Appendix A Babergh Development Framework

Draft Core Strategy - April 2010 (Preferred Options plus Issues & Options)

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

Spatial Portrait and Key Issues 9

Spatial Vision and Objectives 16

Spatial Strategy 19

Social and Physical InfrastructureSocial, Physical and Green 39 Infrastructure

Planning for Mixed and Balanced Communities 44

Planning for a Sustainable Economy - employment, town centres and 54 tourism

Sustainable Development – Planning for Climate Change 64

Built and Natural Environment 73

Monitoring and Implementation 76

Glossary 84

Appendix 1: Local Plan Policies to be Replaced by the Babergh Core 87 Strategy

Appendix 2: Evidence Base 88 Appendix 3: Summary of the linkages between sustainable community 90 objectives and the Core Strategy objectives and policies

Appendix 4: Housing Trajectory 96 Appendix 5: Summary of advantages and disadvantages of the broad 97 locations/directions of growth

Appendix 6: Delivery of Infrastructure 111 Appendix 7: Monitoring framework for the Babergh Core Strategy 114 Appendix 8: Implementation framework for the Babergh Core Strategy 118 Table 1: Housing requirements to 2031 21 Table 2: Geographical distribution of Key Service Centres and Other 23 Villages across the district

Table 3: Distribution of housing across the district to 2031 30

2 1. Introduction

The Local Development Framework

1.1 In September 2004 the government introduced a new planning system to manage spatial planning in . The new planning system is aimed at place shaping and bringing together policies for development and use of land and is no longer just focussed on land use planning. It requires Local Authorities to prepare Local Development Frameworks (LDF). The LDF consists of a number of planning documents containing the local authority’s planning policies and proposals that together with the Regional Spatial Strategy forms the spatial plan for the district. The Babergh Development Framework will replace the current Babergh Local Plan. For more information about Local Development Frameworks please view our website.

1.2 The Development Plan Documents (DPDs) to be included in the Babergh Development Framework are the Core Strategy, Site Specific Allocations and Development Management Policies.

The Core Strategy

1.3 The Core Strategy is a key document in the Babergh Development Framework. It is a strategic document that sets out the long term spatial vision and strategy for the , including working with other organisations to achieve this. It deals with strategic issues such as how we should plan and manage growth and development in the district over the next 20+ years (up to 2031) but it does not deal with detailed issues such as site specifics. The detailed issues will be addressed in subsequent documents. The Core Strategy preparation process provides several opportunities for public consultation and involvement. The public has been consulted on the Issues and Options for the Core Strategy (April/ May 2009); is being consulted on this document, the Preferred Options document; and will be consulted on the Submission draft of the Core Strategy.

Purpose of this Document

1.4 This document seeks your views on how the Council should plan for and manage growth and development in the district. It is an important opportunity for people who live and work in the district and other stakeholders to get involved in shaping the future of the district. The document builds on the Issues and Options Core Strategy consultation document, the contributions we received during the consultation period, and our wider findings (referred to as the technical evidence base that supports the Core Strategy).

1.5 This document identifies the Council’s preferred policy approaches to address key issues in the district. They represent the most suitable options to achieve sustainable development in the district. It is important to stress that this current stage is not the final document but instead it sets out our preferences for further comment and debate. This is your opportunity to tell us what you do and do not agree with, and why.

How can you comment on the document?

1.6 We would like your thoughts and views regarding this document and all comments received will be considered and taken into account in the preparation of the Submission Core Strategy. The Preferred Options document can be downloaded from the Babergh Council website at www.babergh.gov.uk. It can also be viewed at the Council Offices in Hadleigh, all libraries across the district and at the Sudbury and Hadleigh Town Halls.

3 1.7 We encourage comments to be sent in electronically via our online consultation which can be accessed on the Babergh website. If you are unable to get access to the internet you can post your comments to: Babergh District Council, Planning Policy Team, Corks Lane, Hadleigh, , , IP7 6SJ. Comments can also be emailed to [email protected]

1.8 The consultation ends on Friday, 2010 at 4.30 pm. For enquiries and to request a copy of the Preferred Options document please call 01473 826678. Please note that no comments (electronic or written) can be treated as confidential.

What Happens Next?

1.9 Once the consultation for this Preferred Options has finished the Council will review and respond to comments received during the consultation period. These will be taken into account and considered when producing the next stage of the Core Strategy (the Submission Core Strategy).

1.10 The Submission Core Strategy will be subject to a formal public consultation period and will be submitted to the Secretary of State. It will then be subject to an independent examination. The inspector responsible for the examination will check that the authority has prepared the document legally and tests whether it is ‘sound’. For the Core Strategy to be considered sound the document should be justified, effective and consistent with national policy. “Justified” means that the document must be:

founded on a robust and credible evidence base the most appropriate strategy when considered against the reasonable alternatives

“Effective” means that the document must be: deliverable; flexible; and able to be monitored

1.11 After the inspector has examined the document he/she will produce a binding report with his/her decisions. Babergh District Council will then make the changes to the document before it is adopted by the Council. When the Core Strategy is adopted, the policies within it will replace some of the saved policies of the Babergh Local Plan, adopted 1st June 2006. These are set out in Appendix 1. The remaining “saved” policies will still be relevant until such time as all Development Plan Documents (DPDs) are adopted within the Babergh Development Framework (BDF). The policies in the Core Strategy will therefore need to be read in conjunction with ‘saved’ policies in the Babergh Local Plan (2006).

1.12 It is anticipated that the consultation periods regarding the Core Strategy will occur as follows:

Core Strategy Reports Consultation Date 1st Stage : Issues and Options April 2009 – May 2009 2nd Stage: Preferred Core Strategy June - August 2010 3rd Stage: Submission Core Strategy Late 2010/ Early 2011 Note: The dates in this table may be subject to change

4 Sustainability Appraisal/ Strategic Environmental Assessment

1.13 Sustainability Appraisals/ Strategic Environmental Assessments have been completed for the Issues and Options Core Strategy and the Preferred Options Core Strategy, assessing the anticipated impacts of each of the options and preferred options on the social, economic, environmental, and sustainable development objectives. The Sustainability Appraisals were prepared in accordance with the adopted Babergh Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report. The Sustainability Appraisals assessed the predicted impacts of the Core Strategy policies against the adopted sustainability objectives and indicators. The Sustainability reports will be published on the Council’s website together with the Preferred Options Core Strategy.

Appropriate Assessment Screening

1.14 Under Regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994 (the Habitats Regulations) an appropriate assessment screening has been carried outis required for the Babergh Preferred Options Core Strategy in order to see whether its proposals could have the potential to result in adverse effects upon an internationally important site. These are sites that have been designated for their international nature conservation interests and include:

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) designated under European Council Directive 92/43/EEC(a) on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (the Habitats Directive); Special Protection Areas (SPA) designated under the European Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (the Birds Directive); and The UK Government (in the accompanying circular to Planning Policy Statement 9) as a matter of policy has chosen to apply the appropriate assessment procedures in respect of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites), candidate SACs (cSACs) and potential SPAs (pSPAs) even though these are not European sites as a matter of law.

1.15 Within Babergh there is one international site, the Stour and Orwell Estuaries SPA and Ramsar site. In accordance with Regulation 48 of the Habitats Regulations, Stage 1 of the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) process (Screening) ihas beeing carried out to determine whether this Core Strategy is likely, either alone or in combination with other plans and projects, to have a significant effect upon the international sites identified.

1.16 Initial scoping work indicates that the level and location of growth proposed in the district in the plan period is unlikely to result in significant effects on the international site provided that a monitoring and mitigation strategy is in place. We are working with Natural England to ensure the screening is robust, and to explore a range of measures that could be included in a monitoring and mitigation strategy. The results of the Stage 1 HRA screening show that there are no likely significant effects on the international site provided that appropriate mitigation measures are included. The accompanying HRA Screening report shows the outcome of the assessment (copies of these reports and a summary are available on request and can be accessed on the Council’s website). – Jackie to amend appropriately

1.17 The Appropriate Assessment Screening for the Core Strategy considers the total amount of growth proposed for the district, and the potential directions of growth (broad locations) that are set out in Section 4 of this document, Spatial Strategy for Babergh. Precise locations for growth in the towns and the Key Service Centres will be set out in the Site Specific Allocations DPD. HRA assessments will be carried out to assess

5 potential impacts on European sites. If it is considered that a proposed development wcould be likely to have a likely significant effect on an international site, further consideration and assessment will need to be made for these proposals at the development control stage or as part of lower tier development plan documents (including the Site Specific Allocations DPD). This will require a thorough ecological assessment of the potential effects upon the relevant international site(s) so as to allow the Competent Authority (in this case Babergh District Council) the ability to determine whether the development is likely to result in significant adverse impacts on the integrity of the site(s).

1.18 Any proposal for development that cannot demonstrate that it would not have a significant adverse effect upon the integrity of a European site, or that where impacts cannot be adequately mitigated, will be refused planning permission (andor in the case of lower tier development plan documents, these such sites allocations will not be taken forward in the final plansdocuments). This is in accordance with the precautionary principle enshrined within the Habitats Regulations. Where there are imperative reasons of over-riding public interest and the authority is unable to conclude no adverse effect on the integrity of a site, the authority will notify the Secretary of State and to allow the application them to be called in the application for determination. In these situations compensatory measures to protect the European site must be put in place.

Evidence Base

1.19 Important technical evidence has been collected by Babergh to assist with the preparation of the Core Strategy. Those studies include:

Appropriate Assessment Screening Employment Land Review Strategic House Market Assessment and Viability Study Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Housing Needs Survey Retail Study Sudbury and Hadleigh Town Centre Health Checks Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Open Space Assessment (work ongoing) Rural Services Infrastructure Capacity and Transport Study Conservation Area Appraisals Green Infrastructure Study Water Cycle Study (work ongoing)

1.20 The information gathered in the mentioned technical studies will justify the ‘soundness’ of the Core Strategy document and will be available on the Council’s website. A summary of the evidence base for each section of the Core Strategy is set out in Appendix 2.

Links to other Key Plans and Strategies

1.21 The Core Strategy will ‘join up’ town planning and land use issues with plans and strategies of other stakeholders and service providers that deal with community issues such as health, community safety, housing, employment, community development, education, transport, the environment and regeneration. This will ensure that development and investment decisions are guided by the objectives and long-term vision for the District. Spatial planning is not limited to things that the District Council control, therefore working with other partners and agencies is essential. A brief outline of the key plans and strategies (including internal plans and strategies) that informed the Core Strategy is provided below. The Sustainable Community Strategies discussed below are

6 of particular importance as the Babergh Development Framework is an important tool for delivering priorities identified in these strategies.

National and Regional Policy

1.22 The Core Strategy has to be consistent with national planning policies and guidance as well as the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) referred to as the Plan.

East of England Plan

1.23 The East of England Plan, published in 2008, covers the period to 2021. In particular it seeks to reduce the region’s impact on, and exposure to, the effects of climate change and to put in place a development strategy with the potential to support continued sustainable growth beyond 2021. The main drivers for the plan are: European and inter- regional links, London and its impacts on the region in terms of commuter workforce, contribution to regional prosperity and requirements in terms of transport networks, waste management etc., sustainable development, environmental protection, concentrating growth in key centres, identifying priority areas for regeneration and taking into account the implications for future major infrastructure projects.

1.24 A Draft East of England Plan > 2031 was published on 12th March 2010. This document will be the subject of consultation and an Examination in Public later in the year. The review updates the Plan, and replaces some of the policies with new ones (particularly in the area of climate change), and sets targets at individual authority level (e.g. the jobs growth target that was previously set at the sub-regional level). Although this document is in draft form we have made reference to it where new or amended policies may affect or influence our preferred option for Core Strategy policies.

Regional Economic Strategy (RES) 2008

1.25 The Economic Strategy has been developed by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and covers the period of 2008-2031. The strategy sets out a vision with targets and priorities to drive the East of England forward as a globally-competitive region. The strategy sets out the objectives and long term vision for the region’s economy with high and growing levels of wealth, increasing levels of economic participation and inclusion and sustainable dynamic rural economies. The RES also aligns with the spatial strategy for the region and identifies 8 goals to deliver a leading economy including: enterprise, innovation, digital economy, resource efficiency, skills for productivity, economic participation, transport and the spatial economy.

East of England Implementation Plan

1.26 The East of England Implementation Plan was published in February 2010, and was prepared by the East of England Regional Assembly and East of England Development Agency to integrate the delivery of the economic and spatial strategies (the RES and the RSS). The main objectives of the Implementation Plan are to enable a greater co- ordination of delivery and alignment of major investment decisions; assist in the process of prioritisation; create a common framework which can be used to align business and investment plans; and to provide a platform for the development of the proposed Regional Strategy that will combine the RSS and RES. The document sets out sub- regional priorities, and for the Haven Gateway this includes “unlocking the potential of key employment sites, currently underutilised and underdeveloped, ensuring no adverse effects on the site integrity of important wildlife sites, including and ”.

7 East of England Regional Transport Strategy April 2003

1.27 The Transport Strategy describes and analyses in detail the current transport network and situation in the East of England in a broad environmental and spatial context and provides a forward looking assessment and strategy on managing transport in the future (up to and beyond 2016).

Haven Gateway Integrated Development Programme (IDP) “A Framework for Growth” December 2008

1.28 Parts of Babergh (the Ipswich Fringe area) fall within the Haven Gateway sub region which is an identified ‘engine of growth’ in the RES and one of the key international gateways to the UK. As well as the regional cities of Ipswich and Colchester, the sub- region is defined in relation to the internationally significant Haven Ports (principally Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich), its market and coastal towns, and its high quality rural hinterland.

1.29 The Haven Gateway Integrated Development Plan offers a detailed account of the strengths, challenges, risks and opportunities within the Haven Gateway as it plans for growth and development in the years to 2021 and beyond. It also provides a single delivery plan for investment which will allow for appropriately phased development in the period to 2021 and, indicatively, beyond. It also looks at strategic employment sites.

County and Local Strategies and Plans

Sustainable Community Strategies

1.30 The Babergh Development Framework must assist in delivering the policies in the Sustainable Community Strategies. Babergh is covered by two Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) areas (Western Suffolk LSP and Babergh East LSP) and must therefore take these community strategies as well as the Suffolk Community Strategy (Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership) into account. The Babergh Development Framework needs to reconcile these for the district, since it is essential that the Core Strategy operates at a broad, strategic level and provides for the whole district in a unified way, whilst also respecting its diversity.

Suffolk County Council Local Transport Plan 2006-2011

1.31 The Suffolk Transport plan is a response to the key transport issues in Suffolk and sets out Suffolk County Council’s proposed programme of transport improvements from 2006 to 2011. The plan outlines the important role transport plays in the County and emphasises the need for a well managed transport network to improve access to jobs and services and to achieve development and regeneration.

Adjoining Local Authorities

1.32 Local Development Framework documents prepared by the following neighbouring authorities have also been considered: Braintree District Council Colchester Borough Council Ipswich Borough Council District Council St Edmundsbury Borough Council Suffolk Coastal District Council Tendring District Council

8 Babergh Housing Strategy

1.33 The Housing Strategy details Babergh's plans to tackle the housing issues of the District over the next five years. It provides a summary of the main objectives, policies and programmes for Babergh's housing service including addressing priorities such as increasing the number of affordable homes, reducing homelessness, helping vulnerable people live in housing that suits them and tackling anti-social behaviour.

Babergh Strategic Plan (2008-2018)

1.34 The Corporate Plan sets out what the Council hopes to achieve in the next 10 years. The Plan aims to improve social, economic and environmental well being. Partnership with citizens and other organisations are also identified as key issues.

9 2. Spatial Portrait and Key Issues

2.1 The Babergh District is mainly rural in character and covers an area of 230 square miles (596 square kilometres). On its immediate fringes lie the town of Bury St Edmunds to the north, Ipswich to the east and Colchester to the south. A brief overview of the social, economic and environmental characteristics is provided below. A more detailed portrait of the Babergh district is provided in the latest Annual Monitoring Report for 2008-9, published by the Council (paper copies are available or please see: www.babergh.gov.uk/babergh/ldf as well as the Babergh District Council Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report (paper copies are available or it can be viewed online at the above mentioned web link).

Social characteristics

It is estimated that Babergh had a population of 86,940 in 2007. This was 12.3% of the population of Suffolk County and the second smallest district in the County1. Babergh has two main centres of population. The largest settlement is Sudbury and , which had a population of over 20,000 people in 2007. Hadleigh, the second largest town, had a population of over 8,000 in 20072. Babergh’s north east edge includes part of the larger urban area of Ipswich. This area, known as the Ipswich Fringe, includes Pinewood, , Sproughton and Burstall which together have a population of 6440. Babergh’s population has risen by almost 4% over the period 2001-2007. It is predicted that the population will rise by 4.9% between 2001 and 2021 to 87,9003. This is lower than the predicted average growth for Suffolk. The district has an ageing population with 19% of the total population older than 65 years in 2001. It is predicted that this figure will increase to 29% of the total population by 20214. Babergh has 76 parishes with only 20 of these parishes with a population of over a 1000 people in 20075. In 2009 only a small proportion of the 76 parishes had access to most of the key services and facilities to meet their day-to-day needs. These parishes are fairly evenly distributed throughout the district6. Local facilities such as shops and post offices are under threat in a number of areas, and villages are under pressure to maintain their viability. Affordability of housing is a serious issue in Babergh and 2008 figures show that the average house price is almost 10 times higher than the average wage in the area. Babergh is the second least affordable district in the County. Although this average is dropping at present, in real terms many people would still find buying a house unaffordable7. The Index of Multiple Deprivation updated in 2007 shows that the Babergh district does not fall within the top 25% most deprived local authority areas nationally (overall deprivation). Babergh is the second least deprived in the County. There are however, pockets of deprivation present around Sudbury. Some of the rural areas of Babergh are particularly deprived in terms of access to housing and other services8.

1 Suffolk County Council mid year population estimates, 2009 2 Suffolk County Council mid year population estimates, 2009 3 Suffolk County Council mid year population estimates, 2009 (based on EERA, 2006) 4 Housing Needs Survey, 2008 and Suffolk County Council, 2009 5 Suffolk County Council mid year population estimates, 2009 6 Babergh District Council, 2009 7 Suffolk County Council, 2009 (Suffolk Observatory 2008 Q3 House price to Income ratios) 8 Index of Multiple Deprivation, 2007

10 Levels of crime (50 crimes reported per 1000 population in 2007/2008) and deprivation are low for Babergh, and the incidence of crime are reducing. However, whilst the incidence of crime is low across the district generally, there are specific locations within town centres and areas of relative deprivation where the incidence of crime is relatively high, and growing. More generally, crime and disorder is still an important issue for many local people and fear of crime is disproportionate to the levels of crime in the area9. Educational levels for Babergh are higher than those for Suffolk with 83% primary school attainment achieved in Babergh during 2008 in comparison to 81% primary school attainment achieved in Suffolk10. In 2001 a total of 70.4% of the population in Babergh were considered to be in good health. This was slightly higher than the 69.4% for Suffolk11.

Economic characteristics

Babergh has a small local economy less than half the size of the average for Britain. The district has a low level of unemployment (3% of the economically active population in 2008). This was lower than unemployment levels for Suffolk, the East of England and the UK. The number of Job Seekers Allowances has risen significantly in the district between 2007 and 201012 reflecting the difficulties experiences as a result of the economic recession in the country. Babergh District has a diverse economy with a strong manufacturing sector and distribution, hotel and restaurant sector, a declining agricultural base (although this sector makes a larger contribution to the economy than the case regionally and nationally) and a tourism industry with significant growth potential13. In 2007, 73% of the Babergh workforce were employed in the service sector, 24% in manufacturing and construction and 3% in agriculture. The manufacturing sector is notably higher than that in Suffolk. The District has smaller than usual numbers of people working in the Transport & Communications and Public Administration, Health & Education sectors14. In 2007 Babergh contributed to almost 21% of the jobs in Suffolk15. The average gross earnings in Babergh are below the Suffolk average (£32 per week less in 2008) and well below the national average (£144 a week less in 2008). The market towns of Sudbury and Hadleigh make a notable contribution to employment within the district. In addition to the market towns, a significant amount of commercial and employment opportunities are situated on the Ipswich Fringe16. There are relatively high levels of small businesses. In 2008 about 16% of the working population were self employed. There is also a high amount of rural employment17 in the district. There are gaps in the skills and education base. Whilst Babergh performs better than the GB average up to and including GCSE Level (NVQ2) it performs lower at A Level (NVQ3) and above18. Many young adults move out of the area seeking higher education, higher paid employment and, sometimes, housing opportunities. Babergh has 9% of its population in their twenties compared with 13% nationally19.

9 Suffolk Observatory, 2008 and ONS Annual Population Survey 10 Suffolk Observatory, 2008 11 ONS, 2001 12 Suffolk Observatory, 2008 and Suffolk County Council, 2008 13 GVA Grimley, Employment Land Review, 2010 14 Annual Business Inquiry, 2008 and GVA Grimley, Employment Land Review, 2010 15 Suffolk County Council, 2008 16 GVA Grimley, Employment Land Review, 2010 17 Suffolk Observatory, 2008 and GVA Grimley, Employment Land Review, 2010 18 Suffolk Observatory, 2008 19 ONS, 2001

11 Main road and rail networks link the district to the main centres of Ipswich, Colchester, Bury St Edmunds, Norwich, Chelmsford, Cambridge and London. The 2001 Census figures recorded that 43% of the workforce in Babergh travel outside of the district for employment. ; with significant proportions travelling to Ipswich.The main flows from Babergh were to the neighbouring main towns with 14% commuting to Ipswich Borough, 6% to Colchester Borough, 4% to St Edmundsbury Borough, 3% to Greater London, 3% to Suffolk Coastal District, 3% to Braintree District and 3% to Mid Suffolk District. Babergh together with Mid Suffolk have the largest proportion of outward commuting workforce in Suffolk20. Based on 2001 Census figures it is estimated that 5% of the workforce in Ipswich Borough, 3% of Mid Suffolk workforce, 2% of the St Edmundsbury workforce and 2% of the Suffolk Coastal workforce travels to Babergh for work.

Environmental characteristics

The Babergh District has a varied and attractive landscape consisting largely of undulating arable farmland interspersed with river valleys, and is framed on the eastern and south-eastern sides by the Orwell and Stour estuaries. The Stour and Orwell estuaries in Babergh have a distinct and precious character and wildlife habitats. Both these areas are designated as Ramsar (international designations) sites and Special Protection Areas (European designations). Babergh contains many areas of attractive countryside including the nationally designated Dedham Vale and the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), important for their landscape characteristics. A large portion of Babergh District is an ancient landscape of arable fields, improved grassland and clusters of ancient woodland, many of which are nationally protected areas as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Babergh also has an important geological heritage, and is particularly important for research into the changing warm and cold environments of the Pleistocene period and some of these sites are also nationally protected SSSIs. There are 18 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (with several of these sites made up of various component areas) in the Babergh District. There are locally important habitats in the district and they are given local protection though County Wildlife Sites and Local Nature Reserves. Locally important geological and geomorphological sites are given protection through designation as Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites (RIGS). There are 231 County Wildlife Sites, 1 RIGS and 10 Local Nature Reserves in Babergh. Babergh has a prestigious historic environment of outstanding character and quality comprising of around 4,000 listed buildings and 28 conservation areas. Babergh has a high number of listed buildings per square kilometre in comparison to most other authorities in England. A total of 10% of the listed buildings fall in the Grade I and Grade II* categories (of national and regional importance). Babergh therefore has quantity and quality in its listed buildings. There are 5 registered Historic Parks and Gardens in the district with statutory protection. Suffolk is one of the outstanding areas in Britain for its wealth of archaeological sites of all periods. In addition to its historic villages and towns, the Babergh District contains in excess of 1,000 known archaeological sites, of which 34 are Scheduled Ancient Monuments with statutory protections. A number of Special Landscape Areas, centred on the many river valleys and which are characteristic of this part of Suffolk are present in the district. The value of the natural and built environment in the District form the basis for a strong local tourism industry, including the internationally renowned areas of the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or ‘Constable Country’, and the medieval wool villages of and Kersey,.

20 Suffolk County Council, 2005

12 Some parts of the district are at risk from flooding, especially along the river valleys. It is important that this risk to lives and property is not increased and that any impacts are managed and mitigated. There is a need to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill as space rapidly runs out in Suffolk and other parts of the region. Babergh recycled almost 30% dry household waste during 2008-09. The CO2 emissions per capita in Babergh are above regional and national averages21. Traffic congestion, and air pollution due to traffic are also important issues in some parts of the district. The potential pollution hotspots relate to the A12 and A14 trunk roads and the A131 southern approach to Sudbury, which carry relatively high volumes of fast-flowing traffic. The Street, Cross Street and Church Street area of Sudbury has been designated an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) as a consequence of traffic congestion and air pollution.

21 Suffolk County Council, 2008

13 14 Key Issues

2.2 The Council has identified a number of key issues that the Core Strategy will need to prioritise and address:

How to plan and distribute future growth in the district plus Role of market towns and urban fringe in the district

2.3 There are two market towns of Sudbury and Hadleigh in the district. They include the largest concentration of population in the district and provide a range of services and facilities to large rural catchment areas. The towns in the Babergh district are of particular importance to the future vitality and viability of the district. The district also includes a part of the urban fringe of Ipswich, an important urban area that provides for most of the key services in this part of the district.

Rural character, the importance of towns and larger villages and access to services and facilities

2.4 Babergh is predominantly rural in character with many small villages that have limited services and facilities. These smaller villages depend on the larger villages and towns in the district to provide for many of their day-to-day needs. It is important that the services and facilities of the villages in the district are safeguarded as well as recognising the important role of larger villages in the district.

Improve sustainability and ‘self-containment’

2.5 In a rural area such as Babergh it is difficult to achieve a reduction in car travel, as for many people in small villages/ countryside public transport will not replace the need for a private car. It is important that we seek to reduce the We need to look at reducing the need to travel by ensuring new development is located close to services and facilities and that these developments are carefully planned to provide opportunities for work and leisure etc. close to new homes.

Limited brownfield land

2.6 The rural character of and settlement pattern of Babergh, with only two market towns (of limited size) and a part of the Ipswich fringe built up area, mean that the supply of brownfield land for re-development within the district is very limited. The prioritisation of brownfield land development has caused some problematic issues in the Babergh district in the past, as it has led to significant pressure to redevelop the district’s scarce employment land supply for residential redevelopment. The re-use of brownfield land has to be carefully considered to ensure the sustainable development of the district and achieving a balance between social, economic and environmental issues.

Ageing population

2.7 The population in Babergh, as is generally the case elsewhere in the country, is an ageing population. This places pressure on local health services and other services as well as underlining the importance of ensuring that the needs of the elderly population are addressed.

Need for affordable housing

2.8 Income in relation to house prices continues to mean that affordability in the district remains a problem and that there is a large need for affordable housing throughout the district.

15 Need to sustain the economy and achieve the right balance between highly skilled and low skilled jobs

2.9 Babergh is an economically diverse area, and economic activity rates in Babergh compare favourably with national and regional levels. It is important that we sustain and promote the economy in the district particularly since a large proportion of the workforce work outside of the district. Income rates and the level of highly qualified inhabitants are below regional and national averages and it is necessary for us to improve the balance between highly skilled and low skilled jobs in the district.

Strengths of the economy

2.10 We need to recognise the drivers of our local economy and our existing strengths, and identify the potential for future new businesses and employment opportunities in the district.

2.11 The ports of Felixstowe and Harwich, whilst not within the district, are major economic drivers for Babergh and are providers of jobs for many Babergh residents. The ports could also potentially benefit Babergh’s economy through related employment generating development within the district, and the improved infrastructure which comes along with this.

2.12 The attractive landscape, estuaries, and coastline, and the historic towns and villages in the district form the base of an important cultural and historic leisure and tourism sector. Businesses in this sector are important contributors to the local economy. There is also a significant agricultural base in the district.

Climate change

2.13 CO2 levels of emissions in the Babergh District are above regional and national levels. In addition the East of England region is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. It is therefore important that we look at ways to contribute to reducing climate change in the district.

Exceptional natural, historic and built environments

2.154 The district has a varied and attractive landscape, including several areas of importance to nature conservation. The district also has a prestigious historic environment, of outstanding character and quality. These assets are key to the district’s attractiveness and its tourist economy. It is important that we protect and enhance the natural, historic and built environments in the Babergh District, whilst planning for growth.

Infrastructure constraints

2.165 NIdeally, infrastructure should keep pace as the district's population grows. This includes social and physical infrastructure such as schools, healthcare, water supply, drainage and flood alleviation, leisure and community centre, etc. It is ew development should be supported by appropriate infrastructure to ensure that our communities are sustainable and healthy. It is therefore important that infrastructure needs are considered together with how new development will be accommodated in the district.

Q1: Are there any other social economic and environmental issues that have not been identified? If so please include details and reasons

16 3. Spatial Vision and Spatial Objectives

Core Strategy Spatial Vision

3.1 It is necessary that the Core Strategy identifies a clear vision of what it is that the LDF aims to achieve. In spatial terms, the kind of district that we are trying to maintain, evolve or create over the period of the next 20+ years. The vision should recognise and respect Babergh as a place and reflect its local distinctiveness. The Core Strategy should also identify specific and measurable spatial objectives that will support and help deliver the vision.

3.2 In developing the vision and objectives account was taken of the local context and the identified key issues provided in the Spatial Portrait section, set against the backdrop of the national and regional context. This includes the agendas that are prevalent at national and regional levels and the planning policies to which the district needs to have regard. Overall, the key agenda that planning for the future of Babergh must align with is to ensure that a planned sustainable strategy is developed and delivered. This does not mean that the strategy is sustainable just environmentally, but also economically and socially and generally in equal measure.

3.3 It is important that the Core Strategy has a community focused approach as set out in the ‘Sustainable Community Strategies’ for the area, along with the values / objectives of the Local Strategic Partnerships that develop them. The vision and objectives developed in the Core Strategy should take into account all of the Sustainable Community Strategies (Suffolk LSP, Western Suffolk LSP and Babergh East LSP) and the new Plan reconciles these for the district, since the Core Strategy operates at a broad, strategic level and provides for the whole district in a unified way, whilst also respecting its diversity.

3.4 For Suffolk the identified objectives are: A Prosperous and Vibrant Economy – To become the most innovate and diverse economy in the East of England Learning and Skills for the future – To have learning and skills in the top quartile in the county Creating the Greenest County – To be the county with the greatest reduction in carbon emissions Safe, Healthy and Inclusive communities – To create a place where everyone is safe, healthy and involved, no matter who they are, or where in the county they live.

3.5 For Western Suffolk the identified objectives are to Maximise the potential of all children and young people Develop and maintain a safe, strong and sustainable community Create and support healthier communities Develop a prosperous and sustainable economy

3.6 For Babergh East the identified vision is: To improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the communities in Babergh East

3.7 This vision is supported by the following objectives, including shared action to achieve: The development of programmes / projects which engage with young people and promote a sense of active citizenship and Support and advocate projects which raise opportunities for local communities to access jobs and training

17 3.8 There is much in common between these strategies, as they focus very much on the communities of people in their areas and the quality of life they are able to lead. The three strands of sustainable development come through, and economic issues, (including jobs and training) are pinpointed by the strategies.

3.9 Appendix 3 summarises the linkages between Sustainable Community Objectives and the Core Strategy Objectives and Policies.

3.10 In addition to that, Babergh’s Council’s identified ambition is for “A great environment in which to live, work and visit, where people have the opportunity to develop their potential and feel they belong to strong and vibrant communities” (Babergh Strategic Plan).

What you have told us so far

3.11 Most of your responses to the Issues and Options consultation were in support of the proposed vision and objectives, with some gaps identified. In summary these gaps broadly included additional reference to the historic and natural environment, sustainable development, social and economic issues and the need for the vision and objectives to be locally specific.

Preferred Approach

3.12 The vision and objectives have been amended to be more locally specific and address the issues raised during the Issues and Options Consultation. The preferred Spatial Vision and Objectives are set out below;

Spatial Vision for Babergh District

To work with partner organisations to create a shared spatial strategy and infrastructure and other investment programmes that will conserve, manage and improve the environmental, economic and social well-being in the district. Babergh’s unique character defined by its historic assets, countryside, attractive settlements, the Stour and Orwell Estuaries and river valleys, will be maintained and enhanced where possible. Our main town centres of Sudbury and Hadleigh will be improved and developed, whilst also allowing for our diverse rural communities to be supported, including developing better job opportunities, access to a suitable range of housing and other services and facilities, all contributing towards a more sustainable and the best possible quality of life over the long-term.

18

Spatial Objectives for Babergh District

Objective 1: Promote the sustainable development of strong, safe, healthy and inclusive communities throughout the district. Steer development to towns and larger villages that are already well supported by services; are well served by public transport and have a range of employment opportunities, whilst sustaining rural communities and enhancing these communities where appropriate and possible.

Objective 2: Allow for provision of sufficient land for housing, employment and other uses to achieve consistency with national and regional planning policy and to meet the needs of the district, including the provision of appropriate uses and mixes. Land supply should be responsive to changing circumstances and an adequate and continuous supply should be available. The use of brownfield land for development should be prioritised and maximised where appropriate.

Objective 3: Protect , conserve, manage, promote and, where possible enhance the exceptional qualities, character, appearance and attractions of the District’s natural, heritage and cultural assets including our historic environment , landscape, countryside, the Stour and Orwell Estuaries and biodiversity/ geodiversity that together contribute to forming a positive sense of place and local character in Babergh district.

Objective 4: Ensure the protection and where possible, the improvement of natural resources including water and air quality. Promote the sustainable use of resources including water, maximise the use of renewable energies, minimise the production of waste and promote sustainable construction in all new development.

Objective 54: Promote economic wellbeing and economic growth in a positive and flexible manner; encourage a wide range of shopping, leisure and recreational facilities; promote the prosperity of the District’s two town centres, Sudbury and Hadleigh; and protect and enhance community facilities in local centres through policies and initiatives that recognise the strengths and weaknesses and local constraints, opportunities, stresses and influences on the differing parts of the local economy.

Objective 65: Ensure that all new development makes appropriate provision for all of its physical, and social and green infrastructure needs including appropriate transport infrastructure, sustainable modes of transport, social and community facilities, open space and green infrastructure; water and wastewater/sewerage infrastructure; it achieves optimum standards for reducing carbon emissions; and use policies and initiatives to ensure that we mitigate the effects of and/or adapt to climate change.

Q2: Do you agree with the spatial vision and objectives? If not please tell us why and how you would change it.

19 4. Spatial Strategy for Babergh

Development Strategy

Introduction

4.1 Growth and further development within the district is a “given” requirement for the future. Key issues to address are the scale of this growth and where it should be located. This applies equally to housing and economic growth, which needs to be balanced to ensure future growth is sustainable. It is also essential to ensure that maintenance and provision of infrastructure is provided at a level adequate for the level of growth.

Policy Context

4.2 A good level of guidance is provided to steer the spatial strategy for the district, including national planning policy guidance and the regional plan. The current adopted Local Plan also provides a basic framework for the spatial strategy. The spatial objectives set out above are primarily based on the objectives in the Local Plan.

4.3 The overall development strategy for Babergh is to provide for the level of growth of homes and jobs as required in the East of England Plan, in a sustainable way to ensure that a better quality of life for everyone, now and in the future is achieved. Development of new homes, jobs, supporting infrastructure and other key services all need to ensure that the historic and natural environment is protected, together with locally distinctive characteristics of the towns and villages.

Local Context

4.4 Development in Babergh will be underpinned by sustainable development principles. It will be located to ensure that good access to jobs and other key services are available to all. It will be supported by the delivery of appropriate infrastructure. It will ensure that existing communities are maintained and that development patterns reflect the dependency of many rural areas on the larger villages or towns.

4.5 To follow the principles of this balance through, it means that most development will need to be located in the main towns and urban areas in the district. However, as a predominantly rural district, it is considered that supporting existing communities can only be achieved by planning for an appropriate level of growth in some of the larger villages, which will be defined as ‘Key Service Centres’ (see 4.21 below). This approach recognises the role of market towns and larger villages in providing employment and other key services to the rural hinterland.

Planning for Growth – The Evidence

4.6 Babergh is required by the Regional Spatial Strategy to provide at least 5,600 dwellings from 2001-2021 and of these dwellings, 600 should be provided in the Ipswich Policy Area and 5000 in the remainder of the Babergh district. For the period after 2021 the requirement is for the continuation of planned annual rates together with any shortfall in previous housing delivery rates as specified in the Spatial Strategy.

20 4.7 The Council is required to plan for housing delivery for at least a 15-year period, therefore, given its expected date of adoption in 2011/12 (allowing for some contingencies) the Core Strategy must look forward to at least 2026/2027. We also need to have regard to the period to 2031, as the RSS is currently being reviewed and rolled forward to 2031, at the same time as this Plan is being developed. The RSS Review is progressing and with the Draft East of England Plan > 2031 published in March 2010. This document will be subject to final consultation and an Examination, but has reached a sufficiently advanced stage for the emerging policies willto be taken into account as work on the Core Strategy progresses.

4.8 However, as the RSS Review has yet to be adopted, and in order to ensure that the emerging Core Strategy builds in the required level of flexibility to allow for different possible future growth scenarios, iIt is considered that the best way of planning for these periodsforward is to consider two different scenarios for housing delivery; one usingwith the current adopted RSS figures (rolled forward to 2031), and the second withother using the additional figures proposed in the RSS Review (lowest scenario) up for the period to 2031. This is to ensure that the emerging Core Strategy builds in the required level of flexibility to allow for different possible future growth scenarios. If higher figures than these are eventually adopted in the RSS Review this position may have to be dealt with by reviewing the Core Strategy early.

4.9 At this point iIt is therefore proposed to project the Core Strategy timescale to 2031 in order to provide a longer–term, more strategic planning and development approach. One effect of this is that it means that higher overall levels of development need to be planned for than were envisaged than in the previous consultation exercise, which was supported by the Issues and Options report in early 2009.

4.10 The latest Annual Monitoring Report (for 2008-09) shows that we must plan for 283 dwellings per year for Babergh over the plan period, since delivery has been close to (but just under) the RSS levels. Delivery is currently experiencing a drop due to the current adverse market conditions. Recovery in the economy and housing market and subsequently in delivery of new housing is anticipated within a few years from now (although of course, the timing and rate of this is uncertain).

4.11 Table 1 below sets out our position on housing requirements and past delivery, relying on data collected in the latest Annual Monitoring Report of 2008-09 and in the draft Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment of 2009. As indicated above, Scenario 1 is the known level of housing growth that Babergh must plan for (adopted RSS figure rolled forward to 2031), and Scenario 2 is a prudent approach that is included both to reflect housing targets in the Draft East of England Plan > 2031, and the flexibileity approach required in preparing Development Plans.

4.12 Whilst the table sets out the full range of levels of housing growth that could be provided for, the preferred approach is to plan ahead to 2031, in line with the emerging RSS roll forward. This then leaves the question of whether to plan primarily for the current adopted RSS housing provision level of 280 / 283 dwellings per year or the level of 335 dwellings likely to be proposed in the draft RSS (340 has been used here for calculation purposes – as per Scenario 1 of the first RSS consultation document - but the overall difference in resulting provision figures is essentially negligible). The draft Core Strategy has been prepared to take account of either situation through the range of dwelling provision set out below and the capacity (and eventual scale) of the broad development locations set out as options from which to choose later in this section of the draft Core Strategy.

21 Table 1: Housing requirements to 2031 Scenario 1: Adopted RSS housing target Scenario 2: Draft RSS > 2031 (lowest rolled forward to 2031 growth target figure)

No of No of Dwellings Dwellings RSS Requirement 2001-2021 RSS Requirement 2001- (5000+600) 5600 2021 (280 pa) 5600

Number already built (2001- Number already built 2009) 2209 (2001-2009) 2209 RSS Requirement 2011- 2031 6800 To provide 2009-2021 3391 (340 over 20yrs) Annual provision 200911- Annual provision 2009-2021 283 2031 33540 To provide 2009-2031 (annual rate of 335 over 7366 To provide 2009-2031 22yrs283 over 2yrs + 340 over (annual rate of 283 over 22yrs) 6221 20yrs) Commitments 962 Commitments 962 Remaining LP allocations 1883 Remaining LP allocations 1883 Total 2845 Total 2845 Residual to provide 2009 - Residual to provide 2009 - 2031 3376 2031 4521 Allowances for windfalls from Allowances for windfalls 2021-2031 from 2021-2031 960 (annual rate of 96 over 10yrs) 960 (annual rate of 96 over 10yrs) 2416 3561 Sum to plan for/ allocate (2415 rounded) Sum to plan for/ allocate (3560 rounded) Note: A Housing Trajectory is set out in Appendix 4

4.13 The table shows that in Scenario 1 approximately 6220 dwellings will need to be delivered between 2009 and 2031 in order to meet the current, adopted Regional Spatial Strategy requirement. Taking into account known supply and windfalls from year 10 - 20, this table shows that the Council should allocate land for at least 2415 dwellings up to 2031. In Scenario 2 approximately 7370 dwellings will need to be delivered between 2009 and 2031 in order to meet the Draft East of England Plan >2031 (lowest scenario) Regional Spatial Strategy Review proposals. Taking into account known supply and windfalls from year 10 - 20, this table shows that the Council should allocate land for at least 3560 dwellings up to 2031. The adopted Regional Spatial Strategy requirements are however cited as minima to be achieved, rather than ceilings not to exceed.

4.14 Based on information in local research studies (Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)), the Council is satisfied that sites within the District are capable of delivering the stated housing requirements for Scenario 1. The majority of the growth required under Scenario 2 can be delivered. Since the completion of the study, additional capacity has become available that this will be considered in more detail when the study is updated.

4.15 Monitoring will help inform if or when management or intervention would be required. Housing completions will be monitored in the Annual Monitoring Report and this will inform appropriate management/actions if and when required.

22 What you have told us so far

4.16 Consideration was given in the Issues and Options report to the most appropriate level of housing provision in the district. Most of the responses received were in favour of the provision of current adopted RSS housing levels (as minima figures) in the district. The preferred approach required by both the current Regional Spatial Strategy and the emerging RSS is reflected in the above table of possible provision. The next draft of this Core Strategy (expected to be the submission draft) may reflect a different position if the emerging RSS has moved on significantly in the meantime.

Preferred Approach- Settlement Pattern and Preferred Hierarchy

4.17 The Babergh District is a predominantly rural area, containing just 2 towns and adjoining the urban area of Ipswich (including a small part of this within Babergh). The largest of Babergh’s towns is Sudbury / Great Cornard, situated in the west of the district. As a rural district, the many small villages depend on the larger settlements and town centres for many of their needs. In this context the role provided by the major centres beyond the district is recognised, with the north of the district looking to Bury St Edmunds and ; eastern parts and the peninsula to Ipswich and the south of the district looks to Colchester. The relationship to the main urban areas within and beyond the district is important to the development strategy, which is underpinned by broad sustainable development principles. This focuses development for housing, jobs, shops and other infrastructure in the main urban areas. In a large, rural district with a dispersed settlement pattern like Babergh, many villages are remote from urban areas, therefore an approach to development tailored to Babergh’s own local characteristics seems appropriate.

4.18 In accordance with national and regional policy the preferred development strategy for Babergh is to distribute development to the towns and urban areas and the key service centres. The settlement hierarchy upon which this approach is based is set out below, together with the criteria used to define this and a list of the places within each group. They are all shown on the key diagram which illustrates their location in relation to the key transport networks and other relevant factors. Given the above, it is suggested that Babergh can usefully be divided into three broad and relatively distinct areas: western, mid and eastern Babergh. The existing settlement pattern, population distribution, divisions within the housing market areas and pattern of employment / commercial market areas (plus distribution of employment sites) suggest this typology, as is evident below, and it is upon this that the future development strategy is to be broadly based.

4.19 The overall hierarchy is as follows: Towns / Urban Areas Key Service Centres (KSC) Other Villages Countryside

23 Table 2: Geographical distribution of Key Service Centres and Other Villages across the district Settlement Type / West Mid East Order Towns / Urban Sudbury / Great Hadleigh Ipswich / Ipswich Fringe Areas Cornard (edge of urban area) KSC (6) (3) (6) Acton Brantham Bures St Mary Boxford Capel St Mary Lavenham Holbrook Shotley Other Villages by (4) (8) (5) overall Parish Cockfield Bentley (generally larger, Hitcham, Kersey & with a facility / some Sproughton, Stutton facilities; defined by Settlement Stoke by Nayland Development Stratford St Mary Boundaries) Countryside (includes western (includes central (includes rural part of (includes small third of district and third of district and 1 Ipswich Policy Area; villages with no part of 1 AONB) AONB) Shotley peninsula; part of Settlement 2 AONBs) Development Boundaries)

Towns / Main Urban Areas

4.20 These are those locations where there are larger concentrations of population within or close to an urban centre, which provides a range of opportunities for housing, employment, retail, leisure, health and education, together with adequate physical infrastructure to support this. In Babergh this includes:

Sudbury and Great Cornard: the district’s largest urban area and overall centre for much of it; also the logical centre for the western third of Babergh. The large rural catchment it serves, together with its range of functions, work to expand its importance beyond its physical scale. This means that the western third is relatively self contained in relation to the influence of, and potential dependence upon, Sudbury;

Hadleigh: a smaller, modest sized, traditional, market town located in the district’s central (mid) third and serving a relatively large rural catchment, which serves to make its role somewhat greater than its size alone may suggest;

Ipswich and Ipswich fringe: (the part of the Ipswich Policy Area (IPA) that is within the Babergh District) - includes part of Ipswich’s urban area that expanded into Babergh at Pinewood. Within the urban area of Ipswich the western fringe and centre in particular provide the focus for Babergh’s eastern third, as well as providing some jobs and higher order services for the middle third of the district.

24 Key Service Centres

4.21 The adopted Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS - Policy SS4) indicates that development in rural areas is to be focussed on Market Towns and outside these areas in ‘Key Service Centres’. These are suggested in the RSS as villages with a good level of services, including;

A Primary School within the village , a secondary school within it, or easily accessible by public transport; Primary Health care facilities Range of retail and service provision capable of meeting day to day needs, particularly for convenience shopping; Local employment opportunities and Frequent public transport to higher order settlements.

4.22 These criteria form the indicative basis for identifying Key Service Centres. This approach needs to be adapted to the Babergh context in view of its dispersed settlement pattern, with some areas remote from one of the main towns. Other criteria are considered relevant to defining these settlements in Babergh including:

Population size Some larger villages in the district have a strong function in supporting the rural hinterland beyond, including many smaller villages, particularly on the Shotley Peninsula and the north west of the district. Although not particularly large places themselves, they support a number of services which are largely able to be sustained by the population of the settlement and surrounding area (plus visitors). Settlements serving such a function tend to show a relationship to the population size, for this reason settlements with a population of 1000 or more are considered for inclusion as key service centres.

Location / function. Due to the geography of the rural parts of the district, many smaller villages are remote from key centres such as Sudbury, Hadleigh or Ipswich. Although the urban areas within and beyond the district provide most opportunities for jobs, shopping and other services, the larger settlements in between these centres have an important role to play, providing closer access to many of the essential services. It is important that Key Service Centres are located within reasonable reach of the smaller villages and the rural hinterland in all areas of the district. The pattern of distribution, based on the criteria described below- (i.e., 4 of the key facilities listed plus a population of 1000 or more), ensures that all areas are well related to a KSC.

4.23 The village facilities survey 22 illustrates a fairly dispersed pattern of distribution of some of the key services, particularly health facilities. It is frequently the case that a larger settlement is lacking one of the 5 key services listed, but due to its size, location or availability of other services it has an important role in serving many of the day-to-day needs of its population and that of the rural hinterland beyond. Key Service Centres are therefore defined as villages with a population of more than 1000 and that have 4 or more of the 5 key services listed above (based on RSS definition).

22 BDC Village Services and Facilities Assessment 2009

25 4.24 A higher population threshold could be applied. However, if 2000+ were used it would leave some areas of the district remote from a KSC, which could lead to an unsustainable approach, as a much more limited rate of development may lead to a decline of services in some of the larger settlements. If a population of 2000 were used as the threshold, it would exclude Acton, Bildeston, Boxford, Bures St Mary, Chelmondiston, Great Waldringfield, Lavenham and Nayland from the defined KSC. Most of these would also be excluded if the threshold were set at 1500. This would make some rural areas, in particular in the mid Babergh area, remote from a KSC, which through appropriate growth, may be able to sustain a reasonable level of service provision which is important to the settlements and the rural hinterland beyond them.

Exception*

The only exception to this definition is Bures St Mary* *Due to its unique circumstances, with the River Stour forming the administrative boundary with Braintree District and Bures Hamlet. The settlement functions as one large village and together provides all 5 of the key services, including a railway station. The combined population is well over 1000

4.25 The Key Service Centres are listed in Table 2 above divided into the 3 Babergh areas and are also shown on the Key Diagram.

Other Villages

4.26 It is not intended that the strategy distributes development beyond the towns / urban areas and KSCs. However, it is important to recognise that smaller villages, although dependant on a KSC or town for many services, need to be able to accommodate small-scale housing growth to meet local needs, and particularly affordable housing. To have a policy that prevents all further development in these smaller villages could make them vulnerable to further loss of facilities and decline. It is considered that a small-scale level of growth can appropriately be accommodated within the defined settlement development boundaries, and through development management polices on issues such as affordable housing.

4.27 We have considered the size and spatial characteristics of the smaller villages and looked at the key services and facilities that meet some of people’s day-to-day needs. We consider these to be good public transport links to the towns and/or Key Service Centres, a primary school and a food shop. Such services help to make a village sustainable, and are the services that are often under threat when a population or user-group declines.

4.28 These smaller villages which are not KSCs, but retain the settlement development boundary (referred to in the Local Plan as Built Up Area Boundary BAUB) and have two or more of the following key criteria are therefore identified as Other Villages suitable for small-scale development to meet local needs, in the form of small sites and infill.

4.29 Key sustainability criteria for Other Villages: Good public transport links Primary school Foodstore

26 4.30 The settlements defined as Other Villages will retain a settlement development boundary, these are listed in Table 2 above divided into the 3 Babergh areas.

Countryside

4.31 Small villages and hamlets which have no services, or which have poor transport links are unsustainable locations for additional development, even on a small scale, unless there is good reason for new development to be located in the countryside. The Local Plan identifies some of these less sustainable villages, but still defines them with a settlement development boundary.

4.32 Settlements without settlement development boundaries would be considered to be in the countryside. However, in order to meet local housing needs and maximise the delivery of affordable housing it is considered that affordable housing developments should continue to be permitted, as an exception, in or immediately adjacent to Other Villages and in or adjacent to settlements without a development boundary at a scale proportionate to proven local needs.

4.33 The settlement hierarchy proposed in the Core Strategy would result in settlement development boundaries being removed from the following small settlements:

Aldham Polstead (Heath) Polstead (Whitestreet Green) Brettenham Burstall Street Chelsworth Stanstead (Upper & Lower Street) Cockfield (Cross Green) Tattingstone (White Horse) Cockfield (Crowbrook/Mackenzie Place) Tattingstone (Heath) Cockfield () Copdock & Washbrook (South) East Bergholt (East End) Wherstead (Bourne Hill/The Strand) Holton St Mary Lawshall (Bury Road) Lawshall (Street) (Upper) (Harrow Street) Leavenheath (High Road) Tye Newton

4.34 All areas outside towns, KSCs and defined other villages are classified as open countryside. This includes dispersed groups of dwellings or small settlements not classified as villages. In these areas development will be restricted and any development permitted will require exceptional justification. Such exceptions may be for affordable housing where a local need is proven, or for small scale development that can be operationally justified or development that can not be met in a more sustainable location. Due to the remoteness of such locations and the fact they are in the open countryside, such exceptions can rarely be justified. The criteria applied to any such proposals will be contained in the development management policies document.

27 Preferred Policy SS 1 - Settlement Hierarchy

The development strategy for Babergh is planned to a time horizon of 2031. Most new development (including housing, employment and retail) in Babergh will be directed to the towns / urban areas and Key Service Centres as identified in the list below. The location of development will depend upon the local housing need, the role of settlements as employment providers and retail centres, as well as having regard to environmental, and physical and social infrastructure constraints.

Towns / Urban areas:

Sudbury and Great Cornard Hadleigh Ipswich Fringe (edge of urban area)

Key Service Centres (All shown on the key diagram):

Acton Bildeston Boxford Brantham Bures St Mary* Capel St Mary Chelmondiston East Bergholt Glemsford Great Waldingfield Holbrook Lavenham Long Melford Nayland Shotley (Shotley Street and Shotley Gate)

In principle site allocations to meet housing and employment needs will be made in the Site Specific Allocations document. Rural exceptions sites will also be pursued for these villages according to identified local needs.

Development in Other Villages as defined in the list below will be limited to infill development only on a small scale and other development with a proven local need, such as affordable housing.

Assington Bentley Cockfield Elmsett Hartest Hintlesham Hitcham Kersey Lawshall Monks Eleigh

28 Polstead Stoke By Nayland Sproughton Stratford St Mary Stutton Tattingstone

In the countryside, outside the towns / urban areas, Key Service Centres or Other Villages defined above, development will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances subject to a proven justifiable need (such as that for affordable housing).

Q3. Please tell us if you agree with the criteria to define the spatial hierarchy for Babergh? If not please state your reasons and identify alternative criteria and a settlement hierarchy

Q4. Do you think that the population threshold of 1000, for defining Key Service Centres is appropriate for the make up of the district? If not please indicate what you consider to be appropriate and why.

Distribution of Development

4.35 The Issues and Options presented 5 different options as an approach to the Spatial Strategy; Option 1 - Business as usual (No Change option) Option 2 - Maximum urban concentration Option 3 - Equitable dispersion Option 4 - Rural development Option 5 - New settlement

What you have told us so far

4.36 The consultation on the Issues and Options report indicated minimal support for a new settlement (option 5) and equitable dispersion (option 3). Option 2, urban concentration had just under 40% stating this as a first preference, with rural development (option 4) reaching nearly 50% as a first preference. The business as usual (option 1) had just 30% indicating this as a first preference, but this rises to almost 60% when second preferences are included. This mixed response is reflected in the preferred option which combines elements of the options, most notably, options 1 and 4.

4.37 Other issues that were indicated in the responses include;-

Key Service Centres should be identified (now); Support for a strategy that allows for some development within and around sustainable villages; Impacts of the spatial strategy on the surrounding area and on the historic and natural environment should be considered; Impacts on climate change should steer development; and Brownfield land should be used first.

29 Sustainability Appraisal of the Issues and Options

4.38 The option with most positive effects was option 1: business as usual and option 2: maximum urban concentration. The option with most negative effects was option 5: new settlement, followed by option 4: rural development.

Preferred Approach – distribution of development

4.39 Option 5, a new settlement was dismissed, for a number of reasons. It received the least support in the responses to the Issues and Options consultation, with only 10% indicating this to be a first or second preference. It is the option with most negative sustainability effects and would fail to address local needs associated with housing, employment and retail development district wide. Furthermore, the level of growth is unlikely to be sufficient to sustain a new settlement.

4.40 The preferred option does not directly correspond with the remaining four options. However, it combines elements of option 1 and option 4 in as much as it reduces the proportion of development proposed for Sudbury and Great Cornard from that indicated in option 1, and suggests development in the Ipswich Fringe, Hadleigh and the KSCs, closer to the proportions suggested in option 4 (although the latter is 8% lower).

4.41 Option 2 does not allow for any growth in the KSCs, which has a number of disadvantages, including not addressing housing and employment needs in many parts of the district and reducing the ability of larger villages to sustain the current level of service provision. In addition, the level of growth in the Ipswich Fringe is significantly higher than alternatives, accelerating the level of growth planned in this area by 50%.

4.42 Option 3, disperses development more equally, thus reducing the amount of development proposed in Sudbury and Great Cornard. However, this area has the greatest need, particularly for affordable housing, which may not be met if a lower level of development were to be provided. Option 3 increases the level of development in Hadleigh to significantly above its planned growth. Responses to the consultation on the Issues and Options indicated that less than 5% considered this as a first preference (the lowest first preference for all options).

4.43 The preferred option for overall distribution of development is for it to be shared between the town centres / urban areas and the Key Service Centres. The proportion of this distribution reflects the opportunities and constraints which apply to each location, the responses, and the Sustainability Appraisal. This option also reflects the findings ofearly indications from the Stage 1 Habitats Regulations Assessment process that indicated that care should be taken in terms of the percentage of growth allocated for the Ipswich Fringe. Work undertaken stronglyThe study concludedindicates that the higher the level of growth at the Ipswich Fringe the more likely it will be to have adverse impacts on the Stour and Orwell Estuary SPA since the Ipswich Fringe is located in fairly close proximity to the Stour and Orwell Estuary. In addition the [River] Deben SPA may also be affected by higher levels of growth at the Ipswich Fringe.

Preferred Policy SS2 - Distribution of Housing Development

The distribution of housing development in Babergh will be based on the components set out in the table below. All figures are a minimum.

30 Table 3: Distribution of housing across the district to 2031 Location Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Overall % (allocate 2415 (allocate 3560 dwellings - growth dwellings -to to allocate) allocate) Adopted Possible newDraft revised RSS: 283 dwellings RSS: (at 340 dwellings p.a. to 2031) p.a. to 2031)) Sudbury and Great 1450 2136 60 Cornard1 Hadleigh1 290 427 12 Ipswich Fringe1 265 392 11 Key Service Centres2 410 (Ave. approx. 605 (Ave. approx. 40 each) 17 27 each) Total 2415 3560 100 Notes 1. New strategic scale development to be contiguous (or closely related) to the existing urban area 2. Overall total to be divided between the 15 designated KSC; average figures quoted are provided to give general guidance as to approximate scale of development anticipated

4.44 The proportion of development in the KSCs is to be shared between the villages listed. The numbers and location for each settlement will be considered at the site allocations stage and will depend on a thorough analysis of local needs, opportunities, environmental and physical and social infrastructure constraints including; Locally identified need - Housing and employment Specific local need such as affordable housing; Flood Risk; Nature conservation constraints / designated areas and implications of an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats directive (where appropriate) Landscape considerations and designated sites (e.g. ANOB); Historic character and conservation considerations; Infrastructure constraints - Physical infrastructure / utilities; Infrastructure needs (e.g. transport, open space, leisure facilities) and access to services and facilities; Availability of brownfield land and Sustainability Appraisal.

Q5: Do you agree with the distribution of growth proposed in Policy SS2? If not please include reasons why you consider this is not the most suitable distribution

Location of New Development

4.45 The precise location of new development for Sudbury / Great Cornard, Hadleigh and Ipswich Fringe will also be considered in detail in the site allocations document and will be subject to rigorous assessments including all those listed in paragraph 4.44. However, at this stage it is necessary to determine the broad directions for future, strategic scale growth through urban edge extensions and these are suggested below. In order to consider the extent to which these broad locations may need to be explored, it is necessary to establish the proportion of development which may potentially be provided for on brownfield sites.

31 Phasing and Brownfield Land Use

4.46 It is important that we use brownfield land rather than greenfield land wherever it is appropriate and sustainable to do so. Nationally, it is a priority for new housing to be built on brownfield land, and the Council considers that it should apply equally to all development including new employment or commercial and other forms of development. At the regional level the target is for 60% of all development to be on brownfield land. Some urban districts in the region, such as Ipswich, have traditionally achieved much higher levels of development on brownfield land, whereas for rural districts in the region these targets have been and will be more challenging.

4.47 The prioritisation of brownfield land for housing development has caused some problematic issues in the Babergh district, as it has led to significant pressure to redevelop the district’s scarce employment land supply for residential redevelopment. The prioritisation of brownfield land does not remove the need to consider the retention of an adequate supply of employment land and premises to ensure that settlements can remain sustainable.

4.48 Between 2004 and 2009 the percentage of housing completed on brownfield land in the District was 59% (average). The percentage of housing completions on brownfield land reduced from 68% in 2005 to 55% in 2009. The figure is similar for employment development, for example during the 2008-09 monitoring year 59% of all employment completions were on brownfield land. However Babergh is a rural district with limited brownfield land supply. A number of brownfield housing allocations are now completed or nearly completed and limited brownfield allocations remain. When considering an appropriate target in the local Babergh context the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment provides an indication of potential available brownfield land for housing within the district. This study shows that of the total housing requirement up to 2027, a total of 30% can potentially be delivered on brownfield land.

What you have told us so far

4.49 Consideration was given in the Issues and Options report to the most appropriate targets for brownfield land use in the district and applying these targets to all development. Most of the responses received indicated that a high priority should be attached to the use of brownfield land before greenfield land where appropriate. Most support was for local evidence/ circumstances to inform brownfield targets and with some support also for a brownfield target of 60%.

Preferred Approach

4.50 The preferred approach is based on consultation responses and local assessments about potential available brownfield land. Although the local assessments show a lower figure than regional targets, the District has a limited brownfield land supply and scarce employment resources.

4.51 When considering phasing of development it is important that we look at targets such as brownfield land use, housing delivery and supply as well as the need for infrastructure upgrades. The pressure on infrastructure from development and the extent to which additional provision may be required to support development is referred to in Policy INF1.

32 Preferred Policy SS3 – Brownfield Land and Phasing

The Council will seek to maximise the use of brownfield land in the district where this is sustainable and appropriate. The Council will work with partners to deliver and seek to secure at least 30% of all new development in the Babergh district up to 202723 on brownfield land.

The need to release new sites for development will be assessed against the following considerations:

The potential for development of brownfield land ahead of greenfield land and the delivery of brownfield targets the delivery of annual targets for housing delivery and 5 year housing supply access to services and facilities (refer Policyies INF1 and CC1 refer) and the delivery of supporting infrastructure the delivery of appropriate levels and types of employment land in accessible locations the delivery of retail opportunities in accordance with the retail hierarchy in Policy E2 the delivery of objectives of the spatial strategy including distribution of housing, employment and other services in the western, mid and eastern part of the district.

4.52 Monitoring will help inform if or when management or intervention would be required. Completions on brownfield land, housing delivery and 5 year housing supply will be monitored in the Annual Monitoring Report and the Infrastructure Implementation Plan.

Q6. Please let us know if there are any reasons why you think brownfield targets should not be set in accordance with local evidence as outlined in Policy SS3? Please give reasons Q7. Are there any other matters that should be included when considering phasing of development? Please state your reasons

Spatial Strategy – by area

1. Sudbury / Great Cornard & West Babergh

4.53 Sudbury / Great Cornard will continue to be the clear focus for this relatively large area (and will provide a centre able to serve parts of mid Babergh) and will develop and maintain this role in future. Providing the largest range and level of services and facilities within the district, along with retail, cultural and leisure / recreation activity, the town has been able to ‘punch above its weight’. However, there is no room for complacency and the town centre’s future well-being will be of critical importance. Competition from larger town centres beyond the district will remain an issue, requiring the town to safeguard its ability to attract and retain users and visitors as far as possible. Sudbury’s town centre will accordingly be promoted further, with a view to providing for its expansion and improvement in order to provide for the town’s

23 The brownfield land target is based on local evidence and this study looks at available brownfield land for the period up to 2027

33 overall growth (both recent, current and in future). The redevelopment of the area around Sudbury bus station and improvements to its wider locality, will provide a catalyst for this growth and development. Recent retail growth is anticipated to continue and planning for the accommodation of this in a way that benefits the town centre will be a key issue. Diversifying the town centre, attracting quality new customer attractions and addressing imbalances connected with the night-time economy will form part of the future town centre improvement strategy. In order to co- ordinate future actions and secure consensus on these, consideration will be given towards the potential preparation of further planning guidance for the town centre.

4.54 As the location of the greatest share of previous growth the town will continue to be the location of future development, through a policy of managed growth. This is likely to require significant new, strategic scale development at the urban edge(s) with the creation of sustainable, new, balanced communities. There are relatively few directions within or on the town’s edges where this could take place and 4 potential broad zones can be identified. The town’s growth will be planned, phased and co- ordinated with growth already planned and delivery of supporting physical and green infrastructure. Existing green infrastructure is of considerable quality and value and a challenge will be to ensure that new provision emulates this. Transport improvements in particular will need to feature prominently, especially those of benefit to the town centre.

4.55 The town’s strong economic base will be promoted as a substantial location for new jobs, both within the town centre, on existing and new employment land beyond this and through significant job growth through other activities which do not always require single use locations or land designations (such as tourism). Further promotion of the town’s substantial tourist offer presents a valuable opportunity for the area’s future economy and its diversity. Delivery of significant new employment land (alongside safeguarding existing sites) will remain of great importance to address previous deficiencies and to balance strategic scale new housing growth.

4.56 Given the above considerations, Sudbury and Great Cornard have the potential to extend the influence of its service catchment area within the rural mid Babergh area (to the east) and beyond the district (within north Essex in particular).

4.57 Beyond Sudbury itself, a substantial network of 5 large, satellite, rural communities in close proximity will remain as relatively large population centres in their own right (Acton, Bures St Mary, Glemsford, Great Waldingfield, and Long Melford). These provide important local facilities and services and in several cases, a valuable contribution to jobs and commerce through their current employment land areas and potentially in future through additions. All of these can help supplement those within Sudbury and provide choice and flexibility in land supply and phasing of delivery.

4.58 Further beyond Sudbury, Lavenham is the only other large centre and is less closely related to it. However, Lavenham enjoys a degree of self-containment, with some local employment opportunities, a small but attractive retail / service centre and a quality of historic environment that enables it to function as a considerable tourist centre. The protection of the existing assets of these villages, alongside identifying new opportunities to strengthen their local centre function will remain important priorities. Although the overall contribution to the volume of the district’s future housing requirements will not be very substantial, the strategy has been devised to allow for growth at a scale that will contribute towards meeting local housing requirements, deliver affordable homes and help the viability of these communities. Virtually all villages here will also be able to benefit from rural exceptions affordable housing sites, wherever local needs indicate a requirement and sites can be secured.

34 2. Hadleigh and Mid Babergh

4.59 Hadleigh will remain as the primary centre for this area and as the district’s second town. Given its limited scale and relatively limited service / facilities base, parts of its rural catchment will inevitably continue to use larger nearby centres to the east and west (and some beyond the district). Protection and promotion of Hadleigh’s attractive and very historic town centre will remain a priority in order to maintain its role as main service centre for mid Babergh and this can build upon considerable previous enhancement. Improvements to existing facilities and services are planned, including both convenience retail and leisure provision and these can both be expected to support local town centre users, those from surrounding areas and visitors and tourists alike. The strategy for the centre will need to build on its existing strengths including its human scale, environmental quality, independent shops and services (including catering establishments) and the retention of supportive public services and recreational activities within it or very close by.

4.60 Hadleigh will retain and add to its current employment base through development already planned and it is anticipated, further additions to it (partly to balance housing growth). The town has proven an attractive, popular and successful location for some relatively large businesses and employers and there remains an issue of how to provide for their future growth and expansion locally. The rate of future development for Hadleigh is projected to remain relatively similar to that of the recent past. Opportunities to provide land for this within the town are very limited, so some expansion at an urban edge would be necessary, although this will serve to protect its sensitive, historic core. The identification of a choice among 3 possible growth directions for this is possible and decisions on this will need to consider the sensitive environments and development constraints involved.

4.61 Whilst Hadleigh is smaller than its urban neighbours to the east and west, it is partly supported by its small network of (3) relatively large villages identified as key service centres (Bildeston, Boxford and Nayland). The emphasis here will be largely on affordable housing provision, as only 3 villages may receive new housing allocations (alongside possible employment land allocations). Below that level, there are no less than 8 Other Villages that all provide for a basic level of facilities and services, generally of an everyday kind of nature. All villages here will be able to benefit from rural exceptions affordable housing sites, wherever local needs indicate a requirement and sites can be secured.

4.62 The rural areas have some substantial employment sites (such as Pond Hall, Notley Enterprise Park, Nedging (Crowcroft Road)). Whilst not ideally located in pure planning terms, these provide useful locations for businesses and rural based jobs, adding to those available in the towns. They warrant protection therefore, although any future growth should be considered carefully. Mid Babergh only has 3 KSC, so opportunities for future employment land allocations are limited by area. This area also has tourist attractions (such as Kersey village) and the Constable Country villages and countryside in the south. Sustainable tourism here is to be encouraged, although control will remain necessary to protect the special qualities of the AONB.

35 3. Ipswich Fringe (plus Ipswich) and East Babergh

4.63 This part of the district has considerable differences from the other two and prominent among these are the strong influence of the county town (the largest urban area and centre in Suffolk). This is of sufficient stature to exert influence over much of the other two thirds of Babergh (although some parts will tend to look beyond Babergh to Bury St Edmunds and Colchester for service provision, employment, etc.). This area contains the major communication routes (A14 and A12, as well as the eastern Norwich to Liverpool Street mainline railway line). These and developments beyond, such as Felixstowe port, are substantial infrastructure and economic assets. Ipswich is planned to grow considerably and contribute towards regional growth (under the RSS), so its role within the locality in the future will also continue.

4.64 Babergh has an option to plan to accommodate some of its own growth in the Ipswich fringe, although this tends not to represent a preferred location in housing need terms for Babergh. There is also relatively limited land suitable for development within the boundary that the A14 represents. On top of this, this area may have to accommodate some of Ipswich’s substantial growth under the RSS, as outlined above. Against this, the Ipswich fringe represents a sustainable location for further growth and substantial developments are planned or underway (such as the new sixth form centre and ‘Snoasis’ in adjoining Mid Suffolk). Babergh already has well over 5,000 residents here (although their connections with Ipswich tend to be strong). It is suggested that an appropriate proportion of Babergh’s housing growth could take place here adjacent to the existing urban area and 2 possible zones have been identified as choices where it could occur.

4.65 This area is also of considerable importance and attraction in economic terms and will need to play a substantial role in accommodating the RSS sub-regional job growth targets shared by the 3 districts of Babergh, Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal. Given the area’s sub-regional role, a number of employment locations have been planned for through existing sites or developments and their delivery will represent a priority. These include the former British Sugar refinery site (Sproughton) and the remaining parts of the ‘IP8’ site at Pinewood. Several successful, rural business locations also lie within the Ipswich fringe.

4.66 To the south lies the Shotley peninsula, and the effect of the Orwell and Stour river estuaries is to make this a distinct, if relatively remote area, with Shotley perched at its very tip (some 11 miles from Ipswich). Coverage with larger, Key Service Centre villages is good, with 6 villages serving to prevent any area from being highly remote from local level service and facilities provision (Brantham, Capel St Mary, Chelmondiston, East Bergholt, Holbrook and Shotley). A further 5 ‘Other Villages’ supplement the network of service villages. The maintenance of this network, together with its service and facilities, will remain highly important in sustainability terms and for safeguarding the future of the many rural communities involved. Although the overall contribution to the volume of the district’s future housing requirements will not be very substantial, the strategy has been devised to allow for growth at a scale that could address overall local housing requirements, deliver much needed affordable homes and help the viability of these communities. Virtually all villages here will also be able to benefit from rural exceptions affordable housing sites, wherever local needs indicate a requirement and sites can be secured.

36 4.67 Large, brownfield sites (historical legacies) at Shotley Gate and Brantham pose difficult issues to resolve in respect of their future development. At the same time these also offer considerable opportunities in providing much needed new development (such as new jobs and affordable housing) to serve their localities and the wider peninsula. The redevelopment of the latter site represents the first priority, in terms of scale of brownfield land, the benefits offered, and need for regeneration and this is currently being pursued. The peninsula also has the assets and attractions to benefit greatly from tourism, visitors and recreation. This is already evident with attractions such as Mill, , Alton Water reservoir and 2 marinas.

Q8. Do you agree with the spatial strategy for the west, mid and eastern parts of Babergh? If not how would you change this and why

Q9. Are there any other matters that should be included in the spatial strategy? If so please tell us what these are and your reasons for including them.

37 38 Potential Directions of Growth (Broad Locations)

4.68 Based on the preferred distribution strategy the diagram below illustrates the broad locations which may be appropriate directions of growth for the main town centres and urban areas. Broad locations for development in the KSCs are not shown at this stage.

4.69 We believe that the eight broad locations that have been selected best meet the sustainable development objectives that underpin the spatial strategy. An additional option has also been included at this stage as it meets many of the sustainable development objectives, although potentially serious access problems have been identified. The options listed below are shown on the Options for Broad Locations Map:

Sudbury: North of Sudbury (Location 5) East of Sudbury (Location 6) South of Great Cornard/ Sudbury (Location 7) Potential additional option: South West of Sudbury, Ballingdon (Location 4)

Hadleigh: East of Hadleigh (Location 1) West of Hadleigh (Location 2) North of Hadleigh (Location 3)

Ipswich Fringe: Western Ipswich Fringe (Location 8) South West Ipswich Fringe (Location 9)

4.70 Appendix 5 summarises the advantages and disadvantages of these locations which are based on the findings of an initial sustainability appraisal and informed by the preliminary Habitats Regulations Assessment and other evidence as relevant. The precise location and phasing of new development for these areas will be set out in the site allocations document, which will be informed by detailed assessments of a range of criteria including, for example, the capacity of essential infrastructure such as wastewater Ttreatment Wworks.

Q10. Do you think we have identified the correct advantages and disadvantages for the different broad locations identified? If not please state why

Q11. Do you think there are any other broad locations that we should consider and why?

39

40 5. Social and Physical InfrastructureSocial, Physical and Green Infrastructure

Policy Context

5.1 Development can place additional demands upon physical and social infrastructure, as well as having impacts upon the environment. As a predominantly rural district, access to facilities and services will always be an important issue. Alongside investment in new housing and jobs, investment in infrastructure is central to improving the lives of existing and future residents in the district and in creating and maintaining safe and sustainable communities. Adequate infrastructure, both now and in accordance with additional requirements generated by growth is an important part of the Core Strategy. All new development should provide for the necessary infrastructure to support that development.

5.2 It is important that the District Council continues to work with partners to identify the infrastructure that will be required to deliver the spatial strategy.

Local Context

5.3 The spatial strategy aims to steer most development to those parts of the Babergh District which are already well supported by services, well served by public transport and have a range of employment opportunities. This approach is aimed at improving the sustainability in and ‘self-containment’ of the district. To achieve these sustainability benefits whilst ensuring that social, and physical and green infrastructure support new development, it may be necessary to upgrade existing infrastructure, particularly at Sudbury/ Great Cornard, Hadleigh and the Ipswich fringe. It may also be necessary to upgrade infrastructure in Key Service Centres depending on the scale of growth proposed. The requirements at Key Service Centres will be considered in detail as part of the Site Specific Allocations Development Plan Document. It is important that land should only be released for development when appropriate infrastructure is in place, or will be in place before the development takes place.

The Evidence

5.4 The Council has commissioned studies and worked with service providers and key stakeholders in the district, including EDFE and National Grid, Anglian Water, the Environment Agency, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk Primary Care Trust, Network Rail, Highways Agency, etc to consider infrastructure capacities, constraints, strategic requirements and implementation. The studies include the Haven Gateway Water Cycle Study Stage 1 and Stage 2 and the Transport Study that are completed, and we are currently in the process of commissioning a Water Cycle Study for the remainder of the district.

What you have told us so far

5.5 Your responses indicated that the Core Strategy should address the provision of green infrastructure, consider the provision of social infrastructure on a case-by-case basis, and make some provision for social infrastructure. In terms of physical infrastructure your responses indicated that the Core Strategy should include a policy on infrastructure provision, and that you prefer implementing a range of approaches to ensure that appropriate physical infrastructure is provided, including approaches such as applying for grant funding for infrastructure.

41

Sustainability Appraisal of the Issues and Options

5.6 In terms of social infrastructure the options with most positive sustainability effects were option 1: considering all infrastructure of equal importance and option 2: considering infrastructure provision on a case by case basis.

5.7 In terms of physical infrastructure all of the options showed mainly positive sustainability effects. The option with the most positive sustainability effects was option 4: securing grant funding from national government for larger projects, followed by option 3: making provision for larger scale infrastructure requirements in the Core Strategy.

Preferred Approach

5.8 Based on national and regional guidance, consultation responses and stakeholder feedback the preferred approach is to include a policy to:

ensure that new development makes appropriate provision for infrastructure; ensure that development is appropriately phased to allow for infrastructure improvements ifwhen required; include a range of options to ensure that appropriate social, physical and green infrastructure are provided; and to include strategic infrastructure requirements to implement the Spatial Strategy.

5.9 The information in this section is the best information available at present and may be subject to change as more information becomes available about infrastructure considerations in the district.

5.10 The requirements for infrastructure in the Babergh district will be regularly reviewed to inform the monitoring and implementation framework (see monitoring section of the report) of the Core Strategy. As the Council progresses with the preparation of the Babergh Development Framework and in particular Site Specific Allocations DPD, more detailed information regarding infrastructure requirements and constraints will become available and this will also inform the monitoring and implementation framework.

5.11 Infrastructure delivery details are set out in Appendix 6 (including capacity, phasing, risks and contingencies). The following considerations and approaches to delivery also apply:

Babergh will continue to seek influence and promote national and regional infrastructure planning (including the RSS / regional transport strategy and the East of England Implementation Plan, regional infrastructure funding decisions and EEDA’s current ‘Routes to Growth’ campaign)

Babergh will continue to help promote rail transport improvements where beneficial, for example the Felixstowe-Nuneaton (F2N) line upgrading (including the proposed Bacon Curve)

Babergh will also continue to help to guide the Suffolk Local Transport Plan (current and emerging versions)

42 Then important, wider role that Babergh plays working on in the co-ordination of public and private sector infrastructure investment and delivery plans

At sub-regional level Babergh is an active partner in the Haven Gateway Integrated Development Programme (the ‘IDP’ and related Framework for Growth)

Babergh will continue to bid for infrastructure funding streams to progress locally identified, priority projects (for example, Babergh was instrumental in the sub- region being recognised as a Growth Point, and subsequently attracted a share of the New Growth Point funds from central government for priority projects such as the Hamilton Road Quarter initiative, Sudbury)

Babergh will continue to play a full partner role in the European-funded ‘Dryports’ project, with an award of its own external funding pot

Babergh will continue to seek other external infrastructure-related funding opportunities continue to be sought and attracted (e.g. SRB funds in the past, any EEDA funding opportunities, and more recently the possibility of Tax Incremental Funding and Accelerated Development Zones)

Babergh will continue to draw in private sector funds through planning obligations and developer contributions’

The Council has embarked on its ‘Single Conversation’ with the Homes and Communities Agency, with a view to producing a new Local Investment Plan

Complementary actions and initiatives (e.g. active / healthy living) will also play in role in delivering infrastructure related objectives

Preferred Policy INF 1: Social and Physical InfrastructureSocial, Physical and Green Infrastructure

The District Council will work with service providers and other partners to develop sustainable places in the Babergh District with safe and healthy communities and to secure the appropriate social, and physical and green infrastructure needed to support these places and safeguard the environment.

The Council will protect, safeguard and enhance existing services, facilities and amenities that are important to the sustainability of local communities.

New housing and commercial development will be required to be supported by and make adequate provision for appropriate infrastructure, services and facilities to ensure that the development is sustainable and of a high quality.

Strategic infrastructure requirements will include:

. provision of additional strategic waste water treatment capacity (including the sewer network), in accordance with the Water Cycle Studies (depending on the outcome of the Water Cycle Studies);

. provision for the strategic enhancement of the energy supply network identified through continued working with National Grid and EDFE;

43 . the implementation of appropriate road improvements and traffic management measures at Hadleigh, Sudbury/ Great Cornard and the Ipswich Fringe identified in transport evidence (including Transport Assessments as part of Site Specific work) and through continued working with the Highways Agency and Suffolk County Council;

. provision for and extension of health care facilities at Hadleigh and Sudbury/ Great Cornard through continued working with the Suffolk Primary Care Trust including a new health care centre in Sudbury;

. provision of educational facilities identified through continued working with Suffolk County Council (in accordance with the recommendations depending on the outcome of the Schools Organisation Review); and

. safe and healthy communities including through the provision of a green infrastructure network, providing convenient, accessible and attractive walking and cycling routes, linking multi-functional greenspaces, play space, and sports and recreational facilities. The green infrastructure network should provide a key resource in reducing the effects of climate change through: reducing the need to travel by private car and thus improving air quality; increasing the connectivity of habitats and the enhancement of biodiversity; incorporating SUDS and thus reducing flood risk and improving water quality; enhancing natural cooling and reducing the heat island effect; and providing pollution sequestration for the absorption of greenhouse gases. . provision of sustainable modes of travel; and

. safe and healthy communities including through the provision, protection and enhancement of convenient, accessible and attractive walking and cycling networks, public transport, Public Rights of Way, Green Infrastructure, multi-functional greenspaces, formal and informal open space, playspace, and sports and recreation where appropriate.

New development may need toshould be appropriately phased to ensure the proper provision of infrastructure to support the development.

Q12. Do you agree with Policy INF1 as a general, overarching policy to guide requirements for infrastructure provision in the district? If not please tell us why and how you would change it.

Q13. Are there any other strategic infrastructure requirements that should be included in Policy INF1? Please state why.

44 6. Planning for Mixed and balanced communities

Introduction

6.1 National and regional policy guidance is aimed at promoting mixed and balanced communities. Community Strategy priorities, local research and assessments (in the form of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and the associated Viability Study of 2008/9 and the Housing Needs Survey 2008) and consultation responses received supports these objectives and the need for Core Strategy policies to address these key issues.

Mix of House Types and Sizes

Policy Context

6.2 It is important that the right kind of housing is provided to meet the needs of Babergh’s communities. The established principle (in Planning Policy Statement 1: Planning for Sustainable Development (PPS1) and Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3)) is that new developments should provide a variety of housing to stimulate the creation of mixed and balanced communities. This applies equally to open market housing and affordable housing.

The Evidence

6.3 Babergh’s evidence shows that the current housing markets in the district are not fully balanced and that particular types and sizes are under-represented. The greatest requirements are for small (one and two bedroom) and medium sized (three bedroom) dwellings. It is likely that this will remain the case during the plan period. These requirements apply to market housing, intermediate affordable housing and social rented affordable housing. The evidence also shows that the accommodation needs for the elderly or those who need specialist support is currently not fully addressed in Babergh. The evidence predicts that this demand will increase with an increasingly elderly population in the district.

Local Context

6.4 Babergh is a rural district with few sites coming forward for larger developments particularly in rural areas. To balance the housing market in the district, all but very small, developments should provide a mix of dwellings types and sizes in accordance with established needs. It is not considered practical to require a particular mix of dwellings on very small sites although these developments should contribute to the overall aims of mixed communities. Larger strategic developments will have an important role to play in addressing the particular needs of disadvantaged groups within the community, including the elderly population and vulnerable groups in the district.

What you have told us so far

6.5 In the Issues and Options consultation it was considered whether a policy about mix of dwelling sizes and types should be included in the Core Strategy with the overall aim of providing a more balanced housing market in the district. Your responses were in favour of such a policy in Core Strategy policy to deal with this issue. In some cases responses indicated that such a policy should be flexible to allow for differences between communities.

45

Preferred Approach

6.6 Based on national and regional guidance, consultation responses, research and assessments it is considered that the Core Strategy should include a policy that will ensure an appropriate mix of house types and sizes (including accommodation that meets the needs of the elderly population and those with special housing needs) is delivered though the plan period to meet the accommodation needs of the whole of the population of Babergh district.

6.7 The delivery of a mix of housing and housing supply in the district will be monitored and this will inform appropriate management actions if and when required. In addition, the site assessment and selection process that we will be carrying out will result in site specific policies in the Site Specific Allocation DPD, which will include a range of requirements appropriate to the size, location and constraints (including viability issues) of each site.

Preferred Policy H1 – Mix of dwellings

All new housing developments will be expected to contribute towards providing a mix of dwelling types and sizes to provide for the accommodation needs of the whole population of Babergh district, including those of vulnerable groups (such as the elderly and those with special needs), where such local needs exist, and at a scale appropriate to the size of the development.

On sites capable of accommodating 5 or more dwellings (or sites of 0.15ha or more) the type and size of market and affordable housing will be expected to reflect established needs in the Babergh district.

Development on strategic housing sites or mixed use developments with a substantial residential element will be required to make provision for the accommodation needs of vulnerable or identified groups of people, as reflected in the most up to date evidence.

Note: ‘strategic housing sites’ are the largest allocations in the Babergh Local Plan Alteration No.2 that remain undeveloped together with the larger sites that will be allocated in the Site Specific Allocations DPD. This will include site allocation policies that will set out the requirements for the development, including any specific accommodation needs that have been identified through evidence based studies (such as the Housing Needs Survey /Strategic Housing Market Assessment). ‘Accommodation needs’ include the need for appropriately designed market housing as well as a mix of social housing sizes and types designed to meet the affordable housing policy targets.

Q14. Please tell us if you agree that all new developments should provide for a mix of dwelling types and sizes? If not please tell us why

46

Q15 Do you agree that development of sites of at least 0.15ha or 5 or more dwellings should be designed to reflect the identified accommodation needs of people living in Babergh district (e.g. use good and innovative design to build dwellings that suit an identified proportion of the population, e.g. older people)? If not please tell us why.

Q16. Do you agree that development of the largest sites (strategic sites) should include provision of accommodation that meets the needs of vulnerable groups such as the elderly? If not please state your reasons

Affordable Housing

Policy Context

6.8 The delivery of affordable housing is identified as a key national planning objective (PPS1 and PPS3) and a target of 35% affordable housing is set on a regional level (Regional Spatial Strategy H2).

The Local Context and Evidence

6.9 The provision of affordable housing is a key priority within the Babergh District. The Council has a good track record in affordable housing delivery and has used a variety of effective approaches to deliver affordable housing in the past including planning obligations, rural exception sites and through Council owned land. However income in relation to house prices continues to mean that affordability in the district remains a problem, as emphasised in the most recent local assessments (the Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2009, the Housing Needs Survey 2008, and the Annual Monitoring Report 2008-09).

6.10 There is a substantial need for affordable housing in the district and it is expected to remain as such for the Plan period (as shown in the mentioned local assessments namely the Strategic Housing Market Assessment for the Ipswich Housing Market Area 2008 and the Housing Needs Survey 2008). It is suggested that this need would not be addressed by predicted supply. Whilst it is necessary to deliver as much affordable housing as possible, a realistic and achievable target has to be set (as required by national policy in PPS3). Local evidence suggests that, based on viability and housing needs across the district, there would be scope to increase affordable housing requirements across the district to 40%. The viability assessment supports this approach. The Core Strategy plans for a period up to 2031 and a long term view should be taken of affordable housing delivery/ requirements and viability in the district. The target of 40% affordable housing is considered an appropriate long term target for the district and can be tested over the shorter term through monitoring.

6.11 The evidence shows us that at present there is mainly a need for social rented accommodation in the district, with a tenure split of 75% social rented (see glossary for definition) and 25% intermediate affordable housing. This tenure split was established by the Housing Needs Survey of 2008 and tested as part of the viability assessment. The evidence will be updated on a regular basis to reflect changing needs within our communities ensuring that tenure requirements are based upon the most up to date established needs in our communities.

47 6.12 The Council has set an ‘internal’ target (in our medium term plans) for 500 new affordable dwellings to be provided over the five-year period from 2009 to 2014.

6.13 The annual scale of affordable need in the district is almost three times the predicted average annual delivery of new affordable homes. Babergh is a rural district with few large developments that come forward for development and so it is the smaller sites that contribute to a significant portion of housing delivery in the district. At present affordable housing in urban areas within the Babergh District are only required for sites capable of accommodating 15 dwellings or more. The evidence suggests that thresholds in urban areas should be lowered to increase affordable housing delivery and this is considered a reasonable approach in terms of viability. In particular there are a number of the larger villages in the district, such as Long Melford, where considerable affordable housing needs are not addressed at present and opportunities for delivering affordable housing through approaches other than obligations are very limited. Lowering thresholds will significantly improve affordable housing delivery opportunities in these areas and in the district as a whole. Requirements for affordable housing in rural areas in the district currently apply to small sites and these low site size thresholds are supported in the viability assessment. This approach towards rural affordable housing delivery has worked well in the past.

What you have told us so far

6.14 Your responses favoured setting a target of 500 new affordable homes per 5-year period or for this target to be determined by local information. The majority of responses supported affordable housing requirements to remain at 35% or to be increased to 40% and with some support for local information that should determine these requirements. In terms of thresholds, your responses favoured lower affordable housing requirements for lower thresholds.

Sustainability Appraisal of the Issues and Options

6.15 Different targets and thresholds for delivering affordable housing were considered in the Issues and Options report. The Sustainability Appraisal/ Strategic Environmental Assessment indicated that the higher targets would be more beneficial in terms of sustainability impacts and the lower targets less sustainable. The different threshold options showed similar sustainability impacts.

Preferred Approach – Affordable Housing

6.16 Based on feedback from stakeholders and consultation responses, national and regional guidance, sustainability appraisals, local assessments and research, it is considered that the preferred approach for affordable housing should include policies that address:

requiring different affordable housing contributions for different thresholds of up to 40% with some variation of thresholds between urban and rural areas; lowering thresholds for urban areas; and basing tenure requirements on the most up to date needs and market and viability assessments

48 6.17 Where affordable housing cannot be provided on site a commuted sum will be required. Provision of affordable housing in new developments will be determined on a site-by-site basis by considerations such as location, site circumstances and viability. The delivery of affordable housing and housing supply in the district will be monitored and this will inform appropriate management actions if and when required.

Rural Affordable Housing

Policy Context

6.18 PPS3: Housing sets out the government’s objectives to create mixed and balanced communities and in particular to ‘to widen opportunities for home ownership and ensure high quality housing for those who cannot afford market housing, in particular those who are vulnerable or in need’ and to ‘improve affordability across the housing market, including by increasing the supply of housing’. PPS3 recognises that ‘where viable and practical, Local Planning Authorities should consider opportunities for allocating and releasing sites solely for affordable housing, including using a Rural Exception Site Policy. This enables small sites to be used, specifically for affordable housing in small rural communities that would not normally be used for housing because, for example, they are subject to policies of constraint’. Rural exception sites should only be used for affordable housing in perpetuity and should seek to address local needs only.

Local Context

6.19 Traditionally, rural affordable housing has largely been brought forward through the use of a rural exceptions affordable housing policy, although more recently also through the Local Plan policies that require affordable housing alongside market housing in rural developments. However there is a large need for affordable housing in the smaller villages in the district and a pressing need to increase the overall supply of affordable housing that is currently not addressed by adopted policies. Consultations, together with community priorities, indicate that Babergh’s approach to rural affordable housing will benefit from revision.

6.20 It is not possible or appropriate to revise some parameters of the existing rural exception sites policy, including that the housing should be only affordable housing; and the affordable housing is provided as such in perpetuity. However, there could be room for revising and relaxing the policy to allow for relatively small groups of affordable housing in smaller villages that have no settlement development boundary (SDB).

6.21 There is also often considerable difficulty in finding and securing sites for rural exception sites, particularly in terms of availability, due to a ‘hope value’ (for open market housing) among landowners holding land adjoining village boundaries. This problem may be partly overcome by revising the current rigid requirement for rural exceptions sites to be located adjoining village boundaries. However, development for affordable housing in the countryside will still need to be controlled. This could be done through a requirement for a sequential approach to site selection, and for sites to be well related to existing villages, and acceptable in relation to site location, design, layout, landscaping, etc. A criteria-based policy for affordable housing on rural exception sites will be developed for inclusion in the Development Management DPD.

49 What you have told us so far

6.22 Your responses favoured a more flexible approach to rural affordable housing and supported rural exception sites at smaller villages.

Preferred Approach

6.23 The preferred approach is to provide affordable housing at smaller villages in the rural area (that is those villages without a Settlement Development Boundary) and through rural exception sites that, although not adjacent to the Settlement Development Boundary of a village, relate well to that settlement. This approach is supported by local community priorities, consultation responses and local information showing a need for affordable housing in smaller villages.

6.24 Development for affordable housing in the countryside would need to be managed and controlled, and regard will be given to the following when considering opportunities for rural affordable housing provision through exception sites, including: local needs; relationship with the village; a sequential approach to site selection - more suitable alternative locations; scale of the proposed scheme in relation to the village/ surrounding development; and other detailed considerations such as site location and circumstances, design, layout, landscaping, biodiversity, impacts on the countryside and amenity, access, etc.

Preferred Policy H2 – Affordable Housing

In Towns all residential development for 5 or more dwellings (or sites of 0.15ha) will be required to provide affordable housing as follows:

up to 40% affordable housing for 10 or more dwellings (or sites of more than 0.33ha); up to 30% affordable housing for 5 to 9 dwellings (or sites between 0.15 – 0.33ha).

In Key Service Centres and Other Villages as defined in Policy SS1 all residential development for 3 or more dwellings (or sites of 0.1ha or more) will be required to provide up to 40 % affordable housing.

Where affordable housing cannot be provided on site a commuted sum will be required. The tenure types for affordable housing will reflect established needs in the District as identified in the most up to date evidence base such as the Housing Needs Survey/ Strategic Housing Market Assessment.

The Council will take a flexible approach to the location of rural exception sites in the district, and will explore opportunities to increase the provision of affordable housing in the rural area and allow proposals that meet all relevant and current criteria for rural exception sites.

50 Alternative Policy

6.25 An alternative policy could be to require affordable housing contributions in rural areas for all new developments in the form of commuted sums if this cannot be delivered on site. This will contribute towards affordable housing provision in rural areas considering that most applications approved are for thresholds of 1 or 2 dwellings.

In Towns all residential development for 5 or more dwellings (or sites of 0.15ha) will be required to provide affordable housing as follows:

up to 40% affordable housing for 10 or more dwellings (or sites of more than 0.33ha); up to 30% affordable housing for 5 to 9 dwellings (or sites between 0.15 – 0.33ha).

In Key Service Centres and Other Villages as defined in Policy SS1, all residential development for 3 or more dwellings (or sites of 0.1ha or more) will be required to provide affordable housing as follows:

up to 40% affordable housing for 5 to 9 dwellings (or sites of 0.15ha – 0.33ha); up to 15% (to be tested and informed by the additional viability assessment) affordable housing for 1 to 4 dwellings (up to 0.15ha). In Key Service Centres and Other Villages as defined in Policy SS1, all residential development will be required to provide: up to 40% affordable housing on sites of 0.15ha or more or developments of 5 or more dwellings; up to 15% affordable housing on sites under 0.15ha or development of 1 – 4 dwellings tested and informed by an additional viability assessment (to be carried out at the developer’s expense). Where affordable housing cannot be provided on site a commuted sum will be required.

The tenure types for affordable housing will reflect needs in the District as identified in the most up to date Housing Needs Survey/ Strategic Housing Market Assessment.

The Council will take a flexible approach to the location of rural exception sites in the district and will explore opportunities to increase the provision of affordable housing in the rural area and allow proposals that meet all relevant and current criteria for rural exception sites.

Q17. Do you agree that we should set a long term target of 40% affordable housing in the district? If not please state why and how you would change it

Q18. Please let us know if you agree with lowering the site size thresholds for urban areas? If not please tell us why

51 Q19. Do you agree that the rural site size thresholds specified in Policy H2 are appropriate or do you prefer the alternative policy? Please state your reasons

Q20. Do you agree that it is appropriate to set lower requirements for affordable housing for lower site thresholds? If not, how would you like to change it

Q21. Do you agree with the approach in Policy H2 to provide flexibility in the location of rural affordable housing? If not please state why

52 Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople’s Accommodation

Introduction

6.26 Nationally and in the East of England Gypsies and Traveller communities are amongst the most deprived groups with poor access to accommodation, health, education, employment and other opportunities.

Policy Context

6.27 Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople have their own specific accommodation needs and the Council is required to address these needs. Although a local research study (the Suffolk Cross-Boundary Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2007) indicated that there are very limited accommodation needs for Gypsies and Travellers within the Babergh District, regionally and nationally there are identified shortages of authorised permanent and transit sites. To help address these shortages the Revision to the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the East of England, which was published in July 2009 (after the Babergh Core Strategy Issues and Options consultation), now requires all districts to contribute towards meeting these needs. These requirements include the provision of Gypsy and Traveller pitches (permanent and non-permanent residential sites) as well as providing plots for Travelling Showpeople.

6.28 In accordance with the Revised Regional Spatial Strategy in Babergh we are required to provide 15 Gypsy and Traveller pitches by 2011, with an annual 3% compound increase across the whole region beyond 2011. This equates to a further 13 pitches for Babergh by 2021.

Local Context

6.29 The Core Strategy will not allocate sites but provide criteria for assessing planning applications in the interim (as it is anticipated that the Core Strategy would not be adopted by 2011) and guide the Sites Specific Allocations Development Plan Document (over the medium to long term). Policy guidance is also provided at a national (ODPM Circular 01/2006 and 04/2007) and regional level (Revised H3 in the RSS), and saved Policy H29 in the Local Plan Alteration No 2 (2006).

6.30 Policies should not place excessive constraints on the provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites, and impacts on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the countryside, amenity of neighbours, avoiding areas of risk of flooding and requirements for landscaping are already included as part of the national policy framework and these should not be repeated in the Core Strategy policy.

6.31 In terms of locational factors for new site provision, key considerations will include the locations where accommodation needs arise and the preferences of the various Gypsy and Traveller communities themselves. Provision for residential pitches could be in rural, semi-rural, urban or urban edge locations but sustainability considerations are very important, including access to facilities and services. In Babergh it is anticipated that initially the provision of Gypsy and Traveller pitches will predominantly be met through strategic planned developments and this approach for provision through major developments is supported in the Revised Regional Spatial Strategy. Reasons for this could include that this approach is in line with the important objectives of social inclusion; the establishment of mixed and balanced communities and the aim of ‘mainstreaming’ Gypsy and Travellers site provision,

53 particularly in relation to the vital need to ensure affordability and sustainability benefits.

6.32 To make provision for accommodation needs in the district and the preferences of the Gypsy and Traveller communities it is also considered appropriate that other approaches and opportunities for small scale site provision be explored. This could include considering the appropriateness of unauthorised sites, sites with temporary permissions, utilising vacant or derelict land, the provision of new sites, rural exception sites and the expansion of existing sites. Rural exceptions sites will assist to meet needs for affordable land to meet local Gypsy and Traveller needs in the district if required.

What you have told us so far

6.33 Most of your responses were in favour of expansion of existing sites, with some support for the other options such as provision through major developments, provision through rural exception sites and provision through a combination of approaches. The least favoured option was for the provision of new sites.

Sustainability Appraisal of the Issues and Options

6.34 The Sustainability Appraisal/ Strategic Environmental Assessment showed that provision through major developments is the most sustainable option, followed by provision through rural exceptions sites.

Preferred Approach

6.35 Based on feedback from stakeholders and consultation responses, national and regional guidance, local assessments and research, it is considered that the preferred approach for Gypsy, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople’s accommodation should include policies that include:

provision of residential pitches through strategic sites and small scale sites; residential pitches should have good access to services and facilities; and consider opportunities for joint provision with adjoining authorities.

6.36 The second element of provision required is that a total of 20 transit pitches (non permanent residential sites) should be provided within Suffolk County. There is no prescription as to how this should be distributed within the county but the locational guidance refers to ‘provision should include the Ipswich/ Felixstowe area’.

6.37 The final element of provision required is for 9 plots of land which should be provided by 2011 for Travelling Showpeople on a county-wide basis. The locational guidance refers to ‘Suffolk Coastal and elsewhere’. Beyond 2011 an annual compound increase of 1.5% in plot numbers would need to be planned and delivered.

6.38 The requirements for Transit sites and plots for Travelling Showpeople would best be dealt with by joint working initiatives by Suffolk Authorities with a view to determining their location and scale within Suffolk.

6.39 Your responses emphasised that the provision of transit sites should relate to need, the Core Strategy should set out criteria for the location of sites, and joint working with Suffolk Authorities should continue to ensure that the RSS requirements are met.

54

6.40 Monitoring will help inform where management or intervention would be required. The delivery of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople pitches in the district will be monitored and this will inform appropriate management/ actions if and when required.

Preferred Policy H3 - Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople’s Accommodation

Provision will be made for 15 residential pitches by 2011, a further 13 pitches from 2011- 2021 and appropriate levels of provision from 2021-2031 based on monitoring and evidence of need.

Strategic housing or mixed use developments, with a substantial residential element, will be expected to make provision for Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the district. Residential pitch provision will also be developed through small scale sites, including rural exception sites, with good access to services, particularly health and education services, and good transport links. The Council will work with neighbouring authorities to explore opportunities for joint residential site pitch provision.

The Council will work with Suffolk Authorities to progress transit site provision and provision of plots for Travelling Showpeople in accordance the Regional Spatial Strategy requirements and based on needs on a county wide basis.

Q22. Do you agree with the approach towards pitch provision for Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople’s in Policy H3? If not please give reasons

Q23. Please let us know if there are any other areas of housing, mixed and balanced communities that should be included in the preferred policies? Please give reasons and details of this

55 7. Planning for a Sustainable Economy - employment, town centres and tourism

Introduction

7.1 Babergh is an economically diverse area, with industrial areas at the Ipswich fringe, Sudbury, Hadleigh and Brantham; traditional retail sectors in the two towns; a high proportion of small businesses; and tourism and leisure based around the historic villages of Long Melford, Lavenham, Kersey, and the Orwell and Stour estuaries and the scenic “Constable Country”. There is a significant agricultural base, and historically, Babergh has had a relatively high proportion of manufacturing employment.

Policy Context

7.2 PPS4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth sets out the government’s objectives for prosperous economies and encompasses policies for economic growth in urban areas, town centres and rural areas. “Economic development” includes public and community uses and main town centre uses, and the term now also applies to other development which achieves either the provision of employment opportunities; generates wealth; or produces or generates an economic output or product. This wider definition recognises the value to the economy of non- B Class enterprises, including, for example, education, and tourism/hospitality/catering, which are particularly important in Babergh.

7.3 As well as support for business generally, national policy requires Councils to identify a range of sites to facilitate a broad range of economic development, including mixed use sites. Key distribution networks should be protected and promoted. Town centres are important to the local economy and need to be protected and enhanced. National policy continues to support economic development in rural areas through re-use of redundant buildings and farm diversification, and seeks to ensure sufficient shops and facilities are available in rural areas to serve people’s day-to-day needs.

7.4 Regional economic development policy is set out in Policies E1 to E7 of the RSS (the East of England Plan) which set sub-regional targets for growth in jobs over the plan period to 2021 and require local authorities to plan for a supply of land for businesses across the region, plan strategic sites, plan for clusters of businesses, and plan for strong and vibrant town centres

7.5 The RSS is in the process of being updated to 2031, and a Draft East of England Plan > 2031 was published on 12th March 2010. Policy E1 has been revised and, as required by PPS4, sets out indicative targets for a net growth in jobs for the period 2011 – 2031. The draft policy makes the point that “although shown as District targets, in many parts of the region economic / urban areas extend across two or more District boundaries and a coordinated approach to the job targets will need to reflect this.” Paragraph 5.9 emphasises that “local authorities need to work together to ensure that there is the most effective distribution of economic growth, taking into account the needs of business, land availability, environmental constraints, and a sustainable relationship with proposal for housing growth.”

7.6 The indicative jobs growth target for Babergh district in draft Policy E1 is 9,700, with a note that apportionment for the Ipswich Policy Area will be determined by Babergh, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk and Suffolk Coastal Councils.

56

7.7 Policy E2 seeks to support the rural economy. The draft Plan advises that policies in LDDs should enable rural enterprises in Key Service Centres “in balance with the transport, urban concentration and environment policies in this spatial strategy”, and outside Key Service Centres consideration should be given to supporting rural enterprise,” taking account of the local infrastructure, character of place and justification for development outside a designated employment site.”

7.8 Policy E3: Strategic Employment Sites, has been revised and sets out criteria for the designation of Regional Strategic Sites, Regional Gateway Sites, and Sub-Regional Sites. The latter should be identified within sub-regions, and the policy makes provision for additional Regional Strategic Sites, Regional Gateway Sites and Sub- Regional Sites to be identified in LDDs. A number of locations where additional provision should be considered have been identified to support key sectors, including support for financial and business services in Ipswich, and support for the creative industries in the Haven Gateway.

7.9 The Haven Gateway sub-region has been recognised by national Government as a growth point. It has been further divided into Suffolk and Essex Haven Gateway. Suffolk Haven Gateway (SHG) comprises Ipswich Borough and Babergh and Suffolk Coastal Districts and is based on Ipswich and the Port of Felixstowe. Both of these are important economic drivers of economic development and employment in Babergh.

Local Context

7.10 Babergh’s economy has a higher level of industrial activities than average for the Suffolk Haven Gateway (SHG) sub-region, and a good proportion of office employment in Sudbury. The district also has a high number of small industrial units in the rural area. However, even though employment levels in the B Use Classes24 is relatively strong in Babergh, it should be noted that the highest numbers of employees are in non-B Use Classes jobs, and the forecast is that this will continue to be the case in the future.

7.11 Economic activity rates in Babergh are noticeably higher than national or regional levels, and unemployment levels are lower. The District compares favourably with the wider region in terms of level of highly qualified inhabitants, but is still below the national average. In terms of weekly earnings Babergh is considerably below county, regional and national levels. In 2001 Babergh had the largest proportion of out-commuting out of all Suffolk’s districts with 43% of its employed population working outside of the district.

7.12 The attractive landscape, estuaries, and coastline, and the historic towns and villages in the district form the base of an important cultural and historic leisure and tourism sector. Businesses in this sector are important contributors to the local economy and include leisure activities that attract spending all year round from people within the district and the immediate area, to the more conventional tourism associated with people visiting from outside the region on day trips, taking short breaks, and longer summer holidays.

Town and Village Centres

24 The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended). Class B1 Business (including offices and light industrial); Class B2 General Industrial; Class B8 Storage and distribution. (Note: there are no Classes B3 – B7).

57

7.13 Sudbury, Hadleigh and the larger villages provide the shops and services that residents need for their day to day needs (convenience shopping). Sudbury is the hub of a wide rural area and provides a good range of non-food shops (comparison shopping), services and leisure activities. A recent study25 has confirmed that Sudbury is generally performing well in retail and economic terms. Even during the recession the amount of vacant shop floorspace is low. There is strong potential for the number and range of shops in Sudbury to expand, “but an existing shortage of suitable sized units/floorspace is holding the town back”.

7.14 Hadleigh town centre “offers consumers an attractive shopping environment and, for a centre of its size, a good diversity of uses”. The number of vacant shops is low, and the small independent shops are an important attraction. There is relatively little potential for Hadleigh to add to its comparison goods shopping beyond a new supermarket - a site for which was identified in the Local Plan. An application has been submitted for this, and is currently under consideration by the Council.

7.15 The Spatial Strategy identifies Key Service Centres. These are some of the larger villages, such as Long Melford, Bildeston, Bures, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Capel St Mary, Shotley and Lavenham that provide local shops, services and community facilities. Many of these villages also attract visitors and tourists and provide employment in specialist shops, pubs, hotels and restaurants. This additional ‘layer’ of economic activity undoubtedly contributes to the vitality and viability of these villages.

The Evidence

7.16 The Council has commissioned studies and monitored and measured employment floorspace and the health of the town centres over many years. More recently, the district has benefited from membership of the Haven Gateway Partnership in terms of jointly commissioned research. The SHG Employment Land Review and Strategic Sites Study (ELR) were carried out for Ipswich, Suffolk Coastal and Babergh in 2009 and have provided a comprehensive picture of the local economy.

7.17 The Babergh District Retail Study (Colliers CRE) and Sudbury and Hadleigh Health Checks (all published July 2008) give us valuable up-to-date information about our towns, and statistics are available that indicate the importance of leisure and tourism to the local economy.

What you have told us so far

7.18 The consultation asked a range of questions on how we could promote the future development of the district’s economy, in particular relating to employment land, balancing jobs and housing, and the promotion of the various sectors of the economy.

7.19 The main responses related to; The need to wait for the employment land review before setting any job targets for the district. The need to match jobs to housing growth where possible.

25 Babergh District Retail Study Colliers CRE July 2008

58 The need for alternative approaches to economic policies where flexibility was the key. Rural employment flexibility was supported. Existing sites should only be retained where viable, mixed uses should be promoted, the distribution of employment land should align with the Spatial Strategy. Infrastructure provision is vital to economic development. Support for the use of “brownfield” sites subject to viability, sustainability and local impact. Support for rural economic growth in relation to the renewable energy industry. Support for tourism and leisure promotion and development subject to environmental and sustainability impacts.

Sustainability Appraisal of the Issues & Options

7.20 The Economy and Employment option with most positive effects was Option EMP1: Maintain current allocations and seek to gain increases in land availability, followed by Option EMP5: Concentrate on provision of new employment land in the same locations as residential development, or through mixed use developments.

7.21 Of the three options set out under Retail and Town Centres, Option 2, Promote and enhance local and town centres, had a similar variety of benefits to the “business as usual” option, but if properly implemented Option 2 could have stronger benefits.

Preferred Approach- Strategy for the future

7.22 Babergh is well placed to play its part in planning for a growth in jobs in the region. RSS Policy E1 sets a target of 30,000 for the Suffolk Haven Gateway area (2001 to 2021). Current predictions indicate a shortfall in achieving this target. As a district we need to assess and decide on what proportion of the sub-regional target Babergh will aim for, and whether this should include an extra allowance to help achieve the shortfall. To do this we need to consider how we might deliver new jobs through the plan period.

7.23 Based on the evidence we need to recognise the drivers of our local economy and our existing strengths, and identify the potential for future new businesses and employment opportunities to help achieve the new jobs target. The evidence shows two main growth poles for Babergh, the Ipswich Fringe/east Babergh area including Brantham, and the western growth pole of Sudbury and outlying satellites of Glemsford, Acton, Long Melford, Great Waldingfield, and Bures St Mary.

7.24 Between the two growth poles lies Hadleigh, which is part of the Ipswich ‘travel to work area’ but is also significant in its own right as an employment base for the town, and as an important local town centre.

7.25 These areas are identified as broad locations for growth in the spatial strategy, and our strategy for sustainable economic development through the plan period will be to reflect the economic geography of the district in our approach so that the strengths of each area are recognised and encouraged, existing sites protected and new sites allocated, and the jobs target apportioned to these areas and the Key Service Centres.

7.26 In terms of our strengths, we have identified the following sectors that should be promoted and encouraged in the district:

59 Non-B Use Class employment – including public sector jobs such as teaching, health and welfare; Port and logistics Information and Communications Technology; Manufacturing – reflecting the historical advantage/local tradition Tourism and related leisure/hospitality service sector Rural/agricultural/diversification – including farm shops and farmers markets.

7.27 Our approach will be to create opportunities for jobs in these sectors by protecting existing and allocating new sites in the district in locations that meet the needs of the local economy, by creating sustainable new mixed use developments, and through flexible policies that support non-B Use Class employment in the tourism/culture/ leisure/hospitality sectors and new ways of working, particularly home working.

7.28 Whilst the Employment Land Review identifies a surplus of employment land in quantitative terms, it notes that not all sites are available and/or of suitable quality to meet the district’s need for a range of employment sites in the short to medium term. We will need to allocate strategic employment sites as we recognise that business activity doesn’t follow local authority boundaries, and that some of the employment areas in Babergh are important outside the district because of their location. In addition, Ipswich borough area is geographically constrained, and within Suffolk local authorities have traditionally considered the wider Ipswich Policy Area (Ipswich fringe in Babergh, Mid Suffolk and Suffolk Coastal districts) in planning for jobs and homes. The Council will continue to work with our neighbouring authorities to consider the most appropriate distribution for new employment development in the Ipswich fringe and Suffolk Haven Gateway areas, taking into account the needs of businesses, land availability, environmental constraints, and a sustainable relationship with the parts of the Ipswich fringe proposed for housing growth.

7.29 We have identified locations where new employment opportunities can be created in the following three areas:

Sudbury/ Great Cornard , Western Babergh – our preferred option is for a policy that will protect and deliver existing allocations in Sudbury/Great Cornard and Chilton, and the satellite Key Service Centres of Glemsford, Acton, Long Melford, Waldingfield and Bures. There is no evidence to support further allocations in this area at this stage.

Ipswich Fringe East Babergh including Shotley peninsula – our preferred option is for a policy to allocate sub-regional and local strategic sites, and protect existing allocations that are partly developed or undeveloped. Because of the sub-regional significance of the Babergh Ipswich fringe area there may be a need to consider additional employment sites in this area, including as part of mixed-use developments.

Hadleigh / Mid Babergh- although part of the Ipswich ‘travel-to-work area’ existing employment areas make a significant and important contribution to employment in the town and surrounding rural area. Our preferred option is for a policy that will protect existing employment areas, and re-allocate undeveloped employment areas within mixed-use developments, and which will recognise the importance of non-B Use Class jobs to the local economy.

60 7.30 Clearly not all the sites will be available or required straightaway, and set out below is a table indicating possible (non-prescriptive) phasing for these allocations. It is important that our policies are sufficiently flexible to deliver the overall strategy across the district and through the plan period through the ‘Plan – Monitor – Manage’ process.

Anticipated Phasing of strategic sites/allocations

Plan Period Phases 2011 – Location 2031

Early Mid Late Sudbury/western Babergh Chilton – re-allocation √ Ipswich Fringe – east Babergh/ Shotley peninsula Brantham (Local Strategic Site) √ IP8/Sprites Lane (Local Strategic Site) √ √ Former Sugar Factory, Sproughton (Sub-Regional √ Strategic Site) Hadleigh- Mid Babergh Mixed-use - re-allocation √ √

Jobs Growth Target for Babergh District - Issues and Options

7.31 We need to establish what our jobs target for Babergh district will be for the plan period to 2031, and in doing so recognise our strengths and weaknesses, and recognise that the figure will inevitably reflect the reality of our location in the Suffolk Haven Gateway sub region.

7.32 The RSS target of 30,000 new jobs for the Suffolk Haven Gateway area is for the period 2001 to 2021. The Employment Land Review forecast26 is 22,860 for this period – a shortfall of around 7,000. The RSS is currently under review, and the target for each district has recently been published in the Draft East of England Plan > 2031. .

7.33 In 2001 Babergh had 22% of jobs in the SHG area, and the forecast for 2021 is a 35.4% growth in jobs representing 24% of jobs in the sub-region.

7.34 There are a number of issues for Babergh to consider in determining a figure for growth in jobs in the plan period 2011 to 2031: where the jobs are now – recognise that these locations are where housing growth is planned; Babergh has high levels of out-commuting – we need to create more jobs within the district to help reduce this level; where the jobs could be - locations for employment opportunities have been identified at strategic sites such as Brantham, Sproughton and the Ipswich Fringe;

26 Using the EEFM Spring 2009 baseline scenario

61 we need to continue to work with our neighbours to plan for business needs across administrative boundaries, and to accommodate constrained growth from Ipswich; Babergh encourages business and enterprise and will continue to support the creation of new jobs in all sectors in the district.

7.35 We have looked at the requirement for Babergh to contribute to the RSS target by 2021, and set out the following options for further research and consideration:

Option 1 – the “business as usual” approach – based on the EEFM27 2009 baseline scenario we assume the growth figures for the 20 period 2011 to 2031 will be the same as the RSS 20 period 2001 to 2021. The ELR suggested percentage share of the new jobs for Babergh is 24% of the total (‘shortfall’) forecast figure of 22,860. This would give us a target figure of 8,100.

Option 2 – to use the ELR ‘shortfall’ forecast figure for Babergh of 8,100 and add one-third of the number necessary to achieve the RSS target (assuming a three-way split between Babergh, Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal of the shortfall). This would give a figure of 10,480.

Option 3 – to use the shortfall forecast to 2021 of 8,100 and apply the same percentage growth to the jobs target for the district to 2031 as has been used in the RSS (2001 – 2021) for the growth in new houses i.e. 20%. This would give a figure of 9,720.

Note: Publication of the Draft East of England Plan > 2031 came too late in the process of preparing this document for the district target of 9,700 set out in draft East of England Plan Policy E1 to be considered. The Draft East of England Plan > 2031 will be the subject of consultation and an Examination in Public later this year.

Q24: Which of these options should be the basis for a Target for Employment Growth policy? – please give your reasons.

Q25: Do you agree with the Draft East of England Plan > 2031 indicative jobs growth target for Babergh district of 9,700 and that apportionment for the Ipswich Policy Area should be determined by Babergh, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk and Suffolk Coastal Councils? If not, please give your reasons.

Preferred Options

7.36 Once the target for jobs growth in the district to 2031 has been determined (this will become Policy E1) we can consider the spatial implications of what is necessary, including the land requirements, to achieve it. Our preferred option is to have four further policies that will set out how this jobs growth will be achieved.

Preferred Policy EC2: Provision of employment sites and premises

New and existing sites for employment uses will be allocated in DPDs to ensure that a continuous range and diversity of sites and premises are available across the district through the plan period. These will comprise:

27 EEFM – East of England Forecasting Model produced by the East of England Development Agency

62 sub-regionally and locally strategic sites and clusters at Sproughton, Brantham, Wherstead and Sprites Lane, Ipswich; allocations within mixed-use developments including 20ha at Chilton and 5ha at land off Lady Lane, Hadleigh; and allocations to protect existing employment areas in towns, villages and the rural area.

Preferred Policy EC3: Town centres and village services

The retail hierarchy for the district will be defined and applied as follows:

Town Centres Sudbury and Hadleigh, as the two principal town centres within the district, will be the main focus for retail, leisure and community uses in the district. The Council will work with partners to promote investment in and enhancement of these centres and opportunities will be explored to conserve heritage assets, recognising that historic buildings and the traditional character and appearance of town and village centres are the focus for tourism, leisure and economic development and have the potential to be a catalyst for regeneration, and make improvements to the public realm, including through new commercial developments and the Hamilton Road Quarter project in Sudbury.

A healthy mix of uses and range of shops and services will be promoted in the towns to ensure that these centres are active, vibrant and well used. New development should be well designed and contribute to the local character of the towns.

Provision will be made for at least 17,270 m2 (15,270m2 comparison goods and 2,000 m2 convenience goods) new retail floorspace in Sudbury and for at least 1,020 m2 (convenience goods) new retail floorspace in Hadleigh up to 2021.

The Council will encourage and support the continued growth and diversification of Sudbury town centre to serve its catchment area and will review the town centre boundary. Whilst respecting the need for a healthy mix of uses and type of buildings the provision of larger, better configured more versatile retail and service units will be encouraged in Sudbury. Improvements to public transport, strategic and local access will also be promoted in this centre, including through the implementation of the Hamilton Road Quarter project.

Hadleigh will be promoted as a visitor attraction and wide range of diverse uses and facilities will be encouraged. Small scale refurbishments and redevelopments aimed at enhancing retail quality and consumer choice will be supported in this centre.

63 Village Centres The town centres in the district are supported by a network of smaller local and village centres. All of the Key Service Centres identified in the Spatial Strategy provide for the day-to-day needs of local communities. Some of the larger villages provide a wide range of shops, leisure, and service and community facilities to the surrounding rural area. Smaller villages may only provide one or two local services or facilities, but these are essential to the continued well-being and sustainability of these settlements. In all villages, facilities and services such as shops, post offices, pubs, petrol stations, community halls, etc that provide for the needs of local communities will be safeguarded.

New retail, leisure and community uses appropriate in scale and character will be encouraged in Key Service Centre villages. Uses that will contribute to the local economy and increase the sustainability of Key Service Centre and Other Villages will be promoted and supported.

Preferred Policy EC4: Local Economic Strategy

The Council’s strategy is to encourage and promote proposals that strengthen the local economy and provide a diversity of employment opportunities. The following existing business sectors are identified as major employers in the district:

manufacturing port related logistics/warehousing and distribution ICT Non-B Use Class businesses including tourism, leisure and hospitality, education, health and welfare

Development in these sectors will be encouraged and where appropriate clusters and/or networks will be identified through allocations and policies in other DPDs.

Proposals for uses in new and emerging sectors, particularly those that re-use existing land or premises, contribute to farm diversification, and/or design or produce low carbon goods or services will be encouraged subject to scale and impact on their location. A flexible approach will be taken to home working and other innovative approaches to sustainable economic activity that make a positive contribution to the local economy and are in scale and character with, and sequentially appropriate to, their location.

Preferred Policy EC5: The Rural Economy

Historic villages such as Lavenham and Long Melford and coastal villages such as Chelmondiston and Shotley play an important role in tourism and leisure within the district, and appropriate new development that supports this role will be encouraged.

64 The economy in the rural area will be supported through the encouragement of proposals for farm diversification, the re-use of redundant rural buildings, tourism and leisure based businesses, the protection of small rural businesses and, where appropriate, farm shops and farmers markets.

Q26: Do you agree with the three groups of employment sites/premises outlined in Policy EC2? If not please state your reasons.

Q27: Are there any other types of employment sites/premises that should be protected that should be specifically referred to in Policy EC2?

Q28: Do you agree with the retail hierarchy in Policy EC3? If not, please state your reasons and alternative hierarchy.

Q29: Are there any other retail/town centre matters that you think should be included in the policy? Please include your reasons for including other matters.

Q30: Do you agree with the list of major employers in Policy EC4? If not, please say why.

Q31: Please let us know if there are any other areas of employment that you think should be added to this list? Please state your reasons.

Q32: Do you think Policy EC5 gives appropriate encouragement to proposals that will help diversify and strengthen the rural economy? If not, how would you change the policy to achieve this.

65 8. Sustainable Development – Planning for Climate Change

Introduction

8.1 The Spatial Vision and Development Strategy for Babergh District require a balance to be struck so that growth and development is sustainable. At the core of sustainable development is the issue of climate change and how this is addressed. The impacts of climate change have the potential to change the landscape of Babergh and lives of its residents. It is essential that planning policy both protects the character and appearance of the Babergh area, and promotes ways of reducing carbon emissions and good practice in sustainable design.

Policy Context

8.2 The Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1, on Planning and Climate Change sets out how local planning authorities should plan to contribute to carbon reduction targets. The East of England region is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as coastal and inland flooding, drought and pressure on water resources, and this on top of the planned level of growth with the associated potential for this to contribute to a significant increase in carbon emissions. Planning polices to tackle climate change should seek to both mitigate and provide for adaptation, and should aim for carbon reduction to zero in new developments, and the provision of renewable energy for residual energy requirements. Policies need to be appropriate to the area, and be based on evidence. Requirements for carbon reduction measures must be viable and achievable in the context of other planning requirements and policy constraints.

8.3 In March this year the Government issued a consultation draft of a new PPS that will replace the PPS1 Supplement on Climate Change and PPS22 on Renewable Energy with a new consolidated PPS Supplement to PPS1 on “Planning for a Low Carbon Future in a Changing Climate”. The consultation draft states “Planning for more renewable and low carbon energy development should be at the heart of good planning: it is neither optional nor additional”.

8.4 The Regional Spatial Strategy, the East of England Plan, contains policies (ENG1 and ENG2) that seek to ensure that new development requires less energy, and that a proportion of energy requirements are met from renewable sources. Babergh’s LDF provides the opportunity for a more detailed level of policies guided by an approach that is applicable to local circumstances.

8.5 The Draft East of England Plan > 2031, published in March this year replaces ENG1 and ENG2 with new policies ENG1 and ENG2. It also has new policies on Integrated Water Management, WAT2, and Flood Risk Management, WAT3. Given the draft nature of these new policies we do not feel it necessary to alter or add to the preferred policies set out at the end of this section.

8.6 Policy ENG1 in the 2008 East of England Plan, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Energy Performance, is proposed to be replaced by Resource Efficiency in New Development and Existing Communities that requires local planning authorities to have policies in their LDDs that “set demanding, evidence based, targets for carbon dioxide emission reductions from new development. . . . . “.

66 8.7 Policy ENG2, Renewable Energy Targets in the 2008 East of England Plan is proposed to be replaced with a new Policy ENG2: Renewable Electricity Targets. This requires local planning authorities to “assess the potential of their area to accommodate the development of renewable energy resources and associated facilities” and to “identify opportunities to enable appropriate development to facilitate the operation of offshore energy production units, including connections to the national grid.” The overall aim of the policy is to support the development of new facilities for renewable electricity generation, “with the aim that by 2015 at least 16% of the electricity consumed in the region is generated within the region from renewable sources, rising to at least 20% by 2020” (the targets exclude electricity from offshore wind, and are subject to meeting European and international obligations to protect wildlife, including migratory birds.)

Local Context

8.8 The pressures and concerns for the eastern region overall are well illustrated locally in Babergh district with the need to provide new homes and businesses in an area of nationally (and locally) protected landscapes, with a protected bio-diverse coastline, and existing historic towns and villages in its river valleys and diverse and attractive countryside.

8.9 Babergh District Council is a signatory to the Nottingham Declaration confirming the intention of over 200 local authorities in England to contribute, at a local level, to the delivery of the UK climate change programme. This is reflected in the Babergh Strategic Plan 2008 – 2018 which amongst its outcomes includes “a smaller carbon footprint for the area– striving for the right balance between protecting the natural environment and supporting development opportunities for the area and its people” and under the wider theme of “a greener and cleaner Babergh”.

8.10 Babergh is working with partners both through the Local Strategic Partnerships and Suffolk’s ‘Creating the Greenest County’ (CtGC) initiative to address climate change, particularly ways of reducing carbon emissions.

Preferred Approach- A Strategy for the future

8.11 The Government is promoting the cutting of greenhouse gas emissions as part of the design process for new development, with a target that all new homes will be 28zero carbon from 2016. Reducing the demand for energy can be tackled through policies and regulations aimed at achieving good sustainable design from inception, through the build process, to the completed development, to meet the 2016 zero carbon target earlier. However, we also need to look at the energy needs of new development and encourage the provision of renewable energy either on-site, or through community schemes, and where viable and appropriate, through larger scale generation of renewable energy.

28 Sustainable New Homes – The Road to Zero Carbon: Consultation on the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Energy Efficiency Standard for Zero Carbon Homes, DCLG December 2009.

67 8.12 Large new developments may create economies of scale that may provide the potential for achieving lower level/zero carbon homes and non-residential development in advance of changes to the Building Regulations, and ways of providing energy from renewable sources to satisfy the predicted need of the proposed development. Indeed, in some cases it may be possible to provide surplus renewable energy to existing communities. Water efficiency and the reduction in water usage is also a high priority for sustainable development and all new development will be expected to include demand management measures designed to reduce the impact of new and existing development on the water resources in Babergh district. Opportunities to improve water quality in all watercourses and waterbodies will be taken where possible and measures will be taken to prevent the deterioration in current water quality standards. Site specific policies for allocated sites and detailed policies for delivering sustainable design and construction and climate resilient development will be set out in Site Specific Allocations and Development Management Development Plans Documents (DPDs).

8.13 The geography, topography, history, ecology and appearance of the landscape in the district may make it difficult to provide suitable sites for the generation of some types of renewable energy on a commercial scale. However, renewable energy technologies are developing and improving fast and becoming more affordable. Micro-generation, either on-site (such as the installation of ground or air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels etc) or off-site local schemes, such as small local biomass schemes, or wind turbines, may well provide the solution to the needs of new development in the district. The Council will support energy service companies (ESCOs), and innovative schemes for renewable energy generation.

8.14 One of the most significant contributors to CO2 emissions is the use of cars and part of achieving sustainable development by design is how we address this issue. In a rural area such as Babergh it is difficult to achieve a reduction in car travel, as for many people in small villages and scattered hamlets public transport will not replace the need to own and run a car. However, we can help reduce the need to travel by ensuring new development is carefully planned to provide opportunities for work and leisure etc. close to new homes. This is a key principle of our Development Strategy where our preferred options are to focus new development in the towns, Ipswich urban fringe and Key Service Centres. The Council will also require Travel Plans for larger new developments, and will support local agriculture and the reduction of ‘food miles’ by enabling the provision of local farmers’ markets and similar initiatives.

8.15 Clearly the majority of housing, business premises and community facilities in the district are already built, and although the technology, materials and regulations exist to ensure that new development addresses climate change issues it is important that we don’t only focus on this area. Part of the Babergh approach to carbon reduction is non-spatial through funding and enabling the upgrading of the existing housing stock.

8.16 There may be opportunities for new development to share sources of renewable energy, particularly with community buildings, and/or to combine with existing residents, businesses, health or education establishments in producing Travel Plans. Much can be done to reduce carbon emissions and reduce demand for energy and water by retro-fitting energy saving materials and equipment to existing buildings – this will also have the effect of making savings for the residents and users of these buildings.

68 8.17 Planning regulations are reviewed at national level on a regular basis, and regulations are being introduced or changed to allow many of these types of schemes to go ahead without express consent. Given the high proportion of existing homes that need to be upgraded the Council will consider the most cost effective ways of promoting and assisting with this and, if necessary and appropriate, policies for retro-fitting micro-renewable energy equipment to buildings will be included in the Development Management DPD.

8.18 The character of Babergh district is enriched by the number of listed buildings and conservation areas, and we should not overlook the need for heritage assets to contribute to adapting to climate change and reducing carbon emissions. The re-use of an existing building is a very sustainable form of development minimising waste, and often listed buildings are constructed from sustainable materials. Some perform well in terms of heat loss/solar gain, and thermal insulation. However, some will require modification and adaptation to improve energy efficiency and resilience to climate change. In such cases the Council will carefully weigh the potential harm to the heritage asset and character of the locality against the public benefit of mitigating the effects of climate change in accordance with Government policy (set out in PPS5: Planning for the Historic Environment). We will consider available evidence and assess the need to address this matter in criteria-based policies for Babergh’s heritage assets in the Development Management DPD.

8.19 Studies have been and are being carried out that will inform site selection considerations, such as the Water Cycle Studies (one for the Haven Gateway area undertaken with partners, and one for the remainder of the District) and the Environment Agency’s Essex and South Suffolk Shoreline Management Plan. In addition, other areas of study may include:

thermal/heat mapping; assessing the Babergh area for opportunities for decentralised energy to meet the needs of new development; greater integration of waste management; exploring the potential in new developments to co-locate heat suppliers and consumers; identifying areas suitable for renewable energy generation; and considering how green infrastructure can be used to assist in reducing the impacts of climate change e.g. flood water storage areas, sustainable drainage systems, urban cooling and local access to shady outdoor space.

8.20 Where appropriate we will work with partners to carry out further studies and assessments (including viability assessments). Following collection of this evidence detailed policies will be included in the Site Specific and Development Management DPDs.

What you have told us so far

8.21 Climate change issues were raised in the Core Strategy Issues and Options Report published in April 2009. Your responses indicate that climate change and sustainable development are matters of concern, and you agree that future development should be designed to withstand the effects of, and have minimal adverse effects on climate change. The majority of responses received:

69

supported using the Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) for monitoring and target setting purposes, although you felt that it is important to take local factors into account and to build in flexibility; were in support of the application of the CfSH to all new residential buildings, conversions and redevelopment; the response to the application of BREEAM standards to non-residential development was less clear, but in both cases you felt that it is important that costs and benefits should be balanced – that the viability of developments, and the impact on delivery and economic growth should be considered in applying the CfSH and BREEAM standards; were in support of using national or regional renewable energy targets, and support a requirement for renewable energy in all new development to come from decentralised sources.

8.22 Other comments supported the encouragement and promotion of renewable energy, with support for a robust strategy that considers costs, benefits and viability rather than arbitrary thresholds and targets.

8.23 Half of the responses received support the application of Sustainable Construction principles to all development, with a further quarter supporting the application of Sustainable Construction requirements to development above certain thresholds. Overall there is a clear message of support for new development being required to comply with the principles of sustainable development, and the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Preferred Options

8.24 Using feedback from stakeholders and public consultation, and further research and assessment, it is considered that Babergh’s Core Strategy should include policies on sustainable development and climate change that address:

Sustainable design and construction - Location: including transport/reducing the need to travel, and orientation to maximise solar gain - Building methods and materials/resilience to climate change (e.g. incorporation of such things as use of low water volume fittings and grey water systems, high levels of insulation, use of material from sustainable sources) - Flood risk - Drainage – including Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) - Water - Waste reduction (including adequate provision for separation and storage of waste for recycling in new developments) Reduction in carbon emissions Renewable Energy

8.25 The preferred option is to have three separate policies, as set out below. Alternatively these issues could be set out in two policies with the first covering sustainable design and construction, and the second the energy hierarchy: carbon reduction through to renewable energy.

70 8.26 As part of Babergh’s LDF process more detailed Development Management and site specific policies on sustainable development and climate change will be included in the Site Specific Allocations and Development Management DPDs where appropriate.

Sustainable Development and Climate Change Policies

8.27 Core Strategy policies in this section will aim to ensure that all new development contributes to sustainable development, reduces or minimises carbon emissions, is resilient to future implications of climate change, protects occupiers from fuel poverty, and encourages and supports the provision of renewable energy to both new and existing developments.

Preferred Policy CC1: Sustainable development – location, design and construction

All new development within the district, including conversions, will be required to demonstrate the principles of sustainable development, and in particular, and where appropriate to the scale and nature of the proposal, should:

be located close to existing services and facilities (including primary and secondary schools, further education, employment, healthcare facilities and a supermarket accessible by public transport in line with the (2006) DfT Accessibility Guidance) and public transport routes; and/or be comprehensive developments incorporating necessary physical and social infrastructure, services and facilities and opportunities for employment; seek to minimise the need to travel by car using the principles of the 29transport user hierarchy and, where appropriate to the scale of the proposal, provide a Travel Plan; address flood risk issuesminimise both the risk of flooding as well as the risk from flooding to people and property, and incorporate, where appropriate, flood mitigation and/or flood resilience measures; be designed to make the best use of the site in terms of solar energy, passive heating and cooling, natural light and natural ventilation; use sustainable building methods that optimise energy and water efficiency, and use techniques, methods and materials resilient to climate change (e.g. resilience to high winds and driving rain); address minimise surface water run-off and incorporate sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) where appropriate; create green spaces and/or extend existing green infrastructure to mitigate some of the impacts of climate change e.g. through the design and incorporation of flood water storage areas, sustainable drainage systems, and access to shady outdoor space within new developments

29 The Transport User Hierarchy considers pedestrians first, followed by cyclists, public transport users, specialist service vehicles (e.g. emergency services) and lastly other motor traffic. More details can be found on http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/manforstreets/pdfmanforstreets.pdf

71 minimise waste (including waste water) during construction, and promote and provide for the reduction, re-use and recycling of all types of waste from the completed development.

Preferred Policy CC2: Reducing carbon dioxide emissions

Larger scale residential developments, particularly on the 30strategic sites, will be expected to achieve the Building For Life Silver Standard.

All new non-residential developments will be expected to achieve, as a minimum, the BREEAM “Very Good” standard or equivalent.

The Council will seek opportunities to identify sites where these standards can be achieved or exceeded, and will identify such sites in the Site Specific Allocations DPD where it is viable to require this as part of the overall scheme,.

8.28 The East of England Plan (to 2021) requires, as an interim measure, major developments in the region to secure at least 10% of energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources. The new Policy ENG1 in the Draft East of England Plan > 2031, Resource Efficiency in New Development and Existing Communities, is for LDD policies to:

set demanding, evidence based, targets for carbon dioxide emission reductions from new development. Achievement of these targets should prioritise demand reduction and energy efficiency measures over renewable energy generation in the first instance; and require new development of more than 10 dwellings or 1000m2 of non- residential floorspace to secure at least 10% of energy consumed when occupied from decentralised, renewable and low carbon energy sources, unless not feasible or viable; contribute to the national aspiration of sourcing 12% of our heat from renewable sources by 2020 by, wherever possible, ensuring renewable heat technologies are incorporated into existing and new development; integrate efficiency measures for existing buildings, including consequential improvements; recognise the importance of water efficiency in this region and the relationship between reducing water usage and reducing carbon dioxide emissions; set demanding targets for greater efficiency in materials used in construction based on Site Waste Management Plan data; and consider low embodied carbon approaches in methods and materials used in construction.”.

30 ‘strategic sites’ are the largest allocations in the Babergh Local Plan Alteration No.2 that remain undeveloped together with the larger sites that will be allocated in the Site Specific Allocations DPD

72 8.29 Given the swift pace of change in this policy area and the availability and viability of ‘green technologies’ we will be carrying out research to establish whether a requirement of 15% of energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources on all major development proposals would be viable in Babergh from 2011, or whether it would have an impact on delivering housing, including affordable housing, through the plan period. If a target of 15% energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources is shown to slow down the delivery of housing and prevent our housing target from being met we will consider an alternative approach based on the evidence and revise Policy CC3 accordingly when we prepare the Submission draft of the Core Strategy. Alternatively, we could have a policy that relies on the RSS policy for setting a 10% target, and which sets out an interim measure to be used until such time as evidence based policies are developed in the Site Specific Allocations DPD and the Development Management DPD. This option is set out below.

Preferred Policy CC3: Renewable Energy

Strategic sites, mixed use developments and all other 31major development proposals will be required to use on-site renewable energy sources, decentralised renewable or low carbon energy sources to achieve 15% of the predicted carbon reductions of all types of development within the allocated sites unless it can be demonstrated (through submission of supporting evidence) that this not feasible or viable.

In other cases the Council will support proposals for development that includes on-site low and zero carbon technologies including, where appropriate, proposals to retro-fit existing buildings as part of schemes to extend or convert those buildings.

In all cases, the Council will encourage and support community initiatives, including linking with/contributing to the provision of local off-site renewable energy sources, and the use of energy service companies (ESCOs) or similar energy saving initiatives.

Alternative Option Policy CC3

The Council will support proposals for development that includes on-site low and zero carbon technologies including, where appropriate, proposals to retro-fit existing buildings as part of schemes to extend or convert those buildings.

In all cases, the Council will encourage and support community initiatives, including linking with/contributing to the provision of local off-site renewable energy sources, and the use of energy service companies (ESCOs) or similar energy saving initiatives.

31 In brief, ‘major development’ is defined as: 10 dwellings or 0.5 hectares or more in the case of residential development; over 1,000m2 floorspace or 1ha or more in the case of non-residential development; over 1,000m2 in the case of changes of use; amendment or removal of a condition relating to a major development; proposals for minerals and waste development.

73 Targets for carbon dioxide emission reductions from new development will be set in the Site Specific and Development Management DPDs. In the interim, all major development proposals will be required to submit a statement setting out the proportion of energy consumed by the completed development (when occupied) from decentralised, renewable and low carbon energy sources, and how this will be achieved.

Q33: Are there any other areas of sustainable development that are not included in the list in Policy CC1 that you feel should be highlighted? Please state your reasons.

Q34: Do you agree with Policy CC1 as a general, overarching policy to guide new development in the district? If not, please state your reasons.

Q35: Do you agree that larger scale residential developments, particularly on the allocated sites, should aim to achieve the Building For Life Silver Standard? If not please state your reasons.

Q36: Do you agree that all new non-residential developments should be expected to achieve, as a minimum, the BREEAM “Very Good” standard or equivalent? If not please state your reasons.

Q37: (a) Do you agree with a 15% target in Policy CC3 subject to feasibility and viability? or (b) Do you prefer the alternative option for policy CC3? If so please state your reasons.

74 9. Built and Natural Environment

9.1 The Babergh District has a rich and varied built and natural environment. The protection and enhancement of the environment is identified as an important priority internationally, nationally, regionally and locally.

9.2 Important resources include the estuaries, the river valleys, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, biodiversity and geodiversity sites and extensive open spaces and countryside as well as heritage assets such as conservation areas and historic buildings, all of which contribute to the built and natural environment characteristics of the district, and all of which need protection and enhancement. As well as pressure from development, the built and natural environment must respond to pressures from flood risk, coastal changes, pollution, and climate change which also need to be prevented, managed, mitigated or adapted.

Policy Context

9.3 The importance of the need to protect and enhance the built and natural environment has been widely acknowledged for a long time from an international to local level. As a result issues concerning the built and natural environment are thoroughly covered by legislation and policy guidance at all levels. This includes legislation at an international and national level and policies at national and regional level, including: (Please note the summary below indicates the key legislation and policy relevant).

Theme Legislation National Policy Regional Local Policy Policy Babergh Local Plan Nature Natural PPS9,Biodiversity The East of EN02 Conservation Environment and and geological England Plan And Natural Rural conservation EN04 environment, Communities Act Draft East of including 2006 PPS7 Sustainable England Plan > EN06 archaeology Conservation Development in 2031 and geology (Natural Habitats) Rural Areas EN13 Regulations 1994 Essex and and amendments PPG20 Coastal South Suffolk CR01 2000 and 2007 Planning Shoreline Countryside and Management CR04 Rights of Way Act Plan 1, 2000 Draft Consultation- Wildlife and new PPS for a Draft Essex and Countryside Act Natural and South Suffolk 1981 and Healthy Shoreline Amendment 1991 Environment Management Marine and Plan 2. Coastal Act 2009 Consultation Draft of a new Planning PPS25 Policy Statement Supplement: on Planning for a Development Natural and and Coastal Healthy Change Environment

75 Theme Legislation National Policy Regional Local Policy Policy Babergh Local Plan Conservation Planning (Listed PPS5 Planning for The East of CN06 and historic Buildings and the Historic England Plan environment Conservation Environment CN08 Areas) Act 1990 Draft East of Planning and England Plan > CN14 Compulsory 2031 Purchase Act CN15 2004

Design Planning (Listed PPS1 Delivering The East of CN01 Buildings and Sustainable England Plan Conservation Development CN04 Areas) Act 1990 Draft East of Planning and PPS5 Planning for England Plan > Compulsory the Historic 2031 Purchase Act Environment 2004

Flood risk Planning and PPS 25 and PPS The East of Compulsory 25 supplement England Plan Purchase Act 2004 PPS1 Delivering Draft East of Marine and Sustainable England Plan > Coastal Act 2009 Development 2031

Essex and South Suffolk Shoreline Management Plan 1

Draft Essex and South Suffolk Shoreline Management Plan 2

9.4 In relation to landscape issues including Special Landscape Areas, and Llandscape Ccharacter, sufficient protection will be provided through criteria based policies in the Development Management DPDwill provide sufficient protection through the interpretation of Landscape Character Assessment. This approach is supported by PPS7.

9.5 PPS 12: Local Spatial Planning states that the core strategy should not repeat or reformulate national or regional policy. It acknowledges that there may be local reasons for having greater detail than is provided in national or regional policy, and/or local circumstances which suggest that a local interpretation of a higher-level policy is appropriate. There is no evidence to suggest that this is the case in Babergh district, and it is therefore considered unnecessary to repeat the intention of other higher level policies in the Core Strategy. Detailed criteria-based policies for

76 the management of the built and natural environment, and mitigation issues will be addressed through development management policies as required.

What you told us so far

9.6 A range of questions were asked and comments received on issues concerning the Built and Natural Environment. The over-riding indication of this was that most agree that the majority of issues relating to this topic are best addressed through the Development Management Policies. The broad policy context for most issues is adequately covered by legislation or policies at a regional or national level. The detailed local management and/or mitigation issues are more appropriate for Development Management Policies than Core Strategy policies. This view was expressed for issues including Special Landscape Areas, Biodiversity and Geodiversity, Flood Risk and Air Quality. One issue which was suggested as being appropriate for inclusion in the Core Strategy is Green Infrastructure, which is included in the Social, and Physical and Green Infrastructure section.

Q38 Do you consider that there are any local built and natural environment assets that are not adequately protected by existing national, international or regional policy and therefore would benefit from a local interpretation of policy within the Core Strategy? If so please specify and refer to the evidence that supports this.

77 10. MONITORING AND IMPLEMENTATION

Social and Physical InfrastructureSocial, Physical and Green Infrastructure Delivery

10.1 The information contained in this section is the best information available to date and may be subject to change as more information becomes available that contributes to the evidence base.

10.2 As the Council progress with the Babergh Development Framework and in particular Site Specific Allocations, more detailed information regarding infrastructure requirements and constraints will be gathered and this will further inform infrastructure requirements and investment in the district.

Water and Sewerage

10.3 Anglian Water is the statutory provider of water and responsible for the operation and maintenance of the wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure within the Babergh District and has a statutory obligation to meet the growth planned for the district.

10.4 Water: Constraints are not anticipated for most of the Babergh district at this stage. Improvements to the water network to manage anticipated requirements and growth are set out in the Water Resources Management Plan for the period of 2010 to 2035. It is not anticipated that development will have to be phased to accommodate proposed investments and improvements in water supply. More detailed information is expected regarding water requirements and constraints in the Stage 2 Water Cycle Study (for the western part of the district). Emphasis must be placed on supporting water-efficient designs for new homes.

10.5 Sewerage: There are delivery and treatment constraints which will require clear sustainable solutions to mitigate the constraints to ensure delivery of the proposed growth. Issues of capacity identified in Water Cycle Studies will be monitored to assist in informing the phasing of developments and help prevent impacts on the environment.

Electricity and gas

10.6 Electricity and Gas: National Grid is responsible for the high voltage electricity transmission system in Great Britain and has a statutory obligation to develop and maintain an efficient and economical transmission system. It must offer to connect new power generators to the system. EDF Energy (EDFE) is the responsible authority for the electricity distribution system in the Babergh District.

10.7 The existing transmission system in East Anglia is adequate to meet current demands. There are, however, proposals to generate additional electricity in the region. Almost eight Gigawatts of new generation are programmed for connection to the system between 2011 and 2021 from a number of new power stations, including Sizewell C nuclear power station (3,640 Megawatts), Bradwell B nuclear power station (1,670 Megawatts), and gas fired powered stations at King’s Lynn B (981 Megawatts), South Holland (840 Megawatts) and Thames Haven (840 Megawatts). In addition, between 2014 and 2020 there is potential for a further 10 Gigawatts of offshore wind farm power generation around the Norfolk and Suffolk coast that will require a connection into the high voltage network.

78

10.8 National Grid has indicated that there are limits to the extent that the existing network within the region can be upgraded and parts of the system are already operating at maximum capacity. Any additional loading of the system, without increasing capacity of the network, would therefore increase the risk of a major failure and jeopardise the quality and stability of existing electricity supplies.

10.9 It is likely that existing electricity infrastructure at Sudbury, Hadleigh and the Ipswich fringe will need to be upgraded to accommodate the additional growth proposed in the Core Strategy. Depending on the growth proposed at particular villages it may be the case that that electricity infrastructure would need to be upgraded at villages to accommodate additional development, although any upgrades here might be more local in nature.

10.10 Upgrades are likely to have impacts in terms of timescales and it may be necessary to phase new development in the district accordingly. Further discussions will be held with National Grid and EDFE regarding electricity requirements and constraints as the Core Strategy preparation progresses.

Road and Rail Network

10.11 Road: Responsibility for the highway network is shared between Central Government (through the Highways Agency and Department for Transport), Suffolk County Council and the District Council.

10.12 The Highways Agency is responsible for the maintenance, operation and improvement of the Strategic Road Network (trunk roads and motorways). Suffolk County Council, as Local Transport Authority, is responsible for the rest of the road network in Suffolk, including footpaths and bridleways. The County Council also has a role to play in providing some subsidised public transport. The District Council undertakes local low level highway maintenance such as sweeping roads, etc, it deals with the alteration of footpaths/bridleways and currently promotes sustainable transport initiatives by issuing bus passes and grant aid for bus shelters. It is also monitors air quality.

10.13 A Transport Assessment was completed during February 2010 to consider the impacts of the spatial strategy on the road network in the district. The study concluded that a limited amount of traffic management and public realm improvements is considered necessary for Hadleigh; growth in Sudbury will have to be mitigated and managed through a comprehensive town centre management re- assessment and road improvements; and impacts at the Copdock Interchange will have to be mitigated in the Ipswich fringe. It is not likely that development will have to be phased to allow for improvements to the road infrastructure. Further assessments will be required as part of the Site Specific Allocations DPD. Phasing will need to be investigated in more detail at Site Specific Stage. A key requirement will be to provide for sustainable modes of travel as part of new developments.

10.14 Babergh District Council supports a Sudbury Western Bypass. This project is reliant on central government for funding and implementation. TheA route is safeguarded in the Babergh Local Plan, Alternation No 2 (2006) should such a scheme come forward.

79 10.145 Rail: Network Rail manages and controls the main line rail infrastructure throughout the region including those running through Babergh. Local branch line enhancements appear to be of low priory in strategic regional network planning. Although the promotion of rail use is an important element in moving towards more sustainable transport for the longer term, The Council is supportive of improvements to the rail network in the district. At this stage Network Rail are not planning significant investment programmes in the district and the costs and logistics involved make significant changes in the district unlikely.

Telecommunications

10.16 Telecommunications (and good broadband internet provision in particular) are considered to be an essential element for businesses, the local economy and in the life of local communities. Much of the telecommunications network in the district has been long established, however relatively recent advances in technology have led to an increase in the need for new infrastructure, i.e. mobile phone reception and high- speed broadband access in the district. Access to good broadband and mobile phone reception are particularly poor in some areas in the district. The Council will work with service providers, organisations such as EEDA and particularly with partners like Suffolk County Council to improve telecommunications in the district. It also supports the ‘Speed Up Suffolk’ Broadband campaign and is actively promoting such initiatives, specifically aimed at addressing such issues.

Fire and Rescue

10.157 Suffolk County Council is responsible for fire and rescue services across Suffolk. It is unlikely that housing development spread throughout the district would result in any upgrading of fire cover or the provision of additional fire stations.

Policing

10.168 Suffolk Constabulary is responsible for policing in Suffolk. If significant growth is planned under the current policing model there would be a need for additional Safer Neighbourhood Team bases in growth areas. These could involve the housing of partner agencies in the same premises.

Education

10.179 Suffolk County Council is responsible for the provision of education in Suffolk. As a rural district education provision is closely linked to the surrounding areas and districts.

10.1820 The County Council has begun the first of three phases on the reorganisation of schools in Suffolk School Organisation Review (SOR), where the middle schools will be gradually phased out, some primary schools will extend their age range from 5 – 9 to 5 – 11, and some secondary schools will also increase their age ranges. The School Organisation Review only covers the western part of Babergh District, around Sudbury/Great Cornard. This area is in Phase 3 of the SOR and options for restructuring schools are currently being discussed with consultations that took place during October/November 2009. The main proposal was to discontinue with the three middle schools in the area and to address the remaining primary and high schools need to be altered to accommodate the pupils of middle school age (9-13).

80 10.219 It is not possible at this stage to estimate the level of required improvements and investment to schools in the western part of the District with several programmes in their early development phase, notably the Schools Organisation Review.

10.202 Schools in the eastern part of the district, including Hadleigh and most of the Key Service Centres will be unaffected by SOR. With the number of house allocations proposed in Hadleigh is unlikely that any new schools will be required (Beaumont Primary school is the newest school in the Hadleigh area, opening in September 2003) although it is forecast to be over capacity by 2013.

10.213 The proposed Key Service Centres could potentially have a very wide range of allocations. The impacts on education provision at Key Service Centres will be considered in more detail during the preparation of the Site Specific Allocations Development Plan Document.

10.224 At this stage it is not anticipated that development will need to be phased to allow for improvements in education, but more information will become available as the Schools Organisation Review process for the Sudbury and Great Cornard areas progresses.

Care for young people

10.235 Most of the issues concerning young people are addressed through either education provision or through community facilities. In addition pre-school needs are important, and are usually provided through a mixture of private nurseries/ crèches and private child minders. Children’s Centres are a relatively new concept and are already provided by Suffolk County Council in Hadleigh, Great Cornard and Sudbury. A further Children’s Centre is planned for at Glemsford, with the aim of establishing Centres at East Bergholt, Capel St Mary, Holbrook and Brantham.

Health

10.246 Babergh District lies within the area covered by the Suffolk Primary Care Trust. As is the case with education, healthcare issues are inevitably linked in with those of surrounding areas and districts. Major hospital facilities are provided outside the district at larger urban locations at Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich. Primary health care is provided at a local level through a network of GPs, health clinics and doctor surgeries.

10.257 Healthcare provision for the Sudbury area is changing from a traditional model of conventional hospital provision providing hospital beds, using old buildings and facilities (including Walnuttree hospital and St Leonard’s hospital) to be replaced by a new healthcare centre. Both of the existing hospitals in Sudbury are to close and hospital beds will be provided elsewhere at Bury St Edmunds. The proposed healthcare centre at Sudbury will be integrated with GP practices. The exact form and location of this centre for Sudbury have not yet been determined and currently planning and feasibility aspects are being considered. Delivery of the health centre is expected in 2012.

81 10.268 At present the Sproughton area is served by facilities in Claydon/ Barham. Ideally the existing capacity would be expanded to accommodate any growth of the population. The Hadleigh Health Care Centre is now at full capacity. Additional growth will have to be managed. Elsewhere in the district, healthcare provision is available to varying capacities with some practices at Key Service Centres able to accommodate limited growth. At this stage it is not anticipated that development will need to be phased to allow for improvements in health provision. Further discussions will be held with the Suffolk Primary Care Trust to determine health requirements.

Social Care

10.279 Care for older people: Suffolk County Council is now an enabling Authority, rather than a direct provider of services. The service is under review, but the overall aim is to care for people in their own homes for as long as possible, and when more intensive care is needed, that this be provided elsewhere. It is important therefore, to ensure that homes are as adaptable as possible. The Government’s “Lifetime Homes” and Code for Sustainable Homes will assist with this process.

10.2830 Whilst it is expected that for the most part people will remain in their own homes when they are older, it is also expected that there will be a period when more intensive care is needed. This is likely to be very sheltered accommodation, rather than the more traditional care homes. It is important to ensure that adequate support services are provided close to where older people are living.

Community Facilities

10.2931 Provision of adequate community facilities, particularly in rural areas contributes to maintaining sustainable communities and meeting local needs. Access to key facilities, including libraries, village halls/community centres, and post offices contribute towards these aims. Most of the villages in the district have access to community / village halls, although some are in need of improvement and may not serve all the local community needs.

10.302 The decline of Post Office facilities in rural areas has been a national trend which has affected some areas of Babergh. Although the larger settlements have retained a post office, people in the more remote areas may now need to travel further to their closest post office.

10.313 The library service is the responsibility of Suffolk County Council. Opportunities for improvements to the provision may be required, looking at potential for the library buildings to provide a greater focus for additional community services. Much of the rural area of the district is served by the mobile libraries.

Sport and Recreation Facilities including Green Infrastructure

10.324 Provision for sport and recreation is important in meeting many cross cutting objectives such as: Promotion of health and wellbeing by making provision for physical activity; Social cohesion and a contribution to healthy and safe places to live (including crime reduction); and

82 Provision of public space/multi-functional greenspaces and green infrastructure networks which could benefit a range of interests including recreation, local biodiversity, design and public realm, healthy, living environments that assist in reducing the impacts of climate change (by providing urban cooling, local flood risk management, sustainable drainage and local access to shady outdoor space).

10.335 The wider context also relates to a network of green infrastructure corridors and it is acknowledged that all open spaces can contribute to landscape and biodiversity. A Strategy for Open Space Sport and Recreation is currently being prepared by Babergh District Council which will form part of the evidence base. Current audit information indicates where provision currently exists and also makes an assessment of its quality as required by Planning policy Guidance Note 17 Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation (PPG17). The Strategy will build on this and will identify local standards of provision and highlight areas in need of additional provision, the type of provision required and the need for qualitative improvements. It will enable priorities for delivery to be set to enhance the quantity and quality of provision for all open space throughout the district. It is anticipated that this work will be completed by the summer of 2010.

10.346 Other sport and recreation facilities provided in the district range from swimming pools, indoor sports halls, multi-use games areas, and tennis courts. These are often intended to serve a wider catchment area as people are willing to travel a greater distance for the use of such facilities. Where shortfall of provision has been identified it is possible to seek contributions from developers to help fund the additional facilities which will be needed to serve the development. The current planning policy approach for this is to request contributions from most residential development to allow for the cumulative effect of lots of small developments. This is consistent with guidance in PPG17.

10.357 The Babergh district also offers a range of opportunities for informal recreation including many water recreation opportunities, the most extensive being Alton Water and the Stour and Orwell Estuaries. The estuaries are also important for their nature conservation interest, so recreational use has to be carefully balanced. Alton Water already serves a regional catchment and is identified in the Haven Gateway Green Infrastructure Strategy as having potential to be extended to contribute towards the Accessible Natural Green Space Standards.

Delivery of Infrastructure

10.368 A table summarising capacity, delivery and phasing; and risks with and contingencies for the different types of infrastructure, together with the lead agency and partners in each case is included as Appendix 6.

83 Monitoring

10.379 It is important that the Babergh Core Strategy includes clear mechanisms for implementation and monitoring. An effective monitoring framework will ensure the Core Strategy Policies are appropriate and that they are having the desired effects. It will help to form a clear picture of what is happening in the district and would enable the Council and other role players to respond to changing circumstances through the ‘plan, monitor and manage’ approach including identifying parts of the plan that needs to be reviewed. Monitoring should be an integrated approach, considering social, economic and environmental aspects, and take an overview of the delivery of the spatial strategy, and if it is still appropriate and sustainable.

10.3840 Annual monitoring is a national planning policy requirement and all local planning authorities are required to compile an annual report, known as the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR). The AMR includes information about the extent to which the objectives as set out in the development plan are being achieved, and the monitoring framework developed in the Core Strategy will be monitored and reported upon in the AMR. Information in the Annual Monitoring Report will be supplemented by evidence contained in local research studies. These include and will be updated as follows:

Health Check Reports – update annually; Retail Study – update as and when circumstances change; Strategic Housing Market Assessment – update annually; Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and 5-year land supply – update annually; and Housing Needs Survey – update as and when circumstances change.

10.3941 The monitoring framework is being developed in conjunction with the vision, objectives and policies in the draft Core Strategy to allow us to monitor their success. The framework will be further developed as the Core Strategy preparation progresses. The framework includes clear targets and indicators that would measure the progress made towards achieving the Core Strategy vision and objectives. Several different types of indicators will be used to monitor progress including:

Contextual indicators that provide background information against which the effects of policies can be assessed, selected to highlight the key issues in the area being monitored. They are used to establish the starting point for monitoring in terms of the wider social, environmental and economic issues and are drawn from a variety of sources.

Core Output Indicators that are national indicators against which all Local Planning Authorities must measure their performance.

Local Output Indicators that are used where national indicators do not cover areas of local interest or importance.

Significant Effects Indicators that monitor the significant effects of a plan or a programme. They tend to focus on environmental issues such as biodiversity, and renewable energy. This will also include performance against Sustainability Appraisal objectives and targets.

310.402 Requirements for monitoring on a regional level (Policy IMP2) were also considered in the development of the monitoring framework for the district, including:

84 delivery of necessary infrastructure; delivery of housing and housing evidence; progress in the development of the economy, growth in employment and its alignment with housing; and delivery of the environmental and other objectives in the RSS particularly water consumption, waste water and emissions.

310.413 The monitoring framework for the Babergh Core Strategy is set out in Appendix 7.

Implementation

310.424 The Core Strategy provides a long term spatial vision and plan for the district and it is important that investment is coordinated and effective in the Babergh District. To ensure that the Core Strategy is delivered in an effective and efficient way and that investment in the district is coordinated, the Council will have to work with a range of public, private and voluntary partners in the district and establish effective mechanisms for implementation and delivery. A framework for implementation of the Core Strategy policies is provided in Appendix 8 including identifying potential risks that could impact on implementation or delivery of the Core Strategy and mitigation actions to address potential risks. Subsequent development plan documents will include more details regarding implementation and delivery including the Site Specific Allocations and Development Management DPDs.

Q39. Are there any other matters that should be considered in the monitoring and implementation framework? Please give details and reasons

85 Glossary

Adopted A document that has been adopted means it has been considered by committee in its final form and has been approved by the council.

Affordable Housing Housing that is provided with subsidy for people who are unable to resolve their housing needs in the local private sector market because of the relationship between housing costs and income

AMR- Annual Monitoring Report A report that assesses the performance of planning policies and shows progress on the production of the Local Development Framework (LDF)

AONB- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty A landscape designation showing that area is of national importance, designated by the government.

BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method A method for assessing the environmental sustainability of a building against set criteria to provide a graded rating. The assessment relates to the overall management of the building, energy use, health and well being, pollution, transport, land use, ecology, materials and water

Brownfield Land that has been previously developed (excluding agricultural buildings and including garden land)

CIL – Community Infrastructure Levy A scheme in which local planning authorities are required to set out charging rates on most types of new development in the area. The proceeds of the levy will be spent on local and sub-regional infrastructure to support the development of the area.

Comparison Goods All other retail goods after convenience goods, normally large items that are infrequently brought

Convenience Goods Low cost, everyday items that consumers are unlikely to travel far to purchase.

CSH - Code for Sustainable Homes An environmental impact rating system for housing in England, setting new standards for energy efficiency and sustainability.

DPD- Development Plan Document Statutory planning documents that are part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) and are subject to community consultation and independent testing by a Government appointed inspector.

EERA- East of England Regional Assembly The body responsible for the Regional Spatial Strategy.

86 Geodiversity The variety of rocks, fossils, minerals, landforms and soils along with the natural processes that shape the landscape.

Greenfield Land that has not been developed before, usually farmland

Intermediate Affordable Housing (in accordance with PPS3) is housing at prices and rents above those of social rent, but below market price or rents, and which meet the criteria of affordable housing as set out in PPS3. These can include shared equity products (eg Homebuy), other low cost homes for sale and intermediate rent.

LDD – Local Development Document The generic name for both Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents

LDF- Local Development Framework A portfolio of documents, which collectively deliver the spatial planning strategy for an area

LDS – Local Development Scheme A statement setting out which documents will make up the Local Development Framework and when they will be produced

LSP – Local Strategic Partnerships LSP’s are non-statutory bodies intended to bring together the public, private, voluntary and community sectors at a local level. Their purpose is to improve the delivery of services and quality of life locally

PPG – Planning Policy Guidance Documents that provide guidance to local authorities and others on national planning policy and the operation of the planning system. Now being replaced by PPSs

PPS - Planning Policy Statements Documents that set out the Government’s national policies on different aspects of spatial planning in England. To replace PPGs.

PROW- Public Rights of Way

ROWIP - Rights of Way Improvement Plan

RIGS – Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites Statutory protection for local sites of geological and/or geomorphological interest.

RSS – Regional Spatial Strategy The broad spatial strategy for the region prepared by the East of England Regional Assembly, and forming part of the statutory Development Plan

SA – Sustainability Appraisal An appraisal that must be carried out on LDF documents. They promote sustainable development by assessing the economic, environmental and social effects of planning policies.

SCI – Statement of Community Involvement A document setting out how the community and others with an interest in the planning system will be involved

87

SEA – Strategic Environmental Assessment A systematic assessment of the environment effects of a draft plan, which is open to public consultation and produced in accordance with national and European regulations

Section 106 Agreement A Section 106 Agreement is a legal agreement between a developer/applicant and the local planning authority to secure the delivery of infrastructure and/or community benefits e.g. affordable housing, formal and informal parks and play space/sports facilities, new road/junction improvements etc.

Social Rented Housing In accordance with PPS3, Social Rented Housing is rented housing owned and managed by local authorities or registered social landlords, for which guideline target rents are determined through the national rent regime. The proposals set out in the Three Year Review of Rent Restructuring (July 2004) were implemented as policy in April 2006. It may include rented housing owned or managed by other persons and provided under equivalent rental arrangements to the above, as agreed with the local authority or with the Homes and Community Agency as a condition of grant.

Spatial Planning The Core Strategy will ‘join up’ town planning and land use issues with plans and strategies of other stakeholders and service providers that deal with community issues such as health, community safety, housing, employment, community development, education, transport, the environment and regeneration. This is called spatial planning, and ensures development and investment decisions are guided by the objectives and long-term vision for the District. Spatial planning is not limited to things that the District Council control, therefore working with other partners and agencies will be essential.

SPD – Supplementary Planning Document A document that provides additional or supporting detail to a policy or proposal contained within a development plan document

Sustainable Development A commonly accepted definition of Sustainable Development is development which enables people to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life without compromising the quality of life of future generations.

88 APPENDIX 1

Local Plan Policies to be Replaced by the Babergh Core Strategy

1. The Babergh Local Plan, Alteration No 2 was adopted in 2006. To ensure continuing planning policy coverage during the transition from the adopted Babergh Local Plan (2006) to the new Babergh Development Framework, the Council applied to the Secretary of State (GO-East) to 'save' the majority of policies contained in the Babergh Local Plan Alteration No. 2 until such time as the new Babergh Development Framework is adopted. Confirmation has been received from the Secretary of State that most of the policies contained in the current adopted Babergh Local Plan are 'saved' (and thereby remain in place) whilst others expired on 2nd June 2009. This confirmation is in the form of a 'Direction under paragraph 1(3) of schedule 8 to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. For more information please view our website via the following link: http://www.babergh.gov.uk/Babergh/Home/Planning+and+Building+Control/Local+Plan/List +of+Saved+Policies.htm.

2. The Council has assessed the Local Plan policies (saved policies) to determine which of these policies will be superseded by the policies in the Core Strategy. The paragraphs below provide a broad indication of the Local Plan policies likely to be replaced by Core Strategy policies. A detailed list of which Local Plan policies will be will be replaced and the Core Strategy policies to replace these will be included in the Submission Core Strategy. Local Plan policies not replaced by Core Strategy policies will remain until these are replaced by subsequent Development Plan Document policies. Local Plan Policy Ref Policy Subject LP01 Planning Obligations EN09 Conservation of Energy EN10 Renewable Energy EN13 Water Conservation EN14 Water Supply EN21 Provision of storage/recycling facilities HS01 Towns HS02 Villages HS03 Non-sustainable and Sustainable Villages HS08 Affordable Housing HS09 Affordable Housing HS29 Residential Caravans HS34 Smaller Dwellings SP03 Retail Development Outside Town Centres

89 APPENDIX 2

Evidence Base Informing the Core Strategy

Preferred Options Evidence Base Core Strategy National Policies / Regional Policies / Local Evidence Base Themes Guidance Guidance Spatial Strategy PPS1, PPS3, RSS Policies: SS1, SS2, LDF Annual Monitoring PPS4, PPS11, PPS12, SS8, & Report, PPG17, 2004 Regional Social Draft Strategic Housing PPS25, Strategy, 2005 Regional Land Availability UK Sustainable Health Strategy. Assessment, Development Strategy Parish Facilities/Service 2005, Assessment, 2003 Sustainable Strategic Flood Risk Communities Plan. Assessment. Physical and Social PPS1, PPG8, RSS Policies: Water resources Infrastructure PPS11, PPS12, PPG13, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, management plan 2010- PPG17, PPG20, PPS23, T8, T9, T10, T13, T14, T15, 2035, PPG24, PPS25 & WAT1, WAT2, WAT3, Water Cycle Studies, Government documents: WAT4, & Open Space Assessment, Life Homes & Code for SCC School Organisation Strategy for Open Space Sustainable Homes 2007. Review Sport and Recreation, Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Infrastructure Capacity Study, Transport Study 2010, Annual Monitoring Report 2008/09. Mixed and Balanced PPS1, PPS3, RSS Policies: SS1, SS4, Strategic Housing Land Communities Government Circular SS5, SS8, SS9, H1, H2, Availability Assessment, 01/2006 review of RSS, H3, C1, C2, WAT2, & Strategic Housing Market Government Circular EERA Affordable Housing Assessment and 04/2007 Planning for Study 2003/04, Regional associated Viability Study Travelling Showpeople, Housing Strategy 2005 – 2008/09, Housing Green Paper July 2010, Housing Needs Survey 2007. East of England 2008, Annual Monitoring Forecasting Model (EEFM) Report 2008/09, Autumn 2009. Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment, Suffolk Cross-Boundary Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment March 2007. Employment & PPS1, PPS4, RSS Policies: Employment Land Review Retail National good practice SS1, SS4, SS5, SS6, E1, 2009, guidance on tourism E2, E3, E5, E6, C2, & Babergh District Retail planning 2006 Regional Economic Study July 2008, Strategy 2008, Sudbury and Hadleigh East of England Town Centre Health Forecasting Model (EEFM) Checks July 2008. Autumn 2009,

90 Preferred Options Evidence Base Core Strategy National Policies / Regional Policies / Local Evidence Base Themes Guidance Guidance Suffolk Haven Gateway Employment Land Review and Strategic Sites study 2009, Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration July 2007. Sustainable PPS1, PPS3, PPS4, PPS5 RSS Policies: Babergh Strategic Plan Development and PPS7, PPS9, PPG17, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, T2, 2008-2018, Climate Change PPG20, PPS22, PPS23, T9, T13, ENV1, ENV2, Sustainability PPS25, ENV3, ENV4, ENV5, Appraisal/Strategic UK Sustainable ENV6, ENV7, ENG 1, ENG Environmental Development Strategy 2, WAT1, WAT4, & Assessment, 2005, Suffolk Community Strategic Flood Risk Sustainable Communities Strategy 2008-2028, Assessment. Plan 2003, Suffolk Climate Action Plan The Code for Sustainable 2009. Homes 2007, Sustainable Homes - The Road to Zero Carbon December 2009, Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method, Building for Life (CABE).

91 APPENDIX 3

Summary of the linkages between the Sustainable Community objectives/strategies and the Core Strategy Objectives and Policies.

Transforming Suffolk Western Suffolk LSP Babergh East LSP Core Strategy Core Strategy Policies 2008-2028 (Suffolk Objectives LSP) A prosperous and Develop and maintain a Maintaining the quality of the Objective 1: Promote the Spatial Strategy vibrant economy safe, strong and environment sustainable development Social and Physical sustainable community of strong, safe, healthy InfrastructureSocial, The Greenest County Affordable housing and inclusive Physical and Green Create and support communities throughout Infrastructure Reduce Suffolk’s carbon healthier communities Raise opportunities for local the district. Steer Housing footprint and adapt to communities to access jobs and development to towns Economy the changing climate Develop a prosperous training. and larger villages that Climate Change and sustainable are already well Safe, healthy and economy Improve health and well being of supported by services; inclusive communities young people are well served by public Make Western Suffolk a transport and have a A sense of belonging safer place and build a Raise opportunities for young people range of employment within communities that stronger community to access jobs and training opportunities, whilst are valued, engaged sustaining rural and supported Protect our natural communities and Cohesive Communities environment and local enhancing these biodiversity and ensure communities where sustainable appropriate and possible. development

92 Transforming Suffolk Western Suffolk LSP Babergh East LSP Core Strategy Core Strategy Policies 2008-2028 (Suffolk Objectives LSP) A prosperous and Develop and maintain a Maintaining the quality of the Objective 2: Allow for Spatial Strategy vibrant economy safe, strong and environment provision of sufficient Housing sustainable community land for housing, Economy The Greenest County Provision and retention of employment employment and other Social and Physical Create and support sites to encourage economic uses to achieve InfrastructureSocial, Affordable, quality healthier communities development (including tourism and consistency with national Physical and Green housing for all redevelopment opportunities) and regional planning Infrastructure Develop a prosperous policy and to meet the Reduce Suffolk’s carbon and sustainable Raise opportunities for local needs of the district, footprint and adapt to economy communities to access jobs and including the provision of the changing climate training. appropriate uses and Make Western Suffolk a mixes. Land supply Safe, healthy and safer place and build a should be responsive to inclusive communities stronger community changing circumstances and an adequate and A sense of belonging Protect our natural continuous supply should within communities that environment and local be available. The use of are valued, engaged biodiversity and ensure brownfield land for and supported sustainable development should be development prioritised and Cohesive Communities maximised where appropriate.

93 Transforming Suffolk Western Suffolk LSP Babergh East LSP Core Strategy Core Strategy Policies 2008-2028 (Suffolk Objectives LSP) Greenest County Create and support Improve health and well being of Objective 3: Protect , Spatial Strategy healthier communities young people conserve, manage, Social and Physical Retain/enhance value of promote and, where InfrastructureSocial, natural environment Make Western Suffolk a Maintaining the quality of the possible enhance the Physical and Green safer place and build a environment exceptional qualities, Infrastructure Safe healthy and stronger community character, appearance inclusive communities Raise opportunities for local and attractions of the Maximise the potential communities to access jobs and District’s natural, heritage A sense of belonging of all children and young training. and cultural assets within communities that people including our historic are valued, engaged environment , landscape, and supported Protect natural countryside, the Stour environment and local and Orwell Estuaries and Reduce Suffolk’s carbon biodiversity and ensure biodiversity/ geodiversity footprint and adapt to sustainable that together contribute the changing climate development to forming a positive sense of place and local A prosperous and Reduce avoidable early character in Babergh vibrant economy deaths by providing district. education and support on health and well being

Develop a prosperous and sustainable economy

94 Transforming Suffolk Western Suffolk LSP Babergh East LSP Core Strategy Core Strategy Policies 2008-2028 (Suffolk Objectives LSP) Greenest County Create and support Improve health and well being of Objective 4: Ensure the Spatial Strategy healthier communities young people protection and where Climate Change Retain/enhance value of possible, the Social, Physical and Green natural environment Make Western Suffolk a Maintaining the quality of the improvement of natural Infrastructure safer place and build a environment resources including Safe healthy and stronger community water and air quality. inclusive communities Raise opportunities for local Promote the sustainable Maximise the potential communities to access jobs and use of resources A sense of belonging of all children and young training. including water, within communities that people maximise the use of are valued, engaged renewable energies, and supported Protect natural minimise the production environment and local of waste and promote Reduce Suffolk’s carbon biodiversity and ensure sustainable construction footprint and adapt to sustainable in all new development. the changing climate development

A prosperous and Reduce avoidable early vibrant economy deaths by providing education and support on health and well being

Develop a prosperous and sustainable economy

95 Transforming Suffolk Western Suffolk LSP Babergh East LSP Core Strategy Core Strategy Policies 2008-2028 (Suffolk Objectives LSP) A prosperous and Develop a prosperous Raise opportunities for local Objective 45: Promote Spatial Strategy vibrant economy and sustainable communities to access jobs and economic wellbeing and Economy economy training. economic growth in a Social and Physical Use Suffolk’s unique positive and flexible InfrastructureSocial, selling points to capture Maximise the potential Provision and retention of employment manner; encourage a Physical and Green emerging markets of all children and young sites to encourage economic wide range of shopping, Infrastructure people development (including tourism and leisure and recreational Reduce inequalities redevelopment opportunities) facilities; promote the across the country Alleviate poverty and prosperity of the District’s reduce health two town centres, Transport and inequalities Sudbury and Hadleigh; infrastructure to support and protect and enhance sustainable growth Enable a prosperous, community facilities in sustainable economy local centres through Learning and Skills for policies and initiatives the future Encourage sustainable that recognise the tourism strengths and A workforce with the weaknesses and local skills to meet the needs Improve skills and constraints, of Suffolk’s economy learning opportunities opportunities, stresses and influences on the High aspirations and Encourage achievement differing parts of the local opportunities to realise in children and young economy. them through quality people learning opportunities

96 Transforming Suffolk Western Suffolk LSP Babergh East LSP Core Strategy Core Strategy Policies 2008-2028 (Suffolk Objectives LSP) Safe, healthy and Develop and maintain a Support projects which raise Objective 56: Ensure that Spatial Strategy inclusive communities safe, strong and opportunities for local communities all new development Social and Physical sustainable community makes appropriate Infrastructure Greenest County Engage with young people and provision for all of its Climate Change Create and support promote sense of active partnership physical and social Learning and skills for healthier communities infrastructure needs the future Support the provision of service including sustainable Develop a prosperous modes of transport, and sustainable Improve health and well being of social and community economy young people facilities, open space and green infrastructure; it Make Western Suffolk a To support the development of local achieves optimum safer place and build a services to improve the health and standards for reducing stronger community well-being of young people. carbon emissions; and use policies and Protect our natural initiatives to ensure that environment and local we mitigate the effects of biodiversity and ensure and/or adapt to climate sustainable change. development

Alleviate poverty and reduce health inequalities

Reduce avoidable early deaths by providing education and support on health and wellbeing

97 APPENDIX 4

Housing Trajectory

The RSS sets a target of an additional 5,600 dwellings in the District between 2001 and 2021. The total completions in the Babergh District in the period 2001-2009, projected identified completions, and the RSS housing completion target for the district are shown in the figure below. From a target led point of view, it would be expected to see the completions increase over the short term with a relatively recently adopted Local Plan, however with the current economic climate, this will not necessarily be the case over the next few years. Even after the economy recovers, there may still be a delay in sites coming forward for development.

The trajectory will be updated in the Annual Monitoring Report. These figures will indicate if housing delivery in the district needs to be managed and if it is necessary to review housing policies in the BaberghDevelopment Framework.

Figure 1 Housing Trajectory 2001-2031 9000

8000 Dwellings Completed

7000 Projected Identified Completions

6000 Housing Completions required to meet RSS requirements 5000

4000

3000 NoDwellings of

2000

1000

0

2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28 2028/29 2029/30 2030/31 Year

98 APPENDIX 5

Summary of advantages and disadvantages of the broad locations/directions of growth

Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location 1 East of Location has access to public transport and Location is more than 800m from the town centre / shops and Hadleigh therefore reduces the need to travel by car; supermarket which makes it a location not within walking distance; The broad location is within 30 mins of a GP by Location is on Greenfield land; public transport; Location is on grade 3 agricultural land; Has good access to natural green space and the Location is in close proximity of an SSSI (900m from Hintlesham broad location development will not result in a loss Woods SSSI); of public open space; Part of the area within the broad location is close to a Local Nature Nearby Public Rights of Way will improve Reserve (500m east of the Railway Walk Local Nature Reserve); accessibility to the broad location; The broad location is not situated close to or within a deprived area, The broad location is within 30 mins of a school by therefore opportunities for regeneration are not likely; public transport; The broad location is located at the edge of the town, not providing The broad location is within walking a cycling immediate economic benefits to the vitality of the town centre; distances from the nearest primary school; The broad location is adjacent to a site of archaeological interest, The broad location is within 30 mins of the town and a small section falls within the broad location centre / shops and supermarket by public transport; The broad location would be capable of accommodating larger sites and provision of affordable housing; Location is outside areas of flood risk and is not situated within a groundwater source protection zone; There are no potentially contaminated sites within the area of the broad location The broad location is not within an Air Quality

99 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location Management Area;

The size of the broad location will allow for development proposals to incorporate the required proportion of energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources; No BAP habitats are known to be represented in the location; Location is generally away from any area of archaeological or geological importance (Geological SSSIs or RIGS); There are no listed buildings or Scheduled Ancient Monuments within or adjacent to the broad location; The broad location is not within or adjacent to a Conservation Area or a Historic Park and Garden; The broad location does not cover and is not adjacent to a Green Corridor; Location is not within or adjacent to areas designated of landscape value AONB/ SLA / ESA; No Potential threat to coalescence of urban extensions with nearby settlements; The broad location is well located to a range of employment opportunities and is proposed for mixed-use development with good accessibility to local facilities; 2 West of The broad location has access to public transport The broad location is not situated close to or within a deprived area, Hadleigh and therefore reduces the need to travel by car; therefore opportunities for regeneration are not likely; The broad location is within 30 mins of a GP by Location is within a groundwater source protection zone; public transport;

100 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location Location is on Greenfield land; The broad location has good access to natural Location is on grade 2 and 3 agricultural land; green space; Location is partially located within flood zones 2 and 3; The broad location development will not result in a Part of 2 Local Nature Reserves are situated within the broad loss of public open space; location; Nearby Public Rights of Way will improve Part of the area is within the Conservation area; accessibility to the broad location; A Scheduled Ancient monument (Toppesfield Bridge) is located The broad location is within 30 mins of a school by within the broad location; public transport; There are three small areas of archaeological interest present The broad location is within walking a cycling within the location; distances from the nearest primary school; Location is within a Special Landscape Area and partially within the The broad location is within 30 mins of the town Environmentally Sensitive Area, Suffolk River Valleys; centre / shops and supermarket by public The broad location is located at the edge of the town, not providing transport; immediate economic benefits to the vitality of the town centre. The broad location is within walking and cycling distance of the town centre / shops and supermarket; The broad location would be capable of accommodating larger sites and provision of affordable housing; The broad location is not within an Air Quality Management Area; The eastern areas of the location cover sites that are previously developed (Brownfield) sites. The eastern areas of the location cover sites that are potentially contaminated. Development within this location may provide opportunities for remediation; The size of the broad location will allow for development proposals to incorporate the required proportion of energy from decentralised and

101 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location renewable or low-carbon sources; The broad location is not located in proximity to a SSSI, SAC or SPA; No BAP habitats are known to be represented in the location; Location is generally away from any area of archaeological or geological importance (Geological SSSIs or RIGS); There are no listed buildings within or adjacent to the broad location; The broad location is not within or adjacent to a Historic Park and Garden; The broad location does not cover and is not adjacent to a Green Corridor; No Potential threat to coalescence of urban extensions with nearby settlements; The broad location is well located to a range of employment opportunities and is proposed for mixed-use development with good accessibility to local facilities.

3 North of The broad location has access to public transport Development within the location may result in the loss of public Hadleigh and therefore reduces the need to travel by car; open space; The broad location is within 30 mins of a GP by The broad location is not situated close to or within a deprived public transport; area, therefore opportunities for regeneration are not likely; Nearby Public Rights of Way will improve Location is within groundwater source protection zones 2 and 3; accessibility to the broad location; Location includes Greenfield land; There is a school (Beaumont Community Primary Location is on grade 3 agriculture land; School) within the broad location; Location includes areas of flood risk (zones 2 and 3), although

102 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location most of land in location is not at risk of flooding; The broad location is within 30 mins of the town Location is within close proximity of an SSSI (4km from centre / shops and supermarket by public Hintlesham Woods SSSI); transport; Part of the location is within close proximity of Local Nature The broad location is within walking and cycling Reserve (500m north of the Railway Walk Local Nature distance of the town centre / shops and Reserve); supermarket; The south-western section of the location lies within the The broad location would be capable of Hadleigh conservation area; accommodating larger sites and provision of A significant part of the location is identified as sites of affordable housing; archaeological importance; The broad location is not within an Air Quality The location lies partially within a Special Landscape Area and Management Area; Environmentally Sensitive Areas, Suffolk River Valleys; The size of the broad location will allow for The broad location is located at the edge of the town, not development proposals to incorporate the required providing immediate economic benefits to the vitality of the town proportion of energy from decentralised and centre. renewable or low-carbon sources; No BAP habitats are known to be represented in the location; Location is generally away from any area of archaeological or geological importance (Geological SSSIs or RIGS); There are no listed buildings or Scheduled Ancient Monuments within or adjacent to the broad location; The broad location is not within or adjacent to a Historic Park and Garden; The broad location does not cover and is not adjacent to a Green Corridor; No Potential threat to coalescence of urban extensions with nearby settlements;

103 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location

The broad location is well located to a range of employment opportunities and is proposed for mixed-use development with good accessibility to local facilities. Some areas of the location cover sites that are potentially contaminated. Development within this broad location may provide opportunities for remediation. 5 North of The broad location has access to public transport The broad location is not situated close to or within a deprived Sudbury and therefore reduces the need to travel by car; area, therefore opportunities for regeneration are not likely; The broad location is within 30 mins of a GP by Location is not within walking distance of the town centre (1.5 public transport; km) (although is cyclable); The broad location is not likely to result in any loss Location is within a groundwater source protection zone 2 (outer of public open space; Zone) and is adjacent to an Inner Zone; Nearby Public Rights of Way will improve Location is on Greenfield land; accessibility to the broad location; Location is on grade 3 agricultural land; The broad location is within 30 mins of a school by Location is adjacent to a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Wood public transport; Hall Moated Site); The broad location is within walking a cycling Location includes several areas of archaeological interest; distances from the nearest primary school; The broad location is located at the edge of the town, not The broad location is within 30 mins of the town providing immediate economic benefits to the vitality of the town centre / shops and supermarket by public centre. transport; The broad location is within walking and cycling distance of shops and a supermarket; The broad location would be capable of accommodating larger sites and provision of affordable housing;

104 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location The broad location is not within an Air Quality Management Area; The size of the broad location will allow for development proposals to incorporate the required proportion of energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources; The broad location is not within a Flood Risk Zone; The broad location is not situated in proximity to a Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation or Site of Special Scientific Interest; The broad location is not located in proximity to a County Wildlife Site, Local Nature Reserve or Ancient Woodland; No BAP habitats are known to be represented in the location; Location is generally away from any area of archaeological or geological importance (Geological SSSIs or RIGS); There are no listed buildings within or adjacent to the broad location; The broad location is not within or adjacent to a Conservation Area or a Historic Park and Garden; The broad location does not cover and is not adjacent to a Green Corridor; The broad location is not within or adjacent to a Special Landscape Area, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Environmentally Sensitive Areas;

105 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location No Potential threat to coalescence of urban extensions with nearby settlements; The broad location is well located to a range of employment opportunities and may accommodate mixed-use development with good accessibility to local facilities. 6 East of Location has reasonable accessibility by cycling; Location is not within walking distance of schools, food shop or Sudbury Location has reasonable accessibility by public town centre; transport Location includes Greenfield land; good access to key services including health and Location includes grades 2 and 3 agriculture land; education ; Location is within a groundwater source protection zone; has good access to a range of employment Location is within 4km of SSSI; opportunities; Location is adjacent to a registered Historic Park and Garden; location is not within a flood risk zone; Location includes several sites of archaeological importance location is not within or close proximity to LNR; Development within the area of this location may result in the Location has no know BAP habitats within it; loss of public open space; There are no geological RIGs or SSSIs Location may lead to coalescence with adjacent settlement; Location is not within or close to conservation The broad location is located at the edge of the town, not area; providing immediate economic benefits to the vitality of the town Not within or close proximity to SLA or AONB centre. Location nearby Public Rights of Way to improve accessibility to the broad location Location partially situated within an area of higher deprivation, therefore new development could provide opportunities for regeneration of the area Location contains natural green spaces within in Location not within an Air Quality Management Area

106 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location Location could potentially be contain contaminated sites and development within the broad location may provide opportunities for remediation The size of the location could allow for development proposals to incorporate the required proportion of energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources Location not in close proximity to Scheduled Ancient Monument Location does not cover and not adjacent to Green Corridor 7 South of Great Location has reasonable accessibility by cycling Location is not within walking distance of food shop or town Cornard Location nearby Public Rights of Way to improve centre; /Sudbury accessibility to the broad location Development within the area of this location may result in the Location contains natural green spaces within it loss of public open space; Location has reasonable accessibility by public The broad location is not situated close to or within a deprived transport area, therefore opportunities for regeneration are not likely; Location is within walking and cycling distance of Location is within a groundwater source protection zone; a school Location includes Greenfield land; Location not within an Air Quality Management Location includes land which is grade 3 agriculture land; Area Part of location is adjacent to SSSI Location not in close proximity to Scheduled Location is adjacent to Ancient Woodland Ancient Monument Location contains a BAP priority habitat Location does not cover and not adjacent to Location includes some areas of archaeological importance Green Corridor Location within SLA The broad location is located at the edge of the town, not providing immediate economic benefits to the vitality of the town centre.

107 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location The size of the location could allow for development proposals to incorporate the required proportion of energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources Location is not within a flood risk zone Location does not include geological SSSIs or RIGS Location is not within or close to conservation area Location is not in proximity to a Historic Park and Garden Location will not lead to coalescence 8 Western Location has reasonable accessibility by walking Development within the area of this location may result in the Ipswich Fringe and cycling; loss of public open space; Location has good accessibility by public transport Location is not within walking distance of food shop or town has good access to a range of employment centre; opportunities; Location is within a groundwater source protection zone; location is not within a flood risk zone; Location is on Greenfield land; Location has no know BAP habitats within it; Location is grades 2 and 3 agriculture land; There are no geological RIGs or SSSIs Location is within close proximity of SSSI and SPA Location is not within or close to conservation Part of a registered Historic Park and Garden is within the area; location; Location not in close proximity to LNR Location includes several sites of archaeological interest Location is partially within SLA: Location nearby Public Rights of Way to improve The broad location is situated close to several deprived areas accessibility to the broad location within Ipswich, therefore opportunities for regeneration are Location will not lead to coalescence. possible Location contains natural green spaces within it

108 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location Location not within an Air Quality Management The broad location is located at the edge of the town, not Area providing immediate economic benefits to the vitality of the town Some areas of the location cover sites that are centre. potentially contaminated. Development within this broad location may provide opportunities for remediation. The size of the location could allow for development proposals to incorporate the required proportion of energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources Location not in close proximity to Scheduled Ancient Monument Location does not cover and not adjacent to Green Corridor

9 South West The broad location has access to public transport Location is not within walking distance Ipswich town centre (3.7 Ipswich Fringe and therefore reduces the need to travel by car; km) (although is cyclable); The broad location is within 30 mins of a GP by Location falls within a groundwater source protection zone. public transport; The broad location is not situated close to or within areas of The broad location is not likely to result in any loss deprivation, therefore opportunities for regeneration not likely; of public open space; Location is on Greenfield land; Internal and adjacent Public Rights of Way will Location is on grades 2 and 3 agricultural land; improve accessibility to the broad location; A Flood Risk Zone runs down the middle of the location The broad location is within 30 mins of a school by (Belstead Brook flood plain, Flood Zones 2 and 3); public transport; Bobbitshole SSSI lies 700 m to the East of the location, The The broad location is within walking a cycling Orwell Estuary SPA and SSSI lies 2.7 km to the East of the distances from the nearest primary school; location, and Freston and Cutler’s Woods SSSI lies 2.9 km to The broad location is situated close to several the south of the location; deprived areas within Ipswich, therefore

109 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location opportunities for regeneration are possible; Belstead Brook CWS lies within the location, and Spring Wood The broad location is within 30 mins of Ipswich LNR, CWS and Ancient Woodland lies approx. 500 m to the town centre by public transport; East of the site; The broad location is within walking and cycling There is 1 Listed Building, Belstead House (Grade II Listed) distance from all key services (despite being immediately adjacent to the location; approx. 3.7 km from Ipswich town centre); There are small no sitesareas of Archaeological importance or The broad location is adjacent to a Supermarket interest within the location, however there are several areas and Retail Park; adjacent to the location to the East, South and West; The broad location would be capable of Belstead Brook Green Corridor runs through the middle of the accommodating larger sites and provision of site; affordable housing; Location is adjacent to (to the West of) the Belstead Brook and The broad location is not within an Air Quality Gipping Valley SLA; Management Area; The broad location is located at the edge of the town, not There are only a few small potentially providing immediate economic benefits to the vitality of the town contaminated land sites within the area; centre. The size of the broad location will allow for Potentially some significant highway constraints at location development proposals to incorporate the required Smaller parts of the location could contain BAP habitats proportion of energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources; No BAP habitats are known to be represented in the location; Location is generally away from any area of geological importance (Geological SSSIs or RIGS); The broad location is not within or adjacent to a Conservation Area or a Historic Park and Garden; There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments in or near to the broad location; No Potential threat to coalescence of urban extensions with nearby settlements;

110 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location The broad location is well located to a range of employment opportunities and is proposed for mixed-use development with good accessibility to local facilities.

Additional potential option Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location 4 South west of The broad location has access to public transport Development within the location may result in a loss of public open Sudbury and therefore reduces the need to travel by car; space; (Ballingdon) The broad location is within 30 mins of a GP by Location is not within walking distance of the nearest primary school public transport; (1.5 km away, this is however cycling distance); Nearby Public Rights of Way will improve The broad location is not situated close to or within a deprived area, accessibility to the broad location; therefore opportunities for regeneration are not likely; The broad location is within 30 mins of a school Location is not within walking distance of the nearest grocery shop or by public transport; supermarket (1 km from location); The broad location is within cycling distance from Location is within a groundwater source protection zone 2 (outer the nearest primary school (but not walking Zone); distance); Location is adjacentin some proximity to the Cross Street and The broad location is within 30 mins of the town Ballingdon Street Air Quality Management Area; centre / shops and supermarket by public Location includes Greenfield land; transport; Location is on grades 2 and 3 agricultural land; The broad location is within walking and cycling Part of the location, to the North-East lies within Flood Zones 2 and 3; distance of the town centre; Cornard Mere SSSI is located to the south-east within a 4 km distance The broad location would be capable of of the location; accommodating larger sites and provision of A small part of the location, to the north, lies within the Sudbury affordable housing; Common Lands LNR with the remainder adjacent to the location. Also The broad location has good access to natural adjacent to the location, to the north-east is the Railway Walks LNR; green space; A small part of the location, to the north-east, contains a BAP grazing

111 Location Description of Advantages Disadvantages number broad location Some areas within the broad location cover sites marsh (with the remainder adjacent to the location); that are previously developed (Brownfield) sites; A small section of the location, around Ballingdon Street, forms part of The size of the broad location will allow for the Sudbury Conservation Area, with the remainder adjacent to it, to development proposals to incorporate the the north-east; required proportion of energy from decentralised There are a few sites of archaeological importance within the broad and renewable or low-carbon sources; location. There size is relatively small compared to the potential location size. The location is adjacent to the Railway Walk Green Corridor, to the Location is generally away from any area of north-east; geological importance (Geological SSSIs or The location lies within a Special Landscape Area and partially within RIGS); ESA, Suffolk River Valleys; The broad location is not within or adjacent to a Development of the location may lead to the coalescence of urban Historic Park and Garden; extension with the village of Middleton, Essex; There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments in or The broad location is located at the edge of the town, not providing near to the broad location; immediate economic benefits to the vitality of the town centre. The broad location is well located to a range of employment opportunities and is proposed for mixed-use development with good accessibility to local facilities. Some areas of the location cover sites that are potentially contaminated. Development within this broad location may provide opportunities for remediation.

112 APPENDIX 6

Delivery of Infrastructure

Type of Lead Agency Capacity Delivery and Phasing Risks Contingencies Infrastructure and partners Water Anglian Water Current and future capacity up to Unplanned developments and Appropriate monitoring and upgrading Environment 2035 with implementation of the increases in population. of infrastructure if required. Agency Water Resources Plan. No Consider site specifics. Developers restrictions on phasing Sewerage Anglian Water Current capacity but would need to Sewerage Treatment Works not Appropriate monitoring and upgrading Environment upgraded to accommodate future upgraded or development not of infrastructure. Agency growth. Potential restrictions on appropriately phased. Appropriate phasing of development if Developers phasing. Funding. required. Unplanned developments and Work with partners to deliver required increases in population. infrastructure. Consider site specifics. Electricity and Gas National Grid Current capacity but would need to Electricity and networks not Appropriate monitoring and upgrading EDFE upgraded to accommodate future upgraded or development not of infrastructure. Developers growth. Potential restrictions on appropriately phased. Appropriate phasing of development if phasing. Funding. required. Unplanned developments and Work with partners to deliver required increases in population. infrastructure.

Telecommunications BT Current capacity but would need Access to broad band and Appropriate monitoring and upgrading EEDA improvements to accommodate future mobile reception not available of infrastructure. SCC growth Funding Work with partners to deliver required Unplanned developments and infrastructure. increases in population Impacts on economy

113 Type of Lead Agency Capacity Delivery and Phasing Risks Contingencies Infrastructure and partners Road & Rail network Highways Agency Current and some future capacity but Unplanned developments and Appropriate monitoring and upgrading Suffolk County need for improvements to road increases in population. of infrastructure. Council infrastructure accommodate future Sustainable modes of travel not Appropriate phasing of development if Babergh District growth. Need for sustainable modes provided as part of new required. Council of travel incorporated into new developments. Work with partners to deliver required Network Rail developments. Not likely that would Road infrastructure not infrastructure. Developers need restrictions on phasing. upgraded/ improved. Consider site specifics.

Fire Suffolk Fire Current and future capacity Unplanned developments and Appropriate monitoring and upgrading Service depending on site specifics. Not likely increases in population. of infrastructure if required. Consider Developers that would need restrictions on site specifics. phasing. Policing Suffolk Current and future capacity Unplanned developments and Appropriate monitoring and upgrading Constabulary depending on site specifics. Not likely increases in population. of infrastructure if required. Consider Developers that would need restrictions on site specifics. phasing. Education Suffolk County Current and some capacity for future Additional requirements for Consider site specifics and SOR Council development. Not likely that west of the district. outcome. Developers restrictions on phasing required at Unplanned developments and Appropriate monitoring and upgrading present. Need to consider after SOR increases in population. of infrastructure if required. outcome. Appropriate phasing of development if required. Consider site specifics. Health Suffolk Primary Current and some capacity for future Health centre not delivered in Appropriate monitoring and upgrading Care Trust development with exception of accordance with estimated of infrastructure if required. Developers Hadleigh. New health centre planned timescales. Surgeries not Appropriate phasing of development if for Sudbury. Upgrades planned to upgraded and health centre not required. accommodate future growth over the provided. Consider site specifics. next 5 -7 years. Not likely that Funding. restrictions on phasing required. Unplanned developments and increases in population.

114 Type of Lead Agency Capacity Delivery and Phasing Risks Contingencies Infrastructure and partners Community Suffolk County Current and some capacity for future Unplanned developments and Appropriate monitoring and upgrading Facilities Council development. No restrictions on increases in population. of infrastructure if required. Consider Babergh District phasing site specifics. Council Parish Councils Developers Open Space & Babergh District Current and some capacity for future Unplanned developments and Appropriate monitoring and upgrading Green Infrastructure Council development. No restrictions on increases in population. of infrastructure if required. Consider Sport England phasing site specifics. Haven Gateway Partnership Suffolk County Council Developers

115 APPENDIX 7

Monitoring Framework for the Babergh Core Strategy Objective Policy Target Indicators Objective 1: Spatial Strategy Promote market towns in district New developments within and outside of town centres Focussed Economy Steer bulk of development in district towards Location of new development in accordance with settlement growth and Retail and town sustainable settlements hierarchy sustainable centres Safeguard key services and promote new key Percentage of rural population with access to basic facilities and development Climate Change services in centres across district services Infrastructure Support local economy % of journeys to work undertaken by sustainable modes of travel Safeguard areas protected by conservation Condition of SSSI designations Change in Biodiversity Designations Reduce use of private car Percentage of developments supported by Travel Plan Objective 2: Spatial Strategy 5600 dwellings by 2021 (RSS) Annual Net Additional Dwellings Allocate Housing 40% Affordable Housing on appropriate sites 5 year Housing Land Supply sufficient Gypsies, Travellers 500 new affordable dwellings by 2014 Permission for Gypsy and Traveller pitches land for and Travelling To deliver a mix of types, sizes and tenures to Net additional Affordable Housing different land Showpeople meet local needs including needs of the elderly Average property and affordability ratio uses Employment and 15 Gypsy and Traveller pitches by 2011 and 13 Balance of housing markets (types, sizes and tenures) Economy pitches by 2027 Employment land gain/ loss Retail and Town 8000+ new jobs by 2021 No of new jobs Centres 18,300 m2 retail floorspace in town centres Retail floorspace gain/ loss Town Centre Uses in town centres

116 Objective Policy Target Indicators Objective 3: Built and Natural 430% of all development should be on Completions of housing and commercial development on Making the Environment brownfield land brownfield land most of the Brownfield Land Safeguard areas protected by conservation Condition of SSSI District’s designations Change in Biodiversity Designations intrinsic Climate Change Protect and enhance Sites of Special Scientific Condition of SSSI qualities and Interest Change in Biodiversity Designations; RIGS; Suffolk Biodiversity attractions Air and water quality in the district Action Plan Minimise flood risk Conserving, Improve recycling in the district Air quality managing To encourage renewable energy schemes Water quality and To protect and enhance the built and historic Flood risk - Planning applications approved against Environment enhancing environment Agency advice the natural Reduce climate change Percentage of recycling in Babergh and built To avoid developing areas at risk of flooding No of renewable energy proposals approved/ refused environments Encourage renewable energy provision No of listed buildings at risk Renewable Energy completions Extant permission for renewable energy developments Recycling in Babergh Flood risk - Planning applications approved against Environment Agency advice

Objective 4: Climate Change 30% of all development should be on Completions of housing and commercial development on Protection, brownfield land brownfield land improvement Safeguard areas protected by conservation Condition of SSSI of natural designations Change in Biodiversity Designations resources Protect and enhance Sites of Special Scientific Condition of SSSI including Interest Change in Biodiversity Designations; RIGS; Suffolk Biodiversity water and air Air and water quality in the district Action Plan quality. Minimise flood risk Promote the Improve recycling in the district Air quality sustainable To encourage renewable energy schemes Water quality use of To protect and enhance the built and historic Flood risk - Planning applications approved against Environment resources environment Agency advice Reduce climate change Percentage of recycling in Babergh

117 Objective Policy Target Indicators To avoid developing areas at risk of flooding No of renewable energy proposals approved/ refused Encourage renewable energy provision No of listed buildings at risk Renewable Energy completions Extant permission for renewable energy developments Recycling in Babergh Flood risk - Planning applications approved against Environment Agency advice

Objective 45: Economy Provision of 8000+ new jobs up to 2021 Employment land available by type Promoting Retail and Town Provision of 18,300 m2 retail floorspace Employment floorspace gain and loss and types of development economic Centres Meeting the needs of the market and Development of retail floorspace and town centre uses growth supporting the right types of growth Number of job seekers benefit recipients Reduce job seeker benefit recipients Unemployment rate Encouraging Reduce unemployment rate Average earnings a range of Increase average earnings Number and percentage employment per sectors shopping, Support business formation and survival of Number of VAT registered companies leisure and businesses Survival rates of VAT registered companies recreational Promote healthy market towns in district Employment land gain/loss facilities Promote a mix of uses in town centres Development of retail floorspace and town centre uses and Safeguard key services and promote new key amount of these uses within town centres services in centres across district Vacancy levels in town centres Support local economy Leisure facilities in town centres; on the edge of town centres and Leisure uses within or close to town centres out of town centres Percentage of rural population with access to basic facilities and services Leisure uses in and on the edge of town centres

118 Objective Policy Target Indicators Objective 56: Infrastructure Improve access to services Proportion of the population with access to hospital or GP or Sufficient Provision of infrastructure in accordance with dentist surgery provision for the infrastructure delivery plan Change in the amount of accessible natural green space physical and % of footpaths and other rights of way which are easy to use by social members of the public infrastructure % of residents who are satisfied with their neighbourhood % of journeys to work undertaken by sustainable modes Percentage of rural population with access to basic facilities and services Milestones in the infrastructure delivery programme

119 APPENDIX 8

Implementation Framework for the Babergh Core Strategy

Objective/ Implementation/ Key Partners Timescale for Dependencies Risks Mitigation Policy Delivery delivery Mechanism Spatial Core Strategy Babergh District Ongoing and Land supply Market Monitor annually Strategy Site Specific Council potential phasing Developers conditions Work with developers Allocations DPD Service Providers bringing sites Viability Apply for funding Development Funding forward Housing, Test viability Management DPD organisations Employment and Regular update of evidence Planning Local Strategic Retail Delivery base supporting annual Partnership, Infrastructure monitoring report including voluntary Delivery Infrastructure delivery organisations programme with trigger points Developers Review of policy Settlement Core Strategy Babergh District Ongoing Land supply Market Monitor annually Hierarchy Site Specific Council Developers conditions Work with developers Allocations DPD Service Providers bringing sites Viability Apply for funding Development Funding forward Housing, Test viability Management DPD organisations Employment and Regular update of evidence Planning Local Strategic Retail Delivery base supporting annual Partnership, Infrastructure monitoring report including voluntary Delivery Infrastructure delivery organisations Sustainability of programme with trigger points Developers settlements Review of policy

120 Objective/ Implementation/ Key Partners Timescale for Dependencies Risks Mitigation Policy Delivery delivery Mechanism Housing Core Strategy Babergh District Ongoing Land supply Viability of sites Monitor annually Delivery Site Specific Council Developers Market Work with developers and Allocations DPD Service Providers bringing sites Conditions housing associations Development Local Strategic forward Infrastructure Apply for funding Management DPD Partnership, requirements Test viability Planning including voluntary Regular update of Strategic organisations Housing Land Availability Developers and Assessment; Strategic land owners Housing Market Assessment; Registered Social and Housing Needs Survey Landlords Infrastructure delivery programme with trigger points Review of policy Mix of Core Strategy Babergh District Ongoing Market conditions Viability Monitor annually Housing Site Specific Council Viability Housing Delivery Work with developers and Allocations DPD Housing and Land supply Insufficient housing associations Development Community Developers affordable Apply for funding Management DPD Agency bringing sites housing Test viability Developers forward Change in Regular update of Housing Registered Social housing needs/ Needs Survey, Viability Landlords markets Assessment and Strategic Housing Market Assessment

121 Objective/ Implementation/ Key Partners Timescale for Dependencies Risks Mitigation Policy Delivery delivery Mechanism Affordable Core Strategy Babergh District Ongoing Market conditions Viability Monitor annually Housing Site Specific Council Viability Housing Delivery Work with developers and Allocations DPD Housing and Land supply Insufficient housing associations Saved policies in Community Developers affordable Apply for funding the Local Plan Agency bringing sites housing Test viability Development Developers forward Change in Regular update of Strategic Management DPD Registered Social housing needs/ Housing Land Availability Affordable Housing Landlords markets Assessment, Housing Needs SPD Survey, Viability Assessment and Strategic Housing Market Assessment Review policy Gypsies and Core Strategy, Babergh District Initially 2009 - Available sites Insufficient Monitor annually Travellers Internal working Council 2011; then up to Funding for delivery Allocate sites group – Planning Suffolk Local 2027 exception sites Applications Authorities and Gypsy and initially and then County Council Traveller subsequent Site Gypsy and community interest Specific Allocations Traveller Developers DPD Communities bringing sites Saved Policies of Developers forward the Local Plan Registered Social Circular 01/2006 Landlords

122 Objective/ Implementation/ Key Partners Timescale for Dependencies Risks Mitigation Policy Delivery delivery Mechanism Employment Core Strategy Babergh District Ongoing Developers Delivery of Monitor annually and Saved policies of Council bringing sites employment Regular update of Economy the Local Plan Developers forward sites Employment Land Review Site Specific Haven Gateway Site specific issues Viability Review Policy Allocations DPD Partnership Availability of sites Adapt to Investment strategy Development Local Strategic changing Apply for funding Management Partnership, markets DPDs including voluntary Changing needs Safeguarding of organisations Competition Employment Land Infrastructure SPD Delivery

Retail and Core Strategy Babergh District 2009-2027 Availability of sites Availability of Monitor annually Town Site Specific Council Funding for sites Regular update of health Centres Allocations DPD Developers enhancement and Enhancement checks for Sudbury and Development Haven Gateway investment and investment Hadleigh Management DPD Partnership Loss of facilities Retail Strategy Sudbury Town Local Strategic and services Review of policy Centre SPD Partnership, Poorly including voluntary performing organisations market town centres

123 Objective/ Implementation/ Key Partners Timescale for Dependencies Risks Mitigation Policy Delivery delivery Mechanism Built and International and Babergh District Ongoing Funding Enhancement Monitor annually Natural national legislation Council and investment Environment Regional Spatial Natural England Strategy Environment Site Specific Agency Allocations English Heritage Development Suffolk Management Preservation Policies Society Biodiversity Action Biodiversity and Plans Geodiversity Partnerships Developers Housing Associations Haven Gateway Partnership

124 Objective/ Implementation/ Key Partners Timescale for Dependencies Risks Mitigation Policy Delivery delivery Mechanism Climate International and Babergh District Ongoing Developers Housing Delivery Monitor annually Change national legislation Council bringing sites Viability Regional Spatial Natural England forward Strategy Environment Site specific issues Core Strategy Agency Availability of sites Site Specific Developers Allocations Registered Social Development Landlords Management Homes and Policies Communities Agency Service Providers including Suffolk County Council Developers Local Strategic Partnerships, including Voluntary Sector Physical and Core Strategy Service Providers Ongoing Market conditions Viability of Annual monitoring Social Site Specific including Suffolk and viability to contributions Review of policies Infrastructure Allocations County Council fund infrastructure Funding Infrastructure programme and Local Transport Developers provision Not delivering identification of delivery Plan Babergh District Other investment infrastructure milestones Development Council programmes and programmes and Appropriate phasing of Management Local Strategic plans strategies development Policies Partnerships, External funding Infrastructure including sources Programmes and Voluntary Sector Strategies H:\DOCS\Committee\REPORTS\Strategy\2010\29 04 10 Corrected Draft CS for Cttee.doc

125

126