A VISION FOR 2026 Local Development Framework Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal consultation draft June 2010
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
10473 A vision for 2026 - LDF core strategy cover 2.indd 1 28/5/10 14:07:39
Preface
This is the sustainability appraisal of the London Borough of Hillingdon’s Core Strategy Draft Consultation 2010. It has been completed in accordance with the Planning Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. It also incorporates the requirements for Strategic Environmental Assessment detailed in the European Directive 2001/42/EC.
This report follows on from the previous appraisal of the Preferred Options in 2007 and helps to ensure the Council is considering environmental, social and economic matters when developing the Core Strategy.
The appraisal is structured in 3 different parts:
• Part 1: Non Technical Summary
• Part 2: Process and Methodology
• Part 3: The sustainability appraisal
The Core Strategy will be published for consultation in summer 2010 and will be accompanied by this sustainability appraisal. Both documents will then be amended following the responses from the consultation exercise prior to being submitted to an examination in public.
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How to Comment
You are invited to comment on this Core Strategy Consultation Draft June 2010 (Regulation 25 stage) and accompanying Sustainability Appraisal. The 6 week public consultation begins on 16th June 2010 and ends on 30th July 2010.
All documents are available to view on the Council’s website at www.hillingdon.gov.uk under 'Have your say' and at public libraries throughout the borough, Hayes One Stop Shop, 49-51 Station Road, Hayes (Monday 8.30am - 4.30pm, Tuesday 9.30am - 4.30pm, Wednesday-Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm) and at Planning Information Services, Level 3, Civic Centre, Uxbridge (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm, Thursday 9am - 7.30pm).
All information will be available on request in Braille, large copy print, audio cassette or in a number of different languages other than English. Representations can be made in the following ways:
• Submit an on-line response on the Council's website under 'Have your say'
• By email - [email protected]
• By writing to us at LDF Team 3N/02, Planning, Environment and Community Services, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.
• By completing a consultation response form. You can request a form by contacting us on 01895 250230. All forms should be returned to LDF Team at the above address.
• By fax on 01895 277042, marked for the attention of the LDF Team.
Please note that copies of representations will be made available on request for inspection at the Council offices. They cannot therefore be treated as confidential. All responses must be received by 5pm on Friday 30th July 2010.
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Contents
Part 1: Non Technical Summary
1. Non Technical Summary ...... 6 1.1. Background ...... 6 1.2. What is Sustainability? ...... 6 1.3. What is Sustainability Appraisal? ...... 7 1.4. Report Summary...... 7
Part 2: Background and Approach
2. Introduction...... 24 2.1. The Core Strategy...... 24 2.2. Report Structure ...... 24 2.3. Core Strategy Development...... 24 2.4. Sustainability ...... 25 2.5. Legislation: Sustainability Appraisal...... 26 2.6. Legislation: Strategic Environmental Assessment...... 26 2.7. Habitat Appropriate Assessment...... 28 2.8. Equalities Assessment...... 29
3. Sustainability Appraisal Process ...... 30 3.1. Process...... 30 3.2. Development of Sustainability in the Core Strategy...... 31 3.3. Site Allocations and Development Control Policies...... 33 3.4. Annexes and Appendices...... 33 3.5. Consultation ...... 33 3.6. Commenting on this Report ...... 34
4. Appraisal Methodology and Framework...... 35 4.1. Background ...... 35 4.2. Approach to Methodology ...... 35 4.3. Sustainability Framework...... 36 4.4. Appraisal Methodology...... 37 4.5. Making Recommendations...... 39 4.6. Difficulties Encountered...... 39
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5. Baseline and Consultation ...... 41 5.1. Baseline...... 41 5.2. Existing Sustainability Problems...... 41 5.3. Other Plans and Programmes...... 45
6. Developing the Core Strategy...... 46 6.1. Background ...... 46 6.2. Sustainability Appraisal of the Core Strategy ...... 46 6.3. The Local Strategic Partnership and the Core Strategy...... 47 6.4. Additional Influences on the Sustainability of the Core Strategy ...... 49
7. Monitoring ...... 50 7.1. Background ...... 50 7.2. Monitoring Significant Sustainability Effects...... 50
Part 3: The Appraisal
8. The Strategic Objectives Appraisal ...... 52 8.1. The Vision ...... 52 8.2. Strategic Objectives ...... 53
9. Strategic Objectives Appraisal...... 56 9.1. Core Strategy Objectives Appraisal Conclusion ...... 61
10. The Core Strategy Policies Appraisal ...... 62 10.1. Conclusions from Sustainability Appraisal of Core Strategy Policies...... 101
11. Assessment of Cumulative Impacts...... 102
12. Conclusions ...... 113
13. Appendix 1: Sustainability Task List...... 114
14. Appendix 2: Sustainability Appraisal Framework...... 116
15. Annexes...... 127 15.1. Annex 1: Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report ...... 127 15.2. Annex 2: Sustainability Appraisal 2005 ...... 127 15.3. Annex 3: Sustainability Appraisal 2007 ...... 127 15.4. Annex 4: Annual Monitoring Report...... 127
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Part 1 Non Technical Summary
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1. Non Technical Summary
1.1. Background
The London Borough of Hillingdon is in the process of replacing the existing Unitary Development Plan, adopted in September 1998 with the Local Development Framework (LDF).
The Core Strategy reflects the aims of the Council’s Community Strategy, which sets out objectives for the wider social, economic and environmental well being of the Borough. The Core Strategy has also been prepared in general conformity with the Greater London Authority London Plan, a Spatial Development Strategy for the whole of London, which has various local implications for Hillingdon.
As part of the process of preparing the Core Strategy, the Council is required to undertake a Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Plan. This work looks at the likely significant environmental, social and economic effects of different policy options. It supports the process of drafting the Core Strategy, and helps to demonstrate that Plan is the most appropriate given the reasonable alternatives.
1.2. What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is broadly defined as:
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
For the Core Strategy, it is a way of ensuring that it balances the economic, social and environmental impacts in the short and long term. Historically, economic growth was central to development plans but this was largely at the expense of the environment. The housing crisis of the 1950s and 1960s led to short term social
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housing solutions that did not survive long term. These are both examples of unsustainable growth.
The Core Strategy needs to be able to deliver development that can meet the economic and social growth needs of the Borough without compromising the environment. The Sustainability Appraisal is the method for ensuring this happens.
1.3. What is Sustainability Appraisal?
Sustainability appraisal is effectively an audit of the economic, social and environmental performance of a relevant plan. Sustainability appraisal sets out a series of objectives which act as measuring tools to determine the quality of the plan. These objectives cover a broad range of social, economic and environmental aspects. The appraisal will ‘score’ the plan and will result in recommendations for changes that can increase the performance of the plan.
The appraisal is also a method of making sure that sustainability is considered throughout the development of the plan; in particular, in the very first stages of the plan when options for growth are being considered.
1.4. Report Summary
The report has been produced in accordance with the Government guidance on Sustainability Appraisal of Plans and Programmes. It follows a rigid structure with the main elements summarised below.
1.4.1. Introduction
Hillingdon’s Core Strategy first began at an issues and options stage in 2004. A preferred options report was produced in 2005, and a further revised Core Strategy in 2007. Changes to Government guidance and lessons learned from experiences elsewhere in the country resulted in a further revised Core Strategy for which this is the Sustainability Appraisal.
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Sustainability Appraisal is required by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, there is an additional requirement to incorporate the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive in the process. SEA is method by appraising the environmental performance of a plan, where as the Sustainability Appraisal includes economic and social impacts.
1.4.2. Process
This report is part of a wider suite of documents that demonstrate that sustainability has been incorporated throughout the development of the Core Strategy.
Stage Reference Link Date Responsible Party
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Scoping Annex 1 November Scott Wilson Report Report 2004
Sustainability Appraisal of Preferred SA Report 1 Annex 2 October Scott Wilson Options 2005
Sustainability Appraisal of Revised SA Report 2 Annex 3 January Scott Wilson Core Strategy Preferred Options 2007
Sustainability Appraisal of Revised SA Report 3 This report May 2010 London Borough Core Strategy of Hillingdon
This report will be accompanied by a series of annexes to ensure there is a clear chain of documents available. The appraisal of the Core Strategy included in this report can be read on its own; however, it is part of a series of other documents that have helped inform the conclusions.
1.4.3. Methodology
The methodology is similar to that previously used in other Sustainability Appraisals for the Core Strategy. It aims to measure the impacts of the Core Strategy on previously agreed sustainability objectives.
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This assessment is broadly a measurement of how the Core Strategy will impact on sustainability objectives. This is done using a simple scoring process, from highly positive through to highly negative.
1.4.4. Baseline
The appraisal is partly based on opinion on the performance of objectives due to the strategic nature of the plan, and on the likely impacts on the baseline position of the Borough. This baseline was collected originally in 2005 and updated subsequently. It sets out information on a broad range of environmental, social and economic matters. It is essential to help inform the likely impacts of the Core Strategy. It also helps to define the current sustainability issues within the Borough. These can be found in full in section 5.2.
1.4.5. Summary of Appraisal
Policy E1: Managing the Supply of Employment Land The employment growth of the Borough will invariably result in increased environmental impacts. The industrial growth could have an adverse impact on the biodiversity of brownfield land. Furthermore, the resuse of brownfield land will put pressure on soils and water quality.
The Core Strategy aims to designate both types of employment sites as near to public transport networks as possible. However, the employment growth will result in increased traffic and transportation. This could have further impacts on air quality; in addition, the increased emissions will adversely impact on climate change.
However, this policy does allow for economic and social growth without disregard to the environment. The supporting text in the Core Strategy helps to minimise the impacts on the environment, as do environmental policies included elsewhere in this document.
The release of the surplus industrial land must be considered in the context of the environment. The wording should be altered to consider impacts from contaminated land. Policy E2: Location of Employment Growth This policy aims to direct growth to areas already intensively developed and with
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good public transport links. However, delivering this level of growth will have an adverse impact on air quality by introducing more traffic. The current road networks serving these areas are under pressure from existing volumes of traffic.
Much of the Borough has been designated an air quality management area and therefore has an increased sensitivity to adverse impacts. Increased traffic will also have an adverse impact on measures to reduce the effects of climate change.
This policy will deliver the economic growth required to ensure the Borough remains prosperous which is at the heart of the Vision. The Heathrow Opportunity Area is a major factor in the economic growth of Hillingdon and contains the majority of the Borough’s employment. It is important to expand on this growth and this policy aims to do that.
The economic and social impacts will outweigh the environmental impacts however more emphasis could be placed on improving existing modes of transportation and not just delivering solutions to new development. Policy E3: Strategy for Heathrow Opportunity Area This policy is not directly delivering or promoting a type of development. It is providing a framework for DPD to help ensure the sustainable growth of the Heathrow Opportunity Area.
The importance of this area warrants a specific approach and the inclusion in the policy for climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as a low carbon emission strategy is encouraging.
This DPD will be subject to separate Sustainability Appraisal. A full report should accompany this document in line with the objectives of this SA or an alternatively agreed approach. Policy E4: Uxbridge Uxbridge is the main urban centre of the Borough. It is identified as a Metropolitan Centre and growth is naturally suited to this area. The baseline data shows that Uxbridge is adversely affected by poor connections into the centre of London and the policy wording acknowledges this.
Air quality has declined in Uxbridge in recent years and it is now included within an Air Quality Management Area. Any further growth must not have additional air quality impacts. In addition, any further development of green spaces including gardens is likely to give rise to flood risk issues.
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The commitment to secure improvements to the Uxbridge interchange could have significant economic and environmental improvements which would result in an improved quality of life. The upgrading of the interchange is vital to ensuring the success of this policy.
Issues regarding flood risk will be the focus of a review of the strategic flood risk assessment and area specific surface water mapping. Policy E5: Town and Local Centres It is accepted that the growth of town and local centres is likely to result in more road traffic which will impact on air quality. However, the positive wording of this policy may result in likely improvements despite the growth. It aims to create sustainable connectivity to centres without good connection. The positive focus on walking and cycling could also result in improved health and reductions in climate change emissions.
The protection of local parades will result in enhanced communities further improving the social impacts of the policy.
The baseline information also reveals that West Drayton and Yiewsley are considered to be in the list of most deprived areas in Hillingdon. The focus on public transport is welcomed although the protection of Local Parades must be relevant to the locality Policy E6: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) This policy is suitably broad to allow flexibility of approach although it could result in increased traffic.
This policy is likely to have a positive impact on the economy and help the Borough attract more businesses to the area. This is important to allow for a diverse range of employment opportunities.
The negative or potential negative aspects of this policy should be managed by policies elsewhere in this document and the inclusion of the word sustainable instead of appropriate.
Policy E7: Raising Skills This policy could lead to positive impacts on the economy and the community. Hillingdon unemployment has rose slightly in 2008 and 2009 largely as a result of
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the recession. This trend was not specific to Hillingdon but creative policy measures are required to ensure the Borough can manage a growing population.
This policy should help the local education facilities and employees to get the most out of new development in Hillingdon. However, it is not clear what is meant by a ‘high end’ job. Hillingdon employment statistics show that the majority jobs are in the service sector with over a half related to transport, distribution and communications. The number of high-end jobs is likely to be relatively few.
There is a growing trend towards encouraging employers and educational facilities to place emphasis on green jobs. This is growing sector due to increased demand for green technologies and buildings. From 2013 all new development is likely to require some form of energy efficient technology. This policy could reference this new sector which in turn could reflect positively on climate change outcomes. Policy H1: Housing Growth The sustainability of this policy is largely dependent on how the housing is delivered. The likely location of housing means there will be additional pressure on public services in areas already densely populated. In contrast, development in rural areas is likely to increase the demands on car travel.
In all cases, the delivery of housing will have an adverse impact on climate change until 2016 when all new housing will reach Zero Carbon standards. All housing is likely to result in increased car numbers putting further pressure air quality.
In addition the additional housing is likely to put further strain on water. Hillingdon is already in a water stressed area and further demand will put additional pressures on water.
The impacts on air quality, flood risk, climate change and water are partly mitigated by policies elsewhere in the Core Strategy.
This policy in conjunctions with other policies will result in higher quality housing design that should help strengthen Hillingdon’s economy.
Policy H2: Affordable Housing The option will ensure that housing will be made available for those people within the borough who cannot afford market housing. This will include key worker housing. The provision of affordable housing is also linked to increasing health. Poor quality housing can reduce health and place stress on family groups. This
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policy should result in reducing this stress.
The option can also help promote a community sense of ownership and encourage stable communities.
The amount of housing that Core Strategy will deliver will not match the increasing demand for affordable housing. Hillingdon’s Housing Needs Survey revealed that the Borough has a demand of 3,564 affordable units a year. There will still be a significant gap between affordable units required and those delivered.
However, the 50% target will ensure there is a compromise between the needs of the developer and the affordable housing needs of the Borough and should help to achieve a balanced ratio. This target will continue to be developed within an emerging evidence base to maintain an appropriate balance. The policy requires the delivery of affordable housing subject to viability which provides an element of flexibility in approach.
The delivery of affordable housing could impact on other Borough wide incentives through reduced S106. Policy H3: Gypsy and Traveller Pitch Provision Policy H3 should enable more gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople to have the opportunity to live on appropriate, safe and sustainably located sites. It should reduce the use of illegal sites.
The policy should have a generally positive impact on the environment, by reducing the number of unauthorised sites and ensuring that new sites do not have a detrimental impact on the local landscape or biodiversity.
The existing Colne site is near to improved flood defence works. Any changes to the flooding regime in the area need to be monitored carefully although no adverse impacts are expected. Policy HE1: Heritage This policy will help protect Hillingdon vast and unique built heritage. There are a number of conservation areas and listed buildings that require protection. This policy provides sufficient weight to enable that protection.
However, the increasing building standard requirements will result in more conflicts between old and new development. From October 2010 all new development will have to be 25% more energy efficient; from 2013 it rises to 44% reaching Zero
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Carbon by 2016. This will require new approaches to development with the inclusion of renewable energy technologies. This could conflict with aspirations to maintain existing heritage or conservation standards.
Paragraph 17 of the recent consultation on the Climate Change Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1 suggested:
Just because a building looks different, does not mean it is not good design.
It is important that the Core Strategy aspirations for protecting and conserving the built environment do not preclude new development with higher standards. Policy BE1: Built Environment This policy aims to help the Council to set standards to deliver high quality housing that meets social and environmental aims. The need to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 incorporates a number of other mandatory criteria such as energy reduction and water efficiency.
The inclusion of noise, recreation, public art, crime and landscaping should ensure Hillingdon’s future housing is of a standard that will help the Borough prosper.
The policy also precludes the inappropriate development of gardens. However it does not specifically relate to flood risk or the loss of green space that plays a significant role in surface water attenuation. Policy EM1: Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation This policy has environmentally focussed goals. It will result in high quality development that is located in suitable areas. It should help to reduce the impacts on traffic and transport and to promote alternative forms of transportation.
Targeting areas of poor air quality is a positive step although this policy should set stronger requirements to ensure delivery such as through Section 106 or other development requirements.
In addition the inclusion of bioremediation helps to promote sustainable approaches to waste management.
The promotion of carbon sinks, particularly in urban areas will have the added impact of helping to tackle poor air quality as well as encouraging wildlife.
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The policy could have a negative impact in terms of the economy in the short term. These standards are higher than previously required and will need a more creative approach to development. However, in the long term this approach should result in higher quality development which promotes a healthier way of life. This will ultimately have a positive impact on the reputation of Hillingdon which will improve the economic position. Policy EM2: Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and Green Chains This policy reiterates the importance of the Green Belt to Hillingdon. The Borough has one of the largest areas of Green Belt in London and there is continuing pressure to develop it.
National guidance is clear that Core Strategies should protect the integrity of the Green Belt. This policy achieves this. It is also accepted that minor adjustments classify and to declassify land as Green Belt is required.
Green Belt land operates as carbon sinks helping to tackle climate change, it also represents an important part of the landscape. This policy will ensure that the Green Belt continues to have a positive impact on the environment.
This policy will invariably have an impact on economic growth as it focuses development on brownfield land that generally requires remediation and clean up costs. It constrains development to urban areas with already pressurised services. However, environmental benefits far outweigh the negative economic impacts. Policy EM3: River and Canal Corridors Hillingdon has a vast and diverse network of rivers and canals. It plays an important wildlife and recreational role for the Borough. This policy seeks to protect and enhance that role.
In doing so it helps to maintain the landscape of the borough and minimise the impacts of inappropriate development. This policy will also promote active and healthy lifestyles and if cross boundary collaboration is formed, it will extend these benefits into other boroughs.
The policy is likely to have a significant effect on quality of soil and water; however it could have a greater impact with additional wording. The baseline information (State of the Environment Report) suggests some rivers and watercourse are in a declining state. Policy EM8 includes criteria to help improve water quality.
Developer contributions sought for the benefit of the river and canal network
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could divert money away from other areas which could have an economic impact.
This slight negative is outweighed by the overall environmental benefits. Policy EM4: Open Space and Informal Recreation Areas of open space and informal recreation are under constant pressure from new development. It is important to maintain protection of the existing supply whilst identifying new opportunities.
Open space also plays a vital role in providing a diverse and pleasant landscape. It is important that people can see opportunities for recreation near them to allow them to take up active lifestyles. Hillingdon has a vast network of open space although this is largely restricted to rural areas. Access in and from urban areas remains a problem.
This policy could have a larger positive impact if there was a greater focus on the delivery of additional open space in urban areas. Paragraph 8.61 of the supporting text in the Core Strategy states:
The creation of new open space is to be encouraged wherever practical, although it is recognised that creation of new open spaces may be limited due to densely populated areas and financial constraints.
There should be a greater commitment to identify opportunities and require developers to help deliver them. The policy should also refer to the role open space plays as carbon sinks in accordance with the consultation draft on Planning Policy Statement 1. Policy EM5: Sport and Leisure This policy seeks to protect the existing supply but does not make a firm commitment that further opportunities will be identified. As a result it is unlikely to have a significant positive impact on the current sporting offer. There must be a greater requirement on identifying opportunities and for development to help deliver them.
In general this policy will have a positive impact on health. The creation of additional areas of recreation or sports space could have additional positive impacts on biodiversity and the landscape Policy EM6: Flood Risk Management Flood events hav e significant environmental, social and economic impacts. The
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consideration of flood risk in allocating land is therefore highly positive.
Inappropriate development in the floodplain can also result in unnecessary risk life and property and it is therefore essential that it is given appropriate weighting in development consideration.
The economic impacts of tackling flood risk need to be carefully considered alongside the social and environmental impacts. The 2007 floods had a substantially significant affect on local, regional and national economies.
One of the indicators in the SA Framework relates to the loss of impermeable areas. Whilst the policy gives sufficient weight to location of the development and the use of SUDS, it does not set criteria against the loss of impermeable areas. Policy EM7: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation This policy positively considers the biodiversity needs of the Borough. It tackles issues from a borough wide level through to site specific. It provides suitable flexibility to developers without setting onerous requirements.
This policy should result in the improvement of biodiversity across the Borough which in turn will increase the amount of carbon sinks. This will have a positive outcome on air quality and the landscape. Policy EM8: Water, Air and Noise Water quality Water Quality
This policy should result in the improved quality of several watercourses currently identified as being in poor condition. However, the policy does not consider other watercourses which may experience decline over the plan period. The policy also needs to be expanded to include impacts on aquifers.
Air Quality
This policy is positively worded and should help contribute to minimise the additional impacts on the AQMA. However, it should be acknowledged that development is unlikely to be able to improve air quality, but minimise its own impacts. The London Plan Air Quality strategy aims for all new development in poor air quality areas to be air quality positive, or neutral as minimum. This aim should be reflected within the Core Strategy.
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Noise
This policy should result in a positive impact on noise and health. Policy EM9: Safeguarding Mineral Resources The safeguarding of the preferred mineral areas will result in the economic and environmental benefits from previously identified opportunities.
The impacts of this policy should ensure a suitable balance between environmental and economic impacts. In addition it should not result in extraction of minerals from unidentified sources, protecting existing areas for other environmental and economic reasons Policy EM10: Mineral Extraction Mineral extraction will in general have relatively short term impacts. It is essential that the pre-extraction state of the land is assessed together with the impacts of the extraction.
This should help define the extent of the restoration proposals. Mineral extraction will have short term significant impacts and it is important that the restoration of the land balances the impacts whilst the extraction occurred.
This policy should therefore put greater emphasis on the restoration and aftercare aspects of extraction.
The environmental impacts of this policy will be dependent on the implementation. Policy EM11: Sustainable Waste Management Sustainable waste management should ensure that there are no adverse impacts from the proliferation of waste operations. This policy allows the Council to control the waste activities and direct them to areas most appropriate.
The emphasis on re-use and recycling should also see a reduction in the need for landfilling. However, the policy does not include acknowledgement that a waste resource can also be utilised as an energy source. This policy could have additional benefits regarding the climate change objective.
One of the SA Framework indicators relates to the amount of composting. This policy does not specifically refer to composting or the role it can play in the management of waste.
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Furthermore, the policy does not specifically reference the need to reduce the amount of waste in line with the waste hierarchy. Policy T1: Accessible Local Destinations This policy should ensure that Hillingdon maximises the benefits from its serviced areas without the need to develop beyond their boundaries.
Furthermore this policy also promotes the improvement of access to serviced areas minimising the growth of urban sprawl. Policy T2: Public Transport Interchanges Improved public transport interchanges will encourage the more sustainable modes of transport.
The inclusion of measures to encourage cycling and walking should have an additional benefit.
Good public transport interchanges will also have a positive impact on the economy and the business image of the Borough. Policy T3: North-South Sustainable Transport Links The baseline information for the Borough reveals north-south link needs improvement.
Improving links between the north and the south will have significant economic impacts but it could also increase the amount of traffic and impacts on climate change.
Providing the transport interchanges can be improved in accordance with Policy T2, and this policy can maintain the links to these improved interchanges, the environmental impacts could be reduced.
Policy T4: Heathrow Airport The emphasis on sustainable transport measures should ensure this policy has a positive impact.
However, the improvement of transport infrastructure, coupled with growth around the airport could result in negative impacts on air quality and climate change. In addition, the encouragement of cycling and walking in areas with poor air quality could have adverse impacts on health.
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The impacts of travel in the Heathrow Opportunity Area will be covered by a separate DPD, and are considered in policies elsewhere in the Core Strategy. Policy CI1: Community Infrastructure Provision Community infrastructure helps to create and sustain communities. They should be focal points that help community cohesion.
This policy positively sets out the aspirations of the Core Strategy and should lead to greater community cohesion. In turn, this will have positive impacts on crime and multi purpose facilities could result in improved health.
Community facilities also have a significant educational role. They can act as demonstrators that effect vast numbers of people, for example in relation to climate change or accessibility. This policy sets out requirements to ensure these facilities will be accessible to all and should include measures to tackle climate change.
This will have a significant education impact on communities as well as directly contributing to these sustainability objectives. Policy CI2: Leisure and Recreation This is a highly positive policy that will result in improved facilities that encourage healthy lifestyles.
In addition, this policy will help promote community cohesion which could have positive impacts on crime and safety.
These community facilities will also help to act as demonstrators and must be highly accessible and include measures to tackle climate change. These facilities can help promote the need to tackle these significant issues and can deliver messages to entire communities.
These community centres should include facilities that promote and encourage consideration of climate change, disabilities, and green transport measures. Ideally these design considerations should go beyond the baseline standards. Policy CI3: Culture This policy will result in improved cultural facilities that reflect the diverse nature of the Borough.
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Cultural centres could have a negative impact on crime where there are clashes between different groups. This policy should help to cater for different cultural backgrounds whilst not resulting in segregation.
The inclusion that smaller facilities are accessible by walking and cycling is positive however it does not include larger facilities. All cultural facilities should have sustainable transport access. The current wording could have negative impacts on air quality, traffic reduction and climate change.
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Part 2 Background and Approach
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2. Introduction
2.1. The Core Strategy
The Core Strategy is the most important document in helping the Borough to deliver development that meets it’s environmental, social and economic needs. It provides a plan for how the Borough will grow within the next 20 years. It also presents broad guidance on the scale and location of future development, and policies to deliver the Borough’s vision for development for the coming years.
The Core Strategy is part of the Local Development Framework which replaces the 1998 Unitary Development Plan. The Core Strategy is fundamental to helping the Borough to achieve quality development. It must therefore be tested against UK goals to achieve sustainable development and communities.
2.2. Report Structure
The report is separated into 3 parts:
• Part 1: Non Technical Summary
• Part 2: Background and Approach
• Part 3: The Appraisal
Part 2 sets out the background to the development of the Core Strategy and includes details of the baseline and the sustainability issues facing the Borough. Part 3 includes the appraisal of the Core Strategy objectives and policies as well as the cumulative impacts.
2.3. Core Strategy Development
A considerable amount of work has been undertaken to ensure that the Core Strategy reflects local issues and is based on sound evidence. It has been developed
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through discussion with Hillingdon Partners to ensure a close fit with the Sustainable Community Strategy. This version of the Core Strategy has evolved following consultation on the following documents:
• Issues and Options (Spring 2005): This document set out the key social, environmental and economic issues facing Hillingdon with a number of strategic alternatives.
• Preferred Options (Autumn 2005): This built on the Issues and Options document and identified preferred options.
• Revised Preferred Options (Spring 2007): This refined the process further and identified a series of challenges for Hillingdon with alternative options.
2.4. Sustainability
Sustainability is broadly defined as a measure against environmental, social and economic objectives. The aim is to achieve effective growth by not prioritising one of the three areas at the expense of the other two. The Core Strategy aims to balance the three elements and to help contribute to sustainable development which was defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987 as:
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainability is now at the heart of the UK planning agenda. Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 1 has defined the principles of sustainable development and states:
Development plans should ensure that sustainable development is pursued in an integrated manner, in line with the principles for sustainable development set out in the UK strategy. Regional planning bodies and local planning authorities should ensure that development plans promote outcomes in which environmental, economic and social objectives are achieved together over time
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This report constitutes the appraisal of the Core Strategy’s compliance with the sustainability agenda. It assesses the objectives and policies and makes recommendations for changes that can help the Core Strategy meet the UK strategy aims for sustainable development.
2.5. Legislation: Sustainability Appraisal
There is a mandatory requirement for the sustainability of all Local Development Documents to be assessed under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. The Town and Country Planning Regulations 2004 (SI 2004 No. 2204) require a Sustainability Appraisal to be conducted as part of the formation of a development plan document.
2.6. Legislation: Strategic Environmental Assessment
An assessment of the effects of the plan on the environment is also a legal requirement of European Directive 2001/42/EC: Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive. This is implemented in the UK through the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (SI 2004 No. 1633).
SEA and Sustainability Appraisal are inherently interlinked. The Sustainability Appraisal process considers environmental, social and economic objectives in the appraisal of a development plan. The SEA process focuses on environmental factors only.
To avoid unnecessary duplication and ensure an integrated approach to the plan making process, the Government issued guidance to planning authorities confirming that it is possible to satisfy both requirements through the sustainability appraisal process. The environmental report required by the SEA regulations is integrated in the sustainability appraisal. The table below sets out the information required by the SEA directive and where it can be found in this Sustainability Appraisal.
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The information to be included in the Environmental Location Report
a) An outline of the contents, main objectives of the plan or Part 3 programme, and relationship with other relevant plans and Appendix 2 programmes;
Annex 1 b) The relevant aspects of the current state of the environment Annex 3 and the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the plan or programme; Annex 4 Section 5
c) The environmental characteristics of areas likely to be Part 3 Section 9 significantly affected; Annex 1
d) Any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the Annex 1 plan or programme including, in particular, those relating to any Annex 3 areas of a particular environmental importance, such as areas designated pursuant to Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC; Section 5
e) The environmental protection objectives, established at Annex 1 international, community or national level, which are relevant to Annex 3 the plan or programme and the way those objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account during its preparation;
f) The likely significant effects on the environment, including on Annex 2 issues such as biodiversity, population, human health, & fauna, Annex 3 flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage including architectural and archaeological heritage, Part 3 Section 8 landscape and the interrelationship between the above factors. (Footnote: These effects should include secondary, cumulative, synergistic, short, medium and long-term permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects);
Annex 2 g) The measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and as fully as Annex 3 possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment of implementing the plan or programme; Part 3 Section 9 and 10
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h) An outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives dealt Annex 2 with, and a description of how the assessment was undertaken Annex 3 including any difficulties (such as technical deficiencies or lack of Part 2 Section 2 know- how) encountered in compiling the required information; and 6
i) a description of measures envisaged concerning monitoring in Part 2 Section 7 accordance with Article 10; Annex 4
j) a non-technical summary of the information provided under the Part 1 above headings.
2.7. Habitat Appropriate Assessment
The Habitats Directive 1 also requires a specific assessment to be made of the Core Strategy. Article 6(3) of the Directive states:
‘Any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in combination with other plans and projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives.’
The purpose of appropriate assessment of land use plans is to ensure that protection of the integrity of European sites is part of the planning process at a regional and local level. In simple terms, the appropriate assessment assesses the plan or programmes interaction with the objectives of a European designated site of conservation. The assessment will determine whether or not the outcomes of the plan will adversely affect the integrity of the conservation site. The scope and content of the assessment will be dependent on the nature of the plan or programme and the objectives of the conservation site. There are no European sites within the boundary of Hillingdon, however there are several in close proximity as the table below shows.
1 European Communities (1992) Council Directive 92/43/EEC
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European Site Distance from LB Hillingdon
Burnham Beeches SAC 9.0 km
Richmond Park SAC 8.5 km
South West London Waterbodies SPA and 0.5 km Ramsar
Thames Basin Heaths SPA 11.5 km
Thursley, Ash, Pirbright and Chobham 11.5 km Commons SAC
Wimbledon Common SPA 12.5 km
Windsor Forest and Great Park SAC 6.5 km
SAC: Special Area of Conservation SPA: Special Protection Area Ramsar: Named after Iranian city where the first Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was held.
A screening appraisal of the Revised Core Strategy was made in 2007. This appraisal found that the Core Strategy is unlikely to have any significant effects on European sites and that a full appropriate assessment will not be required. The Core Strategy has altered since the Issues and Options stage and there is a need to update the appropriate assessment work. This work will be undertaken and reported on separately.
2.8. Equalities Assessment
A separate Equalities Impact Assessment will accompany the Core Strategy. The aim of the Equalities Impact Assessment is to demonstrate that the Core Strategy both through consultation and implementation involves all those people it will affect.
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3. Sustainability Appraisal Process
3.1. Process
The sustainability appraisal process is not just an audit of a plan once it has been completed. The purpose of the process is to ensure that sustainability has been considered in the whole development of the plan. The main elements of the appraisal process can be summarised as follows:
• Setting the context, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope of the Sustainability Appraisal
• Developing and refining options and assessing effects
• Preparing the Sustainability Appraisal Report
• Consulting on the draft Plan and Sustainability Appraisal Report
• Monitoring the significant effects of implementing the Plan
Appendix 1 includes a full task list for sustainability appraisal as taken from Government guidance.
Sustainability and has been considered throughout the development of the Core Strategy starting in 2005 with an appraisal being undertaken at every key stage of the development process. In addition to the formal appraisal of the Core Strategy, there has been a constant process of determining the performance of the plan against the Sustainable Community Strategy.
Stage Reference Link Date Responsible Party
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Annex 1 November Scott Wilson Scoping Report Report 2004
Sustainability Appraisal of SA Report 1 Annex 2 October Scott Wilson Preferred Options 2005
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Sustainability Appraisal of SA Report 2 Annex 3 January Scott Wilson Revised Core Strategy 2007 Preferred Options
Sustainability of Revised SA Report 3 This report May 2010 London Core Strategy Borough of Hillingdon
3.2. Development of Sustainability in the Core Strategy
In addition to the formal appraisal stages outlined above, the Council has worked closely with its Local Strategic Partnership to ensure the Core Strategy is interlinked with the aims of the Community Strategy. This has further ensured that sustainability is at the heart of the Core Strategy and its development has been in conjunction with the Borough strategy for sustainable communities.
The table below provides an overview of how sustainability has been assessed and included in the evolution of the Core Strategy.
Appraisal Stage When
Identifying other relevant policies, plans and programmes, Scoping Report 2004 and sustainability objectives.
SA report 2 considered updates of the relevant plans and programmes, but the sustainability objectives remained the same. This report (SA Report 3) includes a further update of the policies, plans and programmes and amends the objectives to better link to climate change.
Collecting Baseline information. Scoping Report 2004
The Scoping Report set the original baseline for the Sustainability Appraisal. An updated assessment of the baseline was used in SA Report 2. A further update has been included within this report.
Identifying sustainability issues and problems. Scoping Report 2004
The Scoping Report originally identified the main issues effecting Hillingdon. SA
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Report 2 and 3 provide updates. In addition, discussions with the Local Strategic Partnership have also identified the sustainability issues and these have been outlined in the Core Strategy as well as this report.
Developing the Sustainability Appraisal Framework Scoping Report 2004
The Scoping Report identified the appraisal framework following a comprehensive consultation exercise. This framework was used for both SA Reports 1 and 2, however due to the changing policy on climate change a slightly altered framework has been used for this report.
November 2004 to Consulting on the Scope of the Sustainability Appraisal January 2005
A formal consultation event was carried out on the first Scoping Report
Testing the Core Strategy Objectives against the SA 2005, 2007, 2010 Framework
All three SA Reports test the Core Strategy objectives and policies. In addition, the LDF Project Team has worked closely with the Local Strategic Partnership to further refine the strategy. This is an example of the Core Strategy being subjected to ongoing assessment of its sustainability credentials.
Developing the Options 2005, 2007, 2010
SA Reports 1 and 2 tested the options that were identified from the issues and options stage (2005). Each of these reports made recommendations for changes. Following the 2007 revised Core Strategy, recommendations and guidance was received which required Hillingdon to take a more strategic approach. As a consequence significant changes have been made to the 2007 version and these are included within the Core Strategy relevant to this SA. Further information on the development of options is included within Chapter 6 of Part 2.
Predicting and evaluating the effects of the Core Strategy, and considering ways of mitigating the adverse effects and 2005, 2007, 2010 maximising beneficial effects.
The evaluation of the effects of the Core Strategy is main purpose of the SA. All three SA Reports include a full assessment of effects and include recommendations for improvements where necessary.
Proposing measures to monitor the significant effects of Annual Monitoring
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the DPD. Report
The annual monitoring report (AMR) will provide the process for measuring the performance of the plan. The AMR will be linked to indicators which have been used to form the sustainability objectives.
2005 Refers to SA Report 1 – Annex 2 2007 Refers to SA Report 2 – Annex 3 2010 Refers to SA Report 3 – This report
3.3. Site Allocations and Development Control Policies
SA Report 1 included an appraisal of the development control policies and site allocations. The review of the Core Strategy process has resulted in these documents being split. This report will only appraise the Core Strategy with a separate appraisal of the other documents to follow.
3.4. Annexes and Appendices
The development of the Core Strategy has been a long and complex process. Each stage of the process has been subjected to Sustainability Appraisal. The regulations require that the process clearly demonstrates how sustainability has been considered at every stage. Due to the size and nature of the previous reports it is not appropriate to include them as appendices. However, it is important to maintain and demonstrate an appropriate approach to sustainability in the Core Strategy. As a result there are a number of annexes to this report that refer to previous Sustainability Appraisals and the Annual Monitoring Report. The appendices of this document will be used to provide additional information that directly informs this report.
3.5. Consultation
The Council must seek views on the Sustainability Appraisal from environmental bodies in order to comply with the SEA Directive. The final reports must also be
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circulated to the Public for consultation. The following table shows the periods of consultation for each stage of the Core Strategy and Sustainability Appraisal process.
Stage Consultation Period
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report December – January 2004
Issues and Options February – April 2005
Preferred Options October – November 2005
Sustainability Appraisal of Preferred Options October – November 2005
Revised Core Strategy and Development Control February – March 2007 Policies
Sustainability Appraisal of Revised Core Strategy February – March 2007 Preferred Options
Revised Core Strategy June – July 2010
Sustainability of Revised Core Strategy June – July 2010
3.6. Commenting on this Report
This report provides an appraisal of the Core Strategy and makes recommendations for improvements. The consultation on this report will run parallel with the Core Strategy.
Comments are invited regarding the recommendations and proposed amendments. On completion of the consultation exercise, the Core Strategy will be amended to reflect the comments received where appropriate.
The Sustainability Appraisal will also be amended to reflect comments. When the consultation is complete, the final Core Strategy incorporating the proposed changes will be appraised further. A final Sustainability Appraisal will be published for submission to the Planning Inspectorate alongside the final Core Strategy.
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4. Appraisal Methodology and Framework
4.1. Background
The aim of the Sustainability Appraisal is to measure the performance of the plan. The most efficient way of achieving this is to develop a series of sustainability objectives which can then be used to ‘score’ the plan. This scoring is done by assessing the likely outcome of the policy against the objectives. The outcome of each score could be negative, positive or neutral.
The 2004 Scoping Report developed the appraisal framework and set out the broad objectives for sustainability. These are suitably broad to allow a comprehensive assessment of all the policies and objectives in the Core Strategy. The objectives are set out later in this section.
4.2. Approach to Methodology
The appraisal methodology involves developing a scoring system that can help determine performance of the Core Strategy. The standard approach to this is to use a matrix that uses rankings from highly positive through to highly negative.
The assessment of the Core Strategy objectives and policies was based on the professional opinion of the officers at the London Borough of Hillingdon. The officer’s assessment considered the baseline data, the key sustainability issues, and the evidence base of both the Core Strategy and Sustainability Appraisal. This is primarily an objective based approach using opinion; however, an effects led approach (i.e. assessments based on likely measurable outcomes) has been used where appropriate. This predominantly qualitative approach has been used due to the broad strategic nature of the Core Strategy. It is therefore difficult to accurately quantify the likely significant effects.
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4.3. Sustainability Framework
The following framework was agreed following the SA Scoping Report in 2005. The framework covers broad sustainability objectives and is therefore still relevant for this report. The full framework with targets and indicators is included within the 2005 Scoping Report and is attached as appendix 1 of this report for ease of reference.
Sustainability Objectives Reference in Appraisal
1 To improve air quality to a standard that is acceptable for Air Quality human and ecological health
2 To ensure sustainable management and conservation of Biodiversity wildlife and habitats representative of the borough and reverse those in decline
3 To protect and preserve landscape character, historic Landscape & buildings, archaeological sites and cultural features of Heritage importance to the community
4 To avoid the adverse effects of activities and development on Soil & Water the natural functions of soil and water systems
5 To reduce contributions towards, and vulnerability to, the Climate effects of climate change Change
6 To minimise the hazard risk from flooding in Hillingdon Flood Risk
7 To ensure efficient use of non renewable resources and Resources minimise the production of waste and Waste
8 To encourage efficient use of available land that will not Efficient Land foreclose on future options Use
9 To create a variety of high quality residential environments High Quality that provides everybody with the opportunity to live in a Housing decent home
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10 To provide environments that promote healthy and safe living Health, and reduce anti social behaviour Noise, Safety, Crime
11 To improve the ready access to essential services and Accessibility facilities for all residents
12 To promote methods to reduce dependence on private Traffic transport and manage the effects of traffic on the reduction environment
13 To provide residents of all ages with the option to access Skills & education and skills based enhancement Education
14 To encourage built environments of high quality urban design Design & that assists in enhancing areas amenity value and promote Amenity community sense of place
15 To promote growth in the economy whilst improving its Economic environmental and social performance Growth
16 To enhance the image of the borough as a location for new Business business Image
17 To encourage business to provide a range of jobs and services Provision of that will support and enhance existing residential and Jobs employment areas
4.4. Appraisal Methodology
The purpose of the Sustainability Appraisal including the SEA Directive is to determine the likely significant effects of the Core Strategy. The determination of an effect is set out as:
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Nature and Scale of Impact
x
Sensitivity of Receptor
=
Significance of Effect
4.4.1. Nature and Scale of Impact
Environmental assessment uses the following criteria to define the extent and magnitude of an impact:
• Effect duration (whether short, medium or long term)
• Effect nature (whether direct or indirect, reversible or irreversible)
• Whether the impact occurs in isolation, is cumulative or interactive
• Performance against environmental quality standards or other relevant pollution control thresholds
• Compatibility with environmental policies
4.4.2. Sensitivity of Receptor
For the purposes of this report, the receptor is the Sustainability Appraisal objective. Not all the objectives carry the same level of weight; some objectives are more important or cover a more pressing issue for the Borough.
4.4.3. Significance of Effect
The appraisal methodology will use the approach adopted for SA Reports 1 and 2. This helps to maintain consistency in the appraisal approach. The significance of the effect is ranked using the following criteria:
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Symbol Like Effect on the SA Objective
+ + A likely highly positive effect
+ A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link
- A likely negative effect
- - A likely highly negative effect
? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect
/ Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
4.5. Making Recommendations
The outcome of the appraisal process is a series of recommendations that will identify areas for sustainability improvement. These recommendations take the form of measures to prevent, reduce and offset the environmental and sustainability impacts associated with implementation. These constitute mitigation measures as required under the SEA Directive.
This report will be distributed for consultation alongside the Core Strategy. This provides an opportunity to comment on the recommendations. The final report will include details of where the Sustainability Appraisal has resulted in an improved Core Strategy.
4.6. Difficulties Encountered
The main difficulty in appraising the Core Strategy is the uncertainty in identifying the future impacts. The Core Strategy is a broad spatial vision for the Borough. It can set aspirations and targets, but these cannot always be easily quantified. This has been countered by linking the appraisal to the baseline information gathered as part
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of the Scoping Report and subsequently updated. This allows for a more evidence based assessment of the Core Strategy.
The changing guidance has also complicated the process of the development of the Core Strategy. This has led to time elapsing between the original Issues and Options stage and the 2010 revised Core Strategy. As a consequence, considerable development and discussion has gone into developing the Core Strategy options that is influenced away from the formal Sustainability Appraisal process.
Finally, it has not been possible to use the same authors for this report as the 2007 Sustainability Appraisal. The experience and nature of professional opinion involved in assessing sustainability will differ between authors. Whilst the methodology has been kept consistent there will invariably be differences in opinions that affect the appraisal.
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5. Baseline and Consultation
5.1. Baseline
The collection of baseline information is a key component of the SA process and a legal requirement under the SEA Directive. Baseline information helps to provide a basis for predicting and monitoring effects and assembling baseline data helps to identify sustainability problems. A full baseline was collected as part of SA Reports 1 and 2 (Annex 2 and 3) and has been continuously monitored and reviewed since.
The evidence base for the development of the Core Strategy and the Sustainability Appraisal is strengthened as part of the Annual Monitoring Review (AMR). This allows for constant assessment of the Borough’s needs. The AMR is intrinsically linked to the Sustainability Appraisal through this evidence base. The original Scoping Report identified a comprehensive baseline position which was subsequently updated by SA Report 1 and 2. The AMR (December 09) provides a further update to the baseline and is therefore linked to this report in Annex 4. The collection of this data satisfies the requirements of the SEA Directive.
5.2. Existing Sustainability Problems
The SEA Directive also requires the Borough to identify:
Any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the plan or programme including, in particular, those relating to any areas of particular environmental importance
The original baseline position has been reviewed regularly with the purpose of understanding the main issues facing the Borough. The SEA Directive only requires consideration of the environmental problems facing the Borough, however, the Sustainability Appraisal also allows for consideration of the economic and social problems. The review of the baseline position has resulted in the following challenges being identified:
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Economy
London Plan requirement to accommodate a proportion of 9-11,000 new jobs in Heathrow Opportunity Area
London Plan requirement to adopt a ‘Limited Approach’ to the transfer of industrial sites to other uses
London Plan requirement to deliver a proportion of new hotel growth
Resident working age population has below average qualifications and a low number of adult learners
Pockets of deprivation within the borough
Low level of business start ups and small affordable business units
Continued pressure for expansion at Heathrow Airport with economic benefits at a national level but significant adverse local impacts
Pressure on employment land for other uses
Threat to market position of Uxbridge through increased competition from other major retail centres
Threats to the viability and vitality of town and neighbourhood centres
Housing
Overall housing needs and affordable housing in the borough
Insufficient appropriate forms of affordable tenure, particularly intermediate housing
A proposed significant increase in Hillingdon's London Plan annual housing monitoring target
The need to agree a borough affordable housing target
The requirement in the London Plan for an increased number of gypsy and traveller pitches
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Retention of indicative housing density targets Delivery of energy efficient housing
Community Facilities
Need to provide sufficient community infrastructure to underpin growth, as defined in the Strategic Infrastructure Plan (SIP)
Opportunity to improve access to community infrastructure, particularly for residents in areas of identified need.
Environmental Management
The need to improve the quality of and access to open spaces, rivers and canals for all groups of people in the community
The need to improve the quality of and access to open spaces, rivers and canals for all groups of people in the community
Pressure to balance the demands of growth and the impacts of flood risk with minimal harm on the environment
Pressure for release of green belt land, Metropolitan Open Land and Green Chains for other uses
The need to mitigate noise and air quality impacts, especially around Heathrow and the major road network
National and EU requirements to meet climate change and carbon dioxide emission targets
Threats to the biological and geological interests of the borough from development pressures and climate change
The need to meet the London Plan mineral apportionment figures
The need to minimise waste
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Housing and Built Environment
The need to maintain the character, identity, suburban qualities and historic fabric of the Borough's places and buildings
Pressure for high density residential developments
Loss of local characteristics through unsympathetic design
Balancing new sustainability requirements to combat climate change whilst protecting the existing character of places, in particular within conservation areas
Demand for large scale commercial/ mixed use developments particularly in the southern part of the Borough on the fringe of Green Belt and/ or Conservation Areas.
Transportation
Poor north/south public transport links
Slow and deficient public transport access between Uxbridge and central London and other key centres
Delivery of planned public transport improvements at Heathrow, Hayes, West Drayton, Uxbridge and West Ruislip.
Congestion causing traffic delays, particularly in the 30 identified congestion hotspots
Pressures on the road and public transport network from the high volume of vehicles associated with Heathrow Airport
Poor and unsustainable access to and from local destinations, including shopping centres, employment and leisure concentrations/areas
High dependency on private vehicles and low proportion of trips made by cycling, walking and public transport.
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5.3. Other Plans and Programmes
The SA Scoping Report identified 54 relevant plans and programmes applicable to the Sustainability Objectives. This was subsequently reviewed and updated as part of SA Reports 1 and 2. This report has taken into consideration those plans and programmes identified in SA Reports 1 and 2 (annex 2 and 3) as well as recently updated plans, programmes and guidance.
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6. Developing the Core Strategy
6.1. Background
The Core Strategy has developed substantially since the early stages in 2005. Sustainability has been engrained within each stage of the process to ensure that the 2010 Core Strategy represents the most appropriate spatial vision for the London Borough of Hillingdon.
There have been two previous consultation versions of the Core Strategy following the initial issues and options stage. Both of these were accompanied by a Sustainability Appraisal. The revision of the Core Strategy from 2007 to 2010 underwent additional scrutiny from the Local Strategic Partnership. The development of sustainability in the Core Strategy has been a duel process which involved formal and informal Sustainability Appraisal as well as the Local Strategic Partnership. In addition Hillingdon sought advice from the Planning Advisory Service which provided advice and guidance on the direction of the Core Strategy.
6.2. Sustainability Appraisal of the Core Strategy
Hillingdon Council has undertaken formal Sustainability Appraisal at every major stage of the Core Strategy development. The table below shows the stages of the appraisal process:
Stage Link Date Responsible Party
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Annex 1 November Scott Wilson Report 2004
Sustainability Appraisal of Annex 2 October 2005 Scott Wilson Preferred Options
Sustainability Appraisal of Revised Annex 3 January 2007 Scott Wilson Core Strategy Preferred Options
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Sustainability of Revised Core This May 2010 London Borough Strategy report of Hillingdon
Each of the Sustainability Appraisals included recommendations that have been taken forward into the subsequent version of the Core Strategy. These reports and their conclusions can be found in the relevant reports attached as annexes.
This Sustainability Appraisal will make recommendations for the most recent Core Strategy and will form part of the consultation process. The Core Strategy will be amended to reflect comments from the consultation process. This Sustainability Appraisal will be refined to show where the final submission version of the Core Strategy has considered sustainability.
6.3. The Local Strategic Partnership and the Core Strategy
The Councils Sustainable Community Strategy is an essential element of ensuring sustainability is integrated within the Core Strategy. It also helps to provide an audit of the development of the Core Strategy to ensure it is meeting the significant issues of the community. The Council worked closely with the Local Strategic Partnership to develop the Vision and the objectives of the Core Strategy. Several meetings and discussions were had resulting in the following appraisal of the Core Strategy Vision against the priorities of the Sustainable Community Strategy.
Sustainable Community Strategy Priorities
People Place Prosperity
Improving Protecting Improving aspiration Strong and and Making A health through active enhancing Hillingdon Thriving and well education communities the Safer Economy being and environment learning
Core Strategy Vision
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1. Make the most of Hillingdon's unique + + + + + + characteristics; its places and communities
2. Address localised social + + / + + + and economic inequalities
3. Improve Hillingdon's environment and + + + / + / infrastructure to support healthier living
4. Concentrate employment growth in Uxbridge and the Hayes/ + + + + + / West Drayton Corridor, without ignoring the local centres
5. Improve north/south / + + / + + public transport links
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6. Improve access to local jobs, housing, + + / + + + services and facilities
7. Maximise use of and access to + + + / / / open spaces
8. Prosper from the sustainable + / / / + + growth of Heathrow
+ Positive Contribution / No direct relationship
6.4. Additional Influences on the Sustainability of the Core Strategy
In addition to the Sustainability Appraisal and the Local Strategic Partnership the Council has considered other professional views on the Core Strategy. In particular, the Planning Advisory Service and the Government Office for London (GOL) have played an important role in helping to develop the Core Strategy.
In 2007 the Council engaged both GOL and the Planning Advisory Service. Both commented on the Core Strategy and made recommendations for changes.
In particular GOL suggested the Core Strategy should provide a more spatial vision and include consideration of alternative options. As a consequence of the input from both parties, the Core Strategy went through a further process of development. The objectives and policies developed considerably incorporating sustainability. The Sustainability Appraisals satisfy the formal process for appraising the Core Strategy but it is acknowledged that the work with other 3 rd Parties has contributed significantly to the development of the plan.
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7. Monitoring
7.1. Background
Monitoring the performance of the Core Strategy is major part of Sustainability Appraisal and is also a requirement under the SEA Directive. Monitoring enables a comparison to be made between the significant effects predicted by the Sustainability Appraisal, and the actual effects of the Core Strategy. Monitoring will also help refine the Sustainability Appraisal framework for use at future stages of the Local Development Framework.
7.2. Monitoring Significant Sustainability Effects
The Government guidance on Sustainability Appraisal monitoring suggests it should be interlinked with other Local Development Framework monitoring. The current approach suggests 3 types of monitoring:
• Contextual Indicators for monitoring the wider background against which the plan operates
• Output Indicators for monitoring plan policies
• Significant Effects Indicators for monitoring important effects identified by the Sustainability Appraisal
The targets and indicators outlined in the Sustainability Appraisal Framework will be monitored as part of the Annual Monitoring Report.
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Part 3 The Appraisal
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8. The Strategic Objectives Appraisal
The Core Strategy sets out a vision for Hillingdon in 2026. This is an aspirational aim for the Borough and sets a target for what the Core Strategy should achieve.
8.1. The Vision
The Vision for Hillingdon 2026
Hillingdon is taking full advantage of its distinctive strengths with regard to its places and communities: The special character of the borough’s natural and built assets have been protected and enhanced, fewer historic buildings and wildlife habitats are at risk, there are more locally- distinct buildings, and new higher standards of development, integrating renewable energy technology. More residents are accessing the borough’s quality public open spaces, particularly in Harefield and south of the A40.
The social and economic inequality gaps in Hillingdon are being closed: The social and economic contrast between different parts of the borough have been improved. Hillingdon residents are benefiting from safer and more inclusive communities. Successful strategies have identified and addressed the particular reasons for inequalities in areas of identified need.
Improved environment and infrastructure is supporting healthier living and helping the borough to mitigate and adapt to climate change: Areas lacking the social, physical and green infrastructure required to support healthy lifestyles have been identified and measures are well under way to address these. Improved building design and less reliance on cars has helped the borough to reduce its carbon footprint. Generation of energy from renewable sources is common practice and older housing stock is also benefiting from climate change initiatives. Town and neighbourhood centres are the focus for community activities and have a diverse range of uses including health clinics, cultural activities, local and business services, as well as retail and office uses.
Economic growth has been concentrated in Uxbridge, Heathrow and the Hayes/West Drayton Corridor, without ignoring local centres: Sustainable growth around Heathrow and the Hayes/West Drayton corridor (Heathrow Opportunity Area) is being managed through the Heathrow Opportunity Area Framework. Hillingdon continues to retain viable mineral resources within the Opportunity Area.
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Regeneration in Hayes and West Drayton town centres is under way through new high quality mixed-use development and Crossrail stations. Uxbridge has expanded its role as the main urban centre in the borough through the development of RAF Uxbridge, an improved public transport interchange, and fast Underground links into central London. Development in Uxbridge and the Heathrow Opportunity Area have led by example in setting standards for new quality development that meets the challenges of climate change. Local centres in the north of the borough continue to flourish as a result of improved community infrastructure.
Improved accessibility to local jobs, housing and facilities is improving the quality of life of residents: More residents are enjoying the benefits of an improved quality of life. There is a wider choice of housing, and workplaces are located where they are accessible by a range of transport options and neighbourhoods that lack adequate facilities and services have been addressed. Low emissions strategies are helping to improve air quality with associated health benefits.
Hillingdon has a reliable network of north/south public transport routes and improved public transport interchanges: Previously poor north south public transport access in the borough has been addressed. New services link Heathrow and the Hayes/West Drayton corridor through Uxbridge to Northwood, Ruislip, Eastcote and Harefield. Improved public transport interchanges have been created at Heathrow, Hayes, West Drayton, Uxbridge and West Ruislip reducing the dependence on cars. As a whole the borough is benefiting from Crossrail.
Hillingdon has continued to prosper from the presence of Heathrow: The economic benefits of Heathrow Airport are being harnessed by local people through access to jobs and links to training to create greater prosperity, especially in the south of the borough with improved air quality and benefits to the environment.
8.2. Strategic Objectives
The Core Strategy sets out the policies and objectives for achieving the vision for Hillingdon in 2026. The Borough has developed a series of strategic objectives that help to identify the Core Policies required to achieve the vision.
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Hillingdon is taking full advantage of its distinctive strengths with regard to its places and communities: SO1: Preserve and enhance the Borough’s heritage by ensuring new development, including changes to the public realm, is of high quality design and sensitive to the character of its wider setting. SO2: Create neighbourhoods that are of a high quality sustainable design, distinctive, safe, functional and accessible and which maintain the identity and suburban qualities of the borough's places and serve the long-term needs of all residents. SO3: Improve the quality of and accessibility to, the borough’s open spaces, including rivers and canals as areas for sports, recreation, visual interest and bio-diversity. In addition, address open space needs by providing new spaces identified in Hillingdon's Open Space Study. SO4: Ensure that development contributes to a reduction in crime and disorder, is resilient to terrorism, and delivers safe and secure buildings, spaces and inclusive communities. SO5: Safeguard and promote areas of geological importance and make a proportionate contribution to West London’s target to extract 0.5 million tonnes of minerals.
The social and economic inequality gaps in Hillingdon are being closed: SO6: Promote social inclusion through equality of opportunity and equality of access to social, educational, health, employment, recreational, green space and cultural facilities for all in the borough, particularly for residents living in areas of identified need. SO7: Address Hillingdon’s housing needs by providing affordable housing as identified in Hillingdon's Housing Needs Study.
Improved environment and infrastructure is supporting healthier living and helping the borough to mitigate and adapt to climate change: SO8: Protect and enhance biodiversity to support the necessary changes to adapt to climate change. Where possible, encourage the development of wildlife corridors. SO9: Promote healthier and more active lifestyles through the provision of access to a range of sport, recreation, health and leisure facilities. SO10: Improve air and water quality and safeguard quiet areas from noise pollution. SO11: Address the impacts of climate change and in particular minimise carbon emissions from new development and transport. SO12: Reduce the reliance on the use of the car by promoting safe and sustainable forms of transport, such as improved walking and cycling routes and encouraging travel plans. SO13: Support the objectives of sustainable waste management.
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Economic growth has been concentrated in Uxbridge, and the Heathrow and Hayes/West Drayton Corridor without ignoring local centres: SO14: Provide 9,000 new jobs and accommodate most economic growth in Uxbridge and the Heathrow Opportunity Area. SO15: Protect land for employment uses to meet the needs of different sectors of the economy. Manage the release of surplus employment land for other uses. SO16: Manage appropriate growth, viability and regeneration of town and neighbourhood centres.
Improved accessibility to local jobs, housing and facilities is improving the quality of life of residents: SO17: Link deprived areas with employment benefits arising from the development of major sites and existing key locations. SO18: Improve access to local services and facilities, including health, education, employment and training, local shopping, community, cultural, sport and leisure facilities, especially for those without a car and for those in more remote parts of the borough through well planned routes and integrated public transport. SO19: Meet the current London Plan (2008) target to provide 365 new homes per annum and consider the revised targets in the Replacement London Plan (2009). SO20: Improve facilities at bus and underground/rail interchanges to promote sustainable growth in Uxbridge, Heathrow, the Hayes/West Drayton corridor and accessibility to other town centres.
Hillingdon has a reliable network of north/south public transport routes and improved public transport interchanges: SO21: Improve public transport services between the north and the south of the borough to ensure easier access between residential areas such as Northwood and South Ruislip, Hillingdon Hospital, Brunel University, Stockley Park and Heathrow Airport. SO22: Promote efficient use of public transport and in particular the enhancement of Underground services to Uxbridge and faster services to central London.
Hillingdon has prospered from the presence of Heathrow: SO23: Develop and implement a strategy for the Heathrow Opportunity Area, in order to ensure that local people benefit from economic and employment growth without detrimental social and environmental impacts. SO24: Optimise the potential employment and educational benefits of Heathrow airport for local residents.
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9. Strategic Objectives Appraisal
++ A likely highly positive effect + A likely positive effect 0 No significant effect or clear link - A likely negative effect -- A likely highly negative effect Sustainability Objectives / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation Air Quality Biodiversity Heritage Landscape & Soil & Water Climate Change Flood Risk Waste Resources and Use Efficient Land Housing High Quality Safety, Crime Health, Noise, Accessibility reduction Traffic Education Skills & Amenity Design & Growth Economic Business Image Provision of Jobs Plan Objectives
SO1: Preserve and enhance the Borough’s heritage by ensuring new development, including changes to the public realm, is of high 0 0 ++ 0 0 0 0 + + 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 quality design and sensitive to the character of its wider setting.
SO2: Create neighbourhoods that are of a high quality sustainable design, distinctive, safe, functional and accessible and which 0 + + 0 + + 0 + ++ + ++ 0 + + + 0 0 maintain the identity and suburban qualities of the borough's places and serve the long-term needs of all residents.
SO3: Improve the quality of and accessibility to, the borough’s open spaces, including rivers and canals as areas for sports, recreation, visual interest and bio-diversity. In addition, address 0 ++ ++ ++ + + + + 0 0 + - 0 + 0 0 0 open space needs by providing new spaces identified in Hillingdon's Open Space Study.
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Air Quality Biodiversity Heritage Landscape & Soil & Water Climate Change Flood Risk Waste Resources and Use Efficient Land Housing High Quality Safety, Crime Health, Noise, Accessibility reduction Traffic Education Skills & Amenity Design & Growth Economic Business Image Provision of Jobs
Plan Objectives
SO4: Ensure development contributes to a reduction in crime and disorder, is resilient to terrorism, and delivers safe and secure 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + ++ 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 buildings, spaces and inclusive communities.
SO5: Safeguard and promote areas of geological importance and make a proportionate contribution to West London’s target to - - - / 0 / + + 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 + extract 0.5 million tonnes of minerals.
SO6: Promote social inclusion through equality of opportunity and equality of access to social, educational, health, employment, 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ++ + - ++ + + + ++ recreational, green space and cultural facilities for all in the borough, particularly for residents living in areas of identified need.
SO7: Address Hillingdon’s housing needs by providing affordable 0 0 / 0 / / 0 + + + / 0 0 0 + + 0 housing as identified in Hillingdon's Housing Needs Study.
SO8: Protect and enhance biodiversity to support the necessary changes to adapt to climate change. Where possible, encourage + ++ + ++ ++ + + 0 0 + 0 0 + + 0 0 0 the development of wildlife corridors.
SO9: Promote healthy and active lifestyles through the provision of 0 0 + 0 + 0 0 + 0 ++ + 0 ++ + 0 0 0 access to a range of sport, recreation, health and leisure facilities.
SO10: Improve air and water quality and safeguard quiet areas ++ + + ++ + + + 0 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 0 0 from noise pollution.
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Air Quality Biodiversity Heritage Landscape & Soil & Water Climate Change Flood Risk Waste Resources and Use Efficient Land Housing High Quality Safety, Crime Health, Noise, Accessibility reduction Traffic Education Skills & Amenity Design & Growth Economic Business Image Provision of Jobs
Plan Objectives
SO11: Address the impacts of climate change and in particular ++ + + + ++ + 0 0 + + 0 + 0 + - 0 / minimise carbon emissions from new development and transport.
SO12: Reduce the reliance on the use of the car by promoting safe and sustainable forms of transport, such as improved walking and ++ 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 + ++ ++ 0 + / 0 0 cycling routes and encouraging travel plans.
SO13: Support the objectives of sustainable waste management. + 0 0 0 0 0 ++ + 0 0 0 - 0 0 + 0 +
SO14: Provide 9,000 new jobs and accommodate most economic -- 0 - 0 - 0 0 + 0 / + - 0 / ++ ++ ++ growth in Uxbridge and the Heathrow Opportunity Area.
SO15: Protect land for employment uses to meet the needs of different sectors of the economy. Manage the release of surplus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 + / 0 0 ++ ++ ++ employment land for other uses.
SO16: Manage appropriate growth, viability and regeneration of / / + 0 0 / 0 ++ + + + / + 0 + 0 ++ town and neighbourhood centres.
SO17: Link deprived areas with employment benefits arising from - 0 / 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + - + / ++ 0 + the development of major sites and existing key locations.
SO18: Improve access to local services and facilities, including health, education, employment and training, local shopping, + 0 0 0 + 0 0 + + + ++ / + + + + + community, cultural, sport and leisure facilities, especially for those
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without a car and for those in more remote parts of the borough through well planned routes and integrated public transport. Air Quality Biodiversity Heritage Landscape & Soil & Water Climate Change Flood Risk Waste Resources and Use Efficient Land Housing High Quality Safety, Crime Health, Noise, Accessibility reduction Traffic Education Skills & Amenity Design & Growth Economic Business Image Provision of Jobs
Plan Objectives
SO19: Meet the London Plan target to provide 365 new homes p/a / / / 0 / / 0 + / / / / 0 0 + 0 + and consider the revised targets in the Replacement London Plan.
SO20: Improve facilities at bus and underground/rail interchanges to promote sustainable growth in Uxbridge, Heathrow, the + 0 + 0 / / 0 + + + ++ ++ + + ++ + + Hayes/West Drayton corridor and accessibility to other town centres.
SO21: Improve public transport services between the north and the south of the borough to ensure easier access between + 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 ++ ++ 0 0 + + 0 residential areas such as Northwood and South Ruislip, Hillingdon Hospital, Brunel University, Stockley Park and Heathrow Airport.
SO22: Promote efficient use of public transport and in particular the enhancement of Underground services to Uxbridge and faster + 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 + + ++ 0 0 + ++ 0 services to central London.
SO23: Develop and implement a strategy for the Heathrow Opportunity Area, in order to ensure that local people benefit / / / / / 0 0 + / + + / 0 0 ++ ++ ++ from economic and employment growth without detrimental social and environmental impacts.
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Air Quality Biodiversity Heritage Landscape & Soil & Water Climate Change Flood Risk Waste Resources and Use Efficient Land Housing High Quality Safety, Crime Health, Noise, Accessibility reduction Traffic Education Skills & Amenity Design & Growth Economic Business Image Provision of Jobs
Plan Objectives
SO24: Optimise the potential employment and educational 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 + 0 + + 0 benefits of Heathrow airport for local residents.
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9.1. Core Strategy Objectives Appraisal Conclusion
The Core Strategy objectives are broadly sustainable in the context of the Sustainability Appraisal Framework. The Core Strategy sets out clear and precise objectives to achieve the Vision for Hillingdon in 2026. The previous assessments of the objectives revealed a lack of strategic and spatial consideration. This revised Core Strategy has taken into consideration the findings from previous Sustainability Appraisals as well as more recent Government guidance. The result is a series of objectives that are sustainable and if implemented through appropriate policies, will result in a sustainable future for the Borough.
One area of conflict between the objectives relates to the housing and economic growth and where it will be located. The Heathrow Opportunity Area is of vast importance to the Borough. It is targeted for more growth and expansion and will be the centre for further economic prosperity. However, there are a number of environmental concerns with this growth. The major issue being the conflict between growth, air quality and climate change.
The growth around Heathrow and in other service centres must accommodate innovative approaches to private transportation and include provisions for public transportation improvements. The key to delivering the sustainable growth will be through the implementation of the Core Strategy Policies.
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10. The Core Strategy Policies Appraisal
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy E1: Managing the Supply of Employment Land + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will accommodate growth by protecting employment land through designating Locally Significant Industrial Sites (LSIS) and Locally - A likely negative effect Significant Employment Locations (LSEL) including the designation of 13.63ha of new employment land. -- A likely highly negative effect The Council will manage the release of 17.58ha of surplus industrial land for other uses over the plan period. ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality - The employment growth of the Borough will invariably After: result in increased environmental impacts. The industrial Biodiversity - growth could have an adverse impact on the biodiversity of The Council will manage the release of 17.58ha of surplus industrial land Landscape & Heritage / brownfield land. Furthermore, the resuse of brownfield for other uses over the plan period… land will put pressure on soils and water quality. Soil & Water -
Flood Risk 0 Add: The Core Strategy aims to designate both types of Efficient Land Use / employment sites as near to public transport networks as possible. However, the employment growth will result in …subject to suitable land conditions regarding contamination and Resources and Waste 0 increased traffic and transportation. This could have remediation. Climate Change - further impacts on air quality; in addition, the increased emissions will adversely impact on climate change. High Quality Housing 0
Health, Noise, Safety, Crime 0 However, this policy does allow for economic and social growth without disregard to the environment. The
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Accessibility 0
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Traffic Reduction - supporting text in the Core Strategy helps to minimise the impacts on the environment, as do environmental policies Skills & Education 0 included elsewhere in this document. Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth ++ The release of the surplus industrial land must be considered in the context of the environment. The Business Image + current wording does not include sustainability caveats. Provision of Jobs +
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy E2: Location of Employment Growth + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will accommodate 9,000 new jobs during the plan period. Most of this employment growth will be directed towards suitable sites in - A likely negative effect the Heathrow Opportunity Area, Locally Significant Employment Locations (LSEL), Locally Significant Industrial -- A likely highly negative effect Sites (LSIS), and Uxbridge town centre. The Council will promote development in highly accessible locations that supports sustainable travel behaviour and reduces impacts on climate change. The Council will accommodate a minimum of 3,800 additional hotel bedrooms, and new hotels ? Uncertain or insufficient and visitor facilities will be encouraged in Uxbridge, Hayes and sites outside of designated employment land on the Heathrow perimeter. information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality -- This policy aims to direct growth to areas already Replace: intensively developed and with good public transport links. Biodiversity 0 However, delivering this level of growth will have an The Council will promote development in highly accessible locations that Landscape & Heritage 0 adverse impact on air quality by introducing more traffic. supports sustainable travel behaviour and reduces impacts on climate The current road networks serving these areas are under Soil & Water 0 change. pressure from existing volumes of traffic.
Flood Risk 0 With: Efficient Land Use + Much of the Borough has been designated an air quality management area and therefore has an increased sensitivity
Sustainability Appraisal Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Resources and Waste 0
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Climate Change - to adverse impacts. Increased traffic will also have an The Council will promote development in highly accessible locations that adverse impact on measures to reduce the effects of delivers sustainable travel patters and contributes to the improvement of High Quality Housing 0 climate change. existing networks to reduce emissions and impacts on air quality. Health, Noise, Safety, Crime 0 Accessibility + This policy will deliver the economic growth required to ensure the Borough remains prosperous which is at the Traffic Reduction - heart of the Vision. The Heathrow Opportunity Area is a Skills & Education 0 major factor in the economic growth of Hillingdon and contains the majority of the Borough’s employment. It is Design & Amenity 0 important to expand on this growth and this policy aims to Economic Growth ++ do that.
Business Image ++ The economic and social impacts will outweigh the less Provision of Jobs environmental impacts however more emphasis could be ++ placed on improving existing modes of transportation and not just delivering solutions to new development.
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy E3: Strategy for Heathrow Opportunity Area + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will prepare a Development Plan Document (DPD) for the Heathrow area to achieve the future growth set out in Table 5.3. This - A likely negative effect DPD will help manage development and protect land within Heathrow for airport-related activities. It will balance demand for hotel and employment uses, and ensure that local people benefit from sustainable economic growth. The DPD will also set requirements for climate -- A likely highly negative effect change mitigation and adaptation and to help deliver air quality improvements through a low carbon emission strategy. ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
A p pr ai sa Air Quality ++ This policy is not directly delivering or promoting a type of None
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Biodiversity / development. It is providing a framework for DPD to help ensure the sustainable growth of the Heathrow Landscape & Heritage / Opportunity Area. Soil & Water / Flood Risk / The importance of this area warrants a specific approach and the inclusion in the policy for climate change mitigation Efficient Land Use / and adaptation, as well as a low carbon emission strategy is Resources and Waste / encouraging.
Climate Change + This DPD will be subject to separate Sustainability High Quality Housing / Appraisal. A full report should accompany this document Health, Noise, Safety, Crime / in line with the objectives of this SA or an alternatively agreed approach. Accessibility / Traffic Reduction / Skills & Education / Design & Amenity / Economic Growth ++ Business Image + Provision of Jobs /
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy E4: Uxbridge + A likely positive effect 0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will strengthen the status of Uxbridge town centre as a Metropolitan Centre by delivering growth set out in Table 5.4 and promoting Uxbridge as a suitable location for retail, offices, hotels, recreation and leisure, entertainment and culture, evening and night-time - A likely negative effect economy, education, community services, and mixed-use development. The Council will secure improvements to Uxbridge public transport -- A likely highly negative effect interchange and the town centre boundary will be expanded. ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative
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effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality / Uxbridge is the main urban centre of the Borough. It is identified as a None. Metropolitan Centre and growth is naturally suited to this area. The Biodiversity 0 baseline data shows that Uxbridge is adversely affected by poor Landscape & Heritage / connections into the centre of London and the policy wording acknowledges this. Soil & Water 0
Flood Risk - Air quality has declined in Uxbridge in recent years and it is now Efficient Land Use / included within an Air Quality Management Area. Any further growth must not have additional air quality impacts. Resources and Waste 0
Climate Change 0 Any further development of green spaces including gardens is likely to High Quality Housing 0 give rise to flood risk issues. Health, Noise, Safety, Crime / The commitment to secure improvements to the Uxbridge interchange Accessibility / could have significant economic and environmental improvements which Traffic Reduction / would result in an improved quality of life. The upgrading of the interchange is vital to ensuring the success of this policy. Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Skills & Education 0
Design & Amenity 0 Issues regarding flood risk will be the focus of a review of the strategic Economic Growth + flood risk assessment and area specific surface water mapping. Business Image ++ Provision of Jobs +
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy E5: Town and Local Centres + A likely positive effect 0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will accommodate additional retail growth in District Centres as set out in Table 5.5 and will promote uses appropriate to their size
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- A likely negative effect and location. The Council will improve town and neighbourhood centres across Hillingdon as set out in Map 5.2, and improve public transport, walking and cycling connections to town and neighbourhood centres while recognising the importance of parking provision for accessibility to -- A likely highly negative effect local services and amenities. Public transport will be improved to strengthen the viability and vitality of all town centres including Uxbridge, ? Uncertain or insufficient Eastcote, Hayes, Northwood, Ruislip, Yiewsley and West Drayton. information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative Local parades will be protected and managed to ensure they meet the needs of the local community and enhance the quality of life for local effect depending on implementation residents, particularly those without access to a car.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality + It is accepted that the growth of town and local centres is Replace: likely to result in more road traffic which will impact on air Biodiversity 0 quality. However, the positive wording of this policy may Local parades will be protected and managed to ensure… Landscape & Heritage / result in likely improvements despite the growth. It aims to create sustainable connectivity to centres without good Soil & Water / connection. The positive focus on walking and cycling With: Flood Risk / could also result in improved health and reductions in Efficient Land Use + climate change emissions. Local parades will be protected, enhanced and managed to ensure…
Resources and Waste 0
Climate Change 0 High Quality Housing 0 The protection of local parades will result in enhanced communities further improving the social impacts of the Health, Noise, Safety, Crime + policy. Accessibility 0 Traffic Reduction ++ The baseline information also reveals that West Drayton Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal and Yiewsley are considered to be in the list of most Skills & Education + deprived areas in Hillingdon. The focus on public transport Design & Amenity + is welcomed although the protection of Local Parades must be relevant to the locality. Economic Growth + Business Image +
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Provision of Jobs +
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy E6: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link Hillingdon will encourage the development of affordable accommodation for small and medium-sized businesses in appropriate locations. - A likely negative effect -- A likely highly negative effect ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes Air Quality / This policy is suitably broad to allow flexibility of approach Replace although it will invariably result in increased traffic. Biodiversity 0 appropriate Landscape & Heritage 0 This policy is likely to have a positive impact on the Soil & Water 0 economy and help the Borough attract more businesses to With: the area. This is important to allow for a diverse range of Flood Risk / employment opportunities. Efficient Land Use / sustainable
Resources and Waste 0 The negative or potential negative aspects of this policy should be managed by policies elsewhere in this document Climate Change / and the inclusion of the word sustainable instead of High Quality Housing 0 appropriate. Health, Noise, Safety, Crime 0
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Accessibility / Traffic Reduction - Skills & Education +
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Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth + Business Image + Provision of Jobs +
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy E7: Raising Skills + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will ensure training opportunities are linked with the development of major sites for both construction phases and end use - A likely negative effect occupiers, and through liaising with local colleges and businesses to ensure workforce development initiatives and training programmes reflect skill requirements in the workplace. The Council will engage with local businesses and universities to link high end jobs in the borough with -- A likely highly negative effect higher education courses. The Council will promote Hillingdon as a destination for visitors and tourists and ensure that local residents have ? Uncertain or insufficient access to jobs within related industries. information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 This policy could lead to positive impacts on the economy After: and the community. Hillingdon unemployment has rose Biodiversity 0 slightly in 2008 and 2009 largely as a result of the …to link high end jobs… Landscape & Heritage 0 recession. This trend was not specific to Hillingdon but creative policy measures are required to ensure the Soil & Water 0 Borough can manage a growing population. Insert: Flood Risk 0 Efficient Land Use 0 This policy should help the local education facilities and and green jobs… employees to get the most out of new development in Resources and Waste 0 Hillingdon. However, it is not clear what is meant by a Climate Change 0 ‘high end’ job. Hillingdon employment statistics show that the majority jobs are in the service sector with over a half Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal High Quality Housing 0
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Health, Noise, Safety, Crime 0 related to transport, distribution and communications. The number of high-end jobs is likely to relatively few. Accessibility 0
Traffic Reduction 0 There is a growing trend towards encouraging employers Skills & Education ++ and educational facilities to place emphasis on green jobs. This is growing sector due to increased demand for green Design & Amenity 0 technologies and buildings. From 2013 all new Economic Growth + development is likely to require some form of energy efficient technology. This policy could reference this new Business Image + sector which in turn could reflect positively on climate Provision of Jobs + change outcomes.
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy H1: Housing Growth + A likely positive effect The Council will meet and exceed its minimum strategic dwelling requirement, where this can be achieved, in accordance with other Local 0 No significant effect or clear link Development Framework policies. The borough’s current target is to provide an additional 3,650 dwellings, annualised as 365 dwellings per year, - A likely negative effect for the ten year period between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2017. Rolled forward, this target equates to the provision of 5,475 dwellings over the period of the Core Strategy. Sites that will contribute to the achievement of this target will be identified in the Site Allocations DPD. -- A likely highly negative effect ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality - The sustainability of this policy is largely dependent on how None. the housing is delivered. The likely location of housing Biodiversity - means there will be additional pressure on public services Landscape & Heritage + in areas already densely populated. In contrast, development in rural areas is likely to increase the Appraisal Appraisal
Objectives Soil & Water 0
Sustainability demands on car travel. Flood Risk /
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Efficient Land Use 0 In all cases, the delivery of housing will have an adverse Resources and Waste - impact on climate change until 2016 when all new housing Climate Change - will reach Zero Carbon standards. All housing is likely to result in increased car numbers putting further pressure air High Quality Housing ++ quality. Health, Noise, Safety, Crime / Accessibility / In addition the additional housing is likely to put further strain on water. Hillingdon is already in a water stressed Traffic Reduction - area and further demand will put additional pressures on Skills & Education 0 water. Design & Amenity / The impacts on air quality, flood risk, climate change and Economic Growth ++ water are partly mitigated by policies elsewhere in the Business Image 0 Core Strategy. Provision of Jobs 0 This policy in conjunctions with other policies will result in higher quality housing design that should help strengthen Hillingdon’s economy.
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy H2: Affordable Housing + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link Housing provision is expected to include a range of housing to meet the needs of all types of households and the Council will seek to maximise - A likely negative effect the delivery of affordable housing from all sites over the period of the Core Strategy. For sites with a capacity of -- A likely highly negative effect 10 or more units the Council will seek to ensure that:
? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect i.) subject to viability, 50% of all new units are delivered as affordable housing, with a tenure mix of 70% housing for social rent and 30% intermediate housing; and / Potential positive or negative ii.) the affordable housing mix reflects the need for larger social rented family units.
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effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 The option will ensure that housing will be made available for those people None within the borough who cannot afford market housing. This will include key Biodiversity 0 worker housing. The provision of affordable housing is also linked to Landscape & Heritage 0 increasing health. Poor quality housing can reduce health and place stress on family groups. This policy should result in reducing this stress. Soil & Water 0
Flood Risk 0 The option can also help promote a community sense of ownership and Efficient Land Use 0 encourage stable communities. Resources and Waste 0 The amount of housing that the Core Strategy will deliver will not match Climate Change 0 the increasing demand for affordable housing. Hillingdon’s Housing Needs High Quality Housing + Survey revealed that the Borough has a demand of 3,564 affordable units a year. There will still be a significant gap between affordable units required Health, Noise, Safety, Crime 0 and those delivered. Accessibility 0 Traffic Reduction 0 However, the 50% target will ensure there is a compromise between the needs of the developer and the affordable housing needs of the Borough Skills & Education 0
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal and should help to achieve a balanced ratio. Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth + The policy requires the delivery of affordable housing subject to viability which provides an element of flexibility in approach. Business Image 0
Provision of Jobs 0 The delivery of affordable housing could impact on other Borough wide incentives through reduced S106.
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy H3: Gypsy and Traveller Pitch Provision + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link
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- A likely negative effect The Council will ensure that: a). The existing Colne Park site will be protected for its current use; and -- A likely highly negative effect b). Proposals for sites to accommodate the specific needs of Travellers (Irish and Scottish), Gypsies, Roma, Sinti and Travelling Show People ? Uncertain or insufficient should: information to determine effect i) Meet a need for such accommodation which is not being met in the borough or elsewhere in London, whilst avoiding an over-concentration of / Potential positive or negative such facilities in Hillingdon in comparison to other boroughs; effect depending on implementation ii) Be located on a site and in an area that is environmentally acceptable for residential occupation; iii) Have no significant adverse effects on the amenity of occupiers of adjoining land; iv) Have acceptable road and pedestrian access and be accessible to local services and public transport; and v) Be consistent with other relevant LDF policies.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 Policy H3 should enable more gypsies, travellers and None travelling showpeople to have the opportunity to live on Biodiversity + appropriate, safe and sustainably located sites, It should Landscape & Heritage + reduce the use of illegal sites Soil & Water 0 The policy should have a generally positive impact on the Flood Risk / environment, by reducing the number of unauthorised sites Efficient Land Use 0 and ensuring that new sites do not have a detrimental impact on the local landscape or biodiversity. Resources and Waste 0
Climate Change 0 The existing Colne site is near to improved flood defence High Quality Housing 0 works. Any changes to the flooding regime in the area need to be monitored carefully although no adverse Health, Noise, Safety, Crime ++ impacts are expected. Accessibility 0
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Traffic Reduction 0 Skills & Education 0 Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth 0
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Business Image 0 Provision of Jobs 0
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy HE1: Heritage + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will: - A likely negative effect 1. Preserve and enhance Hillingdon's unique historic environment, including statutorily Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Scheduled Ancient -- A likely highly negative effect Monuments, Registered Parks and Gardens, Locally Listed Buildings, Areas of Special Local Character, and Archaeological Priority Zones and Areas. ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect 2. Actively encourage the regeneration of historic buildings and assets, particularly those which have been included in English Heritage's Register of Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas at Risk. / Potential positive or negative 3. Promote increased public awareness, understanding of and access to the Borough's historic assets, through Section 106 agreements and via effect depending on implementation community engagement and outreach activities
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 This policy will help protect Hillingdon vast and unique Add: built heritage. There are a number of conservation areas Biodiversity 0 and listed buildings that require protection. This policy 4. Take a considerate approach to new development that meets higher Landscape & Heritage ++ provides sufficient weight to enable that protection. building regulations standards or includes renewable energy technology Soil & Water 0 and the need to conserve and enhance Hillingdon’s historic environment. However, the increasing building standard requirements Flood Risk 0 will result in more conflicts between old and new Efficient Land Use 0 development. From October 2010 all new development will have to be 25% more energy efficient; from 2013 it Resources and Waste 0 rises to 44% reaching Zero Carbon by 2016. This will Climate Change / require new approaches to development with the inclusion of renewable energy technologies. This could conflict with High Quality Housing /
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal aspirations to maintain existing heritage or conservation Health, Noise, Safety, Crime 0
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Accessibility 0 standards.
Traffic Reduction 0 Paragraph 17 of the recent consultation on the Climate Skills & Education 0 Change Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1 Design & Amenity + suggested:
Economic Growth 0 Just because a building looks different, does not mean it is not Business Image 0 good design. Provision of Jobs 0 It is important that the Core Strategy aspirations for protecting and conserving the built environment do not preclude new development with higher standards.
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy BE1: Built Environment + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will require all new development to improve and maintain the quality of the built environment in order to create successful and - A likely negative effect sustainable neighbourhoods, where people enjoy living and working and that serve the long-term needs of all residents. New developments -- A likely highly negative effect should: 1. Achieve a high quality of design in all new buildings, alterations, extensions and the public realm which enhances the local distinctiveness of the ? Uncertain or insufficient area, contributes to community cohesion and a sense of place; information to determine effect 2. Be designed to be appropriate to the identity and context of Hillingdon's buildings, townscapes, landscapes and views, and make a positive / Potential positive or negative contribution to the local area in terms of layout, form, scale and materials and seek to protect the amenity of surrounding land and buildings, effect depending on implementation particularly residential properties; 3. Be designed to include “Lifetime Homes” principles so that they can be readily adapted to meet the needs of those with disabilities and the elderly and encouraging places of work and leisure, streets, neighbourhoods, parks and open spaces to be designed to meet the needs of the community at all stages of people’s lives; 4. For all new residential developments of 10 dwellings or over, achieve a Building for Life assessment rating of 'silver' as a minimum; 5. Improve areas of poorer environmental quality, including within the areas of relative disadvantage of Hayes, Yiewsley and West Drayton; 6. Incorporate a clear network of routes that are easy to understand, inclusive, safe, secure and connect positively with interchanges, public transport, community facilities and services; 7. Improve the quality of the public realm and provide for public and private spaces that are attractive, safe, functional, diverse, sustainable,
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accessible to all, respect the local character and landscape, integrate with the development, promote and encourage biodiversity, encourage physical activity and where appropriate introduce public art; 8. Create safe and secure environments that reduce crime and fear of crime, anti-social behaviour and fire having regard to Secure by Design standards and address resilience to terrorism in major development proposals. 9. Not result in the inappropriate development of gardens that erode the character and biodiversity of suburban areas; 10. Maximise the opportunities for all new homes to contribute to tackling climate change. All new residential development should achieve at least Code for Sustainable Homes level 4. All new non-residential development should achieve BREEAM Very Good standard. All refurbishment development should aim to achieve the highest levels of new quality designs appropriate to the work being carried out. 11. In the case of tall buildings, not adversely affect their surroundings or impact on important local views. Appropriate locations for tall buildings are parts of the Uxbridge and Hayes, the height of buildings should be appropriate to the surrounding townscape.
Support will be given for proposals that are consistent with local strategies, guidelines, supplementary planning documents and development management policies.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality ++ This policy aims to help the Council to set standards to Bullet point 7: deliver high quality housing that meets social and Biodiversity + environmental aims. The need to meet Code for After: Landscape & Heritage + Sustainable Homes Level 4 incorporates a number of other mandatory criteria such as energy reduction and water Soil & Water 0 efficiency. …promote and encourage biodiversity… Flood Risk 0 Efficient Land Use 0 The inclusion of noise, recreation, public art, crime and Add: landscaping should ensure Hillingdon’s future housing is of Resources and Waste + a standard that will help the Borough prosper. through the inclusion of living walls, roofs and areas for wildlife… Climate Change ++ High Quality Housing ++ The policy also precludes the inappropriate development of Bullet point 9: gardens. However it does not specifically relate to flood Health, Noise, Safety, Crime ++ risk or the loss of green space that plays a significant role in Replace: Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Accessibility + surface water attenuation.
Traffic Reduction 0 Not result in the inappropriate development of gardens that erode the
Skills & Education 0 character and biodiversity of suburban areas
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Design & Amenity + With: Economic Growth /
Business Image / Not result in the inappropriate development of gardens and green spaces Provision of Jobs / that erode the character and biodiversity of suburban areas and increase the risk of flooding through the loss of permeable areas.
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM1: Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will ensure that climate change mitigation is addressed at every stage of the development process by: - A likely negative effect -- A likely highly negative effect 1. Prioritising higher density development in urban and town centres that are well served by sustainable forms of transport. ? Uncertain or insufficient 2. Promoting a modal shift away from private car use and requiring new development to include innovative initiatives to reduce car dependency. information to determine effect 3. Ensuring development meets the highest possible design standards whilst still retaining competitiveness within the market. / Potential positive or negative 4. Encouraging new development to provide energy efficiency initiatives that can benefit the existing building stock. effect depending on implementation 5. Promoting the use of decentralised energy within large scale development. 6. Targeting areas of poor air quality for additional carbon emissions reductions. 7. Encouraging the bioremediation of brownfield land where appropriate to avoid unnecessary landfilling.
The Borough will ensure that climate change adaptation is addressed at every stage of the development process by:
8. Locating and designing development to minimise the probability and impacts of flooding. 9. Giving preference to development of previously developed land to avoid the loss of further green areas. 10. Promoting the use of living walls and roofs, alongside sustainable forms of drainage to manage surface water run-off and increase the amount of carbon sinks. 11. Promoting the inclusion of passive design measures to reduce the impacts of urban heat effects.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
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Air Quality ++ This policy has environmentally focussed goals. It will Bullet point 6: result in high quality development that is located in suitable Biodiversity ++ areas. It should help to reduce the impacts on traffic and Replace: Landscape & Heritage + transport and to promote alternative forms of
Soil & Water + transportation. Targeting areas of poor air quality for additional carbon emissions Flood Risk + reductions. Targeting areas of poor air quality is a positive step Efficient Land Use + although this policy should set stronger requirements to ensure delivery. With: Resources and Waste +
Climate Change ++ In addition the inclusion of bioremediation helps to Requiring development in air quality management areas to demonstrate High Quality Housing + promote sustainable approaches to waste management. measures to minimise impacts on air quality. Health, Noise, Safety, Crime + The promotion of carbon sinks, particularly in urban areas Accessibility 0 will have the added impact of helping to tackle poor air Traffic Reduction ++ quality as well as encouraging wildlife. Skills & Education 0
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal The policy could have a negative impact in terms of the Design & Amenity 0 economy in the short term. These standards are higher Economic Growth - than previously required and will need a more creative approach to development. However, in the long term this Business Image 0 approach should result in higher quality development which Provision of Jobs 0 promotes a healthier way of life. This will ultimately have a positive impact on the reputation of Hillingdon which will improve the economic position.
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM2: Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and Green Chains + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will seek to maintain the current extent, hierarchy and strategic functions of the Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and Green - A likely negative effect Chains. -- A likely highly negative effect
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? Uncertain or insufficient Land at Brunel University, Harefield Hospital and Mount Vernon Hospital is identified as Major Developed Sites in the Green Belt. information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative Any proposals for development in Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and Green Chains will be assessed against national policies, including the effect depending on implementation exceptional circumstances test.
Minor adjustments to Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and Green Chain boundaries will be undertaken in the Site Allocations DPD.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 This policy reiterates the importance of the Green Belt to None. Hillingdon. The Borough has one of the largest areas of Biodiversity ++ Green Belt in London and there is continuing pressure to Landscape & Heritage ++ develop it. Soil & Water +
Flood Risk 0 National guidance is clear that Core Strategies should Efficient Land Use + protect the integrity of the Green Belt. This policy Resources and Waste + achieves this. It is also accepted that minor adjustments classify and to declassify land as Green Belt is required. Climate Change + High Quality Housing 0 Green Belt land operates as carbon sinks helping to tackle Health, Noise, Safety, Crime + climate change, it also represents an important part of the landscape. This policy will ensure that the Green Belt Accessibility 0 continues to have a positive impact on the environment. Traffic Reduction 0 Skills & Education 0 This policy will invariably have an impact on economic Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal growth as it focuses development on brownfield land that Design & Amenity 0 generally requires remediation and clean up costs. It Economic Growth - constrains development to urban areas with already pressurised services. However, environmental benefits far Business Image 0 outweigh the negative economic impacts. Provision of Jobs -
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++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM3: River and Canal Corridors + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will continue to promote and contribute to the positive enhancement of the strategic river and canal corridors and the associated - A likely negative effect wildlife and habitats through the Biodiversity Action Plan and the Thames River Basin Management Plan, and developer contributions where -- A likely highly negative effect appropriate.
? Uncertain or insufficient The Council will continue to enhance the local character, visual amenity, leisure opportunities and sustainable access to rivers and canals. information to determine effect
/ Potential positive or negative The Council will collaborate with adjacent local authorities to ensure that Hillingdon's river and canal corridors complement and link with cross effect depending on implementation boundary corridors.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality ++ Hillingdon has a vast and diverse network of rivers and Replace: canals. It plays an important wildlife and recreational role Biodiversity ++ for the Borough. This policy seeks to protect and enhance The Council will continue to enhance the local character Landscape & Heritage ++ that role.
Soil & Water + With: In doing so it helps to maintain the landscape of the Flood Risk + borough and minimise the impacts of inappropriate Efficient Land Use 0 development. This policy will also promote active and The Council will work with the Environment Agency and other interested healthy lifestyles and if cross boundary collaboration is bodies to continue to enhance the local character Resources and Waste 0 formed, it will extend these benefits into other boroughs. Climate Change + High Quality Housing 0 The policy is likely to have a significant effect on quality of soil and water; however it could have a greater impact with Health, Noise, Safety, Crime + additional wording. The baseline information (State of the
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Accessibility 0 Environment Report) suggests some rivers and watercourse are in a declining state. Policy EM8 includes Traffic Reduction 0 criteria to help improve water quality. Skills & Education 0
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Design & Amenity 0 Developer contributions sought for the benefit of the river Economic Growth - and canal network could divert money away from other Business Image 0 areas which could have an economic impact. Provision of Jobs 0 This slight negative is outweighed by the overall environmental benefits.
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM4: Open Space and Informal Recreation + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will safeguard, enhance and extend the network of open spaces, informal recreational and environmental opportunities that meet - A likely negative effect local community needs and facilitate active lifestyles by providing spaces within walking distance of homes. Provision should be made as close as -- A likely highly negative effect possible to the community it will serve. There will be a presumption against any net loss of open space in the Borough.
? Uncertain or insufficient The Council will require development proposals to address local deficiencies in quality, quantity and accessibility of open spaces. information to determine effect
/ Potential positive or negative The Council will seek to protect existing tree and landscape features and enhance open spaces with new areas of vegetation cover (including the effect depending on implementation linking of existing fragmented areas) including front and back gardens for the benefit of wildlife and a healthier lifestyle, mitigating climate change.
The Council will work with DEFRA to identify and protect open spaces that provide quiet areas and relative tranquillity.
The Council will work with other local authorities and agencies to pursue the key aims of the Colne Valley Park.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 Areas of open space and informal recreation are under After: constant pressure from new development. It is important Biodiversity ++ to maintain protection of the existing supply whilst Informal recreational and environmental opportunities… Landscape & Heritage ++ identifying new opportunities.
Appraisal Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Soil & Water 0
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Flood Risk 0 Open space also plays a vital role in providing a diverse and Add: pleasant landscape. It is important that people can see Efficient Land Use 0 opportunities for recreation near them to allow them to …that operate as carbon sinks and… Resources and Waste 0 take up active lifestyles. Hillingdon has a vast network of open space although this is largely restricted to rural areas. Climate Change + Access in and from urban areas remains a problem. Replace: High Quality Housing 0 The Council will require development proposals to address local Health, Noise, Safety, Crime + This policy could have a larger positive impact if there was a greater focus on the delivery of additional open space in deficiencies in quality, quantity and accessibility of open spaces. Accessibility 0 urban areas. Paragraph 8.61 of the supporting text in the Traffic Reduction 0 Core Strategy states: With:
Skills & Education 0 The creation of new open space is to be encouraged wherever The Council will identify new opportunities for open space through an Design & Amenity 0 practical, although it is recognised that creation of new open open space study. Major developments will be expected to make Economic Growth 0 spaces may be limited due to densely populated areas and appropriate contributions to the delivery of new opportunities, or to the financial constraints. improvement and enhancements of existing facilities. Business Image 0
Provision of Jobs 0 There should be a greater commitment to identify opportunities and require developers to help deliver them.
The policy should also refer to the role open space plays as carbon sinks in accordance with the consultation draft on Planning Policy Statement 1.
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM5: Sport and Leisure + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will: - A likely negative effect -- A likely highly negative effect • safeguard, enhance and extend the network of sport and leisure spaces that meet local community needs and facilitate active lifestyles by providing active sport and leisure spaces within walking distance of home. ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect • ensure that the overall Borough-wide target, identified in the Open Space Study, of active sport and leisure facilities with unrestricted access
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/ Potential positive or negative is maintained. There will be a presumption against any net loss of active sport and leisure facilities in the Borough effect depending on implementation • ensure that future development includes features that designs activity into areas, providing opportunities for improved cycle ways, formal and/or informal local sports facilities, to encourage participation in a more active lifestyle • adopt a flexible approach to the provision of facilities that recognises changing demographics in the population and trends in sports participation • promote Hillingdon's sport and leisure facilities to achieve more integrated public accessibility and active lifestyles
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 This policy seeks to protect the existing supply but does Add: not make a firm commitment that further opportunities Biodiversity + will be identified. As a result it is unlikely to have a Identify new opportunities for sport and leisure and measures to deliver Landscape & Heritage + significant positive impact on the current sporting offer. them. Major development may be required to make contributions in There must be a greater requirement on identifying Soil & Water 0 order to minimise the impacts and pressures on the existing resource. opportunities and for development to help deliver them. Flood Risk 0 Efficient Land Use 0 In general this policy will have a positive impact on health. The creation of additional areas of recreation or sports Resources and Waste 0 space could have additional positive impacts on biodiversity Climate Change 0 and the landscape. High Quality Housing 0 Health, Noise, Safety, Crime + Accessibility 0
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Traffic Reduction 0 Skills & Education 0 Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth 0
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Business Image 0 Provision of Jobs 0
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM6: Flood Risk Management + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will require new development to be directed away from away from flood zones 2 and 3 in accordance with the principles of Planning - A likely negative effect Policy Statement 25. -- A likely highly negative effect The subsequent Site Allocations DPD will be subjected to the Sequential Test in accordance with PPS25. Sites will only be allocated within flood ? Uncertain or insufficient zones 2 or 3 where there are overriding issues that outweigh flood risk. In these instances, policy criteria will be set requiring future applicants of information to determine effect these sites to demonstrate that flood risk can be suitably mitigated. / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation The Council will encourage the use of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) across the borough in all developments. The Council may require developer contributions to guarantee the long term maintenance and performance of SUDS is to an appropriate standard.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 Flood events have significant environmental, social and Add: economic impacts. The consideration of flood risk in Biodiversity 0 allocating land is therefore highly positive. The Council will oppose the increase in impermeable areas where these Landscape & Heritage 0 will have an impact on surface water run-off. The loss of urban Soil & Water + Inappropriate development in the floodplain can also result greenspaces and gardens can contribute significantly to the reduction of in unnecessary risk life and property and it is therefore attenuation areas which increases the risk of flooding. The Council will Flood Risk ++ essential that it is given appropriate weighting in require developers to utilise permeable areas, either through natural Efficient Land Use + development consideration. filtration or through modern methods of pavement construction. Resources and Waste 0 The economic impacts of tackling flood risk need to be Climate Change + carefully considered alongside the social and environmental High Quality Housing 0 impacts. The 2007 floods had a substantially significant Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal affect on local, regional and national economies. Health, Noise, Safety, Crime 0
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Accessibility 0 One of the indicators in the SA Framework relates to the Traffic Reduction 0 loss of impermeable areas. Whilst the policy gives Skills & Education 0 sufficient weight to location of the development and the use of SUDS, it does not set criteria against the loss of Design & Amenity 0 impermeable areas. Economic Growth + Business Image 0 Provision of Jobs 0
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM7: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will seek to designate further Borough Sites of Important Nature Conservation with grade 1, 2 and local designations in the Site - A likely negative effect Allocations Document. These designations will be based on previous Proposed Policy Changes from the Greater London -- A likely highly negative effect Authority.
? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect In order to protect and enhance Hillingdon's biodiversity and geological conservation interests, priority will be given to: 1. Fray’s Farm Meadows and Harefield Pit for increased nature conservation and enhancement and the Gravel Pits (RIGS). / Potential positive or negative 2. Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation as appropriate to the site's classification. These will be kept under review in partnership with effect depending on implementation Greenspace Information for Greater London (GIGL). 3. The provision of biodiversity improvements from all development, where feasible. 4. The protection of priority species and habitats identified within the London Biodiversity Action Plan and the Hillingdon Biodiversity Action Plan. 5. The provision of green roofs and living walls which contribute to biodiversity and help tackle climate change.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
lit Air Quality + This policy positively considers the biodiversity needs of None y
isal the Borough. It tackles issues from a borough wide level nabi Objec Appra Biodiversity ++
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Landscape & Heritage + through to site specific. It provides suitable flexibility to developers without setting onerous requirements. Soil & Water +
Flood Risk 0 This policy should result in the improvement of biodiversity Efficient Land Use 0 across the Borough which in turn will increase the amount of carbon sinks. This will have a positive outcome on air Resources and Waste + quality and the landscape. Climate Change + High Quality Housing 0 Health, Noise, Safety, Crime + Accessibility 0 Traffic Reduction 0 Skills & Education 0 Design & Amenity + Economic Growth / Business Image 0 Provision of Jobs 0
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM8: Water, Air and Noise Water quality + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will seek to safeguard and improve the water quality of the: - A likely negative effect • River Colne -- A likely highly negative effect • Grand Union Canal ? Uncertain or insufficient • River Pinn information to determine effect • Yeading Brook / Potential positive or negative • Porter Land Brook effect depending on implementation • River Crane
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Air Quality All new development within the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) should actively contribute to the promotion of sustainable transport measures, deliver increased planting, where appropriate.
Noise The Council will investigate Hillingdon's target areas identified in the Defra Noise Action Plans, promote the maximum possible reduction in noise levels and will minimise the number of people potentially affected.
The Council will seek to identify and protect Quiet Areas in accordance with Government Policy on sustainable development and other Local Development Framework policies.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality + Water Quality Water Quality Biodiversity + This policy should result in the improved quality of several Replace: Landscape & Heritage 0 watercourses currently identified as being in poor Soil & Water + condition. However, the policy does not consider other The Council will seek to safeguard and improve the water quality of the: watercourses which may experience decline over the plan Flood Risk 0 period. The policy also needs to be expanded to include Efficient Land Use 0 impacts on aquifers. With
Resources and Waste 0 Air Quality The Council will seek to safeguard and improve the water quality of Climate Change ++ controlled waters within the Borough, with a particular focus on improving the: High Quality Housing 0 This policy is positively worded and should help contribute
Health, Noise, Safety, Crime ++ to minimise the additional impacts on the AQMA. However, it should be acknowledged that development is Noise Accessibility 0
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal unlikely to be able to improve air quality, but minimise its Traffic Reduction + own impacts. The London Plan Air Quality strategy aims Add: for all new development in poor air quality areas to be air Skills & Education 0 quality positive, or neutral as minimum. This aim should be Development in Air Quality Management Areas should aim to be air Design & Amenity 0 reflected within the Core Strategy. This could however
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Economic Growth - have an adverse impact on economic growth by requiring quality positive with no additional impacts on air quality. developers to deliver in excess of standard regulations. Business Image 0
Provision of Jobs Noise 0 This policy should result in a positive impact on noise and health.
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM9: Safeguarding Mineral Resources + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will safeguard mineral resources in Hillingdon from other forms of development that would prejudice future mineral extraction. The - A likely negative effect Council will define the 'Preferred Mineral Safeguarding Area' in the Site Allocations DPD to include land west of the present Harmondsworth -- A likely highly negative effect Quarry, land north of the village of Harmondsworth, and land at Sipson Lane, east of the M4 spur.
? Uncertain or insufficient The Council will also safeguard areas within 250m of the Preferred Mineral Safeguarding Area as a buffer for the future extraction of the sand information to determine effect and gravel reserve, to safeguard the resource from the impact of 'proximal development'. / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 The safeguarding of the preferred mineral areas will result None in the economic and environmental benefits from Biodiversity 0 previously identified opportunities. Landscape & Heritage 0 Soil & Water + The impacts of this policy should ensure a suitable balance between environmental and economic impacts. In addition
Objectives Flood Risk 0 it should not result in extraction of minerals from Efficient Land Use + unidentified sources, protecting existing areas for other
Sustainability Appraisal Sustainability Appraisal environmental and economic reasons. Resources and Waste +
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Climate Change 0 High Quality Housing 0 Health, Noise, Safety, Crime / Accessibility 0 Traffic Reduction 0 Skills & Education 0 Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth + Business Image 0 Provision of Jobs 0
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM10: Mineral Extraction + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will make an appropriate contribution towards the West London apportionment figure in the London Plan of 0.5 million tonnes per - A likely negative effect annum. -- A likely highly negative effect • The Council will seek to safeguard areas for mineral extraction outside of the Preferred Mineral Safeguarding Area where: ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect • it is demonstrated that the proposal is sustainable, essential to maintain the West London land bank in accordance with national policy, and necessary to maintain apportioned provision for West London as set out in the London Plan / Potential positive or negative • effect depending on implementation suitable measures and controls can be put in place to ensure there is not an unacceptable adverse impact on the environment or human health • the mineral workings can be restored to the highest standards using progressive restoration techniques, and secure a beneficial and acceptable after use in line with Green Belt objectives.
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Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 Mineral extraction will in general have relatively short term Replace: impacts. It is essential that the pre-extraction state of the Biodiversity / land is assessed together with the impacts of the the mineral workings can be restored to the highest standards using Landscape & Heritage / extraction. progressive restoration techniques, and secure a beneficial and Soil & Water / acceptable after use in line with Green Belt objectives. This should help define the extent of the restoration Flood Risk 0 proposals. Mineral extraction will have short term With: Efficient Land Use 0 significant impacts and it is important that the restoration of the land balances the impacts whilst the extraction Resources and Waste + occurred. Restoration and aftercare proposals will result outweigh the Climate Change 0 negative impacts caused by extraction. The restoration proposals will result in an overall positive impact on the environment, High Quality Housing 0 This policy should therefore put greater emphasis on the considering the quality of soils, water and biodiversity. restoration and aftercare aspects of extraction. Health, Noise, Safety, Crime /
Accessibility 0 The environmental impacts of this policy will be dependent Traffic Reduction - on the implementation.
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Skills & Education 0
Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth 0 Business Image 0 Provision of Jobs 0
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy EM11: Sustainable Waste Management + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will aim to reduce the amount of waste produced in the Borough and work in conjunction with its partners in West London, to - A likely negative effect identify and allocate suitable new sites for waste management facilities within the Joint West London Waste Plan to provide sufficient capacity to
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-- A likely highly negative effect meet the apportionment requirements of the London Plan.
? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect The Council will require all new development to address waste management at all stages of a development's life from design and construction through to the end use and activity on site, ensuring that all waste is managed towards the upper end of the waste hierarchy. / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation The Council will promote waste as a resource and encourage increased re-use of materials and recycling and seek to maximise the use of existing waste management sites through intensification or co-location of facilities.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality 0 Sustainable waste management should ensure that there Replace: are no adverse impacts from the proliferation of waste Biodiversity 0 operations. This policy allows the Council to control the The Council will promote waste as a resource and encourage increased Landscape & Heritage + waste activities and direct them to areas most appropriate. re-use of materials and recycling and seek to maximise the use of existing Soil & Water + waste management sites through intensification or co-location of facilities. The emphasis on re-use and recycling should also see a Flood Risk 0 reduction in the need for landfilling. However, the policy With: Efficient Land Use 0 does not include acknowledgement that a waste resource can be utilised as an energy source. This policy could have Resources and Waste ++ additional benefits regarding the climate change objective. The Council will promote the reduction of waste through measures such Climate Change 0 as bioremediation and best practice. Where waste is generated, the Council will promote it as a resource encouraging the re-use of materials High Quality Housing 0 One of the SA Framework indicators relates to the amount and recycling. The Council will also support opportunities for the energy of composting. This policy does not specifically refer to Health, Noise, Safety, Crime / recovery from waste and composting where appropriate. composting or the role it can play in the management of
Accessibility 0 waste. The Council will seek to maximise the use of existing waste management Traffic Reduction / sites through intensification or co-location of facilities. Furthermore, the policy does not reference the need to Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Skills & Education 0 reduce the amount of waste in line with the waste Design & Amenity 0 hierarchy. Economic Growth 0 Business Image 0 Provision of Jobs 0
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++ A likely highly positive effect Policy T1: Accessible Local Destinations + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will steer development to the most appropriate locations in order to reduce their impact on the transport network. All - A likely negative effect development should encourage access by sustainable modes and include good cycling and walking provision -- A likely highly negative effect The Council will ensure access to local destinations which provide services and amenities. ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect The Council will promote active travel through improvements to Hillingdon’s public rights of way. / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality + This policy should ensure that Hillingdon maximises the None benefits from its serviced areas without the need to Biodiversity 0 develop beyond their boundaries. Landscape & Heritage 0 Soil & Water 0 Furthermore this policy also promotes the improvement of access to serviced areas minimising the growth of urban Flood Risk 0 sprawl. Efficient Land Use 0 Resources and Waste 0 Climate Change + High Quality Housing 0 Health, Noise, Safety, Crime 0 Accessibility + Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Traffic Reduction ++ Skills & Education 0 Design & Amenity 0
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Economic Growth + Business Image 0 Provision of Jobs 0
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy T2: Public Transport Interchanges + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will facilitate improved public transport interchanges at Uxbridge, Hayes, West Drayton, Heathrow Airport, West Ruislip and other - A likely negative effect locations as appropriate in the future. -- A likely highly negative effect These interchanges will accommodate measures to encourage subsequent shorter journeys to be completed on foot or by cycle. ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality ++ Improved public transport interchanges will encourage the None more sustainable modes of transport. Biodiversity 0
Landscape & Heritage 0 The inclusion of measures to encourage cycling and walking Soil & Water 0 should have an additional benefit. Flood Risk 0 Good public transport interchanges will also have a positive Efficient Land Use 0 impact on the economy and the business image of the Resources and Waste 0 Borough. Climate Change + High Quality Housing 0 Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Health, Noise, Safety, Crime 0
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Accessibility 0 Traffic Reduction ++ Skills & Education 0 Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth + Business Image + Provision of Jobs 0
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy T3: North-South Sustainable Transport Links + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will improve north-south public transport links in the borough and link residential areas directly with employment areas and - A likely negative effect transport interchanges. -- A likely highly negative effect ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality - The baseline information for the Borough reveals north- None south link needs improvement. Biodiversity 0
Landscape & Heritage 0 Improving the link between the north and the south will Soil & Water 0 have significant economic impacts but it will invariably
Objectives increase the amount of traffic and impacts on climate Flood Risk 0 change.
Sustainability Appraisal Sustainability Appraisal Efficient Land Use 0
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Resources and Waste 0 Providing the transport interchanges can be improved in Climate Change -- accordance with Policy T2, and this policy can maintain the High Quality Housing 0 links to these improved interchanges, the environmental Health, Noise, Safety, Crime 0 impacts could be reduced.
Accessibility +
Traffic Reduction -- Skills & Education 0 Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth ++ Business Image ++ Provision of Jobs +
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy T4: Heathrow Airport + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link This Core Strategy will support the function of Heathrow and growth in the Heathrow Opportunity Area by facilitating improvements to public - A likely negative effect transport and cycle links, enhancing the public transport interchange and providing transport infrastructure to accommodate economic and -- A likely highly negative effect housing growth. ? Uncertain or insufficient information to determine effect / Potential positive or negative effect depending on implementation
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality / The emphasis on sustainable transport measures should Replace: y
isal ensure this policy has a positive impact. nabilit Objec Appra Biodiversity 0
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Landscape & Heritage 0 This Core Strategy will support the function of Heathrow and growth in However, the improvement of transport infrastructure, the Heathrow Opportunity Area by facilitating improvements to public Soil & Water 0 coupled with growth around the airport could result in transport and cycle links, enhancing the public transport interchange and Flood Risk 0 negative impacts on air quality and climate change. In providing transport infrastructure to accommodate economic and housing addition, the encouragement of cycling and walking in areas growth. Efficient Land Use 0 with poor air quality could have adverse impacts on health. Resources and Waste 0 With Climate Change / The impacts of travel in the Heathrow Opportunity Area will be covered by a separate DPD, and are considered in High Quality Housing 0 This Core Strategy will support the function of Heathrow and growth in policies elsewhere in the Core Strategy. the Heathrow Opportunity Area by facilitating improvements to public Health, Noise, Safety, Crime - transport and cycle links and enhancing the public transport interchange. Accessibility 0 Traffic Reduction 0 Low carbon initiatives and improvements to the existing transport infrastructure will help accommodate sustainable economic and housing Skills & Education 0 growth. Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth ++ Business Image ++ Provision of Jobs +
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy CI1: Community Infrastructure Provision + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will ensure that community and social infrastructure is provided in Hillingdon to cater for the needs of the existing community and - A likely negative effect future populations by: -- A likely highly negative effect 1) Resisting of the loss of community facilities, and where the loss of these facilities is justified it will seek to ensure that resulting development compensates these uses to ensure no net loss; ? Uncertain or insufficient 2) Supporting the retention and enhancement of existing community facilities; information to determine effect 3) Supporting extensions to existing schools and the development of new schools; / Potential positive or negative 4) Encouraging the development of multi-purpose facilities that can provide a range of services and facilities to the community at one accessible effect depending on implementation location;
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5) Promoting innovation in service provision and recognising that there are a range of modes appropriate for providing for all sections of the community; 6) Requiring development to contribute towards the provision of community facilities to meet the needs of new communities and mitigate impacts on existing communities; 7) Locating libraries, health facilities, leisure facilities and community centres in town centres or other accessible locations to maximise community access, sustainable transport and build a sense of local community identity; 8) Ensuring new facilities demonstrate how they will tackle climate change, in line with Policy EM1; and 9) Providing facilities and services that are accessible and inclusive to all potential users regardless of age, ability, gender or socio-economic status.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality / Community infrastructure helps to create and sustain None communities. They should be focal points that help Biodiversity 0 community cohesion. Landscape & Heritage 0 Soil & Water 0 This policy positively sets out the aspirations of the Core Strategy and should lead to greater community cohesion. Flood Risk 0 In turn, this will have positive impacts on crime and multi Efficient Land Use 0 purpose facilities could result in improved health. Resources and Waste 0 Community facilities also have a significant educational role. Climate Change + They can act as demonstrators that effect vast numbers of High Quality Housing 0 people, for example in relation to climate change or accessibility. This policy sets out requirements to ensure Health, Noise, Safety, Crime ++ these facilities will be accessible to all and should include Accessibility + measures to tackle climate change. Traffic Reduction 0 Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal This will have a significant education impact on Skills & Education ++ communities as well as directly contributing to these Design & Amenity + sustainability objectives. Economic Growth 0 Business Image 0
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Provision of Jobs 0
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy CI2: Leisure and Recreation + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link The Council will, in partnership with other bodies, seek to secure good quality, well maintained leisure and recreation facilities to address - A likely negative effect identified deficiencies and meet the needs of local communities, particularly deprived groups, by: -- A likely highly negative effect • Safeguarding the existing viable leisure and recreational facilities and supporting proposals for new and improved facilities; ? Uncertain or insufficient o information to determine effect Seeking to improve the geographical spread of leisure and recreational facilities across the borough by: o Promoting 'community sport hubs' / Potential positive or negative o effect depending on implementation Improving and upgrading facilities to both modernise and maximise their capacity to meet current leisure trends and demands including refurbishment of Highgrove Pool, extension of facilities at Minet cycle track and Hillingdon Sports & Leisure Complex. o Increased and improved facilities for specialist sports facilities to accommodate year round provision and standard of competition where local need can be identified. Such potential opportunities currently include indoor tennis courts, velodrome facilities and indoor bowls. o Encouraging cultural and sporting facilities for schools and other institutions which can be shared with the community through new facilities provided from the Building Schools for the 21st Century programme, existing providers (at Brunel University and Uxbridge College) and sports club facilities (such as Eastcote Hockey Club). o Opening up formal pay and play community access to school facilities. • Increasing the provision of indoor facilities to address the needs of older people; • Ensuring that development proposals will not result in the loss of existing leisure and recreational facilities unless satisfactory alternative provision is made or it can be demonstrated that the asset is no longer needed; • Encouraging shared use of private leisure and recreational facilities; • Capitalising on opportunities to supply new sporting and associated facilities in the Borough to support the legacy of the 2012 Olympics; and • Seeking developer contributions towards improvements to the quality and quantity of leisure and recreational facilities.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes p ai A sa
pr Air Quality 0 This is a highly positive policy that will result in improved Add:
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Biodiversity 0 facilities that encourage healthy lifestyles. Seeking new and existing developments to promote the need to have Landscape & Heritage 0 In addition, this policy will help promote community inclusive and accessible design, to tackle climate change and to include Soil & Water 0 cohesion which could have positive impacts on crime and facilities that promote sustainable transportation. Flood Risk 0 safety.
Efficient Land Use 0 These community facilities will also help to act as Resources and Waste 0 demonstrators and must be highly accessible and include Climate Change 0 measures to tackle climate change. These facilities can help promote the need to tackle these significant issues and can High Quality Housing 0 deliver messages to entire communities. Health, Noise, Safety, Crime ++ Accessibility ++ These community centres should include facilities that promote and encourage consideration of climate change, Traffic Reduction 0 disabilities, and green transport measures. Ideally these Skills & Education ++ design considerations should go beyond the baseline standards. Design & Amenity + Economic Growth 0 Business Image 0 Provision of Jobs 0
++ A likely highly positive effect Policy CI3: Culture + A likely positive effect
0 No significant effect or clear link To ensure that cultural uses help improve the quality of life of residents and visitors, a strong and well-developed cultural provision will be - A likely negative effect established by: -- A likely highly negative effect • Safeguarding the existing viable cultural facilities and supporting proposals for new and improved cultural facilities; • ? Uncertain or insufficient Identifying the need for new culture and arts facilities in the north of the borough and in the identified Opportunity Areas of Yiewsley/ West information to determine effect Drayton; • Promoting Uxbridge Town Centre, Compass Theatre (Ickenham), Manor Farm (Ruislip) and Beck Theatre (Hayes) as key cultural centres / Potential positive or negative
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effect depending on implementation for the arts serving Hillingdon and the wider sub-region; • Ensuring smaller facilities are accessible by walking and cycling; • In locations where new development needs access to cultural facilities, developer contributions will be sought to provide for new and expanded services.
Scoring Assessment Proposed Policy Changes
Air Quality / This policy will result in improved cultural facilities that Replace: reflect the diverse nature of the Borough. Biodiversity 0 Ensuring smaller facilities are accessible by walking and cycling; Landscape & Heritage / Cultural centres could have a negative impact on crime Soil & Water 0 where there are clashes between different groups. This With policy should help to cater for different cultural Flood Risk 0 backgrounds whilst not resulting in segregation. Efficient Land Use 0 Ensuring all facilities promote walking, cycling and sustainable transport measures. The inclusion of cycle storage and electric Resources and Waste 0 The inclusion that smaller facilities are accessible by walking charging points will be encouraged in new facilities and installed in and cycling is positive however it does not include larger existing facilities. Climate Change / facilities. All cultural facilities should have sustainable High Quality Housing 0 transport access. The current wording could have negative impacts on air quality, traffic reduction and climate change. Health, Noise, Safety, Crime / Accessibility 0 Traffic Reduction -
Sustainability Appraisal Objectives Sustainability Appraisal Skills & Education ++ Design & Amenity 0 Economic Growth 0 Business Image + Provision of Jobs +
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10.1. Conclusions from Sustainability Appraisal of Core Strategy Policies
It is noticeable that Core Strategy has moved on considerably from the 2007 version. The appraisal for that Core Strategy revealed a number of sustainability gaps and recommended several changes. It is apparent that this Core Strategy has taken on board those recommendations. SA Report 2 (annex 3) included recommendations relating to greater consideration of:
• Climate Change
• Sustainable Waste Management
• Flood Risk and Surface Water Management
• Biodiversity
All these issues have been addressed at length within the Revised Core Strategy Policies making for increased consideration of sustainability within the plan.
The appraisal of the Strategic Objectives revealed a conflict between growth and impacts on the environment, in particular in relation to climate change and air quality within the Heathrow Opportunity Area. The policies have been sufficiently worded, subject to minor amendments, to ensure that the negative effects of growth are minimised.
The development of the Core Strategy combined with the suggested changes in this report will ensure that the plan suitably incorporates sustainability.
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11. Assessment of Cumulative Impacts
Effect Short Medium Long Air Quality Negative X X X - The majority of the Borough lies in an air quality management area. Levels of nitrous oxides and particulates have regularly exceeded poor quality levels. Transport and industry are the major sources of these pollutants in the Borough particularly in areas in and around the Heathrow Opportunity Area. The assessment assumes that the Borough’s current modal split (i.e. 60% of work trips undertaken by private car) can be transferred to future development in the Borough.
The Core Strategy will result in increased development in the areas with poor air quality. The steady growth in the Borough will gradually introduce more road traffic and more businesses. Mineral extraction, improved transport routes, and additional housing will all indirectly promote the increased amount of traffic.
Core policies EM1, EM4, T1, T2, T3 and T4 will all reduce the impacts by increasing the amount of green spaces and carbon sinks as well as helping to improve existing public transport links. The promotion of improved housing by policy BE1 will ensure new housing has reduced impacts. For economic reasons it is not possible to set standards for Zero Carbon developments as suggested in the 2007 SA Report. Whilst this would have a hugely positive impact on Climate Change objectives, it will deter development in this Borough due to the additional costs.
Other Core Policy seeks to promote the opportunity to undertake transport movements by public transport, cycling and walking. The effect of these are unlikely to fully mitigate for the expected increase in traffic and pollution, instead they will
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help limit potential emissions.
The cumulative impacts on air quality will result in a negative outcome but the Core Strategy policies will minimise these impacts to acceptable levels.
The Council should investigate low emissions strategies in areas of poor air quality where significant growth is expected.
Effect Short Medium Long
Biodiversity Significant Positive X X ++ Biodiversity will be significantly improved as a result of the Core Strategy. The increase in Green and Open Space (EM4), Sport and Leisure provisions (EM5), quality building design (BE1) and restrictions on development of gardens and urban spaces (suggested addition to EM6) will all contribute to the biodiversity policies (EM7).
The promotion of living walls and roofs, and the need to maintain green areas in urban spaces for surface water attenuation all help to promote urban wildlife and biodiversity.
The cumulative impacts of the Core Strategy policies will have a significant positive impact on Biodiversity across the Borough. Landscape & Effect Short Medium Long Heritage
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Significant Positive x X X ++ The protection of the Green Belt will continue to maintain the quality landscape value of the Borough. The increase in recreational areas combined with limiting growth to areas with existing infrastructure will help to maintain and protect the existing landscape.
The Requirements for high quality design may have negative impacts on areas in conservation. There will need to be a pragmatic approach to achieving new housing design that incorporates renewable energy in conservation areas. This should not limit opportunities for enhanced design.
The proposals for location gypsies and travellers (H3) will also protect unnecessary development in open countryside by focussing sites in sustainable locations that reflect the needs of all parties.
Policies BE1 and HE1 will ensure the ongoing protection of the Borough’s heritage value.
Effect Short Medium Long Soil & Water Mixed X X +/- The cumulative impacts on water and soil will be mixed. Policy EM8 and the recommended changes to EM4 will help preserve the quality of Hillingdon’s water. However, the cumulative impacts from new development and increased access to rivers and canals will put strain on the watercourses.
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The continued development of brownfield land generally increases the risks to aquifers and soils from contamination. The recommended changes to Policy EM8 should help give this greater consideration.
The increase in population and the growth of the Borough will put further strain on existing water resources. Whilst the policy requirements (BE1) to reduce water consumption through the Code for Sustainable Homes will help minimise the impacts of new development, the overall cumulative impacts will be negative.
The problem of water resources is significant issue for the South East. The need to meet growth demands continue to put strain on areas already designated as being ‘water stressed’. This growth of the Borough currently outweighs this issue, but the Annual Monitoring Report will need to review the impacts.
The Council will be required to work with the Environment Agency in establishing the ongoing impacts on water resources.
Effect Short Medium Long Flood Risk Negative X X - The growth of the Borough will invariably increase the risk of flooding. The loss of impermeable surface areas in urban locations increases the amount of surface water run off. The recommended changes to EM6 together with EM4 and EM5 will help minimise the impacts.
In the long term there will be added pressure to develop near rivers and in floodplains. This is due to the commercial opportunities of waterfront development. In addition, the flood risk sequential test will deliver development in areas of least risk first. In time, opportunities to develop in flood zone 1 will become more limited.
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The Council should update their SFRA and investigate areas of surface water flooding particularly in areas where likely growth is expected.
Effect Short Medium Long
Efficient Land Use Significant Positive X X ++ The cumulative impacts on this objective will be positive. Policies E1, E2, E3, E4, E5 and EM1 all promote development in areas already serviced by infrastructure. This will reduce the need to develop greenfield land and in the Green Belt.
The release of surplus industrial land (E1) will also ensure that pressures on greenfield and Green Belt land is minimised.
Effect Short Medium Long Resources and Waste Significant Negative X X -- Policy EM11 will help reduce the impacts of increased waste production. Regardless of this policy the Borough will still experience growth in waste through the increased housing, commercial, industrial and mineral demands.
The encouragement of bioremediation for brownfield (EM1) sites will help reduce the waste risings from new development.
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The cumulative impacts of the Core Strategy may result in total waste per person falling, but with the increased growth and population, the overall totals are likely to increase.
The Council should ensure waste reduction measures are included within the West London Waste Plan. Using waste as a resource specifically through composting and energy production should also be considered.
Effect Short Medium Long Climate Change Mixed X X +/- The increase in vehicles and population will combine to put further pressure on climate change objectives. Employment growth (E1) will increase the demand on energy. Whilst improved design requirements (EM1) will help reduce the demand compared with historic regulations, the overall demand will increase. Additional housing (H1) will also increase the demand on energy.
All this growth will also result in increased transportation and road traffic. This will escalate the quantities of carbon in the atmosphere putting pressure on the Council’s own climate change objectives. The Core Strategy will increase the use of sustainable transport measures which will help to reduce existing impacts.
There will be positive effects from the Core Strategy also. The improved design of the built development (BE1) will demonstrate the need to tackle Climate Change and will act as examples for occupants of existing developments. The implementation of EM1 includes a commitment to investigate opportunities for Heat Mapping which could result in community heating schemes.
In addition the requirements for living walls and roofs (EM1) will introduce more carbon sinks into urban areas which absorb
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carbon dioxide.
The Council should complete decentralised energy studies to help new development to provide carbon savings to existing. The Council should also aim to deliver exemplar zero carbon developments where possible to further promote the need to tackle climate change.
Effect Short Medium Long High Quality Housing Significant Positive X X X ++ The combined effects on this objective will result in a superior quality of housing. This will improve appearance of the Borough which could result in economic improvements.
The delivery of additional affordable housing (H2) will also have a positive impact on this objective.
Effect Short Medium Long Health, Noise, Safety, Crime Positive X X X + The secondary impacts of the Core Strategy will all result in improvements to health, safety and crime. The promotion of additional sports and recreation facilities as well as cultural facilities will aid community cohesion.
The promotion of cycling and walking (T1) will also support active lifestyles
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This will benefit the whole of the Borough and result in lasting positive impacts.
Effect Short Medium Long
Accessibility Significant Positive X X X ++ The Core Strategy promotes sustainable access across the Borough (T1), particularly from north to south (T3). These policies combined with the location specific requirements of E2, E3, H3 and EM1, will result in further synergy through the Core Strategy. Development will be focussed in areas already well served by infrastructure. The commitment in policy E5 and T2 to improve access to these areas and establish better transport interchanges will result in a significant positive impact on this objective.
The requirement to include lifetime homes (BE1) and increased public transport (E5 and T1) will improve the Borough’s ability to cater for disabled people.
Effect Short Medium Long Traffic Reduction Mixed X X X +/- The promotion of sustainable transport measures and interchanges (E5, T1 and T2) will reduce car dependency. However, the growth of the population and increased north-south links will invariably promote car transportation.
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New commercial, industrial, mineral and construction sites will also produce more road transportation.
It is difficult to deliver the growth needed to maintain a prosperous Borough without increasing the impacts on roads. The Core Strategy includes policies to reduce car dependency but the overall impact is likely to be negative.
The Council should use the Annual Monitoring Report to review the impacts on road transportation. The Council should adopt innovative measures to reduce car dependency by promoting measures such as car clubs.
Effect Short Medium Long Skills & Education Positive X + The Core Strategy will increase access to schools and education, and link learning and development (E7) to growth.
The improvement in housing design (BE1) and the need to deliver renewable energy (London Plan A4.7) will help the Borough to capitalise on green job opportunities.
The Council will need to monitor the impacts of policy E7 and whether the skills gained from the implementation of this policy remain in the Borough.
Design & Amenity Effect Short Medium Long
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Significant Positive X X ++ The Core Strategy increases design quality that incorporates the needs for all. The policies reflect the diverse needs of the Borough (CL1, CL2, CL3 and BE1) and promote new open space.
The raising of building standards will result in a better appearance helping to raise the Borough’s image.
The Core Strategy will therefore have a lasting impact on this objective.
Effect Short Medium Long
Economic Growth Significant Positive X X ++ One of the main goals of the Core Strategy is help deliver economic growth. The inclusion of E1 and E2 will ensure that this is done successfully. In addition the image of the Borough will be improved through better design (BE1) and public transport interchange improvements (T2). The cultural policies (CL1, CL2 and CL3) will result in better community cohesion which will promote the retention of existing residents and encourage further growth.
The linking of education facilities to jobs in the Borough (E7) will also promote the retention of students as they enter into work.
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Effect Short Medium Long Business Image Positive X X + The increased growth around Heathrow will continue to promote the Borough as an attractive business opportunity.
The improved transport access as a result of policies T1 and T2 will produce betters links into and out of the Borough; in particular the improvements to Uxbridge tube station will provide a better link to central London.
The ability to produce and retain an educated workforce (E7) will be an added incentive for the Borough. Policy E6 promotes affordable units for small, medium sized enterprises helping to diversify the Borough’s image.
Effect Short Medium Long Provision of Jobs Positive X X X + Policy E1, E2, and E3 will help protect and enhance employment opportunities within the Borough.
The level of house building, and mineral extraction will also have slight impacts on job creation. The inclusion of policy E6 should also help to diversify the job opportunities within the Borough.
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12. Conclusions
This Sustainability Appraisal has revealed the Core Strategy to be highly considerate of the sustainability objectives. It is evident that the length of time developing the strategy has resulted in a more sustainable plan.
The previous Sustainability Appraisals provided recommendations for improvements, and these have been included within the revised Core Strategy. As a consequence the Core Strategy sets a spatial framework that will promote a sustainable future for the London Borough of Hillingdon.
The appraisal has made some recommendations largely as result of a slightly changing baseline and to ensure greater emphasis on climate change and traffic reduction. Both the Core Strategy and the Sustainability Appraisal will now be available for comment.
When the consultation event is complete, final amendments will be made to both documents. This should ensure one final opportunity to fully consider sustainability in the Core Strategy.
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13. Appendix 1: Sustainability Task List
DPD Stage 1: Pre-production – Evidence Gathering
Stage A: Setting the context and objectives, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope
A1 Identifying other relevant policies, plans and programmes, and sustainability objectives.
A2 Collecting baseline information.
A3 Identifying sustainability issues and problems.
A4 Developing the SA framework.
A5 Consulting on the scope of the SA.
DPD Stage 2: Production
Stage B: Developing and refining options and assessing effects
B1 Testing the DPD objectives against the SA framework.
B2 Developing the DPD options.
B3 Predicting the effects the DPD.
B4 Evaluating the effects of the DPD.
B5 Considering ways of mitigating adverse effects and maximising beneficial effects.
B6 Proposing measures to monitor the significant effects of implementing the DPDs.
Stage C: Preparing the Sustainability Appraisal Report
C1 Preparing the SA Report.
Stage D: Consulting on the preferred options of the DPD and SA Report
D1 Public participation on the preferred options of the DPD and the SA Report.
D2(i) Appraising significant changes.
DPD Stage 3: Examination
D2(ii) Appraising significant changes resulting from representations.
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DPD Stage 4: Adoption and monitoring
D3 Making decisions and providing information.
Stage E: Monitoring the significant effects of implementing the DPD
E1 Finalising aims and methods for monitoring.
E2 Responding to adverse effects.
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14. Appendix 2: Sustainability Appraisal Framework
SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets • To improve air quality to a standard Will it improve air quality? NO x / NO 2 level A reduction in NOx and that is acceptable for human and • PM10 levels Particulates in line with the Air ecological health • Existence of Air Quality Quality Action Plan Management Plan Reversion of the AQMA To ensure sustainable management Will it maintain and enhance • Percentage of SSSIs in PSA target of 95% of the SSSI area and conservation of wildlife and sites designated for their good condition in favourable or recovering habitats representative of the nature conservation • Number/area of LNR condition by 2020. borough and reverse those in interest? and wildlife heritage sites decline • Number of developments within sites of nature conservation interest Will it conserve and • Percentage of BAP Existence of a Biodiversity Action enhance species diversity, habitats and species Plan and in particular avoid harm implemented to protected species? To protect and preserve landscape Will it reduce the amount of • Percentage Of total 87% of footpaths character, historic buildings, derelict, degraded and length of footpaths/ archaeological sites and cultural underused land? other rights of way features of importance to the which are easy to use community Will it improve the • No indicator Identified No Target Identified aesthetics of the borough?
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SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets Will it protect and enhance • Percentage of grade I and No Target Identified sites, features and areas of grade II* properties at archaeological and cultural risk value? To avoid the adverse effects of Will it improve the quality • Percentage of rivers and 94% good or fair water quality to activities and development on the of water? canals with good or fair be achieved natural functions of soil and water biological water quality systems • Percentage of rivers and canals with good or fair chemical water quality Will it reduce water • Total Water Leakages 8.6% reduction in leakage by 2010 consumption? (Distribution losses+ from year 2003-04 Total supply pipe losses) Will it improve soil quality? • No indicator Identified No Target Identified Will it minimise the loss of • Percentage of mineral No Target Identified soils to development? site area restored • Net loss of soils to development To reduce contributions towards, Will the policy result in a • Reduction in CO2 20% reduction in carbon emissions and vulnerability to, the effects of decrease in green house emissions (tonnes) by 2015 climate change gases?
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SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets Will it reduce energy • Percentage improvement 20% increase in renewable energy consumption? in energy efficiency generation by 2020 (Housing sector • Energy Efficiency- average SAP rating of authority dwellings Will it lead to an increased • Percentage of Energy 10% electricity to come from proportion of energy needs from Renewable Sources. renewable-2010 and 15% by 2015 being met by renewable sources? Will it reduce emissions of • No indicator Identified No Target Identified ozone depleting substances? Will it reduce the risk of • No indicator Identified No Target Identified subsidence? Will it reduce the risk of • No indicator Identified No Target Identified damage from storm events? To minimise the hazard risk from Will it minimise the risk of • Number of properties at No Target Identified flooding in Hillingdon flooding? risk from flooding Will it reduce threats to • No indicator Identified No Target Identified floodplains? Will development increase • Number of No Target Identified the amount of impermeable developments surfaces? incorporating SUDS
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SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets To ensure efficient use of non Will it reduce consumption • Waste production by No Target Identified renewable resources and minimise of materials and resources? type the production of waste Will it reduce household • Waste production 530 kg set by the borough waste? kg/head/year Will it reduce construction • No indicator Identified No Target Identified waste? Will it increase waste • Percentage of waste To recover value from 40% of recovery and recycling recycled or composted municipal waste by 2005, 45% by waste 2010, 67% by 2015 • Percentage of waste land 75% of the total amount of filled biodegradable municipal waste landfilled in 1995 by 2006, 50% by 2009, 35% by 2016 Will it reduce hazardous • No indicator Identified No Target Identified waste?
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SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets To encourage efficient use of Will it encourage the use of • Percentage of new 60% of new homes to be built on available land that will not foreclose previously developed land? homes built on previously developed land on future options previously developed land • Number of private sector vacant dwellings that are returned into occupation or demolished during 2004/05 as a direct result of action by local authority • Vacancy levels in Industrial and Business Areas Will it limit land use options • No indicator Identified No Target Identified for future use? To create a variety of high quality Will it increase the range • Number of affordable Current borough target of 130 residential environments that and affordability of housing homes affordable home completions per provide everybody with the for all social groups? • Number of housing year opportunity to live in a decent home completions GLA Target of 5,800 more homes by 2016
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SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets Will it reduce the number of • Proportion of local 15% of LA homes unfit homes? authority homes which were non-decent • Number of unfit homes Will it reduce • Number of homeless No Target Identified homelessness? households Will it benefit the image of • No indicator Identified No Target Identified the area as a place to live? To provide environments that Will it promote safer • Road injuries deaths and Current borough target of promote healthy and safe living and environments? seriously injured 170/year reduce anti social behaviour Will it encourage Healthy • No indicator Identified No Target Identified lifestyles? Will it reduce illness and • Percentage of population No Target Identified death rates? in good health • Number of GP’s per 1000 population
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SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets Will it reduce actual levels • Domestic burglaries per No Target Identified of crime? 1000 households • Violent crimes/1000 population • Robberies/1000 households • Vehicle crimes/1000 population • Racial incidents/100,000 households Will it reduce the fear of • No indicator Identified No Target Identified crime? Will it reduce noise levels • DEFRA road and air No Target Identified and concerns? noise mapping To improve the ready access to Will it improve accessibility • Percentage of the No Target Identified essential services and facilities for all to key local services? borough area with an residents increased Public Transport Accessibility Level
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SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets Will it improve investment • Visits to libraries No Target Identified in key community services? Number per capita • Number of visits to/usage of museums/1000 population Will it improve accessibility • No indicator Identified No Target Identified to major retail and business centres? Will it make access more • No indicator Identified No Target Identified affordable? Will it make access easier • Commuting mode No Target Identified for those without a car? • School Journey Mode Will it improve access for • Percentage of local No Target Identified those with disabilities? authority buildings suitable for and accessible by disabled people To promote methods to reduce Will it help reduce traffic • Road Traffic growth No Target Identified dependence on private transport volumes? and manage the effects of traffic on Will it provide mixed-use • No indicator Identified No Target Identified the environment development? Will it provide new public • No indicator Identified No Target Identified transport routes?
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SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets Will it locate large trip • No indicator Identified No Target Identified generators land uses near existing transport interchanges? Will it reduce the effect of • No indicator Identified No Target Identified HGV’s on people and the environment? Will it reduce the length of • No indicator Identified No Target Identified trips? Will it increase the • Commuting mode No Target Identified proportion of journeys using • School Journey Mode modes other than the car? Will it reduce the need to • No indicator Identified No Target Identified travel, including overseas? To provide residents of all ages with Will it improve the • Percentage of pupils No Target Identified the option to access education and qualifications and skills of achieving 5 or more skills based enhancement young people? GCSEs at grades A* - C or equivalent Will it improve the • Percentage of population No Target Identified qualifications and skills of with no qualification adults? • Unemployment Level To encourage built Will it create places and • No indicator Identified No Target Identified environments of high quality spaces that will enhance urban design that assists in community ownership?
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SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets enhancing areas amenity value Will it attract people and • No indicator Identified No Target Identified and promote community sense business to the area? of place Will it improve the visual • Percentage of No Target Identified amenity of the area? applications submitted with a design statement
To promote growth in the economy Will it reduce incidents of • No indicator Identified No Target Identified whilst improving its environmental pollution and contamination? and social performance Will it encourage good • Business recognised as No Target Identified employee relations and investors in people management practices? Will it promote growth? • Net growth in business No Target Identified (VAT registered business) To enhance the image of the Will it attract new • VAT registered No Target Identified borough as a location for new investment to the borough? businesses business Will it attract skilled • Percentage of No Target Identified workers to the area? economically active people To encourage business to provide a Will it encourage new and • Jobs Density (total jobs No Target Identified range of jobs and services that will innovative business? to Working age support and enhance existing population)
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SA Objectives Sub Questions Indicators Targets residential and employment areas Will it diversify the • Percentage of working No Target Identified employment market? population with NVQ 1- 2, 3-4 or apprenticeship Will it encourage indigenous • No indicator Identified No Target Identified business? Will it encourage inward • No indicator Identified No Target Identified investment? Will it create land for • No indicator Identified business development?
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15. Annexes
15.1. Annex 1: Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
15.2. Annex 2: Sustainability Appraisal 2005
15.3. Annex 3: Sustainability Appraisal 2007
15.4. Annex 4: Annual Monitoring Report
All annexes available at www.hillingdon.gov.uk under 'Have your say'
London Borough of Hillingdon Core Strategy Draft Consultation Sustainability Appraisal June 2010 127
Produced by the London Borough of Hillingdon May 2010 10474
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