THIS REPORT RELATES STIRLING COUNCIL TO ITEM 10 ON THE AGENDA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 2 April 1998 NOT EXEMPT CLACKMANNANSHIRE AND STIRLING STRUCTURE PLAN 1 PURPOSE 1.1 To agree that the views expressed through consultation on the issues paper, as summarised in this report, are taken into account in progressing work on the preparation of a Draft version of the new Clackmannanshire and Stirling Structure Plan. 2 SUMMARY 2.1 The report details the consultation carried out in respect of the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Structure Plan and draws broad conclusions from the responses received. A detailed breakdown of the responses to the questionnaire along with detailed summaries of the various workshops and other meetings held is attached ( Appendix 1 and 2 respectively). The report identifies a series of conclusions in respect to each topic area, each of which will be taken into account in preparing the draft plan. 3 RECOMMENDATION(S) 3.1 That Clackmannanshire and Stirling Councils: 1) Note the comments received during the consultation exercise as detailed in appendices 1 and 2; 2) Agree that the broad conclusions of this joint report are taken into account in preparing the Draft Clackmannanshire and Stirling Structure Plan. 4 CONSIDERATIONS Public Participation 4.1 In order to involve the public at this early stage of the plan preparation process an issues paper and questionnaire survey was sent out to every household in the Stirling Council area. In Clackmannanshire 600 leaflets and questionnaires were sent out to community councils and were made available -2- in libraries and Council Offices. In Stirling a copy of the Questionnaire was sent to every household, in all 1563 responses to the questionnaire survey were received. 1500 from Stirling and 63 from Clackmannanshire. A detailed breakdown of the comments received is included as appendix 1 to this report. In addition a series of workshops and other meetings have been held involving 150 people.. A detailed summary of these workshops is also included as appendix 2 to this report. Issues to be addressed 4.2 The following section of this report presents a framework of key issues which will be considered in preparing the draft plan. The bullet points which precede each section reflect the broad conclusions reached from the questionnaire survey, workshops and other meetings. It is recognised that at the moment this framework is very general. Some of the more specific points raised by the public will however be taken into account as the strategy develops, particularly in addressing the issue of identifying the most appropriate general locations for new development. Other issues which were raised, whilst important, may not be appropriately addressed by the Structure Plan as they relate to Local Plan matters, to the wider function and service provision of both councils or to matters outwith the councils control. 4.3 GENERAL STRATEGY/SCALE AND LOCATION OF DEVELOPMENT • Medium Scale Growth, although keeping new housing development to a minimum; • Reduced need to travel, whilst increasing accessibility; • Provide Housing, employment and other opportunities, to meet the needs of the area; • Protect and enhance character/quality of towns, villages and the environment; • Sustain rural communities; • Insure appropriate infrastructure, public transport and community facilities. 4.4 The bullet points above sum up the main strands which were apparent throughout the entire consultation exercise and which were reflected in the choice of preferred options and other specific comments derived from the questionnaire survey. The majority of people (50% of the Questionnaire responses) favoured the medium scale expansion option. People generally felt that in terms of the overall strategy for future development, reducing the need to travel and increasing accessibility was important as was the provision of housing, employment and other opportunities to meet the areas needs in the future. The issue of sustainability was seen to be important as was the protection of the key assets of the area- its environment and the character/quality of its towns and villages. The need to support rural communities, improve public transport and insure appropriate provision of infrastructure and other facilities to support new development were also viewed to be important in terms of the overall strategy . -3- 4.5 HOMES • Issues of Design/Quality/Energy Efficiency; • Location of housing to reduce need to travel; • Integrated strategy linking housing with community, shopping, leisure, education, water & drainage; • Provision of low cost/ Affordable/local needs housing; • Promotion of an appropriate mix, range and choice of housing types; • Prioritise use of brownfield/infill/conversion and redevelopment. 4.6 Provision of housing to meet the needs of those who cannot compete within the housing market was considered to be a priority as was the use wherever possible of existing urban brownfield land. The promotion of energy efficient housing and a design emphasis promoting quality and local character were also considered to be important. A number of issues in relation to housing provision within individual settlements were also raised. These will be considered in detail as the Draft plan is progressed but in general they reflect concerns about the impact of new housing on existing communities (particularly rural communities) as well as the perceived lack of appropriate infrastructure and facilities to support this new housing. The provision of housing to meet the needs of rural areas was also a key issue within the Stirling area. In terms of the location of new housing in the Stirling Council area. • 44% of responses to the questionnaire survey favoured expanding existing towns; • 24% favoured new settlements and 31% preferred another option ( mainly use of vacant sites, regeneration, redevelopment). 4.7 JOBS Business/Industry • Provision of the appropriate range, choice and location of land for the businesses; • Provision appropriate to the particular needs of Stirling’s rural areas; • Linkage with strategy for new housing and transport; • The potential impact of technological development/home working etc. 4.8 Most respondents favoured a balance between large sites and small workshops and felt that office and industrial development should carry on as it is at the moment. The need to relate employment to the level and location of new housing as well as transport provision was also viewed to be important. A number of people referred to the fact that development in new technology could radically alter the way people work in the future. Tackling unemployment problems in Clackmannanshire and the Eastern Villages was viewed to be important. -4- 4.9 Tourism • protect/enhance and build on existing tourism strengths; • Identify any new opportunity areas; • Set framework in terms of new National Park for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. 4.10 Most people felt that a lot had been achieved in terms of tourism in the area and that there was opportunity to build on these strengths. Opportunities for some low key visitor facilities were identified but only a few felt that large scale theme park type development should be encouraged. Facilities which would benefit visitors as well as local people were favoured. The need to spread the benefits of tourism throughout the Structure Plan area was also viewed to be important. 4.11 SHOPPING • Protection/enhancement of town centres; • The role of town centres and other out of town centres; • Framework for any new shopping provision; • Encouragement of local shopping provision; 4.12 The majority of people were either very satisfied or satisfied with the range, quality and location of shopping in the area. Individual comments stressed the need to protect the existing town centres and to discourage out of town shopping, although a few people felt there was a place for out of town factory outlet and other shopping. A number of people mentioned the need to protect areas like the Arcade and Barnton Street, to improve Alloa town centre and to encourage a greater variety of independent shops. Local shopping was viewed to be important. 4.13 CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 4.14 Environment • The long term future of greenbelts; • Protect designated areas of nature conservation interest etc; • Recognise role of environmental quality as a key asset of the area to be protected and enhanced; • Accept need to sustain rural communities; 4.15 Protection of green belts and minimal use of greenfield land was viewed to be important as was the need to protect the environment but at the same time allow appropriate development to sustain communities and provide opportunity. The environment was recognised as a key asset of the area which should be protected and enhanced. -5- 4.16 Minerals • Identification of preferred areas for mineral extraction; • Environmental protection criteria. 4.17 Most people within the Stirling Council area (64% of the questionnaire survey response) felt that minerals extraction should be discouraged. Specific comments indicated that in some locations mineral extraction with proper control to protect the environment might be appropriate. Within Clackmannanshire 59% of respondents felt that preferred areas for mineral extraction should be identified, subject to environmental criteria. Concern was raised over the possible cumulative impact of open cast coal mining in Clackmannanshire. 4.18 Waste Management • Future landfill requirements; • Integrated strategy to reduce