Report of Surveys

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Planning Evidence Base Report

Education, Children and Young People Waste Disposal Extra Care Housing Libraries

April 2016

Devon County Council County Hall Topsham Road Exeter Devon EX2 4QD

PREPARED BY Name: Christina Davey Position: Senior Planning Officer Date: April 2016

SPECIALIST INPUT FROM  Children’s Services: Simon Niles (Strategic Education Manager)  Libraries: Andrew Davey (Compliance and Standards Officer)  Extra Care Housing: Alison Golby (Strategic Commissioning Manager-Housing)  Waste: Annette Dentith (Principal Waste Management Officer - Policy) and Andy Hill (Principal Planning Officer – Minerals and Waste)

AGREED BY Name: Joe Keech Position: Chief Planner Date: May 2016

Contents LIST OF TABLES ...... 4 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 5 1.1. Strategic planning in North Devon and Torridge ...... 5 1.2. Purpose of this report ...... 5 1.3. Structure of this report ...... 5 2. THE NORTH DEVON AND TORRIDGE LOCAL PLAN 2011 - 2031 ...... 7 2.1. Distribution of development ...... 7 3. DEMOGRAPHIC OVERVIEW ...... 8 3.1. Review of demographic structure and projections ...... 8 4. EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ...... 10 4.1. Devon County Council’s approach to education, children and young people provision ...... 10 4.2. Existing education provision in North Devon and Torridge ...... 12 4.3. Youth services in North Devon and Torridge ...... 25 4.4. Children’s centres ...... 25 4.5. Demographic change for school-aged persons in North Devon and Torridge 26 4.6. Supporting Existing & Future Development in North Devon and Torridge ..... 27 4.7. Funding arrangements ...... 35 5. WASTE MANAGEMENT ...... 36 5.1. Devon County Council’s approach to waste management ...... 36 5.2. Current waste management provision in North Devon and Torridge ...... 37 5.3. Waste management requirements to mitigate proposed development in North Devon and Torridge ...... 38 5.4. Funding arrangements ...... 39 6. EXTRA CARE HOUSING ...... 40 6.1. Introduction ...... 40 6.2. Current and future Extra Care Housing Conditions in North Devon and Torridge ...... 41 6.3. Strategy for delivery ...... 42 6.4 Funding and delivery ...... 43 7 LIBRARY SERVICES ...... 44 7.1 Devon County Council’s approach to library services ...... 44 7.2 Current library conditions in North Devon and Torridge ...... 44 7.3 Future library service requirements in North Devon and Torridge ...... 45 8 CONCLUSIONS ...... 47 North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

List of Tables

Table 1 Scale and Distribution of planned development in North Devon and Torridge 2011-2031

Table 2 Projected Population Structure for Devon County Council area - broad age range comparison of 2013 with 2031 Table 3 Projected Population Structure for North Devon and Torridge District areas - broad age range comparison of 2013 with 2031

Table 4 Existing and predicted primary school capacity in North Devon and Torridge Table 5 Existing and predicted secondary school capacity in North Devon and Torridge Table 6 Existing special school capacity in North Devon and Torridge Table 7 Demographic projections for school age residents in Northern Devon Table 8 Extra Care Housing Need in North Devon and Torridge

Table 9 Existing library conditions

Figure 1 Distribution of schools in North Devon and Torridge Figure 2 Projected growth of 0-19 year olds in Northern Devon Figure 3 Existing provision and distribution of recycling centres in North Devon and Torridge

Figure 4 Extra Care & Close Care Housing requirements in North Devon and Torridge

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

1. Introduction

1.1. Strategic planning in North Devon and Torridge

1.1.1. In order to achieve sustainable development it is necessary to ensure that appropriate infrastructure and services are provided alongside the delivery of housing and employment development. This ensures that development impacts are mitigated, and communities are appropriately supported by the services necessary to have a high quality of life.

1.1.2. In this context, infrastructure planning forms a vital component of Local Plan development. Once the infrastructure is identified, it is necessary to consider the timeframe in which it is required, delivery partners, estimated costs and potential funding sources.

1.1.3. The county council has a duty as the Local Authority responsible for transport, education, children and young people services, libraries, social services and waste disposal to ensure that appropriate infrastructure provision is incorporated into the local planning process. Through partnership working, information on the afore-mentioned topics (in addition to others which are the responsibility of other organisations) has been compiled into a comprehensive infrastructure plan by North Devon and Torridge District Councils.

1.2. Purpose of this report

1.2.1. This report provides the evidence to support the inclusion of Devon County Council’s (DCC’s) infrastructure requirements within the North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Delivery Plan. This includes information reflecting the service areas for which Devon County Council has Local Authority responsibility. It should be noted that this report excludes transportation, for which other reports have been prepared.

1.3. Structure of this report

1.3.1. The report includes a summary of the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan and the demographic change anticipated in North Devon and Torridge to 2031. It is then divided into topic based sections for the infrastructure for which Devon County Council has responsibility, including:  Education, Children and Young People  Waste Management  Extra Care Housing  Libraries

1.3.2. Each section follows a similar format:

 The policy context for service delivery  Background information, including current service provision  How the service will be affected by the development levels proposed through the Local Plan  Additional infrastructure requirements as a result of development proposed through the Local Plan. North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

1.3.3. Infrastructure planning is a continuously evolving process and whilst this document represents a snapshot of the current infrastructure and service delivery standards for North Devon and Torridge, it is important to note that details may change in the light of new information or changes to policy / legislation in the future. In recognition of this, Devon County Council will monitor the elements of this report as required. North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

2. The North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011 - 2031

2.1. Distribution of development

2.1.1. North Devon District Council and Torridge District Council have jointly produced a Local Plan which will cover the period to 2031. The Local Plan not only sets out the scale and distribution of future development across the area but also provides the planning policy framework to inform the determination of future planning applications within northern Devon.

2.1.2. The spatial strategy set out within the Local Plan includes the delivery of 17,246 new homes and 85 hectares of employment land in the period from 2011 to 2031. Of the 17,246 homes, 941 were already built in the period 2011-2013, with a further 2,873 committed1, meaning the remainder to be provided through allocations and non-strategic sites totals 13,432. Housing and employment growth will be focused at the sub-regional centre of Barnstaple and the strategic centre of Bideford.

2.1.3. In addition to Barnstaple and Bideford there are a number of main towns such as Great Torrington, Holsworthy, Northam (including Appledore and Westward Ho!), Braunton and Wrafton, Ilfracombe and South Molton which will support appropriate levels of growth to meet their own needs and those of surrounding communities. Beyond this is a series of Local Centres and Villages which will also accommodate some growth. The proposed distribution of development across northern Devon is outlined in Table 1.

Planned Housing Planned employment Location (no. of dwellings) (hectares) Barnstaple 4,139 21.6 Bideford 4,127 25.4 Braunton/Wrafton 390 10 Fremington/Yelland 426 0 Great Torrington 632 4 Holsworthy 670 7.1 Ilfracombe 1,429 5 Northam 1,916 0 South Molton 1,240 10.8 Local Centres 1,123 0.9 Villages 1,034 0.3 Rural Settlements and Countryside 120 0 GRAND TOTAL 17,246 85.1

Table 1: Scale and distribution of planned development in North Devon and Torridge 2011-20312

1 Sites under construction, sites with planning permission subject to implementation and unimplemented sites subject to a 15% non-implementation discount, excluding allocations with extant permissions at Anchorwood Bank and Moreton Park. 2 Source: Policy ST08 in Publication Draft (incorporating Proposed Main and Minor Changed) March 2015. North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

3. Demographic overview

3.1. Review of demographic structure and projections

3.1.1. Population change is one of the key factors which influences the need for new and improved infrastructure. Over the last 50 years (from 1961 to 2011) the population of the geographic area covered by DCC increased by 50% from 496,000 to 746,4003.

3.1.2. Taking into account the planned levels of growth across the county, the population is projected to grow by a further 17% to 886,800 over the forthcoming years to 2031. An overview of how the population structure is predicted to change is displayed in Table 2.

3.1.3. As demonstrated, the majority of age groups are expected to experience growth in this period. The most significant increase in numbers is expected in the 75+ age group followed by the 65-74 age range, demonstrating an aging population. When considering the changes in population share, it is also notable that the proportion of the population aged 75 and over sees the biggest increase in population share (5%).

3.1.4. Whilst the population share for 0-16 year olds remains the same from 2013-2031, this age group is expected to experience significant growth of 16%, or 21,700 additional people. There will also be significant growth in 17-44 year olds. 45-64 is the only age range which is projected to experience a reduction in numbers across the plan period.

Age Population Population Share (%) Range 2013 2031 Growth % growth 2013 2031 Change 0-4 38,500 41,500 3,000 8 5 5 0 5-10 46,000 54,700 8,700 19 6 6 0 11-16 48,200 58,200 10,000 21 6 7 0 17-44 233,200 257,700 24,500 11 31 29 -2 45-64 210,500 209,200 -1,300 -1 28 24 -4 65-74 96,800 121,000 24,200 25 13 14 1 75+ 84,800 144,500 59,700 70 11 16 5 Total 758,100 886,800 128,700 17

Table 2: Projected population structure for Devon County Council area - broad age range comparison of 2013 with 20314

3.1.5. A more detailed breakdown of this county wide headline figure is necessary in order to plan effectively for population changes within North Devon and Torridge. This helps to identify not only the spatial distribution of the population but also highlight any local variations in age structure which may impact upon the need for particular types of infrastructure within a community. The county council has undertaken population projections informed by the development levels proposed within the emerging Local Plan to underpin the infrastructure planning work to support the delivery of the Local Plan. These are outlined in Table 3. It should be noted that the population projections for North Devon and Torridge presented below relate to the whole of North Devon District, including the parts within Exmoor National Park outside of the Plan area.

3 Source: Census data 4 Projections produced in May 2016 using Popgroup modelling software. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Figures may not sum due to rounding. North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

Age Population Population Share (%) Range 2013 2031 Growth % growth 2013 2031 Change 0-4 8,400 9,000 600 7 5 5 0 5-10 9,900 11,700 1,800 18 6 6 0 11-16 10,400 12,400 2,000 19 7 7 0 17-44 46,200 50,400 4,200 9 29 27 -2 45-64 45,300 44,000 -1,300 -3 29 24 -5 65-74 21,300 25,900 4,600 22 13 14 1 75+ 17,400 30,400 13,000 75 11 17 6 Total 158,900 183,800 24,900 16

Table 3: Projected Population Structure for North Devon and Torridge District areas - broad age range comparison of 2013 with 20315

3.1.6. The projected change in the North Devon and Torridge area populations is broadly the same as that for the Devon County Council area, however there are some subtle local variations.

3.1.7. The growth in residents aged 75 and over is even more significant in northern Devon, at 75% growth in comparison to the county average of 70%. The growth of 65-74 at 22% is slightly lower than the county average of 25%. Whilst still significant, the growth of people under the age of 44 is less in Northern Devon in comparison to the rest of County, whilst the reduction in 45-64 year olds is greater. This will have particular impacts upon the type of housing that is required and the range of support services that must be made available.

3.1.8. These forecasts, alongside analysis of existing infrastructure conditions across the districts, provide the starting point to inform the infrastructure planning work underpinning the Local Plan, which is a key purpose of this report.

5 & 3 Projections were produced in February 2016 and are rounded to nearest 100. Figures may not sum due to rounding. North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

4. Education, Children and Young People

4.1. Devon County Council’s approach to education, children and young people provision

4.1.1. The approach to Children’s Services policy is based upon the statutory responsibilities of Devon County Council (DCC) in respect of Children and Young People and is set out in Devon County Council’s Education Infrastructure Plan (EIP) 2013 - 2031 which is available at: http://www.devon.gov.uk/education-infrastructure-plan-v1.pdf

4.1.2. The EIP identifies the core responsibilities in respect of education provision, which are:  Securing sufficient educational provision in our area to meet the needs of our children, parents and communities  Improving standards in all schools so all children can go to a good school  Supporting the most vulnerable children including those in care, at risk of social exclusion, and those who have specific educational needs.

4.1.3. In respect of school provision, DCC also has a wider responsibility to:  Promote sustainable patterns of provision and travel;  Maintain and improve its schools’ estates in relation to the health and safety of its users.

4.1.4. As the Local Education Authority, DCC has an additional statutory responsibility to ensure sufficient Early Years and Childcare places. In respect of Early Years, we need to ensure that all 0-5 year olds have access to early years services. From September 2017, all 3 and 4 year olds will be entitled to 30 hours early years entitlement per week. There is also a requirement to ensure there is sufficient provision, including child minding, to enable parents/carers to access employment.

4.1.5. In addition, DCC must make sufficient provision of Children Centre services to meet the local needs of parents, prospective parents, carers and young children, specifically suitable delivery space.

4.1.6. The Raising of the Participation Age (RPA) changes, whereby all young people are expected to participate in education, employment or training has placed a requirement on DCC to secure sufficient and suitable education and training provision for all young people aged 16 – 18. It is considered that the impact of the RPA changes are unlikely to have a significant impact on school infrastructure. Therefore this is not considered further within this report but will be kept under review in particular for national changes that impact on local delivery.

4.1.7. There is also a statutory duty, as set out in Section 507B of the Education Act 1996, (published March 2008), for local authorities to provide youth work in three areas: positive activities, decision making by young people and 14-19 learning. Youth activities and facilities need to be accessible to young people and within reasonable distance to their homes.

4.1.8. The strategic planning of school place provision role of the Education Authority has not changed significantly despite Government school reforms. However it now needs to plan within a more autonomous mixed market of providers, in particular Academies and Free Schools. The recent government White Paper: ‘Educational Excellence Everywhere’ (March 2016) outlines potential changes to the education system but reinforces the role of Local Authorities in the planning of schools places and being the champion for parents North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

and children

4.1.9. Academies and Free schools are state funded schools independent of local government control. Whilst these reforms create some uncertainty for the planning of education provision, DCC still has a duty to ensure there are sufficient school places for every child to be able to access a school place between the ages of 4 and 16 and suitable provision up to 18. This will be kept under constant review as and when new providers enter the marketplace and their impact on school place planning can be accessed.

4.1.10. Devon County Council’s aim is that all pupils should be able to attend their local school and seeks to maximise and support parental preference through the Admissions Code of Practice. The Office of the School’s Adjudicator (OSA) has determined that pupil numbers and places in a school’s designated area must be balanced so parents have a reasonable chance of gaining admission to that school. If this is not the case, then the local authority or school (if it organises its own admissions) must make reasonable adjustments to ensure this is possible. For larger areas of development, DCC will seek to secure specific pupil place provision to serve that development, in particular for primary and early years. This meets a number of sustainability objectives; placing schools at the heart of the community (maximising community use and engagement) and reducing the distance travelled and therefore promoting the use of more sustainable modes of transport (reducing the traffic impact of any new school).

4.1.11. Devon County Council also has a statutory responsibility to ensure that there are sufficient places for pupils with special needs. Of the additional school places required it is anticipated that 2% will need a place in a special school at secondary level and 1% at primary level.

4.1.12. Development must mitigate its impact on school places. In locations where existing schools within a reasonable and safe distance of a development do not have sufficient pupil places to accommodate the additional pupils created by the development, Devon County Council requires contributions to provide sufficient school places. Devon County Council also requires contributions towards Early Years and other facilities that support children and young people where the scale of development is such that it will cause a significant impact upon the service within the local area. In larger developments, Devon County Council is keen to develop hub provision that is flexible to support a wide range of services.

4.1.13. Devon County Council’s section 106 policy and methodology can be found online at:

http://www.devon.gov.uk/strategic-planning-pupil-places

4.1.14. It should be noted that where Academies and Free Schools exist, and where new development will increase numbers above capacity, developer contributions will also be required to expand these types of schools.

4.1.15. In addition to infrastructure, Devon County Council may also seek contributions towards home to school transport from development that is not located within safe and reasonable walking distance from education provision.

4.1.16. The information contained in this methodology has been used when assessing the needs of the local plan. Other factors which influence education planning requirements and provision include:

 Devon County Council’s duty to support the expansion of popular and successful schools to maximise pupil access to good / outstanding schools; North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

 The Education Act 2011 which changed the arrangements for establishing new schools and introduced section 6A (the free school presumption) to the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Where there is a need for a new school in its area the local authority must seek proposals to establish an academy (free school) and seek sponsors to establish and operate the school. In order to start this process, Devon County Council maintains its responsibility to secure a serviced site and provide capital funding. Alternatively, potential sponsors can, at the time of writing, bid directly to the Department for Education to establish new schools. Again for strategic priorities, there is an expectation that proceeds from planning gain, current and future, will be made available to support the new schools.

 Existing development consents: In considering the number of available places in schools, Devon County Council will include the impact of residential developments that have already received planning approval or recently been constructed.

4.1.17. The policies and principles highlighted in the Education Infrastructure Plan 2013-2031 have been applied in the response to the emerging North Devon and Torridge Local Plan proposals.

4.2. Existing education provision in North Devon and Torridge

4.2.1. At the time of writing there are 87 schools in total in North Devon and Torridge; 48 primary schools and 6 secondary schools in North Devon, and 29 primary schools and 4 secondary schools in Torridge. All of the secondary schools cater for students from 11- 16 years old, with sixth form provision for 16-18 higher education at Ilfracombe Academy in North Devon, and Bideford College and Route 39 Academy in Torridge. Additional Post-16 provision for North Devon and Torridge students is available at Petroc which has a number of campuses within Barnstaple and Tiverton. In addition there are 6 alternative provision/special schools across both Districts that serve pupils with additional educational needs. Current education facilities are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Distribution of schools in North Devon and Torridge

4.2.2. The anticipated capacities at these schools (excluding special schools and private schools) and the number of pupils in attendance (the number on roll) are set out below. Anticipated capacity at the primary schools has been forecast for 2019. These figures take into account the numbers of children going through the system and the impact of developments which have been approved but not implemented. The anticipated capacity at secondary schools has been forecast for 2021. Assessment for this year is considered to be more robust than a 2019 base because of the relatively large cohorts that are coming through the primary system now, which are anticipated to affect the secondary schools in this year. 2021 therefore represents a more appropriate future year taking account of critical demographic trends which would not be reflected by using a 2019 base.

4.2.3. Table 4 below shows the capacities of primary schools within North Devon and Torridge.

Number on Net Roll Forecast Academy Pupil Ability to expand within current site Capacity Capacity Primary School / Local Age (DCC view) (places) spring 2016 (spring 2019 Authority Range at 2016 (As of base) 21/01/2016)

Barnstaple Local Learning Community (Secondary schools - Pilton Community College / The Park Community School, North Devon)

Access to site is restricted due to surrounding Ashleigh CofE Primary School LA 4-11 315 233 64 houses. Recently expanded by 1 classroom, no further Bishops Tawton Primary School LA 4-11 149 139 11 expansion possible. Bratton Fleming Community Primary Recently expanded with a double classroom. Site LA 4-11 149 127 32 School could support further expansion. Forches Cross Community Primary Has some space to expand but likely to remain at LA 4-11 205 146 37 School PAN 30 Fremington Community Primary and LA 4-11 323 284 Zero Yes up to 420 places Nursery School Could only expand with additional land as Goodleigh CofE Primary School LA 4-11 70 97 Zero constrained split-site with no hall on site Constrained site, thatched roof not on a safe Holywell CofE Primary School LA 4-11 100 104 8 walking route.

Lease restrictions on site would make any Landkey Primary School LA 4-11 210 197 Zero expansion difficult. Likely to maintain at PAN 30

Newport Primary Academy, Barnstaple Academy 4-11 428 437 Zero Site could potentially be expanded further

Orchard Vale Community School Academy 5-11 315 317 Zero Can be expanded up to PAN 60 (420 place school) Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, School has recently expanded to 210 places & Academy 4-11 210 186 6 Barnstaple likely to remain at this size. Small expansion may be possible but constrained Pilton Infants LA 4-7 177 173 34 site Pilton ‘The Bluecoat’ CofE Junior Expansion possible but would only be done in Academy 7-11 240 255 Zero School conjunction with Pilton Infants (see above) Shirwell Community Primary School LA 4-11 56 51 12 Constrained site unlikely it could be expanded. Recently expanded to PAN 60 (420 place school), Sticklepath Primary School LA 4-11 326 362 Zero no further expansion possible Could expand on existing site to become a PAN 60 Yeo Valley Primary School LA 4-11 330 229 33 (420 place school)

Bideford Local Learning Community (Secondary schools - Bideford College, Torridge / Route 39 Academy, Clovelly)

East-The-Water Community Primary Recently expanded to 420 place school. Further LA 4-11 415 340 25* KS1 is full, School expansion being considered Details of site constraints unknown. Remote Hartland Primary School LA 4-11 140 127 50 location with plenty of capacity Constrained site, topography of site would make Instow Community Primary School LA 4-11 140 135 Zero any expansion very difficult.

Recently expanded to become a 210 place school. St Helen’s CofE Primary School LA 4-11 210 209 Zero Further expansion not feasible without additional land. Recently expanded to become a 420 place school. St Mary’s CofE Primary School LA 4-11 415 400 Zero Further expansion not feasible.

31* capacity is Small expansion may be possible but likely to West Croft School LA 4-11 630 495 mainly in KS2, limited capacity in remain at PAN 90. KS1 Woolsery Primary School LA 4-11 140 124 22 Constrained site with limited options to expand. Braunton & Wrafton Local Learning Community (Secondary school – Braunton College, Braunton) Recently expanded to offer a PAN 60. No further Braunton Caen Primary School LA 4- 11 399 332 53 expansion feasible Georgeham CofE Primary School LA 4-11 105 102 Zero Constrained site in a conservation area, Yes, space on site to expand but school likely to Kingsacre Primary School LA 4-11 210 214 Zero maintain PAN 30 Constrained site in a remote location to town. New Marwood School LA 4-11 119 118 Zero community hall on site has limited options to expand school. Recently expanded to a 420 school, Further Southmead School LA 4-11 420 326 9 expansion possible but likely to maintain at PAN 60 Chulmleigh Local Learning Community (Secondary school – The Community College, Chulmleigh) Constrained small site, expansion unlikely to be Burrington CofE Primary School Academy 4-11 56 26 42 possible

Recently expanded to become a 210 school to Chulmleigh Primary Academy 5-11 210 559 25 enable single form entry

East Worlington School Academy 4-11 81 55 42 Limited/no capacity to expand School cannot expand on existing site, alternative High Bickington CofE Primary School LA 4-11 69 70 Zero site available King’s Nympton Primary LA 4-11 70 44 21 Limited/no capacity to expand Small expansion possible but likely to remain at Winkleigh Primary School LA 4-11 208 181 59 PAN 30

Witheridge CofE Primary School LA 4-11 120 95 42 Small expansion may be possible

Fremington & Yelland (see Barnstaple Local Learning Community (Secondary school – Pilton Community College, Barnstaple) Great Torrington Local Learning Community (Secondary school – Great Torrington School, Torrington) Beaford Community Primary School LA 4-11 105 77 37 School cannot expand on existing site School can only expand if new village hall is Buckland Brewer Community Primary LA 4-11 56 44 Zero provided and school is able to re-model its existing School space. Dolton CofE Primary School LA 4-11 70 34 23 Very small site no expansion possible Great Torrington Bluecoat CofE Planning permission secured for additional LA 3-11 490 459 10 Primary School classroom expansion. Horwood & Newton Tracey Community LA 4-11 99 88 5 School cannot expand on existing site. Primary School Langtree Community School LA 4-11 84 77 14 Constrained site, unlikely expansion is possible

Site cannot be expanded due to planning Monkleigh Primary School LA 4-11 105 106 12 constraints and covenant on land at rear of school

Parkham Primary School LA 4-11 67 41 23 Small site, no expansion possible

Shebbear Community School LA 4-11 70 59 16 Limited capacity to expand The Clinton CofE Primary School, LA 4-11 60 37 35 Limited capacity to expand Merton Holsworthy Local Learning Community (Secondary school – Holsworthy Community College, Holsworthy)

Ashwater Primary School LA 4-11 56 34 24 Details of site constraints unknown Black Torrington CofE Primary School LA 4-11 53 24 30 Small site, unable to expand Bradford Primary LA 4-11 70 35 44 Small expansion may be possible Bradworthy Primary Academy Academy 4-11 210 185 92 Small expansion possible

Bridgerule CofE Primary School LA 4-11 70 60 19 Site cannot be expanded

Clawton Primary School LA 4-11 103 97 32 Limited space on site to expand

Halwill Community Primary School LA 4-11 105 103 Zero Possible scope to expand

Holsworthy CofE Primary School LA 4-11 315 258 36 Yes St Giles-On-The-Heath Community LA 4-11 105 89 37 Limited potential if additional land secured School Ilfracombe Local Learning Community (Secondary school – Ilfracombe Academy, Ilfracombe)

Berrynarbor CofE Primary School LA 4-11 74 84 4 No expansion possible Combe Martin Primary School LA 4-11 178 169 18 Limited expansion may be possible Limited expansion may be possible but would need Ilfracombe Infant & Nursery School LA 4-7 405 370 Zero to be done in conjunction with Junior School Limited expansion. Planning permission in place Ilfracombe CofE Junior LA 7-11 480 479 17 for classroom extension Kentisbury Primary School LA 4-11 44 20 9 Limited scope to expand Lynton CofE Primary School LA 4-11 107 59 45 No expansion possible School recently re-built following fire. No further Parracombe CofE Primary School LA 4-11 78 18 55 expansion West Down School LA 4-11 105 96 17 Constrained site, no expansion possible Recently expanded to become a 210 school, no Woolacombe School LA 4-11 210 204 Zero further expansion possible. Northam Local Learning Community (Secondary school – Bideford College, Bideford) Difficult site to access, would be difficult to expand, Appledore Community Primary School LA 4-11 201 210 Zero likely to maintain at PAN 30 Mobile classroom installed 2015 to accommodate St Georges CofE Infant & Nursery LA 4-7 157 196 Zero pupil bulge. Very limited scope for permanent School expansion. St Margaret’s CofE Junior School, LA 7-11 240 209 Zero As above Northam South Molton Local Learning Community (Secondary school – South Molton Community College, South Molton)

Bishops Nympton Primary School LA 4-11 84 93 Zero Restricted site in a conservation area, would be

difficult to expand

Brayford Primary School Academy 4-11 49 43 9 No expansion possible Chittlehampton CofE Primary School LA 4-11 55 41 23 No expansion possible East Anstey Primary School LA 4-11 43 52 3 Limited expansion possible Filleigh Community Primary School LA 4-11 105 95 5 No expansion possible North Molton School LA 4-11 105 98 Zero Expansion possible Existing site can expand to 315-420 places, South Molton Infants School LA 4-7 175 136 Zero adjacent land to be safe-guarded to enable future expansion if required South Molton United CofE Junior School re-locating to new site to enable expansion LA 7-11 180 157 Zero School up to 420 places Swimbridge CofE Primary School LA 4-11 108 111 25 No expansion possible Umberleigh Primary Academy Academy 4-11 56 30 26 No expansion possible Tiverton Local Learning Community (Secondary school – Tiverton High School, Tiverton) Rackenford CofE Primary School LA 4-11 84 86 10 Very limited scope to expand

Table 4: Existing and predicted primary school capacity in North Devon and Torridge

4.2.4. Table 5 below shows the capacities of secondary schools within North Devon and Torridge.

Net * Number on Academy / Pupil Capacity Roll Forecast Capacity Ability to expand within current site Secondary School Local Age (places) (Spring 2021 base) (DCC view) Authority Range Spring 2016 at 2016 Barnstaple Local Learning Community Pilton Community College Academy 11-16 1350 1253 Zero Land secured in Local Plan to expand

The Park Community School LA 11-16 1500 1292 Zero Land secured in Local Plan to expand

Bideford Local Learning Community Bideford College Academy 11-18 2232 1423 609 Limited scope to expand

Permanent site has planning approval Route 39 Academy Academy 11-18 700 122 378 (based on January 2016 pupil numbers) secured @ Steart Farm Bucks Cross

Braunton & Wrafton Local Learning Community

Braunton Academy Academy 11-16 750 652 Zero Limited expansion possible

Chulmleigh Local Learning Community

The Community College, Chulmleigh Academy 11-16 600 559 42 Limited expansion possible

Great Torrington Local Learning Community Great Torrington School Academy 11-16 900 686 244 Limited expansion possible Holsworthy Local Learning Community Holsworthy Community College LA 11-16 750 573 194 Yes, site can be expanded. Ilfracombe Local Learning Community

Net * Number on Academy / Pupil Capacity Roll Forecast Capacity Ability to expand within current site Secondary School Local Age (places) (Spring 2021 base) (DCC view) Authority Range Spring 2016 at 2016 Academy being extensively re-furbished Ilfracombe Academy Academy 11-18 1200 921 160 with Priority Schools funding. Limited expansion possible South Molton Local Learning Community

South Molton Community College LA 11-16 716 565 Zero Yes, site can be expanded

Table 5: Existing and predicted secondary school capacity in North Devon and Torridge

4.2.5. Table 6 below shows the capacities of special schools within North Devon and Torridge

Academy / Pupil Net Capacity Ability to expand within current site Special/Alternative Provider Local Age (places) at (DCC view) Authority Range 2016

Barnstaple Local Learning Community

The Lampard Community School LA 5-16 110 Yes

Currently @ consultation to Pathfield School LA 3-18 Limited expand from 120 -137 places

Marland School – Springfield Court (Day) LA 10-16 36 Limited

North Devon Academy Academy 4-16 67 Limited

Bideford Local Learning Community

Torridge Academy Academy 5-16 24 No

Great Torrington Local Learning Community

Marland School (Residential) LA 10-16 40 Limited

Table 6: Existing special school capacity in North Devon and Torridge

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

4.3. Youth services in North Devon and Torridge

4.3.1. The Devon Youth Service forms part of a broad range of early help and support services for young people across the county, commissioned or provided by the county council. In addition, there is an extensive and well developed local voluntary and community sector that seeks to engage and deliver activities for local young people.

4.3.2. Due to the 2013 Government spending review and the resultant reductions in funding, Devon County Council undertook a review of its youth services and how these should be provided in a manner that retains the ability to deliver statutory functions at a quality acceptable to regulators and the community. More about the review of the youth services in Devon from 2014 is available online from the following link: https://new.devon.gov.uk/youthreview/engagement-phase/

4.3.3. As a result of this review, the County Council has reduced the number of directly delivered youth centres from 8 to 1 per District/City/Borough council area. The County Council is now committed to delivering many of its services differently. To this end, it has been agreed that the current Youth Service will be divested from the County Council in order that it be run by a staff mutual or other social enterprise. Cabinet papers in October 2015 stated that a divestment date of September 2016 will be the target.

4.3.4. Devon Youth Service now provides open access youth work, targeted and referred youth work, ongoing support to the voluntary and community sector, educational support services and the DofE service for Devon.

4.3.5. The youth centres in northern Devon are the Bideford Integrated Youth Centre for Torridge and Georgies in Barnstaple for North Devon. Other Youth Centres previously owned by the County Council are now run by a mixture of community groups.

4.4. Children’s centres

4.4.1. Children’s centres provide early childhood services for all families during pregnancy, following birth and until a child is five years old. These services are delivered in partnership with various health-related stakeholders, DCC Adult Learning and Job Centre Plus and can be delivered at a children’s centre, in a community building or in families’ homes.

4.4.2. In Devon, children’s centre services are not directly delivered by the county council. Instead they are contracted out to 4 different providers – three charities and one governing body. Each has their own contract. Therefore DCC doesn’t require a set number of children’s centres, just sufficient facilities to provide for all families with young children, and to enable us to continue to offer support for those families in greatest need.

4.4.3. In North Devon and Torridge children’s centre services have been operating from stand-alone centres across both districts. However, due to spending pressures, the county council’s children’s centre services have been under review. The public consultation element of this review was undertaken between 22 April and 6 June 2014, and is now largely complete. The proposals of the review focus on changing the manner in which children’s

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centre services are provided by Devon County Council, focussing on reducing the county council’s estate and delivering improved services in a more cost effective-manner. A key mechanism for delivering this reform is through renegotiation of contracts, including spending a greater proportion of children’s centre funding on the service rather than on the buildings.

4.4.4. As a result of this review, children centre services will now be tendered on a District/City Council basis reducing the number of contracts from forty one to eight. The hub for North Devon will be based in Barnstaple; whilst the hub for Torridge will be based in Bideford. Children’s centre services will run from a range of premises across each district. This includes delivery space within all new primary schools referred to within the Local Plan.

4.4.5. More information about the County Council’s children’s centre review can be found at:

https://new.devon.gov.uk/childrenscentrereview/consultation-closed/the- proposals

4.5. Demographic change for school-aged persons in North Devon and Torridge

4.5.1. Devon County Council uses a demographic model to derive likely future population numbers and profiles. Based on the proposals in the emerging North Devon and Torridge Local Plan, the model has generated the forecast presented in Table 7 and Figure 2 below for school age residents in northern Devon.

Year Age Range 2013 2016 2021 2026 2031 0-2 5,100 5,100 5,300 5,300 5,300 3-4 3,300 3,500 3,600 3,700 3,700 5-11 11,500 12,200 13,200 13,600 13,800 12-16 8,800 8,400 9,200 10,000 10,300 17-19 5,300 5,000 4,700 5,300 5,700 Total 34,100 34,300 35,900 37,900 38,700 Table 7: Demographic projections for school age residents in Northern Devon6

6 Projections were produced in May 2016 and are rounded to nearest 100. Figures may not sum due to rounding. Projections are more up-to-date than those included in the Education Infrastructure Plan: http://www.devon.gov.uk/education-infrastructure-plan-v1.pdf

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Figure 2: Projected growth of 0-19 year olds in Northern Devon

4.5.2. The overall forecast for North Devon and Torridge predicts an increasing need for primary age provision throughout the plan period. The rate of growth is most significant in the first half of the Plan period (2013-2021), before slowing for the remainder of the Plan period. The size and location of development proposed in the emerging Local Plan means that new primary school provision will be required.

4.5.3. Whilst tailing off in the first phase of the Plan period, secondary age pupil numbers are due to grow from 2016 onwards. This has a direct impact upon planning for secondary education provision within each District, specifically at Barnstaple and Bideford as the main areas of housing growth.

4.5.4. Whilst there may be a projected increase in school pupil numbers, it is important to note that there is some existing capacity at some schools which serve the Districts. This has been factored into the requirements set out in this document and the infrastructure planning for each District.

4.5.5. A major factor of whether a school will need to expand is whether new development occurs within a suitable travelling distance. This will increase the number of pupils needing to attend that school. The analysis below considers the impact of the allocations proposed in the emerging North Devon and Torridge Local Plan, and the actions required to accommodate pupils from this growth.

4.6. Supporting Existing & Future Development in North Devon and Torridge

4.6.1. The following section of this report sets the context and need for additional Education, Children and Young People provision required as a result of development proposed within the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan.

4.6.2. The priority ratings included within the North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2013-2031 in relation to education provision has

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

been established on the basis of the need for additional provision in the context of current conditions. For example, if Local Plan development is proposed in an area where primary or secondary schools are already at capacity or will be when taking into account existing commitments, future provision has been classed as priority one (critical). This is because no further development can be accommodated without additional education provision and education provision is a vital public service to which every child has a right. If existing schools have capacity to accommodate some development but not all that is proposed through the Local Plan, the enhanced provision has been defined as priority two. Full definitions of the various priority ratings are outlined within the North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

4.6.3. The following sections are set out according to the Local Learning Community areas within North Devon and Torridge (the Local Learning Community areas are set out in Figure 1).

Barnstaple

4.6.4. There are 16 primary schools within the Barnstaple Local Learning Community (LLC) with 9 schools located across the town, and the remaining 7 located in surrounding villages and settlements. In general, there has been an increase in birth and migration into the town, particularly around the Sticklepath area, whilst numbers within the more rural areas are lower. It should be noted that Fremington Community Primary school sits within the Barnstaple LLC but the impact of housing development in the Fremington area is detailed in paragraph 4.6.29 below.

4.6.5. The level of growth within the Barnstaple LLC as set out within the Local Plan will generate 1035 additional primary aged pupils. It should be noted that there is no remaining capacity in the west of the town (i.e. the Sticklepath area), and several schools across the town are already at capacity. In order to support the demographic change and housing approvals, it has been agreed with the Local Learning Community that new primary provision is required to support the major development.

4.6.6. Due to pressures in the west of the town, the priority is for delivery of a new 420 place primary school to serve development in this area. Two potential sites have been approved within the Larkbear and Tews Lane developments, each located on an area of 1.7 hectares. Initially, and based on the proposals in the plan, only one of these sites will be required to meet the needs of the west of the town with the preference, if secured in a timely manner, being the school site at Larkbear. However, there has and at the time of drafting, continues to be additional development approved in the west of Barnstaple and Fremington/Yelland corridor which will create additional pressure on early years and primary places and therefore both school sites will need to be safeguarded to mitigate these additional sites.

4.6.7. Across the central and eastern areas of Barnstaple, expansion will be required to accommodate the considerable development around the Pilton area and Mount Sandford Green. Expansion at existing local schools, including but not limited to, Newport Primary and Orchard Vale Primary, will therefore be considered to ensure there are sufficient places across the town that fall within the statutory 1.5 miles safe walking distance for primary pupils. Further school expansions will be subject to further consultation with

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schools.

4.6.8. Many of the existing schools in the town are on constrained sites and do not have the ability to expand nor accommodate all the required additional places, nor support additional early years numbers. In order to accommodate pupils from the allocations, a new primary school site will also be required later in the plan period to meet the needs of the Westacott development. This will need to be capable of initially accommodating one form per year, but will require a site area of 1.7 hectares to ensure that it can eventually deliver two form entry per year as a 420 place school.

4.6.9. Both new primary schools will need to include a nursery and children’s centre base in order to ensure that early year’s statutory places and children centre services can be provided for 0-5 year olds. The delivery of the new primary schools and expansion at existing facilities will provide sufficient capacity for the sites allocated in the Local Plan.

4.6.10. Finally in relation to primary provision, it may also be necessary, subject to site constraints, to expand primary schools serving the more peripheral/rural parts of Barnstaple. Developer contributions in these areas will be sought where appropriate to enable any necessary expansion and to ensure sufficient pupil places across the area.

4.6.11. The level of growth set out in the Local Plan will generate in the region of 621 additional secondary age pupils within the area. There are 2 secondary schools that serve the local learning community, Pilton Community College and The Park Community School. Due to the current low demographics there is some surplus capacity at secondary level. However, when factoring in the impact of approved but unimplemented consents, there is currently a shortfall of 2037 secondary places across both Pilton College and Park Community School. It is therefore necessary to plan for secondary expansions to increase provision to in the region of 600-800 additional places to meet the needs of the growth and to accommodate the population increase that is currently working through the primary schools. Additional land has been identified within the Local Plan to enable future expansion at both existing secondary schools which will provide the additional secondary places required over the plan period.

4.6.12. Pilton College and Park Community Schools are also the designated secondary school providers for the rural schools within the Barnstaple LLC. The impact of development in the rural areas has been factored into the above assessment. In addition, there are also likely to be implications for home to school transport for these pupils and developer contributions will be requested as appropriate.

4.6.13. It is necessary for additional youth provision to be provided within Barnstaple to meet the needs of residents generated by the level of development proposed. This provision is envisaged to be located within a wider community hub building and utilise a multi-purpose space.

Bideford

4.6.14. There are 10 primary schools within the Bideford LLC with 3 schools located

7 Secondary shortfall as at 21 Apr 2016

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across Bideford town, 3 in Northam and the remaining 4 schools located in surrounding villages and settlements8. There has been a significant increase in birth and migration into the town and subsequently there is huge pressure on pupil places across the area. All schools within Bideford town and Northam are at capacity

4.6.15. In the region of 1000 primary places are likely to be required in Bideford within the plan period to accommodate demographic change, approved development and the proposed allocations. To address the increasing primary numbers, Devon County Council has already invested significant funding into the area to expand existing provision, namely St Helen’s Primary Abbotsham, East-The-Water Primary and St Mary’s Primary. Given the site constraints at these and the remaining schools in the LLC, expansion options have now been exhausted across the central and western areas of Bideford.

4.6.16. In order to support the demographic change and housing approvals new primary provision is required to support the planned growth. In the west of the town, there is an urgent need to secure new primary provision to meet the significant allocations of the Western Extension and South of Clovelly Road, as well as the existing approved development. The level of development across these sites will require a 420 primary school on a 1.7 hectare site. School sites have been identified in the planning applications for both the above sites; however only one school site is currently required to serve this area. Due to the immediate need, DCC continues to explore the opportunity to secure an alternative site in consultation with Torridge District Council.

4.6.17. To serve growth in the east of the town, new primary provision will also be required. The allocations proposed will require new primary provision on a 2.3 hectare site to be delivered in the medium term, whilst opportunities to further expand the existing school are being actively explored. New primary schools for Bideford need to include a nursery and children’s centre base in order to ensure that early years statutory places and children centre services can be provided for 0-5 year olds.

4.6.18. An assessment of the impact of the rural housing allocations in the Bideford LLC has also been undertaken. Generally, all of the schools in the rural areas have sufficient capacity to accommodate the levels of planned growth. It will be necessary to request home to school transport contributions for development in rural settlements if these are located beyond the statutory walking distance and not on a safe walking route.

4.6.19. Bideford College is the designated secondary provider for the Bideford LLC. There is currently a large surplus of pupil places at Bideford College. However, future developments in the town and rural areas, a push-back from pupils currently attending Barnstaple secondary schools and the current primary bulge is likely to take up most of this capacity over the medium to longer.

4.6.20. Route 39 Academy is a free school secondary provider that is currently

8 The 3 schools within Northam sit within the Bideford LLC but the impact of housing development in the Northam area is detailed in paragraph 4.6.47 below.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

located in temporary premises in Clovelly but will be moving to a permanent site at Bucks Cross. The additional secondary provision at Route 39 should ensure there is sufficient capacity in the area to serve Bideford growth. However, given the rural location of Route 39, Devon County Council will need to keep this position under review as it will be dependent on parental choice. If required, Bideford College can be expanded to support increased secondary provision.

4.6.21. Bideford College is also the designated secondary school provider for the rural schools within the Bideford LLC. The impact of development in the rural areas has been factored into the above assessment. There are likely to be implications for home to school transport for these pupils and developer contributions will be requested as appropriate.

4.6.22. Devon County Council also has a statutory responsibility for the provision of school places for pupils with a Special Educational Need (SEN). There is currently just one SEN provider within Bideford, the Torridge Academy which can only support a small number of pupils. This provision was established in September 2015 to urgently meet unmet need and currently occupies temporary premises. Given the level of growth planned, a new special school should be planned for the town. New SEN provision is therefore required for a 50 place special school on a 1.4 hectare site to serve development across North Devon and Torridge.

Braunton & Wrafton

4.6.23. There are 5 primary schools within the Braunton Local learning Community with three schools located in the town and the remainder supporting the rural areas. In general, there has been an increase in births and migration into the town with rural areas steadier. The Chivenor Military Base is located within the LLC. Consequently the local primary schools can be subject to sudden influxes and departure of pupils as military families move in and out of Chivenor, often at short notice.

4.6.24. Due to rising pupil numbers in the town, Devon County Council has recently expanded Southmead and Braunton Caen Primary Schools to both offer 420 places. Southmead is the closest school to the military base. With these two school expansions, there is sufficient capacity across the three Braunton town schools to accommodate the additional 98 pupils expected from development.

4.6.25. There are 2 rural schools within the Braunton LLC; Marwood and Georgeham. Both are very popular schools and both are at capacity. Georgeham’ s catchment area includes Croyde, however it occupies a very constrained site which cannot be easily expanded. Developer contributions or CIL funds will be required if further development over and above that allocated comes forward.

4.6.26. Braunton Academy School is the secondary school that serves the above primary schools. Recent approvals have taken-up the remaining capacity at Braunton Academy. Developer contributions will therefore be sought from the above allocations to increase secondary provision on the existing site.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

Chulmleigh

4.6.27. There are 7 schools within the Chulmleigh Local Learning Community. The LLC covers a very disperse rural area with schools situated across Torridge and North Devon. There is generally sufficient capacity to accommodate the allocations proposed in the emerging Local Plan, with the exception of High Bickington. Contributions will therefore be requested against development in this settlement.

4.6.28. Chulmleigh Community College (located in North Devon) is the secondary school which serves the LLC. There are currently 60 pupil spaces at Chulmleigh Community College. It therefore has sufficient capacity to accommodate new secondary pupils from 420 dwellings. After this point, secondary contributions will need to be requested to increase pupil capacity at the College. It is also anticipated that there will be implications for home to school transport and developer contributions will be requested as appropriate.

Fremington & Yelland

4.6.29. As the only education provider in the area, Fremington Community Primary School is part of the nearby Barnstaple LLC. Fremington Primary serves all children from the Fremington area but currently also supports children choosing to attend the school from the Sticklepath area of Barnstaple. This will change once approved development for Fremington and Yelland is built- out and additional places will be required at the school for in-area children.

4.6.30. The development allocations will result in a need to provide 91 additional primary pupil places. It has been established that Fremington Primary can be extended on the existing site to become a 420 place primary school and a feasibility study has recently been commissioned. Primary education contributions will therefore be requested from development

4.6.31. As highlighted previously, potential development at West Yelland will create the need for additional primary places with the net impact of reducing the number of children from West Barnstaple securing a place at Fremington school.

4.6.32. Pilton Community College in Barnstaple is the nearest secondary school. Based on the level of growth proposed in the area, 64 secondary school aged pupil places will be required to accommodate development at Fremington and Yelland. This will be in addition to the additional spaces required due to other development sites in Barnstaple that fall within the Pilton Community College designated area. Developer contributions through s106 and CIL will be requested in order to fund these improvements. Development within Fremington and Yelland falls beyond the statutory secondary walking distance, therefore home to school transport developer contributions will also be requested as appropriate.

Great Torrington

4.6.33. Great Torrington Bluecoat Primary School is the largest primary provider situated in the town, with the 9 other local schools located in the surrounding rural areas.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

4.6.34. 158 primary places will be required to accommodate the level of development proposed at Great Torrington.

4.6.35. Great Torrington Bluecoats Primary has limited scope to expand. Options will then be exhausted on this site, and new school provision will be required in the town to support its growth. A proposed site for a 210 place primary school has been allocated on the Hatchmoor Common Lane site for this purpose.

4.6.36. In relation to the rural schools surrounding Great Torrington, there is generally sufficient capacity to accommodate the allocations proposed in the emerging Local Plan, with the exception of Buckland Brewer and Shebbear. Contributions will therefore be requested from development in these settlements. Buckland Brewer School is a restricted site and expansion will only be possible subject to the proposed new village hall being built for school use.

4.6.37. Great Torrington School is the secondary school which serves the area. The level of growth set out in the Local Plan will generate 95 additional secondary aged pupils. There is currently sufficient capacity at this school to accommodate growth proposals. It is anticipated however that there will be implications for home to school transport for pupils travelling from the rural areas to Great Torrington School and developer contributions will be requested as appropriate.

Holsworthy

4.6.38. The Holsworthy LLC sits within Torridge District. Holsworthy Primary is the largest primary provider situated in the town, whilst the remaining 8 schools in this area are located in very remote rural areas and as such, generally have low numbers on roll.

4.6.39. Based on the level of growth set out within the Local Plan, 168 additional primary pupils will be living in the LLC once the housing is completed. There is some capacity available at existing schools, however, as the growth is mainly planned for the town, Holsworthy Primary School may need to be expanded to meet the needs of the development, the cost of which will be requested through developer contributions.

4.6.40. Many of the rural schools in the area have very low pupil numbers and will be able to accommodate surrounding growth. However contributions may be sought subject to ongoing review of pupil numbers.

4.6.41. Holsworthy Community College is the secondary school which serves the LLC. There is currently sufficient capacity at this school to accommodate growth proposals. It is anticipated however that there will be implications for home to school transport and developer contributions will be requested as appropriate for the rural development.

Ilfracombe

4.6.42. Educationally the central point of the Ilfracombe LLC is Ilfracombe town, but provision extends as far west as Woolacombe and as far east as Lynton with three primary schools located on Exmoor National Park.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

4.6.43. Based on currently available capacity and the level of growth set out within the Local Plan there is a requirement for at least 330 additional primary pupils across the town to meet the proposed growth.

4.6.44. The existing infants and junior schools are already offering large planned admission numbers and occupy constrained sites with limited scope to expand. New primary provision is therefore required to specifically meet the needs of the Southern Extension development. A school site has been allocated to eventually provide a 420 place primary school for this area. The new primary school will need to include a nursery and children’s centre base in order to ensure that early years statutory places and children centre services can be provided for 0-5 year olds.

4.6.45. Ilfracombe Academy is the secondary school which serves the LLC. It also provides sixth-form provision for 16-18 year olds in the area. There is currently a surplus of pupil places at Ilfracombe Academy. The Academy has been awarded funding from the Priority Schools Building Programme to refurbish the existing site, however, these works will reduce its capacity by 200 places. As future expansion of the Academy can be accommodated on the existing site, developer contributions will be required towards the latter part of the plan to enable future expansion as required. It is anticipated however that there will be implications for home to school transport and developer contributions will be requested as appropriate for pupils travelling in from the rural areas.

4.6.46. It is necessary for youth provision to be provided within Ilfracombe to meet the needs of residents generated by the level of development proposed. This provision is envisaged to be located within a wider community hub building and utilise a multi-purpose space.

Northam

4.6.47. Due to its close proximity to Bideford the three primary schools within Northam are part of the Bideford LLC. As detailed for Bideford, there is no primary capacity within Northam to accommodate the growth proposed within the Local Plan. Schools occupy constrained sites and temporary provision has already been bought into Northam to accommodate the current demographic bulge.

4.6.48. New primary provision is required in Northam to accommodate the additional pupils from development. A 420 place primary school is therefore required on a 1.7 hectare site. The new primary school will need to include a nursery and children’s centre base in order to ensure that early years statutory places and children centre services can be provided for 0-5 year olds.

4.6.49. Bideford College and Route 39 are the local secondary schools which have been highlighted earlier in the documents.

South Molton

4.6.50. There are 10 schools in the South Molton LLC. There are 2 primary providers in the town, with the remaining schools supporting the surrounding rural settlements. Primary provision is already at capacity within South Molton town. Proposals for the current South Molton Infants School and

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

South Molton Junior Schools to become two primary providers have been actioned. This re-organisation will enable each school to expand and will provide primary provision to serve development in the north and south of the town.

4.6.51. A new primary school site has been forwarded funded by DCC to re-locate and expand the Junior School. The new school will initially provide 210 primary places but has sufficient land for further expansion up to 420 places. It will also provide early years provision. Contributions will be requested against all development in South Molton to refund the purchase of this site. Contributions will also be sought from development around the current Infant School site to enable future expansion on its existing site. Additional land has been secured through the plan on the adjacent Quince Honey Farm site to assist with this expansion if required.

4.6.52. With regard to the primary schools serving rural areas around South Molton, there is generally sufficient capacity to accommodate the allocations proposed, with the exception of Bishops Nympton, East Anstey and North Molton.

4.6.53. South Molton Community College is the secondary school which serves the area. The College has been awarded funding from the Priority Schools Building Programme to refurbish the existing site; however, this funding will not increase the existing capacity. Future expansion of the College can be accommodated on the existing site to mitigate the impact of the growth and developer contributions are being requested to fund the necessary expansion. It is also anticipated that there will be implications for home to school transport for surrounding rural development and developer contributions will be requested as appropriate.

4.7. Funding arrangements

4.7.1. Devon County Council has secured an approximate allocation of £30m for three years (2016/17 – 2018/19) to deliver its statutory responsibilities for Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Special Needs places. County Funding allocations are based on returns to the Education Funding Agency and are specifically required to exclude pupil numbers generated by new development. As such, it is important to note that that funding allocation received by DCC does not cover education provision resulting from development. This funding allocation, and the expansion it funds, is factored into cost calculations when negotiating with developers. There is no direct funding stream for home to school transport and as such is a direct charge to the County Council. Therefore contributions will be sought from new development where applicable.

4.7.2. As discussed above, much of the additional school provision identified in this section is required to accommodate pupils from new development. It is therefore anticipated that the majority of funding will come from Section 106 Developer Contributions9 and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This will therefore be sought as applications are submitted and additional provision is required.

9 Devon County Council’s policy on s106 contributions towards education can be found on the following webpage: http://www.devon.gov.uk/strategic-planning-pupil-places

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

5. Waste management

5.1. Devon County Council’s approach to waste management

5.1.1. Devon County Council is a Waste Disposal Authority and is responsible for the safe management and disposal of Local Authority Collected Waste (LACW), formerly known as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). In Devon LACW is collected by each Waste Collection Authority (the District Councils) and additional bulky household and garden waste is taken to recycling centres by the general public. The County Council is responsible for the recycling centres.

5.1.2. Devon County Council has been working with District Councils across the county to raise awareness of waste management issues and increase domestic recycling levels. In North Devon, recycling rates have risen from 36% (in 2006/07) to 44% (in 2014/15). The increase in Torridge over the same period has been even greater, from 32.5%% (in 2006/07) to 45% (in 2014/15) respectively.

5.1.3. For other forms of waste, including commercial and industrial waste and construction, demolition and excavation waste, responsibility for its management lies with the producers (i.e. the County Council is not responsible for this waste). A range of waste management operators provide services for the collection, recycling and disposal of these wastes.

5.1.4. The County Council prepares several plans to set out how waste will be managed within the county. These include the Waste and Resource Management Strategy for Devon and the Devon Waste Plan.

5.1.5. The Waste and Resource Management Strategy for Devon Review was approved in March 201310. This sets out the ambition to recycle 65% of North Devon and Torridge’s local authority collected waste from 2025/26 onwards. It also contains information about the Devon local authorities’ policies on reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering energy from waste and has associated strategies including the waste education strategy and communications strategy.

5.1.6. Devon County Council adopted the Devon Waste Plan 11 December 2014. This covers the area within Devon excluding the unitary authorities of Torbay, Plymouth and also excludes Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks. This sets out the policies by which waste management development proposals are determined when a planning application is received. This document also allocates new sites for energy recovery. More information about the Devon Waste Plan is available at https://new.devon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policies/minerals-and-waste- policy/devon-waste-plan .

5.1.7. As well as plan and strategy making, under the Environmental Protection Act (1990), Waste Disposal Authorities are required to provide Household Waste Recycling Centres. These must be reasonably accessible to people resident

10 http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/waste_disposal/waste_management_strategy_for_ devon.htm

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

in the area. It is Devon County Council’s policy to provide a recycling centre within a 10 mile radius of every household within Devon, where economically practicable.

5.2. Current waste management provision in North Devon and Torridge

5.2.1. Residual local authority collected waste (LACW) generated within North Devon and Torridge District is currently disposed of at Deep Moor landfill site near Torrington. Consideration is being given to a non-landfill alternative with proposals including a Transfer Station or a treatment facility in North Devon or Torridge. Organic waste in the form of food, garden and cardboard is currently composted at the In Vessel Composting (IVC) plant at Deep Moor. There are currently six household waste recycling centres in North Devon and Torridge. The locations of these are displayed in Figure 3.

5.2.2. The Devon Waste Plan allocates five strategic energy recovery sites across Devon to assist in reducing the amounts of waste which are sent to landfill over the next 15 years. The Waste Plan includes Brynsworthy Environment Centre in North Devon. The specific technology that may be developed at these sites will depend on the operator who chooses to come forward with an application. The proposed allocation at Brynsworthy has the opportunity to provide heat for the surrounding new developments, thus further increasing the sustainability of new development in this area.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

Map reference Facility name Location 1 Killacleave Recycling Centre Ilfracombe 2 Seven Brethren Recycling Centre Barnstaple 3 Maclins Quarry Recycling Centre South Molton 4 Bideford Recycling Centre Bideford 5 Deep Moor Recycling Centre Torrington 6 Anvil Corner Recycling Centre Holsworthy Figure 3: Existing provision and distribution of recycling centres in North Devon and Torridge

5.3. Waste management requirements to mitigate proposed development in North Devon and Torridge

5.3.1. The amount of local authority collected waste generated bears a close relationship to the number of households in an area, so an increase in the number of households results in increased waste to be dealt with. Forecasts of waste arisings are regularly updated to help ensure adequate planning for, and management of, waste treatment occurs. This informs considerations of whether new sites are required due to increased number of households or for other reasons (e.g. expiry of planning permission at existing sites). The allocations in the Devon Waste Plan take account of the most recent projections available at the time of preparing the Waste Plan.

5.3.2. The allocation of sites provides greater certainty to waste operators that waste development will be permitted at these locations (so long as planning / licensing requirements are met). It is therefore expected that facilities will come forward at the allocated sites, ensuring sufficient waste management capacity within the county will be provided. It should be noted that it will not be necessary to develop on all of the allocated sites to provide sufficient waste management capacity for Devon.

5.3.3. The Devon Waste Plan also includes policy (W21) to ensure that applications for new non-waste (e.g. housing or employment) development will be permitted where it can be demonstrated that sufficient waste management capacity exists to accommodate the waste arising from that development. In such cases, the developer may provide on-site waste management facilities or provide a financial contribution to expand an appropriate existing waste management facility.

5.3.4. All new development will also be expected be built in a manner that promotes the waste hierarchy, being built in a way that reduces construction waste, and waste arising once operational. Developments will also need to provide sufficient space to allow the segregation of reusable and recyclable waste from waste requiring disposal (Policy W4). Devon County Council has adopted a Supplementary Planning Document to provide guidance to developers and district councils on the implementation of Policies W4 and W21.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

5.4. Funding arrangements

5.4.1. Waste management facilities for LACW are operated by private sector organisations; however the county council enters into contracts with these organisations.

5.4.2. With regards to household waste recycling centres, these are operated by commercial waste operators through contracts with the county council - although the sites and facilities are generally owned / leased by the county council. As set out above, Policy W21 of the Devon Waste Plan requires development to mitigate its impact in locations where sufficient waste management facilities do not exist. The county council will therefore seek developer contributions through CIL or s106 towards waste management facilities when appropriate.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

6. Extra Care Housing

6.1. Introduction

6.1.1. Section 47 of the National Health Services and Community Care Act 1990 places a duty on Devon County Council to assess its residents’ needs for “community care services”. The National Assistance Act 1948 sets out how local authorities can respond to this duty, by providing accommodation and services to those who otherwise would not have access to such services. This is means tested.

6.1.2. There are a number of ways in which our community care responsibility could be met; however, work we have undertaken has concluded that an effective way to meet this responsibility for people with complex care needs is through the provision of supported extra care housing.

6.1.3. Extra care housing enables older people to live in their own apartments (usually clustered in groups of 50 or more) in a designated development for the elderly, with 24 hour care and support services on site. The extra care housing programme being developed for Devon is intended to help older people achieve greater independence and well-being, by giving them more choice over housing and care options. Furthermore, extra care housing will help postpone the need for older people to move into residential care and will allow the county to reinvest resources in preventative services.

 The key features that modern extra care housing should include are as follows:  Accessible specially designed housing that enables independent living for older people including those with physical or learning disabilities;  The inclusion of telecare to enable people to live safely in their own apartments and to monitor those who have dementia or other mental health problems;  The provision of communal facilities to allow community activities to be organised and to provide other services (e.g. a café/restaurant, assisted bathing);  Flexible 24 hour care delivered by an on-site care team;  The development of a mixed community including those with different levels of ability and the provision of apartments with different tenures and number of bedrooms;  The development of sites that maximise economies of scale i.e. 50 plus units.

6.1.4. The dependency mix of residents varies, with all schemes aiming to achieve a balance between high, medium and low needs, and some providing accommodation and care for a proportion of people with dementia.

6.1.5. Extra care housing is not intended to be a substitute for sheltered housing or flexible community support services for older people. Instead, extra care housing is intended to complement other types of provision for older people, particularly for those who are unable to continue living in their own homes but wish to live in an independent setting with care and support staff on site.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

6.1.6. Extra care housing schemes are, in most cases, built and operated by the private sector. The county council commissions extra care units from private sector schemes for those who need care but, as proved through means testing, cannot afford it. This is supported extra care.

6.2. Current and future Extra Care Housing Conditions in North Devon and Torridge

6.2.1 Devon County Council first produced a Commissioning Strategy for Extra Care Housing in March 2009. This document used population data from 2001 and identified the need for extra care housing across Devon, including North Devon and Torridge11. The strategy also considered how the potential need for extra care housing would grow in the period to 2020.

6.2.2 This original strategy utilised a rate of 65 extra care housing units per 1000 people aged 75 and over who are living alone and have a limiting long term illness. This indicative rate was based upon a Department for Communities and Local Government Model which identified the needs of vulnerable people in growth areas. The rate has also been based on evidence of the numbers of older people with low to moderate needs who can be diverted from residential care in Devon, as well as those whose needs could be more effectively met by extra care housing. Not all those within the population at risk will end up needing extra care housing, and indeed not all of these will require local government support to live in these units. The rate therefore identifies the population in need of local authority supported extra care housing.

6.2.3 The needs assessment was updated in 2015 using population data from the 2011 census in addition to population projections to 2033 produced by Devon County Council using Popgroup software12. Due to changes in the way in which census data was collected between 2001 and 2011, it is no longer possible to identify the number of people aged 75 and over who are living alone and have a limiting long term illness. Instead it is possible to identify:

 The number of people aged 75 and older living with a limiting long term illness  The number of people aged 65 and older living alone.

 These two datasets have been considered alongside one another in order to identify a broadly comparable indicator to that used in the earlier strategy. This assumes that the % of people who are 75 and over living in alone is the same as that for 65 and over. It is accepted that in reality the number of people aged 75 and over living alone may be higher than 65 and over and therefore needs may be slightly underestimated using this approach, however, the County Council is comfortable that this approach is appropriate for strategic planning purposes.

6.2.4 The assessment has been undertaken for market town areas. This includes the town itself and its hinterland. Below is a table summarising the need for extra care housing in North Devon and Torridge, based on 2011 population levels and projected population levels for 2033.

11 http://www.devon.gov.uk/commissioning_strategy_for_extra_care_housing_version_9_ma__8230_- 4.pdf 12 The population projections referenced here were produced in 2013.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

Estimated number of Local Authority people aged 75 and Supported Extra Care over living alone with Housing Unit Towns (including their a limiting long term requirement hinterlands) illness

2011 2033 2011 2033

Barnstaple 1311 2322 85 150

Bideford and Northam 993 1987 64 129

Braunton 334 592 22 39

Great Torrington 390 781 26 52

Holsworthy 390 781 25 51

Ilfracombe 437 774 28 50

Lynton and Lynmouth13 129 228 8 14

South Molton 385 683 25 44

Table 8: Extra Care Housing Need in North Devon and Torridge

6.3. Strategy for delivery

Barnstaple

6.3.1 The County Council currently has 45 extra care housing units at Norah Bellot Court within the town meaning the outstanding requirement is for 105 units across two further schemes. The County Council seeks to deliver one of these schemes in the short to medium term, with the remaining scheme to be delivered from 2028 onwards, potentially beyond the current Local Plan period.

Bideford and Northam

6.3.2 The County Council has recently delivered an extra care housing scheme within Bideford which provides 59 units. This scheme is adequate to meet the areas needs in the medium to long term. It is not envisaged a further scheme would be necessary to serve the area until 2028 at the earliest, and may not be required until after the end of the current Plan period.

Braunton, Ilfracombe and Lynton

6.3.3 The requirement for Braunton has been considered in the context of a wider catchment area including Ilfracombe and Lynton. This catchment area has a current need of 58 units, growing to 103 units by 2033. The first 50 unit scheme to meet current needs is planned for at Ilfracombe. A second

13 Note Lynton and Lynmouth is outside the Plan area.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

scheme, potentially located at Braunton is not anticipated to be required until 2028-2033.

Great Torrington

6.3.4 The identified need by 2033 for Great Torrington is 52 units, however delivery of a scheme to meet this need is not anticipated during the Plan period (i.e. delivery will be after 2031).

Holsworthy

6.3.4 The identified need by 2033 for Holsworthy is 51 units, however delivery of a scheme to meet this need is not anticipated during the Plan period (i.e. delivery will be after 2031).

South Molton

6.3.5 The needs assessment undertaken by the County Council indicates it will not be necessary to deliver an extra care housing scheme within the town during the Plan period.

6.4 Funding and delivery

6.4.1 As set out above, the County Council model for providing extra care units is to generally commission them from a private sector organisation. In addition, the County Council is able to contribute towards the construction of facilities in some cases. To help deliver new schemes, £8.4 million worth of funding is available from County Council budgets to assist in the delivery of the extra care housing strategy. This may potentially involve the use of county council land holdings and existing buildings.

6.4.2 There is also potential to secure funding from external sources, including the Homes and Communities Agency and the Department of Health. Finally, it is also possible for District Councils to contribute financially to the development of extra care housing schemes, as has been the case in Teignbridge and the South Hams.

6.4.3 As illustrated by the St Loyes Extra Care Housing Scheme in Exeter, Section 106 Agreements can deliver land and/or funding as an affordable housing contribution. Potentially, extra care housing schemes can be incorporated into a new development as the affordable housing element provided the district council is agreeable to this approach.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

7 Library services

7.1 Devon County Council’s approach to library services

7.1.1 The provision of a public library service is a statutory responsibility of Devon County Council (DCC) under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. The Society of Chief Librarians has developed five universal offers, which should be available in modern libraries across the country:

 Reading offer – providing a vibrant, dynamic reading experience for people of all ages, including reading groups, a great range of bookstock and a range of other ways to stimulate reading in all its formats, including online

 Health offer – maximising public libraries’ potential as a network of local hubs offering non-clinical community space; self-help resources; assisted online access to good quality health resources and signposting; supporting public health promotion activities; and encouraging social and recreational reading opportunities and volunteering

 Information offer – supporting people to engage online with government and non-governmental sources of information; ensuring that public library staff and volunteers are continually developing their skills to provide help accessing information and services

 Digital offer – providing free access to the internet for every customer (for a minimum period of time); clear and accessible online information about library services; staff trained to help customers access digital information.

 Learning Offer – Free resources for study and learning, such as online resources and courses, text books and reference books, study & learning spaces and opportunities to explore and be creative.

7.1.2 These offers guide the development of the library service within Devon.

7.1.3 From 1st April 2016 library services provided by Devon County Council have been delivered by Libraries Unlimited, a public sector mutual organisation commissioned by DCC.

7.1.4 The sustainability of the service depends on local communities contributing to the running of their local library. Following successful pilot projects in a range of communities during 2015 considerable progress is being made to increase community engagement and support.

7.2 Current library conditions in North Devon and Torridge

7.2.1 There are 11 libraries within North Devon and Torridge and a number of mobile library stops. The permanent libraries in North Devon and Torridge are located in Appledore, Northam, Bideford, Torrington, Holsworthy, Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Braunton, Barnstaple, South Molton and Chulmleigh.

7.2.2 Historically the Museum, Library and Archive Council (MLA) have recommended a Standard Charge approach for libraries. This set out a

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

minimum space standard of 25m2 per 1000 population or 0.025 m2 per person. In Devon, planning for new library provision and improving existing services to appropriate levels has adopted this space standard. The MLA also sets out that there is a standard cost of £3,514 per m2.

7.2.3 Many libraries, particularly in a rural county, serve an area extending beyond the immediate community. Therefore the population adjusted figure stated within the tables defines the existing population within the catchment area served by the library. GIFA refers to Gross Internal Floor Area in m2.

GIFA @ GIFA Visits Items Population Current 25sqm Difference Library Issued adjusted GIFA per 1000 against 15/16 15/16 pop 25sqm Appledore 1597 51 40 +11 10411 5984 Barnstaple 100564 2561 2500 +561 216250 188351 Bideford 34321 263 858 -595 55803 49558 Braunton 10373 140 259 -119 48152 33002 Chulmleigh14 1233 n/a 1809 Combe Martin 2677 86 67 +19 15500 8963 Holsworthy 11415 90 285 -195 46410 21378 Ilfracombe 11670 291 292 +1 35611 26476 Northam 11623 91 291 -200 49342 29772 South Molton 11431 468 286 +182 50529 36395 Torrington 10418 156 260 -104 20762 34111

Table 9: Existing library conditions

7.3 Future library service requirements in North Devon and Torridge

7.3.1 Devon County Council currently has a capital programme to support the modernisation of libraries, but this does not extend to providing additional facilities to mitigate the impact of development. Development within the North Devon and Torridge towns will create an impact on the library service in terms of increasing demand.

7.3.2 In relation to Northern Devon, the replacement of Bideford library has been identified as a priority. As can be seen from Table 9 the existing facility falls well short of the space standard which is sought. The new facility in Bideford will meet the needs of a wider catchment area, thus addressing the deficit in Northam, which is already assisted by a good standard facility in Appledore.

7.3.3 A similar relationship exists between Braunton and Barnstaple. Barnstaple library is significantly larger than the minimum space requirement. The wider role and function of the town means that the library serves a wider catchment area than the immediate town.

14 This service is provided from space located within a primary school.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

7.3.4 The County Council acknowledges the existing library facilities within Great Torrington and Holsworthy fall short of the space standard set out above; however, there are no plans or opportunities at this time to address this shortfall in provision. This is in light of a reducing capital budget and a prioritisation of funding. However, future opportunities will be investigated as they arise at these locations.

7.3.5 It is anticipated therefore that development will contribute fairly towards this increase, with regard to size and design standards and be fully fitted out with all the furniture (including shelving) and equipment (including ICT) and additional book and other stock required to enable the library to be fully operational to the public. This may be undertaken using community infrastructure levy receipts or s106 funding.

North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Evidence Base Report

8 Conclusions

8.1.1 The information set out within this report provides the evidence base underpinning the County Council’s infrastructure requirements included within the North Devon and Torridge Infrastructure Delivery Plan. This report should therefore be considered in the context of that infrastructure delivery plan.

8.1.2 The role of the infrastructure plan is to enable and support the delivery of the development proposed within the Local Plan. By ensuring necessary infrastructure is planned for appropriately and delivered alongside development will assist in ensuring sustainable communities are created across the districts.

8.1.3 Infrastructure planning is a continuously evolving process and whilst this document represents a snapshot of the current infrastructure and service delivery standards for North Devon and Torridge, it is important to note that details may change in the light of new information or changes to policy / legislation in the future. In recognition of this, Devon County Council will monitor and update the evidence contained within this report as required.