Castle Point Borough Council New Local Plan 2018 Technical Evidence
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Castle Point Borough Council New Local Plan 2018 Technical Evidence: Summary Document June 2018 CONTENTS 1 Background ............................................................................................................ 1 2 Evidence to May 2018 ............................................................................................ 1 3 Next Steps .............................................................................................................. 1 4 Castle Point Borough Council Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) (September 2017) .................................. 3 5 Castle Point Borough Council Playing Pitch Strategy Assessment (May 2018) ..... 4 6 South Essex Economic Development Needs Assessment (EDNA) (November 2017).................................................................................................................. 7 7 South Essex Retail Study Volume 1 (May 2018) .................................................... 9 8 South Essex Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) (May 2016) ........... 11 9 South Essex Strategic Housing Market Assessment Addendum (SHMA) (May 2017)................................................................................................................ 12 10 South Essex Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Level 1) ................................... 13 11 Updated Objectively Assessed Need (OAN) ...................................................... 15 12 Air quality Annual Status Report (2016) & The UK Air Quality Action Plan for Nitrogen Dioxide (July 2017) ............................................................................ 16 1 Background 1.1 In 2014 the Council prepared a draft local plan supported by technical evidence and made this available for public consultation. In response to the consultation process, an updated local plan was produced in 2016. Council approved this version for publication and submission to the Secretary of State for examination. In March 2017 following concerns expressed by the Planning Inspector regarding the "duty to co-operate", this plan was withdrawn. 1.2 Since then planning policy making has focused on strategic planning, with the Council fully engaged with neighbouring and nearby authorities in South Essex to address the "duty to co-operate" and to follow a more co-ordinated approach to strategic planning in the area. This has resulted in agreement to prepare a Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) for South Essex, to provide for new growth but aligned with place-making ambitions and improvements to infrastructure. 1.3 The New Local Plan 2018 will put in place up-to-date planning policies, in accordance with the NPPF, and the PPG. The new Local Plan will have a timeframe of at least 15 years: however the housing delivery policies and site allocations will have a shorter timeframe of between 5 to 10 years. This shorter timeframe for the housing policy elements will ensure an upturn in housing delivery in the short term. In the longer term, the JSP aims to pick up any unmet need to support the aims of the South Essex 2050 vision. Work on the JSP for South Essex will continue in parallel to the development of the New Local Plan 2018. 2 Evidence to May 2018 2.1 This document provides a brief summary of the conclusions of nine technical evidence reports prepared since the 2016 Plan was withdrawn. The reports have been prepared by independent consultants and will inform both the South Essex JSP and the Castle Point Local Plan. 2.2 The summaries set out aim to support stakeholder and community engagement. The full reports have been made available online- https://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/studies-and-assessments -these should be read to gain a full insight on the topics discussed and conclusions reached. 3 Next Steps 3.1 Updated and/or new technical evidence has been commissioned to support the New Local Plan 2018 as follows: 1 • Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and Brownfield Land Register 2018 • Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy • Essex Design Guide • Community Infrastructure Needs Assessment • Greenbelt Review • Green Infrastructure Strategy and Open Space Strategy • Playing Pitch Strategy • Sport and Leisure Facilities Needs Assessment • Sustainability Appraisal • Strategic Flood Risk Assessment • Transport Assessment Update • Whole Plan Viability Assessment 3.2 Where new or updated evidence relates to potential housing land allocations it will be used to inform a Housing Site Options Paper. 3.3 All new or updated evidence and the Housing Sites Options Paper will be used to inform the New Local Plan. Subject to approval by the Council, currently scheduled for consideration in November 2018, the New Local Plan and all supporting evidence will be made available for public consultation in January 2019. 2 4 Castle Point Borough Council Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) (September 2017) 4.1 This Assessment provides a robust evaluation of current and future need for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation in Castle Point Borough for the period 2016-2033. It responds to a new planning definition set out in the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS) (2015) which states that Gypsies, Travellers or Travelling Showpeople who have ceased to travel will no longer fit the planning definition of a Gypsy, Traveller or Travelling Showperson. The Assessment determines the number of people who meet the new planning definition through fieldwork in the form of interviews. The baseline of the Assessment is September 2016. Gypsies and Travellers 4.2 In summary there is a need for no additional pitches in Castle Point to 2033 for Gypsy and Traveller households that meet the planning definition as none were identified; a need for up to 1 additional pitch for Gypsy and Traveller households that may meet the planning definition; and a need for 5 additional pitches for Gypsy and Traveller households who do not meet the planning definition. Travelling Showpeople 4.3 There were no Travelling Showpeople identified living in Castle Point so there is no current or future need for additional plots. Transit Provision 4.4 Whilst there is historic evidence to suggest that there may be a need for some form of transit provision in Greater Essex, it is not recommended that any should be provided at this point in time as the robustness of the data which could indicate this is not considered to be sufficient. It is recommended that the situation relating to levels of unauthorised encampments should continue to be monitored whilst any potential changes associated with PPTS (2015) develop. It is also recommended that further work is completed to identify the need for transit provision on an Essex-wide basis. 3 5 Castle Point Borough Council Playing Pitch Strategy Assessment (May 2018) 5.1 This report was produced to identify current levels and provision of play pitches across the Castle Point Borough. Below assesses issues and future recommended actions for each pitch type. Grass football pitches 5.2 All pitch types in Castle Point have a potential future shortfall based on predicted future demand. Third generation turf pitches (3G) and Artificial Grass Pitches (AGP) 5.3 The shortfall in 3G and AGPS pitches equates to one pitch in the Canvey Island Analysis Area and to two pitches in the Mainland Analysis Area. A total of eight teams currently play matches on the existing 3G pitch stock. Cricket pitches 5.4 Current and future demand is accommodated in Castle Point; however, an increase in provision may be required to accommodate any future senior demand derived from either Canvey Island CC or Hadleigh & Thundersley CC. Rugby union pitches (including World Rugby compliant 3G AGPs 5.5 Despite current spare capacity, a shortfall of 1.25 match equivalent sessions will be created in the Mainland Analysis Area if all junior and mini demand is transferred to Benfleet Playing Fields as is desired by Benfleet Vikings RFC. Rugby league pitches 5.6 Given that no perceived rugby league demand exists currently or in the future, no action is required in relation to the sport. Hockey pitches (sand/water based AGPs) 5.7 There are no hockey suitable AGPs and no hockey clubs based in Castle Point, with demand likely to be exported to neighbouring authorities. Consultation with England Hockey (EH) suggests that it is unlikely for a dedicated club to be created in Castle Point in the near future, meaning immediate priority should be given to clubs and facilities in neighbouring authorities. Notwithstanding the above, the lack of provision is considered detrimental to school-based hockey. 4 Golf courses 5.8 Both golfing facilities in the borough should be supported to ensure that sites are able to retain current members and users as well as, whereas appropriate, assisting them in capitalising on any untapped demand plus future demand generated from housing growth and population increases. Outdoor tennis courts 5.9 A shortfall will be evident at Hadleigh Park TC if the Club realises its future demand aspirations, suggesting that floodlight installation is required. For non- club courts, the supply is considered to be insufficient as only four courts are provided. Outdoor bowling greens 5.10 As providing additional outdoor greens is considered unrealistic, consideration should be given to the creation of an indoor bowls facility as this would reduce the pressures on the outdoor greens. Outdoor netball courts 5.11 There is currently community