Core Strategy Publication Report Infrastructure and Delivery Plan
Part of the Blackburn with Darwen Local Development Framework
April 2010
CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009
CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN REPORT
NOVEMBER 2009
1 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009
Contents
PART 1: CORE STRATEGY & INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION 1.1 Core Strategy Development Priorities 4 Infrastructure Delivery 6 Overall Spatial Strategy 6 Targets for Development 7 Plan 1: The Targeted Growth Strategy 8 Spatial Context 9 Plan 2: Blackburn with Darwen in Context 9 Plan 3: Neighbourhood Co-ordination Areas 11 1.2 Infrastructure for Blackburn with Darwen Borough 12 1.2.1 Physical Infrastructure 12 Plan 4: Blackburn with Darwen Physical Infrastructure 12 Partners 13 Existing Provision & Capacity: Transport 13 Rail 14 Motorway 16 Blackburn Town Centre Road Improvements 17 Bus Services 17 Cycling 18 Accessibility 19 Existing Provision & Capacity: Energy 20 Existing Provision & Capacity: Water & Wastewater 21 Existing Provision & Capacity: Flood Defences 22 Existing Provision & Capacity: Telecommunications & Digital Connectivity 25 Table 1: Physical Infrastructure Delivery Providers & Programmes 26 1.2.2 Social Infrastructure 32 Plan 5: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Social Infrastructure 32 Partners 33 Existing Provision & Capacity: Health Facilities 33 Existing Provision & Capacity: Housing 34 Existing Provision & Capacity: Education & Skills 35 Schools 35 Further/Higher Education 37 Skills 38 Existing Provision & Capacity: Employment Provision 38 Existing Provision & Capacity: Leisure & Tourism 41 Leisure Facilities 41 Tourist Attractions 42 Conservation Areas & the Historic Built Environment 43 Public Realm 44
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Table 2: Social Infrastructure Delivery Providers & Programmes 45 1.2.3 Green Infrastructure 54 Plan 6: Blackburn with Darwen Green Infrastructure 54 Partners 55 Existing Provision & Capacity: Parks & Public Open Spaces 56 Existing Provision & Capacity: Open Countryside 57 Existing Provision & Capacity: Access 59 Existing Provision & Capacity: Wildlife & Nature Conservation Areas 60 Existing Provision & Capacity: Water Areas 61 Table 3: Green Infrastructure Delivery Providers & Programmes 62
PART 2: TARGETED GROWTH STRATEGY NEEDS & OPPORTUNITIES 2.1 Targeted Growth Strategy 69 Policy CS1: A Targeted Growth Strategy 2.2 Opportunities & Needs 71 2.2.1 Inner Urban Areas of Blackburn and Darwen 71 Table 4: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Inner Urban Areas 73 2.2.2 Blackburn 74 Table 5: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Blackburn 77 2.2.3 Blackburn Town Centre 79 Table 6: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Blackburn Town Centre 81 2.2.4 Darwen 82 Table 7: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Darwen 85 2.2.5 Darwen Town Centre 86 Table 8: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Darwen Town Centre 87 2.2.6 Villages: Belmont, Pleasington, Edgworth, Chapeltown, Hoddlesden 88 Table 9: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Villages 89 2.2.7 Open Countryside 90 Table 10: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Open Countryside 91 2.2.8 Proposed Green Belt 92 Table 11: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Proposed Green Belt 92 2.2.9 Major Employment Site in Hyndburn Borough 93 Table 12: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Major Employment Site, Hyndburn 94
PART 3: CORE STRATEGY DELIVERY & MONITORING 95 3.1 TARGETED GROWTH STRATEGY 95 3.2 LAND SUPPLY FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN HIGHER VALUE SECTORS 100 3.3 QUANTITY, QUALITY & MIX OF HOUSING 105 3.4 RANGE & QUALITY OF PUBLIC FACILITIES 113 3.5 PROTECTING AND ENHANCING THE ENVIRONMENT 116 3.6 QUALITY OF PLACE 121 3.7 ACCESS TO JOBS AND SERVICES 127
APPENDIX 1: CONSULTATION RESPONSES: SUMMARIES 130 PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE 132 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE 134 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 138
APPENDIX 2: INDICATIVE TIMESCALES 142
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PART 1: CORE STRATEGY & INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION
1.1 Core Strategy Development Priorities
1.1.1 The Core Strategy Infrastructure & Delivery Plan is a technical document to support the preparation of policies affecting development in Blackburn with Darwen’s Local Development Framework. In particular, it has informed the overall direction of approach to development within the borough set out in the Core Strategy1, and is expected to assist the formulation of detailed policies in subsequent Development Plan Documents (DPDs).
1.1.2 The preparation of this document has been informed by the Preferred Options Core Strategy and its associated public consultation carried out during 2007, and detailed consultation discussions with infrastructure providers and deliverers during 2008.
1.1.3 This document contains: • a summary of the Core Strategy’s main development priorities and a comprehensive overview of the current infrastructure provision within Blackburn with Darwen borough (Part 1); • the Targeted Growth Strategy and consideration of the needs and opportunities identified to meet the proposals within the Core Strategy (Part 2); and • the Core Strategy policy delivery tables highlighting how each Policy will be implemented and monitored (Part 3).
1.1.4 The key deliverers and delivery mechanisms are identified in tables throughout the document.
1.1.5 The responses from the consultation carried out in respect of developing the infrastructure delivery plan are summarised in Appendix 1; and the indicative timescale for infrastructure delivery referred to within this document is illustrated in Appendix 2.
1.1.6 For the purposes of this report, infrastructure has been defined as: “The facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society, such as transportation and communication systems, water and power lines, public institutions and services, and living space. This includes elements which make up “physical infrastructure”; “social infrastructure”; and “green infrastructure” in the Borough”.
1 Core Strategy Publication Report, Blackburn with Darwen (2009)
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Core Strategy Development PART 1 Priorities Core Strategy Physical & Infrastructure Infrastructure Infrastructure for Blackburn with Social Provision Darwen Infrastructure
Green Infrastructure
Targeted PART 2 Growth Strategy Targeted Inner Urban Growth Areas Strategy Blackburn Blackburn Needs & Town Centre Needs & Darwen Opportunities Opportunities Darwen Town Centre Villages Open Countryside Proposed Green Belt Proposed Employment Site
Targeted Growth Strategy
Land Supply for Business Development in Higher Value Sectors PART 3 Core Strategy Quantity, Quality & Mix of Housing Delivery & Monitoring Range & Quality of Public Facilities
Protecting & Enhancing the Environment
Quality of Place CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY
Access to Jobs & Services
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Infrastructure Delivery 1.1.7 PPS122 confirms that the Core Strategy should be supported by evidence of what physical, social and green infrastructure is needed to enable the amount of development proposed for the area, taking account of its type and distribution.
1.1.8 Paragraph 4.9 of PPS12 sets out what the infrastructure planning process should identify, which includes: • infrastructure needs and costs; • phasing of development; • funding sources; and • responsibilities for delivery.
1.1.9 This document establishes a framework to demonstrate the deliverability of the policies set by the Core Strategy by identifying the key infrastructure stakeholders and their programmes and projects which will support the delivery of the Core Strategy’s Overall Spatial Strategy and its 6 Spatial Interventions.
Overall Spatial Strategy 1.1.10 The main feature of the Core Strategy’s planning policy priorities is one of “targeted growth”, with the overarching aim of raising economic performance, average wage levels and GVA generation, while minimising or eliminating net environmental impact. Development is directed predominantly to within the urban area, with the focus being on the town centres, and the inner urban areas of the two towns.
1.1.11 The Core Strategy defines the distinctive roles of Blackburn and Darwen towns. Blackburn is identified as having the greater capacity to absorb the new developments needed to meet the target for attracting investment into higher- wage sectors of the economy, by providing land for high quality employment development and housing for higher wage earners; and will be the focus as the larger economic driver and a centre of sub-regional/regional significance.
1.1.12 Darwen will continue to develop its role as a market town, taking advantage of its attractive town in countryside setting, and accommodating some general development – with the aim to further promoting self-sufficiency in employment and retail sectors and enhancing its role for tourism.
1.1.13 The Core Strategy identifies that there may be some need for a limited number of small scale urban extensions to either or both of the towns to accommodate planned growth.
1.1.14 Limited development for meeting local needs and to support the diversification of the rural economy is provided for in the villages of Belmont, Pleasington, Edgworth, Chapeltown, Hoddlesden.
1.1.15 New development outside these villages and in the open countryside will be strictly limited; with only individual opportunities which will help diversify the rural economy or support tourism being supported where they are appropriate in scale.
2 Planning Policy Statement 12: creating strong safe and prosperous communities through Local Spatial Planning, Communities and Local Government (2008)
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Targets for Development 1.1.16 Targets for new housing within Blackburn with Darwen borough are set by Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West3 (RSS). This places a requirement to meet an average of 489 additional dwelling per year between 2003 and 2021 (a total housing provision level of 8,800, net of clearance replacement). This figure has been translated in the Core Strategy into the following phased approach: • 2009 – 2014: 415/yr • 2014 – 2019: 490/yr • 2019 – 2024: 565/yr
1.1.17 The 2008 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment estimated that there would be in the region of 1,465 dwellings requiring replacement in Blackburn with Darwen during the Plan period. The replacement dwellings are to be phased in its delivery alongside the additional new dwellings per year. This replacement results in a gross total housing development requirement of: • 2010 – 2015: 2,368 new dwellings • 2015 – 2020: 3,036 new dwellings • 2020 – 2025: 3,411 new dwellings
1.1.18 RSS also sets targets for the supply of employment land. For Lancashire (in which Blackburn with Darwen is included) this figure is an extra allocation requirement of 294 hectares between 2005 and 2021 (with the need identified as a total supply of employment land for Lancashire, between 2005 and 2021, of 1,363ha, against a current, 2005, supply of 1,069ha).
1.1.19 This figure hasn’t been devolved into local employment land supply targets for each district within Lancashire; however, for the purposes of the Core Strategy the same calculation used for the RSS figures was applied to Blackburn with Darwen borough and suggests the extra allocation for employment land required is 35.2ha, between 2005-2021.
1.1.20 The Core Strategy identifies a hierarchy of employment sites to be planned for to serve the borough’s targeted growth approach: • Prestige Sites • Town Centre Sites • Urban Hub/Gateway Sites • Neighbourhood Opportunity Sites • Rural Economy
1.1.21 Other anticipated development within the borough is expected to include public facilities and services, including a substantial schools redevelopment programme, new health facilities and retail development.
1.1.22 The Core Strategy approach to these is to focus them in accessible locations, particularly around existing services and with the emphasis on the 2 town centres. The creation or strengthening of community hubs is also promoted.
3 Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West, 4NW (2008)
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Plan 1: Targeted Growth Strategy
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Spatial Context 1.1.23 Blackburn with Darwen is intrinsically linked with its neighbouring areas. Located within the Central Lancashire City Region4, Blackburn is one of the 4 main towns/cities in the City Region identified for growth.
1.1.24 The borough has strong socio-economic ties to the Pennine Lancashire ‘travel to work area’. Six local authority districts comprise Pennine Lancashire (Blackburn with Darwen; Ribble Valley; Hyndburn; Burnley; Rossendale; and Pendle) – these are considered to function as a distinct economic footprint.
Plan 2: Blackburn with Darwen in Context
4 The Northern Way (2004) & RSS (2008)
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1.1.25 A history of strong partnership working is emerging into a clear vision for Pennine Lancashire, through the development of Pennine Lancashire’s Economic Strategy; Housing Strategy; Transport Strategy; and Spatial Guide. These have been translated into the Pennine Lancashire Multi Area Agreement (MAA) which was signed in December 2008.
1.1.26 Much of the infrastructure provision for the borough is shared across Pennine Lancashire, and addressing the cross-boundary issue of infrastructure supply and demand is a key factor in achieving the future development and economic growth aspirations for the sub-region, on which the Core Strategy approach is based. Shared infrastructure issues include notably: • future consideration to increasing capacity on the M65; • the Pennine Reach public transport system; and • to work towards improving connectivity via the Clitheroe-Blackburn- Manchester rail line.
1.1.27 Partnership working has been carried out closely with Hyndburn Borough Council, in particular through the development of the joint Housing Market Assessment, and the Councils’ are working together regarding the proposals for Strategic Employment Sites, since it is understood that the two Boroughs contain a shared housing and employment market.
1.1.28 A Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) has been formed for the Blackburn with Darwen borough. This includes representatives from the local authority; other public sector partners; private companies; and voluntary/community groups, who work or have an interest in the borough.
1.1.29 The LSP are responsible for producing the Sustainable Community Strategy for the borough, and sets its top priorities, to be work towards by the partners. Responsibility for developing these priorities is devolved into themed LSP sub- groups (Economy; Environment; Health; Education) who look in detail at progress within their topic area.
1.1.30 On a local level, the borough is divided in to 5 Neighbourhood areas: Blackburn North West; Blackburn North East; Blackburn South West; Blackburn South East; and Darwen & Rural. Each of these Neighbourhood Management Areas is supported by a Neighbourhood Board, which has minor powers and funding for identified priorities for the neighbourhood area, and an Area Agency Partnership which consists of partners including the Local Authority, Community Representatives, Police, PCT, etc. A Neighbourhood Plan is produced annually for each of the Neighbourhood Areas by the Area Action Partnership, reviewing and reporting on the previous years targets and setting new local targets for the coming year.
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Plan 3: Neighbourhood Co-ordination Areas
11 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 1.2 Infrastructure for Blackburn with Darwen Borough
1.2.1 Physical Infrastructure 1.2.1.1 Physical infrastructure includes transport routes, water and waste water facilities, energy provision, flood defences, and telecommunications.
Plan 4: Physical Infrastructure
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Partners 1.2.1.2 The main partners in Blackburn with Darwen Borough for the provision and maintenance of physical infrastructure are: • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council • Capita Symonds • United Utilities • Environment Agency • National Grid • Highways Agency • Network Rail • BT
Existing Provision & Capacity: Transport 1.2.1.3 The Local Transport Plan 2 (LTP2) sets the Council’s strategy for transport over the period between 2006-2011 and beyond5. A new LTP must be in place by April 2011. LTP3 will be developed as a sub-regional transport framework for Lancashire, with a Pennine Lancashire local delivery plan.
1.2.1.4 Blackburn is well-served by main road and rail corridors providing good high level accessibility; Darwen’s accessibility is comparatively limited, for which there are few alternative routes to the main road which runs through the centre of the town.
1.2.1.5 The strategic transport networks within the borough include: • the M65 motorway, which dissects the borough from east-west between the towns of Blackburn and Darwen; • the 2 main railway lines – Clitheroe-Manchester, which runs roughly north- south, and Blackpool-York, running east-west; and • the A666 highway which also connects Blackburn with Greater Manchester to the south, running through Darwen.
1.2.1.6 The level of car ownership in the borough is below that of Lancashire and England with the number of people without a car at 33.5% as of the 2001 Census. At the same time, 66.3% of employed residents in the borough travel to work by car, compared to 61% in England and Wales. 8.2% travel to work by public transport, compared to 14.9% nationally6. The LTP2 breaks down the car ownership levels by ward, which shows some clear distinctions within the Borough, with Wensley Fold and Audley exceeding 50% of households without a car, whilst for North Turton with Tockholes and East Rural wards the percentage is less than 10% (7.66% and 9.94% respectively). We believe that this figure will have reduced, but there is still major dependency on non-car transport modes (bus, walking, cycling) for the majority of the Borough’s population.
1.2.1.7 It is assumed that households that do not own a car will be dependent on some kind of external transport services to meet their transport needs. In addition, for people who live in a household which contains only 1 car but more than one person, that car may not be available because of its use by others, e.g. in the case of a second adult in a one car owning household where the car is used for the journey to work of another adult. These people on occasions will depend on
5 Blackburn with Darwen in partnership with Capita Local Transport Plan 2 2006-2011, Blackburn with Darwen Council (2006) 6 Census 2001
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public transport. In the borough overall 25% of the population are totally dependent and a further 36% partially dependent, on public transport services, and walking/cycling, leaving 39% of the population with a car always available to them7. Even in areas of high car ownership there exists between 20% and 50% of the population that will at sometime have no access to the car and hence some degree of reliance on public transport services, and walking/cycling, for their mobility.
1.2.1.8 As they become adults, the growing young population is expected to contribute to raising significantly the current very low level of car ownership. The expectation is that car ownership levels are likely to rise appreciably in the near future unless these young groups can be attracted to public transport. It is projected that the comparatively low level of road congestion currently seen on the local network (mainly for short periods in the peak) is likely to rise dramatically unless a focused attempt is made to manage and control the demand for car use, particularly in the peak periods for journeys to school and work.
Rail 1.2.1.9 There has been a significant increase in demand over recent years for train use: with over 1m people using Blackburn Station, and there has been an 80% increase in people travelling from Darwen over the last 5 year period.
1200000
1000000
800000
Number using 600000 Blackburn station Number using Darwen station
400000
200000
0 2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Train Passengers from Blackburn and Darwen Stations8
1.2.1.10 Blackburn Station has an important role in facilitating interchange between the various rail services and the local bus services. The station is set to receive £2m investment capital funding during 2009/10 for improvements.
7 The figure for total dependency is lower than the proportion of non-car owning households because in general such households are much smaller than the average and have a high proportion of households consisting of single elderly females.
8 Blackburn with Darwen AMR (2008)
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1.2.1.11 The improvements to the station involve developing suitable sheltered passenger waiting facilities on platform 4, and also include a step free access (lift) between the station subway and the platform. The investment is being funded through Network Rail’s National Station Improvement Project and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.
1.2.1.12 Platform 4 was originally only planned for temporary use whilst the station was rebuilt during 2000/01; therefore there are minimal passenger facilities and no full canopy over the platform. The lack of shelter is a long standing problem and a source of complaint for local commuters. Network Rail, Northern Rail and Blackburn with Darwen Council therefore agreed on the need to provide better facilities on this platform.
1.2.1.13 The proposed works for the scheme includes the following items: • A canopy that will offer protection to passengers travelling to/from or interchanging at the station. • Removal of lighting columns (to be replaced by lighting on the underside of the proposed canopy). • Removal of existing customer information system (CIS) provision and replaced by a new system. • Removal of current ‘bus shelter’ style waiting shelters. • Re-siting of the current pole mounted CCTV provision with cameras mounted on the underside of the new canopy. • Re-site information boards to match platforms 1-3. • Passenger seating in the under canopy waiting areas to deliver passenger comfort during situations of normal waiting and any delay. • Step free access in the form of a lift between the station subway and platform 4 to comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) as the existing ramp is non-compliant due to the gradient being too steep.
1.2.1.14 In addition to the improvements at Blackburn Station, Blackburn with Darwen Council are currently working with Northern Rail and Network Rail to develop plans for a booking station at Darwen Station. Since the late 1980s the station has been unmanned and subsequently there has been no facility for purchasing pre-boarding tickets or gathering up to the minute rail related information. In 2007/08 the station served approximately 250,000 people and the present offer does not reflect its usage or local importance.
1.2.1.15 It is anticipated that the project will be developed by Network Rail’s Enhancement Delivery Team with funding provided by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. The booking office is anticipated to be open to the public by the summer of 2011.
1.2.1.16 There is currently an hourly rail service between Manchester (Victoria), Bolton, Darwen, Blackburn and Clitheroe, with additional services in peaks to create a half-hourly service between Blackburn and Manchester during these times. Significant service enhancements are restricted by infrastructure constraints related to signalling capacity (especially between Blackburn and Clitheroe), platform lengths, line speed restrictions and/or single track operation (between Blackburn and Bolton).
1.2.1.17 The train service between Manchester and Blackburn has been identified as a key constraint for residents of the borough accessing the recent economic
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growth experienced in the city. Only 3.6% of resident employees in Blackburn commute to Manchester9, and research has indicated that poor connectivity is the main constraint to greater interaction between the economies of Pennine Lancashire and Greater Manchester10. The infrequency of trains reduces the likelihood of many people commuting.
1.2.1.18 Improvement to the Manchester – Clitheroe line is identified as a key priority for the Borough. However, it is likely to be substantially expected for the Council to find the capital funding – which is very large – estimated at between £13.5m and £14m to improve the route. Currently a business case is being prepared, with a package of funding to be drawn up. Partners include: • Northern Rail • Network Rail • NWDA • DFT Rail • LCC • BwD • GMPTE
1.2.1.19 The improvements to the Clitheroe – Manchester rail link is identified in the Pennine Lancashire Multi Area Agreement (MAA) as a key priority. It is agreed that the Department for Transport will work with Pennine Lancashire MAA, Northern and Network rail to facilitate the introduction of new services in the period 2009–2014 for which funding will need to be sourced by local authorities.
1.2.1.20 The project is being progressed through the Pennine Lancashire Rail projects board. Network Rail are sponsoring feasibility works through their GRIP project management process to identify and model the infrastructure required to allow a half-hourly service to run reliably between Manchester Victoria and Blackburn. Network Rail anticipate having a preferred option of infrastructure completed in Autumn 2009.
Motorway 1.2.1.21 The M65 motorway is a vital link for Blackburn to the other Pennine Lancashire towns and the rest of the City Region. It provides the borough with a direct link to the Greater Manchester and national motorway network (M61/M60/M62/ and M6). It was originally designed with the option of including a third lane at a later date.
1.2.1.22 Volumes on the M65 have consistently grown by about 4% per annum since its opening in 199711. It is currently at capacity in places, at particular times. Problems at particular junctions are now apparent on the motorway at peak times with some queuing at peak hours onto the carriageway. Discussions are on-going with the Highways Agency as these problems have a limiting impact on the future economic growth of the Borough and the sub-region.
1.2.1.23 The widening of the motorway is considered a long-term key priority for the Council. However, it would have to form a Major Scheme Bid – run through regional priorities; this programme is full until 2018, and the widening of the M65 is of low priority because it’s a road scheme (with mind to sustainability
9 Pennine Lancashire Multi Area Agreement, PLLACE (2008) 10 Economic Relationship between Pennine Lancashire and Greater Manchester, Ekosgen (2008) 11 Blackburn with Darwen Local Transport Plan 2 2006-2011 (LTP2)
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and climate change issues) and doesn’t form part of the national strategic motorway network.
1.2.1.24 Improvements to the motorway is agreed in the MAA as a future priority: with Pennine Lancashire partners to engage the Highways Agency and regional partners to discuss the feasibility of additional capacity on sections of the M65 that have either reached full capacity or will reach capacity when major strategic sites come to fruition, and work with Pennine Lancashire to find solutions to problems at specific motorway entrance and exit points to aid the flow of traffic (Junctions 5 and 9).
Blackburn Town Centre Road Improvements 1.2.1.25 The Freckleton Street link road is a key Council priority for LTP2 and planning for delivery is well underway. The Freckleton Street Bridge was completed and opened for use during 2008. This scheme will direct through traffic around the town centre via a completed ‘ring road’. Key acquisitions have been made in advance of construction.
1.2.1.26 There is a need to ensure the protection of the route for the missing link of the Blackburn Town Centre Orbital Route connecting Higher Audley and Lower Audley.
Bus Services 1.2.1.27 Funding has been secured from the Region (RFA2) and consultation taken place to provide a rapid transport scheme linking Blackburn with Darwen with adjoining towns in Hyndburn. The scheme includes improved bus services and infrastructure which are designed to improve public transport between Accrington, Blackburn and Darwen. The work on this scheme is programmed to begin in 2011, following full approval from the Department for Transport.
1.2.1.28 The scheme will provide 2.1 miles of bus lane within Blackburn with Darwen, and 0.5 miles in Hyndburn along the whole 21 mile Pennine Reach route.
1.2.1.29 A Bus Station in Blackburn town centre is an integral part of the scheme.
1.2.1.30 The improvements will also include: • A fleet of new, high quality, accessible buses; • Improved passenger waiting facilities; • New ticketing solutions; • Real time bus information at bus stops; • Improved feeder bus routes and local services; • Safer pedestrian crossing facilities; • Improved cycle facilities; • Improved public realm through improving the landscaping where appropriate and in sensitive areas; • Management of on-street car parking to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.
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Cycling 1.2.1.31 Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s revised Cycling Strategy12 was developed in 2007 in partnership with Cycling England and a range of stakeholders including the CTC and PCT and is designed to help encourage people to make responsible and sustainable choices through the development of a safe cycle network complemented by improvements in cycle training and information. Supporting core national, regional and local transport objectives of managing demand and widening choice the strategy has 10 principle policies and the following vision: "Encouraged by a network of on-road and off-road cycling routes and facilities; the provision of quality cycle training and the promotion of active lifestyles, more and more people choose to cycle as a means of travel to work, shopping, education and leisure".
1.2.1.32 In order to link residential areas to the whole range of needed facilities such as education, employment, retail and health the strategy highlights the need to recognise main roads as cycle routes as these are often the most convenient/familiar, have the gentlest gradient and offer greatest access to most destinations.
1.2.1.33 The importance of high quality off road routes is not underestimated and there will need to be an examination of the requirements for traffic free routes but it is important that when developing the town centre the road user hierarchy is adhered to and the needs of the motorist are not considered before the safety of the cyclist and pedestrian.
1.2.1.34 Following the publication of the Councils revised Cycling Strategy BwDBC commissioned consultants Mayer Brown to undertake a cycle strategy evaluation of Blackburn Town Centre in November 2007. The aim of this study was to provide an evidence based cycle strategy to enable appropriate investment in cycle facilities and encourage cycle use to and through the town centre by highlighting a fast, safe and comfortable cycle network, reflecting cycle desire lines and which is deliverable and promotes the continued regeneration of Blackburn.
1.2.1.35 The strategy promotes 5 core cycle routes which will be supported by cycle spur routes to local employment sites: • East/West route - developing the current NCN 6 route through the town and linking into the canal cycle route • North West link - between Preston New Road/Limbrick and the east/west route • South West link - between the Freckleton Development area and the east/west route • North/South route -linking Larkhill and Lower Audley Street across the town centre via the boulevard • Central route -linking the town hall area to the northern routes and east/west route.
1.2.1.36 Having taken on board the suggestions within this report and having consulted with the local cycle strategy steering group in 2008/09 the following was delivered via LTP2:
12 Blackburn with Darwen Cycling Strategy, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (2007)
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• A link across the northern edge of the town centre running parallel to Barbara Castleway building upon existing dropped kerbs from Penny Street to Sudell cross. Sections of this route are contraflow on one way streets. When a one-way street is introduced this often gives little inconvenience for motorists, but can mean that cyclists have to travel much further to reach a desired destination. A contra flow lane lets a cyclist travel against the direction of flow of the one way street in safety and offers more convenient and direct route. Contraflow routes are common in continental Europe and are increasingly being used in the UK to give cyclists greater penetration within urban areas. • Improvements to the townsmoor gyratory system to give cyclists easier access from the town to A666 and towns moor retail park - use of advanced stop lanes and dedicated cycle lanes enable the cyclist to position themselves safely within a heavily trafficked section of the highway network. • Contraflow cycle route along Northgate creating the central north south movement through the town from Barbara Castle Way to Astley Gate/Darwen st. This also links with the route from Penny Street parallel to Barbara Castle Way via Sudell Cross. • Further to the town centre investment in 2008/09 a new shared footpath/cycleway has been created on Buncer lane (going up hill only) to assist cyclists navigate a steep road to access residential neighbourhoods, Witton Country Park and Witton High School. • Moreover, the recent highway improvement scheme along Preston Old Road which includes a traffic signal junction at the main entrance to Witton Country Park will also provide cyclists with cycle lanes and a shared bus/cycle lane from Tower Road to the junction with Buncer Lane.
1.2.1.37 The Mayer Brown report also advocates the use of 20mph zones in the town centre and reducing the speed of traffic in urban areas will significantly reduce the perceived and real dangers for pedestrians and cyclists. The speed of motorized traffic has a major influence on the attractiveness of on-carriageway routes for cyclists and desire lines for pedestrians. Introducing measures that would result in a sustainable reduction in speeds such as: narrowing motor traffic lanes, changes to streetscape, traffic calming and/or a lower speed limit, will enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre encouraging more pedestrian cycling flows.
Accessibility 1.2.1.38 Problems of accessibility are generally associated with those who do not have a car and for whom public transport may not be a reasonable option because of its non-availability, poor linkage to the required destination, or because of physical problems of access or cost.
1.2.1.39 Accessibility audits are carried out for the Borough by the Council to provide a basis for considering accessibility to health facilities and employment in the Borough. Priorities have been identified for particular accessibility issues that need to be addressed. The strategic packaging of schemes into those dealing with corridors, hubs and neighbourhoods has been developed specifically to focus the Council’s plans on relieving these problems. Access to the main hubs of the borough – the two town centres, the main hospital and key employment sites at Whitebirk and Shadsworth is identified as a major concern for some parts of the borough, and specific plans have been developed to ensure their accessibility is improved.
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1.2.1.40 Particular specific issues that have been identified include: • Making certain there is adequate access by public transport to Royal Blackburn Hospital; • Improving public access to jobs in the M65 corridor. Public transport serving the recently established employment areas located near the M65 junctions in the south and east of Blackburn, is fragmented and closer examination was proposed to see how access can be improved to enable access to jobs from the entire sub region without the need to own or have access to a car; • People living in the areas around Blackburn and Darwen town centres, the focus of programmes for modernising and improving housing and delivering effective regeneration, rely heavily on pedestrian access to the town centres. Facilities within the housing areas, and to the town centre, need improving to meet these local requirements.
1.2.1.41 In developing the LTP2, consultations with the Borough’s disabled access group BADDAG highlighted concerns over the lack of dedicated formal and informal mobility standard features at junctions throughout the Borough. A target was set to ensure that formal crossing facilities with dedicated features for disabled people are incorporated at signalised junctions and crossings.
Existing Provision & Capacity: Energy 1.2.1.42 National Grid’s high voltage electricity overhead transmission lines/ underground cables within the Blackburn with Darwen Borough area form an essential part of the electricity transmission network in England and Wales; this includes the following: • 4ZP line – 400,000-volt route from Padiham substation in Burnley passing through Hyndburn to Darwen-Tee in Blackburn and Darwen • ZQ line – 400,000-volt route from Penwortham substation to Daines substation.
1.2.1.43 Responsibility for the local electricity distribution network recently transferred from United Utilities to a separate company, to ‘Electricity North West’, in December 2007. Previously part of the United Utilities Group ENW is now a separately owned business. ENW distributes electricity to customers' homes on behalf of the electricity supply companies. Customers receive their electricity bill from their supplier who pays ENW for use of the electricity network.
1.2.1.44 ENW currently has 13,127 km of overhead lines, 43,136 km of underground cables, and 33,822 transformers serving 2.3 million customers in the North West of England.
1.2.1.45 National Grid owns and operates the National Transmission System throughout Great Britain and owns and operates the Gas Distribution network within Blackburn with Darwen. National Grid confirmed that there are no gas transmission assets located within the Borough area.
1.2.1.46 National Grid confirm that the proposed distribution of new housing growth proposed by the Core Strategy should not have a significant effect upon National Grid’s transmission infrastructure. In terms of infrastructure requirements, it is considered unlikely that any extra growth will create capacity issues for National Grid given the scale of both gas and electricity transmission networks.
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Existing Provision & Capacity: Water & Wastewater 1.2.1.47 In Blackburn with Darwen Borough there are 671,000m of public sewers and 755,00m of water mains pipes. These are the responsibility of United Utilities.
1.2.1.48 In terms of the supply of water the Borough is not an area suffering from potential water stress; and in Blackburn and Darwen there are no current supply issues identified. However, the Northwest of England is water neutral (i.e. as much water is used as received). Water conservation measures in new developments will be promoted through the Core Strategy to reduce consumption rather than to continue to make increasing demands on resources.
1.2.1.49 Water abstraction currently causes localised problems at Brennand and Whitendale. The abstraction results in low flows which means the river, which runs through various areas designated for their environmental value, is unable to reach good ecological standard as required by the Water Framework Directive.
1.2.1.50 The sewage works in the area are sufficient – with large enough capacity and suitable for demands being placed on them; it is considered that they are not likely to be challenged in the near future based on the proposed level of growth in the Core Strategy.
1.2.1.51 United Utilities are also the owners and are hence responsible for the maintenance of reservoirs in the borough that each impound greater than 25,000 cubic metres of water and therefore fall within the Reservoirs Act 1975; these benefit from targeted maintenance funding. Therefore, it is considered that while there is a theoretical risk of reservoir inundation, this is not considered to be a great threat in reality. Smaller bodies of impounded water have other owners. An alternative method of assessing the risk and consequences of any uncontrolled release of impounded water is being developed and the Council, as a unitary authority, will be responsible for the coordination and production of necessary emergency plans for dealing with the loss of any impounded water. The reservoir owners will still however, be responsible for the management and maintenance of the reservoir site.
1.2.1.52 United Utilities have confirmed that the capacity of the sewage network is likely to be the most significant spatial issue to take into consideration – in particular the issue of sewer flooding due to increases in surface water runoff.
1.2.1.53 Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) are promoted for inclusion within designs for new developments, particularly in areas at low risk from main river flooding to reduce the risk of flooding elsewhere or areas where the sewer system has reached, or is reaching, maximum capacity. Both United Utilities and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Drainage Team provide advice to developers as part of the development control process for the most appropriate approach to take with regards to surface water drainage for a specific site. This will be particularly relevant as under the forthcoming Flood and Water Management Bill it is intended that the automatic right to connect to the sewers for surface water drainage will end, hence taking forward SUDs in the existing built environment through regeneration schemes, retro-fitting, or as part of Green Infrastructure initiatives will be encouraged.
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Existing Provision & Capacity: Flood Defences 1.2.1.54 The River Darwen which runs through Blackburn and Darwen (and including the River Blakewater), is a major tributary of the River Ribble. The Environment Agency have published the River Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan13 (CFMP). This is a high level strategic plan for the catchment, with the main aim to develop policies to manage flood risk in the Ribble catchment over the next 50 to 100 years, and provide an action plan of how these can be achieved, taking into account the likely impacts of climate change and the effects of land use and land management. The CFMP’s policies establish whether action should be taken to increase, decrease or maintain the current level of flood risk.
1.2.1.55 Flooding in the Ribble CFMP area can happen when rivers overtop their banks following intense or prolonged rainfall, melting snow or groundwater upflow. Flooding in built-up areas may arise from excessive overland flow, exceedance of culvert/sewer capacity, or blockages in the drainage network.
1.2.1.56 The CFMP recognises that flooding cannot be completely eliminated but it can be managed to minimise the risks it brings to people, property and the environment. There is an extensive network of flood defences, which prevent floodwater from reaching land and property, a flood warning service to reduce the consequences of flooding, and development management to minimise further inappropriate development in places at risk of flooding.
1.2.1.57 Darwen is highlighted as having the potential for the biggest disruption to communities, where there is a risk of flooding of areas with a socially vulnerable population, flooding of community buildings, businesses and homes. A present day 1% fluvial annual exceedance probability (AEP) flood was compared with an event that could be a possible 1% fluvial AEP flood in the future due to climate change effects, based on the Environment Agency Flood Map and some broadscale modelling. The results for Blackburn with Darwen Borough are extracted and shown in the table below.
Policy Unit Policy Unit Name No. of Properties at Risk (approx.) Current 1% fluvial Future 1% fluvial event event 3. Rural Darwen 360 465 3.1 Blackburn & Darwen 520 2385 River Ribble CFMP: Properties at Risk of Flood (Blackburn with Darwen extract)
1.2.1.58 The River Darwen has been identified in the CFMP as having a catchment area of 135km2. It drains steeply off the moors of the Southern Pennines before running through the main settlements of Blackburn, Darwen and Higher Walton (in Chorley Borough), with main tributaries as being the River Blakewater and Knuzden Brook. It is significant to note that Preston is located downstream of all the major tributaries of the River Ribble, other than the River Douglas, and so will receive flood waters derived from all the upstream watercourses.
1.2.1.59 The CFMP catchment area has been divided into 14 Policy Units which are areas identified as having similar risk of flooding. There are different policy approaches being taken for the flood management within the 2 policy units which cover Blackburn with Darwen Borough: Rural Darwen and Blackburn & Darwen. Blackburn & Darwen Policy Unit is essentially the urban areas of the
13 Managing Flood Risk: River Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Final Report, Environment Agency (2009)
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towns of Blackburn and Darwen. Rural Darwen Policy Unit covers the remaining countryside area, including the villages, within the Borough, and extends beyond to the east into Chorley and South Ribble.
1.2.1.60 Rural Darwen (Policy Unit 3) takes the preferred policy option for continuing with existing or alternative actions to manage the flood risk at the current level (P3), whilst acknowledging that flood risk will increase over time due to climate change and land use changes. This large policy unit (104km2) is defined as being predominately rural, with only a few isolated flood risk areas/problems in villages. Flood risk management activities within this area are currently minimal, and focus on general bank maintenance where they do take place. A 1in100 year flood (1% AEP event) would affect about 310 properties and one community centre causing about £27m of damage, while a ‘do nothing’ scenario would lead to an extra 55 properties at risk in 100 years. The policy unit is large in area and so the damage costs per unit area are low in comparison with the urban policy units.
1.2.1.61 There is some potential for the use of some policies which involve taking action with others to store water or manage run-off in locations that provide overall flood risk reduction or environmental benefits, locally or elsewhere in the catchment. In particular, within the Blackburn with Darwen boundaries, through grip blocking in the Pennine Moors, providing additional opportunities for environmental enhancements; though the scale of such areas are small compared to the size of the policy unit.
1.2.1.62 The urban areas of Blackburn and Darwen are identified as a separate Policy Unit (Policy Unit 3.1), covering 31km2. The CFMP considers there is a need to take further action to reduce flood risk, together with the predicted effects of climate change and further urban development, in this Policy Unit. Flood risk management activities in this policy unit are extensive, including the maintenance of flood defences, the clearing of screens associated with culverts, the maintenance of the banks of open watercourses, and the provision of formal flood warnings to the Darwen and Blackburn flood warning areas in the unit. About 360 properties are at risk of flooding (1% AEP event). A ‘do nothing’ scenario would lead to an extra 90 properties at risk in 100 years.
1.2.1.63 Being a wholly urban policy unit means that, by implication opportunities for a Policy P6 policy are extremely limited, although areas upstream of the unit may yield some areas of P6 during the life of the CFMP through the blocking of moorland grips and provision of flood storage. Work in this area is considered very likely to gain priority for funding at a national level.
1.2.1.64 Blackburn with Darwen’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)14 identifies the flood risk zones and the locations of historic flood events. It also identifies the location, type and condition of the flood defence assets along the main rivers in the Borough.
1.2.1.65 United Utilities is responsible for sewer flooding and the SFRA only contains limited information on this aspect, due to previously perceived concern of the risk of property blight. However, the Draft Flood and Water Management Bill sets a duty for partners to cooperate and share information, and so future close partnership working will ensure transparency and comprehensive knowledge.
14 Blackburn with Darwen Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Stage 1, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (2008)
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1.2.1.66 As a unitary authority Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will be responsible for local flood risk assessment, mapping and planning in relation to surface water runoff, ground water and ordinary watercourses – i.e. those watercourses not specifically identified as “main” water courses and hence being under the control of the Environment Agency. The authority will also lead on the production of local surface water management plans and the agreement of the associated programmes of work. The council will also be required to map local flood risk management assets and who owns them, in order to aid with the resolution of any local drainage problems. They will also have new important responsibilities on land drainage and will have a lead role in planning for and managing any flooding should it occur, including that from reservoirs.
1.2.1.67 The management of the main rivers in the borough, including the rivers Blakewater and Darwen, as well as major tributaries and watercourses that contribute to these two rivers, lies with the Environment Agency (EA), which has responsibility for ensuring that formal flood defences are maintained. The Agency undertakes ongoing inspection of flood protection measures including defences, culverts and embankments, as well as monitoring water quality.
1.2.1.68 Under their permissive powers they are, if necessary, able to undertake essential works on main river watercourses on behalf of the riparian owners, although the ultimate responsibility for any watercourse rests with the landowner. They would only propose new formal flood defence schemes to protect existing properties in locations where there is a known history of flooding problems. The EA will not fund or provide new defences for new development.
1.2.1.69 The EA is a regulatory body, dealing also with pollution incidents arising from the activities of individuals, of industry, and the water industry. In conjunction with the meteorological office they provide timely, site specific fluvial flood warning notifications.
1.2.1.70 The management of overseeing for the remainder of the surface water system for the borough is undertaken by the Council’s Drainage Team with the actual maintenance work being undertaken by the riparian owners as required by the Land Drainage Act 1991.
1.2.1.71 A Flood Risk Assessment will be required for proposed developments over 1 hectare in size in Flood Zone 1, any developments proposed in Flood Zones 2 and 3, or where there may be drainage problems at the time of the planning application. This should show that a development will be safe, will not increase flood risk elsewhere and, where possible, will reduce overall flood risk. Where the Environment Agency are consulted on sites greater than 1ha in Flood Zone 1 and all sites in Flood Zone 2 and 3 areas, United Utilities should also be consulted.
1.2.1.72 Where sites in flood risk areas are identified for potential development when preparing subsequent Local Development Documents, they will only be allocated if they can be justified by a Level 2 SFRA in which the Council will demonstrate that such sites satisfy the requirements of both Sequential and Exceptions Tests as set out in PPS25.
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Existing Provision & Capacity: Telecommunications & Digital Connectivity 1.2.1.73 There are areas remaining within the Blackburn with Darwen Borough which are unable to access broadband, or the service being received is insufficient to support day-to-day business activities.
1.2.1.74 BT defines broadband as a connection of 500kbs (kilo bits per second) or more, other telecom providers are now claiming up to 8000kbs. In reality a user would have to be very close physically to a BT exchange to receive that level of service. Furthermore, lines are shared and subject to ‘contention rations’ normally around 50:1, therefore 8000mbps is shared over 50 users, at busy times resulting in individual users getting less than 160mbps. The reduction of connection speed is exacerbated by the distance that a user is located from the exchange.
1.2.1.75 There are a number of local examples where businesses are poorly served, which has impeded their growth, or resulted in relocation from the area15. In Edgworth unsuitable cabling restricts access preventing businesses and several farms from broadband coverage. Even larger industrial estates, such as Shadsworth and Whitebirk (Blackburn) have poor and unreliable connections.
1.2.1.76 This patchy coverage is common across all of Pennine Lancashire and is a growing problem in an economy increasingly reliant on exchanging electronic information. It not only prevents local enterprise, but also means that it will lead to restrictions on the capacity of the Borough to benefit from the growth of regional projects such as MediaCityUK in Salford. Further, it prevents rural communities from engaging in the information society and makes the diversification of rural businesses impossible.
1.2.1.77 The Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategy and Multi Area Agreement (MAA) acknowledge this as a key issue, which must be resolved in order to achieve sustainable growth. The MAA agrees the existing coverage of broadband access will be mapped and on-site speed test evidence will be produced to support existing research. On production of robust evidence Government support and expertise will be sought to engage with the relevant telecommunications providers to achieve 100% coverage. The MAA sets an indicative timescale for this to be achieved during 2010.
1.2.1.78 The Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategy calculates that 40% of businesses within the sub-region are currently without broadband, and estimates that 30% of which will take up provision as a result of the improvement to coverage. It is also expected that 10,000 households will be connected; 5% of which will take up the facility, which allows 550 people to work from home.
15 Pennine Lancashire Multi area Agreement (2009) & Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategy (2008)
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Table 1: Physical Infrastructure Providers & Programmes Infrastructure Provider Programme Cost Timescale Funding Provision Railway Network Rail Blackburn £2m 2009/10 Network Rail Northern Rail Station BwD BwDBC Improvements LCC GMPTE Darwen Station £500k 2010/11 Improvements
Improvements £13.5m 2009-2014 LTP2 for to Manchester - £14m development – Clitheroe Rail NWDA Link Motorway Highways Expansion of 2018 & MAA – future Agency M65 to include beyond priorities NWDA third lane Highways PLLACE Agency BwDBC Private Junction 2018 & LCC s106 improvements beyond RFA at Junctions 5 & 9 Roads BwDBC Capital Works On-going BwD Core Capita Funding LTP2 LTP2 2006-2011 LTP3 2011-2016
Freckleton 2008-2013 Street Link Road Darwen Town Complete Centre Highway Improvements
Bus LTP2 Pennine Reach £50m 2011-2014 DFT Major BwDBC Scheme Bid Lancashire Council CC Capital Capita Programme
Local Bus Darwen-Royal Until 2011 s106 Companies Blackburn BwD Hospital Route Transdev
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Infrastructure Provider Programme Cost Timescale Funding Provision Cycling BwDBC Cycling 2007-2011 LTP2 Capita Strategy LTP3 CTC PTC Local Cycling Groups LCC
Accessibility BwDBC LTP2 Core LTP2 Capita Indicators LTP3
Electricity National Grid Capital Works On-going Electricity North West
Gas National Grid Capital Works On-going National Grid Gas Distribution
Sewer UU Capital Works On-going Water Rates Drainage
Surface Water UU Capital Works On-going Water Rates Drainage Private s106/on-site Private Developer
Flood Defence EA Capital Bids On-going Central Govt. Private inspections Private Developer s106/on-site New BwDBC Capital schemes as necessary
SFRA Level 2 2010-2013
Broadband BT Pennine 2010 Private Openworld Lancashire MAA
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Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Rail • Over 1m people using Blackburn station. • Blackburn Station set to receive £2m investment capital • 80% increase in people travelling from Darwen. funding for improvements to platform 4 – including accessibility • Only 3.6% of resident employees in Blackburn commute to and shelter. Manchester. • Darwen Station £500k confirmed for the development of a new • Infrequency of trains – hourly rail service between Manchester, booking station. Bolton, Darwen, Blackburn and Clitheroe, with additional • Improvements to the Manchester-Clitheroe line is identified as services in peaks to create half-hourly service between a key priority for the Borough and in the Pennine Lancashire Blackburn and Manchester. MAA. Estimated at being between £13.5m and £14m. The • Significant service enhancements are restricted by improvements to the line are scheduled to be carried out infrastructure constraints relating to signalling capacity, between 2009-2014. platform lengths, line speed restrictions and/or single track operation. Motorway • Volumes on the M65 have consistently grown by about 4% per • Discussions are on-going with the Highways Agency. annum since its opening in 1997. • The widening of the motorway is considered to be a long-term • It is currently at capacity in places at particular times. key priority for the Council and the Pennine Lancashire MAA. • Problems at particular junctions are now apparent on the • The Major Schemes Bid programme is full until 2018 at the motorway at peak times with some queuing at peak hours on earliest, and the widening of the M65 would be considered a to the carriageway. low priority nationally. • These problems may have a limiting impact on the future • Pennine Lancashire work to address problems at specific economic growth of the Borough/sub-region. motorway entrance and exit points to aid the flow of traffic Blackburn Town • Commuter traffic into and through Blackburn town centre has • Work on the orbital route around Blackburn town centre is Centre Road System historically presented a congestion problem for the Borough, progressing, with the Freckleton Street road bridge complete. particularly at major junctions and along key corridors. Work on the chosen route for the link road is anticipated, with a planning application due for submission. • This scheme will direct through traffic around the town centre via a completed ring road. • Key acquisitions have been made in advance of construction. • There is a need to ensure the protection of the route for the missing link of the orbital route. Darwen Town • No major known capacity issues. • Darwen Town Centre highway improvements have been Centre Road System • Commuter traffic into and through Darwen town centre has carried out and have eased traffic through the town. historically presented a congestion problem for the Borough, particularly at major junctions and along key corridors.
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Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution Bus Services • The Pennine Reach Rapid Transport Scheme linking Blackburn with Darwen with adjoining towns in Hyndburn, is under development following public consultation. This involves a 21mile route, which includes 2.1miles of bus lane in BwD and 0.5miles in Hyndburn. • New Blackburn town centre bus station. • Improved service provision Cycling • Cycling Strategy: 5 core cycle routes which will be supported by cycle spur routes to local employment sites. • Measures to reduce the speed of traffic in urban areas. Electricity • No major known capacity issues. • The proposed distribution of new development growth proposed by the Core Strategy should not have a significant affect upon National Grid’s transmission infrastructure. • It is unlikely that any extra growth will create infrastructure capacity for National Grid given the scale of both gas and electricity transmission networks. Gas • No major known capacity issues. • The proposed distribution of new development growth proposed by the Core Strategy should not have a significant affect upon National Grid’s transmission infrastructure. • It is unlikely that any extra growth will create infrastructure capacity for National Grid given the scale of both gas and electricity transmission networks. Water • No major known capacity issues. • Water conservation measures in new developments will be • In terms of supply of water the Borough is not an area promoted through the Core Strategy to reduce consumption suffering from potential water stress. rather than to continue to make increasing demands on • In Blackburn with Darwen there are no current supply issues resources. identified. • The Northwest is water neutral. Waste Water • No major known capacity issues. • The sewage works in the area are sufficient – with large enough capacity and suitable for demand being placed on
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Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution them. • It is considered that they are not likely to be challenged in the near future based on the proposed level of growth in the Core Strategy Sewage Network • The capacity of the sewage network in localised circumstances • Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs) are promoted for is likely to be one of the most significant spatial issues to take inclusion within designs for new development. into consideration. • Both United Utilities and BwD drainage team provide advice as • In particular the issue of sewer flooding due to increases in part of the Development Management process on appropriate surface water runoff. drainage approaches for surface water drainage on specific sites. • Taking forwards SUDs in the built environment through regeneration schemes, retro-fitting or as part of Green Infrastructure initiatives. Flood Defences • There is an extensive network of flood defences which prevent • The River Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan: there is floodwater from reaching land and property. a need to take further action to reduce flood risk in the urban • A flood warning service in operation, with 3 flood warning areas of Blackburn and Darwen. areas within the Borough, to reduce the consequences of • Flood risk management activities within the urban area flooding. include: the maintenance of flood defences, clearing of • Flooding can not be completely eliminated but it can be screens associated with culverts, the maintenance of banks of managed to minimise the risks it brings to people, property and open watercourses, and the provision of the formal flood the environment. warnings to the flood warning areas. • Darwen is highlighted as having the potential for the biggest • Upstream and rural areas within the catchment: potential to distribution to communities, where there is a risk of flooding of store water or manage run-off through blocking of moorland areas with a socially vulnerable population, flooding of grips and provision of flood storage. community buildings, businesses and homes. • Partnership working with United Utilities and Environment Agency to develop the Surface Water Management Plan for the borough. • A Reservoir Inundation Risk Management Plan will be prepared by BwD in partnership with United Utilities and other private landowners. • The Blackburn with Darwen Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Level 1) identifies the areas of historic flooding and potential flood risk within the Borough, it also confirms that a flood risk assessment is required as part of a planning application submission for major development schemes or developments
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Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution within Flood Zones 2 & 3. • An SFRA level 2 will be prepared to support the Allocations DPD, and only sites which satisfy the Sequential and Exceptions Tests in PPS25, will be allocated in areas identified as being at risk of flooding. Telecommunications • There are areas within the Blackburn with Darwen borough • Pennine Lancashire MAA sets a target that full coverage will & Digital which are unable to access broadband, or the service being be achieved by 2010. Connectivity received is insufficient to support day-to-day business activities.
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1.2.2 Social Infrastructure 1.2.2.1 Social Infrastructure in Blackburn with Darwen includes education, health, housing (including affordable), emergency services, social services, retail, employment provision, leisure, tourism and the historic assets.
Plan 5: Social Infrastructure
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Partners 1.2.2.2 The main partners in Blackburn and Darwen Borough for the development and provision of social infrastructure include: • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council: Children’s Services • Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust (PCT) • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council: Housing Strategy • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council: Environment & Regeneration • NWDA • PLLACE • Pennine Lancashire Development Company • Blackburn College • St Mary’s College • Private Developers • Lancashire Constabulary • Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service • Social Services • English Heritage • Lancashire & Blackpool Tourist Board • Lancashire County Council
Existing Provision & Capacity: Health Facilities 1.2.2.3 The health of people in Blackburn with Darwen is generally worse than the England average. In particular, while there has been a large decrease in the early death rate from heart disease and stroke, the rate remains above the England average, and life expectancy for both men and women is significantly worse than the England average. Male life expectancy is the fifth worst in England16. A fifth (20.3%) of residents in the Borough consider themselves to have a limiting long term illness, a greater percentage than in England and Wales (18.2%).
1.2.2.4 Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust (PCT) provide the NHS health services in the Borough. PCTs decide what health services a local community needs, and they are responsible for providing them. They must ensure that there are enough services for people within their local area, and that the services are accessible. These services include: • GPs, • Dentists, • Pharmacists, • Opticians, • NHS Direct, and • NHS walk-in centres.
1.2.2.5 PCTs make decisions about the type of services that hospitals provide and are responsible for making sure that the quality of service is high enough. As PCTs are local organisations, they are in a good position to understand the needs of their local community. They make sure that NHS organisations work effectively with local authorities, and other agencies that provide local health and social care services, so that the local community’s treatment needs are met. PCTs are a very important part of the NHS, and they get about 80% of the total NHS budget. They also control funding for hospitals.
16 Blackburn with Darwen Health Profile 2008
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1.2.2.6 Royal Blackburn Hospital serves the Pennine Lancashire area for strategic health care. The Royal Blackburn Hospital provides a full range of hospital services to adults and children. This includes general and specialist medical and surgical services along with a full range of diagnostic (e.g. MRI, CT scanning) and support services. The new hospital building located in Shadsworth, Blackburn opened in July 2006. In addition to the modern facilities within the first stage of the hospital the new building includes state of the art new inpatient facilities, centralised outpatients department, new operating theatres and Accident and Emergency Department.
1.2.2.7 A new health centre was developed in Darwen town centre, and opened in 2005.
1.2.2.8 Planning permission has been granted for a replacement health centre, relocated within Blackburn town centre, funded by LIFT. Work is due to start onsite during 2009.
1.2.2.9 The distribution of GP’s to population within Blackburn with Darwen Borough is not even across the borough – some areas are better catered for in terms of access to health provision than others. The PCT work to the following standard benchmark: • 1 whole time GP to 1,500 population.
1.2.2.10 Need is identified through analysis of data including: public health data/ deprivation/ GP list lengths/ distance of journeys each patient travelled to access health facilities/ etc. This data is looked at to see which areas there is the greatest need for intervention. The PCT have pledged 12 new GPs with the contract being awarded in December 2009. These will be concentrated into areas which have been identified as the most in need.
1.2.2.11 Funding for new or improved health facilities comes from 2 main sources – the Strategic Capital Funding streams and LIFT. While projects funded by Strategic Capital Funding are fixed over a 1 year period meaning the strategic capital available is very limited, LIFT offers a more flexible approach to funding to meet needs. In areas of significantly limited health provision, a developer may be expected to support new or increased provision in the area for a development to be considered acceptable in planning terms.
Existing Provision & Capacity: Housing 1.2.2.12 The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)17 has identified the capacity of Blackburn with Darwen to meet the housing provision targets set by Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the Borough.
1.2.2.13 A significant proportion of people wishing to move house in the Borough have an insufficient income to access the housing market. The Housing Needs Survey18 has highlighted the Borough’s particular needs for affordable housing, with 426 households in Blackburn with Darwen being in need every year of some type of affordable housing. This has directly led to the inclusion of the affordable housing requirements from new developments set out in the Core Strategy: • An overall target of 20% of new housing to be affordable.
17 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (2008) 18 Housing Needs Survey, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council & Strategic Housing Market Assessment, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Hyndburn Borough Council (2008)
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1.2.2.14 These will be expected to be provided at the cost to the developer as part of the scheme or through s106 agreement for provision elsewhere. In meeting this target the Council are mindful of an assessment of the economic viability of housing development in the Borough19, which demonstrated that this target was deliverable across a range of types of sites provided that grant was available.
1.2.2.15 Blackburn with Darwen currently has 2 remaining clearance areas the Housing Market Renewal (HMR) programme, each with 150 dwellings. Both sites are to be redeveloped for housing 2010-11. The existing priority for the Programme is to invest in current active Area Development Framework (ADF) areas and therefore there are only funding 3 areas in Blackburn with Darwen. Projects to meet the proposed funding for the next period (2008-11) have been given outline approval and add up to the maximum allocation for the 3 years, these include: • Completion of existing clearance areas • Option appraisal for further intervention in the existing priority areas • Continuation of facelift schemes on gateway/prime sites • Small allocation on group repair schemes on gateway/ prime sites
1.2.2.16 Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) are being produced to guide the design and layout of the regeneration clearance areas; identifying the key characteristics of the area and the main planning issues to be taken into consideration in any masterplanning or planning application preparation. These include: Infirmary Masterplan; Queen Street/Hindle Street SPD; and Griffin SPD.
1.2.2.17 HMR funding is approved on an annual basis with an outline allocation only guaranteed to 2011; there is uncertainty as to whether the programme will be continued under the same format. However, it is strongly anticipated that there will continue to be regeneration funding for the housing areas. It is considered that the principles being promoted by the Core Strategy – focus on the older inner areas and avoiding sprawl all will continue to still fit the regeneration housing funding in the future.
1.2.2.18 The Council has a Preferred Partnership Agreement with four registered social landlords (RSL) that operate in the Borough, including Twin Valley Homes the stock transfer organisation. Each preferred partner RSL is zoned to a particular part of the Borough and as part of the partnership have development priority in that area. This allows both the Council and the RSL to maximise resources to focus on the development of new affordable homes.
Existing Provision & Capacity: Education & Skills
Schools 1.2.2.19 45.8% of secondary school pupils in Blackburn with Darwen achieved 5 or more GCSE’s grades A*-C including Maths and English in 2008, an increase of over 10% since 2005.
1.2.2.20 Nearly a third of the borough’s population is aged 0-19, the highest such population of all authorities in the North West and the second highest in England. The 2007 resident population estimates provided by the Office for National Statistics suggests there are currently 34,200 children (under 16) in
19 Economic Viability of Affordable Housing, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (2009)
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Blackburn with Darwen. There are 16 secondary schools in Blackburn with Darwen (including faith and independent schools): • 9 Blackburn with Darwen maintained secondary schools and one Academy with 9,436 full time pupils20; • 6 Independent schools; • 56 primary schools with 14,164 full time pupils; • 4 special schools with 295 full time pupils • 2 pupil referral units with 102 full time pupils; and • 2 further education colleges. School related activity accounts for nearly 80% of money the Council spends on children.
1.2.2.21 Both colleges are located in Blackburn, similarly the majority of the secondary schools are also located in Blackburn; with one LEA-maintained school (11- 16years) in Darwen along with the Darwen Academy, run by the Rodney Aldridge Trust. The Darwen Academy offers 6th form college provision, in addition to the 11-16years service. In 2007, 10% of the secondary schools had 25% or more surplus places, below the national average.
1.2.2.22 The primary schools are located within neighbourhoods across the borough, including 4 rural schools – Tockholes (40 pupils), Turton Belmont (78 pupils), Turton and Edgworth (228 pupils) and Hoddlesden (141 pupils). In 2007, 5% of primary schools had 25% or more surplus places, significantly lower than the national average (of 14%).
1.2.2.23 Decreases in pre-school age population, coupled with the smaller cohorts that have entered primary schools in recent years, has resulted in an increase in the levels of surplus places in some of the borough’s primary schools. School closures have been kept to a minimum over recent years; however, the Local Education Authority (LEA) will be monitoring and reviewing the levels of surplus primary places.
1.2.2.24 Due to the compact urban boundary, there is not a great distance between any school, and it is possible to allocate places for pupils at schools within the expected maximum distances of 2 miles for primary children and 3 miles for secondary children.
1.2.2.25 Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council have secured Building Schools for the Future (BSF) for capital investment into secondary school provision within the borough through the programme. There will also be a second phase of Government funding for primary school provision – the Primary Capital Strategy programme.
1.2.2.26 Secondary school provision is based on the borough-wide catchment. Proposals for where new developments are concentrated would not have a significant impact on the proposals for new school provision. The BSF programme has projected the required number of school places up to 2015.
1.2.2.27 Primary school provision is more sensitive to locations of housing, since it is accessed as a more doorstep-based facility. Therefore, specific site allocations will be of greater interest during the Primary Capital Strategy programme. This will tie into the Allocations DPD.
20 Pupil numbers – January 2009 Annual school Census
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1.2.2.28 Darwen is benefitting from a brand new high school development in a town centre location, providing the new Academy facilities. The completion of this building is set to be 2010. The Academy will provide education for 1,600 11-19 year olds and evening learning facilities for the wider community.
1.2.2.29 Extending schools is promoted by the Council to encourage the schools within the borough to undertake public consultation and developing the options for extending the use of school buildings beyond the traditional school day and for the benefit of the wider community. The schools undergoing redevelopment as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme will include facilities for extending the use of the schools for the community outside school hours as part of the design for the new developments.
Further/Higher Education 1.2.2.30 Just 22% of Pennine Lancashire’s working age population (or 20.6% excluding Ribble Valley) hold NVQ4 and above; well behind the regional and national levels, in addition to a specific disparity with the Leitch Review (2006) target of 40%. Currently, 15.8% (16.7% excluding Ribble Valley) of the working age population have no qualifications in Pennine Lancashire, compared to 13.6% nationally.
1.2.2.31 The Pennine Lancashire economy currently has 14,000 less graduates compared to other areas, and with a population of over 522,000 Pennine Lancashire is the largest area in the country not to have its own university.
1.2.2.32 Whilst there are a limited number of higher education places at the Further Education (FE) Colleges at Blackburn, Burnley, and Accrington & Rossendale, and a small number at St Mary’s Sixth Form College, the combined output is less than 1,000 graduates per annum.
1.2.2.33 At present most students from Pennine Lancashire seeking higher education leave the area to study at universities elsewhere in the UK. Most (two-thirds) do not return. The lack of a recognised Higher Education (HE) Institution also means that Pennine Lancashire doesn’t currently attract students from outside the area who may settle here once they graduate. The net effect of this is that the area has almost 14,000 less graduates living here than the UK average.
1.2.2.34 Blackburn and Burnley have been identified in the MAA as priorities for capital investment and to double the number of higher education places available to 4500 by 2011. There has already been capital investment in each town as a result of bids by the University of Central Lancashire and Lancaster University. Both colleges are currently undergoing transformation with significant FE and HE capital build projects taking place, linking to wider town centre masterplans, and have benefited from significant NWDA investment.
1.2.2.35 Currently Blackburn College offers 2,487 full time equivalent HE places, with 2,765 projected places for 2011. Combined with the projected places at Burnley and Accrington & Rossendale Colleges, it is anticipated that the number of HE places provided in Pennine Lancashire will exceed 4,000 by 2011. On reaching 4,000 places the colleges may pursue the option of attaining University College Status. The MAA sets a long term culmative target of 4,000 places at both Blackburn and Burnley Colleges, with a further 500 places at Accrington & Rossendale college, the total long term culmative target for Pennine Lancashire is set to be 8,500.
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1.2.2.36 In addition, it is acknowledged that St Mary’s College, Blackburn, also provides HE places to a relatively small number of students with it’s partner Liverpool Hope University, and are in line with the Higher Education in East Lancs Group plan seeking to expand places in the future.
1.2.2.37 In order to stimulate demand, both colleges are aligning their HE provision to the local economy. In Blackburn’s case this sees the College taking centre stage in the proposed Knowledge Zone with links being made to the aerospace industry and potentially a new Regional Advanced Engineering Academy. The College has a long history of working with employer partners in the development of innovative and responsive provision, specifically tailored to the needs of the local economy and employers.
1.2.2.38 The MAA estimates that the improvements to HE provision within Pennine Lancashire will have an economic impact of an additional £42.6m GVA per annum by 2018; 757 gross new jobs; £0.4m in fiscal benefits; and 364 Level 4 jobs.
Skills 1.2.2.39 The MAA prioritises raising skills levels of the sub-regions population. Pennine Lancashire has a skills deficit. The skills distribution is reflected in the distribution of employment by occupation, with employment in Pennine Lancashire skewered towards less skilled occupations and a shortfall in the number of people employed in Managerial, Technical or Professional roles (only 37% compared to 42% nationally).
1.2.2.40 The importance of manufacturing is reflected in the proportion of employees working in Process, Plant and Machine related occupations, 11% compared to 7% nationally.
1.2.2.41 Occupational projections for Lancashire as a whole suggest that employment growth will be skewered towards higher level occupations, with Managers, Professional, and Technical occupations forecast to increase by 11%, compared to 2% growth of total employment. In particular, employment growth will be strongest for professional occupations (+19%). Strong growth is also forecast within the personal services occupations (+24%), reflecting a structural shift towards service based employment.
1.2.2.42 Conversely, there are declining employment opportunities for elementary occupations (-24%), machine and transport operatives (-8%), and skilled trades (-4%) over the same period.
1.2.2.43 The challenge is to ensure that the workforce has sufficient skills and development opportunities to meet the challenges identified here. If there is insufficient skilled labour able to fuel employment growth in higher value occupations, such employment opportunities may locate elsewhere within the region.
Existing Provision & Capacity: Employment Provision 1.2.2.44 The Pennine Lancashire Integrated Economic Strategy21 sets out the current position of the economic performance of the borough within the context of the
21 An Integrated Economic Strategy for Pennine Lancashire, Elevate (2008)
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sub-region, and identifies the key areas of underperformance and proposes strategic interventions to improve the performance of each.
1.2.2.45 Pennine Lancashire is described as polycentric, with a population of 522,000 spread across six boroughs. However, Blackburn with Darwen is acknowledged as being the most populous district, accounting for the largest proportion of employees.
1.2.2.46 The Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategy includes an action plan which provides the framework for funding over a three year period (2009-12), supporting the Strategy’s long term objectives.
1.2.2.47 Manufacturing still accounts for a significant proportion of local employment in Pennine Lancashire (25% in 2005) despite experiencing steady decline. The area has also experienced strong recent growth in a number of higher value service sub-sectors, although it remains under-represented in higher value employment. The latest employment trends suggest that these sectors have significant growth potential.
1.2.2.48 The growing sectors of education, health and social care are strongly represented in Pennine Lancashire. A number of sectors that are experiencing healthy levels of growth are under represented in the area. Financial intermediation and real estate, renting and other business activities are particularly important. The business service sectors are well placed to benefit from the strong employment growth forecast within Greater Manchester.
1.2.2.49 The Integrated Economic Strategy identifies the following key intervention areas to support the transformational agenda for the Pennine Lancashire area: Policy Area B1: Productive and Competitive Business Developing an Enterprise Culture Promoting Growth Sectors Encouraging Innovation Growing the Knowledge Economy Policy Area B2: Skills and Training Raising Attainment at all Levels Investing in Higher Level Skills Addressing the Graduate Deficit Policy Area B3: Economic Inclusion and Increasing Participation Addressing Worklessness A Healthy Workforce Policy Area B4: Regional Connectivity and Influence Promoting a Skilled and Mobile Workforce Investing in Transport Infrastructure Delivering Quality of Place Improving Image and Perceptions Policy Area B5: Investing in the Future Raising Confidence and Encouraging Investment Reorganising Delivery and Procuring Resources Strengthening Regional Partnerships and Influence Securing Sustainable Economic Growth
1.2.2.50 The growth sectors identified in the Economic Strategy for Pennine Lancashire are: aerospace; advanced manufacturing/advanced flexible materials; medical/health/fitness/social care and well being; and creative industries. The
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business services and visitor and tourism sectors are also identified as growing nationally and considered could be targeted for the Pennine Lancashire area.
1.2.2.51 The Regional Spatial Strategy identifies Blackburn for established advanced engineering and aerospace industries; specialist medical services centred on Royal Blackburn Hospital; a centre of higher and further education, public administration, justice and legal services; and as a retail and service centre.
1.2.2.52 Employment land within the Borough is concentrated predominately in the urban areas, with a wide spread geographically throughout the whole of the main towns of Blackburn and Darwen. The Employment Land study has been carried out to identify the extent, types and quality of employment land existing within the Borough currently.
1.2.2.53 The Borough contains several large areas of industrial and business estates located on the periphery of the urban area, adjacent to the M65 motorway junctions. These are characterised by good road transport links and easy access to the highway network.
1.2.2.54 The Medi-Knowledge Park in Shadsworth, Blackburn, adjacent to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, is an example where these areas are able to offer the highest quality sites which are the most attractive to inward investors, of sub- regional/regional significance.
1.2.2.55 The two town centres are significant areas of employment land, with uses including retail, public administration, legal, education and general office employment. The public transport network serves the town centres with the key transport hubs and interchanges being located centrally in both Blackburn and Darwen; in addition the high quality areas of existing public realm and the provision of concentration of services within the town centres makes them attractive, accessible locations for employment development.
1.2.2.56 The town centres are undergoing transformation to increase their attraction for new employment development, which will support the move towards the transformational agenda and targeted growth strategy. Town centre masterplans have been produced for both Blackburn and Darwen.
1.2.2.57 The Blackburn Town Centre Renaissance programme is to run until 2010, with a successor programme currently under discussion with the NWDA, and tying into the Pennine Lancashire Transformational Agenda and the Pennine Lancashire Integrated Economic Strategy.
1.2.2.58 The Blackburn Town Centre Masterplan supplements the Town Centre Strategy which seeks to establish the town centre as a premier centre for retail, leisure and culture in East Lancashire, with physical and spatial proposals for its regeneration. The Masterplan aims to address the identified fragmented nature of much of the town’s central areas. The town centre is divided into a total of eleven districts, entitled: waterfront; civic/culture; commercial/office; cathedral; leisure; retail; education; market; station and two mixed-use areas.
1.2.2.59 Key projects in Blackburn town centre include the redevelopment of The Mall, which is currently under-construction, and due to be completed in summer 2010.
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1.2.2.60 Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) have been prepared or are currently being prepared to support the comprehensive redevelopment of important town centre areas, and focusing public funding, to ensure a co- ordinated approach is taken to development. These include the adopted Freckleton Street SPD and the Cathedral Quarter SPD.
1.2.2.61 The completion of the Freckleton Street road bridge marks a key milestone of the redevelopment of this mixed-use, edge-of-centre area. The SPD identifies the key transport & streetscape projects; public sector building projects; private sector building projects; and public realm projects. For each of these funding is identified and indicative timescales are projected (on the basis of short term: 2007-2010; medium term: 2010-2014; long term: 2014+).
1.2.2.62 Work is already underway with respect of new Higher Education buildings in a prominent location along Barbara Castle Way, with completion of the first building expected by 2009 and planning permission granted for phase 2.
1.2.2.63 The Blackburn Knowledge Zone is subject to an Expression of Interest to NWDA to become a Regional Strategic Employment Site. ERDF application also made, and is a live NWDA programme in support of acquisition of properties on the line of the Freckleton Street Link Road. The MAA acknowledges the importance of the Knowledge Arc – estimating an economic impact of a potential additional £63m GVA per annum achieved by 2014; 1,128 gross new jobs; and £4m fiscal benefit resulting from its development.
1.2.2.64 The Cathedral Quarter SPD has been adopted, which will help guide planning applications, regeneration and investment in that part of the town centre for the next five to 10 years.
1.2.2.65 Darwen Town Centre masterplan was developed in 2006 and offered 3 options for public consultation. Option 3 was the Council’s preferred option approach and work is being carried out to take this masterplan exercise forward.
1.2.2.66 In addition to the completed highway, civic square and bus station improvements, work has started onsite to restore and enhance the town hall market, including relocation of the toilets and opening up the front of the building back into shop units, as they had been prior to 1970.
1.2.2.67 There are a large number of older industrial areas and isolated mill sites located within the primary residential area. These premises remain an important source of local employment in the Borough and often employ people who live close by. In some cases the presence of industrial uses within a mainly residential area can create problems with amenity for residents, and can be a factor contributing to low demand for housing in some instances.
Existing Provision & Capacity: Leisure & Tourism
Leisure Facilities 1.2.2.68 There are 8 council-run leisure centres within the borough, including Waves Water Fun Centre in Blackburn town centre and the outdoor leisure facilities at Witton Country Park, along with the redevelopment of Darwen leisure centre. In addition to these there are a number of private facilities, including 2 JJB fitness clubs.
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1.2.2.69 The new Darwen Leisure Centre is now under construction, and will feature a 25 metre 8 lane swimming pool, children's pool, activity rooms, a gym, a large health suite, a cafe and a 63 space car park. Its planned opening is late 2009.
1.2.2.70 There are 5 libraries in the borough, along with a mobile library and libraries catering for the under 5’s and their carers in the children’s centres.
1.2.2.71 Community centres offer a wide range of activities and opportunities for local communities. There are 12 community centres across the borough, including one in the village of Edgworth.
1.2.2.72 Blackburn Ice Arena is located adjacent to the town centre and offers public ice skating facilities, along with ice skating lessons, and ice hockey fixtures.
1.2.2.73 Ewood Park Stadium is home to Blackburn Rovers Football Club. Blackburn Rovers Community Trust offers all members of the local community access to the highest quality programme of grassroots football, education, disability initiatives and awareness projects. Housed in dedicated accommodation in the Darwen End Stand, a wide range of curriculum focused days are offered; with programmes designed to meet National Curriculum requirements, using the environment and medium of football as a route to other knowledge, skills and understanding, delivered by experienced teachers and assistants.
1.2.2.74 Peel Park leisure complex is located adjacent to Blackburn Town Centre, adjoining Blackburn train station. The complex includes a 10 screen cinema and 24 lane bowling alley and is surrounded by several restaurants.
1.2.2.75 King Georges Hall theatre in Blackburn town centre is a key sub-Regional entertainment venue, offering music, dance, theatre and comedy events and shows. Thwaites Empire Theatre opened in 2002, with refurbishment completed by 2005, and provides Blackburn with a theatre for amateur arts and entertainment. Darwen Library Theatre – an extension to the town’s town centre library which opened in 2000, offers a wide mix of drama, music and entertainment including some well known names and productions by local groups.
Tourist Attractions 1.2.2.76 Main tourist attractions in the borough include: • Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery with internationally acclaimed fine art, medieval manuscripts, fine art and a programme of exhibitions. • Blackburn Cathedral boasts fine architectural features and important religous art. • Blackburn Visitor Centre located within the town centre, and includes a café and gift shop. • To the south of Darwen stands Turton Tower built over 500 years ago. • Darwen Tower, completed in 1898 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and also to celebrate the victory of the local people for the right to access the moor. • Witton Country Park Visitor Centre located within Witton Country Park which covers 480 acres of countryside and includes picnic spots, walks, nature trails, a small animal reserve. • Sunnyhurst Woods Visitor Centre, The old keepers cottage within the Country Park is now a Visitor Centre and art gallery housing changing exhibitions.
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1.2.2.77 The towns of Blackburn and Darwen both offer opportunities for retail-led visits. Blackburn town centre receives the highest visitor-spend of all tourist attractions in Pennine Lancashire.
1.2.2.78 Blackburn contains a large and diverse selection of shops and stores, with high street stores and specialist shops and a substantial and popular indoor market. Adjacent to Blackburn Town Centre is the Whalley Range bazaar, offering specialist shops supplying Asian food, fashion and fabrics.
1.2.2.79 The market town of Darwen specialises in the small independent retail market with a selection of shops and a traditional market.
1.2.2.80 The East Lancashire Regional Park covers the whole of East Lancashire (now known as Pennine Lancashire), and joins together the countryside, towns, villages, businesses and recreational facilities of Pennine Lancashire. Linking together the cultural & heritage assets and the arts with the natural environment it aims to create a positive new identity for the sub-region.
1.2.2.81 The Regional Park was the first of its kind in the North West and is managed by the Lancashire Economic Partnership. Work began to develop the Regional Park back in 2000 with an initial grant of £5 million from the Northwest Regional Development Agency. Since then over 300 hectares of woodlands have been planted and over 15 kms of new paths, cycleways and bridleways have been developed with the ELWOOD tree- planting and land improvement initiative. This network of recreational and commuter cycle ways, bridleways and footpaths link together urban and rural areas for the first time making it possible to mix business and pleasure. An example of this is the Arran Trail in Blackburn, which is both a nature trail and a cycling link, connecting homes in the Shadsworth area with employment sites.
1.2.2.82 The Park now features the Panopticons, a series of innovative new landmarks and icons for the Park attracting local people and visitors. Colourfields is sited in Corporation Park Blackburn; The Atom at Wycoller Country Park; The Singing Ringing Tree at Crown Point in Burnley; and the Iconic Halo, at Top O’Slate in Rossendale. The Panopticons have both an aesthetic and functional role, taking the form of shelters, viewing platforms or beacons, located at elevated sites and marking out key access routes into the Park.
1.2.2.83 Pennine Lancashire Food Festival is held annually. Lasting a month from August to September, it offers coordinated events and attractions promoting the sub-region as a tourist destination. Over 50,000 people have experienced the festival since 2006.
Conservation Areas & the Historic Built Environment 1.2.2.84 There are 14 designated Conservation Areas within the Borough. These are a mix of town centre and village, commercial and residential, and vary in size from 25 to a couple of hundred properties.
1.2.2.85 The Blackburn Town Centre Heritage and Design Series have been prepared to consider design issues relating to the town centre Conservation Areas. The documents which have been produced to advise include a character appraisal and a development guide for each of the Conservation Areas, along with a Blackburn Town Centre Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, a Blackburn
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Town Centre Conservation Area management plan and a Blackburn Town Centre Public Realm strategy.
1.2.2.86 There are some 340 buildings and structures in the Borough which are listed, as against a total building stock of approximately 75,000 buildings. There are two Grade I Listed Buildings in the Borough, Pleasington Priory and Turton Tower. The latter from its origins as a peel tower, has been added to over the centuries in a variety of styles to form an impressive architectural composition. In the urban areas the most significant listed buildings are the churches and major public buildings, such as the Old Town Hall and Blackburn Cathedral.
1.2.2.87 However, only two mills are listed – Imperial Mill in Blackburn and India Mill in Darwen, the latter including the fine mill chimney which must be one of the most impressive of its type in the north of England. There are also several fine examples of domestic architecture such as rows of weavers’ cottages and individual 16th and 17th century dwellings within Blackburn.
1.2.2.88 The North Light Weaving Shed Study is an English Heritage funded Pennine Lancashire wide study on north-light weaving sheads which was commissioned in November 2008. This project aims to raise awareness of the threat to these locally distinctive assets, to offer some practical solutions as to how they can be re-used ranging from minimal intervention through to redicual reinterpretation, and provide guidance to encourage investment confidence and secure their re- use, by bringing together material from existing refurbishment examples; focussing on carefully chosen pilot sites in Pennine Lancashire; and providing a fresh look at opportunities for weaving shed renovation. The study will be presented as a practical guidance document for owners, developers, architects and planners, and will aim to offer an understanding of weaving sheds and the issues faced when redeveloping them.
1.2.2.89 Lancashire County Council in partnership with English Heritage commissioned the Lancashire Textile Mill Survey project. This has been developed in response to their current threat, and exacerbated by the national emphasis on regeneration of urban areas and the recycling of existing land and buildings on brownfield sites. Research into developing an information database of the state of the textile-manufacturing sites is being carried out across Lancashire: this will identify primary sources, review all existing information, and develop a GIS database. The dissemination of the information will feed back into policy/strategic development approaches within the Borough.
Public Realm 1.2.2.90 The Borough has produced a Design Guide which is used to advise on design principles for Planning Applications and strategies and schemes; this includes a section on good design of Public Realm. The Blackburn Colour Study supports this document, and identifies a large palette of locally relevant colours.
1.2.2.91 A Blackburn Town Centre Public Realm Strategy has been produced as part of the Blackburn Town Centre Heritage and Design Series.
1.2.2.92 Both town centre masterplans acknowledge the importance of the quality of public realm to encourage visitors. High quality improvements to the main civic areas (through careful design and materials chosen) have benefitted Blackburn and Darwen town centres in recent years.
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1.2.2.93 An international design competition took place to develop a series of magical, inspirational public spaces – or squares – across six Pennine Lancashire towns. Elevate and the local authorities are working with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and the Royal Institute of British Architecture (RIBA). Funding for the implementation of the winning designs has not yet been secured.
Table 2: Social Infrastructure Providers & Programmes Infrastructure Provider Programme Costs Timescales Funding Provision GPs PCT New GP 2009-2011 Central Govt. provision Strategic Capital Funding
LIFT PCT Revenue
s106 Developer/ Private
Health PCT Darwen Health Completed Central Govt. Centres/Clinics Centre Strategic Capital Funding Blackburn £18m 2009-2011
Town Centre LIFT PCT LIFT Health Revenue Centre
s106 Developer/ Private Hospital Local Bus Darwen-Royal Until 2011 S106 Companies Blackburn LTP2 Hospital Bus Private
Affordable Developer On-site/s106 Private Housing Registered Housing Market 2008-2011 s106/Grants/On- Social Renewal: site private Landlords • Queen provision St/Hindle St Elevate • Infirmary HMR • Griffin Private BwD Developer Housing BwD Regeneration & Environment Education – Children’s BSF £150m 2010-2015 Schools Services Extended Schools Sure Start
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Infrastructure Provider Programme Costs Timescales Funding Provision Primary 2009 & BwD/Rodney Capital beyond Aldridge Trust Academy 2010
Education – Blackburn University 2009-2011 Higher Colleges (FE & College College Status & beyond Education in HE) Lancaster East Lancashire University (HEEL) Group HE Building £13m completion NWDA 2009 Lancaster University Motor Vehicle £7.6m 2009/10 Blackburn Dept. Building College MAA
St Mary’s Adult Learning St Mary’s College College Education - BwD BC LEGI 2007-2011 NWDA Skills Regeneration MAA & Grants Environment NWDA PL Lancaster Development Knowledge University Company Zone Blackburn Blackburn College College St Mary’s Lancaster University College University College Status BwD BC
St. Mary’s Working College Neighbourhoods Adult Learning Fund
BwD BC Education
Strategic Employment Extended Group Schools Lifelong Learning Learning Skills Council
Employment BwD BC LEGI NWDA Provision Regeneration Incubator Units & ERDF
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Infrastructure Provider Programme Costs Timescales Funding Provision Environment Blackburn Town Centre LTP2 PL Renaissance Development Private Company Redevelopment £66m Completed of The Mall by 2010 European Strategic Regional Employment Freckleton St. 2007-2017 Development Group Fund
The Mall Co. HCA Blackburn £250k 2009/10 & NWDA Knowledge beyond BwD BC Zone Private 2010-2020 Heritage Lottery Developers Cathedral Fund Quarter (Phase Heritage 1 of Knowledge Working Lottery Zone) Neighbourhoods Fund Elevate Darwen Market Town Hall restoration
Visitor Economy
Public Realm Elevate Blackburn with NWDA Darwen Design BwD BC Guide and BwD BC Capital Regeneration Colour Study & Blackburn Private Environment Town Centre Heritage and BwD BC Design Series Economic Blackburn Development Town Centre
Masterplan
Darwen Town Centre Masterplan Pennine Squared Leisure BwD BC Darwen Leisure £12.7m Completed BwD Centre 2009 Sport England
Historic BwD BC Darwen 2006-2011 English Heritage Environment Townscape English Heritage NWDA Heritage Initiative
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Infrastructure Provider Programme Costs Timescales Funding Provision Local List 2009 Heritage Lottery LCC survey onwards Fund North Light 2008 Weaving Shed onwards BwD BC Study LCC Lancashire 2008 Textile Mill onwards Private Survey Conservation 2009 Area onwards Appraisals Blackburn 2009-2010 Historic Building Programme Tourism BwD BC Lancashire & 2006-2016 BwD BC Blackpool Lancashire & Visitor Heritage Lottery Blackpool Economy Funding Tourist Board Strategy & destination NWDA West annual plan Pennine Blackburn Moors Area Town Centre Management Masterplan Committee
Darwen Market Lancashire Town & Town County Centre Council Masterplan
West Pennine Moors
East Lancashire Regional Park
Blackburn 2010 Visitor Centre
Museum & Art £10m Bid in Gallery bid
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Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE Hospital • No major known capacity issues. • Providing adequate access by public transport to Royal • Royal Blackburn Hospital serves the Pennine Lancashire area Blackburn Hospital. The solution for this involves the provision for strategic health care, and provides a full range of hospital of bus service to the Hospital from Darwen provided through services to adults and children. s106 agreement for the hospital development. • Accessibility issues for some parts of the borough. Blackburn Health • Planning permission has been granted for a replacement Centre health centre to be relocated in Blackburn town centre, funded by LIFT. Darwen Health • No major known capacity issues. • Centre • A new health centre was opened in 2005 in Darwen town centre. GP provision • The distribution of GP’s to population within Blackburn with • The PCT have pledged 12 new GPs with the contracts being Darwen is not even across the borough – some areas are awarded December 2009. These will be concentrated into better catered for in terms of access to health provision than areas which have been identified as the most in need. others. • Funding for new or improved health facilities comes from 2 main sources – the Strategic Capital Funding streams and LIFT. • LIFT offers a more flexible approach to funding to meet needs than the Strategic Capital Funding. • In areas of significantly limited health provision, a developer may be expected to support new or increased provision in the area for a development to be considered acceptable in planning terms. This can potentially be match-funded if needed. Affordable Housing • The Housing Needs Survey highlights 426 households in • Core Strategy inclusion of affordable housing requirement from Blackburn with Darwen being in need every year of some type new developments of 20% of new housing to be affordable. of affordable housing. • These will be expected to be provided at the cost to the developer as part of the scheme or through a s106 agreement for provision elsewhere. • RSL’s support and Government grants will be required to ensure the target is deliverable. Schools • No major known capacity issues. • Building Schools for the Future programme will be investing • In 2007, 10% of the secondary schools had 25% or more £150m in capital improvements to the Secondary Schools
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Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution surplus places, below the national average. within the Borough • Darwen Academy is being increased in capacity size of pupil • The Primary Capital Strategy will form the second phase of numbers to 1,200 students aged between 11 and 16 and a substantial government funded school capital improvements further 400 places in the sixth form. within the borough. • In 2007, 5% of primary schools has 25% or more surplice places, significantly lower than the national average of 14%. Decreases in pre-school age population, couples with smaller cohorts that have entered primary schools in recent years has resulted in an increase in the levels of surplus places in some of the borough’s primary schools. School closures have been kept to a minimum over recent years. • Due to the compact urban boundary, there is not a great distance between any school and it is possible to allocate places for pupils at schools within the expected maximum distances of 2 miles for primary children and 3 miles for secondary children. • Secondary school provision is based on the borough-wide catchment. Proposals for where new developments are concentrated would not have a significant impact on the proposals for new school provision. • Primary school provision is more sensitive to locations of housing, since it is accessed as a more doorstep-based facility. Therefore, specific site allocations will be of greater interest.
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Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution Further/Higher • Just 22% of Pennine Lancashire’s working age population hold • Blackburn and Burnley have been identified in the Multi Area Education NVQ4 and above. Agreement for Pennine Lancashire (MAA) as priorities for • Currently 15.8% of the working age population have no capital investment and to double the number of higher qualifications in Pennine Lancashire. education places available to 4,500 by 2011. • The Pennine Lancashire economy currently has 14,000 less • There has already been capital investment in each town as a graduates compared to other areas. result of bids by the University of Central Lancashire and • With a population of over 522,000 Pennine Lancashire is the Lancaster University. Blackburn College is benefitting from largest area in the country not to have its own university. significant further and higher education capital build projects in Blackburn town centre. • There are a limited number of higher education places at the further education colleges at Blackburn, Burnley and • Within Blackburn Town Centre the Knowledge Zone proposals Accrington & Rossendale, but the combined output is less than aim to support increasing the number of graduates working 1,000 graduates per annum. and living in the Borough.
Skills • Pennine Lancashire has a skills deficit. • The Multi Area Agreement for Pennine Lancashire (MAA) • The skills distribution is reflected in the distribution of prioritises raising the skills level of the sub-regions population. employment by occupation, with employment in Pennine • Raising skills is a key objective of the LSP, and the Blackburn Lancashire skewered towards less skilled occupations and a with Darwen Local Area Agreement (LAA) contains a number shortfall in the number of people employed in Managerial, of key indicators for the Partners to support the meeting of. Technical or Professional roles (only 37% compared to 42% nationally) Employment • Manufacturing still accounts for a significant proportion of local • The Employment Land study identifies the extent, types and Provision employment in Pennine Lancashire despite experiencing quality of employment land existing within the Borough. steady decline. • Highest quality employment sites are available adjacent to the • Pennine Lancashire has also experienced strong recent M65 motorway junctions, located on the periphery of the urban growth in a number of higher value service sub-sectors – the area. There is a need to ensure this is supported by the latest employment trends suggest that these sectors have improving of public access to jobs in the M65 corridor. significant growth potential. • Blackburn town centre has benefitted from the town centre • The growing sectors of education, health and social care are renaissance programme, and key current and future projects strongly represented in Pennine Lancashire. include the redevelopment of The Mall, the Freckleton Street • Financial intermediation and real estate, renting and other masterplan, Cathedral Quarter and the Knowledge Zone. business activities are important because they are • Darwen town centre has benefitted from the implementation of experiencing healthy levels of growth but are currently under- the first phases of the masterplan which have included represented in the area. highway and pedestrian improvements, with work to the • Growth sectors identified in the Pennine Lancashire Economic market programmed to commence in 2009. Strategy are: aerospace, advanced manufacturing/advanced • NWDA and Pennine Lancashire Development Company
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Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution flexible materials, medical/health/fitness/social care and well- economic focus on supporting the older employment sites and being, and creative industries. the rural economy. • The business services and visitor and tourism sectors are also identified as growing nationally and considered could be targeted for the Pennine Lancashire area. • RSS identifies Blackburn for established advanced engineering and aerospace industries, specialist medical services centres on Royal Blackburn Hospital, a centre of higher and further education, public administration, justice and legal services, and as a retail and service centre. Leisure Facilities • No major known capacity issues. • Darwen Leisure Centre redevelopment, currently under • 8 council-run leisure centres construction. • private facilities • 5 libraries, and a mobile library and children’s libraries • 12 community centres • Blackburn Ice Arena • Ewood Park Stadium • 3 Theatres • Leisure Park – including a cinema and bowling alley. Tourist Attractions • No major known capacity issues. • The Lancashire & Blackpool Visitor Economy Strategy and • Tourist attractions within the Borough include: Blackburn annual destination plan support the tourism agenda for the Museum & Art Gallery; Blackburn Cathedral; Blackburn Visitor Borough. Centre café & gift shop; Turton Tower; Darwen Tower; Witton Country Park Visitor Centre; Sunnyhurst Woods Visitor Centre & Art Gallery. • The town centres of Blackburn and Darwen and Whalley Range are focus for visitors to and visitor-spend in the Borough. • East Lancashire Regional Park and the West Pennine Moors are brand names promoting the tourist attractions of the open countryside within the Borough. • The Pennine Lancashire food festival is an annual event organised to attract visitors to the sub-region.
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Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution Historic Built • No major known capacity issues. • A survey of locally important buildings is to be carried out Environment • 14 designated Conservation Areas within the Borough to develop a Local List. • Blackburn Town Centre Heritage and Design Series has been • English Heritage are funding 2 studies considering the Mill prepared to consider design issues relating to the town centre heritage of the sub-region: the Pennine Lancashire North Light Conservation Areas. Weaving Shed study and the Lancashire textile Mill Survey. • 340 buildings and structures are listed, including 2 Grade I Listed Buildings: Pleasington Priory and Turton Tower. Public Realm • No major known capacity issues. • The BwD Design Guide advocates good design of public • Improvements to the public realm in key locations within realm, and is supported by the Blackburn Colour Study. Blackburn and Darwen town centres have been carried out • The Blackburn Town Centre Public Realm Strategy has been over recent years. produced as part of the Town Centre Heritage and Design Series. • Both town centre masterplans acknowledge the importance of the quality of the public realm to encourage visitors. • Improving pedestrian routes into Blackburn and Darwen town centres. • Ensuring all formal crossing facilities at signalised junctions and crossings incorporate dedicated features for disabled people.
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1.2.3 Green Infrastructure 1.2.3.1 Green Infrastructure to support the Core Strategy delivery is based on the connectivity of a network of physical assets and the functions they perform. This includes parks, open spaces, woodlands, playing fields, rivers, canals, waterbodies, sites of nature conservation interest, off-road footpaths and cycleways, open countryside.
Plan 6: Green Infrastructure
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1.2.3.2 Functions provided by Green Infrastructure includes (and is usually not limited to one of the following): • Climate Change adaptation & mitigation • Flood Alleviation & Water Management • Quality of Place • Health & Well-being • Land & Property Values • Economic Growth & Investment • Labour Productivity • Tourism • Recreation & Leisure • Land & Biodiversity • Products from the Land.
1.2.3.3 The Lancashire Green Infrastructure Strategy22 is being prepared by a broad partnership of stakeholders, led by the Lancashire Economic Partnership with support from ECOTEC Research and Consulting and Malcolm Barton of Ibis Environmental and Design Consultants. The strategy is based upon a clear understanding of Green Infrastructure and its potential to contribute to social and economic regeneration whilst simultaneously creating an improved natural environment in urban and rural settings based upon investment in the creation and maintenance of high quality, networked, multifunctional green spaces and green assets. The understanding of this is based upon the following definition taken from the North West Green Infrastructure Guide23: "…Green Infrastructure is the region's life support system – the network of natural environmental components and green and blue spaces that lies within and between the North West's cities, towns and villages which provides multiple social, economic and environmental benefits…"
1.2.3.4 The draft Strategy document proposes the establishment of sound management, monitoring and evaluation principles to see the Strategy through the next 10 plus years.
1.2.3.5 Whilst the Lancashire Strategy is being drawn up, there will remain a need to provide a strategic framework to which Blackburn with Darwen can link its local Green Infrastructure. This is an area for further consideration
1.2.3.6 The open space survey carried out by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has mapped the main existing open spaces in the borough.
Partners 1.2.3.7 The main partners in Blackburn with Darwen for the development and provision of green infrastructure include: • BwD Leisure & Culture • BwD Regeneration & Environment • Environment Agency • Landowners • British Waterways • United Utilities
22 Lancashire Green Infrastructure Strategy Draft V2, Ecotech (2008) 23 North West Green Infrastructure Guide, North West Green Infrastructure Think Tank (2007)
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Existing Provision & Capacity: Parks & Public Open Spaces 1.2.3.8 There are 10 main Parks within the borough; 5 of which have been awarded Green Flag status, with a sixth Green Flag award being sought for Bold Venture Park. 5 of the parks are listed on English Heritage’s Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
1.2.3.9 The Borough has several key sites for formal outdoor organised recreation, supplemented by more local provision, recreation grounds, education and voluntary provision. The Borough has 52 senior and junior grass football pitches available for community use, with an additional 22 mini pitches. There are 4 public full-sized synthetic pitches and 2 more planned. There are several Multi- Use Games Areas (MUGAs) around the Borough that have organised use, 10 public tennis courts and 20 public bowling greens. Voluntary sports clubs provide tennis, rugby, football and bowls facilities. The private sector provides a range of facilities for golf, cricket, tennis and football.
1.2.3.10 The open spaces strategy has identified that the borough’s formal parks cover 280 hectares and playing pitches is estimated at another 256 hectares.
1.2.3.11 The Council maintains 100 hectares of amenity grassland. There is a lot that is unsuitable for play – being next to busy roads, having steep slopes.
1.2.3.12 There are 100 designated play spaces in the borough. 65 provided by the Council (including several unclassified basic spaces and sites for older young people), 32 by Twin Valley Homes, 1 by a trust and 2 by private housing estates.
1.2.3.13 Four Home Zones schemes have been implemented in the borough since 2004: Audley – Chester Street, Bank Top – Shaw Street and Higson Street, Sumner Street, Town Centre, Whitebirk – Hereford Road. In addition, another one is planned for the housing market renewal area: Infirmary – Granville Street.
1.2.3.14 Blackburn with Darwen’s Open Space Strategy sets specific targets for the improvement of open space provision and facilities in the borough. An external assessment in 2003 showed that overall the borough was short of play facilities if only formal equipped sites were considered. In addition, some parts of the borough were in greater need than other parts.
1.2.3.15 Play Pathfinder status was granted to Blackburn with Darwen on the basis of a successful bid which satisfied the criteria set by the Department for Children, Schools and Families as funder. The Play Pathfinder programme has awarded Blackburn with Darwen Council £2.5 million to improve play facilities for children and young people in the borough. The funding will go towards a number of projects including: • Developing a play park in Witton Park. Aimed at children from 8-13 years, which will promote natural play and incorporate the woodlands. It will be fully accessible to children with special needs and disabilities. The play park will be inspired by Finland’s Play Parks and children will be actively involved in the planning and design. • Improving at least a further 28 smaller play sites and make them accessible to children with a disability. These will ensure that outdoor play engages all cultural and gender groups
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• Engaging a strategic play project manager to deliver the Council’s play strategy, promote play and tackle the cultural issue around children’s access to public play spaces • Training and supporting employed play rangers and volunteer neighbourhood play ambassadors to encourage children to play • Training parents, staff and volunteers in play skills so they can engage with children through play and promote neighbourhood ownership of play spaces, ending the “no ball games” culture.
1.2.3.16 13 new play areas were provided during 2008/09 as part of the Play Pathfinder programme. A further 12 sites have been identified for consultation and new play facilities – these mainly consist of completely new sites for play provision. The adventure play park based at Witton Park will also be developed during 2009/10.
1.2.3.17 Witton Country Park provides 480 acres of publicly accessible mixed woodland, parkland and farmland to the west of Blackburn. The “Witton Park Masterplan and Strategy” intends to map out these developments in a co-ordinated approach to assist in the integration of the projects and provide a framework for future development, funding and management. Through partnership working with the various stakeholders, the masterplan will aim to guide the development of the individual projects, providing an overall vision to work within in its green belt context. In turn this will provide a strategic framework to guide all parties and aide in future applications to both the Planning Department and potential funders. The list of current (known) potential projects are as follows: • Witton Park Adventure Playground. • Witton Park Golf Driving Range • Pleasington Cemetery Extension • Proposed Athletics Development – including covered spectator Area • Witton Park Community High School – Building Schools For The Future development • Relocated Mini Soccer Pitches • New Sports Changing Facilities adjacent to existing All Weather Sports Pitches • Cycling Infrastructure – potential cyleway improvements and facilities • Proposed Training Room Facilities including Classrooms and Horticulture Area • Heritage Trail • Main Entrance Car Park • New Equestrian Centre and associated bridleways.
Existing Provision & Capacity: Open Countryside 1.2.3.18 Overall about 66% of the borough is countryside; with the West Pennine Moors providing substantial accessible countryside immediately adjacent to the urban area.
1.2.3.19 There are 280 miles of public rights of way that lead through parks, farmland, woodlands, hidden valleys, around reservoirs, along riversides and over the 90 square miles of the West Pennine Moors, located in Lancashire, between the towns of Chorley, Bolton, Horwich, Ramsbottom, Haslingden, Oswaldtwistle and Darwen. United Utilities owns about 40% of the land for water catchment.
1.2.3.20 The predominant land use across the moors is sheep farming. Unlike many areas of moorland in the north of England, the moors here are not managed for
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grouse shooting and consist largely of rough grassland and peat bog. There was a 50% loss of heather cover between 1946 and 1988.
1.2.3.21 The West Pennine Moors are bisected by a number of wooded valleys and cloughs, the largest such area being in the Roddlesworth valley near Tockholes. There are some small coniferous plantations, particularly around the area's many reservoirs, but overall woodland cover is minimal.
1.2.3.22 At 85 ft (26 m) in height, walkers can climb to the top of Darwen Tower via the internal staircase to admire the views of Yorkshire, Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, Cumbria, and surrounding moorland. On occasions, with the right weather conditions, walkers can see the Isle of Man to the north west from the top of the tower.
1.2.3.23 The West Pennine Moors and surrounding farmland have a rich and often undervalued level of biodiversity. On the unenclosed moorland, there are extensive areas of blanket bog on deep peat soils. Although much modified by grazing, burning and drainage, and in places dominated by purple moor-grass, characteristic species such as cotton-grass, heather, cross leaved heath, cranberry and many species of Sphagnum moss are well represented along with restricted plants such as bog rosemary. Elsewhere on the moorland there are areas of upland heath, acid grassland and upland flushes. Moorland birds include peregrine falcon, merlin, dunlin, wheatear, short-eared owl and golden plover. The moorlands of West Pennine Moors have largely escaped the extensive planting of conifers suffered in some other parts of the northern uplands.
1.2.3.24 At lower altitudes, the landscape is characterised by pasture and meadows enclosed by dry stone walls. Species-rich grassland is now restricted in both area and distribution, mostly to steeper valleys or cloughs where there are also some species-rich flushes, such as those at Oak Field SSSI. Some of the more improved pastures still retain populations of breeding wading birds such as Peewit or Northern Lapwing, Snipe and Curlew (Eurasian Curlew), and particularly in the fields and margins around Belmont Reservoir there are Oystercatcher, Redshank and Common Sandpiper. The Reservoir itself has nationally important populations of Black-headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls.
1.2.3.25 Native broad-leaved woodland is also a habitat restricted almost entirely to valleys (cloughs), though there are examples of upland oak woodland, ash woodland and wet woodland dominated by alder and/or willow, such as at Longworth Clough SSSI. Along many of the reservoir valleys there are extensive areas of broad-leaved and conifer plantation such as around Roddlesworth Reservoir and Turton and Entwistle Reservoirs.
1.2.3.26 The West Pennine Moors Area Management Committee comprises: • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council • Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council • Lancashire County Council • United Utilities • Bury Metropolitan Borough Council • Chorley Borough Council • Hyndburn Borough Council • Rossendale Borough Council
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• Natural England (was Countryside Agency) • North West Council for Sport and Recreation • North West Federation for Sport, Recreation and Conservation • West Pennine Moors Conservation and Research Advisory Committee • Groundwork Trust
1.2.3.27 A Statement of Intent was produced in 2000, providing the strategic policy framework and project development and implementation programme for the management of the West Pennine Moors until 2010. Funding comes from the higher level authorities, and Natural England. The current Action Plan is divided into 3 separate themes: • The Natural and Cultural Environment of the West Pennine Moors • Enjoyment of the West Pennine Moors • Living, Working and Management in the West Pennine Moors.
1.2.3.28 The Statement of Intent is currently being reviewed and revised for the next 10 year period beyond 2010.
Existing Provision & Capacity: Access 1.2.3.29 Proposals for enhancing the cycling facilities in Witton Country Park are set out in the borough’s 2007 Cycling Strategy, recognising the important role Witton Park plays within the strategic cycle network and as a centre for recreational cycling. Key to this is the development of a cycle hire facility, improved cycle storage, development of the courtyard, creation of new cycle paths within the park and further promotion of child and adult cycle rides and skills training.
1.2.3.30 The Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP)24 has been developed in partnership with Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Borough Council to cover the whole of the county of Lancashire in accordance with the requirements of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It is a key strategic document for the development of the public rights of way network. The RoWIP contains a mixture of statutory requirements and achieving aspirations. Funding these requirements and aspirations will be sought from a range of sources including revenue and capital.
1.2.3.31 Multi User routes, available to cyclists, horse riders, and lower ability walkers, are being considered as a key issue for the borough. The need to provide trails for horse riders is one of the biggest rights of way concerns currently. The RoWIP highlighted this issue, and promoted an increase in bridleways/multi user routes.
1.2.3.32 A number of promoted routes have been developed, or are currently being developed within the borough, including: • Witton Weavers Way – a long-distance, 32mile, trail, comprising 4 smaller circular walks. • Darwen Tower routes – 2 walking routes, each of 2miles in length: 1 from Darwen town centre and through Bold Venture Park; the other from Sunnyhurst Woods and circling Sunnyhurst Hey reservoir. • Village Heritage Trails - there are two heritage walks around the historic village of Tockholes, situated on the edge of Roddlesworth Woods: North Tockholes heritage trail and South Tockholes heritage trail, and also heritage trails for the villages of Edgworth and Belthorn.
24 Rights of Way Improvement Plan
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• Pennine Bridleway feeder route – proposals are currently being prepared for the development of a feeder route into the national bridleway trail, which would include sections within the Borough extending beyond to the east and west. • Hyndburn Clog
Existing Provision & Capacity: Wildlife & Nature Conservation Areas 1.2.3.33 There are 3 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Borough, 107 Biological County Heritage Sites covering approximately 3,697ha, and 6 Geological County Heritage Sites covering approximately 53ha.
1.2.3.34 There are currently no designated sites of international value within the Borough, however Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) sites are designated as representatives of EC Habitats Directive Annex 1 habitats. There are Annex 1 habitats which occur within BwD Borough, and in significant quantity. In particular, the Borough contains substantial quantity of Blanket Bog, of good quality and potential, which is an internationally important habitat, despite its lack of official designation.
1.2.3.35 A desk top review of the County Heritage Sites is conducted annually. Account is taken of observations made whilst the ecologists have been out on site but there is currently no systematic field review of the sites - resources simply don't allow for this. The establishment of the Lancashire Natural Environment Service, to which Blackburn with Darwen BC are contributing, should help to improve on this situation, keeping the guidance up to date and re-assessing sites to these guidelines. The aim is to have a sites list that is never more than 6 years old.
1.2.3.36 The Arran Trail, Sunnyhurst Woods, Pleasington Old Nature Reserve and the Darwen Parkway are designated Local Nature Reserves.
1.2.3.37 The Lancashire Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) contains 11 Habitat Plans; 14 Urban Habitat Plans; 3 Urban Species Plans; and 39 Species Plans. Key Targets have been agreed by the Lancashire Biodiversity Partnership for 2008, to be incorporated into the relevant Habitat Action Plan (HAP). These targets are set for the period between 2008 – 2015. The BAP habitats which are found within Blackburn with Darwen include: • Blanket Bog • Upland Lowland Heathland • Lowland Meadows • Upland Hay Meadows • Fens and Swamps • Upland Springs and Flushes • Broadleaved and Mixed Woodland • Rivers & Streams • Ponds • Upland Oak Woodland • Wet Woodland • Purple Moorgrass Rush Pasture
1.2.3.38 Reedbed habitats, if present, are considered to probably be scarce, but Common Reed is potentially a feature of flushes on the moorlands. Calcareous grasslands are scarce if not absent from the area. There are some artificial habitats which have some species of calcareous grassland present such as
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Eccleshill Ironworks. Upland Ash Woodland is rare, but there may be small areas within the Borough.
1.2.3.39 Other priority habitats without a current HAP which are presenting the Borough include Open Habitat Mosaics on Previously Developed Land, Hedgerows, and other wetland habitats.
1.2.3.40 Protected Species and Species of Principle Importance known to occur within Blackburn with Darwen include: • Great Crested Newt • Skylark • Linnet • Reed Bunting • Spotted Flycatcher • Grey Partridge • Bullfinch • Song Thrush • Water Vole • Brown Hare • Pipistrelle Bat • Cranefly • Pink Meadow-Cap • Purple Ramping-fumitory The above list is provided for guidance purposes only. The lack of record of any species should not be taken as a definitive indication of species absence. Habitat and species surveys will be necessary to assess the likelihood of presence.
1.2.3.41 A Phase 1 Habitat Survey has been carried out for the Borough as part of a Lancashire-wide assessment. How this data can be converted into BAP habitats information is currently being considered.
1.2.3.42 A local biodiversity survey will be carried out across the borough, in partnership with Lancashire County Council, and the Lancashire Borough authorities.
Existing Provision & Capacity: Water Areas 1.2.3.43 The two main rivers, River Darwen and River Blakewater, and the Leeds – Liverpool Canal run through the Borough. In addition, there are numerous smaller streams and brooks, along with areas of standing water including ponds and reservoirs.
1.2.3.44 The management and maintenance of watercourses is the responsibility of the landowner, but the Environment Agency have permissive powers to undertake works on main rivers watercourses. Works to watercourse, discharges to watercourses and abstractions from watercourses are regulated by the EA under the Water Resources Act. This is to protect water quality, ensure water resources are managed and to reduce flood risk. The EA also investigate pollution incidents and can prosecute those responsible.
1.2.3.45 In addition to its regulatory role, the EA has an advisory role and a duty to promote conservation. With an emphasis on the aquatic environment, the EA has ecologists who can offer guidance and advice on enhancing and promoting biodiversity and recreation schemes. They have a lead role in the protection of several specific habitats and species as identified in the UK BAP and they seek
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to promote and protect wildlife through their regulatory and advisory roles and duties.
1.2.3.46 The Environment Agency have published a consultation draft River Basin Management Plan for the North West River Basin District. This document is out for public consultation until June 2009, with a response document anticipated for publication by September 2009.
1.2.3.47 Within the Ribble catchment a number of local actions are proposed; these include the introduction of litter traps on the River Darwen to support the target for 27% of surface water bodies in this catchment to be achieving either good or potentially good status by 2015 and 100% by 2027 (from an existing level of 25%).
1.2.3.48 The southern part of the borough falls within the Irwell River Catchment. Currently no surface water bodies in this catchment are achieving either good or potentially good status.
1.2.3.49 British Waterways have responsibility for the Leeds Liverpool Canal.
1.2.3.50 The main reservoirs in the Borough fall within the remit of United Utilities as landowner (as discussed above: Physical Infrastructure). Ponds and other water bodies fall to the responsibility of the landowners; a number of these are within Blackburn with Darwen’s ownership and management control.
Table 3: Green Infrastructure Providers & Programmes Infrastructure Provider Programme Costs Timescales Funding Provision Parks BwD BC Play Strategy BwD BC Regeneration & Capital Environment Play £2.5m 2008-2010 Pathfinder Central BwD BC Culture Govt. & Leisure/ Witton £2.5m 2009 Countryside Country Park bid onwards Play Services Masterplan & England Projects Capita Open Space Heritage Strategy Lottery Friends of Groups Lancashire 2007-2017 Green Infrastructure Strategy Sports Facilities BwD BC Witton 2009 BwD BC Regeneration & Country Park onwards Capital Environment Masterplan & Sport Projects England BwD BC Culture & Leisure/ Open Space Private Countryside Strategy Services Lancashire 2007-2017 Capita Green Infrastructure
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Infrastructure Provider Programme Costs Timescales Funding Provision Private Strategy
Rivers EA North West 2009-2029 EA Landowners Catchment BwD Management Plan Private
River Ribble 2009-2015 Flood Management Plan
BwD BC Surface Water 2009 EA Management onwards UU Plan
Lancashire Economic Lancashire 2007-2017 Partnership Green Infrastructure Strategy
Water Bodies BwD BC Lancashire 2007-2017 UU Green Private Infrastructure Landowners Strategy
Surface Water 2009 Management onwards Plan
Reservoir 2009 Management onwards Plan
Canal British Leeds- Waterways Liverpool
Open Private West Pennine 2000-2010 BwD BC Countryside Landowners Moors 2010 review NWDA UU Statement of Private Tenant Farmers Intent BwD BC Lancashire 2007-2017 Elevate/Pennine Green Lancashire Infrastructure Development Strategy Company Proactive EA Management NWDA of Uplands West Pennine
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Infrastructure Provider Programme Costs Timescales Funding Provision Moors Area RoWIP 2005-2010 Management Committee Natural England North West 2009-2029 Catchment Management Plan River Ribble 2009-2015 Flood Management Plan Lancashire & 2006-2016 Blackpool Visitor Economy Strategy and Destination annual plan Public Rights of BwD BC RoWIP 2005-2010 Way West Pennine Moors Area Cycling 2007-2011 Management Strategy Committee Capita Pennine £450k 2006-2013 Private Bridleway Landowners feeder route: West Pennine Moors Bridleways Strategy Cycleway/Cycle BwD BC LTP2/3 2006-2011 Tracks Capita 2011-2016 West Pennine Moors Area Management Cycling 2007-2011 Committee Strategy Private
Landowners
Woodlands & BwD BC Open Space LNRs Private Strategy Landowners
Lancashire 2007-2017 Green Infrastructure Strategy
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Infrastructure Provider Programme Costs Timescales Funding Provision Amenity Open BwD BC Open Space Spaces Private Strategy Landowners
Lancashire 2007-2017 Green Infrastructure Strategy
Nature LCC County annually Conservation BwD BC Heritage Sites Sites Wildlife Groups review Friends of Groups Locally 2010-2013 Important Sites Survey
Lancashire Biodiversity Action Plans
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Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Parks & Public Open • No major known capacity issues. • Play Pathfinder projects include: an adventure play park in Spaces • Formal parks cover 280 hectares. Witton Country Park; improving and creating 28 further smaller • 10 main parks within the borough; 5 of which have been play areas. awarded Green Flag status, with a sixth Green Flag sought. 5 • Witton Country Park masterplan will be developed to of the parks are listed on the Register of Historic Parks and coordinate a number of potential projects within and adjoining Gardens. the Park. • Playing pitches cover 256 hectares. With 52 senior and junior grass football pitches, and an additional 22 mini pitches. • 4 public full-sized synthetic pitches • Multi-Use games Areas within the Borough for organised use. • 10 public tennis courts • 20 public bowling greens • Voluntary sports clubs provide tennis, rugby, football and bowls facilities. • Private sector provides a range of facilities for golf, cricket, tennis and football. • The Council maintains 100 hectares of amenity grassland. • 100 designated play spaces in the borough: 65 provided by the Council, 32 by Twin Valley Homes, 1 by a trust and 2 by private housing estates. • 4 Home Zones schemes have been implemented. Open Countryside • No major known capacity issues. • The West Pennine Moors Area Management Committee • About 66% of the Borough is countryside. Statement of Intent is being reviewed and revised for the next • 280 miles of public rights of way 10 year period beyond 2010. • West Pennine Moors covers 90 square miles in total (across • Changes to land management techniques can be achieved BwD, Chorley, Bolton, Hyndburn and Rossendale). through professional advice, voluntary organisations, and grant support to land owners/tenant farmers. • The West Pennine Moors is managed through a partnership management committee, which includes the interested local authorities. • The potential for the Moors to be managed to maximise the benefits for recreation, biodiversity, flood mitigation, and carbon sequestration has not yet been realised.
66 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009
Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution • The open countryside offers a wide range of functions for the Green Infrastructure offer, it will be important that these are managed to ensure that achieving one is not to the detriment of others. Recreational Routes • A number of promoted routes have been developed within the • Proposals for enhancing the cycling facilities in Witton Country borough including: Witton Weavers Way, Darwen Tower Park are set out in the Borough’s 2007 Cycling Strategy. Routes, Village Heritage Trails. • Pennine Bridleway feeder route proposals currently being • Multi-user routes, available to cyclists, horse riders and lower prepared for the development of a feeder route into the ability walkers, are considered a key issue for the Borough. national bridleway trail. • The need to provide trails for horse riders is one of the biggest rights of way concerns.
Wildlife & Nature • No major known capacity issues. • A local biodiversity survey will be carried out within the Conservation Areas • 3 sites of Special Scientific Interest borough. • 107 Biological County Heritage Sites covering 3,697ha • The Phase 1 Habitat Survey to be converted into BAP • 6 Geological County Heritage Sites covering 53ha habitats.
• The Borough contains substantial quantities of Blanket Bog, an Annex 1 habitat in the EC Habitats Directive. • 4 designated Local Nature Reserves • National and Lancashire Biodiversity Action Plan habitats and species are found within the borough, including: 16 habitats and 14 species recorded/known to occur within the borough. • The species data is slightly dated, and will require reviewing in light of the changes brought by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Water Areas • No major known capacity issues. • BwD Surface Water Management Plan • 2 main rivers: a Local Biodiversity Action Plan habitat, with • EA North West River Basin Management Plan potential for improving biodiversity benefits. The surface water • River Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan quality of these rivers have been graded from bad to fairly good. The better quality reaches are restricted to the headwaters above the built-up area. Much of the river is open, with a pedestrian recreation route running alongside, where this is not possible an alternative route is established to allow a continual recreation route through the borough.
67 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009
Infrastructure Capacity Issues Solution • Leeds-Liverpool Canal: the canal and its towpath is an important strategic tourism and recreation asset. • Smaller streams and brooks: form part of the river basin catchment and the Green Infrastructure network. Natural assets and potential assets which can be of benefit to new developments or improved open spaces, creating a sense of place and interest, and which are a Local Biodiversity Action Plan habitat. • Areas of standing water including ponds and reservoirs: form part of the Green Infrastructure network. Natural assets and potential assets which can be of benefit to new developments or improved open spaces, creating a sense of place and interest, supporting the reduction in surface water run-off, and which are a Local Biodiversity Action Plan habitat.
68 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 PART 2: TARGETED GROWTH STRATEGY NEEDS & OPPORTUNITIES
2.1 Policy CS1: A Targeted Growth Strategy 2.1.1 The Targeted Growth Strategy forms the strategic spatial approach for development within the Borough over the life of the Core Strategy.
2.1.2 Policy CS1 sets the overarching policy context for where development should be located and the types of development sought; what the roles of the two main towns, smaller settlements and the countryside are considered to be; and how regeneration will be delivered within the Borough.
2.1.3 Policy CS1 is set out below for reference purposes, and to set the context for Part 2 of this document.
Policy CS1: A Targeted Growth Strategy
The overall planning strategy for the Borough will be one of “Targeted Growth”. The overarching aim will be to raise economic performance, average wage levels and GVA generation, while minimising or eliminating net environmental impact. This will be achieved through new development and other activity by the Council and partners on the following factors that affect these outcomes:
• Land supply for business development in higher-value sectors; • Quantity, quality and mix of housing; • The range and quality of public facilities, particularly in town centres; • Environmental protection and enhancement; • Quality of place; • Access to jobs and services, including for people who are not currently economically active.
Under this Targeted Growth Strategy the spatial approach being taken in the Core Strategy for the two main towns and the rural area will be:
• Overall Focus for Development The large majority of new development in the Borough will be in the urban areas of Blackburn and Darwen, with the larger proportion being in Blackburn. There will be an emphasis on promoting new development in inner urban housing and employment areas and in town centres, while planning for complementary development elsewhere in the urban area, in the villages and in the countryside.
Within the period covered by the Core Strategy there will be a need for some growth in the urban area of Blackburn and Darwen. This will be in the form of a limited number of small scale urban extensions, which will in some cases require change to Green Belt boundaries.
A visual break will be maintained between Blackburn and Darwen, and the distinctive characters of the two towns will be recognised.
• Future for Blackburn Blackburn will continue to accommodate general development needs including a range of housing, retailing, service and employment development. Larger scale development, particularly that of regional/sub-regional significance, will generally be directed towards Blackburn.
69 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 • Future for Darwen Darwen will accommodate general development needs on an appropriate scale, including a range housing, retailing, service and employment development (including starter units), with the aim of reducing the need to travel out of the town for jobs, goods and services. It will also be a focus for smaller scale development, particularly in the independent retail sector.
It will continue to be developed as a market town, with a focus on specialist markets and niche businesses, and be promoted for tourism.
• Future for the Rural Area 1. Most new development outside the urban boundary will be focused on the villages of Edgworth, Chapeltown, Hoddlesden, Belmont and Pleasington. Tockholes is within the Green Belt and will therefore accommodate very limited new development.
2. Development within villages will mainly be that which meets local needs for housing, employment or service provision, or assists in the diversification of the rural economy. A degree of “enabling” market development will be planned for in order to deliver affordable housing.
3. Outside villages the amount of new development will be tightly limited. Individual opportunities which will help diversify the rural economy or support tourism will be supported where they are appropriate in scale. If major sites within the open countryside become available for redevelopment, the priority will be to minimise the amount of new development that takes place and the level of activity that a new use generates, while securing a satisfactory outcome. Proposals on these sites should combine “hard” end uses with “soft” uses including usable open spaces and restored habitats.
2.1.4 The Infrastructure Delivery Plan considers the capacity of the infrastructure within the broad areas identified by the Targeted Growth Strategy: • Inner Urban Areas of Blackburn and Darwen • Blackburn • Blackburn Town Centre • Darwen • Darwen Town Centre • Villages: Belmont, Pleasington, Edgworth, Chapeltown, Hoddlesden • Open Countryside • Proposed Green Belt • Major Employment Site in Hyndburn Borough
2.1.5 The opportunities and needs created by the infrastructure provision within each of these areas are considered in the following section (2.2).
70 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2 Opportunities & Needs
2.2.1 Inner Urban Areas of Blackburn and Darwen 2.2.1.1 The inner urban areas of Blackburn and Darwen have been identified as the development priority to support the regeneration of the towns. The Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder programme has provided the recent regeneration framework for regeneration delivery in the housing markets of both Blackburn and Darwen, focusing on key inner urban areas with identified need. Housing market failure includes houses in poor condition, those that have been abandoned, and large areas of empty or unpopular properties which are in low demand.
2.2.1.2 In Blackburn with Darwen HMR covers 27,900 dwellings. However, regeneration priority has initially been given to three Area Development Framework (ADFS) areas: • Blackburn Inner North West (Bank Top & Griffin) • Blackburn North East (Infirmary, Whitebirk, Audley, and Queen’s Park) • Darwn (Darwen Central, Darwen East and Darwen Northwest) It is likely that future use of government funding will continue to focus on these areas and not extend into other parts of the Intervention Area.
2.2.1.3 These areas suffer from a predominance of 2bed terrace properties, limited open space, transient populations and high deprivation levels. There are continuing high levels of vacant properties throughout the intervention areas, particularly in Central Darwen (12% in 2007). Vacancies remain high even in Inner North and Audley/Queen’s Park (7% and 6% respectively) where house prices have increased significantly, reflecting the unsuitability of stock and lack of choice.
2.2.1.4 However, conversely, they are well located in terms of accessibility to the town centres, community facilities and public transport links.
Opportunities 2.2.1.5 The focus on the inner urban areas of the towns for regeneration and new development is complemented by the approach of partners and key stakeholders. It has been the approach taken by the Council in a number of its functions over recent years and is supported by national government agendas.
2.2.1.6 Emphasising the inner urban areas of Blackburn and Darwen as development priority areas, is particularly complementary to particular infrastructure delivery programmes and strategies, including: • The Housing Market Renewal programme • LTP2 • MAA/Integrated Economic Strategy for Pennine Lancashire • Building Schools for the Future
2.2.1.7 Recent infrastructure improvements which will support the implementation of this approach include: • Clearance carried out over designated sites, sites prepared for housing redevelopment • Clearance carried out and Darwen Academy under construction on site. • Improvements to the pedestrian, cycling and public transport environment in Darwen which has been carried out in the town centre, by changing the existing road network. • Facelifting & Neighbourhood Environmental Projects • Darwen Health Centre
71 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.1.8 Specific projects which will support the implementation of the Core Strategy’s targeted growth focus on the inner urban areas of the two towns include: • Pennine Reach • Darwen-Royal Blackburn Hospital bus route • New GP Provision • Queen Street/Hindle Street clearance redevelopment site • Infirmary clearance redevelopment site • Griffin clearance redevelopment site • Play Pathfinder sites • Darwen Academy • LEGI • Building Schools for the Future • Blackburn Health Centre • Darwen Leisure Centre
Needs 2.2.1.9 Difficulties with regards to ensuring the Core Strategy approach is implementable includes ensuring the areas are attractive to developers and investors. Adequate infrastructure systems are essential to support the levels of development potentially being directed towards these areas.
2.2.1.10 It will be expected that the replacement housing development required will be catered for within the inner urban areas. It is unlikely, due to policies to create a mix of dwelling types on offer within these areas, and reducing density on these clearance sites (i.e. not necessarily replacing terrace properties with terraces) that all of the replacement dwellings will be provided within the clearance areas.
2.2.1.11 The remaining replacement provision will fall to sites outside the areas covered by the area-based Supplementary Planning Documents. Furthermore, there is also likely to be insufficient site capacity within the three active ADFs to accommodate the provision of new dwellings required by the Core Strategy. These will be regulated through the Council’s Development Management processes; crucial to the success of this will be ensuring meaningful pre-application discussion stages.
2.2.1.12 Main areas of concern in infrastructure capacity in the inner urban areas relate to: • surface water drainage & sewer drainage capacity; • the provision of health facilities in the areas currently experiencing the worst gap in GP provision; • commuter traffic into and through Blackburn and Darwen town centres has historically presented the biggest congestion problems, particularly at major junctions and along key corridors.
2.2.1.13 There are some public sewers which are at capacity and for significant development it is important, in preventing flooding and pollution, that United Utilities are consulted for their comments. Mitigation will be secured through a combination of physical capital improvements to the existing system carried out by United Utilities as part of their programme of improvements and considering alternatives for the drainage of surface water within new development schemes during the design stage and the planning application process, in line with the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). United Utilities Programme of Improvements is the subject of a bid to their Regulator and the success of this bid cannot be guaranteed.
2.2.1.14 In the areas most deficient in GP provision, new/additional provision would be supported through the implementation of s106 contributions from developers supplemented by the LIFT scheme.
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2.2.1.15 Work on the orbital route around Blackburn town centre is progressing, with the Freckleton Street Bridge completed. Traffic and public transport solutions remain an integral component of the Blackburn Town Centre Masterplan.
2.2.1.16 Darwen Town Centre highway improvements have been carried out, and have eased traffic congestion through the town. In addition, the Pennine Reach high- speed bus service will further contribution to reducing traffic congestion through the towns by reducing the need to travel by car.
Table 4: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Inner Urban Areas Key Programme Deliverer Housing Market Renewal: BwD Housing Strategy • Infirmary Regeneration Area Elevate • Queen St/Hindle Street Regeneration Area • Griffin Regeneration Area
LTP2: BwD Transport Policy Pennine Reach Capita
LEGI BwD Economic Development Elevate/Pennine Lancashire Development Company
GP Provision BwD PCT
Play Pathfinder: BwD Culture, Leisure & Sport • 3 new sites for local play facilities (8+ Play England years) being identified in each Neighbourhood Area
Green Infrastructure Strategy BwD Regeneration & Environment BwD Culture, Leisure & Sport
73 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.2 Blackburn 2.2.2.1 Out of the total Borough’s population of 141,200 residents, 102,000 people live within the town of Blackburn in 35,000 households. This represents approximately 72% of the borough’s population resident within the main town.
2.2.2.2 Blackburn is physically contained within a valley setting, surrounded on all sides by open countryside, most of which is designated Green Belt to the existing urban boundary. The urban area is characterised by 19th century housing within the core areas together with a close land use mix of housing, industrial and commercial areas.
Opportunities 2.2.2.3 Much of the inner urban area of Blackburn has been identified for regeneration activity – with 2 main Housing Market Renewal Areas Area Development Framework areas (ADF) designated within Blackburn: Inner North West Blackburn and Inner South East Blackburn. Recent planning policy has focused development into these areas, with the majority of applications for new housing within the active ADFs were approved, while the majority outside were refused.
2.2.2.4 Outside the HMR areas, there is a wider, more modern range of housing stock, set within suburban neighbourhoods. There are a number of areas which may have some potential for higher value ‘executive’ housing and possible urban extensions, following more detailed study.
2.2.2.5 In addition to the town centre, there are a number of strategic employment locations; in particular on the edge of centre and close to the motorway junctions.
2.2.2.6 The Core Strategy places an emphasis on larger scale development, and particularly that of regional/sub-regional significance towards Blackburn. In terms of the impact on infrastructure, this approach is the most appropriate since the urban area of Blackburn is relatively compact and benefits from the most comprehensive existing infrastructure provision.
2.2.2.7 The continued focus on Blackburn town is particularly complementary to particular infrastructure delivery programmes and strategies, including: • Building Schools for the Future • The Housing Market Renewal programme • MAA/Pennine Lancashire Strategic Economic Strategy • LTP2 • Cycling Strategy • Play Pathfinder
2.2.2.8 From discussions with all key partners identified, it is clear that there is considered to be sufficient capacity in most types of infrastructure provision to support the expected additional growth overall. In particular: • Blackburn is well-served by main road and rail corridors providing good high level accessibility • The existing water mains system • The electricity and gas network • Education – 8 of the 10 LEA secondary schools are located within Blackburn. In addition, the town benefits from further and higher education provision. • Hospital facilities • Leisure centres, libraries and community centres • Open space facilities including 4 Green Flag parks: Witton Country Park, Roe Lee Park and the 2 historic parks: Corporation Park and Queens Park; Blackburn Golf Course and the Leeds Liverpool Canal.
74 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 • Play Pathfinder is investing a substantial amount of capital funding for the provision of new play facilities which will total 22 new and improved play areas across Blackburn, in addition to the proposed new adventure play facility in Witton Country Park.
Needs 2.2.2.9 This approach will place greatest pressure on the existing infrastructure networks, and intervention may be necessary in some areas with regards to some types of infrastructure provision to ensure developments are considered acceptable. This will be considered in detail during the development of the Planning Obligations SPD and when considering the potential Community Levy approach.
2.2.2.10 While the overall development strategy for the Core Strategy is to focus the large majority of new development into the existing urban area, the Strategy also proposes to allow for some urban growth of Blackburn towards the north east, particularly through the development of land for employment uses and through small scale urban extensions. This will have some additional infrastructure requirements; how this will be realised in practice will be considered in detail during the preparation of the Allocations DPD.
2.2.2.11 Main areas of concern relate to: • Surface water drainage & sewer drainage capacity • Congestion problems • GP Provision • The capacity of the M65 motorway • The provision of affordable housing • Flood defence • Cross-boundary train links, • Broadband is limited in some areas including employment areas such as Shadsworth and Whitebirk (Blackburn)
2.2.2.12 There are some public sewers which are at capacity and for significant development it is important, in preventing flooding and pollution, that United Utilities are consulted for their comments. Consultation with United Utilities on planning applications in Blackburn with Darwen has been above average as compared with the 60 Planning Authorities in their service area. Mitigation will be provided through a combination of physical capital improvements to the existing system carried out by United Utilities as part of their programme of improvements and considering alternatives for the drainage of surface water within new development schemes during the design stage and the planning application process, in line with the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). United Utilities investment programme is the subject of a bid to their Regulator and the success of this bid cannot be guaranteed. Blackburn with Darwen will lead in the preparation of a Surface Water Management Plan for the Borough in line with the draft Flood and Water Management Bill.
2.2.2.13 Congestion problems are being caused by commuter traffic into and through Blackburn town centre, particularly at major junctions and along key corridors. Work on the orbital route around Blackburn town centre is progressing, with the Freckleton Street Bridge completed. Traffic and public transport solutions remain an integral component of the Blackburn Town Centre Masterplan. The delivery of the Masterplan is already receiving financial support from LTP2. Pennine Reach will reduce congestion by encouraging a greater number of journeys to be taken by public transport and reduce the need for car use.
75 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.2.14 The provision of health facilities in some parts of Blackburn are currently experiencing the worst gap in GP provision. In these areas new/additional provision would be supported through the implementation of s106 contributions from developers supplemented by the LIFT scheme.
2.2.2.15 The M65 motorway is already at capacity, concern is that its limitations will prevent strategic employment development. The widening of the motorway to enable development of the strategic regional site extension at Pennine Lancashire gateway, Whitebirk is identified as a key Council priority in the longer term, in addition to promotion of public transport services. This is also being considered on a Pennine Lancashire level through the MAA.
2.2.2.16 New affordable housing will be implemented predominately through the development management service; through the Housing Strategy regeneration programmes, supported by Elevate/Pennine Lancashire Development Company; and through the Housing Corporation’s Affordable Housing Grant.
2.2.2.17 Where development is proposed in a flood risk zone identified by the SFRA, a planning application must be accompanied by a flood risk assessment for the site. Any flood mitigation measures including flood defences would be sought to be provided by the developer to enable the development to be considered acceptable, this could include the use of s106 agreements. Where sites in flood risk areas are identified for potential development when preparing subsequent Local Development Documents, they will only be allocated if they can be justified by a Level 2 SFRA in which the Council will demonstrate that such sites satisfy the requirements of both the Sequential and Exceptions Tests as set out in PPS25.
2.2.2.18 Improving the train travel links, particularly to Manchester, which is currently limited due to the single track sections, are identified as a key Council and Pennine Lancashire priority. The town train station improvements has funding secured and work is due to commence during 2009/10.
2.2.2.19 Achieving 100% Broadband coverage has been identified in the Pennine Lancashire MAA as a priority.
76 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 Table 5: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Blackburn Key Programme Deliverer Building Schools for the Future: BwD BC Children’s Services • Pleckgate Community School – complete Private new build on existing site & increase size In partnership with Bolton MBC of school from 1190 to 1350 pupils by 2012 • Blakewater College Community School – current school replaced with a new east Blackburn community school built by 2012 on alternative site • Witton Park Community High School – complete new build on existing site and increase in pupils from 1062 to 1200 by 2012. • Beardwood Community School – close in 2012 • St Bede’s RC High School – remodelled and new build by 2015 • Our Lady & St John RC High School – remodelled and new build by 2015 • St Wilfrid’s CE High School – not included in building programme • Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School – relocate to the Beardwood site by 2015 and grow to 600 11-16 pupils and increase existing 6th form provision • Newfield School – no further building work • Crosshill School – co-located on the site of a new build BSF community school by 2012 • Fernhurst School – close in 2012 • St Thomas’s Centre – relocate to current Crosshill School by 2013
Housing Market Renewal: BwD Housing Strategy • Infirmary SPD Elevate/Pennine Lancashire Development Company • Griffin SPD NWDA
77 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 Key Programme Deliverer LTP2: • Clitheroe – Manchester Rail Link BwD Transport Policy Network Rail
• Freckleton Street Link Road BwD Transport Policy Capita
• Blackburn Train Station Improvements BwD Transport Policy Network Rail • Pennine Reach
• Blackburn Town Centre Bus Station BwD Improvements Lancashire CC Capita Lancashire United
MAA: • Digital Connectivity PLLACE BT
Shadsworth MediPark /Evolution Park Private Developers
Play Pathfinder: BwD Culture, Leisure & Sport • 3 new sites for local play facilities (8+ Play England years) being identified in each Neighbourhood Area • Witton Country Park – major adventure play scheme development complementing improvements to athletics and sports facilities
Blackburn University College Status: Blackburn College • Capital development – new build in Lancaster University Blackburn Town Centre for HE provision
GP Provision: BwD PCT • Town Centre LIFT Centre • New GP Provision
Green Infrastructure Strategy BwD Regeneration & Environment BwD Culture, Leisure & Sport
78 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.3 Blackburn Town Centre 2.2.3.1 Blackburn Town Centre is identified as the focus for retailing, sub-regionally important development and a wider range of uses, including town centre residential development. The town centre is to be surrounded by an increased “transition area” of town centre-type uses including employment.
2.2.3.2 Blackburn Town Centre is considered to be a sub-regional centre for shopping and tertiary education, and acts as a focus for cultural, social, business and community life in the Borough and Pennine Lancashire. It enjoys good accessibility for public transport users, and benefits from familiar retail names including Marks & Spencers, Debenhams, and Morrisons. In addition Blackburn markets are a strong attraction to the town centre. The Town Centre is the main location for public services and employment, including the Borough Council Town Hall, Magistrates Courts, Blackburn College, and Capita.
2.2.3.3 However, there is increasingly strong competition from out-of-town retail parks, and nearby Town Centres such as Preston, Bolton, Burnley and attractive ‘Market Towns’ such as Clitheroe and Skipton, all with a recently improved offer. In particular concern for the future impact on Blackburn Town Centre comes from the proposals for Preston.
2.2.3.4 The Blackburn Town Centre Strategy (2003-2008) is currently being updated. It was successful in attracting £13.25m grant from NWDA to assist in the renaissance projects in the town centre, which are now coming to an end. Consultants have been appointed to prepare an update, and refresh the Strategy; and will look at specific issues such as the Knowledge Zone and the leisure and evening economy. A new draft strategy is anticipated by summer 2009.
2.2.3.5 Much of the town centre is covered by Conservation Area designation, with 5 adjoining but distinctive Conservation Areas: • King Street • Cathedral • Darwen Street • Northgate • Richmond Terrace
Opportunities 2.2.3.6 Accessibility mapping clearly shows the justification for directing key retail, employment and social developments into Blackburn Town Centre, with the town centre being accessible by public transport from the majority of the urban area within 40 minutes.
2.2.3.7 Emphasising Blackburn Town Centre as the focus for retailing and sub-regionally important development, is particularly complementary to particular infrastructure delivery programmes and strategies, including: • MAA/Integrated Economic Strategy for Pennine Lancashire • Blackburn Town Centre Renaissance Programme • Blackburn Town Centre Strategy • LTP2 • Blackburn Knowledge Zone • Freckleton Street Masterplan • Cathedral Quarter SPD • Pennine Lancashire University College Status • Blackburn Town Centre Conservation Area Heritage and Design Guides • Blackburn Town Centre Movement Strategy.
79 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.3.8 Recent infrastructure improvements in Blackburn Town Centre which will support the anticipated increase in developments within the town include: • Construction of the new Freckleton Street road bridge; • Environmental and pedestrian enhancements in Church Street, Darwen street, King Street and Town Hall Square; • Refurbishment of the passenger facilities at Blackburn Railway Station; • Blackburn Cathedral restoration programme with works to the Lantern Tower and the East End completed; • Townscape Heritage Initiative established to improve historic buildings in the ‘Heritage Corridor’ of Church Street/King Street with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund; • Community safety initiatives including extension of the CCTV system and the ‘Safer Streets’ initiative of the Crime and Disorder Partnership; • Investment into improved cleansing and management/maintenance of the town centre; and • 2 Blackburn Town Centre Heritage Trail walks.
2.2.3.9 Specific projects which will support the implementation of the Core Strategy’s focus on Blackburn town centre as providing the sub-regional centre for Pennine Lancashire, and including a greater proportion of appropriate residential developments, are: • The Mall redevelopment; • The new relocated PCT LIFT health centre to its central location; • Blackburn train station improvements; • Pennine Reach & Blackburn bus station improvements; • Improvements to the train line and timetable for the Blackburn to Manchester rail route; • New link road to complete the town centre ‘ring road’; • Capital investment and achieving University College Status for Blackburn College; • Cathedral Quarter mixed use area redevelopment; • The redevelopment of Blackburn Market; and • The proposed new public park through the Pennine Squared project.
Needs 2.2.3.10 Main areas of concern on the impact of increased developments within the town centre on the infrastructure provision relate to: • Congestion problems • Availability of suitable sites
2.2.3.11 Commuter traffic into and through Blackburn town centre has historically presented the biggest congestion problems, particularly at major junctions and along key corridors. Work on the orbital route around Blackburn town centre is progressing, with the Freckleton Street Bridge completed. Traffic and public transport solutions remain an integral component of the Blackburn Town Centre Masterplan. The delivery of the Masterplan is receiving financial support from LTP2.
2.2.3.12 Improvements to the public transport infrastructure within and to the town centre will reduce the number of journeys necessary to be made into the town centre by car; including: Pennine Reach and the bus station improvements, the train station improvements and the improvements to the frequency and reliability of the train service from Clitheroe, Darwen, Bolton and Manchester.
2.2.3.13 The Pennine Lancashire Integrated Economic Strategy, area masterplans and SPDs will support bids for NWDA funding for site assembly and provide greater certainty to developers for the redevelopment of sites.
80 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009
Table 6: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Blackburn Town Centre Key Programme Deliverer Blackburn Town Centre Renaissance BwD BC Programme NWDA ERDF Private Blackburn Knowledge Zone BwD BC NWDA ERDF LTP2 HCA LSC Working Neighbourhoods Fund Private
Blackburn Cathedral Quarter (Phase 1 of BwD BC Knowledge Zone) Blackburn Cathedral Developments HCA NWDA Private Integrated Economic Strategy BwD PLLACE NWDA Elevate Working Neighbourhoods Fund LTP2: • Clitheroe – Manchester Rail Link BwD Transport Policy Network Rail
• Freckleton Street Link Road BwD Transport Policy Capita
• Blackburn Train Station Improvements BwD Transport Policy Network Rail • Pennine Reach BwD • Blackburn Town Centre Bus Station Lancashire CC Improvements Capita Transdev Blackburn University College Status: Blackburn College • Capital development – new build in Lancaster University Blackburn Town Centre for HE provision New Town Centre LIFT Centre BwD PCT The Mall Redevelopment The Mall Company BwD BC Pennine Squared NWDA Pennine Lancashire Development Company Blackburn Market Redevelopment BwD BC Private
81 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.4 Darwen 2.2.4.1 19% of the borough’s population live in Darwen (with an estimated population of 27,210 in an estimated 12,770 dwellings).
2.2.4.2 The town is located along a steep-sided river valley; six kilometres in length, but not more than three kilometres wide. The town is made up of the wards of Sudell; Sunnyhurst; Whitehall; Marsh House; and Earcroft.
2.2.4.3 Most of the development in Darwen is fairly small scale, and rarely above two storeys. Industrial and commercial areas are scattered throughout the town.
2.2.4.4 Darwen is considered able to accommodate continued general development needs, including a range of housing, retailing, service and employment development; in contrast to Blackburn, however, the level of this would be for smaller scale development.
2.2.4.5 Darwen Town Centre Masterplan was prepared and endorsed through public consultation, with a view to adopting it in due course as SPD. It is being used as a guide for investment and designations within the town centre – in particular for the LTP2 programme and conservation improvements such as the Townscape Heritage Initiative.
Opportunities 2.2.4.6 The Core Strategy emphasises the potential for Darwen to continue to develop its role as a “market town” and take advantage of its attractive “town in countryside” setting. The town retains a significant proportion of its historic fabric and some key buildings, along with its geographic location ensuring significant landscape views across the town and to the West Pennine Moors, which provide its distinctive setting.
2.2.4.7 Emphasising Darwen for continued general development, is particularly complementary to particular infrastructure delivery programmes and strategies, including: • The Housing Market Renewal programme • Darwen Townscape Heritage Initiative • Building Schools for the Future • Darwen Academy • LTP2 • Pennine Reach • Play Pathfinder
2.2.4.8 Areas of Opportunity within Darwen are considered to be: • Darwen has recently benefitted from significant improvements to the Town Centre highway network – improving traffic flows through the town, prioritising bus travel, and enhancing the streetscape and pedestrian environment. • Pennine Reach bus route links Darwen to Blackburn and Accrington via a high- speed bus service, with improved passenger facilities. • Building Schools for the Future will provide significant rebuild at Darwen Vale High School, whilst retaining the historic main front building. • Darwen Academy relocation to its new town centre site will benefit from the public transport interchange and central location, along with increasing spending in town centre shops and services by increasing employees based in the town centre. • The new health centre was completed in 2005. • The Leisure Centre is due to be completed and open towards the end of 2009.
82 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 • Three parks in the town are on the Historic Parks and Gardens register (Sunnyhurst Woods, Bold Venture Park, and Whitehall Park) and Sunnyhurst Woods also benefits from Green Flag award, with an aspiration for a second Green Flag in Darwen being awarded to Bold Venture Park. • The town centre masterplan identifies the key features to be retained and enhanced in the town and the areas for opportunity and improvement. Work has already been completed as part of this – including the public realm and highway/bus station works in front of the town hall and Market Street; and planned works are currently in progress to the market frontage. • New play facilities have been provided in parks and open spaces across Darwen – including Bold Venture Park, Ashton Park, and Watery Lane. Additional play facilities are proposed for Sunnyhurst Woods, Whitehall Park, Anchor estate, St Cuthbert’s/Earcroft Children’s Centre, and Olive Lane, and will be developed during 2009/10 as part of the Play Pathfinder programme alongside Big Lottery funding and s106 contributions.
2.2.4.9 The impact of the relocation of Darwen Academy to the town centre has been considered in the LTP2, since the scheme involves increasing pupil numbers to 1,200 students aged between 11 and 16, and a further 400 places in the sixth form attracting pupils from Blackburn, Bolton and other areas to travel to the site. Whilst the new Academy is expected to generate vehicle trips onto the A666, it is assessed that the balance of a town centre location, where public transport services meet, the location and improvement of the railway station and train facilities and the improvements to the pedestrian/cycle and public transport environment, along with the reductions of trips to and from the old facility, will reduce the net impact on A666 and Darwen as a whole.
Needs 2.2.4.10 Main areas of concern relate to: • Surface water drainage & sewer drainage capacity • Flooding • GP provision • Congestion • Accessibility
2.2.4.11 There are some public sewers which are at capacity and for significant development it is important, in preventing flooding and pollution, that United Utilities are consulted for their comments. Mitigation will be secured through a combination of physical capital improvements to the existing system carried out by United Utilities as part of their programme of improvements and considering alternatives for the drainage of surface water within new development schemes during the design stage and the planning application process, in line with the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). United Utilities investment programme is the subject of a bid to their Regulator and the success of this bid cannot be guaranteed. Blackburn with Darwen will lead in the preparation of a Surface Water Management Plan for the Borough in line with the draft Flood and Water Management Bill.
2.2.4.12 Parts of Darwen alongside the River Darwen fall within Flood Zone 3 (high flood risk) with further areas falling within Flood Zone 2 (medium flood risk). The risk of flooding is anticipated to potentially increase over the long term due to factors such as climate change and land use changes. All planning applications for developments within these areas will be required to submit a Flood Risk Assessment confirming the development will be safe, will not increase flood risk elsewhere and, where possible, will reduce overall flood risk, in line with the SFRA.
83 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.4.13 Where sites in flood risk areas are identified for potential development when preparing subsequent Local Development Documents, they will only be allowed if they can be justified by a Level 2 SFRA in which the Council will demonstrate that such sites satisfy the requirements of both the Sequential and Exceptions Tests as set out in PPS25.
2.2.4.14 In addition, land management programmes may reduce the amount of runoff from the moors into the river during times of heavy rain, through grip blocking to increase the water storage capacity of the moorland; and encouraging the inclusion of SUDs methods within the design of new developments outside the areas most at risk from flooding will help to further reduce the amount of surface water runoff being directed into the river at times of heavy or continued rainfall.
2.2.4.15 The provision of health facilities in some areas are currently experiencing the worst gap in GP provision. In these areas new/additional provision would be supported through the implementation of s106 contributions from developers supplemented by the LIFT scheme.
2.2.4.16 Darwen’s accessibility is limited, there are few alternative routes to the strategic A666 corridor which links it to Blackburn and Bolton and runs at the bottom of a heavily built up valley. This has resulted historically, in congestion at peak times and poor air quality. In particular, commuter traffic into and through Darwen town centres presents one of the Borough’s biggest congestion problems, particularly at major junctions and along key corridors. However, improvements to the pedestrian, cycling and public transport environment has been carried out in the town centre, through changing the existing road network. Pennine Reach will reduce the need to travel by car to Blackburn and beyond, reducing the traffic congestion further. Improvements to the train station and line links to Bolton and Manchester will further reduce the need to travel from Darwen by car.
2.2.4.17 The accessibility mapping clearly shows some limitations to access key locations from Darwen, in particular it is not possible to access strategic employment locations such as Whitebirk by public transport within a travel time of 50 minutes from anywhere in Darwen except the very northern tip and immediately adjacent to the train station. Additionally, there are limitations to accessing Blackburn Town Centre within 30 minutes by public transport from the southern and outer parts of the town. LTP2 (and likely to be continued by LTP3) aims to address this issue, with Pennine Reach being a key project in the delivery of improved public transport options.
84 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 Table 7: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Darwen Key Programme Deliverer Building Schools for the Future: BwD BC • Darwen Vale Community High School – Private substantial remodel including new build In partnership with Bolton MBC on existing site by 2012 • Darwen Moorland Community high School – close and be replaced by Darwen Academy. Move off existing site by 2010
Darwen Academy Rodney Aldridge Trust BwD Children’s Services
Housing Market Renewal: BwD Housing Strategy • Queen St/Hindle St SPD Elevate/Pennine Lancashire Development Company
LTP2: • Town Centre Highway Improvements BwD Transport Policy Capita
• Clitheroe – Manchester Rail Link BwD BC Network Rail
• Darwen Train Station Improvements BwD BC Network Rail
• Pennine Reach BwD BC Lancashire CC Capita Lancashire United
Darwen Leisure Centre BwD BC
Pennine Lancashire Tourism Lancashire & Blackpool Tourist Board BwD BC
Play Pathfinder: BwD Culture, Leisure & Sport • 3 new sites for local play facilities (8+ Play England years) being identified in the Darwen & Rural Neighbourhood Area
Green Infrastructure Strategy BwD Regeneration & Environment BwD Culture, Leisure & Sport
Darwen Town Centre Masterplan BwD BC Darwen Townscape Heritage Initiative Capita
Darwen Health Centre (Completed) PCT
85 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.5 Darwen Town Centre 2.2.5.1 The market town role of Darwen Town Centre is to be developed and the range of uses including employment within the town centre to be widened.
2.2.5.2 Darwen Town Centre benefits from a traditional indoor market, 2 supermarkets, a library, theatre, Darwen Town Hall, a new health centre, the construction of a new leisure centre and Academy, along with a number of new ‘town centre’ living style residential developments.
2.2.5.3 Its setting is one of a market town in the countryside: from the town centre views of the moors and Darwen Tower are visible, and the River Darwen runs through the town with the open river corridor on either side of the main town centre - with the River Darwen Linear Walkway extending through the town. The town I characterised by a number of buildings of significant historic and architectural interest within the town.
Opportunities 2.2.5.4 Darwen Town Centre has clear opportunities for its enhancement and focus as a market town with specialist markets, niche businesses and tourism potential.
2.2.5.5 Accessibility mapping clearly shows the improvement to access to the Borough’s two town centres; with the whole of Darwen and, significantly, the villages in the south of the borough having reasonable access by public transport to Darwen Town Centre in comparison to the accessibility of the Borough to Blackburn Town Centre alone.
2.2.5.6 Emphasising the market town role of Darwen Town Centre is particularly complementary to particular infrastructure delivery programmes and strategies, including: • Housing Market Renewal • Darwen Town Centre Strategy 2004 • Darwen Masterplan consultation exercise • Darwen Market Town programme(2009) bid: PLLACE and Pennine Lancashire Development Company • MAA/Integrated Economic Strategy for Pennine Lancashire • LTP2
2.2.5.7 The town centre has already recently benefitted from significant physical infrastructure improvements to the highway, bus and pedestrian routes, which have included enhanced civic spaces within the town centre.
2.2.5.8 Other recent infrastructure improvements in Darwen Town Centre which will support the implementation of the Core Strategy include: • The new Darwen Health Centre • Promotion of the Darwen Town Centre Heritage Trail and the Green Trail Walks • New development of Lidl superstore.
2.2.5.9 Specific projects which will support the implementation of the Core Strategy’s focus on Darwen Town Centre as a focus for developments, include: • Improvements to the Market, including relocation of public toilets, and reopening of the frontage as shop units • Darwen Leisure Centre • Darwen Community Academy • New Booking Station facilities at Darwen Train Station
86 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 • Improvements to the Darwen – Blackburn and Darwen – Manchester train line and timetable. • Pennine Reach
Needs 2.2.5.10 Main areas of concern relate to: • commuter traffic into and through Darwen town centres has historically presented one of the boroughs the biggest congestion problems, particularly at major junctions and along key corridors
2.2.5.11 Improvements to the pedestrian, cycling and public transport environment has been carried out in the town centre, through changing the existing road network. This has relieved some of the air quality concerns in the town centre and improved pedestrian movement within the main shopping area.
Table 8: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Darwen Town Centre Key Programme Deliverer Darwen Town Centre Masterplan BwD BC Darwen Market Town programme PLLACE
Integrated Economic Strategy BwD PLLACE NWDA Elevate
LTP2: BwD Transport Policy • Town Centre Highway Improvements Capita • Pennine Reach
• Darwen Train Station Improvements
Darwen Health Centre BwD PCT
Darwen Leisure Centre BwD BC
Darwen Academy Rodney Aldridge Trust
Darwen Townscape Heritage Initiative BwD BC Heritage Lottery Funding Private
87 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.6 Villages: Belmont, Pleasington, Edgworth, Chapeltown, Hoddlesden 2.2.6.1 The villages will be considered for limited scale housing primarily for meeting local needs, and will be a focus for local service provision within the rural areas.
2.2.6.2 There are 6 villages within the Blackburn with Darwen Borough boundary: Belmont, Chapeltown, Edgworth, Hoddlesden, Pleasington and Tockholes; located largely to the south and west of the borough. The villages contain a mixture of 18th and 19th century housing and other development, including a number of individual traditional mills, built in local materials. Due to its size and dispersed nature Tockholes does not have a village boundary and is ‘washed over’ by Green Belt.
2.2.6.3 The villages form the main centres of living and service provision in the rural area. They are relatively close to the main urban areas (with Belmont, Edgworth and Chapeltown geographically closer to the urban areas of Bolton than Blackburn).
Opportunities 2.2.6.4 The villages have less capacity for new development and this is mirrored in the Core Strategy approach which seeks to limit the amount of general development allowed outside of the two main towns. New development will be focused within the existing village boundaries and will benefit from the existing infrastructure facilities.
2.2.6.5 Supporting limited local needs development within the villages is particularly complementary to particular infrastructure delivery programmes and strategies including: • MAA/Integrated Economic Strategy for Pennine Lancashire • LTP2 • Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan • Rural Development Programme England • West Pennine Moors Statement of Intent
2.2.6.6 Specific projects which will support the implementation of any new development within the villages include: • Rural Economy • Tourism & Visitor Economy • Village Heritage Trails - there are two heritage walks around the historic village of Tockholes, situated on the edge of Roddlesworth Woods: North Tockholes heritage trail and South Tockholes heritage trail, and also heritage trails for the villages of Edgworth and Belthorn. • Play Pathfinder – a new play area has been provided during 2008/09 in Belmont.
Needs 2.2.6.7 Main areas of concern relate to: • Access to services and facilities • Public Transport provision • Broadband coverage
2.2.6.8 The villages suffer greater levels of infrastructure limitations than the Borough’s two towns, being geographically disjointed from the main urban area.
2.2.6.9 The accessibility mapping shows the poorest levels of access to key locations is from the villages and the open countryside. In particular access to strategic employment locations such a Whitebirk are not possible to do within a travel time of 50minutes from any of the villages, access to Blackburn Royal Hospital from Belmont and Chapeltown, and to Blackburn Town Centre from Tockholes,
88 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 Belmont, Chapeltown, Edgworth and Hoddlesden is also not possible within 50 minutes by public transport.
2.2.6.10 Achieving 100% Broadband coverage has been identified in the Pennine Lancashire MAA as a priority.
Table 9: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Villages Key Programme Deliverer Integrated Economic Strategy BwD PLLACE NWDA Elevate
LTP2 BwD Transport Policy Capita
Digital Connectivity BT NWDA/Pennine Lancashire Development Company
Lancashire and Blackpool Visitor Economy Lancashire & Blackpool Tourist Board Strategy 2006-2016 & Action Plan (2006- BwD BC 2009)
Lancashire and Blackpool Destination Management Plan 2008-2009
Pennine Lancashire Tourism Lancashire & Blackpool Tourist Board BwD BC Elevate/ Pennine Lancashire Development Company
Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan BwD BC
Lancashire Green Infrastructure Strategy Lancashire Economic Partnership East Lancashire Regional Park BwD BC EA Private/Landowners
Play Pathfinder BwD BC
Rural Development Programme England DEFRA Natural England Forestry Commission NWDA
West Pennine Moors Statement of Intent West Pennine Moors Area Management Committee NWDA Natural England
89 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.7 Open Countryside 2.2.7.1 In the West Pennine Moors, promoting greater levels of tourism and active use of the countryside is identified as being a key priority for the area. Ensuring this is carried out without significant harm to the sensitive landscape setting and resulting in significant increases in reliance on car use will be key to a sustainable approach.
2.2.7.2 Within the open rural area are a number of major developed sites. Within the period covered by the Core Strategy it is thought likely that one or more of these may become available for redevelopment. The Core Strategy acknowledges that new investment and redevelopment is the only option if they are not to become derelict; however, it cautions that these sites are typically not sustainable locations for new development having poor transport links and few or no services nearby. It is therefore proposed that where these sites do become available for redevelopment, the amount of development that takes place will be minimised and the extent to which the site is restored to a more natural state will be maximised.
Opportunities 2.2.7.3 The promotion of greater levels of tourism and active use of the countryside is particularly complementary to particular infrastructure delivery programmes and strategies, including: • East Lancashire Regional Park • LTP2 • West Pennine Moors Statement of Intent • Lancashire Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) • Ribble Valley Flood Catchment Management Plan • British Waterways – Leeds to Liverpool Canal • SUSTRANs National Cycling Network • Lancashire Green Infrastructure Strategy • Integrated Economic Strategy for Pennine Lancashire • Visitor economy • Rural Economy: Food/farm shops • Business development/home working • Upland management
Needs 2.2.7.4 Main areas of concern relate to: • Accessibility for all • Broadband coverage
2.2.7.5 The accessibility mapping shows the poorest levels of access to key locations is from the villages and the open countryside. In particular access to strategic employment locations such a Whitebirk are not possible to do within a travel time of 50minutes from any of the villages, access to Blackburn Royal Hospital from Belmont and Chapeltown, and to Blackburn Town Centre from Tockholes, Belmont, Chapeltown, Edgworth and Hoddlesden is also not possible within 50 minutes by public transport.
2.2.7.6 Achieving 100% Broadband coverage has been identified in the Pennine Lancashire MAA as a priority.
90 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 Table 10: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Open Countryside Key Programme Deliverer LTP2 BwD Transport Policy Capita
Lancashire RoWIP BwD Public Rights of Way Capita LCC
Leeds-Liverpool Canal British Waterways
National Cycle Network SUSTRANs
Lancashire Green Infrastructure Strategy BwD LCC Landowners
Integrated Economic Strategy BwD PLLACE NWDA Elevate
Digital Connectivity PLLACE BT
Pennine Lancashire Tourism Lancashire & Blackpool Tourist Board BwD BC Elevate/ Pennine Lancashire Development Company
Rural Development Programme England DEFRA Natural England Forestry Commission NWDA
West Pennine Moors Statement of Intent West Pennine Moors Area Management Committee NWDA Natural England
West Pennine Moors Bridleways Strategy LCC 2006-2013 BwD BC West Pennine Moors Area Management Committee
Lancashire and Blackpool Visitor Economy Lancashire & Blackpool Tourist Board Strategy 2006-2016 & Action Plan (2006- BwD BC 2009) Lancashire and Blackpool Destination Management Plan 2008-2009
River Ribble Catchment Flood Management Environment Agency Plan BwD BC
91 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.8 Proposed Green Belt 2.2.8.1 The general extent of the Green Belt will be maintained through the Core Strategy, with the exception of the Gib Lane area at the West of Blackburn. It is proposed to extend the Green Belt here, between the urban area of Blackburn and the M65. This is an area of open countryside.
2.2.8.2 The boundaries of this area of proposed Green Belt will be established through the Allocations DPD.
Table 11: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Proposed Green Belt Key Programme Deliverer Allocations DPD BwD BC: Forward Planning
Green Belt Review BwD BC: Forward Planning
92 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 2.2.9 Major Employment Site in Hyndburn Borough 2.2.9.1 The Core Strategy highlights an area on the Borough boundary within the administrative borough of Hyndburn as a potential future major employment site.
Opportunities 2.2.9.2 The promotion of Whitebirk as a potential prestige employment site is particularly complementary to particular infrastructure delivery programmes and strategies, including: • Pennine Lancashire MAA • Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategy • Hyndburn Core Strategy
2.2.9.3 An expansion of the Whitebirk Strategic Prestige Employment site would require a change to the Green Belt boundary. This is highlighted in the actions in the Pennine Lancashire MAA, which also establishes a series of terms of reference that a Green Belt study should consider: • Testing the assumption that this is the only viable option to create a strategic site capable of attracting investment in the key target sectors • Potential of the development to reduce the out-commuting of skilled residents • The ability to ensure high levels of public transport accessibility • Ability to maximise employment opportunities for local residents • The ability to protect and enhance major environmental, historic and resource assets • The ability of the site to be developed in a way that preserves the function of Green Belt, with regards to separation of urban areas • The ability to ensure the integration of the development with the landscape meets high environmental standards.
Needs 2.2.9.4 Main areas of concern relate to: • Green Belt designation • The capacity of the M65 motorway
2.2.9.5 The site is currently within the Green Belt and will require a strategic review of Green Belt to bring it forward. The Core Strategy confirms that if it is concluded that this land should not be taken out of Green Belt, the Core Strategy’s approach to employment land would be reviewed.
2.2.9.6 The widening of the motorway to enable development of the strategic regional site extension at Pennine Lancashire gateway, Whitebirk is identified as a key Council priority in the longer term, in addition to promotion of public transport services. The Highways Agency have raised concerns about the location of prestige employment developments at the M65 junctions.
93 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009
Table 12: Key Infrastructure Programmes in Major Employment Site, Hyndburn Key Programme Deliverer MAA/Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategy Pennine Lancashire Authorities Elevate NWDA
Hyndburn Core Strategy Hyndburn Borough Council
Green Belt Review BwD BC/HBC Elevate/Pennine Lancashire Development Company NWDA
Employment Needs Study BwD BC/HBC Elevate/Pennine Lancashire Development Company NWDA
LTP2: Highways Agency • M65 improvements Pennine Lancashire Authorities Elevate/Pennine Lancashire Development Company NWDA
94 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 PART 3: CORE STRATEGY DELIVERY & MONITORING
3.1 A Targeted Growth Strategy
3.1.1 The policies in the Core Strategy have a wider remit than that to be carried out within the land use planning system. Delivery of the individual policies will require the support of partners and external funders in Blackburn with Darwen, and across Pennine Lancashire.
MAA/Pennine Lancashire Joint Investment Plan 3.1.2 The delivery of the Core Strategy will be facilitated by a wide range of partners and organisations, and is to an extent, reliant upon significant levels of external funding. The Core Strategy identifies a number of key projects which are central to the delivery of the targeted growth strategy, and whose impacts will extend beyond the administrative footprint of the borough. Examples of these projects include the Clitheroe – Manchester Rail Link and the delivery of the Blackburn Knowledge Zone strategic regional employment site. Cross-boundary and strategic sub-regional working is essential for the successful delivery and implementation of a number of the interventions highlighted in the Core Strategy, particularly in relation to securing funding.
3.1.3 The Sub-national review of economic development and regeneration (SNR) (HMT, BERR & CLG, 2007) promotes cross boundary working between authorities, due to the fact that administrative boundaries often do not correspond with functioning economic areas. This is particularly the case in Pennine Lancashire, where it is acknowledged that the six local authorities of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale effectively function as one economic footprint.
3.1.4 The Pennine Lancashire Multi-Area Agreement was signed by the Prime Minister in January 2009 and builds upon a strong history of partnership working, to provide a clear articulation of the priorities, interventions and actions required to secure the economic transformation of the sub-region. The agreement comprises of seven interrelated strands: • Funding • Transport • Skills – Higher Education • Worklessness • Economic Development (Jobs/Digital Connectivity/Culture) • Spatial Planning • Strategic Housing
3.1.5 The Multi-Area Agreement will act as an important delivery vehicle for the Core Strategy by identifying key priorities for the sub-region, and determining the level and type of Government and sub-regional action that is required to facilitative their delivery. The MAA has an important role to play in the delivery of the Core Strategy in terms of providing a coherent, strategic sub-regional approach to economic regeneration, which is essential for access to funding opportunities. The MAA confirms that the Pennine Lancashire authorities possess a shared vision and ambitions for the transformation of the sub-region and states their commitment to effective cross boundary working to secure this change.
3.1.6 It is acknowledged that the approach to regeneration across Pennine Lancashire has traditionally been somewhat disjointed, due to the fact that funding originates from a vast array of different sources. Historically, Pennine Lancashire has failed to compete effectively for Northwest Regional Development Agency funding and has
95 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 consistently received less money than other areas of the North West. In order to secure adequate funding to support the transformation of the sub-region’s economy, it is therefore essential that Pennine Lancashire presents a strategic joined up approach to investment planning. The MAA and Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategic and accompanying Delivery Plan provide a strong foundation for investment planning by clearly identifying key priorities and anticipated outcomes for the sub-region.
3.1.7 Building upon this, work is currently ongoing to create a Joint Investment Plan for Pennine Lancashire. The Joint Investment Plan will encompass funding from European funds, Housing Market Renewal, Northwest Regional Development Agency, local authorities, Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) and the Homes and Communities Agency. As a starting point the Pennine Lancashire authorities and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have agreed the key priorities and in principle, funding for the future economic development of the sub- region. Four key priorities and related key interventions have been identified: • Aerospace/Advanced Manufacturing & Growth Sectors • Skills/Higher Education, Worklessness and Inclusion • Digital and Physical Connectivity • Housing and Places
3.1.8 These priorities relate closely to the priorities of the Blackburn with Darwen Core Strategy and these interrelationships are shown diagrammatically in the figure below. The Joint Investment Plan will provide a strategic approach to funding for Pennine Lancashire and will be crucial in delivering the key aspects of the Multi-Area Agreement. It therefore has significant implications for the delivery of Blackburn with Darwen’s Core Strategy in that it should streamline the funding process, and ensure access to the funding required to facilitate a number of the key projects of Pennine Lancashire significance. The Northwest Regional Development Agency has agreed in principle to grant Pennine Lancashire £20 million over the next year to support the four priorities and the development of the Joint Investment Plan.
3.1.9 Alongside the development of the Joint Investment Plan, PLACE (Pennine Lancashire Association of Chief Executives) will continue to develop its Single Conversation with the Homes and Communities Agency. The Single Conversation is a key business model that has been devised by the Homes and Communities Agency and is an ongoing dynamic process which encompasses housing, infrastructure, regeneration and community activities within its scope. The Single Conversation between HCA and PLACE will enable a comprehensive approach to regeneration and will tailor investment strategies to the needs of Pennine Lancashire. It will ensure that investment from national programmes for growth and renewal is delivered in ways which work effectively in the local context, and will mean that funding from a variety of public and private sources is linked to achieve maximum impact.
3.1.10 Work on developing the Joint Investment Plan and the Single Conversation is ongoing, with the ultimate aim that funding decisions will be delegated to the sub- regional level and delivered by PLACE. A more streamlined and comprehensive approach to investment planning at a sub-regional level will obviously impact positively on the delivery of the Core Strategy by increasing the levels of funding that can be achieved. This funding will facilitate the delivery of the key projects and interventions that are considered crucial to the overall targeted growth strategy for the borough, as well as being of significance to Pennine Lancashire as a whole.
96 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009
PENNINE LANCASHIRE INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK: 4 THEMES
Aerospace/Advanced Skills, Worklessness and Digital and Physical Housing and Places Manufacturing Inclusion Connectivity & Growth Sectors
Blackburn with Darwen Core Strategy Policy CS1: A Targeted Growth Strategy
Spatial Interventions
Land supply for business Access to jobs and Access to jobs and Quantity, quality and mix of development in higher- services services housing value sectors
Quality of place
Environmental protection and enhancement
Range and quality of public facilities, particularly in
town centres
97 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009
3.1.11 As well as being the Local Development Plan for the Borough the Core Strategy is a Council Corporate document which will be used to co-ordinate activities by other partner departments within the Council.
3.1.12 In addition to this, the Core Strategy has been developed as the spatial reflection of the Local Sustainable Community Strategy to be implemented by the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) partners.
Policy CS1: A Targeted Growth Strategy
This is to be monitored through the subsequent policies in the Core Strategy.
It will be implemented with the support of the following partners (among others):
• Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (BwD BC): - Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group - Development Management - Regeneration - Housing - Children’s Services - Countryside Services - Leisure & Tourism - Neighbourhood Management • Local Strategic Partnership • Pennine Lancashire Development Company • NWDA • Private Developers • Private Landowners • PCT • Environment Agency • Hyndburn Borough Council • Lancashire County Council
Monitoring Delivery & Review 3.1.13 The delivery of the Core Strategy can be measured by monitoring the degree to which the individual policies are implemented. The main targets, indicators, and delivery mechanisms are noted in the delivery tables set for each individual Core Strategy policy (see Part 3 of this document).
3.1.14 However, its impact as a whole on the key elements which form the basis of the Vision, Objectives and Targeted Growth Strategy will be critical in understanding the extent to which it achieves its success as an effective agent in delivering change and sustainable spatial planning in the Borough.
3.1.15 These key elements can be summarised as: • Ensuring sufficient deliverable land supply for business development in higher-value sectors; • Providing high quality, sufficient quantity and a varied, appropriate mix of housing to attract new and retain existing residents to the borough; • Allowing the provision of an improved range and quality of public facilities, particularly in town centres;
98 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009
• Ensuring environmental protection and enhancement; • Protecting and enhancing the Borough’s quality of place; • Supporting and improving the Borough’s residents’ access to jobs and services, including for people who are not currently economically active.
3.1.16 The main mechanisms for monitoring the delivery of the Core Strategy are summarised below, and the potential known and anticipated threats are recognised and the robustness and flexibility of the Core Strategy to cope with these is considered.
99 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 3.2 Spatial Intervention 1: Land Supply for Business Development in Higher Value Sectors
3.2.1 The economic growth of the Borough, and the delivery of Core Strategy Spatial Intervention 1: Land Supply for Business Development in Higher Value Sectors, will depend on ensuring it is attractive to inward investors and sustainable to allow for the retention and development of existing businesses.
3.2.2 Key partners for the delivery of these policies include: • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council • Pennine Lancashire Development Company • NWDA
3.2.3 Three Core Strategy policies form the basis for implementing this spatial intervention. These are: • Typology of Employment Land (CS2); • Land for Employment Development (CS3); and • Protection and Reuse of Employment Sites (CS4).
3.2.4 These policies aim to identify where new employment sites should be, consider the amount of development needed to plan for, and establish a strategy for existing employment areas.
3.2.5 The policies will be delivered through a combination of planning policy and development management, with the Allocations DPD and area based SPDs allocating land for employment purposes and managing its delivery to maximise the benefits for the area; and economic development strategies and programmes. Developments will be supported by external funding, from Pennine Lancashire Development Company and local funding streams.
3.2.6 The delivery of this element of the Targeted Growth Strategy can be demonstrated by: • Raising the economic performance of the borough as a whole. • Increasing average wage levels within the borough. • Raising the GVA generation for the borough. • Meeting the targets set by higher-level element of the development plan for amount of employment land: this has currently been estimated at 35.2ha of extra land allocation required. • Delivering masterplans for key employment areas – including Blackburn and Darwen Town Centres, the Cathedral Quarter, and Freckleton Street. • Commissioning initial survey work for the Whitebirk Prestige Site – including employment review and initial greenbelt survey.
3.2.7 The main mechanisms identified in the Core Strategy tables for quantitatively monitoring the implementation of this include monitoring: • the number of jobs created; along with the number of new businesses started. • the floorspace created for the types of employment use and the locations of these. • the average earnings of employees in the area & residents of the Borough. • the amount of new land allocated for employment use as well as the total amount of additional employment floorspace. • The amount of existing employment land subject to change of use.
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3.2.8 Ensuring there is sufficient land supply for business development in higher-value sectors is a crucial element of delivering the Targeted Growth Strategy, without raising economic performance within the borough other regeneration aspirations will not be met.
3.2.9 Factors which may affect the delivery of this aspiration include: • Uncertainty regarding the completion of the Blackburn highway system – this is being held up due to the location of a Listed Building in the line of the proposed link road. There are a number of solutions to this, all of which are being explored. • Limited capacity of the M65, may cause objections in the future but within the life of the Core Strategy from the Highways Agency to proposed developments along the motorway corridor. Discussions are underway between the Council and the Highways Agency to find solutions which will not hamper the delivery of the Core Strategy or the economic progression of the borough. • The Whitebirk site being considered unsuitable for development for employment as a Prestige Site, or initial work being delayed – while the Core Strategy does not rely on this site coming forward during its coverage, it is anticipated that early work will commence towards the end of the Core Strategy period. If this work does not commence, or shows the site is unfavourable or unlikely to come forward at all, the longer term aspirations of the Core Strategy, for economic transformation will be under threat, and a review of the approach being taken for provision of high quality employment land may need to be taken. • The wider economic climate may have an impact on the timing of delivery of this element of the Core Strategy, in particular delaying the development of the higher-wage employment, and potentially the loss of smaller local businesses. However, the Core Strategy is developed as a longer term approach, and is considered to have sufficient flexibility within it to be applicable during all economic cycles.
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Policy CS2: Typology of Employment Land Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD. • Allocations for employment development land will be informed by the Employment Land Review. • The Town Centre Masterplan for Blackburn, along with the Cathedral Quarter SPD, The Mall redevelopment and the proposals for the Market redevelopment, will support the direction of employment development into appropriate locations within Blackburn town centre. • Strategic employment locations have been identified: including Freckleton Street, Cathedral Quarter, MediPark, Darwen Town Centre, M65 Junctions 4 & 5. • The Darwen Town Centre Masterplan will identify key sites for redevelopment and enhancement opportunities and advise suitable types and design of developments for the town centre location. • Area specific SPD’s will inform and direct employment developments within the SPD boundaries, including: Knowledge Zone, Freckleton Street Masterplan, Catherdral Quarter. • Support is anticipated from the NWDA for identified implementation of strategic employment sites, rural economy, site briefs and masterplanning, site assembly, infrastructure/constraints, recycling of older employment areas/reuse of buildings, and direct development. • At a Pennine Lancashire level, the NWDA support the Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategy which includes a number of initiatives which will promote the continued and reuse of existing employment sites, through funding redevelopment schemes, enhancement projects, and providing business support grants. • A Green Belt review considering requirements will be carried out in partnership with Hynburn Borough Council and the Pennine Lancashire Development Company; and will support the evidence gathering for future strategic employment provision in the long-term beyond the period covered by this Core Strategy. • Development Management will support ensuring sites are used for suitable types of employment development, and will assist in the creation of the Strategic Employment Sites; including MediPark developments and the College developments. • Employment development is monitored annually as part of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators Number of jobs created/safeguarded: Ha developed for B1, B2, B8 • 2010-2011 – 1594 • B1, B2, B8 floorspace completed (SCS/LAA, 2008-2011) • Median earnings of employees in the area Number of new businesses started: • Number of jobs created/safeguarded • 2010-2011 – 120 (SCS/LAA, 2008-2011) • Number of new businesses established • Average earnings of residents of the borough
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: MAA Annual Monitoring report: published Development Pennine Lancashire December 2010-2025 Management Economic Strategy Blackburn Town Centre Masterplan BwD BC: Forward Allocations DPD The Mall Redevelopment Planning & Transport Hyndburn BC Core Delivery of Cathedral Quarter SPD Policy Strategy Medipark development (Evolution Park) BwD BC: LEGI Building Schools for the Future 2010-2015 Regeneration Darwen Academy: completion 2010 NWDA
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Policy CS2: Typology of Employment Land Green Belt Review Study Pennine Lancashire Darwen Town Centre Strategy Development Knowledge Arc Company Blackburn University College Status: 2011 Blackburn PCT LIFT centre: Completion Freckleton Street Area Implementation of Masterplan Blackburn Market Redevelopment
Policy CS3: Land for Employment Development Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • Allocations for employment development land will be informed by the Employment Land Review to ensure the sites available meet the employment land requirements for the types of employment development sought to support the transformational agenda. • Support is anticipated from the NWDA for identified implementation of strategic employment sites, rural economy, site briefs and masterplanning, site assembly, infrastructure/constraints, recycling of older employment areas/reuse of buildings, and direct development. • A Green Belt review considering requirements will be carried out in partnership with Hynburn Borough Council and the Pennine Lancashire Development Company; and will support the evidence gathering for future strategic employment provision in the long-term beyond the period covered by this Core Strategy. • Employment development is monitored annually as part of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • 35.2ha of employment land to be • Ha of new land allocated for employment allocated use • Total amount of additional employment floorspace
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: Pennine Lancashire Annual Monitoring report: published Development Economic Strategy December 2010-2025 Management Allocations DPD Green Belt Review BwD BC: Forward Employment Land Planning & Transport Review Policy BwD BC: Regeneration NWDA Pennine Lancashire Development Company
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Policy CS4: Protection and Reuse of Employment Sites Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD. • SPDs and Masterplans will clarify within key employment area boundaries appropriate types of new and redevelopment which will help to support the sustainability of these areas as long-term employment sites. • At a Pennine Lancashire level, the NWDA support the Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategy which includes a number of initiatives which will promote the continued and reuse of existing employment sites, through funding redevelopment schemes, enhancement projects, and providing business support grants. • Development management policies will be prepared by Forward Planning to support the consistency of application of this policy through the planning application process. • Employment development and change of land use is monitored annually as part of the Annual Monitoring Report. • At a Pennine Lancashire level, the NWDA support the Pennine Lancashire Economic Strategy which includes a number of initiatives which will promote the continued and reuse of existing employment sites, through funding redevelopment schemes, enhancement projects, and providing business support grants.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • Ha change of use of existing employment sites
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: Pennine Lancs. Annual Monitoring report: published Development Economic Strategy December 2010-2025 Management Allocations DPD BwD BC: Forward LEGI Planning & Transport Incubator Units Policy Employment Land BwD BC: Review Regeneration NWDA Pennine Lancashire Development Company
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3.3.1 To support the delivery of the Market Progression Model and ensure the Core Strategy delivers the housing policy for the Borough, housing delivery must form part of the neighbourhood approach, with new development complementing regeneration initiatives enhancing the existing stock and environmental improvements.
3.3.2 Key delivery partners include: • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council • Housing Developers • Registered Social Landlords • Pennine Lancashire Development Company
3.3.3 This Spatial Intervention is supported by six Core Strategy policies, which cover: • Locations for New Housing (CS5); • Housing Targets (CS6); • Types of Housing (CS7); • Affordable Housing Requirements (CS8); • Existing Housing Stock (CS9); and • Accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers (CS10).
3.3.4 The Core Strategy covers three major spatial issues in relation to housing policy – to deliver a regeneration agenda; to use housing as a driver for economic growth; and as a component in the town centre urban renaissance agenda. The Core Strategy sets the overall amount of new housing to be planned for and the phasing of its delivery.
3.3.5 The Council will lead on developing the Allocations DPD which will provide greater certainty to the development industry on available housing sites within the Borough and the types of housing expected to come forward in those locations. Specific regeneration schemes will pick up individual needs and opportunities within identified areas and ensure a holistic approach is taken to developments and enhancements. Support is anticipated from the Pennine Lancashire Development Company for the delivery of Homes & Communities funding.
3.3.6 Housing delivery is considered fundamental in achieving the wider economic ambitions of the borough; this approach takes the Core Strategy beyond meeting housing figures or regeneration targets. For this element of the Core Strategy to be successful the wider range of housing aspirations must be met. These include: • Reducing the overall housing stock which is comprised by terraced housing, through the introduction of a wider mix of housing types into the borough. • An increase in the number of larger family and executive housing available within the borough. • Meeting the phased targets set in the Core Strategy for housing delivery. • Meeting the priorities set by the Housing Market Renewal and any subsequent regeneration agenda. • Reducing the affordability gap through the provision of new affordable housing. • Supporting the creation of sustainable neighbourhoods. • Initiating work on accommodation for Gypsy and travellers.
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3.3.7 The main mechanisms identified in the Core Strategy tables for quantitatively monitoring the implementation of this include monitoring: • the number of dwellings completed, and the locations for these. • the percentage of terrace properties within the overall housing stock. • the percentage of Greenfield to brownfield land developed for housing. • the percentage of 1/2/3/4/5+ bed dwellings completed. • the number and types of homes built within the HMR areas. • the percentage of the Borough’s dwellings considered unfit. • the number of dwelling completions within the town centres.
3.3.8 Concerns for the successful delivery of the Core Strategy’s housing policies have been anticipated and problems of conflict between achieving the housing figures targets and undermining regeneration aims have been minimised through the development of a phased delivery approach, which takes into account the market progression model and the close links between housing delivery and economic growth. However, there remain some factors which could influence an early review of the housing policies in the Core Strategy. These include: • The wider economic climate may have an impact on the timing of delivery of this element of the Core Strategy, in particular delaying the development of market housing. This is being shown at the early stage of the Core Strategy with the economic downturn impacting significantly on the housing development industry. However, the demand for suitable quality and mix of housing in the borough continues and commitment to housing delivery remains. Since the Core Strategy is developed as a longer term approach, and, as discussed above, it is considered to have sufficient flexibility within it to be applicable during all economic cycles. • The unknown potential impact of the Preston Growth Point bid may affect Blackburn with Darwen’s ability to deliver its housing strategy. While the lower end of the housing market is considered to be predominately separate from that in Preston, the executive housing market may be affected. It will be essential that Blackburn with Darwen are able to address this potential threat to ensure the delivery of the Targeted Growth Strategy. • Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West confirms that the Regional Integrated Strategy will review the housing figures, and these may be increased. In light of a significant increase in housing delivery figures, this element of the Core Strategy may require an early partial review.
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Policy CS5: Locations for New Housing Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD. • The BwD Housing Market Renewal Team will lead on developing the Borough’s approach to housing regeneration areas and promoting the redevelopment of the inner sites. • Area specific SPD’s will guide housing development within the SPD boundaries. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for housing schemes will be assessed against the locational and mix requirements. • Support is anticipated from the Pennine Lancashire Development Company for site briefs and masterplanning, site assembly, infrastructure/constraints, and land remediation. • Green Belt review will consider detailed assessment of sites which may be suitable for executive housing provision as urban extensions. • Housing development is monitored annually as part of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • % of terrace properties in overall housing • No of dwelling completions in inner urban stock to be reduced to 51% areas • 65% residential development on Brownfield • No of dwelling completions outside inner Land urban areas • 100% of housing development outside • No of executive housing developments HMR to be supported by Market Analysis. completions in urban areas • No of dwelling completions in town centres • % of housing developments on Brownfield Land • % of dwellings outside HMR areas for higher market • Average density of housing developments outside HMR area Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: MAA Annual Monitoring Report: published December Development Pennine Lancs 2010-2025 Management Housing Strategy Queen St/Hindle St SPD BwD BC: Forward Pennine Lancs Infirmary SPD Planning & Transport Economic Strategy Town Centre Masterplans Policy Allocations DPD BwD BC: Housing Area-Based SPDs Developers HMR Pennine Lancashire Private Developers Development Company
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Policy CS6: Housing Targets Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD. • This policy is supported by the SHLAA which shows there are sufficient sites within the Borough to meet the housing provision targets set by RSS and including the replacement housing stock following clearance. • SPD area guidance will support the development industry by providing a greater level of certainty of what is expected from the regeneration areas. • The BwD Housing Market Renewal Team will lead on developing the Borough’s approach to housing regeneration areas and promoting the redevelopment of the inner sites. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for housing schemes will be assessed against the locational and mix requirements. • Support is anticipated from the Pennine Lancashire Development Company for site briefs and masterplanning, site assembly, infrastructure/constraints, and land remediation. • Green Belt review will consider detailed assessment of sites which may be suitable for executive housing provision as urban extensions. • Housing development is monitored annually as part of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • Total Housing Provision 2003-2021: 8,800 • Planning Permissions • Average additional dwellings per year: 489 • Completion Rates • Delivery phased: • 15 year supply of housing land allocated 2009-2014: 415/yr 2014-2019: 490/yr 2019-2024: 565/yr • 15 year supply of housing land allocated
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: Pennine Lancs Annual Monitoring Report: published December Development Housing Strategy 2010-2025 Management Allocations DPD BwD BC: Forward Area-Based SPDs Planning & Transport HMR Policy Private Developers BwD BC: Housing Developers NWDA Pennine Lancashire Development Company
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Policy CS7: Types of Housing Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD. • The Blackburn with Darwen Borough Design Guide and Residential Development Design Guide provide guidance for developers to ensure planning applications and development proposals are considered acceptable. • A more formal approach to pre-application discussions will ensure planning applications adhere to the strategic and detailed policy requirements. • SPD area guidance will support the development industry by providing a greater level of certainty of what is expected from the regeneration areas. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for housing schemes will be assessed against the locational, mix and design requirements. • Green Belt review will consider detailed assessment of sites which may be suitable for executive housing provision as urban extensions. • Housing development is monitored annually as part of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • % of terrace properties in overall housing • Percentage of total dwelling completions stock to be reduced to 51% within HMR areas • 20% affordable housing provision on sites • % of houses: apartments completed with 15 or more units in the urban area and • % of 1/2/3/4/5+ bed dwellings completed 6 or more in rural areas. • numbers and types of homes built within HMR areas • % of the Borough’s dwelling stock considered ‘unfit’ • No of dwelling completions in town centres • Number of affordable units developed in the Borough
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: Pennine Lancs Annual Monitoring Report: published December Development Housing Strategy 2010-2025 Management Pennine Lancs BwD BC Residential Design Guide BwD BC: Forward Economic Strategy Queen St/Hindle St SPD Planning & Transport Allocations DPD Infirmary SPD Policy Area-Based SPDs Griffin SPD BwD BC: Housing HMR Blackburn & Darwen Town Centre Strategies Developers Private Developers Cathedral Quarter SPD Pennine Lancashire Development Company
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Policy CS8: Affordable Housing Requirements Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • The development of SPD for Planning Obligations and consideration into a Community Levy approach will provide greater detail regarding the application of this policy. • The BwD Housing Market Renewal Team will lead on developing the Borough’s approach to housing regeneration areas and promoting the redevelopment of the inner sites. • Support is anticipated from the Pennine Lancashire Development Company for site briefs and masterplanning, site assembly, infrastructure/constraints, and land remediation. • The Blackburn with Darwen Residential Design Guide will provide guidance for developers to ensure planning applications and development proposals are considered acceptable. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for housing schemes will be assessed against the affordable housing requirements. • This policy will be supported in its implementation by RSL’s involvement and Government grants. • Affordable housing development is monitored annually as part of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • To deliver a range of affordable housing • No of affordable houses completed through the Affordable Housing • Percentage of developments triggering Programme and planning policy to meet affordable housing requirement providing prioritised needs (PLHS) contribution • All developments to provide affordable • % intermediate housing housing: • % social rented housing - 20% of units to be provided on-site - Split between social rented and affordable housing for sale – 60% and 40% respectively.
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: Pennine Lancs Annual Monitoring Report: published December Development Housing Strategy 2010-2025 Management Allocations DPD Interim Policy Statement on Housing: adopted BwD BC: Forward Area-Based SPDs 2009 Planning & Transport HMR BwD Residential Design Guide Policy Private Developers BwD BC: Housing Interim Policy Developers Statement Pennine Lancashire Development Company RSL’s
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Policy CS9: Existing Housing Stock Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • The Blackburn with Darwen Borough Design Guide and the Residential Design Guide will provide guidance for developers to ensure planning applications and development proposals are considered acceptable. • The BwD Housing Market Renewal Team will lead on developing the Borough’s approach to housing regeneration areas and promoting the redevelopment of the inner sites and carrying out environmental improvements within regeneration neighbourhoods – including ‘facelifting’ of existing properties. • Support is anticipated from the Pennine Lancashire Development Company for site briefs and masterplanning, site assembly, infrastructure/constraints, and land remediation. • Conservation Areas appraisals and SPD area guidance will provide a greater level of certainty of what is expected from existing residential areas. • The Blackburn with Darwen Empty Homes Strategy sets the Council’s approach to tackling the issue of vacant properties. • Neighbourhood Boards will support the environmental and social improvements of existing neighbourhoods. • Accessing and promotion of the use of any climate change initiatives and grants for reducing energy use within existing housing stock will be supported by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, through the Climate Change officer post, including the warm front top up scheme and facelift insulation scheme. • Demolitions, empty homes and unfit properties are monitored annually.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • Reduce vacancy rates to 3% in existing • Number of Demolitions dwelling stock in HMR areas • Number of empty homes • Number of ‘unfit’ properties in the borough
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: Housing MAA Empty Homes Strategy Elevate Pennine Lancs HMR BwD BC: Housing Strategy Annual Monitoring Report: published December Development Allocations DPD 2010-2025 Management Area-Based SPDs Residential Design Guide BwD BC: Forward HMR Queen Street/Hindle Street SPD Planning & Transport Private Developers Infirmary SPD Policy Griffin SPD Developers Pennine Lancashire Development Company
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Policy CS10: Accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • This issue is currently being considered through the partial review of the Regional Spatial Strategy. • It will be implemented through partnership working. • Gypsy and Traveller provision will be monitored as part of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • Net additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: RSS Partial Review Annual Monitoring Report: published December Development Allocations DPD 2010-2025 Management Pennine Lancs BwD BC: Forward Housing Strategy Planning & Transport Integrated Regional Policy Strategy BwD BC: Housing Gypsy & Traveller Pennine Lancashire Needs Survey Development Council Gypsy & Company Traveller strategy
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3.4 Spatial Intervention 3: Range & Quality of Public Facilities
3.4.1 The Council will play a key role in delivering this Spatial Intervention, particularly through its Development Management functions, and through its service delivery new capital programmes.
3.4.2 Key partners to lead on implementing the range and quality of public facilities Spatial Intervention include: • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council • Town Centre Managers and Retailers • Developers • Primary Care Trust
3.4.3 Two main Core Strategy policies support the delivery of the range and quality of public facilities spatial intervention. These are: • Facilities & Services (CS11); and • Retail Development (CS12).
3.4.4 In order to attract and retain the residents, employers, visitors and workers to the borough, the Core Strategy acknowledges this must be complemented by good quality and range of public facilities. The Targeted Growth Strategy promotes the enhancement of these particularly in the town centres, but also in accessible locations within the Borough. Community hubs are promoted to create “multi- functional” service provision.
3.4.5 The Allocations DPD will identify the town centres and a series of Neighbourhood Centres and hubs providing greater certainty and guidance for investors, developers and businesses. The delivery of this element of the Core Strategy will further be supported by the town centre strategies and area masterplans. A clear approach to development management will support the delivery of this.
3.4.6 Work through the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) will ensure a more joined-up approach to delivery of new services.
3.4.7 Key indicators to support monitoring the implementation of this element of the Targeted Growth Strategy include: • The percentage of new residential development within 30 minutes public transport time of a GP, hospital, primary and secondary school, employment and major retail centre. • The amount of completed retail development. • The amount of retail development completed in the town centres. • The percentage market share for Darwen in non-food retail.
3.4.8 The Core Strategy has been developed to ensure maximum flexibility, which will direct retail development towards the town centres, while acknowledging that towards the end of the Core Strategy period there may be the potential for suitable sites in these locations may no longer be available, and sets a sequential approach in this instance.
3.4.9 A major retail proposal in Preston has the potential for pulling retail trade away from Blackburn town centre, and therefore unduly impact on the delivery of the aims and objectives of the Core Strategy. This proposal is subject to call in by the Secretary of State during which time the concerns for Blackburn will be considered. However, it is not considered this will lead to a need to change
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strategic planning policy within the Borough or an early review of the Core Strategy.
Policy CS11: Co-Location of Facilities and Services Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • The Town Centre Masterplan for Blackburn, along with the Cathedral Quarter SPD, The Mall redevelopment and the proposals for the Market redevelopment, will support the direction of employment development into appropriate locations within Blackburn town centre. • The Darwen Town Centre Masterplan will identify key sites for redevelopment and enhancement opportunities and advise suitable types and design of developments for the town centre location. • Area specific SPD’s will inform and direct developments within the SPD boundaries, including: Knowledge Zone, Freckleton Street Masterplan, Catherdral Quarter. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for development schemes will be assessed against the suitability of the sites location and accessibility criteria. • Improvements to key partnership working including with the PCT and Children’s Services and through the LSP will maximise the use of opportunities to co-locate services and synchronise new developments. • Examples of existing development projects and programmes which will support the implementation of this policy include: Building Schools for the Future; Extending Schools Programme; College capital developments; Pennine Reach; relocation and new LIFT development of Blackburn Health Centre; and the redevelopment of Darwen Leisure Centre.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • % of new residential development within 30 minutes public transport time of a GP, Hospital, Primary and Secondary School, Employment and a major Retail Centre
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: Forward BSF Blackburn Town Centre Masterplan Planning and LIFT Darwen Town Centre Masterplan Transport Policy Sure Start Cathedral Quarter BwD BC: Co-location Fund Building Schools for the Future programme Regeneration Blackburn Town Centre LIFT Health Centre BwD BC: Children’s Darwen Leisure Centre completion Services Darwen Academy BwD BC: Leisure PCT Rodney Aldridge Trust NWDA Developers
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Policy CS12: Retail Development Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • The Town Centre Masterplan for Blackburn, along with the Cathedral Quarter SPD, The Mall redevelopment and the proposals for the Market redevelopment, will support the direction of retail development into appropriate locations within Blackburn town centre. A new Town Centre Strategy for Blackburn is currently under preparation. • The Darwen Town Centre Masterplan will identify key sites for redevelopment and enhancement opportunities and advise suitable types and design of developments for the town centre location. • Area specific SPD’s will inform and direct retail developments within the SPD boundaries, for example the Catherdral Quarter. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for retail schemes will be assessed against the policy criteria.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators Increase in Darwen market share in non-food • Amount of completed retail development from 7.1% to 8.5% • Amount of retail development completed in town centres
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: Forward Town Centre Study Annual Monitoring Report: published December Planning & Transport 2010-2025 Policy Completion of Blackburn Mall redevelopment BwD BC 2011 Regeneration Darwen Town Centre Masterplan Cathedral Quarter SPD Furthergate SPD Whalley Range
115 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 3.5 Spatial Intervention 4: Protecting & Enhancing the Environment
3.5.1 The protection, management and enhancement of the environment within the Borough involves a wide range of interventions. This includes sustainable construction and design of new buildings and the Green Infrastructure agenda in addition to development management and the protection of existing resources.
3.5.2 Delivery partners range from the public, private and voluntary sectors, including: • Blackburn with Darwen BC • Developers • Environment Agency • Pennine Lancashire Development Company • Lancashire Wildlife Trust • Landowners • Lancashire County Council
3.5.3 The Targeted Growth Strategy has a clear aim to ensure economic growth is achieved without an unacceptable impact on the environmental quality of the borough; the principle of ‘net’ environmental impact is introduced. Three Core Strategy policies set the strategic planning policy for achieving this aim: • Environmental Strategy (CS13); • Green Belt (CS14); and • Biodiversity (CS15)
3.5.4 Due to the wide coverage of this topic area, there are numerous indicators for monitoring the policies’ success. These include: • The number of new housing developments which are zero carbon • The number of new non-domestic buildings which are zero carbon • Number of renewable energy generation developments • Number of housing developments meeting Building for Life assessment ‘good’ and ‘very good’ criteria • Number of homes completed to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and above. • Percentage of homes built meeting Lifetime Homes standard • Percentage of commercial buildings meeting BREEM very good standard • Number of planning permissions refused due to their environmental impacts • Percentage of developments built in an area of flood risk • Number of planning permissions granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency on flooding and water quality grounds • Percentage of eligible open spaces managed to Green Flag Award standard • Air quality data measurements • Number of developments incorporating SUDs • Amount of derelict land in the Borough • Number of developments on Green Belt • Loss of identified important biodiversity sites • Increase in identified important biodiversity sites and species.
3.5.5 The Core Strategy has been developed to take account of the increasing emphasis being placed on the environment and tackling global issues locally, such as climate change. It allows for more detailed policies to be established underneath the strategic Core Strategy policies, through DPD or SPD which will allow local flexibility for applying national, regional and Borough-wide targets.
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3.5.6 Much of the environmental policies being applied in the Core Strategy are long- established or driven by nationally set targets. Internal resources for developing the detailed policies and strategies, in particular gathering more detailed evidence base, is likely to be the main constraint in ensuring delivery of this element of the Core Strategy. Therefore, it is not considered there will be a need for an early review of these strategic planning policies.
Policy CS14: Environmental Strategy Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • Area specific SPD’s will require higher environmental standards – including meeting levels 3 and 4 of the Building for Life standard • The Blackburn with Darwen Borough Design Guide and the Residential Design Guide set out key considerations which will support improving the environmental sustainability of new developments within the Borough. • The Blackburn with Darwen level 1 SFRA sets the strategic approach to flood risk within the Borough; the level 2 SFRA will provide more detailed and local information. • Partnership working with the Environment Agency will aim to reduce flood risk in the urban areas of the Borough. • The Council’s Climate Change officer will coordinate initiatives being supported by the Council and its partners to mitigate and adapt to climate change. • The Development Management application screening and pre-application discussions process will ensure that environmental issues are taken into account in every planning application – including the provision of environmental assessments where required to ensure decisions are made based on maximum information available. • Development management policies will be prepared by Forward Planning to support the consistency of application of this policy through the planning application process. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for new development will be assessed against the Environmental Strategy criteria. • A requirement from the NWDA will ensure new developments funded in this form will have to meet BREEAM excellent standard; and similarly HCA funded schemes to meet Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. • In partnership with Lancashire County Council wildlife surveys and designated nature conservation sites will provide up-to-date information and evidence base. • BwD Leisure and Countryside Services will take forward Green Flag award applications. • Progress on meeting wide number of environmental indicators are monitored as part of the LAA and the Annual Monitoring Report.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • All new housing developments will be zero • Number of renewable energy generation carbon from 2016 developments • All new non-domestic buildings should be • Number of homes meeting Building for Life zero carbon from 2019 Assessment ‘good’ and ‘very good’ criteria • Ensure all planning applications which • Number of housing developments would cause unacceptable impacts on the incorporating zero carbon homes environment are refused permission • Number of homes completed to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and above • % of homes built meeting Lifetime Homes standard • % of commercial buildings meeting BREEAM very good standard. • Number of planning applications refused permission due to their environmental
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Policy CS14: Environmental Strategy impacts • % of development built in an area of flood risk • Number of planning permissions granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency on flooding and water quality grounds • Percentage of eligible open spaces managed to Green Flag Award standard • Air quality data measurements – in current Air Quality Management Areas and elsewhere • Number of developments incorporating SUDS • Amount of derelict land in the borough • Planning to adapt to Climate Change
Milestones Implemented By Means Annual Monitoring Report: published December BwD BC: Lancashire Climate 2010-2025 Development Change Strategy Queen St/Hindle St SPD Management Pennine Lancashire BwD Residential Design Guide BwD BC: Forward Spatial Guide Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 Planning & Transport BwD Borough wide Development Management DPD Policy Design Guide Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 2 BwD BC BwD Residential Regeneration Design Guide Developers Allocations DPD Environment Agency SFRA Town centre Strategies Cathedral Quarter SPD
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Policy CS15: Green Belt Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD. • Partnership working with Hyndburn Borough Council and the Pennine Lancashire Development Company will support the implementation of the local Green Belt review and the employment land review. • Controls used during the Development Management planning application process against national Green Belt policies will ensure inappropriate developments within the Green Belt are refused permission. • Development management policies will be prepared by Forward Planning to support the consistency of application of this policy through the planning application process.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • Number of developments completed on Green Belt • Number of planning permissions granted for development on Green Belt
Milestones Implemented By Means Local Green Belt review BwD BC: Forward MAA Employment Land review Planning & Transport Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 Policy Hyndburn Borough Council Pennine Lancashire Development Company
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Policy CS16: Biodiversity Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • In Partnership with Lancashire County Council wildlife surveys and designated nature conservation sites will provide up-to-date information and evidence base. • The Development Management application screening and pre-application discussions process will ensure that environmental issues are taken into account in every planning application – including the provision of environmental assessments where required to ensure decisions are made based on maximum information available. • Development management policies will be prepared by Forward Planning to support the consistency of application of this policy through the planning application process. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for new development will be assessed against the Environmental Strategy criteria. • Implementing National and Local Biodiversity Action Plans will support the enhancement and protection of the Borough’s biodiversity. • Changes in open space management techniques and countryside land management processes will support the protection and enhancement of the Borough’s biodiversity. Partnership working and support from Natural England and Wildlife Trusts will the changes. • Meeting biodiversity targets is monitored annually as part of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • No loss of Nationally/ Internationally • Number of nationally/internationally important site important sites • No loss of Regional/County-level important • Number of regional/county level important sites sites • No net loss of locally important sites • Number of locally important sites • No net loss of Species of Principal • Number of Local Nature Reserves (LNR) Importance • Number of Geological Heritage Sites (GHSs) • Number of Biological Heritage Sites (BHSs) • Number of Species of Principal Importance • Change in areas of biodiversity importance
Milestones Implemented By Means Allocations DPD: adoption 2014 BwD BC: Allocations DPD County Heritage Site review Development Lancashire Locally Important Sites survey Management Biodiversity Action Development Management DPD BwD BC: Forward Plan Annual Monitoring Reports (2010-2025) Planning & Transport Biodiversity Policy Statements Lancashire County Species and Habitats Council Surveys BwD BC: Countryside Services Lancashire Wildlife Trust Landowners Developers
120 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 3.6 Spatial Intervention 5: Quality of Place
3.6.1 The Core Strategy has been developed to take account of the increasing emphasis being placed on enhancing quality of place. Quality of place relates to the experience for people living, working or investing in the area, of the surrounding environment, both the built and the natural.
3.6.2 Partners identified who will support the delivery of quality of place enhancements include: • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council • Developers
3.6.3 6 Core Strategy policies form the strategic planning policy for delivering this spatial intervention: • Form & Design of New Development (CS16); • Heritage (CS17); • The Borough’s Landscapes (CS18); • Green Infrastructure (CS19); • Cleaner, Safer, Greener (CS20); and • Mitigation of Impacts/Planning Gain (CS21)
3.6.4 These allow for more detailed policies to be established underneath the strategic Core Strategy policies, through DPD or SPD which will allow greater clarity to the borough-wide policies, and some flexibility to take into account of changing national planning approaches – such as with regards to planning gain and the Community Infrastructure Levy.
3.6.5 Monitoring the delivery for the protection and enhancement of the quality of place includes: • Increasing the percentage of people satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live. • Increasing the number of homes completed achieving good and very good standards against the Building for Life assessment. • Improving the quality of design in all residential developments across the Borough. • Ensuring no developments which would have an adverse affect or destroy landscapes are granted planning permission. • Ensuring no loss of listed buildings. • Creating a local list for important buildings within the borough. • Protecting and creating green infrastructure networks. • Meeting open space and public rights of way targets.
3.6.2 Internal resources for developing the detailed policies and strategies, in particular gathering more detailed evidence base, is likely to be the main constraint in ensuring delivery of this element of the Core Strategy. The design guide and residential design guide SPDs have already been produced and adopted for use in planning decisions. It is not considered there will be a need for an early review of these strategic planning policies.
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Policy CS16: Form and Design of New Development Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • The Blackburn with Darwen Borough Design Guide and the Residential Design Guide will provide guidance for developers to ensure planning applications and development proposals are considered acceptable. • Conservation Area appraisals will ensure the highest quality developments will be developed within key areas in the Borough. • Landscape assessments will ensure developments are designed appropriate to their wider context. • The Development Management application screening and pre-application discussions process will ensure that design issues are taken into account in every planning application – including being accompanied by design and access statements to ensure decisions are made based on maximum information available. • Development management policies will be prepared by Forward Planning to support the consistency of application of this policy through the planning application process. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for new development will be assessed against design criteria. • SPD area guidance will support the development industry by providing a greater level of certainty of what is expected from the regeneration areas.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • Improve the quality of design in all • Number of homes completed achieving residential development across the ‘good’ and ‘very good’ against the Building Borough for Life Assessment • Provide a basis for reviewing and • Percentage of people satisfied with their improving design quality to ensure a more neighbourhood as a place to live positive and efficient planning process • Inform planning and regeneration initiatives in terms of urban design and place making to ensure new communities are of a high quality are sustainable
Milestones Implemented By Means Residential Design Guide SPD: adoption 2009 BwD BC: Forward BwD Borough wide CABE Building for Life Assessor Planning & Transport Design Guide Requirement for all design and access Policy Residential Design statements to outline how the development BwD BC: Guide addresses each of the BfL criteria Development CABE Management guidelines/publications Developers
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Policy CS17: Heritage Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • Conservation Area appraisals will provide guidance to support the protection and enhancement of these key areas of built heritage. • The Blackburn with Darwen Borough Design Guide and the Residential Design Guide will provide guidance for developers to ensure planning applications and development proposals are considered acceptable. • Landscape assessments will ensure developments are designed appropriate to their wider context. • The Development Management application screening and pre-application discussions process will ensure that heritage issues are taken into account in every planning application – including being accompanied by design and access statements to ensure decisions are made based on maximum information available. • Development management policies will be prepared by Forward Planning to support the consistency of application of this policy through the planning application process. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for new development will be assessed against design, listed building and conservation area criteria. • There is already a large quantity of information regarding Locally Listable buildings; this will be developed further to fully assess each building currently under consideration. • Survey work will be carried out across the Borough to assess areas suitable for inclusion on a local list – this will include work carried out internally, externally and will also provide possible opportunities for community involvement projects. • Urban survey character assessment work will provide map-based information, including the ages and historic development of the towns and villages, dating information and landscape assessments. • Regional Spatial Strategy references Lancashire’s Mills as a heritage asset – GIS data will provide information as to where these are located within the Borough. • Darwen Townscape Heritage Initiative has surveyed the character and condition of the buildings in the commercial centre of Darwen and set up a fund providing grants for structural repairs and improvements for individual properties.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • No loss of Listed buildings within the • Number of Conservation Areas borough • Number of Listed Buildings • Qualitative information from conservation area appraisals, village appraisals etc
Milestones Implemented By Means Annual Monitoring Report: published December BwD BC: Forward 2010-2025 Planning & Transport Policy BwD BC: Development Management BwD BC Regeneration
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Policy CS18: The Borough’s Landscapes Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • Landscape assessments will ensure developments are designed appropriate to their wider context. • The Blackburn with Darwen Borough Design Guide and the Residential Design Guide will provide guidance for developers to ensure planning applications and development proposals are considered acceptable. • The Development Management application screening and pre-application discussions process will ensure that heritage issues are taken into account in every planning application – including being accompanied by design and access statements to ensure decisions are made based on maximum information available. • Development management policies will be prepared by Forward Planning to support the consistency of application of this policy through the planning application process. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for new development will be assessed against design and landscape criteria. • Changes in countryside land management techniques through partnership working with BwD Leisure and Countryside Services, Natural England, Landowners, Tennant Farmers, Environment Agency and Wildlife Trusts.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • No developments which have an adverse • Number of planning applications refused affect or destroy landscapes by detracting on grounds of the development adversely from their distinctive features to be given affecting or destroying landscapes. planning permission
Milestones Implemented By Means BwD Residential Design Guide BwDBC: Forward BwD Borough wide Planning & Transport Design Guide Policy BwD Residential BwDBC: Development Design Guide Management BwD BC: Countryside Services
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Policy CS19: Creation of Green Infrastructure Networks Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • Lancashire Green Infrastructure Strategy developed in partnership by Lancashire Economic Partnership provides the strategic sub-regional level information for the GI network of the Borough. • The BwD Green Infrastructure project work will link together partners involved in management and use of the Borough’s Green Infrastructure down to the local neighbourhood level. • The Blackburn with Darwen Borough Design Guide and the Residential Design Guide will provide guidance for developers to ensure planning applications and development proposals are considered acceptable in design terms. • The Development Management application screening and pre-application discussions process will ensure that the need for new open space and protection of existing open space is taken into account in every planning application – including being accompanied by design and access statements to ensure decisions are made based on maximum information available. • Development management policies will be prepared by Forward Planning to support the consistency of application of this policy through the planning application process. • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for new development will be assessed against open space and Green Infrastructure criteria. • The development of SPD for Planning Obligations and consideration into a Community Levy approach will provide greater detail regarding the application of this policy. • The Council will lead in developing the Borough’s Surface Water Flood Management Plan. • BwD Drainage Team, United Utilities and the Environment Agency will provide advice on individual planning applications and the potential for developing SUDS. • Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan will set targets and work towards improving the accessibility of the Borough’s green open spaces and accessible countryside for all. • In Partnership with Lancashire County Council wildlife surveys and designated nature conservation sites will provide up-to-date information and evidence base. • Changes in open space management techniques and countryside land management processes will support the protection and enhancement of the Borough’s biodiversity. Partnership working and support from Natural England and Wildlife Trusts will the changes.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • No loss of Green Infrastructure networks • Amount of s106 monies received for public • Creation of new Green Infrastructure open space networks • Data on the amount and quality of open • Open Space Strategy targets space within the Borough • Public Rights of Way targets
Milestones Implemented By Means Lancashire Green Infrastructure Strategy – BwD BC: Public Open Space formal adoption Development SPG BwD Green Infrastructure Project Management Play Pathfinder BwD BC: Leisure Council Capital Parks Programme Open Space Strategy Public Rights of Way Strategy SFRA
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Policy CS21: Mitigation of Impacts/Planning Gain Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • The development of DPD/SPD for Planning Obligations and consideration into a Community Levy approach will provide greater detail regarding the application of this policy. • Partnership working and ensuring an up-to-date evidence base will ensure any planning gain requirement is of an appropriate level to ensure development is acceptable and can go ahead without negative impacts on the infrastructure provision for existing and new residents, without harming the developments economic viability or stifling new developments coming forward. • Partners may include: Forward Planning and Transport Policy; Development Management; the development industry; United Utilities; Environment Agency; Highways Authority; PCT; Children’s Services; Housing; Regeneration; Economic Development; Neighbourhood Management Teams; NWDA; and Pennine Lancashire Development Company.
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • S106 allocations
Milestones Implemented By Means Introduction of Community Infrastructure Levy BwDBC Development and decision on approach in Blackburn with Management Darwen BwDBC Forward LDD on mitigation of impacts Planning and Transport Policy
126 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 3.7 Spatial Intervention 6: Access to Jobs & Services
3.7.1 Improving access to jobs and services covers both physical access, through improvement for people without access to a car, which is supported by the Local Transport Plan, and also addressing the worklessness agenda, which is a key objective of the Local Strategic Partnership.
3.3.9 Key partners for the delivery of these policies include: • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council • Pennine Lancashire Development Company
3.3.10 Three Core Strategy policies form the basis for implementing this spatial intervention. These are: • Accessibility Strategy (CS22); and • Tackling Worklessness (CS23).
3.7.2 Monitoring the delivery of this section therefore includes a large number of indicators many of which will be influenced and delivered by partners. These include: • The percentage of new residential development within 30 minutes public transport time of a GP, hospital, primary and secondary school, employment and major retail centre. • Refusal of planning permission on the grounds of poor accessibility or traffic generation • Increasing rail and bus patronage • Increasing the number of pedestrians and cyclists travelling to the town centres • Increasing the percentage of working age residents qualified to degree level and above • Increasing the percentage of pupils gaining 5 or more GCSEs • Reducing the percentage of residents of working age claiming Job Seekers Allowance • Increasing the number of children walking to school
3.7.3 The policies in the Core Strategy form part of the combined LSP approach to tackling this issue. More detailed policies can be established underneath the strategic Core Strategy policies, through DPD or SPD which will allow greater clarity to the borough-wide policies. It is not considered there will be a need for an early review of these strategic planning policies.
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Policy CS22: Accessibility Strategy Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD. • Design & Access Statements accompanying Planning Applications will aid Development Management decisions. • The Borough Cycling Strategy will increase the accessibility of locations by cycling. • Improvements to public transport services, for example Pennine Reach, through the Local Transport Plan will increase the number of residents within the Borough able to access efficient public transport provision. • Accessibility mapping carried out by Forward Planning & Transport Team will identify areas of concern to allow funding to be directed towards projects and programmes of greatest priority. • Other policies in the Plan will support the concentration of new developments in accessible locations, and create multi-purpose trips increasing the viability of providing public transport services to locations (i.e. town focus for development; co-location of services; town centre-first approach for retail; employment development locational hierarchy; planning gain) • Partnership working with service providers, including the PCT, Children’s Services, Public Transport operators, as well as the business and development industry will be key to ensuring maximum opportunities are created. • A wide number of indicators are used to monitor accessibility, through the LAA and the Annual Monitoring Report
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • 10% increase in bus patronage by 2011 • % of new residential development within (LTP2) 30 minutes public transport time of a GP, • 15% increase in rail patronage by 2011 Hospital, Primary and Secondary School, (LTP2) Employment and a Major Retail Centre • 22% increase in number of cyclists entering • Number of planning applications refused Blackburn and Darwen town centres on grounds of poor accessibility (LTP2) • Bus patronage • 19,000 new SMART cards to be issued by • Rail patronage 2010/2011 (LTP2) • Number of pedestrians entering Blackburn • The Council will aim to increase the and Darwen Town Centres satisfaction with public transport and • Number of cyclists entering Blackburn and information to Royal Blackburn Hospital for Darwen town centres Darwen residents from 51% to 75% by • % of residents with SMART cards 2011. • DfT core indications, focussing on journey
time – report on these through delivery report process • % of people travelling into Blackburn and Darwen Town Centres by car • Number of planning applications refused on grounds of traffic generation or inadequate demand management proposals. Milestones Implemented By Means Annual Monitoring Report: published December BwD BC: Forward MAA 2010-2025 Planning & Transport LTP 2 & 3 Cycling Strategy for the borough Planning Pennine Lancs Pennine Reach PLACE Economic Strategy Improvements to Clitheroe-Manchester rail link Sustainable transport Freckleton Street road linkage. for schools
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Policy CS23: Tackling Worklessness Policy Will Be Implemented By: • BwD Forward Planning & Transport Policy Group will lead on developing the Allocations DPD • Design & Access Statements accompanying Planning Applications will aid Development Management decisions by ensuring decisions are made based on maximum information available • Through the Development Management process applications from developers for development schemes will be assessed against the suitability of the sites location and accessibility criteria. • Improvements to key partnership working including with the PCT and Children’s Services and through the LSP will maximise the use of opportunities to co-ordinate measures being put in place by stakeholders. • Examples of existing development projects and programmes which will support the implementation of this policy include: Building Schools for the Future; Extending Schools Programme; College capital developments; Pennine Reach; relocation and new LIFT development of Blackburn Health Centre; and the redevelopment of Darwen Leisure Centre. • A wide number of indicators are used to monitor addressing worklessness, through the LAA and the Annual Monitoring Report
Outcomes / Targets (2010-2025) Indicators • 95% of adults to have basic skills in both • % of working age residents qualified to functional literacy and numeracy by 2020 degree level and above • 90% of adults to hold at least 2 • % of pupils gaining 5 or more GCSE’s qualifications or equivalent by 2020 • % of economically inactive residents of • 500,000 apprenticeships delivered each working age year by 2020 • % of residents of working age claiming Job • 40% of adults to hold at least level 4 Seekers Allowance qualifications or equivalent by 2020 • Duration of people claiming Job Seekers • 80% of working age population into Allowance employment in Pennine Lancashire by • DfT has established a series of core 2020 (PLES) indicators, focussing on journey time. A • The Council will aim to increase the further 4 indicators and targets will be satisfaction with public transport and established in the course of the next 4 information to Queens Park Hospital for years and the first target will be monitored Darwen residents from 51% to 75% by in partnership with the NHS trust via a 2011 (LTP 2) travel survey of Queens Park Hospital staff • 15% increase in the number of children and visitors. walking to work by 2011 (LTP 2) • Number of children walking to school
Milestones Implemented By Means Building Schools for the Future programme Pennine Lancashire LTP 2 implementation Development Pennine Lancs Blackburn College Development Company Economic Strategy Darwen Academy: completion 2010 BwB BC MAA Annual Monitoring Report: published December 2010-2025 Health and Well Being Operation Plan
129 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 Appendix 1: Consultation Responses: Summaries
Name Partner Response Date of Amendments Response Agreed? Leslie National Grid Letter 28/07/08 N/A Morris Email - Confirmed 06/04/09 support Judith BwD Children’s Meeting Comments 07/08/08 √ - all Wyllie Services Anthony BwD Children’s Meeting Comments 15/10/08 √ - all Newsham Services Amendments 07/04/09 suggested David United Utilities Meeting Comments 02/06/08 √ - all Hardman Letter 29/09/08 Email - Confirmed 14/04/09 support Minor amendments suggested Philip Environment Meeting Comments 20/06/08 √ - all Carter Agency Letter 16/10/08 Email - Amendments 17/04/09 suggested Christine BwD PCT Meeting Comments 20/07/08 √ - all Winstanley Amendments 30/04/09 suggested Brian BwD Meeting Comments 17/08/08 √ - all Bailey Programmes & Governance Mike Cliffe BwD Transport Meeting Comments 21/07/08 √ - all Policy Meeting Comments 01/05/09 James BwD Transport Meeting Comments 01/05/09 √ - all Syson Policy Barry BwD Economic Meeting Comments 04/07/08 √ - all Entwisle Development Gwyneth BwD HMR Meeting Comments 01/07/08 √ - all Sarkar Email – Amendments 18/08/08 suggested Roger BwD Drainage Meeting comments 20/06/08 √ - all Lever Terry BwD Drainage Email - Amendments 12/05/09 √ - all Longden suggested Gwen BwD Email - Amendments 22/04/09 √ - all Kinloch Regeneration suggested Additional Information Provided 15/06/09 Steve Elevate Meeting Comments 01/08/08 √ - all Hoyle Email - Amendments 21/04/09 suggested Clare BwD Tourism & Amendments 09/06/09 √ - all Turner Investment suggested Janet BWD Economic Meeting Comments 04/07/08 √ - all Doolan Development Forward document to 11/05/09 colleagues
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Name Partner Response Date of Amendments Response Agreed? Barbara BwD Economic Meeting Comments 04/07/08 √ - all Ramsey Development Rob Hyndburn Meeting Comments 21/11/08 √ - all Grigorjevs Borough Council Simon Hyndburn Meeting Comments 21/11/08 √ - all Prideaux Borough Council Paul Hyndburn Meeting Comments 21/11/08 √ - all Worswick Borough Council Steven PLLACE Meeting Comments 17/11/08 √ - all Cochrane Margaret PRoW Email - Amendments 06/05/09 √ - all Jones Capita suggested Andrew Conservation Meeting comments 11/05/09 √ - all Rudge Officer Additional Information Provided David Earl Lancashire Email - Amendments 12/06/09 √ - all County Council suggested (Ecology) Tim Lancashire Email – amendments 12/06/09 √ - all Graham County Council suggested (Ecology) Rebecca Lancashire Email – amendments 15/06/09 √ - all Stevens County Council suggested (Ecology) Peter Lancashire Phone Call & Email 18/06/09 √ - all Jepson County Council Amendments (Ecology) suggested Marion BwD Alternative contact Roberts Environmental suggested Services Andy Ward BwD Environmental Services Margaret BwD Keighley Environmental Services Steven BwD Szostak Regeneration Peter Little BwD Regeneration John BwD Ryden Regeneration Anne BwD Culture, Macksmith Leisure & Sport
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PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
United Utilities David Hardman, Asset Protection, United Utilities Meeting 2 June 2008 & by letter dated 29 September 2008
Supply of Water: No known current water supply issues
Sewage Works: the existing sewage works serving the borough are sufficient, with large enough capacity and are suitable to meet the demands being placed on them. They are not likely to be challenged in the near future.
Sewage & Surface Water Drainage: capacity of the existing sewage network must be taken into account during the planning process. Known wastewater capacity issues in some parts of the network in Blackburn Town Centre, Darwen Town Centre and the Whitebirk, Hyndburn Employment site. Both Housing Market Renewal Areas in Blackburn and Darwen have many wastewater network capacity issues.
Reservoirs: the existing reservoirs in the borough are currently well maintained.
Environment Agency Philip Carter, Planning Liaison Officer, Environment Agency Meeting 20 June 2008 & by letter dated 16 October 2008
In general Blackburn with Darwen’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) represents a comprehensive Level 1 SFRA. It represents a sufficient evidence base upon which the allocation of future development sites through the LDF can relate to.
Where potential development sites are subsequently identified in areas at risk as shown by the SFRA, it will be necessary to progress to a Level 2 SFRA.
National Grid Rosalind Eyre, Senior Policy Planner, Land and Development, National Grid By letter dated 28 July 2008
The proposed distribution of new housing growth should not have a significant effect upon National Grid’s transmissions infrastructure.
In terms of infrastructure requirements, it is unlikely that any extra growth will create capacity issues for National Grid given the scale of both gas and electricity transmission networks.
National Grid’s high voltage electricity overhead transmission lines/underground cables within Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s administrative area that form an essential part of the electricity transmission network in England and Wales include the following:
• 4ZP line – 400,000-volt route from Padiham substation in Burnley passing through Hyndburn to Darwen-Tee in Blackburn with Darwen. • ZQ line – 400,000-volt route from Penwortham substation to Daines substation. National Grid has no gas transmission assets located within the administrative area of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.
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Blackburn with Darwen Transport Policy Mike Cliffe, Transport Policy Team Leader, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Meeting 21 July 2008
The Local Transport Plan (LTP) prioritises investment within the 2 town centres. Spending within the town centres has included: • Darwen’s highway improvements • Blackburn’s link road
Local Transport Network infrastructure capacity issues: • a s106 agreement was secured for provision of a bus service from Darwen to Royal Blackburn Hospital. This is unlikely to be sustainable in the future.
Regional Transport Network infrastructure capacity issues: • M65 widening – this is still being considered and is a future priority in the Pennine Lancashire Multi Area Agreement. The M65 is currently running at capacity. However, there is no case for current LTP funding. It would be a major bids scheme run through regional priorities. This Programme is full until 2018. • Rail Line/Station improvements - there has been a significant increase in demand over recent years for train use. Over 1m people in Blackburn and an 80% increase in people travelling from Darwen. Blackburn Station is to receive capital funding this year for improvements to Platform 4 (including a canopy and a life to be DDA compliant): a total of £1.5m investment (£40k from network rail). Improvements to the Manchester-Clitheroe line – currently building up a business case.
LTP capital spend is determined annually within a 5 year plan. The LTP programme runs until 2011 – there is current uncertainty what form the next funding will be. However, we are likely to have capital spend.
It is considered that s106 funding for accessibility is worthwhile – particularly for access to employment areas.
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SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Primary Care Trust Christine Winstanley, Head of Capital & Estates, PCT Meeting 30 July 2008
The PCT work to the following standard benchmark: • 1 whole time GP to 1,500 population
Blackburn with Darwen currently operate 1 GP to 1,900 population. In some areas the number of population per GP is smaller than this and in others it is much larger: e.g. Shear Brow – 1 GP to 2,300 population.
The PCT have pledged 12 new GPs. These will be concentrated into areas which have been identified as the most in need.
The main areas of the Core Strategy with implications for the PCT are considered to be: • Attracting and retaining families • Town centre living
It was confirmed that a greater level of detail was needed for the PCT to be involved – this will come with planning applications and the site allocations document.
There are no major heath centres planned for following the Blackburn Town Centre LIFT site has been completed. The town centre facility has been ‘future proofed’ with built-in capacity for outpatients, care in the community, walk-in centre, etc.
Any new development will be on a smaller scale for local provision.
Funding is provided from 2 main sources: • Strategic Capital Funding streams – run for the financial year, with bids submitted annually on the basis of conformity to plans submitted to the Treasury. • LIFT funding – revenue-based funding paid for from PCT operational money. This is much more flexible and can be used as match funding with s106 contributions from developments to provide new services.
Blackburn with Darwen Children’s Services Judith Wyllie, Head of Service: Planning and Performance, Children’s Services Meeting 7 August 2008 Anthony Newsham, Education Planning Officer, Children’s Services Meeting 15 October 2008
Children’s Services assess future school rolls with analysis of Health Authority and school data – they look at birth rates and make assumptions about numbers of children entering the school system. They then track their movement year on year, once they have started school.
The Building Schools for the Future programme has projected the required number of school places up to 2015.
Each school has an identified limit on capacity and the size of intake it can accommodate.
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The Borough’s admissions policy allows for choice-based admissions; since many of the schools are faith schools. The LEA does not operate a catchment-area based policy but does make some assumptions about where people in each school will come from.
Capacity for new pupils created from the implementation of the Core Strategy does not have to focus solely on ensuring there is availability within the nearest school, but equally it is not sufficient simply to have capacity within the system across the whole Borough.
Primary schools will be reviewed in a subsequent phase of Government funding, the Primary Capital Strategy. There will be a greater relevance of this provision for the forthcoming site allocations DPD, since primary school provision is more doorstep- based.
There are 13 Children’s Centres in the Borough.
Blackburn with Darwen Economic Development Barry Entwistle, Business Support Manager, Economic Development Barbara Ramsey, Employment Initiatives Manager, Economic Development Janet Doolan, Employment Pathfinder Delivery Manager, Economic Development Meeting 4 July 2008
ECOS analysis identified Blackburn’s economy as ‘treading water’. This analysis also identified there was a need for a higher wage economy.
LEGI funding – 2½ years funding for 10% most deprived areas in 4 boroughs. Not a great amount of enterprise is based in these areas, usually supports only local service providers, which doesn’t raise the educational standards, and is not considered to be transformational.
Greater emphasis is now being placed on the higher value economy. Grants are only being given to higher end users. Grants have been refused where the business doesn’t show it’s not just locally driven and where it doesn’t provide new jobs.
Emphasis is now on sustainability and showing progression – taking an integrated employment and skills approach.
Elevate Steve Hoyle, Elevate Meeting 1 August 2008
The Elevate approach to housing renewal is a 15 year strategy. However, the Housing Market Renewal (HMR) funding is for 3 years, with no guarantee of further funding. It is considered that it will be funded, but there is no clear mechanism for how this will be provided. The Strategy is long-term because it is considered that the issues are fundamental.
The housing stock in the regeneration areas is considered to be obsolete – it is unsuitable for what people want. The 2-bed terraces are not unfit, but do not provide a choice of housing. Elevate approach is to widen the choice of housing offer in the HMR areas.
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The separate approach to executive housing is not considered to be in conflict with the HMR programme. Executive housing is not a HMR issues. But the differences between the types of provision must be clear to ensure there is no conflict with the more standard family housing provision.
Blackburn with Darwen Housing Market Renewal Gwyneth Sarkar, Head of Housing Regeneration & Development, BwD HMR Meeting 1 July 2008
The current situation for HMR in Blackburn with Darwen is: there are 2 remaining clearance areas, each with 150 dwellings. Both sites are to be redeveloped for housing 2010-11.
The existing priorities for Elevate are to invest in current active Area Development Framework (ADF) areas and therefore are only funding 3 areas in BwD.
Steven Cochrane, Economic Regeneration Rob Grigoriev, Hyndburn Borough Council Simon Prideaux, Hyndburn Borough Council Paul Worswick, Hyndburn Borough Council Cross Boundary Infrastructure & MAA: Hyndburn Meeting 17 November 2008 Meeting: 21 November 2008
The MAA is split into immediate and future priorities for the Pennine Lancashire area.
Main Priorities: • devolved and flexible funding • better transport links • increased higher education • worklessness – address at a strategic level.
Spatial planning issues include: - Digital connectivity - Cultural regeneration - Public sector jobs relocation
The main cross-boundary infrastructure issues identified were: • Highway Issues (M65) • Rail Links • Whitebirk Strategic Employment Site/Green Belt review • Skills and Worklessness (including HE provision)
Brian Bailey, BwD Director of Programmes & Governance Meeting 17 August 2008
Blackburn Town Centre Renaissance programme (NWDA): • Current programme runs to 2010. • Successor programme currently under discussion with NWDA. Now tied in with Pennine Lancashire Transformational Agenda –> Pennine Lancs Economic Strategy –> role of Pennine Lancs Development Company –> programme.
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Blackburn Knowledge Zone: • Currently subject of Expression of Interest to NWDA to become a Regional Strategic Employment Site. Programme would include some or all of: land acquisition; site servicing / development; public realm etc. Potential £80million capital programme. • ERDF application also made; NWDA core funding would become match for European. • Live NWDA programme in support of acquisition of properties on line of Freckleton Street Link Road. • Timescales dependent on outcome of Sub-National Economic Review for NWDA; and NWDA determination as to which strategic sites require public sector investment to deliver
Darwen Town Centre • Major spend currently from Elevate; Academy; Leisure Centre • PLACE and PL Development Company formulating programme to develop Darwen role as market town. Actions include creation of managed workspace and continuation of existing themes including public realm, investment in housing etc. Programme expected to be in place mid 2009.
Older employment areas – raising GVA contribution • Historically support for individual businesses • Relevance of transport investment – accessibility partic. for those working shifts • No programme currently in place looking at site assembly, remediation etc. *** Issue should be considered in the Pennine Lancs Economic Strategy Action Plan *** Once in action plan will form basis for discussion with NWDA about thematic programme. Potential for this to be a generic Pennine Lancs programme.
Rural • Again need for a Pennine Lancs thematic approach. Could look at business development; teleworking; visitor economy; food / farm shops; upland management etc
Blackburn with Darwen Tourism and Investment Clare Turner, Town Centre Regeneration Manager Meeting 9 June 2009
Clarification on projects, programmes and deliverers for the main town centre and tourism initiatives within the borough.
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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Environment Agency Philip Carter, Planning Liaison Officer, Environment Agency Meeting 20 June 2008 & by letter dated 16 October 2008 EA carry out water quality monitoring. Samples are taken from the main rivers to assess water quality.
The main purpose of the EA is as a regulatory body dealing with pollution incidents – regulate discharges from industry and UU under the Water Resources Act.
They also have ecologists to advice for biodiversity, but there is not any funding for this specifically. Their interest is in any of the aquatic environments – such as bogs/ponds/rivers. They will have a say and advise, particularly in relation to BAP species, which they have a responsibility to protect.
They also work under the Fishing Lakes and Waste Legislation.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Environment & Regeneration Gwen Kinloch, Environmental Strategy & Project Manager Email 1 September 2008, 22 April 2009 & 15 June 2009 2.1.25 Suggests there are no water supply issues at present. That's true in terms of having sufficient water but I wondered if you were aware of the problems that one of the district's supplies causes at Brennand and Whitendale? The abstraction results in low flows which means the river, which runs through various areas designated for their environmental value, will never reach good ecological standard as required by the water framework directive. I'm not suggesting it's something that your plan can address but I think you need to be aware of the situation and the problems it causes elsewhere. Unfortunately I don't have a paper that summarises the situation but can probably track one down if you need it.
2.2 I realise the social infrastructure list is not meant to be exhaustive. However, I feel that there should be a reference to leisure or recreation or open space or some such.
You probably already know that a 6th Green Flag (for Bold Venture) is being sought.
The amount of countryside in BwD is actually nearer 66% than 70.
P30 The absence of a reference to general open space in the table feels like an omission to me. It should make the connection to the open space strategy and green infrastructure strategy.
Green infrastructure needs to be referenced in the urban needs and opportunities. It is not simply a village/countryside issue - and in many respects much less important in these areas.
Should the Rural Development Programme England and West Pennine Moors Statement of Intent be referenced in the village/countryside section? The former doesn't bring much in the way of resources and is time limited to March 2013 but is nevertheless probably the only rural investment programme around at the moment. The statement of intent is currently being reviewed and revised for the next 10 years (are you going to the workshop on 8th May at the Barlow Institute 9am - 2pm?).
The appendices have a lot of detail on issues that don't appear at all in the text and this seems very disjointed. Some of the headings could be picked up in the needs and
138 CORE STRATEGY INFRASTRUCTURE & DELIVERY PLAN November 2009 opportunities section. I would particularly like to see a reference to the development of a green infrastructure framework for the borough in the context of the draft Lancs Strategy. Do we need to debate whether renewable energy is an infrastructure issue? Currently the document assumes (apart from the SUDS reference) business as usual. Does it have to be like that?
P56 - both Culture and Leisure and the Regeneration & Environment Dept need to be referenced in terms of creating green infrastructure. Most of the parks and open spaces are managed by the Environment bit of our department.
Capita Margaret Jones, PROW Officer Email 6 May 2009 The layers for Witton Weavers Way, the Pennine bridleway feeder route, and Pennine bridleway perimeter route, and other proposed and promoted routes are now on W drive in rights of way folder as is an updated PROW network layer - all network will be too much for small map though.
Initial thoughts of PROW things that should be mentioned: - the amount of Open Access and as different to open countryside. - mention of multi user routes (as bridleway makes people think horses when actually a bridleway is available to cyclists and often lower ability walkers as no stiles; changing name to multi user route gives better impression). Horses are a big thing in the 70% rural area of the borough it is one of the biggest issues rights of way have and one of the keys in ROWIP was more bridleways/multi user routes. There is currently no mention of bridleways but there is of cycleway. - Promoted Routes, Witton Weavers Way, Darwen tower, village heritage trails, development of Pennine bridleway feeder route. Hyndburn Clog p30 - Footpaths and cycleway - I am not sure what this is - ROWIP applies to Rights of way - Cycleway are not classed as rights of way, neither are pavements. Do you mean Rights of Way and cycleway/cycle tracks (there is a legal difference between these terms)? p42 are Pickup Bank, Tockholes, Eccleshill, not down as villages for a reason? Sometimes Rowip is listed as Lancashire ROWIP sometimes Rights of Way Improvement Plan, and BwD BC as deliverer and in another place Capita & LCC as delivery along with BwD BC. - should be consistent, Capita should probably be down where there is Rights of way. Not sure why LCC are there - it was a joint ROWIP but LCC only role with in BwD is their role within the West Pennine Moors Partnership. They are not really delivering rowip; they are leading on the West Pennine Moors perimeter route as it runs through BWD, should it be down as West Pennine Moors Partnership rather than LCC?
Lancashire County Council David Earl, Email 12 June 2009 I believe that several of the habitats you listed are present in the area and I have listed then in Red: • Blanket Bog • Upland Heathland • Lowland Meadows • Upland Hay Meadows • Broadleaved and Mixed Woodland • Reedbed if present is probably scarce but I have heard of Common Reed being a feature of flushes on the moorlands.
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Calcareous grasslands will be scarce in not absence from the area. There are some artificial habitats which have some species of calcareous grassland present such as Eccleshill Ironworks. • Lowland Calcareous Grassland • Upland Calcareous Grassland
Lancashire County Council Dr Tim Graham, Lancashire BAP Manager Email 12 June 2009 The info I’ve got here lists the following HAPs as relevant (6 in total): • Broadleaved and mixed woodland • Species rich neutral grassland – Lowland Meadows and Upland Hay Meadows • Reedbed • Rivers and Streams • Ponds • Moorland and Fell – Blanket Bog and Upland Heathland • I would also guess there would be Open Habitat Mosaics on Previously Developed Land, Hedgerows as well as other wetland habitats as other priority habitats without at HAP at present.
For BAP species I’ve got the following SAPs (10 in total, but Farmland birds covers some other SAPs, and Bats are grouped into one): • Birds – 8 species • Mammals – 3 species not including bats which I would need more recent information on. • Amphibians – 1 species, GCN. • I don’t have up to date information on invertebrates and plants as this is being updated at the moment. Perhaps Nik can help with that on the 11 plant SAPs?
There are also the Urban HAPs, and I’m not sure of the Calcareous Grassland as I don’t know the area, and its not listed in the documents I’ve got at hand.
Lancashire County Council Rebecca Stevens Email 15 June 2009 Summary BHS listings for each district / borough can be found on the following link: http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/imt/downloadbhs.asp
I have quickly totted up the number of BHSs showing on the BwD listings and got to 104.
There are 3 SSSIs and 5 GHSs.
Lancashire County Council Peter Jepson, Phone Call & Email 18 June 2009 Attached is a list of BAP Priority Habitats, those in red occur in BwD.
There are two in blue – I am not sure whether artificial water bodies, i.e. reservoirs, are included in these. Reservoirs are included in Eutrophic standing water, perhaps the subtlety is ‘water’ rather than ‘lakes’.
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The list is from the following: http://www.ukbap.org.uk/library/UKBAPPriorityHabitatDescriptionsfinalAllhabitats200810 22.pdf
Blanket Bog Eutrophic Standing Waters Hedgerows Lowland Dry Acid Grassland Lowland Fens Lowland Heathland Lowland Meadows Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland Mesotrophic Lakes Oligotrophic and Dystrophic Lakes Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land Ponds Purple Moor Grass Reedbeds Rivers Upland Flushes, Fens and Swamps Upland Hay Meadows Upland Healthland Upland Mixed Ashwoods Upland Oakwood Wet Woodland Wood-Pasture and Parkland
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Appendix 2: Indicative Timescales
Programme 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Freckleton St Link Road
Darwen Town Centre Highway Improvements Blackburn Station Improvements Darwen Station Improvements Digital Connectivity: 100% Broadband Coverage
Pennine Reach
Manchester-Clitheroe Rail Link Darwen-Royal Blackburn Hospital Bus Route Cycling Strategy
Motorway Widening
New GP Provision
Blackburn Town Centre LIFT Health Centre Housing Market Renewal: Queen St/Hindle St Housing Market Renewal: Infirmary Housing Market Renewal: Griffin Building Schools for the Future Darwen Academy
Extended Schools
Sure Start
Primary Capital Strategy
University College Status
Knowledge Arc
St Mary’s College Capital
LEGI
Lifelong Learning
Incubator Units
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Programme 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Shadsworth MediPark/ Evolution Park Freckleton Street Masterplan
Cathedral Quarter
The Mall Redevelopment
Blackburn Market Redevelopment Blackburn Town Centre Strategy Darwen Market Town/ Masterplan Visitor Economy
Pennine Squared
Darwen Leisure Centre
Play Pathfinder
Play Strategy
North West Catchment Management Plan River Ribble Catchment Flood Management Plan Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan Lancashire Green Infrastructure Strategy National Cycle Network (SUSTRANs) Leeds-Liverpool Canal
Hyndburn BC Core Strategy
Whitebirk Strategic site: Green Belt Review Whitebirk Strategic site: Employment Land Review Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 2 County Heritage Site review
Locally Important Habitats Sites Survey BwD Green Infrastructure Project Community Infrastructure Levy assessment Local Transport Plan 2
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Programme 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Local Transport Plan 3
Surface Water Management Plan Reservoir Management Plan
West Pennine Moors Statement of Intent West Pennine Moors Bridleways Strategy Lancashire & Blackpool Visitor Economy Strategy The Strategy for Tourism in England’s North West
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