establishing whether the proposed development meets both national and local strategic goals.
2.3 The report then considers the housing and support needs of people with learning disabilities and the aspirations people within the learning disabilities community.
2.4This is followed by a review of current accommodation based provision for people with learning disabilities in Liverpool.
2.5 The report then considers demographic data and shows proposed service will address the unmet needs of people with learning disabilities in Liverpool.
2.6 Finally the report provides details about Peter Fletcher Associates (PFA). This is to evidence to the council that PFA are an organisation that has the knowledge and experience to undertake a credible needs assessment.
3.The Proposed Development
3.1 The proposed development consists of two ‘bungalows’ for people with learning disabilities.
3.2 The bungalows will each accommodate 10 residents. One bungalow will be for women and one for men.
3.3 The residents will be aged between 18 and 64 yrs.
3.4 Both bungalows will be registered as ‘Care Homes with Nursing’ and will be subject to Care Quality Commission inspection.
3.5 These two purpose built services will provide care and rehabilitation for 10 men and 10 women who have borderline to moderate learning disability.
3.6 The service will be able to support people who have co-existing secondary conditions such as autism, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other complex needs.
Accommodation for residents
3.7 There will be 8 en-suite bedrooms and one two bedroom self-contained apartment in each bungalow.
3.8 The primary focus of the service is to equip people with the skills to live more independently. Typically people who come into the service will occupy one of the en suite bedrooms before moving into the flats as a preparation for moving on into greater independence.
3.9 Communal facilities will include a dining area, kitchen and two lounges for leisure and relaxation.
3.10 As part of the footprint of each bungalow there is a small activity centre which will be used to develop ‘life skills’ such as literacy and numeracy, social skills and domestic skills as well as affording the service users a space for preparing work for their college placements.
3.11 The residents will normally attend college, be in work placements or attend other community based activities. On those days that they are not engaged in outside activities they will utilise the kitchen and craft room in the day care centre to develop their skills.
3.12 The service is single story and can support some individuals with mobility issues.
Individual care plans
3.13 Each resident will have an individualised care package designed to provide them with the support they need to help them achieve the outcomes which best met their needs and aspirations.
3.14 Typically the care plan will address the individual’s therapeutic and recreational needs. A daily programme of activity will encourage them to make decisions for themselves and develop their capacity to live a more independent life style.
3.15 The service will offer a clear care pathway with each step providing a clear progression towards a community placement in which the individual can receive the support they need to exercise choice and live as independently as possible.
3.16 These individualised care packages are developed after a period of assessment and a detailed review of the individuals needs by a multi disciplinary team. 3.17 Individual care packages are continually monitored and regularly reviewed with the resident themselves, their family, advocates and care managers. This will be done in close partnership with the local authority and healthcare commissioners.
3.18 The service can provide care for people who are not ready to return to their community and who may be subject to guardianship or community treatment orders under the Mental Health Act 1983 as amended in 2007.
Community integration
3.19 This is not a segregated secure facility.
3.20 Staff will be actively working to integrate residents into the local community. Residents will be enrolled in local colleges, undertake work placements and be supported to participate in community activities.
Location
3.21 The proposed location of the services has two major advantages for the residents
3.22 The close proximity to the local shops and services in Woolton village will be an advantage. The staff will be able to support residents to use local shops and services as part of a rehabilitation programme which will prepare them for moving on into more independent accommodation.
3.23 The proposed development stands within 13 acres of parkland. This parkland will be maintained by the developer and public access will be facilitated.
3.24 It will also play a part in the therapeutic programme by involving residents in the care and maintenance of the site.
3.25 There is growing evidence that physical activity in green spaces has a positive impact on physical and mental health (see Mental and Physical Health Outcomes of green exercise J Pretty - International Journal of Environmental Health Research).
3.26 Mental Health Care has other services in North Wales in which they make use of the surrounding green space as part of the therapeutic environment.
Staffing
3.27 The service is staffed on a 24 hour basis by non resident Registered Nurses and support staff.
3.28 The majority of the nurses will be Registered Nurses Learning Disabilities (RNLD) who will be experienced in working with people who have a diagnosed Learning Disability as well as co-existing secondary conditions such as autism, epilepsy, challenging behaviour, mental health problems and forensic issues. 3.29 Ideally one of the nurses will be a Registered Nurse Mental Health (RNMH) to enhance the services clinical experience in supporting people with mental health issues.
3.30 The service will be nurse led. Each service users care and rehabilitation is coordinated by a named nurse who is responsible for the development and implemention of all care and risk mitigation plans pertaining to the service user
3.31 There will be a team of dedicated support workers and team leaders employed to deliver the care and rehabilitation programmes developed in conjunction with the service users.
3.32 The service will employ 2 full-time activity staff who ensure that all service users are offered a range of work placements and educational and vocational college courses.
3.33 The activity coordiantors will be responsible for the running of the in house activtiy centre .
3.34 In addition, all service users will be offered an individual tailored rehabilitation programme focussing on independent living skills for which they will receive a working reward.
3.35 A meaningful programme of activities is seen as one way of promoting well- being, developing self care skills and providing stimulating leisure activities.
3.36 Mental Health Care also has its own psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists ,speech and language therapists who will provide advice and support to front line staff and work directly with some residents.
3.37 All staff receive regular training to enable them to support and manage people who may have complex needs.
3.38 The service will have a high staffing ratio because the service will need to ‘stand-alone’; it must have enough staffing to manage all eventualities including challenges presented by service users.
3.39 As a community facing service residents will be encouraged to engage in community activities and make best use of community facilities which is staff intensive.
3.40 The service will promote individualised, person-centred care and rehabilitation which is time consuming and requires a higher staffing ratio.
3.41 There will be a staff team of approximately 80 people 75 of whom are likely to be new employees. 3.42 This will create a number of employment and training opportunities for local people.
3.43 All support staff will be actively encouraged to undertake NVQ programmes as well as a 4 week induction programme which is tailored to the needs of staff supporting individuals with a learning disability.
3.44 The new posts will provide an opportunity for local people to develop their skills and achive nationally recognised qualifications.
Primary Purpose
3.45 This is a short/medium stay service. The service does not provide long term accommodation.
3.46 The primary purpose of the service is to help people to live as independently as possible.
3.47 The service will address any physical, mental health or behavioural issues which would make it difficult for the individual to live in the community.
3.48 Self care skills will be developed to help them live as independently as possible.
3.49 Ideally on leaving the service the individual should be able to return to their local community where they will receive support that promotes independence, allows them to exercise choice and enjoy a better quality of life.
3.50 The proposed service will be able to support people ‘stepping down’ from acute hospital based services and hopefully help them to move to greater independence in more community based services like supported housing.
3.51 It will also assist those currently living in the community who are experiencing difficulties .
3.52 The service will also be able to offer more intensive support to people in community based services who might need to ‘step up’ into a service which can provide a higher level of care and rehabilitation in the hope they can move back into community based services.
3.53 To fully understand the need for this service it needs to be seen as part of a network of services which is outlined in part five of the report.
Summary • The proposed service will support 10 men and 10 women in two self contained bungalows.
• There will be 8 en suite bedrooms and one two bed apartment.
• The service will be staffed 24/7 by Registered Learning Disabilities Nurses and trained support staff.
• This is a short to medium term service for people with borderline to moderate learning disabilities who also may have some co-existing secondary conditions such as autism.
• Each resident will have an individualised care plan designed to help them develop their self care and social skills.
• This is a community facing service and residents will be supported to attend college and participate in local community activities.
• The primary aim of the service is to help people move into community based services where they can exercise more choice and control over their own lives
• The proposed service will create a significant number of employment opportunities in the local community
4. Meeting Strategic Priorities
4.1 There are national and local strategies that seek to address the needs of those with learning disabilities.
4.2 The national policy context provides the backdrop against which the local policies are developed. Local policies tend to reflect national objectives but seek to develop these objectives in a way, which takes local need into account.
4.3 This part of the report • Identifies the key national and local strategic priorities in respect of people with learning disabilities and • Shows how this proposed development can meet those priorities.
National Strategies 4.4 In 2001 the White Paper Valuing People ‘A New Strategy for the 21 st Century’ set out a new way of improving the life chances of people with learning disabilities based on four principles • Recognition of their rights as citizens • Social inclusion in local communities • Choice in their daily lives • Real opportunities to be independent
4.4 Valuing People was not only about health and social care, but also addressed employment issues, education, housing and other areas of government policy.
4.5 Since 2001, other government policies have helped to take forward the Valuing People vision: • Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People (2005), focuses on independent living so people have choice and control over the support they need to live their lives the way they want • Our Health, Our Care, Our Say (2006), is the White Paper which confirms the Government’s commitment to individual budgets giving people real control over their lives and services • Changes to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (2004, 2005) have improved and extended rights for disabled people • Putting People First (2008), building on the 2006 White Paper, sets a timetable for the transformation of all adult social care to a value led, personalised system through individual budgets and self directed care. • A Life Like No Other (2008), a national audit of specialist inpatient healthcare services for people with learning disabilities, draws attention to some major challenges in improving their experiences of secondary health services.
4.6 A review in 2005, called Valuing People, The Story So Far , identified significant progress: • People are being listened to more • Person centred planning, done properly, is making a difference to some people’s lives • The Supporting People programme has helped many people to live independently • Direct payments are helping to change people’s lives • Organisations are working better at a local level
4.7 However, in some areas, progress has been disappointing: • Progress for people with high support needs and from minority ethnic communities has been poor. • Not enough had been done to ensure people with learning disabilities are able to use the services everyone else uses - health, housing, education and employment.
4.8 Valuing People Now an update of Valuing People was issued in 2007. It does not change Valuing People which remains government policy but it does transfer the funding and commissioning of services to local authorities.
4.9 It also identifies five priorities for everyone, including the government, for 2008- 11 and they are: • Personalisation – people having real choice and control over their lives and services • Leisure, learning and jobs - what people do in the day and at weekends • People being healthy and getting a good service from the NHS • People having more choices over where they live • Making sure that change happens
4.10 The report ‘Transforming care: a national response to Winterbourne View hospital’ although not a national strategy made recommendations that are relevant to this planning application.
4.11 The report was in response to the abuse that had taken place in Winterbourne View Hospital near Bristol which was exposed in a Panorama programme in 2011.
4.12 Almost half of patients were more than 40 miles away from where their family or primary carers lived. This made visiting difficult both for their families and the commissioners who funded their services.
4.13 It was felt this lack of contact made it less likely that abuse would be identified.
4.14 The government has ordered a review of people placed in independent hospitals and is seeking to ensure services are in place to support people with complex needs nearer their own homes.
Local Strategies
4.15 The Health and Social Care Act 2012 embodies in law the principles proposed by the government for the reform of the NHS in England and gives local authorities responsibility for the health and wellbeing of the local population.
4.16 Each local authority has established a Health and Wellbeing Board which is required to prepare a Health and Wellbeing Strategy to coordinate action on health and wellbeing.
4.17 Liverpool Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2012-2015 ‘Laying the foundations’ highlights the need to make best use of resources and address both the obvious health and care needs of the population and the wider determinants of health and wellbeing, ensuring that each individual is able to make the most of opportunities available throughout life.
4.18 In Liverpool the Health and Wellbeing Board has agreed that the priorities within the strategy for more focused action must be consistent with the ‘Marmot principles’ for reducing inequalities.
4.19 The Marmot principles are based on a belief that the social environment and communities in which individuals live shape their physical and mental health and well-being.
4.20 The extent of people's participation in their community and the added control over their lives that this brings has the potential to contribute to their psychosocial well-being and, as a result, to other health outcomes. Social isolation is the flip side of this - those who lack social capital and support, can become isolated and as a result, more likely to experience poor physical and mental health.
4.21 Liverpool’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) 2012 brings together information already held about the health and well being of people in Liverpool.
4.22 The Health and Wellbeing Board held a prioritisation event with stakeholders that was informed by the JNSA.
4.23 The following priorities were identified • reducing child poverty and its consequences • reducing levels of cancer • more people achieving and maintaining good mental health • reducing maternal alcohol consumption
4.24 The JSNA states that learning disability is a priority for the Health and Wellbeing Board because people with learning disabilities are more likely to lead unhealthy lifestyles, have poorer physical and mental health, be socially excluded, and die prematurely when compared to the general population.
4.25 Liverpool has a Joint Commissioning Strategy for People with Learning Disabilities commissioned by Liverpool City Council and the Primary Care Trust.
4.26 The new strategy has been shaped around the five key priorities in Valuing People Now . 4.27 The strategy uses an outcomes framework to measure progress. It identifies 10 key outcomes two of which are • Outcome 3b: People have affordable, decent and appropriate housing and tenure choices and feel safe in their homes and communities and • Outcome 4a: People will have access to good quality health and care services which reduce inequalities in health, wellbeing and life chances
4.28 The strategy and outcomes framework is underpinned by six principles one of which states that ‘People with a learning disability will be offered services as close to their homes and communities as possible ‘ 4.29 The strategy acknowledges that there have been some significant improvements in services but notes
• The need to improve services for those with high support needs and
• Meet the needs of people in Liverpool currently being supported in out of city placements.
How this service will meet national and local strategic priorities
4.30 The proposed service is consistent with the Marmot principles highlighted in the Liverpool Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2012–2015.
4.31 This service will help to integrate people into their local community and help them to develop the skills which will enable them to exercise more choice and control over their own lives.
4.32 This will have a positive impact on individual’s mental and physical health and improve health and well being in Liverpool which is the primary goal of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
4.33 This service is for people with learning disabilities.
4.34 The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment states that people with learning disabilities are a priority for the Health and Wellbeing Board because as a group they are more likely to lead unhealthy lifestyles, have poorer physical and mental health, be socially excluded, and die prematurely when compared to the general population.
4.35 More people achieving and maintaining good mental health’ is another key priority in the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
4.36 Many of the people entering this service will be have complex needs which will be addressed during their stay. The aim of the service is to enable them to address their needs and move back into the community or into a service in which they can exercise more choice and control.
4.37 This will be a less stressful outcome for them and help them to achieve and maintain better mental health one of the goals of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
4.38 It will also equip them to exercise more choice over where and how they live which is a priority identified in Valuing People Now.
4.39 Two of the 10 outcomes in the Joint Commissioning Strategy for People with Learning Disabilities are addressed by this service.
4.40 The service will help to reduce health inequalities and enable people to live more successfully in the community (Outcomes 3b and 4a).
4.41 One of the underlying principles of the Joint Commissioning Strategy is to offer people services as close to their home as possible.
4.42 The Winterbourne Review report also notes the need to support people nearer their families.
4.43 This service will facilitate the return to Liverpool of people who are now in out of city placements. It will also reduce the need for people with more complex needs to leave the city and this will mean they can remain closer to those who care about them
4.44 People will come into the service and will be helped to develop their self care skills to enable them to move back into supported housing of some form in the community. 4.45 Enhancing their self care skills will enable them to engage with others in the community and exercise more choice and control over their day to day lives which is a primary aim of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Joint Commissioning Strategy.
Summary The proposed service will help Liverpool meet some of the key national and local strategic priorities outlined in
• Valuing People and Valuing People Now
• The Winterbourne View Report
• The Liverpool Health and Wellbeing Strategy
• The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and the
• Liverpool Joint Commissioning Strategy for People with Learning Disabilities
5. Meeting needs and aspirations
5.1 Part six of this report will examine current provision in Liverpool.
5.2 However before focussing on current provision it is important to understand the way in which services have developed and what is now seen as ‘good practice’.
5.3 This part of the report considers the
• Housing and support needs of all people with learning disabilities
• The concept of a care continuum
• The importance of a complete care pathway
• Changes in provision and the changing aspirations of people with learning disabilities
The housing, care and support needs of people with learning disabilities
5.4 Like all other groups in society the housing, care and support needs of people with learning disabilities vary.
5.5 Their needs will vary in relation to their level of learning disability and whether they have co existing conditions.
5.6 As with all other people the needs of people with learning disabilities vary over time and like everyone else they encounter periodic difficulties.
5.7 People grow older, become unwell, recover, experience short term or longer term crisis’s etc.
5.8 Every area needs a range of services that can offer different levels of support.
The continuum of care
5.9 There is in effect a continuum of housing and accommodation based care and support services for people with learning disabilities which can provide different levels of care and support.
5.10 The range of services can vary between local authorities but given the needs of people with learning disabilities do not generally vary geographically a common set of services have developed in most areas.
Living with a family
5.11 Many people with learning disabilities live with their own families or in non related families in what are termed adult placements.
Living independently
5.12 Some people with learning disabilities live independently in their own homes with minimal support from family or friends. Some will also receive what is termed floating support. A support worker usually funded by the local authority will visit on a regular basis to offer advice and assistance.
Supported housing
5.13 The majority of those who cannot live independently or in families live in some form of supported housing.
5.14 In most cases people share a house. They will each occupy a bedroom or a small apartment and share some communal facilities.
5.15 Some with limited support needs might live alone or with others in a shared house which support staff visit regularly but do not live on the site.
5.16 Those with greater support needs may share a house with ‘live in’ 24/7 staff support.
5.17 In both cases the support staff help to support those sharing the house to care for themselves and maintain their home.
Residential care homes
5.18 Registered residential care homes provide support for those who need some physical care. Many residents will be older people who will need longer term support and others may be for younger people who have long term physical care needs.
5.19 The smaller registered residential care homes are in ordinary houses or bungalows but have 24/7 live in staff.
5.20 The buildings are physically similar to supported housing schemes but the residents’ needs are different.
5.21 Those in residential care need direct physical care which is why they are registered as care homes. Those in supported housing can care for themselves with guidance and encouragement.
Nursing homes
5.22 Residential care homes with nursing (nursing homes) can provide both physical and nursing care.
5.23 Many residential care homes and nursing homes will be supporting older people with learning disabilities on a long term basis in much the same way that residential care homes and nursing homes care for older people who do not have learning disabilities.
5.24 However a number of the people with learning disabilities in care and nursing homes will be younger people who have co existing conditions e.g. physical disabilities, mental health issues etc.
Specialist NHS Hospitals and Independent hospitals
5.25 Those with the greatest need and whose behaviour can often be seen as challenging are supported in specialist NHS hospitals or independent hospitals. These tend to be regional units and usually mean that people have to leave the community in which they and their family live.
A care pathway
5.26 The services outlined above can be seen to form a ‘care pathway’.
5.27 As individual needs change they should be able to move to the most appropriate service.
5.28 At times of crisis they may need to move into a service which can provide more support, at other times they may be able to live in services which provide less support and give them the opportunity to exercise more control over their own lives.
5.29 Each area needs a range of services which allow people’s needs to be met locally.
5.30 This allows for continuity of clinical support and means people can remain close to their family and within their local community.
Changes in provision and the changing aspirations of people with learning disabilities
5.31 The range of services provided for people with learning disabilities has changed dramatically as has the attitude to people with learning disabilities.
5.32 There was a paternalistic even controlling attitude which saw people with learning disabilities as people who needed to be managed. In many areas they lived in large institutional ‘colonies’, segregated from the wider community and often far from their families.
5.33 It was eventually acknowledged that the quality of care provided in these institutions was often extremely poor.
5.34 Professor J L Mansell (Services for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour or mental health needs) argues that research evidence since 1993 has consistently shown that the quality of life for people in hospitals or large group models of care is poor.
5.35 His work demonstrates that the most effective way to support people with learning disabilities is in their own homes or in small residential or supported accommodation services.
5.36 He also argues that large services which are distant from a person’s home area do not provide individualised care, and do not provide a good quality of life in the home itself or in the local community.
5.37 He believes that commissioners should stop using such services in favour of developing more individualised, local solutions which provide a better quality of life.
5.38 Most of the large institutions have now been closed and people have moved people back into their communities into smaller more homely services.
5.39 There has also been a change in the way people with learning disabilities are viewed.
5.40 There is now an emphasis on developing the skills of people with learning disabilities and providing them with the support that enables them to manage their own lives rather than deciding what was in their best interests.
5.41 It is now accepted that people with learning disabilities want to be seen as fellow citizens who should as far as possible be able to live ‘normal’ lives, exercise choice and have some control over their own lives. They are now routinely involved in the way in which services are designed and managed.
Summary • The services for people with learning disabilities have changed significantly over recent years.
• Large institutions have been closed and it is now recognised that that the most effective way to support people with learning disabilities is in their own homes or in small residential or supported accommodation services.
• Local authorities need to have a continuum of services that can meet the changing needs of people with learning disabilities.
• Mechanisms need to be in place to ensure people can move between services as their needs change.
6 Current provision in Liverpool
6.1 This section of the report analyses current provision in Liverpool against the concept of a care continuum outlined in part five.
Current provision in Liverpool
6.2 It is difficult to ascertain the exact number of people with learning disabilities in Liverpool. The number depends on the definition of learning disabilities and different sources show different numbers.
6.3 The Liverpool Local Learning Disabilities Partnership Board Annual Self Assessment Report 2010/2011 identifies 1735 people with learning disabilities in Liverpool.
Living in their own homes
6.4 The same source also states that 1080 (79.9%) live in their own home or with their family.
Supported accommodation
6.5 In Liverpool the Supporting People Programme as was, funds 525 units of support. The majority of this funding will be used to fund support workers in supported housing schemes both those with live in staff and those with visiting staff. A smaller number of people will receive floating support in their own homes.
6.6 These are overwhelmingly small services which are consistent with ‘best practice’ in terms of Professor Mansell’s belief that people are best supported in small services within the local community.
Registered residential care homes
6.7 There are 33 registered residential care homes in Liverpool for people with learning disabilities. They have places for 379 people. The largest service for 47 people only takes people over 65 and the service for 16 is due to close this year.
6.8 The table below shows that on the whole these are small services.
Figure one Registered residential care homes in Liverpool Number of places Number of homes 2 8 3 14 4 0 5 2 6 1 7 3 8 1 10 1 16 1 30 1 47 1 33
6.9 Of the 33 care homes 22 (66.6%) have 3 or fewer residents which again is consistent with Professor Mansell’s views.
Registered nursing homes 6.10 There are four registered nursing homes specifically for people with learning disabilities in Liverpool. These four services support a total of 97 people.
Specialist NHS Hospitals and Independent hospitals 6.14 Merseycare NHS Trust and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital Trust provide in patient services for people with learning disabilities when needed. There are no independent hospitals in Liverpool.
Summary • Liverpool has a range of services in place which can address the varying needs of people with learning disabilities.
• The majority of people live in their own homes or with their families (79.9%)
• There are a significant number of small supported accommodation and small residential care units across the city. This is consistent with the belief that people are best supported in small services within the local community
• There are four registered nursing homes for people with learning disabilities
7. Needs and demand assessment
7.1 This part of the report considers • Demographic data • How the proposed service will meet the needs of the more vulnerable people in the learning disabilities community. • The cost implications for the public purse.
Demographic data.
7.2 It is difficult to establish the exact number of people with learning disabilities in any area.
7.3 Different studies use different definitions of learning disabilities
7.4 The Liverpool Local Learning Disabilities Partnership Board Annual Self Assessment Report states there are 1735 people with learning disabilities known to the local authority.
7.5 Public Health England produces estimates of the number of people with learning disabilities in each area based on population data and developed by Eric Emerson and Chris Hatton.
7.6 There work estimates that there are 20 people per thousand of the general population who have a learning disability. They believe on average only 4.6 per thousand are known to health or social services.
7.7 There work is linked to the ‘Improving the Health and Wellbeing of People with Learning Disabilities Evidence Based Commissioning Guide for Clinical Commissioning Groups’ produced by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
7.8 They have calculated figures for Liverpool.
7.9 They state there are 9,125 people of all ages in Liverpool who have learning difficulties.
7.10 They estimate that there are 6,480 people aged between 18 and 64 yrs (the target group for this service) in Liverpool.
7.11 Both figures are considerably larger than the 1,735 identified in the Liverpool Local Learning Disabilities Partnership Board Annual Self Assessment Report.
7.12 This discrepancy does illustrate the difficulty of using demographic data to reflect need or demand.
7.13 This service is designed for people with borderline to moderate learning disabilities with co existing conditions like autism, challenging behaviour, hyperactivity etc.
7.14 The Clinical Commissioning Guide produced by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Psychiatrists argues that at any one time there are likely to be 24 people per 100,000 of the general population who will present a serious challenge at any one time.
7.15 Using the 2011 population estimate for Liverpool (465,700) there will be 111.7 people who present challenging behaviour at any one time.
7.16 These estimates exclude autistic spectrum disorders which the proposed service can address and so the potential community for this service is likely to be larger.
7.17 It has to be accepted that these are estimates and it is not possible to know exactly how many people would need the service at any one time.
7.18 People with challenging behaviour can with support become less challenging and another person currently not presenting challenging behaviour can begin to challenge.
7.19 It will be a fluctuating population but the demographic data presented by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests there will be demand for this service particularly as there is no other comparable registered nursing home service in Liverpool.
Meeting the needs of the most vulnerable members of the learning disabilities community
7.20 The proposed service will be categorised in the care continuum as a registered nursing home and as such it ‘fits’ between the residential care homes and the NHS and Independent hospitals.
7.21 Given there are already four nursing homes that specifically support 97 people with learning disabilities it is reasonable to ask why an additional nursing home for 20 people is needed.
7.22 Of the four current nursing homes, the two largest only offer places to those over 65yrs. Of the 97 places in nursing homes 68 are designated for older people.
7.23 The proposed service is for people between 18 and 64 yrs old.
7.24 The remaining two nursing homes will take people between 18 and 64yrs.
7.25 The recent Care Quality Commission inspection report for both services states the inspectors were unable to talk directly to the residents because the majority were unable to communicate verbally. The inspectors noted the high levels of physical dependency and observed the staff feeding the residents.
7.26 The proposed service is significantly different from the four existing registered nursing homes.
7.27 Unlike the other nursing homes this is not intended to be a long term service.
7.28 The proposed service will have specialist nursing staff that can provide care and develop the residents’ capacity to live independently.
7.29 All residents will have learning disabilities and many will have other coexisting conditions such as autism, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other complex needs. They are a vulnerable group within the learning disabilities community.
7.30 They will be supported to develop their self caring skills and then move on as soon as possible.
7.31 The residents will be people in transition.
7.32 The service will facilitate movement within the care pathway.
7.33 It will give people the skills to move into accommodation in which they will need less support and can exercise more choice and control over their own lives.
7.34 The proposed service will be able to support people ‘stepping down’ from acute hospital based services and help them to move to greater independence in more community based services like supported housing.
7.35 It is accepted (see part five above) that hospital provision does not provide an opportunity for people to exercise choice and control and provide a poorer quality of life.
7.36 Helping people move into more community based services helps to meet the needs of a vulnerable group.
7.37 The proposed service can also provide a ‘step up’ service.
7.38 The majority of people who are not living on their own or with their families live in small supported accommodation and registered residential care homes.
7.39 These services normally have two or three residents. It can be difficult for these small services to cope with someone who is going through a crisis and is perhaps exhibiting challenging behaviour.
7.40 The proposed service will be able to offer more intensive support to people in community based services who might need to ‘step up’ into a service which can provide a higher level of care and rehabilitation.
7.41 Hopefully they can then move back into community based services.
7.42 The proposed service provides an alternative to admission into in-patient provision. This will enable NHS commissioners to reduce the demand on in patient services.
7.43 The service also provides an opportunity to use legislation including guardianship and the Mental Capacity Act to facilitate admissions on a less restrictive basis than under the provisions of the Mental Health Act.
Adding Value 7.44 There is no service in Liverpool that can offer similar step and step down services.
7.45 The proposed development adds a new link the chain of support available to the learning disabilities community in Liverpool.
7.46 It is a crucial link because it is designed to help people develop their skills and move into accommodation that allows them to exercise choice and control.
7.47 It will facilitate movement between services and is likely to reduce the need for people to move into hospital based services.
Addressing Winterbourne View
7.48 In part four above reference was made to the abuse at Winterbourne View.
7.49 Almost half of patients were more than 40 miles away from where their family or primary carers lived. This made visiting difficult both for their families and the commissioners who funded their services. This lack of contact made it less likely that abuse would be identified.
7.50 The government has ordered a review of people placed in independent hospitals and is seeking to ensure services are in place to support people with complex needs nearer their own homes.
7.51 This service would be able to support people with complex needs and can act as a bridge back into the community for those in hospital.
Bringing people home
7.52 The Liverpool Local Learning Disabilities Partnership Board Annual Self Assessment Report 2010/2011 provides information on the number of people from Liverpool living outside of the city.
7.53 The table below shows the number of people with learning disabilities living outside of the city and the cost.
Figure 2
People placed out of Liverpool Accommodation Type Number Cost Residential settings 51 £2,967,096
Nursing homes 8 £284,156
Supported living 0 NHS Secure units 8 £2,669,037
Private hospitals 9 £1,471,519
Totals 76 £7,391,808
7.54 This service will be able to help some of those living outside of Liverpool to return and live nearer their families.
Cost implications 7.55 The service will be funded through spot purchasing.
7.56 Local authority and health services commissioners will be able to ‘buy’ places for individuals.
7.57 They will in effect ‘pay’ for the level of service they need and capital is required from the public purse.
7.58 The financial risk is all with the developer and no capital funding is required from the public purse.
Summary • It is difficult to establish the number of people with learning disabilities in Liverpool.
• The Liverpool Local Learning Disabilities Partnership Board Annual Self Assessment Report states there are 1735 people with learning disabilities known to the local authority.
• Public Health England estimates based on demographic data suggest there may be 9,125 people of all ages in Liverpool who have learning difficulties.
• This service is focussed more on the needs of those whose behaviour can be challenging and Public England estimates would suggest that there will be 111 people who fall into this group at any one time which suggests there will be a significant demand for this service.
• The proposed service is significantly different from the four existing registered nursing homes in Liverpool.
• This is a short / medium term service with specialist nursing staff that can provide care and develop the residents’ capacity to live independently.
• All residents will have learning disabilities and many will have other coexisting conditions such as autism, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other complex needs.
• They will be helped to develop their social and self care skills and then move along the care pathway into accommodation in which they will need less support and can exercise more choice and control over their own lives.
• The service will be able to support people stepping down from acute hospital provision and those currently in the community who need to step up to into a service which can provide a higher level of care and rehabilitation before returning again returning to the community.
• The service will facilitate movement between services along a care pathway and is likely to reduce the need for people to move into hospital based services.
• It will help to address some of the issues raised in respect of Winterbourne View and the service itself will ensure more people with complex needs can be supported closer to home.
• There are 76 people from Liverpool in placements outside of the city 17 of whom are in hospital settings. The service may be able to help some to return to the city.
• The financial risk is all with the developer and no is capital required from the public purse. The commissioners will spot purchase services as and when required.
8. Peter Fletcher Associates (PFA)
8.1 The purpose of this section of the report is to illustrate that Peter Fletcher Associates has the experience and knowledge to undertake a needs and demand assessment 8.2 Peter Fletcher Associates Ltd (PFA) is an independent research and consultancy organisation, which undertakes needs assessments and strategic and service planning across health, social care, housing and regeneration for people with learning and other disabilities, older people and a range of other vulnerable groups. Most of the commissions we undertake come from local authorities, the health service, developers and housing and care service providers. 8.3 A key part of the approach is to work with commissioners on examining current supply and evidence of current and future need, and then producing proposals to rebalance the current range of accommodation and services in order to meet future needs and aspirations of the population. 8.4 Commissions we have undertaken in relation to Learning Disability in Liverpool include: • Learning Disability Housing Strategy for Liverpool Accommodation Strategy for Older People in Liverpool (2003) • Liverpool Short Breaks Learning Disability Strategy (2004) • Tackling Transitions in Liverpool for people with Learning Disability (2006) • Liverpool Supported Housing Strategy (2007) • Liverpool Joint Commissioning Strategy for People with Learning Disabilities (2008)
8.5 PFA has also undertaken needs analyses for people with a learning disability for local authorities and health in other parts of England, for example: • Special Needs Housing Study for Luton Council • Learning Disability Housing Strategy for Northumberland Care Trust • Supporting People Needs Assessments, including learning disabilities, for a range of authorities, for example Cumbria, Doncaster, Sefton, Oldham, Manchester, Redcar & Cleveland, Hartlepool, Walsall and Wolverhampton
8.6 We have also undertaken needs analyses for proposed developments on specific sites, for example: Blamsters Farm site in Essex for people with a learning disability; and Fairview House site in Ulverston, Cumbria.
How t
Land to the West of Woolton Manor Pre Application Concept Images on Behalf of MHC Ltd
MHC – Bluebells Project edgearchitects About The Woolton Manor Site
The proposed development is on land to the north west of Woolton Manor, on the edge of Woolton Village, south Liverpool.
The site comprises partly wooded land, and adjoins Camp Hill to the south and Woolton Woods to the east. The site no longer falls within the same ownership as Woolton Manor (currently a Care Home for elderley people), but does fall within the setting of this Listed building.
Much of the planting has become overgrown, with many self seeded trees and shrubs that did not form part of the original 19th Century landscape design.
Woolton Manor is Grade II Listed. It was built in 1869, with additions 1875, by Thomas Worthington in the Gothic Revival style. It is constructed in red brick, with blue brick and ashlar dressings. It has slate pitched and hipped roofs, tall decorated chimney stacks and decorated eaves cornices.
MHC – Bluebells Project edgearchitects Concept Proposal
The outline scheme presented in this document is conceptual at this stage of the planning process. This document should be read alongside the remainder of our client’s pre-application pack of information, and in particular the Pre- Application Statement produced by Roman Summer Associates Ltd.
The proposal is for a modern, high quality mental health care facility. The need for the facility has been clearly demonstrated in the Need Assessment produced by Peter Fletcher Associates.
The intention is to develop the facility on part of the original allotment gardens towards the north of the site.
The scheme will provide managed living accommodation for approximately 20 adult people. One block will house male residents, and the second block will accommodate female residents.
The buildings will be largely single storey, each around 929 sq m (10,000 sqft).
The site affords views across parkland and will, with good quality landscaping works, provide garden courtyards to the front and rear of the new buildings. Beyond that, residents will be able to spend time in the restored former grounds of Woolton Manor.
The site is in close in proximity to a wide range of good quality services, including small local shops, two large supermarkets, and good public transport facilities. At the same time, the site will afford residents a high degree of peace and privacy.
MHC – Bluebells Project edgearchitects The Case for This Site
Reference should be made to the detailed case set out in the separate Pre- Application Statement produced by Roman Summer Associates Ltd.
MHC – Bluebells Project edgearchitects Proposal
The proposed scheme will utilise the best aspects of modern construction, to provide a contemporary response to the care requirements of the 21st Century.
These early concept images illustrate the planted surroundings, and how, through the adoption of green roof technologies, the buildings will recede into the landscape and will be barely perceptible when viewed from the surrounding roads.
The two partially open courtyards either side of the central link will provide a degree of acoustic separation from adjacent roads/traffic, and it is our intention to landscape these areas with the recuperation, respite and support of the residents in mind.
The two wings will provide good quality and accessible accommodation, with outlooks across landscaped lawns, paths and gardens.
MHC – Bluebells Project edgearchitects The Concept
The very early concept models are based on our interpretation of the landscape as it falls towards the western boundary. As part of this process, we have formulated ideas of how the buildings could be knitted into their contextual gardens, with grass roofs that will sweep up from the ground and over the building, thus reducing its visual impact.
The use of natural materials such as stone and timber will soften the building, enabling it to blend sensitively into the landscape.
The scale of the buildings has been carefully considered, and we feel that a single storey intervention is the most appropriate. It is important to consider that, as the site falls away towards Allerton Road and Hillfoot Road, there is the opportunity to create an additional lower ground floor storey that will sit beneath the entrance level storey. We suggest that this would be an ideal location for day rooms, with direct access to the gardens.
MHC – Bluebells Project edgearchitects The Concept
A key driver to the project will be the creation of high quality, tranquil gardens and a therapeutic environment to residents.
Involving residents in the management of the grounds could encourage interest in horticulture and nature, with an ever changing narrative as the seasons unfold.
The architectural concept considers curved wings to provide courtyard spaces, which will result in buildings of diminished scale (as they curve out of sight along their elevations). This will give the impression of significantly smaller buildings, and is another architectural mechanism to blend with the soft landscape and ground levels.
MHC – Bluebells Project edgearchitects Materials
It is proposed to utilise natural materials, which are commonly seen in the local buildings. Sandstone, timber, and green roofs combined with the enhancement and management of the site’s biodiversity can be fostered into a harmonious collective that provides high quality accommodation for persons who have traditionally been homed in lower quality accommodation and environments.
MHC – Bluebells Project edgearchitects About Edge Architects Ltd
Edge Architects was formed by Gareth Abbott in April 2007. Since those early beginnings the practice has grown steadily and is looking to undertake further sustainable expansion in response to commissions. All technical staff have worked together at Aedas. Gareth Abbott and Trevor Conley have held senior positions at Aedas, Sheppard Robson and Austin-Smith:Lord
Edge Architects maintains a strong design ethos underpinned by a realistic commercial approach to projects. Aiming to provide a high quality service encouraging an open dialogue with clients and user groups to deliver appropriate solutions that hopefully delight.
We have experience of operating in a number of innovative roles. These range from a full architectural service following the RIBA work stages, Design and Build, space planning and concept design.
A strong backbone of commercial success is augmented with solid residential development experience, often with sensitive user groups.
MHC – Bluebells Project edgearchitects Past Projects
Durham Forensic Training College
Set in Parkland, adjacent to existing historic buildings, the project is successful in that it reclaimed large areas of an overgrown and under-utilised site in order to provide quality accommodation that responded to the needs of the temporary student residents and teaching staff.
edgearchitects Past Projects
Easingwold – Emergency Planning College
Set in parkland, adjacent to historic buildings, Edge Architects inserted the building within existing tree lines, respecting the site layout and impact on the existing building and fabric of the site.
edgearchitects Past Projects
Longford Park
The first phase of this proposed demonstration centre in Longford Park, Manchester includes the refurbishment of an existing Shippon building to provide offices for the client with associated conference and exhibition facilities. The centre will demonstrate to the commercial sector ways in which sustainable technologies can be applied to new and existing buildings reducing their impact on the environment.
edgearchitects From: Richard Gee To: Hayward, Jane Subject: Re: local plan representation Date: 20 May 2014 12:57:33 Attachments: image001.jpg
No probs!
Richard Gee Director
Roman Summer Associates Ltd www.romansummer.com M: 0778 971 0352 T: 0151 345 4178
LIVERPOOL - Suite 17, Hahnemann Building, 42 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9HW MANCHESTER - 105 Manchester Road, Bury, Manchester, BL9 0TD
On 20 May 2014, at 11:51, Hayward, Jane
Thanks Richard for clarifying.
Jane
From: Richard Gee [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 20 May 2014 10:02 To: Hayward, Jane Subject: Re: local plan representation
Jane
The reps on Allerton P are from the owner (Maghull Group) as per your email.
The reps on land at Woolton Manor I have submitted are on behalf of MHC Ltd [Mental Health Care Ltd] who have an interest in the north east part of that site. Where I think things have become confused here, and I apologise, is that I was originally instructed by both MCH and the owner Rushton Properties to submit a joint representation. Hence I stated ‘owner/ prospective owner’. Then, late in the day, the owner (Rushton) decided that it would be a good idea to submit his own reps. He has done so, based largely on my own text (which I agreed he could use). So you have two sets of reps on Woolton Manor that are saying ostensibly the same thing - one from MHC (via me) and one from Rushton Properties (owner). I should have corrected that part of the form to remove the word ‘owner’, as my reps are solely from MHC. That was my oversight and again I apologise for causing confusion.
Hope that makes sense, but just shout if not.
Cheers
Richard
Richard Gee Director
Roman Summer Associates Ltd www.romansummer.com M: 0778 971 0352 T: 0151 345 4178
LIVERPOOL - Suite 17, Hahnemann Building, 42 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9HW MANCHESTER - 105 Manchester Road, Bury, Manchester, BL9 0TD
On 20 May 2014, at 08:22, Hayward, Jane
Richard,
You submitted Call for Sites forms with regard to the Liverpool Local Plan consultation in respect of Land adjacent to Allerton Priory and the Former Grounds of Woolton Manor. Please could you clarify your interest in the land. Have the representations been submitted on behalf of the land owners – Maghull Group / Rushton Properties? The Call for Sites form for the Former Grounds of Woolton Manor state Owner/ Prospective purchaser (of part of site), whilst for Allerton Priory it states Owner. We require clarification to ensure that the representations are appropriately recorded.
Kind Regards,
Jane
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