Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

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Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan APPENDIX A

“Building the Evidence Base”

The Evidence Base contains: A Physical Statement Some Community Profiling Community Testing and Visioning A review

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

1. Physical Statement

Needham Market’s Environmental Setting

The town of Needham Market has grown up alongside the River Gipping on its western bank in the lea of the Gipping valley sides. Commercial buildings that lie along the river’s edge reflect the Gipping’s historic commercial use as a navigable river. The road which followed the river valley between Ipswich and Stowmarket was also an important local artery serving the needs of industry, agriculture and the local communities. It was part of the “Turnpike” system from the early 18th century.

The town also benefitted from being located in the Gipping River Valley when the Eastern Union Railway routed its line between Ipswich, Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds or Norwich in the 1840s

Urban Morphology is the study of how the urban spaces of the town have evolved. Needham Market has adapted and grown, in particular from the 1880’s. The maps shown below, help to present a clearer picture of how the town has developed in that time.

At the town’s core lies the High Street which has a gentle wynd or bend, just sufficient to ensure a charm that arises from the constantly changing view of so many attractive Listed Buildings. The town’s back streets linking to the High Street enjoy the narrowness and intimacy associated with terraces, cottages and workshops from the 18/19th centuries.

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

Generally, the use of traditional building methods with timber frame / lime render and plain tile roofs is complimented by some local rat-trap bond brickwork, pantiled roofs and knapped flint walls; including those of the St John the Baptist Church.

The more modern elements of the town’s development have featured volume house building with varying standards of construction and design. There has been some critical feedback received during the consultation phase for the way in which the redevelopment of the ‘Needham Maltings’ (former Unilever Factory) site has punctured the High Street rather than integrated with the scale and appearance of surrounding frontages. The site does need some time to mature but will eventually become an accepted part of the street scene.

The river valley is punctuated by much valued and ancient woodlands which provide an attractive backdrop to the town and offer pleasant opportunities for walking. The rural nature of the town is emphasised by the scale of the arable farming that surrounds the town and accounts for circa 90% of the land uses around the town’s boundaries.

These descriptions are shown in the following maps that explain how Needham Market has grown from its historic core into and away from the River Gipping.

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

Needham Market Conservation Area

Mid Suffolk District Council, who are responsible for the care and protection of our heritage, have designated the heart of Needham Market as a Conservation Area. This allows for the improvement of the area as a setting for the significant number of Listed Buildings that exist in that central historic part of the town.

Full details may be found on the Councils web site at: http://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/conservation-and-listed- buildings/

Trees can be protected if they are located within a Conservation Area so it is wise to check before taking down a tree or carrying out tree surgery. Damage to, or removal of, a protected tree can result in prosecution and heavy fines.

Owners of Listed Buildings have responsibilities attached to the building for care and repair. These include the need for approval of colour changes if owners wish to paint their property in a way that will possibly change its appearance and character.

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

The Environment Agency publishes flood risk and water quality assessment mapping for the main river catchments and this includes the River Gipping. This is an important aspect of the control of future development in Needham Market and the main areas of concern are shown in the following maps from the MSDC Core Strategy for development.

Notes The mapping process for flood risk assessment is not detailed.

Land is not assessed on a site by site basis.

The map identifies the broad principles of flood risk and anticipates that detailed work will be undertaken by any applicant who may wish to make a proposal affecting the areas identified by the mapping.

This means that the work which is required to make an application acceptable must be undertaken by an applicant before or during the assessment of the application.

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Flood Risk Predicted 2107

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Groundwater Vulnerability 2007 - the area where water supply /quality can be affected by our human activity.

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Depth Hazard Map 100yr (2007)

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Depth Hazard Map 1000yr (2007)

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Depth Hazard Map 100 yr Predicted (2107)

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Soil Type, Geology and Appropriate SUDS Techniques

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2. Community Profiling

Role in Relation to Surrounding Villages

There is little empirical evidence concerning the relationship between Needham Market and the villages that surround it. These are

 Barking  Darmsden  Creeting St Mary  Creeting St Peter  Badley  Baylham

Further study as part of the consultation will therefore attempt to establish the extent of the connections which are expected to be based on anecdotal evidence. Business Base

Retail in Needham Market

Mid Suffolk District Council collects Retail data in an annual Monitoring Report. This shows little change in the High Street or Station Yard which are the core areas for shops.

The MSDC Annual Monitoring Report 2013 can be found at the MSDC Website.

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Economic Activity

This data shows how many of town’s resident population are working.

Economic Activity Needham Mid Suffolk Suffolk Market Notes: Economically active 72.8 72.2 71.0 These statistics do not show where people work and Economically active: In employment 66.5 67.2 64.9 will include people who commute out of the town for Economically active: Employee: Part-time 16.4 15.7 15.7 Economically active: Employee: Full-time 40.8 38.5 38.9 their work. Economically active: Self-employed 9.3 13.0 10.3 Economically active: Unemployed 3.5 2.6 3.6 At 72.8 per cent, the number of people working Economically active: Full-time student 2.8 2.5 2.6 within the town’s population may indicate a degree Economically Inactive 27.2 27.8 29.0 of wellbeing above the Suffolk wide average. This will Economically inactive: Retired 17.8 17.4 16.5 solely depend on the type of work and pay which is Economically inactive: Student (including full-time 2.2 2.9 3.2 students) available. Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 3.3 4.0 4.2 Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 2.6 2.2 3.1 Those not working are of a lesser order than Suffolk Economically inactive: Other 1.3 1.3 1.9 and Mid Suffolk District as a whole. Unemployed: Age 16 to 24 1.1 0.7 1.1 Unemployed: Age 50 to 74 0.9 0.6 0.7 A higher number of retired people are included in the Unemployed: Never worked 0.5 0.3 0.4 Needham Market population. Long-term unemployed 1.0 0.9 1.4

Office of National Statistics, 2011. Nomis. Last accessed 8 November 2013

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

Qualifications and Students

These statistics indicate how the working population is likely to cope with a competitive employment market based on the attainment of qualifications.

Qualifications Needham Market Mid Suffolk Suffolk Notes: No qualifications 24.9 22.3 24.3 The population of the town has a greater level of Highest level of qualification: Level 15.5 13.9 14.4 1 qualifications lack of qualifications than the Mid Suffolk District Highest level of qualification: Level 17.3 16.8 16.5 or County average. 2 qualifications Highest level of qualification: 4.0 4.1 4.2 Apprenticeship However... Highest level of qualification: Level 11.2 12.4 11.6 3 qualifications Among those who have achieved qualifications Highest level of qualification: Level 22.4 26.4 23.5 4 qualifications and above at the higher level – degree and above – the Highest level of qualification: Other 4.6 3.9 5.5 proportion of the population is greater than the qualifications Schoolchildren and full-time 2.6 2.7 2.7 Mid Suffolk District or Countywide average. students: Age 16 to 17 Schoolchildren and full-time 1.6 2.0 2.3 students: Age 18 and over Full-time students: Age 18 to 74: 1.0 1.0 1.1 Economically active: In employment Full-time students: Age 18 to 74: 0.2 0.1 0.2 Economically active: Unemployed Full-time students: Age 18 to 74: 0.4 0.8 1.0 Economically inactive

Qualifications and students. Office of National Statistics, 2011. Nomis. Last accessed 8 November 2013 http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

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Industry

Industrial Development sites are located to the South East of the Town. Maitland Road has now been completed and the new area stretches away along Williamsport Way. Other industrial sites can be found within the Needham Chalk Quarry and at the “Debtrac Centre” both of which are located off the B1113 on the Ipswich side of the town.

The census shows a sound spread of work types with the town faring better than the Suffolk average in several important categories, including manufacturing.

Industry Needham Mid Suffolk Market Suffolk A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 0.5 3.4 1.8 The Needham Market B Mining and quarrying 0.1 0.1 0.2 Neighbourhood Plan Business C Manufacturing 10.2 9.9 9.8 Survey has shown that in excess of D Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 0.8 0.7 0.9 90% of Needham Market based E Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 0.6 0.7 0.7 companies are excited about the F Construction 10.3 9.7 8.4 future and are pleased to be doing G Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles 19.5 16.3 16.1 H Transport and storage 6.8 5.4 6.0 business in the town. I Accommodation and food service activities 4.6 3.8 5.4

J Information and communication 3.0 3.0 3.2 K Financial and insurance activities 3.1 3.4 3.6 L Real estate activities 0.9 1.3 1.3 M Professional, scientific and technical activities 4.9 6.0 5.2 N Administrative and support service activities 4.0 4.2 4.5 O Public administration and defence; compulsory social security 8.0 7.2 6.3 P Education 7.3 9.2 8.7 Q Human health and social work activities 10.7 11.2 12.2 R, S, T, U Other 4.6 4.4 6.0

Office of National Statistics, 2011. Industry by sex. Nomis. Last accessed 8 November 2013 at: http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

Occupation

Occupation Needham Market Mid Suffolk Suffolk Public administration has played an important part in the town’s wellbeing 1. Managers, directors and senior 10.0 12.6 10.7 officials with Mid Suffolk District Council being 2. Professional occupations 12.6 15.2 14.3 located in the town since 1972. 3. Associate professional and 11.9 13.2 12.5 technical occupations Manufacturing and construction offers 4. Administrative and secretarial 13.3 11.1 10.9 a higher percentage of jobs than occupations elsewhere in the County or District. 5. Skilled trades occupations 13.7 14.4 13.4 6. Caring, leisure and other service 8.8 9.0 10.1 occupations 7. Sales and customer service 8.2 6.8 8.0 occupations 8. Process plant and machine 9.7 7.7 8.2 operatives 9. Elementary occupations 11.7 10.0 11.7

Office of National Statistics, 2011. Occupation by sex. Nomis. Last accessed 8 November 2013 at:

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

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Age Structure - taken from Suffolk Observatory Area Profile: Needham Market

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Needham Market Mid Suffolk Suffolk County Mean Age 43.9 42.4 41.7 Median Age 45.0 44.0 42.0

Office of National Statistics, 2011. Nomis. Last accessed 8 November 2013 at: http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

House Type - taken from Suffolk Observatory Area Profile: Needham Market

Needham Market + Badley Mid Suffolk Suffolk County

All dwellings (2011) 2192 41918 327808

Types of household space

Detached houses or bungalows (2011) 515 19908 114335

Semi-detached houses or bungalows (2011) 911 13676 99997

Terraced houses or bungalows (2011) 429 5753 72301

Flats, maisonettes or apartments in purpose-built blocks or tenements (2011) 244 1764 30775

Flats, maisonettes or apartments in converted or shared house (2011) 38 332 6134

Flats, maisonettes or apartments in commercial building (2011) 25 221 2896

Caravans or other mobile or temporary structures (2011) 32 275 1727

• The sum of dwelling space types does not equal the total number of dwellings because dwellings are physical structures which may contain more than one household space due to sharing • A household space is the accommodation used or available for use by an individual household. It can be in use by a household of usual residents, it may be vacant or used as a second address (so have no usual residents) or in this context only, it could also be used by short-term residents, visitors who were present on census night, or a combination of short-term residents and visitors.

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All households (2011) 2123 40306 310745

Households of one person aged 65 and over (2011) 433 5219 42599

Proportion of households of one person aged 65 and over (2011) 20.4 12.9 13.7

Households of one person aged under 65 (2011) 357 5000 47414

Proportion of households of one person aged under 65 (2011) 16.8 12.4 15.3

Households of one family all aged 65 and over (2011) 220 4678 33508

Proportion of households of one family all aged 65 and over (2011) 10.4 11.6 10.8

Notes

There are more dwellings (2192) than “Households” (2123) and this may relate to some second homes and property which is disused.

Population (4510) divided by households 2123 = Ave household size – 2.13

Percentages - by stock type.

515 detached homes (23.5 %) 911 semi-detached homes (41.6 %) Terraced homes 429 (19.6%) 339 Flats, apartments other (15.5%)

37% of all households are 1 person only

20.4% of all households are 1 person over 65 only.

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Welfare and Health facilities Doctors Surgery Needham Market Country Practice Barking Road Needham Market IP6 8EZ

Dental Facilities Pre-school facilities – including Mother and Toddler Groups Needham Market Dental Practice Tiddlers, held at Christchurch, High Street, Needham Market, Suffolk, Kinnersley House 56 High Street Needham Market Pre-School, The Drift, Needham Market IP6 8BB (currently Needham Market closed June 2015) Suffolk IP68AP Chuckles Childcare, The Causeway, Needham Market IP6 8BD

Tooth Booth Bosmere Community Primary School, Quinton Road, Needham Market IP6 Quintons Court 8BP Station Yard Needham Market, Ipswich, Other Childcare – Please refer to local press or www.netmums.com Suffolk IP6 8AY

A full inventory of facilities present in the town can be found at: www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Suffolk-Rural-Services-Review- 2012-Full-Report.pdf

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Recreation and Social facilities

The Town Council recognises the bias of Mid Suffolk’s “Social Infrastructure including Open Space, Sport and Recreation Assessment – 2006.” towards sporting recreational activities (organised and informal) The Council also wishes to consider the more passive forms of recreation that are ultimately of benefit to the younger and older members of the community and which can contribute to the welfare of all community members.

The last review of Social facilities in the town was undertaken by the Town Council as part of its health check and the material was updated by Mid Suffolk District Council’s review of their own study in 2011. It reveals the Clubs and facilities available within the town.

In addition to these facilities the District Council has identified a range of potential needs that may need to be addressed, if sport and recreation provision is to keep pace with the expected levels of future development. The potential needs are summarised below.

Further details may be found at the Council web site: http://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning- policy/local-development-framework/supplementary-planning- documents/

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

The Mid Suffolk District Council document makes many references to Needham Market. In summary, Needham Market needs are identified as:

Cricket – An additional cricket pitch “can be justified to meet future needs” – this need was suggested before the closure of Needham Market Middle School was known. The loss of playing fields in the event of the Middle School closure would therefore generate a notional need for two additional cricket pitches. In reality, maintenance of the existing two cricket fields would likely be acceptable in circumstances where improved coaching/practice facilities were made available.

Play facilities – Both TOPS (Toddler Outdoor Playing Space) and JOPs (Junior Outdoor Playing Space) are priorities for Needham Market. A Youth OPS is also needed as no current provision exists.

Football – At the time the District Council document was created, the Women’s Development Officer for Suffolk FA was seeking to develop new girls’ teams and clubs in Needham Market. Needham Market Football Club was trying to achieve more playing pitch space for the town.

Swimming – A need for additional swimming facilities was anticipated in the A14 corridor – in particular for Claydon, Needham Market, and Elmswell. An upgrading of the existing Stowmarket facility could meet some of the need.

Netball – Gipping Netball Club is based at Needham Market Community Centre. The ‘all-weather’ facilities at the Centre suffer from poor drainage and court marking (shared use/overuse may be a factor). Some investment is needed. This is supported by the Synthetic Turf Pitches needs assessment, that found a need for 0.5 – 1 additional pitches in Stowmarket and/or Needham Market, based on a population assessment in 2006.

Basketball - There is a court on Crowley Park which is used for scratch games.

Other non-formal recreation needs received no commentary in the report and this issue may need to become a priority for review as the new Local Plan for the Mid Suffolk District Council area is developed.

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

3. Community Testing and Visioning

Prior to inception and designation of the plan area the Town Council has tried to publicise the fact that a Neighbourhood Plan was a likely project. The Council’s consultant participated in the project work of the Bosmere School’s “Environment Week” and set up a stand during parents evening at the end of the week. Initial comments and publicity were obtained via the children’s engagement in a range of environmental issues including waste management and the need for decent homes for us all to live in.

An open day was held on the 21st June 2014 to engage the public in the issues raised by the evidence gathering process and gain feedback on any further topics previously missed. A suggested “vision” was put before participants and this was accompanied by some objectives to allow councillors to discuss these matters with visitors.

The feedback from the open day is available at the Town Council’s website.

Local Business consultation phase – Questionnaires were hand delivered to businesses in the town’s High Street, Station Yard and Industrial / Commercial premises. An anonymised account of the responses can be found at the Town Council’s website. Original responses will be made available to the relevant inspector, on request. They are accompanied by a digest of the key points raised.

All matters raised by the combination of the processes were considered at open days on 20th September 2014 and 21st March 2015.

A schedule describing Consultation Events and Local Publicity is available at Appendix B

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4. Review

Main Issues Affecting Environment

Environmental Capacity – Landscape protection – proximity to SSSI and other areas of acknowledged importance.

Environmental Capacity – Infrastructure – water, gas, electricity, Sewerage and waste disposal. Main Issues Affecting Transport

Access to Doctor’s Surgery to and from Barking Road. HGV usage of the High Street despite lorry weight restrictions. (A14 emergency diversions accepted) Road surfacing to the High Street. Disruption around Needham Market Lake from (a) boot fair traffic and parking on road and (b) Large vehicles reversing away from restrict height at Coddenham Road Nr Bosmere Mill. Large boat exports through Needham Market. Main Issues Affecting Health

There have been many comments about the doctor’s surgery at Needham Market Country Practice. They relate to

 availability of appointments,  location of the surgery and parking availability on arrival,  speed of traffic on the road outside and  Traffic hazards associated with the busy car park.

Delivery of health services generally – the effects of the regional health issues which are resulting from the national delivery of a health service meeting its own austerity and savings targets. Can local hospitals continue to cope with acute illnesses and accident and emergency services against a backdrop of a continuously growing population which is also living longer? Can local communities play any role in helping that process by building in improvements that support better care in our communities?

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

Economic and Business Outlook

Of those interviewed and those who responded more than two thirds said that they felt confident about their situation and believed their companies or shops would remain sufficiently robust for the future. Stability of employment remains a positive for the town. Most said their premises were fit for purpose now and for the future and liked to do business in the town. The heavy goods vehicle weight restriction in the High Street did not represent a problem for the businesses who responded.

Key issues for the High Street

 Maintenance of free parking and avoidance of space blocking by longer term parking – some by local business people who were blocking off others activities from passing trade/traffic.  Reinstatement of the public toilet facilities  Loss of the last bank in Needham Market  Disruption to traffic with road works; “especially just before Christmas”.

Key Issues for the Industrial Commercial Areas

 Completion of adoptable metalled surfaces – serves to project business-like approach /professionalism or dilapidation. Road maintenance was a notable and clear concern.  Availability of free parking – Again for the purposes of presentation and visitor convenience fly-parking and mounting of pavements was felt to be undesirable.  Several businesses in the older parts of the Lion Barn had experienced crime without successful detection and had made losses. Concern that razor fencing and iron door bar grills were unattractive and showing decline or siege mentality. CCTV insufficient.  Visibility from the Blakenham Road and general management of the estates  Meeting and accommodation venue for the town.*

*Note: ‘Seasons’ coffee shop, The Limes Hotel and Needham Market Community Centre each offer meeting room facilities in existing premises in the town.

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

Current Key Issues in Needham Market

During the initial stages of the Neighbourhood Plan process Town Councillors have been gathering comments and information about the current key issues to provide the basis of consultation and to commence the local debate required to achieve a successful Neighbourhood Plan process.

Further information has been gathered as part of the Bosmere Junior School “Environment Week” and the open public meeting concerning the future of the Town’s Schools following the County Council’s Suffolk Schools Organisation Review.

 The former Unilever Factory Site (off the High Street and known as ‘Needham Maltings’)  The car sales showroom and vehicle sales/storage area adjoining the former Unilever Factory Site  Doctor’s Surgery – ability to provide additional capacity  Doctor’s Surgery – dangerous access off a busy highway  Doctor’s Surgery – inadequate car parking provision  School sites: Ability of Bosmere Community Primary School to manage growth in pupil numbers resulting from Suffolk Schools Organisation Review (three tier to two tier education) and from new housing Re-use of NM Middle School site (closing July 2015)  Future redevelopment of Needham Chalk Quarry, off Ipswich Road  Car parking provision, particularly in the High Street  Heavy Goods Vehicles ignoring the Vehicle Weight Limit in the High Street  The future of the redundant former Wood Yard adjacent to Needham Lake  Coddenham Road rail bridge – frequent vehicle accidents and large vehicles have to turn around  Amenities and activities available to young people/youth

Needham Market Neighbourhood Plan

Existing Sites Review

The Mid Suffolk Core Strategy - Focused Review Document (CSFR) has identified the need for 470 new homes in Needham Market during its plan period to 2027. It anticipates the reuse of previously developed land providing 320 of the homes required and the remaining 150 on green field land, as yet unidentified. Since adoption of the CSFR a further two key sites have been identified for potential redevelopment.

1. Needham Market Middle School (following closure in July 2015) 2. Mid Suffolk District Council Offices and associated car parks (should relocation of District Council Services/Staff bring the site forward for redevelopment)

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Key Resources in preparing the evidence base:

http://www.suffolkobservatory.info/IAS/profiles/profile?profileId=56&geoTypeId=64&geoIds=E04010558 http://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Suffolk-Rural-Services-Review-2012-Full- Report.pdf

http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/strategic-environmental-assessment-and- sustainability-appraisal/sustainability-appraisal-requirements-for-neighbourhood-plans/