Cheshire East Local Development Framework

Place Shaping Consultation

Handforth Snapshot July 2011

Foreword 2 1 Introduction 3 Introduction 3 What is the Local Development Framework? 3 How is the Local Development Framework being prepared? 3 What are the timescales for preparing the Local Development Framework? 4 What is the Place Shaping Consultation? 5 How do we assess the suitability of proposals? 6 How does this relate to Community-Led Planning? 7 How does this relate to Neighbourhood Planning? 7 2 A Snapshot of the Town 8 An Introduction to the Town 8 Housing 9 Economy 10 District Centre 11 Transport 12 Open Space and the Countryside 12 The Built Environment 14 Community Infrastructure 14 3 To Sum Up... 16 To Sum Up... 16 Appendices 18 Appendix A: Glossary of Terms 18 Appendix B: References 21 Contents

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Snapshot Report 1 Cheshire East Local Development Framework

Place Shaping Consultation – Snapshot Reports

Foreword

Cheshire East is facing many challenges over the next twenty years or so. These include climate change, moving to a low carbon and globalised economy and increased housing need. These challenges will need to be faced in a period of a slow growing national economy and much reduced levels of infrastructure investment by the Government.

It will therefore be important to have a clear strategy to tackle these issues and to indicate how we want our towns and villages to change and grow.

Your Place

Your Future

Your Say

In autumn 2010, we consulted on options for the overall strategy for Cheshire East. We are following this up with the Place Shaping Consultation to look at the challenges facing our towns and villages and how these can be addressed in the new development plan for Cheshire East.

The Place Shaping Consultation asks some fundamental questions:

What do you want your town or village to be like in 2030? What are the challenges facing the town or village? What are the constraints and opportunities for development? How can development help to deliver improved local infrastructure?

This Snapshot Report sets out an overview of your town with a wealth of interesting facts to help you think about planning its future.

Through this consultation we are embracing the spirit of localism and neighbourhood planning.

I want to encourage everyone to help us prepare the new plan so that we can make sure that Cheshire East continues to be a great place for our children, grandchildren and us to enjoy.

Cllr David Brown Foreword

2 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report Introduction

1.1 Cheshire East Council is working together with town and parish councils, local area partnerships, businesses, community groups and local people of all ages to prepare the new development plan for Cheshire East – called the Local Development Framework. This will guide the future planning and development of our towns, villages and countryside up to 2030. It will cover all of Cheshire East except the area that lies within the Peak District National Park. The Local Development Framework will aim to ensure that Cheshire East continues to have:

a thriving economy an attractive environment a wide choice of housing vibrant town centres with good quality shops and leisure facilities, schools, health and community facilities, a choice of transport What is the Local Development Framework?

1.2 The Local Development Framework will consist of three main reports:

1.3 Core Strategy – this will set out the vision, objectives and strategy for the future development of the Borough. It may include strategic development sites.

1.4 Site Allocations Plan – this will include detailed policies to be used in considering planning applications as well as site allocations and policies.

1.5 Infrastructure Plan - this will set out the improvements required to transport, social and community infrastructure, such as schools and health services, that will be required to serve new development. It will set out a programme for their development and any financial contributions that new developments will be required to make.

1.6 The Local Development Framework will be a single plan for Cheshire East and will replace the Regional Spatial Strategy, the Cheshire Structure Plan, Cheshire Waste and Minerals Plans and the Local Plans for , and and . How is the Local Development Framework being prepared?

Background Evidence

1.7 We started preparing the Local Development Framework in 2009, by producing background evidence to help us understand the challenges facing the Borough. This looked at housing, economic development, retailing, open space, environment, transport, minerals and waste. All reports can be viewed on the Council’s website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ldf and at the Council offices at Westfields, .

Strategic Issues and Options Consultation

1.8 We carried out a Borough wide consultation from November to December 2010 to begin the discussions about how future housing and economic growth in the Borough should be planned for. Options for the level of growth and three development strategies were considered. This consultation provided valuable feedback which is summarised in the Report of Consultation available on the Cheshire East website and at the Council offices at Westfields, Sandbach. Introduction

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report 3 The Place Shaping Consultation

1.9 One of the key messages from this consultation was that further work was needed to understand the challenges facing each town and village and the opportunities and constraints to addressing them. The Council is keen to embrace the new spirit of localism and to ensure that local communities have the opportunity to be involved in shaping the plan for their community. We want to be sure that all sections of the community have the chance to be involved and that the plan takes account of the needs of everyone, in particular the needs of the next generation.

1.10 Through the Place Shaping Consultation Cheshire East Council will be working closely with town and parish councils, local area partnerships, town partnerships, local businesses, community groups, young people and individuals to develop a plan for each town and larger village that will be taken forward into the Local Development Framework. Smaller villages will be asked to consider whether they have any development requirements and proposals to be included in the plan. What are the timescales for preparing the Local Development Framework?

1.11 The timescales for the preparation of the Local Development Framework are shown in the Figure below: Introduction

4 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report What is the Place Shaping Consultation?

1.12 There are three stages to the consultation and a number of events are planned. These stages are: Introduction

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report 5 1.13 Firstly, we want to understand the issues and challenges facing the community.

1.14 This Snapshot Report sets out information about the development of the town: about the housing, economy, town centre, transport, built and natural environment and community infrastructure. It identifies some key challenges that we need to take into account as we plan the future of the town.

1.15 We would like to hear what you like about the town, the changes needed and your priorities. You can contribute through any of these events:

Local Area Partnership events – workshops for parish councils, community groups and stakeholders Community Exhibition with questionnaire On line and postal consultation with questionnaire Play Your Place with your group

1.16 Your Place - This activity has been developed for groups to think about the needs of different people in their community and what type of place they may want to live in. Contact the Spatial Planning Team to obtain an activity pack.

1.17 Secondly, we will then look at the constraints to development, the areas that need to be safeguarded and then consider and assess options for various types of development. This will help us to work together to develop the plan for the town. You can contribute through any of these events:

Stakeholder workshops Exhibitions - community consultation On line and postal consultation

1.18 Thirdly, we have to bring the plans for each town and village together and assess whether they will deliver the overall needs of the Borough as a whole. This will be through:

Local Area Partnership Assemblies will consider the plans Cheshire East Council will consider the plans and undertake assessments to ensure that they comply with and deliver European and national legislation and planning policy. The Council will have to ensure that there is a consistency of approach and that the plans in combination will deliver the growth aspirations for the Borough as a whole. Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet will consider the plans and assessments and agree the policies and proposals to be included in the Preferred Options draft of the Local Development Framework. How do we assess the suitability of proposals?

1.19 The options will be subject to a Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating a Strategic Environmental Appraisal) that will test the proposals against a number of social, economic and environmental indicators. Amongst other things, it will assess how the plan affects all sections of the community, whether it promotes health and how it affects rural areas.

1.20 A Habitats Regulation Assessment will be carried out to appraise the impact of proposals on any sites and habitats designated as being of European importance for nature conservation.

1.21 The Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment will be published for consultation alongside the Local Development Framework. Introduction

6 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report How does this relate to Community-Led Planning?

1.22 Many communities in Cheshire East have completed Parish Plans. These have provided an understanding of the challenges facing the community and an action plan for a wide range of initiatives. Parish Plans cannot allocate land for development or include policies to control the planning or use of land - that is the role of the Local Development Framework.

1.23 Parish Plans provide a useful starting point for the community to prepare its proposals for the future planning of its village. Many communities have identified the need to provide more affordable housing and / or starter homes in the village. Providing that a site can been agreed with the support of the community, this can be taken forward as a proposed allocation into the Local Development Framework. Other proposals such as new open space or community facilities may also be proposed for allocation and included in the Infrastructure Plan.

1.24 The Local Development Framework will include policies to safeguard important open areas such as parks and play areas as well as designated nature conservation sites and heritage assets. Communities may wish to review the boundaries shown in the Local Plan and highlight any changes they consider appropriate to reflect changed circumstances. How does this relate to Neighbourhood Planning?

1.25 The Localism Bill is introducing the concept of Neighbourhood Planning. The intention behind this is for Parish Councils or neighbourhood forums to work with the Borough Council to prepare their own development plan that will deliver the detailed planning policies and site allocations for their area in accordance with the Local Development Framework Core Strategy. Each Neighbourhood Plan would be required to demonstrate that it accords with European and national legislation and planning policy. It will be subject to a public examination and a referendum.

1.26 Cheshire East Council wants to embrace the spirit of localism by working closely with communities through the Place Shaping Consultation to ensure that all communities have the same opportunity to help shape the preparation of the plan for their town or village to be included in the Local Development Framework. By working together in this way it is envisaged that the resources and costs of plan preparation, assessment and examination will be managed more effectively. Introduction

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report 7 An Introduction to the Town

2.1 Handforth is a small town located in the north of the Borough, with a population of 6,150. The town is located between the settlements of and Stockport. Indeed, it is only separated from Wilmslow by the River Dean, and Stockport by the A555. The town is located 12 km south of Manchester.

Figure 2.1 Location of Handforth

2.2 The town was first established in Saxon times, due to its proximity to a ford over the River Dean (Hanna's Ford is reported to be the origin of the town's name). Handforth continued to develop due to its location on the road between Wilmslow and Manchester, providing coaching inns and other services to road users. Later it developed as an industrial base for paper manufacturing, printing industries and distribution supported by its location on the rail line between Crewe and Greater Manchester.

2.3 In the 1950's, two overspill housing estates, one of these estates was located in Handforth and

own the other in nearby Wilmslow were developed to house people from Manchester. Other estates have T

since been developed in the town, however employment opportunities have not grown at the same rate as the population, resulting in many people now living in the town and commuting to work

the elsewhere.

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8 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report Housing

2.4 There are around 3,200 homes in Handforth. Data from the 2001 Census suggests that there is a relatively even split between households living in detached (24%), semi-detached (20%), terraced (33%) and flat / maisonette properties (20%) in Handforth.

2.5 The population of Handforth has a high proportion of people of working age, and those over the age of sixty five. However, the town also has a smaller proportion of younger people than the average for Cheshire East as a whole.

2.6 There is a need to ensure that there is sufficient housing to meet the needs of the town's existing and future residents over the next twenty years or so. It is also important to ensure that sufficient affordable housing is provided for people who cannot afford to purchase market housing.

2.7 Social renting within Handforth is very high (23.5%) compared to the Borough average (12.5%), this reflects the type of housing within the town, with estates of former council housing.

Figure 2.2 Age Structure of Handforth 2.8 Handforth contains an area of high deprivation in the north of the town, (this area is within the 20% most deprived areas in England). This area was deemed to have a high level of deprivation based on a number of factors including health, unemployment, quality of housing and so on.

2.9 According to the Cheshire East Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010), there is a combined need for 51 affordable dwellings per annum within Handforth, Wilmslow and , particularly for dwellings of 2 and 3 bedrooms. This need is relatively low for the three towns, particularly given the average property prices in Alderley Edge and Wilmslow which are above the Borough average. This could be explained by the relatively high number of affordable houses available within Handforth.

2.10 The Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010) identifies that the overall vacancy rate for the Wilmslow and Alderley Edge sub area, including Handforth, is 5.7%; this compares to an overall vacancy rate for Cheshire East of 3.5%.

2.11 There have been only a small number of homes built in Handforth over the last 5 years; on average there have been 14 houses completed each year over this period. Much of the housing built over the last 5 years was located on two sites, these are: own

Lostock Court on Lostock Road and at the site of the former T

Brooke Dean School on Spath Lane. the 2.12 A large greenfield sites at Handforth Hall has previously of been identified for comprehensive development and was excluded from the Green Belt. This site could potentially meet some of the housing need of Handforth.

Figure 2.3 Recent Residential Development in Handforth Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report 9 Economy

2.13 Handforth's economy is not quite as strong as most towns in Cheshire East; it has a higher proportion of job seekers than most other towns in the borough, its working age population is below the Cheshire East average, it has amongst the lowest rates of economic activity in the area, and average household incomes are much lower here than most other locations in Cheshire East.

2.14 There are 4,800 jobs in the town; almost half of which are within the storage and distribution sector. The town's other key industries include banking and finance, and public administration.

2.15 Handforth has amongst the highest rates of in-commuting to work of all Cheshire towns, with employees mainly travelling from Stockport, Manchester, Wilmslow and Macclesfield to the town. The town also has a high rate of out-commuting (around 70% of all journeys to work starting with Handforth end outside the area).

2.16 There are a number of employment sites located in and around Handforth, the principal areas including:

Handforth Dean Business Park: located on the eastern side of the railway around half a mile from the train station, the business park offers high quality office accommodation. Stanley Green Industrial Estate: adjacent to the above business park and offering a mix of office, large industrial and new trade counter style units.

2.17 In terms of future development, there are planning permissions for a further 5 ha of development at the Stanley Green Industrial Estate, and there is an allocation in the Macclesfield Local Plan for a further 6 ha to be developed in the industrial area for a flagship office development. own T Figure 2.4 Offices in the Stanley Green Industrial Estate the

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10 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report District Centre

2.18 Handforth has a compact shopping area, containing a mix of shop sizes, housing, small and larger retailers, community buildings, offices and limited green spaces. The shopping centre is mainly located on Wilmslow Road and within The Paddock, a purpose built shopping centre.

2.19 Focal points within the centre include Handforth Library, St Chad's Church and its yard, the offices at Chadsworth House and The Paddock. According to a recent survey, there are 85 units within the district centre, of which:

38 are shops; Figure 2.5 The Paddock 9 are used as financial or professional offices; 16 are used as restaurants, cafés, pubs or take-aways; 10 are used for other purposes; and 12 are vacant

2.20 Handforth district centre serves the local community. The centre faces significant competition from the nearby town centres of Wilmslow and Stockport and in particular the out of town shopping centres of Handforth Dean and Cheadle Royal.

2.21 Increased competition and reduced passing trade following the construction of the A34 Kingsway, appears to have led to a decline in the retail offer within Handforth, as evidenced by the vacancy rate of 14%, (compared to the Cheshire East average of 12% and the national average of 13.9%), the dated feel of some of the buildings within the centre and an absence of 'high quality' retailers.

2.22 If Handforth is to become more attractive to shoppers and attract additional retailers, there will need to be an improvement of the centre's shopping environment. This could be achieved through improvements to the community space, refreshment of building facades or the redevelopment of parts of the district centre. One site which has been identified in the past as a redevelopment opportunity is The Paddock shopping centre, although the multiple ownership of the site present a potential issue.

2.23 In addition to the traditional district centre, Handforth also contains the out of town shopping facility at Handforth Dean. Handforth Dean is a 16ha site containing three retailers, these are Tesco Extra food store and petrol filling station, Marks & Spencer and BHS. Handforth Dean attracts shoppers from a

wide area due to its ease of access, parking and the own T size of the stores. the

2.24 According to the recent retail study for

Cheshire, there is a current need for additional retail of Figure 2.6 Handforth Dean Shopping Area premises in the wider Handforth area (this includes Handforth district centre, Wilmslow town centre and Handforth Dean); however, it is likely that much of this need arises from the larger centre at Wilmslow. Any need at Handforth could be met by increasing the number of shops or the redevelopment of parts of the Town Centre. Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report 11 Transport

2.25 The principal road serving Handforth is the A34, which runs north-south along the eastern part of the town to the M60 (junction 4) and ultimately to Manchester. This road is very heavily used and can be become severely congested at peak times. Other roads around the town include the B5358 which runs north-west to the south-east through the town centre, and A555 at the northern extremity of the town which runs through the Stanley Green Industrial Estate across to the A5149 which leads to . Manchester airport is only 4 miles away, and can be accessed via the B5166 or A538 which connect to the Handforth Bypass (A34).

2.26 The Macclesfield Local Plan safeguards land for the proposed SEMMMS (South East Manchester Multi-modal Study) scheme, which aims to provide a link road between the A6 and Poynton to Manchester Airport. The A555 constitutes one component of the overall scheme.

2.27 There are two public car parks in Handforth, both of which are free. These are: School Road (47 spaces) and Wilmslow Road (55 spaces). Anecdotal evidence suggests that these car parks are approaching their capacity at peak times.

2.28 The town has one railway station, which is located on the West Coast Main Line, and provides access to Manchester, Wilmslow and Crewe amongst other destinations. Trains run twice hourly in the daytime and once per hour of an evening. The railway station also acts as a bus interchange, with the main services including the 130 (which serves Manchester, Wilmslow and Macclesfield), and the 378 (which goes to Wilmslow and Stockport).

Figure 2.7 Handforth Railway Station

Open Space and the Countryside

2.29 Handforth has a number of green spaces scattered through the town, key sites include: own

T Meriton Road Park, a 3.8ha community park located in the centre of the town. It contains 3

football pitches, 2 tennis courts, a children's play area, pathways for walkers and attractive

the planting. The site is located to the rear of The Paddock shopping centre.

Stanley Hall Road Park, a 1.4ha park in the north of the town. It contains a football pitch, a of multi-use games area, a skate park and a children's playground. Handforth Tennis Club, a 1.8ha private club, in the south east of the town. It contains 4 artificial tennis courts. The Paddock, is a 0.3ha green space in the centre of The Paddock shopping centre. It provide an attractive shopping environment and a seating area. Snapshot

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12 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report St Chads Churchyard, a 0.23ha site within the town centre, which contributes to the greening of the area. Hall Wood, a 3.2ha linear woodland running south through Handforth, along the banks of a tributary of the River Dean and part of the River Dean itself. The Wood, adjacent to the race, is a 0.85ha woodland in the south of Handforth, running along a stretch of the River Dean. The Parsonage Dean Road, a 1ha park, located in the south of the town. It contains a children's play area and some walkways.

Figure 2.8 Meriton Road Park

2.30 There are also a number of formal and informal green spaces and parks scattered in amongst the residential areas of the town. Additionally, the schools within the town also provide sites of significant value.

2.31 However, according to the Open Space Assessment, Handforth has a significant deficit of both sports facilities and children's play space within the town. This would support the need to provide additional sports facilities and children's play space throughout the town.

2.32 Handforth has numerous trees that are subject to Tree Preservation Orders, some of which are part of a large group, most notably within Hall Wood, around the Pinewood Hotel, around Pickmere Court and at Peacock Farm. own T

2.33 The countryside surrounding Figure 2.9 Children's Play Ground, Meriton Road Park Handforth is not easily accessible, and of a the mixed recreation and biodiversity value. It contains two Sites of Biological Importance, these are Dobbin Brook Clough and Hall Wood and the River Dean Banks. of

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report 13 The Built Environment

2.34 Although the settlement of Handforth dates back to Saxon times, the majority of the buildings within the town are relatively new, with much of it built to house people moving from Manchester in the 1950's. Due to this, there are relatively few examples of historic buildings or architecture present within the town.

2.35 The town has no conservation areas or scheduled ancient monuments, and only 5 listed buildings. The listed buildings within the town are:

Handforth Hall on Hall Road The Grange on Clay Lane The southernmost house at number 187 Wilmslow Road Brooke Farmhouse on Church Terrace; and Dairy House Farmhouse on Dairy House Lane.

2.36 The town also has 10 buildings that are recognised as being of local importance, these are 21 Woodlands Road to the south east of the town, and the Freemasons Arms, Library, Chadsworth House, St Chad's Church and 28-36 Church Road within the town centre. Figure 2.10 The Freemasons Arms Community Infrastructure

2.37 The term 'community infrastructure' covers a wide number of facilities and services including education, learning and childcare; health care and social care services; leisure facilities; community safety and policing; and public meeting places.

2.38 There is a strong feeling of community spirit within Handforth, with a number of community events held throughout the year and a significant number of active community members.

2.39 The town has the following outdoor sports facilities actively used at present:

4 private tennis courts and 2 municipal tennis courts 4 municipal adult / senior football pitches Additional junior / 7-a-side pitches at Wilmslow Grange Primary School

2.40 Facilities for Children and Teenagers include the following:

1 playground at Wilmslow Grange Primary School and 5 other playgrounds across the town 1 multi-use games area at Delamere Road / Stanley Hall Road

own 1 skate park / BMX area also at Delamere Road / Stanley Hall Road T

2.41 The main locations for indoor sports facilities in Handforth are the Total Fitness centre at the

Handforth Dean (which offers a swimming pool and indoor running track), and the Springs Health Club and Spa within the town. The nearest municipal indoor facility is located in Wilmslow. of

2.42 All schools in Cheshire East are clustered into voluntary partnerships known as Education Improvement Partnerships (EIP). Each EIP covers a discrete area, and seeks to develop an integrated approach to delivering children’s services and ultimately to achieving better outcomes for young Snapshot

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14 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report people. Handforth falls within the Wilmslow Education Improvement Partnership Area. In 2010 within this area (which also covers Alderley Edge and Wilmslow) there were 11 primary schools (providing for 2430 pupils) and 1 secondary school (providing for 1977 pupils).

2.43 The local authority is aware of a potential shortage of primary school places across the town and in surrounding areas, with particular pressure on individual schools. A review of provision is therefore planned with a view to increasing provision in some schools. Secondary education is provided at Wilmslow High School. Although the high school is the largest secondary school in Cheshire East, the council is aware that provision is under pressure at the school and will continue to review the situation.

2.44 There is one GP surgery in the town, along with 3 dental practices, 2 pharmacies and 2 opticians. In terms of emergency services, there is a police station, fire station and ambulance station located in neighbouring Wilmslow.

2.45 The town has one library located at The Green on Wilmslow Road. The library offers facilities including computers with internet access, scanners and photocopiers, and a meeting room.

2.46 There is potential to generate renewable energy within the Figure 2.11 Handforth Library town. Opportunities include: solar thermal and photovoltaic panels, air and ground source heat pumps and biomass boilers and/or combined heat and power boilers.

2.47 The location of community facilities in Handforth is shown in the map below: own T

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Figure 2.12 Community Infrastructure in Handforth Snapshot

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CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report 15 To Sum Up...

3.1 Some of the challenges for Handforth are as follows. What else should be added to this list?

Housing

There is a requirement to ensure sufficient housing is provided to meet the needs of the town's present and future residents. This will have to be balanced with the availability of sites and may require the planned release of sites within the Green Belt. There is a combined need for 51 affordable dwellings per annum within Handforth, Wilmslow and Alderley Edge, particularly for dwellings of 2 and 3 bedrooms. A large greenfield site at Handforth Hall has previously been identified for comprehensive development and was excluded from the Green Belt. This site could potentially meet some of the housing need of Handforth.

Economy

Handforth contains a large employment site at Stanley Green Industrial Estate. This estate has approximately 11ha of land available for employment development, which could meet the needs of the local economy. Handforth has more job seekers than most other towns in the borough.

District Centre

Handforth district centre serves the local community. The centre has a dated feel to some of the buildings within the centre, an absence of 'high quality' retailer and a vacancy rate of 14%, (compared to the Cheshire East average of 12% and the national average of 13.9%). Handforth Dean is an important retail centre, which attracts people from a wide area.

Transport

Public car parks within the town are in high demand. During peak times they can be full to capacity.

Open Space and the Countryside

There are shortages of outdoor sports space and facilities for teenagers and children within the town. Countryside surrounding Handforth is not easily accessible, and of a mixed recreation and biodiversity value.

Community Infrastructure

The nearest municipal indoor leisure facility is located in Wilmslow. The local authority is aware of a potential shortage of primary school places across the town and in surrounding areas, with particular pressure on individual schools. Up...

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16 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report Appendices Appendices

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report 17 Appendix A: Glossary of Terms

Affordable Housing Affordable housing covers a range of housing types and tenures. It includes social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Affordable housing should meet the needs of eligible households including availability at a cost low enough for them to afford, determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. It should include provision for the home to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or, if these restrictions are lifted, for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision. Allocated An allocated site is one that has been identified for development through the planning process. Existing allocated sites in Cheshire East are those identified within the three former authority Local Plans. Future site allocations will be made within the Core Strategy and Site Allocations Development Plan Documents. Annual Monitoring Report The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) forms part of the Local Development Framework. The purpose of the report is to:

Provide a profile of the Borough of information and key trends; Identify the effects of planning policies on social, environmental and economic outputs; Help determine the extent to which objectives, targets and programmes are being met; Inform and guide future plans and policies; and Monitor the extent to which the timetable set out in the Local Development Scheme is being met.

Combined Heat and CHP is the use of a power generator to simultaneously generate electricity Power (CHP) and useful heat, to provide hot water for example in a district heating system. Community Infrastructure Community infrastructure is the basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society. Community infrastructure includes community buildings and halls, leisure facilities, education services, healthcare facilities and renewable energy installations. Comparison Retail Non-food retailing, e.g. clothes, electrical goods, furniture etc. Conservation Area An area considered worthy of preservation or enhancement because of its special architectural or historic interest. Convenience Retail Food retailing. Core Strategy The Core Strategy will set the strategic spatial planning framework for how Cheshire East will develop in the future. Its vision, objectives and strategic policies are overarching and form the basis for the whole LDF. District Heating A system for distributing heat generated in a central location for example in a combined heat and power plant. Green Infrastructure The network of natural environmental components and green and blue spaces that lies within and between cities, towns and villages which Appendices

18 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report provides multiple social, economic and environmental benefits. Green Infrastructure is the region's life support system. Habitats Regulations The Habitats Regulations Assessment process is intended to describe Assessment and evaluate the likely significant effects of implementing a policy document on Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and Ramsar sites, taking into account the document‟s objectives and geographical scope. It is required to ensure that the document will not individually or cumulatively impact on the Natura 2000 network. Index of Multiple The IMD measures the level of deprivation of an area down to the Lower Deprivation (IMD) Super Output Area level. Jobs Density The number of jobs per working age person in a given area. Listed Building A building or structure that has been placed on English Heritage's Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Listed Buildings may not be demolished or altered without permission from the local planning authority. There are three grades of listing: Grade I (buildings of exceptional interest); Grade II* (particularly important buildings of more than special interest); and Grade II (nationally important buildings of special interest). Local Development A folder of documents that will outline the development plan for Cheshire Framework (LDF) East. This sets out the planning policies used when determining planning applications. Locally Listed Building Locally listed buildings are listed by the Council in addition to English Heritage's Statutory List for buildings that are of local importance. There is no statutory protection for buildings on the local list. Lower Super Output Area A set of geographical areas developed by the Office for National Statistics (LSOA) to enable data to be analysed at a very local level. They typically have a population of around 1,500 people. Ramsar Site Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention.

Scheduled Ancient A SAM is a nationally scheduled (protected) structure of special historic Monument (SAM) interest or significance, ranging from a earthworks to ruins to buried remains. Section 106 Agreement A legal agreement relating to monies paid by developers to the Council (s106) in order to offset the costs of the external effects of development, for example to fund new school places, provide new green spaces or improve a road layout. Site Allocations The Site Allocations document is part of the LDF and will contain land Document allocations and detailed policies and proposals to deliver and guide the future use of this land. Site of Biological A SBI is a local non-statutory designation to protect locally valued sites Importance (SBI) of biodiversity. Site of Special Scientific A SSSI is an area with statutory protection of national importance for its Interest (SSSI) special interest, which may be due to its fauna, flora, geological or geomorphological features. Appendices

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report 19 Special Area of SACs are areas which have been given special protection under the Conservation (SAC) European Union’s Habitats Directive. They provide increased protection to a variety of wild animals, plants and habitats and are a vital part of global efforts to conserve the world’s biodiversity.

Special Protection Area SPAs are areas which have been identified as being of international (SPA) importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or the migration of rare and vulnerable species of birds found within European Union countries. They are European designated sites, classified under the ‘Birds Directive 1979’ which provides enhanced protection given by the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status all SPAs also hold.

Strategic Environmental SEA is a method of ensuring that policies, plans and programmes Assessment (SEA) incorporate environmental considerations and is required under an EU Directive. This will be incorporated into the Sustainability Appraisal. Strategic Housing Land The SHLAA is is a key component of the evidence base to support the Availability Assessment delivery of sufficient land for housing; to meet the community’s need for (SHLAA) more homes; and to inform housing policy within the Cheshire East Local Development Framework. Strategic Housing Market This is a study that assesses the local housing markets and need for Assessment (SHMA) housing in the area. Sustainability Appraisal Sustainability Appraisal is a process that identifies and reports on the (SA) likely effects of a plan, and the extent to which the plan's implementation will impact upon the environmental, social and economic objectives for an area. Appendices

20 CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report Appendix B: References

Author Document Date Population Cheshire Constabulary Cheshire Constabulary Crime Records 2009 Cheshire East Council Settlement Study 2010 Housing Cheshire East Council Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2010 Cheshire East Council Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2010 Cheshire East Council Annual Monitoring Report 2010 Economy Cheshire East Council - Annual Business Enquiry 2008 Research and Intelligence Town Centre Cheshire East Council Shopping Surveys 2010 Cheshire East Council Annual Monitoring Report 2010 Cheshire East Council Cheshire Retail Study Update 2011 Transport Cheshire East Council Transport Baseline Data Report 2010 Cheshire East Council Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2011 Cheshire East Council Local Transport Plan 2011 Cheshire East Council Car Parks Town by Town 2011 Cheshire East Council Cycle Routes in Cheshire 2011 Sustrans Cheshire Cycle Routes 2011 Open Spaces and the Countryside Cheshire East Council Cheshire Landscape Character Assessment 2007 Cheshire East Council Open Spaces Database Unpublished Cheshire East Council Green Infrastructure Framework for North East Wales, Cheshire and 2011 Wirral The Built Environment English Heritage The Heritage Gateway Updated regularly Cheshire East List of Locally Important Buildings 2010 Community Infrastructure Cheshire East Council Leisure, Culture and Tourism 2011 Cheshire East Council Infrastructure Study Unpublished Cheshire East Council Climate Change and Renewables Study 2011

Sources of information for this Town Strategy Appendices

CHESHIRE EAST LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Handforth Snapshot Report 21 Cheshire East Council Planning and Housing Service, Westfields, Road, Sandbach, CW11 1HZ www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ldf email: [email protected] Tel: 01270 685893

Issues and Options Paper