Local Development Framework
Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12
Technical Appendix
Chiltern District Council Chiltern District Council
Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12
Technical Appendix
March 2013 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Contents
Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
page [each subject heading links to the relevant section]
o contextual information for chiltern district...... 1 . introduction . contextual characteristics . population . households . affordable homes . ethnic population . economic characteristics . environmental characteristics . social characteristics . key local issues o housing...... 9 o economic development ...... 22 o sustainable development ...... 39 o sustainable community strategy ...... 74 o biodiversity...... 83 o shopping...... 90 o historic heritage...... 101 o recreation & tourism ...... 109 o performance indicators ...... 116
List of indicators
housing Indicator H16: The Amount of Development on Housing Sites Allocated in Adopted Chiltern District Local Plan 1997 & Subsequent Alterations Indicator H17: Number of Dwellings Built, and Granted and Refused Planning Permission in Established Residential Areas of Special Character (ERASC) & Areas of Little Change (ALC) Indicator H18: New and Converted Dwellings on Previously Developed Land Indicator H19: Type and size of dwellings delivered (gross) Indicator H20: Density of new dwellings completed and permitted (gross) Indicator H21: Number of dwellings lost as a result of demolition, or change of use and/or conversion to another use
economic development Indicator ED9: Number and proportion of vacant employment premises in ‘large’ employment areas and selected sites in the Green Belt Indicator ED10: Floor area of outstanding planning permission in ‘large’ employment areas and selected green belt employment sites
sustainable development Indicator SA1.1: The number of homes judged to be a Category 1 Hazard under the Health & Safety Rating System
Contents Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Indicator SA1.2: The number of housing completions, new planning permissions granted, commitments (outstanding planning permissions) and allocations Indicator SA1.3: (i) Total housing stock (ii) number of empty dwellings (iii) number of dwellings empty for more than 6 months (iv) dwelling vacancy rate Indicator SA1.4: House price/earnings affordability ratio – all dwellings Indicator SA1.5: Amount of affordable housing delivered by all means Indicator SA1.6: Number of households on the housing register Indicator SA1.7: Number of ‘key worker’ affordable homes provided Indicator SA1.8: Temporary accommodation / rough sleepers Indicator SA2.1: Reduction in the number of burglaries from dwellings and violent offences against people Indicator SA2.2: % of residents with a fear of crime Indicator SA2.3: Number of noise complaints received Indicator SA2.4: Number of Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) issued and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts entered into (ABC) Indicator SA3.1: % and number of properties in each Accessibility Zone identified in the Council’s Accessibility, Parking Standards and Community Infrastructure Study Indicator SA4.1: The health of the population of the district Indicator SA5.1: Different modes of travel Indicator SA5.2: % of children travelling to (a) primary school (b) secondary school by different modes of transport Indicator SA5.3: Passive diffusion tube data suggesting an exceedence of the UK Annual Mean Objective for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Indicator SA5.4: Number of Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) designations Indicator SA5.5: Traffic flows for all vehicle types by million vehicle kilometres Indicator SA6.1: Water leakage rate from mains & customer pipes by litres/property Indicator SA6.2: Amount of water used and available Indicator SA8.1: Proportion of designated area covered by management plans Indicator SA8.2: Percentage and area of district in Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Indicator SA8.3: Percentage and area of land in Chiltern District within Locally Important Landscape Areas & Areas of Attractive Landscape Indicator SA8.4: Area of designated public open space developed Indicator SA9.1: Number of buildings of Grade I & II* at risk of decay Indicator SA9.2: Number of scheduled ancient monuments & historic parks & gardens lost or damaged Indicator SA9.3: % of Conservation Area reviews completed & number of new Conservation Areas designated Indicator SA9.4: % of archaeological sites at risk Indicator SA10.1: Number of grants given for energy saving improvements Indicator SA10.2: % of new buildings achieving either the SAP or BREEM rating for energy efficiency Indicator SA10.3: Amount of gas and electricity consumed Indicator SA10.4: Amount of energy generated from renewable sources & CHP Indicator SA10.5: Amount of CO2 emissions per year Indicator SA11.1: Number of properties affected by fluvial flood events Indicator SA11.2: Number of properties affected by surface water flooding Indicator SA11.3: Amount of new development in the floodplains of the Chess and Misbourne rivers Indicator SA11.4: New development with sustainable drainage installed (SuDS) Indicator SA12.1: % of household waste recycled and sent to land fill Indicator SA12.2: % of construction & demolition waste going to landfill Indicator SA12.3: Amount of hazardous waste
Contents Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Indicator SA12.4: Amount of secondary / recycled aggregates used compared with virgin aggregates Indicator SA13.1: Amount of grade 1 and 2 agricultural land lost to new development Indicator SA13.2: Number of potentially contaminated sites Indicator SA13.3: Number of planning applications with Land Quality Planning condition (contaminated land) and informatives imposed Indicator SA14.1: % of new homes built on previously developed land Indicator SA14.2: Density of new housing built Indicator SA14.3: Number of empty properties Indicator SA15.1: Number of business start-ups and closures Indicator SA15.2: Out commuting levels Indicator SA16.1: Number and proportion of employees in knowledge based sectors Indicator SA16.2: Diversity of economic sectors represented in the area Indicator SA16.3: Image indices derived from consultations with businesses & local property specialists as part of the planning process Indicator SA17.1: % of population with and without qualifications Indicator SA18.1: Proportion and number of people of working age who are unemployed Indicator SA18.2: Number of people of working age out of work for up to and more than a year
biodiversity Indicator BIO I: Achievements of Buckinghamshire Biodiversity Action Plan Indicator BIO 2: Rivers of good or fair chemical & biological water quality Indicator BIO 3: Number of incidents of major & significant water pollution occurring in a particular year in each of the District Indicator BIO 4: Quality & quantity of groundwater Indicator BIO 5: Area of ancient woodland Indicator BIO 6: Area under agreement under Environmentally Sensitive Area & Countryside Stewardship agri-environment schemes Indicator BIO 7: % of Chiltern residents who think that for their local area, over the past three years, that access to nature has got better or stayed the same
shopping Indicator S1: Total new shopping floor space permitted Indicator S2: Loss of A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 uses to other uses in principal shopping frontages in main and district shopping centres Indicator S3: Proportion of retail and non-retail ground floor frontages within principal shopping frontages of Chalfont St Peter and Chesham shopping areas, and the whole of Amersham on the Hill shopping area Indicator S4: Number and proportion of vacant ground floor premises in shopping areas of Amersham on the Hill, Chesham and Chalfont St Peter Indicator S5: Number and proportion of vacant upper floors above premises in shopping areas of Chalfont St Peter, Chesham and Amersham on the Hill
historic heritage Indicator HH1: Number of Scheduled Ancient Monuments destroyed or affected by development, and removed from or added to the statutory list, or at risk Indicator HH2: Number of Statutorily Listed Buildings demolished or extended, and removed from or added to the statutory list, or at risk Indicator HH3: Number of applications for development on land or buildings in Conservation Areas permitted and refused Indicator HH4: Number of new Conservation Areas designated or existing Conservation Areas altered
Contents Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Indicator HH5: Number of Conservation Area appraisals completed Indicator HH6: Number of sites of archaeological importance destroyed or affected by development Indicator HH7: Number of historic parks and gardens affected by development
Recreation and tourism Indicator RE1: Adult participation in sport and active recreation (former National Indicator NI 8) Indicator RE2: National Indicator NI 56 – obesity in primary school age children in year 6 Indicator RE3: NI199 - young people’s satisfaction with parks and play areas Indicator RE4: Number of existing and new recreation facilities granted permission Indicator RE5: Amount of eligible open spaces managed to Green Flag Award standard Indicator RE 6: Number of allotments lost Indicator RE 7: Number of new or extensions to hotels, guest houses and pubic houses permitted Indicator RE 8: Number of new gold courses or extensions to existing golf courses permitted
performance indicators SER NI 154 - Net additional homes provided Ser NI 155 - Number of affordable homes delivered (gross) SER NI 156 - Number of households living in temporary accommodation at 31/3/12 SER NI 159 - Supply of ready to develop housing sites SER 23 - Grant planning permission for at least 145 new dwellings (net) SER 25 - Percentage of new homes (net) granted planning permission per annum which are affordable SER 26 - Average density of new housing sites of 5 or more dwellings (gross) granted planning permission (per hectare) SER BV 64 – Number of private sector vacant dwellings that are returned into occupation or demolished SER BV 213 - Preventing Homelessness - number of cases of homelessness prevented SER 007 - Number of clients directly accessing the private rented sector through local authority partnership schemes SER BV 204 - Planning appeals allowed NI 171 - New business registration rate per 10,000 adult population NI 197 - Improved Local Biodiversity – proportion of Local Sites where positive conservation management has been or is being implemented (Bucks County Council indicator)
Contents Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Contextual Information
Introduction 1. This section sets out the key contextual characteristics, issues, challenges and opportunities affecting Chiltern District. Contextual indicators describe the wider social, environmental and economic background against which to consider the effects of policies and inform the interpretation of indicators.
2. Baseline information has been gathered from various sources, including Chiltern District Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, English Heritage, Office for National Statistics, Audit Commission, English Nature, Environment Agency, NOMIS, Department of Energy and Climate Change and HM Customs and Revenue.
Contextual Characteristics 3. Chiltern District is located in the centre of the Chiltern Hills, to the north west of Greater London. The district is rural in character and has an area of 196 square kilometres (75 square miles).
4. Chiltern District adjoins the Hertfordshire Borough of Dacorum and District of Three Rivers to the north and east, and Buckinghamshire Districts of South Bucks to the south, Wycombe to the south and west and Aylesbury Vale to the north west.
5. The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) designation covers 72% of the district. In addition London’s Metropolitan Green Belt covers 88% of the district and serves to restrain development opportunities.
6. There are good transport links to London by both road and rail while London Heathrow and London Luton airports are within easy reach via the M40, M25, M4 and M1. London Gatwick airport is just over an hour away.
7. Three main roads cross the District (A404, A413 and A416/A355) providing direct access to the national road network (M25 / M40 / A41T).
8. Direct rail links to central London, particularly commuter services, and westwards to Aylesbury, High Wycombe (and the Midlands via High Wycombe), are provided by Chiltern Railways and London Underground Limited. There are five stations in the District, at Amersham, Chalfont and Latimer, Chesham, Great Missenden and Seer Green & Jordans. Rail stations just outside the District in Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, High Wycombe, Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted, are also readily accessible.
Population 9. The population of Chiltern District in 2011 was 92,635 (2011 Census of Population). The 2011 ONS mid-year estimate increased this to 92,700. This represents an increase of 2,797 over the 2001 population.
10. In 2011, 57% of the district’s total population lived in the towns identified in the Core Strategy as the four ‘main settlements’: Chesham (21,483), Amersham & Chesham Bois (17,501), Chalfont St Peter (12,766) and Little Chalfont (6,013). A further 28% live in the larger villages that lie outside
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the Green Belt: Great Missenden, Prestwood & Heath End (10,138); Chalfont St Giles (5,925); Holmer Green (4,039); Seer Green (2,311) and Penn, Hazlemere & Knotty Green (3,153). The remaining 15% of the population live in the villages and hamlets in the Green Belt.
11. The largest towns, Amersham on the Hill and Chesham act as the focus for new housing, commercial, industrial and shopping development, and provide a range of services and facilities for their residents and surrounding villages.
12. Local population projections commissioned by Buckinghamshire Strategic Partnership (BSP) were published in the spring of 2011. The Partnership comprises Bucks County Council, the district councils in Buckinghamshire, Thames Valley Police, Bucks Fire & Rescue Service and the local Primary Care Health Trust. In contrast to the ONS mid-year estimate for 2010, they suggest that Chiltern’s population in 2010 was 95,000, a difference of +3,600. The difference is explained by the use of local data (GP and electoral registrations as well as migration data).
13. They predict that the actual population would not increase between 2010 and 2026, rising to 95,700 by 2018 before reducing to 95,100 by the year 2026.
14. The local projections gave the 2011 population as 94,500, which compares with the 2011 Census figure of 92,635. In the light of lower Census population figure for 2011, revised local projections based on this are due to be published by the BSP in 2013.
15. In the meantime the BSP local projections predict a reduction in the number of children and adults aged between 18 and 60/65 (pre- retirement). On the other hand an increase in retired people is predicted. The number of children (aged 0 to 17) would reduce from 22,450 in 2010 to 21,100 in 2026 [-1,350]. 18 to 60/65 year olds would reduce from 51,250 to 47,500 [-3,750]. Retired people are expected to increase in number from 21,300 to 26,500 [+5,200]. Within the overall increase in elderly people, those over 85 increase by 89%, while the 75 to 84 age group increase 35%. Further details about the BSP population projections are available at, http://www.buckinghamshirepartnership.gov.uk/partnership/BSP/partners/population.page
Households 16. The national increase in the number of new households being created is expected to continue. Within Chiltern where the population is expected to generally remain static in number or reduce, average household size is expected to continue falling.
17. There are a number of reasons for increased household formation, which are not unique to Chiltern. More young people are setting up home for the first time earlier in life, either as couples or on their own. The increase in the number divorces also means that there are more single people with and without children, requiring housing. In addition, people are generally living longer and often wish to continue living in their own home, or smaller purpose built accommodation. The birth rate is generally falling because of different lifestyle choices although this is not the case amongst in-migrants from outside the European Union.
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18. All these factors combined with the increase in elderly population will mean continued demand for new homes, particularly affordable ones and the provision of suitable accommodation for the elderly.
19. Although the following table and graph was produced by Bucks County Council as part of their 2006 population projections, it illustrates the predicted trend for Chiltern.
Average Number of Persons per Household – 1991 to 2026 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 Chiltern 2.62 2.56 2.49 2.44 2.40 2.35 2.30 2.26
20. New household formation and decreasing average household size, has implications for making best use of the District’s housing stock. A high proportion of existing houses are relatively large, and many are owner occupied. In 2011, nearly 45% of households live in a detached house or bungalow, compared to nearly 23 percent in England and Wales (Census of Population 2001).
Affordable homes 21. The lack of new ‘affordable’ and ‘key worker’ homes (social rented and intermediate) continues to be a significant issue in Chiltern District because delivery of ‘affordable’ housing continues to be well below estimated need. A county-wide Strategic Housing Market Assessment completed in 2008 put this need at around 270 homes a year. The provision of more affordable homes is one of the key challenges in the Chiltern Sustainable Community Strategy.
Ethnic population 22. Chiltern has a small ethnic community population which but has increased in both number and proportion since 2001. The 2011 Census showed that just over 8.5% (7,886 people) came from black and ethnic communities, with the greatest concentration in Chesham. This is more than double the proportion of 4% in 2001.
Economic characteristics 23. The District’s population is highly mobile with 89% of households in 2011 having the use of at least one vehicle. Two out of five households have access to two vehicles. Approximately 50 per cent of residents work outside the district.
24. Figures produced by HM Revenues & Customs from a sample of taxpayers show that in 2010/11, the median (mid-point) household income in Chiltern was £27,200. The mean (average) income per household was £47,400. Chiltern has the highest median and mean household income in Buckinghamshire.
25. A high proportion of employment is in financial and business services and a lower proportion in manufacturing, when compared to the UK as whole. A recent trend has been the replacement of more traditional long established manufacturing industries, particularly those in Chesham and to a lesser extent in Amersham on the Hill, with new small business premises, i.e., in Asheridge Road and Moor Road, Chesham; White Lion Road, Amersham and Bell Lane, Little Chalfont. This is also happening in Chalfont St Peter on the Airpel site in Chiltern Hill. However, the
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redevelopment of these sites has slowed in recent years because of the effects of the economic recession.
26. The number of new businesses starting continues to be significantly above national, regional and county rates. However, as is often the case with high start-up numbers, the number of businesses ceasing to trade is also higher than national and regional rates.
27. There are 13 large employers (100 employees +) in Chiltern District. Some of these are GE Health plc (formerly Amersham International), , Buckinghamshire County Council, Amersham Hospital, Chiltern District Council as well as Tesco and Sainsburys supermarkets. The National House Building Council, which had a number of offices in Amersham relocated out of the district in 2011 although its vacant offices next to Amersham Station are being redeveloped.
28. Traditionally the labour market in Chiltern District is relatively buoyant, and unemployment has been consistently low in recent years. In December 2012 it was 1.7%, the same rate as in March 2011, which is below county, regional and national rates. The number of claimants seeking Jobseeker Allowance in the same month was 905. This compares with 506 in March 2008, 1,079 in June 2009, 1,029 in March 2010 and 932 in March 2011.
29. Therefore despite the impact of the downturn, Chiltern continues to be one of the most affluent areas in England, although there are pockets of relative deprivation and higher unemployment rates at sub-ward level in the areas of social housing most notably in Chesham.
30. ONS Annual Population Survey data for September 2012 shows economic activity rates of the population aged between 16 and 74 to be 81.2%. This is above the South East and national averages. This rate represents 46,500 people of whom 45,100 were in employment.
31. Chiltern District has considerable net out-commuting, amounting to more than a quarter of the employed labour force. The main destinations for out-commuters are centres of employment in adjoining districts and inner and outer London.
32. Employment within Chiltern District declined between 1991 and 2001 by approximately 8 percent. In terms of the resident work force, it is predicted that this will fall by 15 percent between 1996 and 2016.
33. Just under 60% of Chiltern residents (aged 16-74) are qualified to NVQ4 level or higher. The average for Great Britain England and Wales is jone third. Conversely the number of people with no qualifications is below the national average.
34. The quality of schools in Chiltern District is high with three selective grammar schools and many private schools attracting many children from outside the district.
35. A good choice of local shopping, community services, cultural and leisure facilities are available in the District’s towns and larger villages. Shops generally cater for top-up convenience shopping and services, and tend to provide a fairly limited, albeit in some locations specialised, range of comparison shopping
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36. A much more extensive range is readily accessible in Greater London and in the nearby large towns of High Wycombe, Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Slough, Uxbridge and Aylesbury.
37. A retail needs assessment and town centre study has been carried out in 2012/13 to support the emerging Delivery Development Plan Document to be published in 2013. It updates the earlier retail study in 2007/8 which provided background evidence for the Core Strategy.
38. As a result of its location close to London and the motorway network, demand for housing and business premises continues to be high. The economic downturn saw a reduction in the amount of new house building between 2008 and 2011. However, since then the number delivered has increased significantly. Relatively speaking land and property prices continue to be amongst the highest in the South East. In the context of planning policies which seek to maintain the Green Belt and protect the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, pressure for new development is still significant.
Environmental Characteristics 39. The towns and villages of the district enjoy a countryside setting, all of which forms part of London’s Metropolitan Green Belt, which covers 88% of the district (17,370 hectares). The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty extends over 72% of the District (14,137 hectares).
40. 12% (2,278 hectares) of Chiltern is within urban areas outside the Green Belt. Within the residential parts of urban areas, 20% (452 hectares) are identified in the local plan as having established residential special character. 22% (511 hectares) of urban areas is Public Open Space.
41. Chiltern District enjoys a relatively high level of woodland cover (14% of total land area - 2,730 hectares), which makes a significant contribution to the appearance and quality of the local landscape. There are 476 tree preservation orders covering single trees up to whole woods. They cover 913 hectares – 4.6% of the district.
42. Hodgemoor Wood near Chalfont St Giles extends to over 100 hectares and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There are two other smaller SSSIs at Frogmoor Meadows in the River Chess valley (Chenies) and Froghall Brickworks (Chalfont St Giles). Another SSSI in the Chess valley in Hertfordshire immediately adjoins Chiltern. Captains Wood near Chesham is a designated Local Nature Reserve.
43. The Colne Valley Regional Park centred on the River Colne extends into the south east corner of Chiltern District to the east of Chalfont St Peter. It covers 3% (593 hectares) of the district.
44. There are 19 Conservation Areas and 1,081 Listed Buildings in the district. 13 of the listed buildings are Grade I and 31 Grade II*. There are 18 Scheduled Ancient Monuments covering 25 hectares and six Historic Parks and Gardens with a total area of 806 hectares (4% of the district).
45. Chiltern District currently recycles and composts nearly 50% of its municipal waste and is significantly above 2001 levels.
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46. Two rivers cross the District, the Chess and the Misbourne, draining south eastwards, away from the crest of the Chiltern Hills towards London. They flow into the River Colne at Rickmansworth and Uxbridge respectively, which in turn flows into the River Thames.
47. Monitoring conducted by the Environment Agency currently categorises both rivers as having ‘good’ to ‘very good’ water quality. Until 2012 both suffered from the lack of rainfall in recent years. At the date of publication both rivers were in full flow. The underground strata of chalk, gravel and sand, form major and minor aquifers.
48. Where the chalk is near to the surface, as it is for the vast majority of the district area, the soil above has little effect as a filter for groundwater pollution. This means that the soil leaching potential is high, and groundwater is vulnerable to pollution. The most vulnerable areas are currently identified as Amersham and Chesham, and the River Chess and River Misbourne valleys.
49. The main source of air pollution in Chiltern District is road traffic. A review of air quality in the District concluded that across the district, National Air Quality objectives are likely to be met. The area with the worst air quality is the A416 in Broad Street and Berkhampstead Road, Chesham because of the amount of slow moving traffic passing along it and its valley bottom location.
50. In response to this the Council formally designated the immediate environs of that road as an Air Quality Management Area in 2008 - see Sustainable Development Technical Appendix for more details.
Social Characteristics 51. As a result of the desirable nature of the district and the constraints on housing supply, house prices in Chiltern continue to be amongst the highest in the country. Figures obtained from the Land Registry for 2011/12 indicate that the average sale price of all housing was £379,384 (down 0.14% on the previous year). Prices varied from an average of £675,297 for detached houses to £221,805 for flats.
52. National wealth indicators confirm that Chiltern District is an affluent area. Multiple Deprivation Indices show that Chiltern is one of the least deprived areas in England.
53. These figures mask the fact that there are pockets of deprivation. The figures for child poverty, older persons and housing indicate that pockets of deprivation exist, particularly in the areas of social housing in Chesham, as well as Amersham and Chalfont St Peter.
54. The 2011 Census gave the number of dwellings in Chiltern as 38,287. the CLG Housing Flow Return gave the dwelling stock as 38,505 at 1st April 2012.
55. In 2011/12, a net total of 177 new dwellings were delivered. For the first time in three years this is above the Core Strategy annual rate of between 133 and 145. Only 26% of these were on previously developed land.
56. Crime rates continue to be low in comparison to adjacent districts in Buckinghamshire. However, a survey carried out in 2006 indicated that a
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fear of crime was a significant issue for residents of Chiltern District. There is no more up to date data.
57. Chiltern has an older population than the national average. Indicators of health are good. In Buckinghamshire the number of older people receiving home support is low compared to England, to similar areas, and to the South East region.
58. The 2012 Chiltern Health Profile shows that the health of people in Chiltern is generally better than the England average. Poor health is strongly correlated with poverty and low educational achievement. Deprivation is lower than average, but about 1,500 children live in poverty. Life expectancy for both men and women is higher than the England average.
59. However, life expectancy is 8.8 years lower for men and 6.0 years lower for women in the most deprived areas of Chiltern than in the least deprived areas.
60. The wards in Chesham with the highest concentration of social housing have the greatest health inequalities and deprivation in Chiltern. But nationally they lie within the second least deprived areas.
61. In Chiltern GCSE attainment for all children in Local Education Authority schools is significantly better than the average for England.
62. People in Chiltern lead healthier lifestyles than in other areas in England but the estimated adult obesity rate is substantial at 17%. Over 14% of adults binge drink and smoking accounts for more 100 deaths a year.
63. About 12.9% of Year 6 children are classified as obese, lower than the average for England. Levels of hospital stays among those under 18, breast feeding teenage pregnancy, GCSE attainment, alcohol-specific initiation and smoking in pregnancy are better than the England average.
64. Estimated levels of adult 'healthy eating', smoking and obesity are better than the England average. Rates of sexually transmitted infections, smoking related deaths and hospital stays for alcohol related harm are better than the England average.
65. The number of people seriously injured or killed on Chiltern’s roads continues to be above the national average.
66. Away from the main urban areas the public transport service in Chiltern is limited, a corollary of the District’s rural nature and the very high level of car ownership.
Key Local Issues 67. Local population projections predict that over the next 15 years that the number of people living in the District will remain constant.
68. However, a significant increase in the number of elderly people, particularly the over 85s is predicted.
69. Social changes and the environmental constraints of the area continue to contribute towards the pressures evident within the local housing market in terms of the affordability of homes for first time buyers.
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70. Many sectors of the community within Chiltern District continue to face the prospect of being excluded from the local housing market.
71. ‘Key workers’ (nurses, teachers etc.) are important to sustaining the existing quality of life in Chiltern District. New housing provision for ‘key workers’ has been limited, although the District Council supports two initiatives (Starter Home and Key Worker Living) aimed at providing accommodation for this important element of the local workforce.
72. The Council’s Affordable Housing Action Plan continues to address in detail the issues relating to the provision of affordable homes for the residents’ of Chiltern.
73. To assist understanding of the challenge of providing more affordable homes in Chiltern, the Council commissioned an Affordable Housing Development Economics Study. It provided evidence for the affordable housing polices included in the Core Strategy. These require the provision of affordable housing (or a financial contribution towards it) as part of many more new housing schemes than under the Local Plan policy that it replaced.
74. It is clear that a central concern for the District continues to be the need to balance intense development pressures and the need to provide more affordable homes without compromising the special environmental and historic character of the area.
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Housing
CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS
Population by broad age group 2001 and 2011 Age Change 2001 2011 Group (+/-) 22,200 23,400 +1,200 Up to 19 (25%) (25.2% (+5.4%) 52,100 47,500 -4,600 20 to 64 (58%) (51.2%) (-8.8%) 65 and 15,000 18,200 +3,200 over (17%) (19.6%) (+21.3%) +3,400 Total 89,300 92,700 (+3.8%) Source: 2011 Census of Population & Registrar General’s 2011 Mid-year population estimate (rounded to nearest 100)
Average Number of Persons per Household 1991 1996 2001 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2016 2021 2026 Chiltern 2.62 2.56 2.49 2.44 2.38 2.38 2.39 2.40 2.35 2.30 2.26 Source: Buckinghamshire County Council 2006 population projections. 2011 estimate derived from Registrar General’s 2011 mid-year population estimate and Chiltern District Council 2011/12 Housing Flow return of existing housing stock to CLG
Households: By type of accommodation / Dwellings: unshared and shared - Number & Percentage - 2011 South Households living in type of Chiltern England East accommodation No. % % % Detached house or bungalow 16,719 43.6 28.0 22.3 Semi-detached house or bungalow 9,456 24.7 27.6 30.7 Terraced house or bungalow 6,315 16.5 22.4 24.5 Flats or maisonettes – purpose built 4,419 11.5 16.1 16.7 Flats or maisonettes – part of converted or shared house (incl bed 643 1.7 4.0 4.3 sits) Flats or maisonettes – in a 465 1.2 1.1 1.1 commercial building Caravan or other mobile or 289 0.8 0.7 0.4 temporary structure Sub-total 36,946 96.4 - - Household space with no residents 1,360 3.6 4.0 4.3 All household spaces 38,306 100 - -
Dwellings Unshared dwelling 38,275 - - - Shared dwelling – two household 8 - - - spaces Shared dwelling – three or more 4 - - - household spaces All Dwellings 38,287 - - - Source: 2011 Census of Population - Table KS401EW
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Housing Tenure South England Chiltern Housing Tenure East & Wales No. % % % Owner occupied: owns outright 15,191 41.1 32.5 30.8 Owner occupied: owns with a 13,227 35.8 35.1 32.7 mortgage/loan Rented: from Housing Association / 4,573 12.3 15.9 17.6 Registered Social Landlord Rented : from private landlord / letting agency / other / shared 3,955 10.0 16.5 18.9 ownership Total 36,946 - - - Source: 2011 Census of Population - Table KS402EW
Sources: Land Registry Commercial Services: (1) 1,307 Sales (2) 1,305 Sales – 2010/11 (3) 1,589 Sales – 2009/10 (4) 843 Sales – 2008/09 (5) 1,765 Sales – 2007/08 (6) 1,763 Sales – 2006/07; (7) 1,677 Sales- 2005/06; (8) 1,685 sales in 2004/05.
Note: (9) HM Revenue & Customs Table 3.14 - income and tax by borough and district or unitary authority 2011/12: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/income-by-year.htm#1 . The HMRC ‘mean’
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and ‘median’ household income data and calculated ‘affordability ratio’s for 2011/12 use 2010/11 HMRC data. Previous years used 2007/08 and earlier years data.
Number of Dwellings on Valuation List: December 2012
Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H Total
Chiltern 690 1,980 5,360 6,650 6,600 6,570 8,880 1,830 38,560
% 1.7% 5.1% 14.0% 17.2% 17.1% 17.2% 23.1% 4.6% 100%
Source: Valuation Office Agency of HMRC - Based on property values at 1 April 1991 - http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/_downloads/xls/130131_CT_Table2.xls
No. of % of Housing Composition – March 2011 Households Households One person – non-pensioner 4,976 11.4 One person – aged 65 and over 4,203 13.5 One family only: All aged 65 and over 4,295 11.6 One family only: Married or same-sex civil 5,204 14.1 partnership couple: No children One family only: Married or same-sex civil 8,446 22.9 partnership couple: Dependent children One family only: Married or same-sex civil partnership couple: All children non- 2,399 6.5 dependent One family only: Cohabiting couple: No 1,413 3.8 children One family only: Cohabiting couple: 1,163 3.1 Dependent children One family only: Cohabiting couple: All 160 0.4 children non-dependent One family only: Lone parent: Dependent 1,621 4.4 children One family only: Lone parent: All children 1,073 2.9 non-dependent Other household types: With dependent 640 1.7 children Other household types: All full-time students 5 0.0 Other household types: All aged 65 and over 94 0.3 Other household types: Other 1,254 3.4 Total 36,946 100 Average household size 2.49 persons - Source: 2011 Census of Population - Table KS105EW
Chiltern District 2012 Housing Land Supply Trajectory 1. See Indicator H7 and associated commentary in the Housing section of the main Monitoring Report.
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) 2. In accordance with the requirements of Planning Policy Statement 3 – Housing (PPS3), in order to inform housing land supply trajectories, the Core Strategy and subsequent Delivery and Site Allocation Development Plan Documents, during 2007/8 the Council appointed external consultants, Roger Tym & Partners (RTP), to carry out a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment in Chiltern (SHLAA).
Housing Page 11 Chiltern District Council Local Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
3. The primary role of the SHLAA was to identify sites in Chiltern District which might have potential for new housing; to assess the likely yield of new housing bearing in mind potential constraints and the likely time periods in which the sites could reasonably be expected to come forward for development. It also assessed whether there is evidence to support the inclusion of an allowance for ‘windfall’ sites in any part of the Council’s future housing trajectories.
4. The SHLAA had regard to guidance in, ‘Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments July 2007’ and is part of the work that fulfils the requirements of the Housing Green Paper, “Homes for the Future”. As such it provides important background evidence for the Council’s emerging Local Development Framework on future housing land supply and delivery, in particular by showing how the housing allocations for Chiltern District, set out in the Adopted South East Plan May 2009, can be met.
5. The Final 2008 SHLAA report was published and adopted by the Council in March 2008 and is available on the Council web site at, Core Strategy Evidence - Housing.
6. It is important to note that the SHLAA does not constitute a Delivery or Site Allocation Development Plan Document. It is the role of the Council to allocate formally land for new housing as part of its Local Development Framework, e.g., in the emerging Delivery Development Plan Document
7. In September 2010 the SHLAA was updated by the ‘SHLAA Supplementary Report - Housing Potential’ to support the LDF Core Strategy that was submitted to the Secretary of State in January 2011. The 2010 SHLAA update is available at, Core Strategy Evidence - Housing.
8. A further update report was produced in March 2011. This was produced in response to issues relating to the original 2008 SHLAA and the 2010 update raised by the Planning Inspector conducting the examination into the Core Strategy for Chiltern District. The 2011 update report and its appendices are available on the Council web site at, Core Strategy Evidence - Housing.
9. In accordance with the guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework1 and as background evidence to the emerging Delivery Development Plan Document, the 2011 SHLAA was updated in 2013. The 2013 SHLAA Update is available on the Council web site at, Delivery Development Plan Document .
Core Strategy Allocated Housing Sites 10. See Indicator H3 in the Housing section of main Monitoring Report.
Local Plan Identified Housing Sites 11. Before the structure / local plan system was replaced by the Local Development Framework, future sites for housing were identified in local plans. In Chiltern, Policy H2 of the Chiltern District Adopted Local Plan 1997, and Subsequent Alterations identifies sites suitable for housing. Policy H2 is ‘saved’ beyond September 2007.
12. In practice most of the sites have been developed and today only a few remain undeveloped. Even so the limited amount of housing that could be
1 Paragraphs 48, 160, 161
Housing Page 12 Chiltern District Council Local Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
delivered on them is included in the ‘non-strategic SHLAA and other sites’ category in the 2012 Housing Trajectory.
Indicator H16: The Amount of Development on Housing Sites Allocated in Adopted Chiltern District Local Plan 1997 & Subsequent Alterations
13. Table H14 shows housing development that has taken place or had outstanding planning permission on the ‘saved’ Local Plan Policy H2 identified housing sites at 31st March 2011 (updated where applicable).
Table H14: Status of Development on Local Plan Identified Housing Sites at 31st March 2012 Density (dwellings Predicted Status at 31st Location Hectares / Capacity March 2012 hectares) Bevan Hill, Chesham 0.29 28 8 9 (Built) Beechcroft Road, 4.56 39 176 152 (Built) Chesham Lexham Gardens, 0.54 29 16 16 (Built) Amersham Orchard End Avenue, 0.17 76 13 13 (Built) Amersham Oakfield Corner, 0.75 45 34 38 (Built) Amersham Amersham Hospital 2.49 48 120 129 (Built) 10-12 Chesham Road, 0.41 29 12 8 (Built) Amersham Forelands Way, 0.11 54 6 6 (Built) Chesham Great Hivings, Chesham 0.59 41 24 24 (Built) Church Street, Great 0.27 41 11 11 (Built) Missenden r/o 91-131 High Street, 1.04 36 37 55 (Built) Prestwood Nightingales Cottage, 1.07 14 15 14 (Built) Little Chalfont Denham Walk, Chalfont 0.24 21 5 4 (Built) St Peter Milton Lawns, Chesham 0.42 24 10 11 (Built) Bois Browns Road, Holmer 0.75 20 15 10 (Built) Green Quarrendon Road, 1.20 33 39 37 (Built) Amersham Macdonald Close, Long Park 0.40 14 6 8 (Built) Chesham Bois 8 (Built) Extant planning Quill Hall Lane / Eagle 0.87 permission for 4 Close, Amersham on the (0.32 15 13 dwellings Eagle Hill remaining) Close [CH/1997/0715/FA] 0.42 4 (Built) Rear of 99-83 Wycombe (0.09 21 9 planning permission Road, Prestwood remaining) for 2 dwellings
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Density (dwellings Predicted Status at 31st Location Hectares / Capacity March 2012 hectares) expired Planning permission Rear of 18-32 Bell Lane, 0.35 43 15 for 17 dwellings Little Chalfont expired 12 dwellings agreed in principle subject Lindo Close, Chesham 0.64 30 19 to legal agreement [CH/2011/1800/FA] Pond Park Road, 0.13 62 8 Not Started Chesham Rear of 6-22 The Glebe, 0.53 15 8 Not Started Prestwood
14. Of the 23 sites originally allocated in the Adopted Local Plan, 17 have been fully developed and 2 partially. A planning permission for 4 dwellings dating from 1997 exists on a site in Eagle Close Amersham but has yet to be implemented. Permission was granted on appeal for 17 homes on a rear gardens site east of Bell Lane, Little Chalfont but was not implemented and has lapsed. Permission for 2 dwellings in Prestwood has also lapsed.
15. Only two of the housing sites originally identified in 1997 have no planning application history.
16. The Pond Park Road, Chesham site is owned by Paradigm Housing Association but because of its size will not be carried forward as an allocated site. In line with the strategic housing policy in the Council’s Core Strategy, no housing sites are proposed in Prestwood. The Glebe, Prestwood site is therefore not carried forward as an allocated site.
17. Land north of Lindo Close between Bellingdon Road and Lowndes Avenue, Chesham is partly owned by the District Council. At the time of publication of this Report, a planning application for 12 dwellings including 4 affordable homes had been agreed in principle by the Council subject to a Section 106 legal agreement2].
Protection of the attractive environmental qualities of existing residential areas
Indicator H17: Number of Dwellings Built, and Granted and Refused Planning Permission in Established Residential Areas of Special Character (ERASC) & Areas of Little Change (ALC)
18. The Council is firmly committed to retaining existing established housing environments for their attractive character and to maintaining choice in housing. Housing areas with good-size gardens with mature trees and shrubs and street scenes with trees and hedges are highly valued, and many local people wish to have this type of environment conserved.
19. Whilst recognising that provision must be made for further housing development in accordance with Government policy in Planning Policy
2 Planning application CH/2011/1800/FA refers
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Statement 3 - Housing, the Council is firmly of the view that the scale and location of new housing development must be more strongly controlled than in the past if the special and attractive sylvan character of many of its established residential areas is to be retained.
20. This commitment resulted in the identification of such areas in Policy H4 of the Adopted Chiltern Local Plan 1997. These are known as Established Residential Areas of Special Character (ERASC). They exist in all the main towns and villages in Chiltern and cover an area of 452 hectares. They represent 2% of the total area of the District and 20% of the area of towns and villages lying outside the green belt.
When ‘saving’ Policy H4 beyond September 2007, the Secretary of State included the proviso that it should be subject to an early review under the Local Development Framework process. An independent townscape character assessment review took place in 2010, the interim results of which fed into the Core Strategy adopted in November 2011 in relation to Policy CS21 – Areas of Little Change. This report is available on the Council web site at, Townscape Character Assessment. The final townscape character assessment report will be used to inform the emerging Delivery Development Plan Document.
21. In 2011/12, although planning permission was granted by the Council for 15 new dwellings (gross) within ERASC’s throughout the District, the net increase was for only 4 new dwellings. Of the total of 11 permissions granted, 9 involved the ‘1 for 1’ replacement of an existing dwelling. A number of existing permissions for housing were also amended and renewed. 8 dwellings were allowed on appeal on a site in Chesham Bois.
22. Planning permission was refused by the Council for 15 dwellings (gross) – 7 (net). Permission for a ‘1 for 1’ replacement dwelling was granted on appeal.
23. Of the total of 177 dwellings (net) built in Chiltern during 2011/12, only 3 (net) were on sites within an ERASC, all within Knotty Green, Beaconsfield.
Making the best use of land
Indicator H18: New and Converted Dwellings on Previously Developed Land
1. Before it was replaced by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in March 2012, paragraph 41 of Planning Policy Statement 3 – Housing (PPS3) stated that the national annual target is that at least 60% of new housing should be provided on previously developed land (PDL), also known as brownfield land. The June 2010 revision of PPS3 deleted ‘private residential gardens’ from the category of PDL. The NPPF continues to exclude this type of land from the definition of PDL3
2. As much of the new housing delivered in Chiltern is on residential garden land, this change means that the proportion of new housing delivered on PDL will decrease. Paragraph 111 of the NPPF encourages the effective use of land by re-using land that has been previously developed, provided that it is not of high environmental value. Local planning authorities may
3 Page 55 Annex 2 : Glossary
Housing Page 15 Chiltern District Council Local Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
consider the case for setting a locally appropriate target for the use of brownfield land. Chiltern District has not set such a local target.
3. For instance in 2009/10, 91% of new housing built in Chiltern (gross) was on PDL. In 2010/11 this had dropped to 55%. In 2011/12 it reduced further to 26%. This was largely because five large housing schemes being completed on land comprising the playing field of a former school (Raans Road Amersham) and the rear gardens of existing dwellings in Bellingdon Road, Chartridge Lane and Berkeley Avenue Chesham. The table below gives details for 2011/12.
24. Table H15 shows that in 2011/12, 56 of the 215 new dwellings (gross) delivered in Chiltern were on PDL. This equates to 26%. This is lower than the previous year were the proportion was 54% and significantly lower than the proportion in previous years which averaged around 90%. The reason for the lower proportion is the change made to the classification of ‘private residential gardens’ in PPS3 in June 2010 4, which were previously classified as PDL and the development of an area of private open space.
Table H15: New dwellings built on previously developed land * - 2011/12 Total built
Total gross completions 215
Total gross completions on previously developed land 56
Total gross completions on land not defined as previously 159 developed
% built on previously developed land 26% Source: DCLG Housing Flow Reconciliation return 2011/12 - Chiltern District and published planning application completions statistics, http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/article/2241/Housing-Planning-Permission-and-Completion- Statistics * Annex 2: Glossary – National Planning Policy Framework
Type and size of dwellings delivered
Indicator H19: Type and Size of Dwellings Delivered (gross)
25. In respect of the type of new dwellings delivered during 2011/12, of the gross total of 215, 90 were flats (41.9%), 35 terraced (16.3), 38 semi- detached (17.7%) and 52 (24.2%) detached. All the flats and terraced houses were in Amersham on the Hill and Chesham
26. It has not been possible to provide data about the size of new dwellings by number of bedrooms that were delivered during 2011/12. It is hoped to carry out the work later in 2013 and add it to the Annual Monitoring Report.
Size of Housing Site Permitted
27. In numerical terms 146 new dwellings (gross) (107 net) were permitted on 63 sites. Of these 5 sites were ‘large’ in size (5 or more dwellings) and comprised 8% of all sites. They contributed 63 (gross) /
4 Annex B – Definitions - Planning Policy Statement 3 – Housing
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58 (net) of all dwellings permitted in 2011/12. It can be seen that ‘large’ sites contributed 43% (gross) / 54% (net) of all dwellings permitted.
28. The remainder were on 58 ‘small’ sites (up to and including 4 dwellings), which comprised 92% of sites and contributed 83 (gross) / 49 (net) dwellings.
Density of new housing
Indicator H20: Density of new dwellings completed and permitted (gross)
29. In Chiltern the average density of new housing permitted and delivered, depends to a great extent on the balance between ‘large’ and ‘small’ sites.
Permitted 30. The average density of new housing permitted in 2011/12 was 10.6 dwellings/hectare (dph). This is only half that of the average in the previous year (22 dph) and a return to that of 2009/10 (9.5 dph). Thie higher density in 2010/11 was due to the granting of permission for two ‘large’ housing developments at Raans Road, Amersham on the Hill (83 dwellings) and Holy Cross Convent/The Grange, Chalfont St Peter (198 dwellings). Within individual settlements, the highest average density was in Chesham (42.4 dph) and Holmer Green (24.1 dph) and Amersham (18.4 dph). In the other main Core Strategy settlements of Chalfont St Peter and Little Chalfont, average densities were 9.8 dph and 5.1 dph respectively - see Table H16 below for details.
Delivered (built) 31. The average density of new housing delivered in Chiltern was 22.3 dwellings/hectare (dph). This is nearly double that of the previous year. This increase is largely due to the completion of two high density schemes in Raans Road Amersham and Bellingdon Road Chesham. However, as in previous years there continues to be significant differences between settlements. The highest average densities were in Chesham (74 dwellings at 63 dph) and Amersham (97 dwellings at 34 dph). In contrast, average density was lower in the other main Core Strategy settlements of Chalfont St Peter (13 dph) and Little Chalfont (15 dph). See Table H17 below for details.
Dwellings with Outstanding Planning Permission 32. At 31st March 2012, the average density of all dwellings with outstanding permission was 16.2 dph. This is the first reduction since the steady increase in average density seen since 2007.
33. At 47.3 dph, Chesham continues to have the highest average density, followed by Little Chalfont (26.5 dph), Holmer Green (23.3 dph) and Chalfont St Peter (21.1 dph). In Little Chalfont the development of 250 dwelllings on the former Latimer Sawmill site has an average density is 33 dph. In Chalfont St Peter the outline permission for 198 dwellings on the Holy Cross Convent / The Grange site has an average density of 25 dph.
34. In addition to the details in Tables H16, H17 and H18 below, further details about the number, location and density of dwellings permitted and
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completed during 2011/12, and with outstanding permission at 31/3/2012 are available on the Council web site at, Housing Statistics .
Table H16: Housing Permitted - Gross Density (dwellings/hectare) - 2006/07 to 2011/12
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Table H17: Housing Completions - Gross Density (dwellings/hectare) - 2006/07 to 2011/12
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Table H18: Housing with Outstanding Planning Permission - Gross Density (dwellings/hectare) – at 31st March between 2007 and 2012
Provision of ‘affordable’ dwellings
35. See Indicator H9 in the Housing section of the main Annual Report.
Indicator H21: Number of dwellings lost as a result of demolition, or change of use and/or conversion to another use
36. Due to the constraints placed on the availability of land for new housing in the District by policies relating to the Green Belt and the Chilterns Area of
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Outstanding Natural Beauty, the existing stock of dwellings has a very significant role to play in meeting local housing needs.
37. ‘Saved’ Local Plan Policy H9 seeks to prevent a reduction in the number of existing dwellings and amount of land in residential use suitable for housing in order to help reduce the pressure for new housing in the District.
38. 38 existing dwellings were either demolished or displaced to allow 215 new dwellings to be delivered (gross) during 2011/12. This resulted in a net increase of 177 dwellings. One dwelling was lost directly as the result of development that did not involve a replacement dwelling. This was for a rear extension to the offices of a building society in High Street Chalfont St Giles where a vacant cottage was demolished following an extensive but unsuccessful marketing exercise to sell it as a dwelling.
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Economic Development
CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS
1. See out below are employment and labour supply data from the 2001 Census of Population and the results of the ONS Annual Population Survey published by NOMIS in November 2012. Labour supply data from the 2011 Census of Population was not available at the time of publication of this report. If available it will be included in the 2012/13 Annual Monitoring Report.
Census of Population data
Employment Sites by Parish Total Floor space, site area and number of sites Type of Floor space Site Area No. of Parish site square metres (hectares) Areas Large sites 68422 13.82 9 Amersham Small Sites 29095 4.07 75 Green Belt 3455 8.4 2 Ashley Green Green Belt 1391 0.6 3 Chalfont St Small Sites 1868 0.36 8 Giles Green Belt 17940 59.11 6 Large Sites 12433 2.22 2 Chalfont St Small Sites 5824 1.28 Peter 22 Green Belt 9430 14.65 2 Large Sites 109280 22.52 17 Chesham Small Sites 35141 11.46 105 Green Belt 7645 2.02 3 Cholesbury Green Belt 3400 8.1 4 Great Large Sites 1608 0.53 1 Missenden Small Sites 8269 1.94 23 Latimer Green Belt 3515 14.56 3 Large Sites 54986 16.15 4 Little Chalfont Small Sites 3903 0.6 7 Large Sites 2024 0.4 1 Little Small Sites 1091 0.55 3 Missenden Green Belt 729 0.78 3 Large Sites 2103 0.5 2 Penn Small Sites 1815 0.46 4 Green Belt 11266 3.92 3 Small Sites 795 0.14 2 Seer Green Green Belt 2471 1.59 1 The Lee Green Belt 116 0.09 1 TOTALS 381,449 184.12 303 ‘Large’ sites – ‘saved’ Local Plan policies E2 & E3. ‘Small’ and ‘Green Belt’ sites – former ‘saved’ Local Plan Policy E4. Base date: land use survey 2000 except E4 sites which are 1992
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Chiltern Travel-to-work Patterns 2001
Net Commuting Summary
Live and work in district 20,840 Total in-commuters 11,624 Total out-commuters 22,233
Total employment 32,464 Total resident workers 43,073
Total gross commuting flows 33,857 Total net commuting flows -10,609
% of in- In-commuting % of total employment commuting
Live and work in district 20,840 64.2% - Total in-commuting 11,624 35.8% - Total employment 32,464 100.0% -
Principal origins of in-commuters: 1) Wycombe 3183 9.8% 27.4% 2) Aylesbury Vale 1907 5.9% 16.4% 3) Dacorum 1139 3.5% 9.8% 4) South Bucks 843 2.6% 7.3% 5) Three Rivers 537 1.7% 4.6% 6) Hillingdon 407 1.3% 3.5% 7) Slough 247 0.8% 2.1% others: Milton Keynes 77 0.2% 0.7%
% of out- Out-commuting % of total Resident workers commuting
Live and work in district 20,840 48.4% - Total out-commuting 22,233 51.6% - Total resident workers 43,073 100.0% -
Principal destinations of out-commuters: 1) Wycombe 3,653 8.5% 16.4% 2) South Bucks 2,050 4.8% 9.2% 3) Hillingdon 2,034 4.7% 9.1% 4) Westminster 1,955 4.5% 8.8% 5) Dacorum 1,076 2.5% 4.8% 6) City of London 906 2.1% 4.1% 7) Slough 859 2.0% 3.9% 8) Aylesbury Vale 843 2.0% 3.8% others: Milton Keynes 152 0.4% 0.7%
Source: Census 2001, Origin-Destination Statistics : Appendix 3 - Chiltern District Council Accessibility, Parking Standards and Community Infrastructure Study June 2005
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Method of Travel to Work 2011 and 2001 2011 2001 Method of travel Number % % All usual residents aged 16 to 74 65,043 - - Not in employment 20,258 - -
Work mainly at or from home 4,613 10.3 13.0 Underground 2,836 6.3 10.6 Train 3,440 7.7 Bus, minibus or coach 612 1.4 1.2 Taxi 186 0.4 0.3 Motor cycle, scooter or moped 285 0.6 0.8 Driving a car or van 27,237 60.8 61.4 Passenger in a car or van 1,655 3.7 4.2 Bicycle 406 0.9 1.1 On foot 3,227 7.2 7.0 Other methods 308 0.7 0.4 Total 44,805 100 Source: 2011 and 2011 (Table QS701EW) Censuses of Population
Social Class 2011 Chiltern Bucks South East England Persons % % % % All People Aged 16 65,043 - - - - to 74 in Households 1. / 1.1 & 1.2 Higher managerial / 23,910 36.8 30.6 25.2 20.8 administrative / professional 2. Higher managerial / 18,438 28.3 25.9 23.4 20.9 administrative / professional 3. Intermediate 8,473 13.0 13.4 13.6 12.8 occupations 4. Small employers and own account 7,675 11.8 11.2 10.2 9.4 workers 5. Lower supervisory and technical 2,897 4.5 5.6 6.5 6.9 occupations 6. Semi-routine 5,978 9.2 10.7 12.7 14.0 occupations 7. Routine 3,586 5.5 7.3 8.9 11.0 occupations 8. Never worked and long-term 1,856 2.9 3.5 3.7 5.6 unemployed L15 Full-time 4,185 6.4 7.2 8.3 9.0 students Source: 2011 Census of Population - Table KS611EW
Annual Population Survey / NOMIS 2012 data
2. Data from the Annual Population Survey is published by the ONS / NOMIS on a monthly basis. Below are population and labour supply data from the November 2012 profile for Chiltern.
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Unemployment – by Ward
Claimant count with rates and proportions Chiltern District: Wards November 2012 2003 CAS ward Total claimants Number Rate (%) 11UCHF : Ridgeway 79 5.1 11UCHJ : Vale 60 4.5 11UCHG : St Mary's and Waterside 97 3.4 11UCGJ : Amersham-on-the-Hill 79 2.7 11UCGL : Asheridge Vale and Lowndes 75 2.6 11UCHC : Newtown 42 2.6 11UCGY : Hilltop and Townsend 65 2.3 11UCHA : Little Chalfont 58 2.2 11UCGH : Amersham Common 25 1.6 11UCHH : Seer Green 20 1.5 11UCGW : Gold Hill 19 1.5 11UCGZ : Holmer Green 33 1.4 11UCHE : Prestwood and Heath End 52 1.3 11UCGK : Amersham Town 37 1.3 11UCGP : Ballinger, South Heath and Chartridge 18 1.3 11UCGM : Ashley Green, Latimer and Chenies 15 1.1 11UCHB : Little Missenden 14 1.0 11UCGU : Cholesbury, The Lee and Bellingdon 13 1.0 11UCGX : Great Missenden 12 1.0 11UCGS : Chalfont St Giles 30 0.8 11UCGT : Chesham Bois and Weedon Hill 23 0.8 11UCHD : Penn and Coleshill 22 0.8 11UCGQ : Central 19 0.7 11UCGR : Chalfont Common 15 0.5 11UCGN : Austenwood 4 0.3 Total 926 1.7
Rates for wards in England and Wales from 2011 onwards are calculated using the mid-2010 resident population aged 16-64. ONS Crown Copyright Reserved [from Nomis on 21 December 2012]
3. The data in the following tables was produced by the ONS. It is based on a snapshot of the Inter Departmental Business Register (IDBR) taken on 12 March 2012. The Register contains a combination of VAT and PAYE Income tax data from HM Revenues and Customs. This means that the total number of businesses in the tables below is not always the same.
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TABLE A1.1 NUMBER OF LOCAL UNITS in VAT and/or PAYE BASED ENTERPRISES in 2012 by STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (UK SIC 2007) – BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP - CHILTERN DISTRICT
Broad Industry Group Number % of Number of Units Units of Units 2011 2012 2012 Agriculture, forestry & fishing 115 2.0% 115 Production 215 3.7% 210 Construction 620 10.6% 610 Motor trades 130 2.2% 135 Wholesale 255 4.4% 265 Retail 485 8.3% 475 Transport & storage (inc. postal) 115 2.0% 115 Accommodation & food services 210 3.6% 215 Information & communication 625 10.7% 575 Finance & insurance 140 2.4% 135 Property 200 3.4% 190 Professional, scientific & technical 1,420 24.4% 1,375 Business administration and support 430 7.4% 425 services Public administration and defence 20 0.3% 20 Education 135 2.3% 140 Health 225 3.9% 225 Arts, entertainment, recreation and other 485 490 8.4% services TOTAL 5,830 100% 5,710
4. This an overall increase of 120 units since 2011 [+2.1%]. The largest increases were in the ‘information & communication’ [+ 50 units / +8.7%] and ‘professional, scientific & technical’ [+ 45 units / +3.3%] sectors.
TABLE A1.2 NUMBER OF LOCAL UNITS in VAT and/or PAYE BASED ENTERPRISES in 2012 - EMPLOYMENT SIZE BAND - CHILTERN DISTRICT
Employment Number % of Number of Number of Number of Unit size – of Units Units Units Units Units 2011 2008 2003 by number 2012 2012 of employees 0 – 4 4,645 79.7 4,650 4540 4360 5 – 9 635 10.9 600 565 460 10 – 19 295 5.1 305 320 205 20 – 49 170 2.9 160 180 110 50 – 99 45 0.8 50 50 30 100 – 249 35 0.5 30 35 15 250 – 499 5 0.6 5 5 500 – 999 0 - 0 0 15 1000+ 0 - 0 0 TOTAL 5,830 100% 5,710 5,695 5,195
5. The most significant change in 2011/12 was the increase in number of units employing between 5 and 9 people.
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TABLE B1.3 NUMBER OF VAT and/or PAYE BASED ENTERPRISES in 2012 by TURNOVER BAND SIZE - CHILTERN DISTRICT
Turnover size Number of % of Number (£ thousands) Units Units of Units 2011 2012 0 – 49 1,140 21.2 1,115 50 - 99 1,290 24.0 1,295 100 – 249 1,660 30.8 1,575 250 – 499 590 10.9 555 500 – 999 325 6.0 325 1,000 – 4,999 295 5.5 315 5,000 + 80 1.5 75 TOTAL 5,380 100% 5,255
TABLE B1.4 UNITED KINGDOM - NUMBER OF VAT and/or PAYE BASED ENTERPRISES in 2012 by AGE OF BUSINESS - CHILTERN DISTRICT
Age of Number of % of Number of Business Units units Units 2011 2012 2012 Less than 2 825 15.3 740 years 2 – 3 years 655 12.2 690 4 – 9 years 1,530 28.4 1,465 10 or more years 2,370 44.0 2,360 TOTAL 5,380 100% 5,255
6. Table C.1 shows the number of businesses that were created and ceased during 2011 and the national ranking. Table C.2 shows Chiltern having the highest rate of business survival in Buckinghamshire with 52.8% surviving since 2006. This is above the South East and national rate. Chart 1 compares new business formation rates over time between the Buckinghamshire districts. Chart 2 shows the number of business births and deaths each year in Chiltern since 2004.
Table C.1: Business births and deaths in 2011
Business Births Business Deaths Annual Change (%) No. Rate Rank No. Rate Rank Births Deaths Aylesbury Vale 835 59.9 86 850 61.0 43 4.4 -6.1 Chiltern 605 82.0 24 515 69.8 17 10.0 -4.6 South Bucks 575 105.7 8 475 87.3 6 4.5 -3.1 Wycombe 925 67.5 56 840 61.3 41 3.9 -10.6
Buckinghamshire 2,940 72.7 2 2,680 66.3 1 5.4 -6.8
BTVLEP 2,940 72.7 3 2,680 66.2 2 5.4 -6.8 Enterprise M3 9,190 69.4 5 7,720 58.3 4 14.4 -5.5 Hertfordshire 6,295 70.3 4 5,370 59.9 3 8.2 -6.3 London 61,395 93.4 1 43,730 66.5 1 16.4 -9.1 Northamptonshire 2,895 52.1 11 2,580 46.4 16 4.1 -11.2 Oxfordshire 2,790 52.4 9 2,485 46.7 14 7.5 -5.3 South East Midlands 7,360 54.1 8 6,510 47.8 10 5.7 -8.2 Thames Valley Berkshire 5,060 73.8 2 3,810 55.6 5 13.1 -4.3
South East 40,775 58.2 2 35,915 51.2 2 10.5 -6.3 Great Britain 257,625 51.6 224,895 45.0 11.7 -8.0 Source: Business Demography, ONS, 2012 / Buckinghamshire Business First,
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Table C.2: Firm survival to 2010 by year of formation
2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 % Rank % Rank % Rank % Rank % Rank Aylesbury Vale 90.6 40 77.4 95 63.0 96 58.8 33 50.3 60 Chiltern 89.1 109 78.0 68 68.9 7 57.8 47 52.8 22 South Bucks 85.5 320 65.5 375 58.1 249 58.2 38 45.0 201 Wycombe 88.2 182 77.3 101 62.7 105 56.4 85 50.9 49
Buckinghamshire 88.5 13 75.1 24 63.1 6 57.8 3 50.0 5 South East 87.9 4 75.7 3 61.4 2 55.1 2 47.8 2 Great Britain 86.7 73.9 58.2 52.0 44.9
Chart 1: Comparative performance in new firm formation rate over time (GB=100)
Aylesbury Vale
Chiltern
South Bucks
Wycombe
2008 2009
2010 2011 Buckinghamshire
South East
75 100 125 150 175 200 225
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Chart 2: Chiltern – Business Births and Deaths Annually since 2004
650
600
550
500
450 Births Deaths
400 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Buckinghamshire Employment Land Review 2006
7. During 2006/7 the Council, in partnership with the Bucks Economic Partnership, Buckinghamshire County Council, South Bucks District Council and Wycombe District Council, published the 2006 Buckinghamshire Employment Land Review (BELR).
8. The BELR built on previous work undertaken by Roger Tym & Partners in 2002, and provides an independent review of the current and likely future economic situation in Buckinghamshire. In Chiltern it also built on the work undertaken in the Large Employment Sites Study, by providing a strategic overview of all employment sites within the District and surrounding area.
The BELR provided background evidence to the Core Strategy for Chiltern District adopted in November 2011. It is available on the Council web site at 2006 BELR .
Emerging Delivery Development Plan Document
9. During 2012 as part of the background evidence base for the emerging Delivery Development Plan Document (DDPD), the BELR was in the process of being updated. In the second half of 2012 the Council commissioned two independent studies of employment land in Chiltern.
10. The first study, an Employment Site Appraisal, focused on,
a. reviewing existing allocated employment areas in built-up areas (local plan ‘saved’ policies E2 and E3) and selected major employment sites in the Green Belt identified in the BELR, and
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b. assessing whether there was a reasonable prospect of the sites continuing in employment use. Small unallocated employment sites (former ‘saved’ local plan policy E4 sites) were not included in the assessment.
11. The second study, an Employment Land Needs Assessment, covers the period up to 2026 and beyond. It takes account of both supply and demand factors in order to come up with a quantitative indication of how much employment land Chiltern District needs to plan for up to that year. This will be important to meet the needs of the local economy and provide local employment opportunities.
Indicator ED9: Number and proportion of vacant employment premises in ‘large’ employment areas and selected employment sites in the Green Belt
Employment Area Vacancy Survey
12. As background to the Core Strategy that was emerging at that time, in November 2009 a survey of the largest employment areas in Chiltern and selected employment sites in the Green Belt identified in the BELR was carried out to ascertain the number and proportion of vacant premises.
13. The employment areas were those allocated by ‘saved’ Local Plan policies E2 and E3. These areas are located in the built-up areas of Chesham, Amersham, Little Chalfont and Chalfont St Peter as well as Prestwood, Holmer Green and Penn. They have a minimum area threshold of 0.25 hectares.
Updates of the original survey were carried out in September 2010 and October / November 2011. Headline results of the surveys were reported in the Annual Monitoring Reports covering those years. Details of these surveys are published on the Council web site at, http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/article/2771/Employment-Site-Vacancy-Information .
14. However, a 2012 update survey has not been carried out by the Council. This is largely because the vacancy levels in the E2 and E3 employment areas and Green Belt employment sites are being assessed as part of the Employment Site Appraisal. In addition, work on vacancies levels in the District is also included in the Employment Land Needs Assessment, although a different methodology is used to that in previous Council surveys. The results of both studies will be reported in the 2012/13 Annual Monitoring Report.
15. It means that an updated ‘TABLE E2 – Survey of vacant units in ‘saved’ E2 & E3 local plan policy employment areas & selected Buckinghamshire Employment Land Review Green Belt sites’ is not included in this monitoring report.
Indicator ED10: Floor area of outstanding planning permission in ‘large’ employment areas and selected employment sites in the Green Belt
16. Table E3 below shows that at 31st March 2012 nearly 36,000 square metres of new floor space had outstanding planning permission for Use Class B development on land within ‘saved’ local plan policy E2 and E3
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areas. This compares with 38,000 square metres in March 2011. most of it is in Chesham, notably in the Asheridge Road and Moor Road employment areas. Most of the remaining sites are in Amersham on the Hill and Chalfont St Peter. Further details are available on the Council web site at, Outstanding Planning Permissions for Economic-Development 31- 3-2012 . Table E3 gives a breakdown of the floor space in each settlement.
TABLE E3 – Extant Planning Permission for B1, B2 and B8 Use Classes at 31st March 2012 on land within ‘saved’ local plan policies E2 & E3 employment areas & selected Buckinghamshire Employment Land Review Green Belt sites
TOTAL FLOORSPACE OF UNITS WITH OUTSTANDING PLANNING LOCATION PERMISSION AT 31/03/2012 (SQUARE METRES)
CHESHAM 26,575
AMERSHAM 7,749
LITTLE CHALFONT 220
CHALFONT ST PETER 497
OTHER SETTLEMENTS 675
ALL SETTLEMENTS 35,716
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Sustainable Development
Developing and Living Sustainably 1. It is universally acknowledged that measures need to be taken to protect our natural environment and resources, local communities and economic prosperity to avoid jeopardising the quality of life experienced by future generations. The Council recognises that small changes made at the local level will contribute towards the Government’s overall targets to create a more sustainable society. Five guiding principles underpin the Council’s approach to tackling the issue of sustainability in Chiltern District. Taken from the Government’s UK Sustainable Development Strategy, the first two principles represent goals for achievement through the remaining three actions.
Living within environmental limits; Ensuring a strong and healthy and just society; Promoting good governance; Achieving a sustainable economy; and Using sound science responsibly.
2. The Chiltern Sustainable Community Strategy provides an overview of the District, identifies the key challenges, a shared vision and set of priorities. The strategy was developed in collaboration with the other Local Strategic Partnerships (South Bucks, Aylesbury Vale, Wycombe and Buckinghamshire) in Buckinghamshire. One of the jobs of the partnership is to develop a shared view of the challenges and priorities for the Chiltern District. The Sustainable Community Strategy is available on the Council web site at, http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/The-Chiltern-Community-Strategy
3. The Council’s Core Strategy addresses the issue of developing and living sustainably. The Core Strategy was subject to examination in public in April 2011 and formally adopted in November 2011.
4. The Final Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Core Strategy for Chiltern District was published in October 2010. Appendix 6 of the Appraisal Report contains the baseline data & indicators that are used in the Annual Monitoring Report to monitor the sustainability of policies in the Core Strategy. Further details are given below. In finding the Core Strategy ‘sound’, the Planning Inspector confirmed that a sustainability appraisal had been undertaken and was acceptable1.
5. Both documents are available on the Council web site at, Core Strategy and Final Sustainability Appraisal Report October 2010 .
6. The policies within the Adopted Core Strategy, notably Policy CS4 Ensuring That Development Is Sustainable were developed with the issues of sustainability in mind. Whilst acknowledging that Chiltern District is, in relative terms, a highly prosperous district boasting picturesque landscapes, there are still some important challenges to be faced if the District is to satisfy the five objectives. The task of ensuring long-term
1 Report on the Examination into the Core Strategy for Chiltern District Development Plan Document - paragraph 109, page 24 “Sustainability Appraisal (SA) “ – Ref PINS/X0415/429/6
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sustainability in plan making is aided by the requirement in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, for local authorities to conduct a Sustainability Appraisal of all Development Plan Documents within the Local Development Framework.
Sustainability Objectives and Indicators 7. The sustainability indicators in the Final Sustainability Appraisal Report are those formulated and agreed previously by a joint working party of officers from Buckinghamshire County Council and constituent Local Authorities in the county. In drafting the objectives the working party had regard to national, regional, county and local plans, programmes and strategies along with SEA guidance, the South East England Regional Assembly Integrated Regional Framework, strategic Council documents and the ‘Sustainable Community Strategy for the Chiltern District 2009-2026’.
8. A total of 18 sustainability objectives are identified. A total of 57 indicators have been set that will allow the progress towards these objectives to be tested now and in the future. The objectives and indicators comprise Appendix 6: Baseline Data & Indicators in the Final Sustainability Appraisal Report October 2010. Sustainability Objectives
Sustainability Objective 1: To provide existing and future residents with the opportunity to live in a decent home
Indicator SA1.1: The number of homes judged to be a Category 1 Hazard under the Health & Safety Rating System
9. The Health & Safety Rating System has replaced the Decent Home Standard as a measure of homes judged to be unfit in the private sector housing stock in Chiltern and that managed by the Paradigm Housing Group stock (the largest Registered Social Landlord in Chiltern).
Total number of homes judged to be a Category 1 Hazard under the 3,286 Health & Safety Rating System at 1/4/2012 *
Source: Chiltern District Council Housing Enabling data * Health & Safety Rating System - Chiltern District
10. The figure remains at 3,286 as it is taken from the last House Condition Survey undertaken in 2007/08, which has not been updated.
Indicator SA1.2: The number of housing completions, new planning permissions granted, commitments (outstanding planning permissions) and allocations
Total number of new dwellings BUILT 2011/12 (net) 177 (2010/11 figure in brackets) (80)
Total number of new dwellings PERMITTED during 2011/12 (net) 107 (2010/11 figure in brackets) (337)
Total number of dwellings with OUTSTANDING PLANNING PERMISSION 706 (not started or under construction) at 31/3/2012 (net) (799) (31/3/2011 figure in brackets)
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Dwelling potential on ALLOCATED STRATEGIC HOUSING SITES AND MAJOR DEVELOPED SITES IN THE GREEN BELT – 449 * in Adopted Core Strategy November 2011
* to avoid double counting this excludes the dwelling potential of the Holy Cross Convent / The Grange site in Chalfont St Peter which has outline planning permission for 198 dwellings. Source: Published Chiltern District Council Planning data 2011/12 and 2012 Housing Trajectory - www.chiltern.gov.uk/Housing-Planning-Permission-and-Completion-Statistics-March-2012 ww.chiltern.gov.uk/2012-Housing-Land-Supply-Trajectory
Indicator SA1.3: (i) Total housing stock (ii) number of empty dwellings (iii) number of dwellings empty for more than 6 months (iv) dwelling vacancy rate
31/3/12 31/3/11 31/3/10 31/3/09 31/3/08 31/3/07 31/3/06
Total dwelling stock 38,505 38,328 38,214 38,139 38,040 37,862 37,587
Total number of 971 721 878 952 981 986 1,183 empty dwellings
Total number of dwellings that had 471 395 476 504 502 540 608 been empty for more than 6 months
Dwelling vacancy 2.5% 1.9% 2.3% 2.5% 2.57% 2.6% 3.15% rate* Source: The annual ELASH statistical return (formerly the HSSA return) no longer requires a total dwelling stock figure or total empty property figures. The total dwelling stock figure agreed by the Planning and Revenues divisions of Chiltern District Council is used calculate the empty property figure at 31/3/12. Definitions that were previously used by the HSSA return are used in order to ensure consistency with previous year’s figures. * total number of empty properties as a % of total housing stock
Indicator SA1.4: House price/earnings affordability ratio – all dwellings
11. The table below sets out average house sale prices by type between 2004 and 2012. Data is supplied by the Land Registry. Household income data is taken from HMRC personal income tables and dates from 2010/11.
12. This data allows calculation of an ‘affordability ratio’ for all dwelling types but is subject to a health warning about the age of the household income data although more up to date income data is now available. Despite this it still gives an indication of the significant differences between income and house prices and the demand it causes for affordable housing in Chiltern.
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Sources: Land Registry Commercial Services: (1) 1,307 Sales (2) 1,305 Sales – 2010/11 (3) 1,589 Sales – 2009/10 (4) 843 Sales – 2008/09 (5) 1,765 Sales – 2007/08 (6) 1,763 Sales – 2006/07; (7) 1,677 Sales- 2005/06; (8) 1,685 sales in 2004/05.
Note: (9) HM Revenue & Customs Table 3.14 - income and tax by borough and district or unitary authority 2011/12: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/income-by-year.htm#1 . The HMRC ‘mean’ and ‘median’ household income data and calculated ‘affordability ratio’s for 2011/12 use 2010/11 HMRC data. Previous years used 2007/08 and earlier years data.
During the year the average sale price of all house types fell by £560 (0.14%). This means the overall average sale price has stabilised at the pre- recession level of around £380,000. The average sale price of detached and semi-detached dwellings decreased slightly during the year after increasing significantly in the previous year. The average price of smaller terraced dwellings showed the largest increase at just under 2%. It could be that the continuing demand for smaller (and therefore cheaper) accommodation is forcing up their price despite increased numbers coming onto the market. While the overall average house price is now back to the 2004/5 level, every individual dwelling type has increased in value by at least 16% since then,
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with bigger increases than this occurring among detached, semi-detached and terraced dwellings. More up to date household income data has become available from HMRC and now relates to 2010/11 rather than 2007/8. It shows a small decrease in ‘mean’ income but a 10% increase in ‘median‘ income. The affordability ratio is calculated using the ‘mean’ income. The changes to average house prices during the year and change in mean income resulted in the overall affordability ratio increasing from 7.96 to 8.0 (£379,384 / £47,400). In relation to smaller dwellings (terraced and flats) affordability ratios also increased and continued to move upwards toward pre- recession levels. This means that buying even the cheapest types of dwelling in Chiltern are just under 5 times the ‘mean’ household income, thereby continuing the difficulties for people wanting to get onto the housing market ‘ladder’. In practice this often means two wages earners in a household. If ‘median’ earnings (e.g., 1 wage earner in a household) are used the affordability ratio for terraced houses and flats is between 8 and 10. The situation is exacerbated by the continuing economic downturn, job uncertainties and the availability of mortgage finance.
Indicator SA1.5: Amount of affordable housing delivered by all means
Cumulative Total 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 2006/07 2005/06 2005 to 2012 Total number of ‘affordable’ dwellings 259 29 46 39 19 27 38 61 delivered annually (gross) Source: Chiltern District Performance Indicator SER 24 – 2011/12
13. The Council’s Affordable Housing Action Plan was reviewed during 2011/12 and is now incorporated within the Council’s annual Strategic Housing Framework document. During 2011/12, a new build scheme of 29 new affordable homes was completed off Raans Road Amersham on the Hill by Hightown Praetorian Housing Association. It is part of a housing development that also contains 54 open market houses.
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Indicator SA1.6: Number of households on the housing register
Total number of households on housing No. register at:
31/3/2012 1,203
31/3/2011 1,981
31/3/2010 1,857
31/3/2009 1,023
31/3/2008 1,130
31/3/2007 1,207
31/3/2006 1,125
31/3/2005 967
Source: Chiltern District Council Housing Enabling data
14. There are over 5,000 Registered Provider (RP) properties in Chiltern District that are allocated via Bucks Home Choice, a choice based lettings scheme introduced in May 2009. Its introduction has seen a significant increase in the number of households on the Housing Register. This is due to a combination of factors, including increased demand, the introduction of on- line registration and the inclusion of existing social housing tenants who are looking for a transfer (and who would have been registered on a separate transfer list prior to 2009). As a result it is not possible to directly compare the number of households on the register in March 2010 and 2011 with that before these years.
15. During 2011/12 the Council undertook a review of all of the applications registered with Bucks Home Choice and removed those of applications that were no longer actively seeking re-housing. This has resulted in a reduction in the total number of applications registered with Bucks Home Choice compared to the position at 31/3/11.
16. In 2011/12, the Council adopted a Strategic Housing Framework document that is reviewed annually. The document was reviewed and updated in 2012/13 and now incorporates the Council’s Affordable Housing Action Plan.
Indicator SA1.7: Number of ‘key worker’ affordable homes provided
2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 2006/07 2005/06
Total number of ‘key’ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 worker homes provided
Source: Chiltern District Council Housing Enabling data
No new affordable homes were built specifically for ‘key workers’ in Chiltern during 2011/12.
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Indicator SA1.8: Temporary accommodation / rough sleepers
2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 2006/07 2005/06
Total number of persons in temporary 18 18 20 26 33 37 31 accommodation at 31st March
Total number of rough 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 sleepers at 31st March
Source: Chiltern District Council Housing Enabling data
17. During 2010/11 the Council continued to show a year-on-year reduction in the use of temporary accommodation and met its target to halve the use of temporary accommodation compared to the 2004 benchmark (the target was 17). Although national trends are showing an increased demand for homelessness assistance across the country, the Council’s homelessness prevention work kept the number of households in temporary accommodation at a consistent level during 2011/12.
Sustainability Objective 2: The creation of safer places to live & work and to reduce anti-social behaviour
Indicator SA2.1: Reduction in the number of burglaries from dwellings and violent offences against people
The Council has two performance indicators relating to crime. They relate to the reduction in burglaries from dwellings (SER BFD) and violent offences against people (SER V10). They replace National Indicator NI 16 – serious acquisitive crimes per 1,000 population used in previous Reports.
Reduction in Reduction in burglaries from violent offences
dwellings against people (SER BRD) (SER V10)
2011/12 317 672
2010/11 309 937
2009/10 329 1,111
Source: Chiltern District Indicators
18. The number of burglaries has remained constant sijce 2009 while violent offences against people has reduced significantly in the same period. This means that Chiltern continues to be a safe place to live and work, with crime figures generally below the national average. The Council and Bucks Strategic Partnership want it to stay this way and continue to drive out crime. The Council’s Community Safety team continues to be proactive in partnership with the police in addressing crime and the fear of crime.
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Indicator SA2.2: % of residents with a fear of crime
Up to date information is no longer collected for this indicator. Therefore the information below will continue to be that published in 2005/6 as part of the Audit Commission’s Community Safety ‘Quality of Life’ indicators.
Chiltern National Mean Indicator 2005/06 2005/06 % % (1) % of people with a high level of worry about 9.22% 11.37% burglary (2) % of people with a high level of worry about car 10.28% 12.6% crime (3) % of people with a high level of worry about violent 13.78% 14.81% crime Source: Audit Commission Area Profile 2009 ‘Quality of Life’ Indicators: Community Safety: Thames Valley Police Authority area
(1) - Chiltern is in 2nd national quartile and improving (2) – Chiltern is in 2nd national quartile Indicator and improving (3) - Chiltern is in 3rd national quartile Indicator and improving
Indicator SA2.3: Number of noise complaints received
2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08 2006/07
Total number of noise 403 357 355 377 362 419 complaints received Noise complaints about dogs (included in total 64 65 76 89 60 58 number) Source: Chiltern District Council Environmental Health data.
The total number of noise complaints increased by 13% over the previous year and was the highest number for 5 years. The number of complaints about noise from dogs remained the same.
Indicator SA2.4: Number of Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) issued and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts entered into (ABC)
19. As a precursor to the issuing of an Anti Social Behaviour Order, the Council is able to enter into a written agreement with a person committing anti- social behaviour confirming that they will not commit any more. This is called an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC). It is primarily aimed at young people and is legally binding.
18 ABC’s were entered into in the year which is a significant reduction over the previous year (29) and a return to the level in 2008/9. 2 Parenting ABC’s were entered into during the year, one fewer than the previous year. 1 Anti Social Behaviour Order’s (ASBOs) was issued and continues the low levels of the previous 5 years (0, 1, 0, 1 and 3 issued since 2005). Source: Thames Valley Police & Chiltern District Council Health & Housing division
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Sustainability Objective 3: To improve accessibility to essential services & facilities to provide opportunities to obtain good access to high quality health, education, recreation & other community facilities & services
Indicator SA3.1: % and number of properties in each Accessibility Zone identified in the Council’s Accessibility, Parking Standards and Community Infrastructure Study
20. This indicator has been replaced by Housing Indicator H5 which relates to Core Strategy Policy CS4 – Ensuring that Development is Sustainable. This is reported on in the housing chapter of the main Annual Monitoring Report.
Sustainability Objective 4: Improve & maintain health & well-being of the population & reduce inequalities in health
Indicator SA4.1: The health of the population of the district
21. The Audit Commission Local Area ‘Quality of Life’ indicators are no longer updated. The latest summary of the indicators is published by the Council on its web site at with a 2009 base date, Quality of Life Indicators 2009 .
22. In this section, indicators monitor health issues such as, life expectancy, infant mortality, age-standardised mortality rates by medical condition, care of the elderly, vaccination rates and teenage conceptions.
23. A ‘Health Profile – Chiltern 2011’ was published in June 2011 by the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) in conjunction with the Department of Health and NHS 2. It provides an indication of the health of people in Chiltern. It is designed to help local government and health services understand their community’s needs, so that they can work to improve people’s health and reduce health inequalities. It is available on the Council web site at, Health Profile Chiltern District 2011 .
24. The 2011 health profile concludes that:
The health of people in Chiltern is generally better than the England average. Deprivation is lower than average, however 1,550 children live in poverty. Life expectancy for both men and women is higher than the England average. Life expectancy is 7.8 years lower for men and 6.2 years lower for women in the most deprived areas of Chiltern than in the least deprived areas (based on the Slope Index of Inequality published on 5th January 2011). Over the last 10 years, all cause mortality rates have fallen. Early death rates from cancer and from heart disease and stroke have also fallen and are better than the England average. About 12.0% of Year 6 children are classified as spend at least three hours each week on school sport. 79.3% of mothers initiate breast feeding and 7.0% of expectant mothers smoke during pregnancy.
2 www.healthprofiles.info Chiltern - 10 June 2011. Source: Department of Health. © Crown Copyright 2011
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An estimated 17.3% of adults smoke and 17.9% are obese. There were 1,139 hospital stays for alcohol related harm in 2009/10 and there are 114 deaths from smoking each year. Priorities in Chiltern include those outlined in Buckinghamshire's Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. For more information see www.buckinghamshire.nhs.uk
Sustainability Objective 5: To encourage the use of sustainable methods of transport to reduce negative effects on the environment.
Indicator SA5.1: Different modes of travel
No detailed figures for this indicator are available for Chiltern District. The Buckinghamshire County Council’s, Local Transport Plan 3, 2011- 2016 (LTP3) came into force in April 2011. For more information about the LTP3 go to the Buckinghamshire County Council web site at, http://www.transportforbucks.net/Strategy/LTP3.aspx .
Indicator SA5.2: % of children travelling to (a) primary school (b) secondary school by different modes of transport
25. No detailed figures for this indicator are available for Chiltern District. See Indicator SA5.1 above.
Indicator SA5.3: Passive diffusion tube data suggesting an exceedence of the UK Annual Mean Objective for nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
26. Air quality in Chiltern is generally good. The main sources of air pollution are motor vehicles and, to a lesser extent, industry. The reliance on motor vehicles for transportation of goods and people has vastly increased the amount of exhaust gasses released into the atmosphere. Improved emission standards have had some effect in limiting the increase of air pollution; however, they have not managed to reverse it. This is particularly important as vehicular emissions are at ground level and have a more immediate impact on the local population.
27. Increasing demands for goods and energy have also had a detrimental effect on the quality of the air.
28. Chiltern District has 28 air quality monitoring locations for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which use diffusion tubes. The Council currently monitors air quality at 27 roadside locations and one background location (Hervines Park, Amersham). The CLAIRE web site provides further details on monitoring and modelling of air pollution. (www.chiltern.gov.uk/claire). However, at the time of writing this report the CLAIRE site is being redeveloped and improved.
29. The table below shows the bias corrected results of NO2 monitoring between 2005 and 2012. The measurement unit used in the table is micrograms/cubic metre (ug/m3). Please note that these locations are primarily road side locations rather than receptor based and therefore will reflect the highest possible levels of NO2.
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2002 Site ID Location 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 002 1 St Mary's Way Chesham 36.4 35.71 37.66 35.16 40.10 27.42 35.07 2 Rickmansworth Road Amersham 29.12 25.5 29.01 28.73 28.62 24.7 29.28 3 High Street Chalfont St Peter 31.12 30.34 31.05 29.40 30.56 20.88 27.39 4 The Pheasant Chalfont St Giles 37.44 39.86 40.73 34.45 34.93 27.63 32.99 5 Gore Hill Old Amersham 39.52 40.37 41.83 43.05 46.47 35.42 40.53 6 Chesham Police Station, Broad Street 43.68 41.02 44.68 42.25 43.72 38.26 42.71 Chesham flats above opticians Broad 7 44.75 44.13 46.71 44.97 46.75 34.37 43.56 Street Chesham, Jolly Sportsman Public House, 8 44.75 41.51 44.81 46.84 53.14 37.18 43.14 Berkhampstead Road Chesham opposite 170 Berkhampstead 9 44.75 42.51 45.18 42.51 44.84 35.38 40.82 Road 10 Chesham at 305 Berkhampstead Road 34.32 33.67 34.23 33.97 36.66 25.57 31.92 11 Chesham by 336 Berkhampstead Road 41.6 36.33 42.14 38.01 40.52 31.13 37.60 Chesham opposite 5 Nashleigh Hill 12 31.2 29.17 34.55 31.36 30.94 25.7 30.94 Chesham (nr Petrol Station) Chesham opposite St Columba Church, 13 33.28 29.78 34.60 33.62 34.68 24.56 30.09 Berkhampstead Rd Ashley Green, Chesham Road (by Speed 14 22.88 21.71 22.38 21.94 23.61 17.79 22.88 Camera) Ashley Green Chesham Road, by Bus 15 23.92 21.43 21.89 22.56 25.23 18.06 21.77 stop/Church, 16 Stony Lane Little Chalfont 21.84 19.36 22.24 21.68 23.36 16.63 24.73 17 Nightingales Corner, Little Chalfont 34.32 31.12 33.33 33.90 33.61 26.94 33.07 18 Hervines Park, Amersham 17.68 14.21 14.75 15.67 16.73 11.14 13.59 19 Broombarn Lane, Great Missenden 16.64 15.67 18.78 17.21 18.18 14.9 17.15 Chequers Public House, Wycombe Road, 20 24.96 24.61 22.96 22.83 25.31 20.12 20.44 Prestwood Old Amersham (near speed calming 21 29.12 28.87 29.43 27.60 30.47 21.97 27.88 measures) Amersham Hospital, Whielden Street (next 22 31.2 29.00 32.59 30.21 32.25 24.39 30.40 to fly over) 23 Bottom of Stanley Hill, Amersham 41.6 38.12 43.73 42.11 43.72 34.85 39.75 24 Station Road, Amersham, opposite no. 76 34.32 31.64 31.71 33.73 36.38 26.88 34.47 Opposite Jolly Sportsman P.H., 25 Berkhampstead Road, 31.2 29.61 32.35 30.12 33.04 22.94 29.21 Chesham 26 60 High Street, Great Missenden - - 33.49 26.57 30.26 18.08 19.19 Old public conveniences 320 28.51 27 32.37 23.07 Berkhampstead Road, Chesham (Units are in ugm3 – bias corrected) Source: Chiltern District Council, Strategic Environment, Health & Housing Division. Note: 2012 data is based on 12 months data (January to December) and a bias factor of 0.83 has been applied.
2012 noted a number of elevated readings across the Council network of diffusion tubes.
The background air pollution level measured in Hervines Park, Amersham on the Hill (Site ID 18), although elevated against 2011, shows a continuing general reduction in levels when viewed over the 5 years period.
30. The results of the Council’s latest ‘review & assessment’ process and monitoring indicated that an Air Quality Management Area is still required along Berkhampstead Road and Broad Street (A416) in Chesham. This is currently attributed to road transport emissions - see Indicator SA5.4 below.
Indicator SA5.4: Number of Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) designations
31. The results of the Council’s ‘review & assessment’ process and monitoring indicated that an Air Quality Management Area is still required along
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Berkhampstead Road and Broad Street (A416) in Chesham, although expansion is not currently required.
32. The Council retains its single Air Quality Management Designation as at 21st December 2011. The area covered by the designation is shown on the map below. It shows the targeted area where actions have been targeted in order to improve air quality. Actions such as enhanced parking enforcement, awareness days, provision of travel information and tree planting have taken place.
33. Details of the designation are available on the Council’s CLAIRE web site.
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Indicator SA5.5: Traffic flows for all vehicle types by million vehicle kilometres
34. Data published by the Department of Transport is only available for Buckinghamshire. Despite this the graph below provides an indication of trends in Chiltern between 1993 and 2009.
Estimated traffic volume for all motor vehicles:Buckinghamshire:1993 to 2011
Estimated traffic volume for all motor vehicles by local authority: Buckinghamshire: 1993 - 2011 (kilometres) 6,500
6,000
5,500
5,000
4,500
4,000
4 6 9 1 6 8 0 1 9 0 0 0 1 1 99 99 1993 1 1995 1 1997 1998 19 2000 20 2002 2003 2004 2005 20 2007 20 2009 20 20
Source: DfT National Road Traffic Survey June 2011 http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/*/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications /roads/traffic/
35. Estimated flows for all vehicles types for the whole of Buckinghamshire has been declining since 2007, possibly as a result of the recession and higher fuel prices. This decline continued during 2011. But the 2011 figure of 6,002 million vehicle kilometres (mvk’s) is still more than double the national average.
36. This is a reflection of the high rate of car ownership in the County, particularly in Chiltern, which stood at 89.1% of households in 2011 and represents a 1% increase over the 2001 figure. Overall the 2011 Census recorded just over 60,000 cars or vans in Chiltern. This is 4,000 more than in 2001.
Sustainability Objective 6: To provide for sustainable levels of water use supply & sewerage and waste water management
Indicator SA6.1: Water leakage rate from mains & customer pipes by litres/property
37. The South East is the most densely populated part of Great Britain with the lowest levels of rainfall. New housing proposed in the South East Plan will therefore place greater pressure on water supplies. On average more water is used in the South East than anywhere else in the UK.
38. The Environment Agency is seeking to meet these pressures by ensuring, (i) that new dwellings are more water efficient in their design, (ii) better use is made of existing water supplies reducing water leakage in existing water supply systems and building new infrastructure to move water across the South East and water company boundaries to make better use of the water available, and, (iii) developing new sources of water - this includes the construction of desalination plants and reservoirs as well as effluent re-use.
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39. Targets are therefore set each year by the Environment Agency for water companies in England and Wales to reduce leakage. Veolia Central Water Group (VWG) (formerly Three Valleys Water) covers Chiltern District.
2005/6 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 Veolia Water 150 145 140 140 145 143.2 Central Source: OFWAT Service and Delivery Report – performance of the water companies in England and Wales 2009/10 - Supporting information - Water delivered component data - 2009-10 actuals table [page 47]
Indicator SA6.2: Amount of water used and available
40. Water is essential for natural life and for human use. We use it in our homes and gardens, in commerce and industry and in agriculture. It falls to the Environment Agency to secure the proper use of water resources in England and Wales.
41. Chiltern lies in the South East region which is one of the driest areas of the United Kingdom. It receives an average of 690mm rainfall per year compared with an annual national average of 897mm. The domestic and industrial water needs of its population along with environmental needs can put substantial pressure on this precious resource.
42. In some parts of the region public water supplies are at critical levels with demand close to exceeding supply. Even in the absence of more development in the South East, per capita water consumption in the region is increasing, and shows no signs of levelling off. Climate change is expected to lead to drier, warmer summers, increasing water demand.
43. Core Strategy Policy CS4: Ensuring That Development is Sustainable and accompanying Table 1: Sustainability Principles for Chiltern District address the issue of water usage in Chiltern.
44. Paragraph (h) of Table 1 encourages the, “use of water efficiency measures during construction projects and as part of new development to reduce consumption and ensure no detrimental impact on water quality”.
45. Water is abstracted under licences, granted on the basis of the reasonable needs of the public, industry and agriculture and availability of supplies. Nationally the amount abstracted has been generally rising since the mid- 1990s. In 2003, 80 per cent of water abstracted was for the public water supply and electricity supply industry.
Domestic water consumption 46. Household per capita consumption (PCC) is the amount of water used by each individual at home.
47. Chiltern District lies in the area covered by the Veolia Water Group. Between 2001 and 2009 the proportion of domestic properties with a water meter increased from 13% to 36%.
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48. Details of water consumption for metered and un-metered households, for Chiltern which lies in the Veolia Central Water Group area are published by OFWAT. On average metered households use less water than un-metered ones. Nationally in 2010 the average was 128 litres per person per day (l/head/d) for metered consumption and 155 l/head/d.
49. In the Veolia Central area the average in 2009/10 for metered consumption was 147 l/head/d. This was an increase of 5 litres over 2008/9. Average unmetered usage was 179 l/head/d, an increase of 4 litres from 2008/9. Therefore not only is consumption in Chiltern around 15% above the national average, it increased during 2009/10. (Source: OFWAT Service and delivery – performance of the water companies in England and Wales 2009/10 - Supporting information - Company estimates of household consumption table (l/head/d) page 58)
Sustainability Objective 7: To maintain & enhance biodiversity
See Biodiversity Technical Appendix to this Report
Sustainability Objective 8: To preserve & enhance the landscape character of Buckinghamshire & in particular, those areas of designated importance
Indicator SA8.1: Proportion of designated area covered by management plans
50. Over 70% of the District is within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which is a designated area of national importance.
51. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 introduced a statutory duty on local authorities and Conservation Boards to produce a management plan for an AONB. The plan contains policies and actions to conserve the natural beauty of the AONB and to help everyone enjoy it..
52. The Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008 – 2013: A Framework for Action was produced by the Chilterns Conservation Board following a review of the
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2002 – 2007 Plan and wide public consultation. It contains a comprehensive summary of the key issues facing the AONB and the management actions needed to conserve this special place.
53. The delivery of the Management Plan actions is not the responsibility of the Conservation Board alone. The involvement of a wide range of organisations is essential in achieving the Plan’s aims over the next five years and the key organisations are identified in the accompanying Delivery Plan.
54. The Chilterns Management Plan 2008 - 2013 covers a wide range of issues including nature conservation, land and water management, recreation and access, planning and development, the rural economy and transport. Details of the Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008 – 2013 as well as other information about the AONB are available at, http://www.chilternsaonb.org/conservation-board/management-plan.html
100% of the designated Chilterns AONB is covered by this Management Plan.
Indicator SA8.2: Percentage and area of district in Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
55. At the end of 2011/12, 13,981 hectares (72%) of the district was within the Chilterns AONB. The extent is identified on the Adopted Chiltern District Proposals Map.
There was no change to the extent of the AONB during the year.
Indicator SA8.3: Percentage and area of land in Chiltern District within Locally Important Landscape Areas & Areas of Attractive Landscape
56. Four hectares of Chiltern District adjoining the southern tip of the district boundary were designated as an Area of Attractive Landscape (part of Bulstrode Park, Gerrards Cross) by Buckinghamshire County Council and the relevant Structure Plan policy ‘saved’ by the Secretary of State under the Local Development Framework process. Following adoption of the Core Strategy this policy has been deleted.
57. In September 2007 the then Secretary of State for the Environment agreed with the Council that the nine Locally Important Landscape Areas in Chiltern (parts of Ashley Green, Little Chalfont, between Seer Green and Chalfont St Peter, Pednor Valley Chesham, fringes of Chesham Bois and Amersham on the Hill) originally designated under Adopted Local Plan Policy LSQ3 should ‘not be saved’ under the Local Development Framework process. The areas have been deleted from the Adopted Chiltern District Proposals Map.
Indicator SA8.4: Area of designated public open space developed
No land designated as public open space was developed for housing or commercial purposes in 2011/12 although private open space remaining from the former Raans Secondary School in Amersham was developed for housing.
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Sustainability Objective 9: To conserve & where appropriate enhance the historic environment
Indicator SA9.1: Number of buildings of Grade I & II* at risk of decay
See Indicator HH2 in Historic Heritage Technical Appendix
Indicator SA9.2: Number of scheduled ancient monuments & historic parks & gardens lost or damaged
See Indicator HH1 in Historic Heritage Technical Appendix
Indicator SA9.3: % of Conservation Area reviews completed & number of new Conservation Areas designated
See Indicator HH5 in Historic Heritage Technical Appendix
Indicator SA9.4: % of archaeological sites at risk
See Indicator HH6 in Historic Heritage Technical Appendix
Sustainability Objective 10: To reduce contributions to climate change through, (a) sustainable building practices and (b) maximising the potential for renewable energy & energy conservation
Indicator SA10.1: Number of grants given for energy saving improvements
58. The Council’s ten year action plan under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, to achieve a 30% improvement in energy efficiency, was completed in 2008.
59. The Council has retained a local performance target in relation to energy efficiency improvements in the form of a county-wide Local Area Agreement, which aims to deliver heating and insulation improvements to 1,246 households across the county. The target is delivered and monitored by the county wide Affordable Warmth Partnership.
60. The following table shows the number of energy saving grants and loans taken up during 2010/11 and since 2006/7.
Number of Energy Saving Grants
Type of Grant 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08
182 Fuel Supplier Discounts 268 169 210 183 49 Warm Front Grants 105 101 107 95 Local Authority Grants and 7 21 11 6 10 loans Source: Chiltern District Council Strategic Environment, Health & Housing Division
The total number of grants and discounts taken up in 2011/12 has declined due to a change in Warm Front eligibility criteria and ‘saturation’ of discount schemes.
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In spite of this, the county wide target was achieved through joint working with other organisations and an active promotion campaign to increase the take up of Fuel Supplier Discounts and Warm Front Grants.
Local Authority grants continue to be small in number because of limited funding.
Indicator SA10.2: % of new buildings achieving either the SAP or BREEM rating for energy efficiency
61. As a result of the requirements of Part L: Conservation of Fuel and Power of the Building Regulations, every new house and commercial building that was approved by either Chiltern District Council or an Approved Inspector that was built during 2011/12 either met or exceeded the SAP or BREEM energy efficiency ratings.
Code for Sustainable Homes 62. The Code was launched in 2006 and was introduced as a voluntary standard in England in 2007. It complements the system of Energy Performance Certificates for new homes introduced in 2008 under the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. In October 2010 the Building Regulations introduced Code Level 3 with compliance with the code becoming mandatory for new build dwellings in both the public and private sector. Level 4 Code thermal standards are set be part of the Building Regulations by 2013 and indicates the gradual improvement of thermal standards by this mechanism.
Indicator SA10.3: Amount of gas and electricity consumed
63. In previous Monitoring Reports, data was provided online by the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) and the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). These have been replaced by the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC). Below are data about domestic and commercial consumption of gas and electricity in Chiltern in recent years.
Gas consumption per domestic Year Gas consumption per consumer (kWh) Year commercial & industrial consumer (kWh) 2001 22,950 kWh 2003 231,915 kWh 2002 23,227 kWh 2004 239,051 kWh 2003 26,394 kWh 2005 234,701 kWh 2004 26,876 kWh 2006 216,604 kWh 2005 24,914 kWh 2007 220,373 kWh 2006 24,058 kWh 2008 243,537 kWh 2007 23,673 kWh 2009 239,408 kWh 2008 23,014 kWh
2009 21,277 kWh
Source: DECC web site - http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/regional/gas/gas.aspx
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Electricity per domestic Year consumer (GWh) Electricity consumption per commercial & Year 2003 210 GWh industrial consumer (GWh) 2004 212 GWh 2003 149 GWh
2005 214 GWh 2004 143 GWh
2006 211 Gwh 2005 166 GWh
2007 210.3 Gwh 2006 169 GWh
2008 198.4 Gwh 2007 166.5 Gwh
2009 198.1 Gwh 2008 160.6 Gwh
2009 152.4 Gwh Source: DECC web site - http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/regional/electricity/electricity.aspx
After increasing up to 2004, the average amount of gas consumed by domestic customers continued to decline during 2009. Consumption by commercial customers also reduced during the year.
The use of electricity by domestic customers declined by only a small amount in the year but is still at its lowest since 2003. Usage by commercial customers reduced significantly during the year and is at its lowest since 2005.
Indicator SA10.4: Amount of energy generated from renewable sources & CHP
163 photo voltaic (PV) installations have taken place in the Chiltern District as a result of the Feed in Tariff (FIT) scheme from 01/04/2010 to 31/12/2012.
Data on solar thermal and other technologies is currently not readily available.
Source: SEE-Stats database (operated by TV Energy for the South East Sustainable Energy Partnership) www.see-stats.org, www.see-stats.org/thamesvalley-all.htm and Chiltern District Council Health & Housing Division data
64. There is still a significant way to go before the Government target is achieved. Although the SEE-Stats web site provides useful data, the Council is currently unable to quantify the actual number and therefore the capacity of renewable energy installations as there is no requirement under planning or other reporting mechanisms
Indicator SA10.5: Amount of CO2 emissions per year
65. Core Strategy Policy CS4 - Ensuring Development is Sustainable, seeks to reduce CO2 emissions arising from new development in Chiltern. Data for carbon dioxide emissions from local authority areas for 2010 are now available. This data has been drawn from new National Statistics
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published, (previously national indicator NI 186) to exclude emissions sources over which local authorities have no influence (e.g. motorways and some EU ETS installations).
Emissions within the scope of influence of Local Authorities for 2005-10
(t)
(t) ‐ ‐ (t) (t)
Road
and
Total ‐ Year ‐ capita capita
capita
Per Per capita Domestic Industry Transport
Commercial LA Region Name Per Per Chiltern 2005 1.90 3.00 1.60 6.60 Chiltern 2006 1.90 3.00 1.60 6.60 Chiltern 2007 1.80 2.90 1.70 6.40 Chiltern 2008 1.70 2.90 1.60 6.20 2009 1.50 2.70 1.50 5.60 2010 1.60 2.90 1.50 5.90
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69807/Local_and_regio nal_CO2_emissions_estimates_for_2005-2010___Full_dataset.xls
Note: All data including previous years has been updated to reflect the latest DECC spreadsheet.
66. Although the 2010 figures show an increase over the 2009 figures, from 2005 to 2010 the pattern is one of a general reduction in per capita emissions. The industrial, commercial sectors have seen the greatest reduction while there has been little reduction in either domestic or transport emissions.
Sustainability Objective 11: To minimise the risk of flooding in relation to both new & existing development
67. Core Strategy Policy CS4 – Ensuring that Development is Sustainable and related Table 1 – Sustainability Principles for Chiltern District set out how the Council expects all new development to have regard to sustainable principles. Paragraphs (j) and (h) of CS4 relate to the risk of flooding.
68. As background evidence to the Core Strategy, the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) was carried out jointly with South Bucks District and completed in January 2008. It is available on the Council website at http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/article/2805/Flooding .
69. The SFRA was required by Government guidance in Planning Policy Statement 25 - Development and Flood Risk (2006) (PPS 25), which is continued in the National Planning Policy Framework 3 The SFRA includes a series of maps that define areas of flooding in Chiltern according to various levels of risk and the source of flooding.
70. The Level 1 SFRA document is especially relevant to the Core Strategy because it provides the information on the sequential approach to finding
3 Section 10 - Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change
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new land for development required by PPS 25 and the associated sequential test. The Environment Agency were closely involved in the preparation of the SFRA and stated that it meets the requirements of PPS25 and is deemed to be a sound piece of evidence fit for use in the Local Development Framework.
71. As well as areas at risk from river flooding, a Critical Drainage Area (CDA) is also shown in the Level 1 SFRA. This area has been included because it provides an indication of the parts of the District that may experience groundwater and / or overland flooding. Core Strategy Policy CS4 and paragraphs 8.8 and 8.9 of the Core Strategy refer to areas at potential risk from flooding from rising groundwater and surface water (overland flow).
72. The CDA is shown on the map below. It can be seen that the CDA includes the flood plains of the Misbourne and Chess rivers as well as most of the built up areas of Chesham and Amersham Old Town.
73. A Level 2 SFRA document has also been produced. This document considers whether the sites referred to in the Council's Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) fall within areas of flood risk shown in the SFRA maps.
This Map is Reproduced from Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. 100023578. 2013
74. Information on flooding is the subject of continuing review, for example the Environment Agency flood map is reviewed on a quarterly basis and additional information on other sources of flooding have emerged as a result of the work following the Floods and Water Management Act. This established Lead Local Flood Authorities in England with local flood risk
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management responsibility. Arising from this in June 2012 the Environment Agency asked the Council to review its original Level 1 SFRA. The updated SFRA will form background evidence to the emerging Delivery Development Plan Document due to go to public participation in April and May 2013.
Indicator SA11.1: Number of properties affected by fluvial flood events
75. It is important to recognise that the incidents listed below are events in which properties have been affected not only by flooding from local watercourses, but also from issues regarding rising groundwater, surcharging of the underground sewer system, blockage of culverts and gullies, and/or surface water runoff. As such many of the properties affected by flooding are situated outside of the delineated high probability flood zones.
76. Indeed, it is recognised that water levels within the River Misbourne and the River Chess are traditionally low during dry weather conditions, due largely to the chalk geology of their bedrock. However, their catchments respond relatively quickly to rainfall and the porous geology introduces a potential risk of groundwater flooding (as evidenced by the incidents reported below).
The published SFRA confirms that the Environment Agency reports that no river (fluvial) flooding from the River Chess have occurred and not from the River Misbourne since 2001 (Chalfont St Peter).
Indicator SA11.2: Number of properties affected by surface water flooding
77. Because of their valley bottom locations, potentially the worst affected areas are The Vale / Broad Street / Berkhampstead Road / High Street & Pednormead End, Chesham; Church Street, Amersham Old Town; Church Street, Great Missenden and Gravel Hill / Lower Road / High Street, Chalfont St Peter.
78. The legislation regarding flooding has now changed with the formation of a lead flood authority (Bucks County Council). Chiltern District Council is working in partnership with key stakeholders such as the Environment Agency, Thames Water, Veolia Water and Bucks County Council and developed a Chesham Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP). Options identified in the plan are now being implemented.
Indicator SA11.3: Amount of new development in the floodplains of the Chess and Misbourne rivers
79. Local Planning Authorities have to consult the Environment Agency on most development proposals at risk from flooding. Planning Policy Statement 25 - Development and Flood Risk (PPS25) and its associated Practice Guide, set out Government policy and advice on the subject. This has been replaced by the guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework. 4
80. The Environment Agency will object to developments that could be at risk of flooding themselves, or are likely to increase flood risk elsewhere. They also
4 Section 10 - Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change
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object where a more detailed assessment of flood risk needs to be carried out. However, initial objections can be overcome and may, therefore, be withdrawn if appropriate information is provided or developers change their schemes to address the concerns.
No major applications submitted during 2011/12 were objected to by the Environment Agency (EA) the grounds of flood risk, water quality and protection of the integrity of natural water/watercourse and buffer zone, conservation and ecological enhancement impact on wildlife. Where permission was granted the EA insisted that it was subject to measures to protect existing water courses and control the disposal of surface water. Also see Indicator E1 in the Environmental Quality section of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Indicator SA11.4: New development with sustainable drainage installed (SuDS)
81. Sustainable drainage is a new environmentally friendly way of dealing with surface water runoff which avoids the problems associated with conventional drainage practice. Conventional drainage exacerbates flooding, causes pollution and is generally more expensive to install and to maintain than Sustainable Drainage schemes. Sometimes referred to as Source Control and as Sustainable Urban Drainage (hence the acronym SuDS), it is a design approach which is equally applicable to rural and urban sites.
82. The Environment Agency advocates the use of SuDS because they do not contribute to flooding, they encourage wildlife and provide visually attractive, and educational, amenities in the form of wetland habitat which is increasingly under threat in the UK.
83. PPS 25 - Development and Flood Risk emphasises the role of SuDS and introduces a general presumption that they will be used. Building Regulations on drainage and waste disposal for England have also been modified to introduce a surface water drainage hierarchy, with infiltration on site as the preferred disposal option, followed by discharge to watercourse and then connection to a sewer.
84. Paragraph (j) of Table 1 associated with Core Strategy Policy CS4 refers to the provision of SuDs in the Critical Drainage Areas.
85. However, at the present time it is not feasible to collect data on a regular basis for this indicator (see Indicator 11.3 above). The Council negotiated the provision of a SuD at a large new office development built and under construction on the former Airpel factory site next to the course of the River Misbourne in Chalfont St Peter. The SuD system involves the control of sewage and surface water on the site by the provision of water attenuation tanks under the car park.
Sustainability Objective 12: Minimise waste & then re-use or recover it through recycling, composting or energy recovery
Indicator SA12.1: % of household waste recycled and sent to land fill
86. Planning Policy Statement 10 - Planning for Sustainable Waste Management (PPS10) requires that at least 25% of household waste by
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2005 is recycled or composted. The proportion increases to 30% by 2010 and 33% by 2015.
87. The Core Strategy refers to the Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework (MWLDF) being prepared by Buckinghamshire County Council 5. The MWLDF will set out spatial strategies and detailed land-use policies and proposals for the extraction of minerals and management of waste in the County. At a local level residents in Chiltern are recycling most of their waste and an individual’s carbon footprint is an accepted personal responsibility.
88. The table below shows that after increasing the tonnage recycled fell in comparison to last year, again due to the economic climate. As waste sent to landfill has not increased it suggests residents are not purchasing as many materials as they were. However, the amount composted increased both as proportion and as a tonnage. Also after increasing in the previous year, the amount of waste collected per household in 2011/12 fell to under 360 kilograms for the first time since 2003/4. The cost of waste collection per household increased.
Usage of Waste in Chiltern District: 2006 – 2012 Indicator 2011/12 2010/11 2009/10 2008/9 2007/8 2006/7 28.69% 30.6% 29.26% 30.71% 32.49% 32.0% (a) recycled (BV82a(i) & (ii)) (9,275) (9,938) (9,356) (10,332) (10,964) (11,215) tonnes) 18.74% 16.97% 17.1% 16.88% 15.68% 13.% (b) composted (BV82b(i) & (ii)) (6,132 (5,634) (5,647) (5,705) (5,353) (4,391) tonnes) (c) used to recover heat, power n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a and other energy sources (d) land filled n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
(e) not recycled n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.51%
(f) kilograms of household 358.4 waste collected per head # (% 364.2 360.6 371.5 382 390 kilograms change from previous year) (+0.99%) (-2.95%) (-2.18%) (-2.11%) (+7.5%) (-2.08%) (BV84a & b)
(g) People satisfied with n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 74% household waste recycling
(h) People satisfied with n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 68% household waste collection
(i) Residual household waste 457 447 459 461 - - per household (SER NI 191) kilograms
(j) % of household waste sent for reuse, recycling & 41.18% 47.04% 46.29% 49.38% - - composting (SER NI 192)
(k) % of municipal waste land 52.66% 52.89% 53.55% 52.24% - - filled (SER NI 193)
(l) Cost of waste collection per £78.50 £70.61 £72.91 £69.58 £62.06 £55.60 household (SER BV86)
Sources: Chiltern District Local Performance Indicators as shown in brackets for each indicator - 2011/12
5 Core Strategy Strategic Objective 3, Policy CS4 (f), paragraphs 1.2, 5.3, 5.4, , 8.3, 8.6.
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Indicator SA12.2: % of construction & demolition waste going to landfill
No data for Chiltern is available for this indicator from the Environment Agency. Chiltern District and Bucks County Councils do not run any active landfills so have no records of what how much 'construction and demolition' or 'hazardous waste' they receive. As the majority of construction and demolition waste would be disposed of by the company actually doing the construction, details are not recorded.
Indicator SA12.3: Amount of hazardous waste
No detailed data for Chiltern District is available for this indicator from the Environment Agency.
89. The County Council Waste section state that there is no hazardous waste landfill in Chiltern but there is some arising. Some of it is either fly-tipped or taken to the County Council run Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRC), e.g. asbestos. Some of the hazardous waste received at HWRCs is recycled and does not go to landfill, e.g. gas cylinders, tyres, fridge / freezers, engine oil, batteries. Again figures are only available for household waste. HWRCs do not accept hazardous from trade except for fridges which are recycled.
Chiltern has yet to receive a hazardous substance consent application.
Indicator SA12.4: Amount of secondary / recycled aggregates used compared with virgin aggregates
No data for Chiltern was available for this indicator from either the Environment Agency or Bucks County Council.
Sustainability Objective 13: To conserve soil resources & quality
Indicator SA13.1: Amount of grade 1 and 2 agricultural land lost to new development
90. Only a small proportion of agricultural land in the district is classified as Grade 2 (the Misbourne valley north of Great Missenden extending into the town and Orchard Leigh north east of Chesham). All the remaining agricultural land in Chiltern is Grade 3. All agricultural land in the district is within the Green Belt where there is a strong presumption against new development.
91. Local Plan Policy GB26 which sought to protect the ‘best’ agricultural land from development was ‘not saved’ beyond the end of September 2007. The national guidance in the deleted Planning Policy Statement 7 - Sustainable Development in Rural Areas (PPS7) is continued in the National Planning Policy Framework6. This encourages local planning authorities to use areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of higher quality7.
6 Page 26 paragraph 112 7 Annex 2 of the NNPF defines higher quality as grades 1, 2 and 3a
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92. Core Strategy Policy CS4 (q) seeks to ensure the “efficient and sustainable use of soils including taking account of the presence of the best and most versatile agricultural land when siting new development.”
No development was permitted on undeveloped Grade 2 agricultural land during 2011/12.
Indicator SA13.2: Number of potentially contaminated sites
93. The Council has identified areas of potentially contaminated land and is gathering data on historical land uses. This data continues to show there are 1,250 potential sites in the District that require consideration under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act and /or the Planning Regime.
Indicator SA13.3: Number of planning applications with Land Quality Planning condition (contaminated land) and informatives imposed
94. The results of evaluating all planning applications against Council information on potentially contaminated sites that resulted in the imposition of Chiltern’s Land Quality Condition are shown in the table below.
Number of planning applications that recommended inclusion of Land Quality Planning (Contaminated Land) Condition or Informative – 2002/03 to 2011/12
Number of Conditions and Year Informatives 2011/12 32 /172 [Total = 204]
2010/11 29 /172 [201]
2009/10 25 /176 [201]
2008/09 35 /149 [185]
2007/08 39 / 101 [140]
2006/07 33 / 70 [103]
2005/06 33
2004/05 24
2003/04 4
2002/03 2 Source: Chiltern District Council Strategic Environment Health & Housing Division
While the number of conditions imposed remains fairly constant each year, the number of informatives added to planning permissions continues to increase in number.
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Sustainability Objective 14: To improve the efficiency of land use through the re-use of existing buildings & previously developed land
Indicator SA14.1: % of new homes built on previously developed land
95. Before it was replaced by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in March 2012, paragraph 41 of Planning Policy Statement 3 – Housing (PPS3) stated that the national annual target is that at least 60% of new housing should be provided on previously developed land (PDL), also known as brownfield land. The June 2010 revision of PPS3 deleted ‘private residential gardens’ from the category of PDL. The NPPF continues to exclude this type of land from the definition of PDL8
96. As much of the new housing delivered in Chiltern is on residential garden land, this change means that the proportion of new housing delivered on PDL will decrease. Paragraph 111 of the NPPF encourages the effective use of land by re-using land that has been previously developed, provided that it is not of high environmental value. Local planning authorities may consider the case for setting a locally appropriate target for the use of brownfield land. Chiltern District has not set such a local target.
97. For instance in 2009/10, 91% of new housing built in Chiltern (gross) was on PDL. In 2010/11 this had dropped to 55%. In 2011/12 it reduced further to 26%. This was largely because five large housing schemes being completed on land comprising the playing field of a former school (Raans Road Amersham) and the rear gardens of existing dwellings in Bellingdon Road, Chartridge Lane and Berkeley Avenue Chesham. The table below gives details for 2011/12.
New dwellings built on previously developed land * - 2011/12
Total built
Total gross completions 215
Total gross completions on previously developed land 56
Total gross completions on land not defined as previously 159 developed
% built on previously developed land 26% Source: DCLG Housing Flow Reconciliation return 2011/12 - Chiltern District and published planning application completions statistics, http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/article/2241/Housing-Planning-Permission-and-Completion- Statistics * Annex 2: Glossary – National Planning Policy Framework
Indicator SA14.2: Density of new housing built
98. During the 2011/12 the average density of new housing delivered in Chiltern was 22.3 dwellings/hectare (dph). This is nearly double that of the previous year. This increase is largely due to the completion of two high density schemes in Raans Road Amersham and Bellingdon Road Chesham. However, as in previous years there continues to be significant differences between settlements. Because of the developments already mentioned the
8 Page 55 Annex 2 : Glossary
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highest average densities were in Chesham (74 dwellings at 63 dph) and Amersham (97 dwellings at 34 dph). In contrast, average density was lower in the smaller settlements of Chalfont St Peter – 13 dph and Little Chalfont 15 dph.
Indicator SA14.3: Number of empty properties
See Indicator SA1.3 above
Sustainability Objective 15: To achieve a broad balance between housing, population & employment whilst encouraging economic growth and competitiveness
Indicator SA15.1: Number of business start-ups and closures
99. Many factors influence the pattern of business start-ups. Among the most important are economic growth (encouraging new ventures and creating demand for business and personal services), the level of industrial restructuring and contracting out, and the stock of people with management or small business experience.
100. The tables below have been published by the ONS and provide data for Chiltern between 2004 and 2011.
Count of start up (birth) of new enterprises in Chiltern 2004 – 2010
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
635 565 540 545 595 545 550
ONS Business Demography 2010 - Enterprise Births, Deaths and Survivals
Count of closure (death) of enterprises in Chiltern 2004 – 2010
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
630 510 420 475 450 590 610
ONS Business Demography 2010 - Enterprise Births, Deaths and Survivals
Count of active enterprises in Chiltern 2004 – 2010
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
5,540 5,475 5,505 5,625 5,795 5,895 5,875
ONS Business Demography 2010 - Enterprise Births, Deaths and Survivals
Indicator SA15.2: Out commuting levels
See Contextual Indicator, Chiltern Travel-to-work-Patterns 2001 in Employment Technical Appendix to this Report. Travel to work data from the 2011 Census of Population is not available at the time of publication of this Report.
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Sustainability Objective 16: To encourage a diverse economy which is focused on higher value added, lower impact activities
Indicator SA16.1: Number and proportion of employees in knowledge based sectors
101. The Buckinghamshire Employment Land Review 2006 (BELR) produced jointly by the County Council and the districts of Buckinghamshire provides the data source for the following employment-related indicators.
102. Some of the activities in Professional services, especially research & development and computer industry activities, are regarded as high value added knowledge-based businesses. The larger firms in these types of activities tend to be located on large office parks.
103. Table 3.7 of the BELR 2006 presents the occupational structure of the County and its districts broken down by major occupational class. This shows the relative proportions of “associate professional and technical occupations” in Chiltern, Buckinghamshire, the South East and the UK. More detail about all occupations is given in the Employment chapter of this Report. No more recent data is available.
Proportion of residents in ‘knowledge-based’ occupations at county, regional and national level – 2005 South Chiltern Bucks UK East
Associate professional & 14.4% 16.0% 14.9% 13.9% technical occupations
Source: Annual Population Survey 2005 – Buckinghamshire Employment Land Review 2006
Buckinghamshire has a higher proportion of ‘associate professional and technical occupations’ (knowledge-based’, than regional and national rates. However, in Chiltern the rate is below county and regional rates. This may be due to the fact that such occupations are found in larger firms that tend to locate on large office parks, which Chiltern has a fewer number of than other districts in Buckinghamshire.
Indicator SA16.2: Diversity of economic sectors represented in the area
104. Paragraph 5.4 and Table 5.2 of the BELR 2006 gives details of anticipated employment growth by economic sector in Chiltern. The Main Report and Executive Summary can be downloaded from the Council web site at, Buckinghamshire Employment Land Review Final Report August 2006 .
105. The Annual Business Inquiry has been replaced by the annual Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES). The headline results of the 2011 BRES are set out in the table below. This shows that a rounded total of 31,000 people worked in Chiltern. The actual total is 31,013. At 4,000 people the standard industrial classification (SIC) with the highest number and proportion of workers was Professional, Scientific and Technical. It is followed closely by Health (3,900) and Education (3,700).
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Business Register and Employment Survey employee estimates for Chiltern by Standard Industrial Classification – 2011
Number Standard Industrial Classification employed in % of (SIC) 2007 Chiltern District total * Agriculture, forestry & fishing (A) - ** - Mining, quarrying & utilities (B D & E) 300 1.0 Manufacturing (C) 2,400 7.8 Construction (F) 1,500 4.9 Motor trades (Part G) 660 2.1 Wholesale (Part G) 1,500 4.9 Retail (Part G) 3,000 9.8 Transport & storage (inc postal) (H) 500 1.6 Accommodation and food services (I) 1800 5.9 Information and communication (J) 1,900 6.2 Financial and insurance activities (K) 800 2.6 Property (L) 800 2.6 Professional, scientific & technical (M) 4,000 13.0 Business administration & support services 1,600 5.2 (N) Public administration & defence (O) 500 1.6 Education (P) 3,700 12.0 Health (Q) 3,900 12.7 Arts, entertainment, recreation & other 1,900 6.2 services (R, S, T & U) Total 31,000 100 Source: Office for National Statistics / NOMIS. * All figures rounded to the nearest 100 to ensure confidentiality. ** excluded to ensure confidentiality.
Indicator SA16.3: Image indices derived from consultations with businesses & local property specialists as part of the planning process
106. No data for Chiltern is available for this indicator for 2011/12. Data is still difficult to obtain and is not available from either Buckinghamshire Business First or Buckinghamshire County Council.
Sustainability Objective 17: To develop & maintain a skilled workforce to support long-term competitiveness of the District
Indicator SA17.1: % of population with and without qualifications
107. The BELR 2006 states (paragraphs 3.34 & 3.35) that Chiltern (and the whole of Buckinghamshire) has a highly qualified workforce. The proportion of people with no qualifications is lower than the South East or nationally. Chiltern gets a specific mention as at 18% it has the lowest level in Buckinghamshire. At the upper end of the scale, a higher proportion of people in Buckinghamshire are qualified to NVQ Level 4 and 5 than the comparator areas. At nearly 59% people in Chiltern have the highest levels of qualification in the county. The table below gives details for 2011.
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Qualifications: percentage of resident population aged 16 to 64 – January 2011 - December 2011 Chiltern Chiltern South East Great Britain (number) (%) (%) (%) NVQ4 and above 32,200 58.736.2 32.9 NVQ3 and above 41,800 76.356.7 52.7
NVQ2 and above 49,500 90.2 73.3 69.7
NVQ1 and above 51,600 94.1 86.6 82.7
Other qualifications # # 5.5 6.7
No qualifications # # 7.9 10.6
Source: NOMIS / Annual Population Survey (APS) of resident population aged 16 to 64 for calendar year periods, for example, January to December. The variables show the total number of people who are qualified at a particular level and above, so data in this table are not additive. Separate figures for each NVQ level are available in the full APS. The trade apprenticeships are split 50/50 between NVQ level 2 and 3. This follows ONS policy for presenting qualifications data in publications. Separate counts for trade apprenticeships can be obtained from the full APS data set. No qualifications: No formal qualifications held - # - sample size too small for a reliable estimate Other qualifications: includes foreign qualifications and some professional qualifications - # - sample size too small for a reliable estimate NVQ 1 equivalent: e.g. fewer than 5 GCSEs at grades A-C, foundation GNVQ, NVQ 1 NVQ 2 equivalent: e.g. 5 or more GCSEs at grades A-C, intermediate GNVQ, NVQ 2 NVQ 3 equivalent: e.g. 2 or more A levels, advanced GNVQ, NVQ 3 NVQ 4 equivalent and above: e.g. HND, Degree and Higher Degree level qualifications or equivalent
Chiltern has the most highly qualified workforce in the county, and is one of the reasons why professional, scientific & technical jobs are the most numerous in the district.
Sustainability Objective 18: To ensure high & stable levels of employment so everyone can benefit from the economic growth of the region
Indicator SA18.1: Proportion and number of people of working age who are unemployed
Office for National Statistics Unemployment rates: December 2012 (December 2011 in brackets)
Claimants seeking Rate Jobseeker Allowance 1.7% 905 Chiltern - All (1.7%) (908)
2.1% 566 Chiltern - Males (2.2%) (600)
1.2% 339 Chiltern - Females (1.1%) (308)
South Bucks 1.5% 633
Aylesbury Vale 1.8% 2,024
Wycombe 2.3% 2,530
Buckinghamshire 1.9% 6,111
South East (excl 2.6% - London)
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Great Britain 3.9% - Source: NOMIS (ONS) Official labour market statistics
After doubling during 2008/09 with the onset of the economic downturn, the number of claimants fell during 2010/11. Th number stablised during 2011/12. The overall Chiltern unemployment rate continues to be less than half the national rate.
Notified Job Centre Plus vacancies 2010 to 2012
Vacancy Vacancy Vacancy Notified Notified to to Notified to Vacancies Vacancies Claimant Claimant Vacancies Claimant November April ratio ratio July 2011 ratio July 2012 2010 November April 2011 2012 2010 Chiltern 291 283 123 3.2 3.3 3.6
South Bucks 420 380 236 1.5 1.6 3.0
Aylesbury Vale 983 916 505 2.1 2.3 3.8
Wycombe 1,219 876 712 2.1 2.9 5.5
Buckinghamshire 2,913 2,455 1,576 2.1 3.3 3.6 South East (excl 50,509 44,638 28,871 2.7 3.1 4..0 London) Great Britain 389,889 370,714 202,103 3.9 3.9 5.1
After more than doubling between April 2010 and July 2011, the number of notified vacancies increased only slightly up to November 2012. The vacancy to claimant ratio remained the same and is the highest in the county.
108. The following table shows the number of claimants in each ward in Chiltern between March 2007 and November 2012. The rate is also given for the most up to date figures. The figures are produced by Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) and are based on the geographical area of the ‘new’ wards for Chiltern District as at 2009. BBF is voice of business to local and central government. With financial support from Buckinghamshire County Council and other investing members, BBF helps deliver economic development for the betterment of the whole of Buckinghamshire (http://www.bbf.uk.com).
Unemployment claimants by ward – Chiltern District: March 2007 to November 2012
District Wards November 2012 March March March March March (as at 2009) 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Number Rate (%) Amersham 25 1.6 26 33 23 11 18 Common Amersham-on-the- 79 2.7 71 73 68 16 33 Hill Amersham Town 37 1.3 47 42 43 12 25 Asheridge Vale and 75 2.6 80 93 99 47 39 Lowndes Ashley Green, 15 1.1 16 16 18 # 7
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November 2012
Latimer and Chenies Austenwood 4 0.3 5 7 14 4 6 Ballinger, South Heath and 18 1.3 9 13 17 8 8 Chartridge Central 19 0.7 38 37 41 14 19 Chalfont Common 15 0.5 20 30 19 5 12 Chalfont St Giles 30 0.8 47 50 48 15 30 Chesham Bois and 23 0.8 23 35 36 18 11 Weedon Hill Cholesbury, The 13 1.0 10 12 14 5 7 Lee and Bellingdon Gold Hill 19 1.5 25 31 39 14 11 Great Missenden 12 1.0 12 19 14 5 5 Hilltop and 65 2.3 50 66 65 27 35 Townsend Holmer Green 33 1.4 32 29 42 15 17 Little Chalfont 58 2.2 52 66 62 31 26 Little Missenden 14 1.0 12 20 18 5 6 Newtown 42 2.6 44 44 43 36 34 Penn and Coleshill 22 0.8 27 37 34 6 12 Prestwood and 52 1.3 51 68 76 21 32 Heath End Ridgeway 79 5.1 73 59 65 33 35 St Mary's and 30 3.4 92 72 97 64 42 Waterside Seer Green 20 1.5 11 22 15 5 5 Vale 60 4.5 59 55 43 29 31 Total 926 1.7 932 1,029 1,053 448 506 Source: Rates for wards in England and Wales from 2011 onwards are calculated using the mid-2010 resident population aged 16-64. ONS Crown Copyright Reserved [from Nomis on 21 December 2012]
Between March 2011 and November 2012 there was a very small reduction in the number of claimants.
Despite the low district-wide rate, there are still concentrations above both the South East and National rates, most notably those wards in Chesham with the highest concentrations of social housing, The following table is sorted by wards with the highest unemployment rate.
Unemployment : number of claimants per ward – Chiltern District: November 2012
District Wards (as at 2003) Number Rate (%)
Ridgeway (Chesham) 79 5.1 Vale (Chesham) 60 4.5 St Mary’s & Waterside (Chesham) 97 3.4 Amersham-on-the-Hill 79 2.7 Asheridge Vale and Lowndes (Chesham) 75 2.6 Newtown (Chesham) 42 2.6 Hilltop and Townsend (Chesham) 65 2.3
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District Wards (as at 2003) Number Rate (%)
Little Chalfont 58 2.2 Amersham Common 25 1.6 Seer Green 20 1.5 Gold Hill (Chalfont St Peter) 19 1.5 Holmer Green 33 1.4 Prestwood and Heath End 52 1.2 Amersham Town 37 1.3 Ballinger, South Heath and Chartridge 18 1.3 Ashley Green, Latimer and Chenies 15 1.1 Little Missenden 14 1.0 Cholesbury, The Lee and Bellingdon 13 1.0 Great Missenden 12 1.0 Chalfont St Giles 30 0.8 Chesham Bois and Weedon Hill (Amersham) 23 0.8 Penn and Coleshill 22 0.8 Central (Chalfont St Peter) 19 0.7 Chalfont Common (Chalfont St Peter) 18 0.8 Austenwood (Chalfont St Peter) 4 0.3 Total 926 1.7
8 wards have an unemployment rate above the district rate of 1.7% All 6 of the wards in Chesham are in this group.
Vale and Ridgeway wards in Chesham are above the national rate of 3.9%. six of the 7 with the highest unemployment rates are wards in Chesham.
Indicator SA18.2: Number of people of working age out of work for up to and more than a year
Long term unemployment claimants January 2008 to January 2013
Source: Buckinghamshire Business First / NOMIS
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There was a significant reduction in the number of males claiming unemployment benefit for up to year. Although the number of females remained constant. However, the number of claimants unemployed for over 3 years increased fourfold from 5 to 20.
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Sustainable Community Strategy
1. The objectives of the Bucks Strategic Partnership (BSP) of which Chiltern District is a member are embodied in the family of Sustainable Community Strategies. The ‘Sustainable Community Strategy for the Chiltern District 2009-2026’ was produced by the Chiltern Community Partnership and published in November 2009. It is available on the Council web site at, The Chiltern Community Strategy .
2. The Chiltern Community Partnership draws together the work of the key public sector, business and voluntary partners in the area to deliver the agreed priorities for the District. It is responsible for directing resources and co-ordinating the work of partners to deliver improved outcomes for residents.
3. The following is taken directly from the Sustainable Community Strategy.
Our vision for Chiltern in 2026…
A place with integrated, supportive and capable communities that promote active citizenship A place where high quality services and facilities help people from all sections of the community, particularly the young, elderly and disadvantaged, to live independent and fulfilling lives A place where we can lead safe lives free from the fear of crime and anti- social behaviour A place with attractive and vibrant town and village centres and an outstanding countryside A place that promotes equality of opportunity and ensures fair access to Services A place that encourages local employers and small businesses so we can protect the area’s economy for the future and achieve a better balance between the jobs available and the people to fill them A place where people have the skills, knowledge and ability to make effective decisions and healthy lifestyle choices A place with enough affordable housing to meet local needs and maintain our services and communities
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A place with effective and targeted transport solutions, including a well maintained transport infrastructure A place where high quality education and lifelong learning improves people’s lives,enabling them to make well-informed decisions and play their full part in the community A place with a wide range of accessible leisure opportunities A place with a clean and green environment where recycling, waste minimisation and resource conservation are an established part of everyday life
Summary of key challenges in 2009
4. The key challenges in Chiltern are to maintain an exceptionally high quality of life in the face of changes impacting on the District, a period of reduced resources and high customer expectations. More specifically for Chiltern they are:
Supporting the economy, business and people in the economic downturn Anticipating and meeting the needs of an ageing population Improving delivery and access to affordable housing Managing development pressures on the urban and rural environment and preserving the District’s natural and cultural heritage valued by our residents Reducing our impact on the environment in terms of emissions of carbon dioxide and consumption of natural resources Addressing deprivation and health inequality Encouraging and supporting healthy lifestyles Managing road congestion and maintaining the transport network Improving public and community transport and enhancing sustainable access to goods and services, particularly in the rural areas Maintaining strong, safe and cohesive communities Promoting tolerance and understanding between generations Promoting positive activities for teenagers Understanding and managing the impact of growth in the north of Buckinghamshire Informing residents about public services Enabling residents to influence local decisions and their area Encouraging and supporting our residents to contribute towards achievement of our shared vision
Delivering the vision for 2026
5. This Sustainable Community Strategy is the over-arching long-term plan for the Chiltern District. It is not a detailed action plan, but a framework to help partner organisations take collective responsibility, work together and make the best use of resources to deliver the outcomes set out here.
6. Delivering the vision to 2026 will require determined action by a range of public, private and voluntary sector bodies working in partnership at neighbourhood, District and County level.
7. We will review this strategy every year to make sure that it continues to reflect local people’s views and addresses new challenges as they emerge. As the area’s priorities develop and change, the action plans of the partnership and individual partners will change to reflect this.
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8. These action plans are set out in a variety of documents, including:
• Local Development Framework • Community Cohesion Plan • Housing and Homelessness Strategies • Community Safety Partnership Plan • Healthy Communities Strategy
9. In addition, a number of specific projects and activities will target geographic areas and/or groups of people. These projects and activities will be monitored to ensure they are making a positive difference to people’s lives.
10. The outcomes are widely supported by national indicators and local measures, including those already agreed in the Buckinghamshire Local Area Agreement. This will help us compare our performance against other areas in the country. For more information about the delivery of the vision, visit our website at, The Chiltern Community Strategy .
Buckinghamshire Local Area Agreement
11. The Buckinghamshire Local Area Agreement is central to the delivery of the family of Sustainable Community Strategies.
12. The Local Area Agreement is led and coordinated by the Bucks Strategic Partnership. It is a contract between partners in Buckinghamshire and the government to deliver measurable improvements to the quality of life and services for residents over a three year period. The agreement consists of a framework of improvement targets which reflect the priorities in the Sustainable Community Strategies.
Links to spatial planning
13. The ambitions in this strategy cannot be achieved without a direct link to the spatial plans for the area. This is done through ‘Local Development Frameworks’ at District level. Local Development Frameworks are a new kind of planning framework and set out planning policy for each District, and for the County overall to 2026. They are closely aligned with the family of Sustainable Community Strategies and these will work together to achieve our vision.
Themes and Outcomes
14. This Sustainable Community Strategy has five broad themes. These reflect the issues that you [residents’] have told us matter most.
o Thriving Economy o Sustainable Environment o Safe Communities o Health and Wellbeing o Cohesive and Strong Communities
15. The five themes link and overlap. Therefore, taking action in relation to one theme will often have a positive effect on another theme. For example, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour (Safer Communities)
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makes the area safer and more attractive for business to invest in (Thriving Economy).
16. There are also three cross-cutting themes which are central to the Sustainable Community Strategy. These are:
o Responding to demographic change o Addressing inequalities o Encouraging personal responsibility
17. To meet the vision for 2026, these crosscutting themes must be fully considered when developing action plans.
Responding to demographic change
18. In Chiltern, the total population is likely to remain relatively static but the proportion of older people, particularly the over 80s, is set to grow at a faster rate than for Buckinghamshire as a whole. Reductions in the 18-64 and 0-17 populations are also forecast. The population of Buckinghamshire will increase due to the substantial growth in the north of the County and at the same time the proportion of older people in the south of the county will grow. We need to recognise and plan for these changes if we are to achieve the outcomes set out in this strategy.
Addressing inequalities
19. Tackling disadvantage is crucial if we are to achieve the outcomes set out in the strategy. Our approach must include targeted actions and ways of working which best address the inequalities experienced by different groups and communities.
Personal responsibility
20. This is a strategy for the community and cannot be effectively delivered without the support and active involvement of residents. Important examples include improving health through active lifestyles, and creating a sustainable environment through reduced waste and carbon emissions.
Thriving Economy – Aims
21. The economic recession is a key challenge for Chiltern’s economy. We are particularly vulnerable due to our comparatively high number of small businesses that are struggling to get credit and face uncertain demand. Chiltern also has a significant number of residents with salaries dependent on the success of the London economy.
22. A lack of affordable housing makes it difficult to recruit workers essential to the vitality and functioning of communities and this is made worse by the higher public sector wages paid in London. To remain competitive, our workforce needs to develop skills which meet the requirements of the economy into the future. Our education, skills and learning institutions must support this aim. In addition, as Chiltern’s elderly population increases, some people may need support to remain in employment for longer should they wish or need to do so.
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23. Finally, Chiltern, like many other areas, faces increasing congestion which is also detrimental to the functioning of our economy.
We aim to:
- shared aim across Buckinghamshire - area focus in Chiltern District
Build business, enterprise and innovation and promote global competitiveness Increase access to support and advice for residents, local business and entrepreneurs during the recession and beyond Improve business start-up and survival rates Buy more products and services locally Increase opportunities for flexible working
Develop skills and employment for the future Maintain employment levels Improve the skills of the workforce and residents to better match and support the needs of the local economy, now and into the future
Increase affordable housing Provide more affordable homes for local people and essential workers
Support strategic infrastructure requirements Maintain the amount of employment land (land used by business and industry for offices, warehousing and technology parks etc) and encourage its most efficient use Increased journey time reliability and improve transport connections to local employment centres in a sustainable way Efficiently manage and maintain the transport network
Promote investment in Buckinghamshire Improved vitality and viability of town and village centres
Sustainable Environment – Aims
24. Residents value Chiltern’s outstanding natural environment and buildings of cultural value and historical significance. However, there are tensions between development requirements and the quality and character of our natural and urban areas.
25. As an area Chiltern is responsible for higher levels of carbon emissions and greater use of gas, electricity and water than many other districts. Residents are dissatisfied with the condition of our roads. Finally, Chiltern is a clean District but we must maintain partnership working to suppress fly-tipping.
We aim to:
Tackle climate change Reduced the carbon footprint and use of natural resources Adapt to the effects of climate change and mitigate the causes
Enhance and protect local environment
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Continue to conserve and enhance the natural and built environment, in particular the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and our cultural and historical assets. Positively manage development pressures in the District and mitigate the impact of development outside the District Continue to work with partners to tackle fly-tipping and maintain a litter free District
Reduce waste, reuse resources, increase recycling and energy recovery
Efficiently manage and maintain the transport network Improve the conditions of our roads and pavements
Safe Communities - Aims
26. Residents tell us that a low level of crime is the most important factor in making somewhere a good place to live. Chiltern is a safe place to live but the fear of crime in Chiltern is greater than actual levels of crime. Much crime in the District is committed by offenders travelling from other parts of the region and this requires partnership working both within our District and across much larger geographic areas.
27. We also need to address:
o a general lack of knowledge in our communities about what to do in a large scale emergency; o the need to further improve road safety; and o public confidence in the police and local council to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour.
We aim to:
Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour Reduce serious acquisitive crime and violent crime in our communities Reduce anti-social behaviour in our communities Develop wider partnerships and co-operation across larger geographic areas
Reduce fear of crime Improve engagement and communication with local communities to reduce the fear of crime and increase confidence in the public sector
Reduce the harms caused by alcohol and drugs Reduce the harm that drug and alcohol misuse causes within our communities
Improve the safety of local people Improve actions to safeguard vulnerable adults and young people Improve road safety to reduce the risk of death or injury from transport incidents Increased awareness of what to do in a large scale emergency
Health and Wellbeing – Aims
Sustainable Communities Page 79 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
28. To ensure the future health of our population, we must respond positively to the needs of our ageing population, reduce health inequalities across our District and promote healthy lifestyles generally.
29. Elderly people need greater levels of support to help them remain independent and enjoy wellbeing in later life. Part of the solution involves supporting and advising people so they can make the best possible choices for their well-being.
30. There are health inequalities in Chiltern and marked differences in life expectancy between our most and least deprived wards. In addition, although our population is generally healthy, some residents make unhealthy lifestyles choices such as high food and alcohol consumption, putting their future health at risk. Secure and decent homes are also essential to health and well-being as is improved accessibility to services, particularly in rural areas.
We aim to:
Promote healthy lifestyles For residents to live healthier, longer, happier lives Reduce obesity Increase participation in physical activities Improve mental health Reduce the number of smokers Reduce the number of increasing risk and high risk drinkers
Reduce health inequalities Reduced deprivation and health inequality between different areas and groups of people Ensure homes are of an acceptable and decent standard Reduce fuel poverty, particularly for the elderly Reduce heart disease, diabetes and stroke in the most ‘at risk’ groups Reduce social isolation
Improve quality of life for an ageing population Support for Chiltern’s ageing population and helping people take care of themselves and live independent lives Help people stay in their homes for longer Improve the support for carers Support families with budgeting advice Provide ‘extra care’ housing (self-contained homes with access to care and services) to enable more older and vulnerable people to live independently for longer
Improve quality of life for children and young people Improve support and wellbeing for all children and young people Close the gap between the most advantaged and disadvantaged children and young people Help children and young people to realise their potential Increase the provision of positive activities for children and young people and ensure they know what is available Encourage and enable children and young people to participate in decision making
Reduce homelessness Ensure there are fewer homeless people in our District
Sustainable Communities Page 80 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Create well connected communities Improve the transport network Improve access to health and leisure services to support our rural and urban communities Work with parishes, towns and communities to develop the local delivery of services to meet local needs
Cohesive and Strong Communities - Aims
31. A key challenge is to give people the opportunity to have a real say in the decisions that affect their lives and their communities. Chiltern’s communities are becoming more diverse and we need to take a positive and sensitive approach and be flexible in meeting their needs. There is a greater need to understand our communities and how they relate to each other.
32. We believe we should make more use of our communities’ potential and capacity for participation and volunteering which we believe is particularly great in Chiltern. We must also address anti-social behaviour by promoting greater personal responsibility and respect for people’s rights.
We aim to:
Sustain and grow a thriving voluntary and community sector Increase community participation and volunteering whilst supporting the voluntary and community sectors
Increase the confidence of communities Increase the confidence and ability communities have to deal with their own local issues Improve the opportunities for people to have their say and influence decisions Improve the way we deal with diversity and promote equality in our communities by working more closely with local people and communities
Help all communities get on well together Improve support for good relations within and between communities
Reduce levels of disadvantage Reduce deprivation and health inequality between different geographical areas and groups of people (see Health and Wellbeing theme for more details)
What each one of us can do to make Chiltern a better place
33. We all have a part to play in making Chiltern a place we identify with and feel proud of.
34. We recognise that people have rights and responsibilities. Our partnerships will respect and promote those rights, while at the same time encourage personal responsibility. It is essential for individuals and communities to take positive action if our shared vision is to become a reality, as many improvements will require a combination of partnership work and individual lifestyle changes.
Sustainable Communities Page 81 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
35. All the Buckinghamshire Local Strategic Partnerships are actively encouraging everyone in their areas to do something to help themselves and their local community, as this will directly help to achieve the outcomes in the Community Strategies for each District.
The Chiltern Community Partnership includes representatives from: o Chiltern District Council o Federation of Small Businesses o Buckinghamshire County Council o Business Link o Thames Valley Police o The Entertainer o Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue o Voluntary Impact Service o Bucks Community Action o Buckinghamshire Primary Care o Community Matters Trust o The Chiltern Racial Equality Council o Paradigm Housing o Chiltern Citizens Advice Bureau o Nexus Community o Amersham and Wycombe College o Parish and Town Councils o Older Persons Action Groups o Local Revitalisation Groups and o Chesham Probus Community Partnerships o Chalfont St Peter Chamber of o Buckinghamshire Economic and Commerce Learning Partnership o Chiltern Arts Forum
Sustainable Communities Page 82 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Biodiversity
1. All around us, in our woodlands and hedgerows, our fields and rivers, even in our gardens, countless varieties of birds, plants, insects and other animals live out their lives. This is biodiversity – the richness and endless variety of life on earth.
2. Councils have a duty to have regard to the purpose of conserving biodiversity in all their functions. Planning policies should maintain, enhance, restore or add to biodiversity and geological features. They should protect existing features. They should promote new green infrastructure in new development.
3. In Chiltern District, there are several levels of designation designed to protect biodiversity. There are nationally designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, a Local Nature Reserve, Local Wildlife Sites, Biological Notification Sites, Local Geological Sites and many Ancient Woodlands. There are two chalk rivers; the Misbourne and the River Chess. Chalk Streams are a priority in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and are globally rare. These and the other chalk rivers within the Chilterns AONB are a characteristic feature of the landscape and provide an important habitat for some of the country’s most threatened species. Chalk rivers in Chiltern District are fed by ground water which is stored in a chalk aquifer.
Indicator BIO 1: Achievements of Buckinghamshire Biodiversity Action Plan
4. The Buckinghamshire Biodiversity Action Plan is about just that - taking action for biodiversity in Buckinghamshire. It identifies important habitats and species for which a wide range of local and national organisations, as well as individuals, will take practical steps to conserve. It sets measurable targets and identifies the organisations and individuals responsible for meeting them, to attempt to map out a brighter future for biodiversity in Buckinghamshire. The Action Plan has 8 generic objectives and 37 actions for the period covered by the Plan. Further details are available on the Buckinghamshire Partnerships web site at, http://www.buckinghamshirepartnership.gov.uk/partnership/bmkbp/biodiversity_action_plan.p age
Changes in areas of biodiversity importance 5. CLG guidance points out that those areas of biodiversity importance should be recognised in the local authority’s Development Plan for their intrinsic environmental value. This should take the form of an analysis of sites of international, national, regional and local significance.
6. Policies CS24 and CS32 of the Core Strategy relate to protecting and improving biodiversity and green infrastructure assets.
7. The Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre (BMERC) have again provided an update report for the Council that shows losses or additions to biodiversity habitat in the district. This, and previous reports are available on the Council web site at, http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/article/2301/Biodiversity-in-Chiltern-District
Biodiversity Page 83 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Sites of international significance 8. There are no sites within Chiltern District that have been given international designations, i.e., Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Ramsar Sites although it is close to Burnham Beeches.
Sites of national significance 9. A relatively small proportion of Chiltern District has been designated as being of national importance for its biodiversity or geodiversity, i.e., Special Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI) and National Nature Reserves (NNR).
10. Although there are no NNR’s in Chiltern, there are 4 SSSI’s. The largest is Hodgemoor Wood, west of Chalfont St Giles with an area of 103 hectares. Nearby to the north is the small SSSI at Froghall Brickworks (0.31 hectares in area). The meadows on either side of the River Chess in the valley bottom between Chenies and Sarratt comprise the remaining two SSSI’s, both of which extend into Hertfordshire (1.97 hectares in area).
11. Of the SSSIs, the largest Hodgemoor Wood is in ‘Favourable condition’. The smallest Froghall Brickworks is in an ‘unfavourable - recovering’ condition, while the condition of Chenies Bottom continues to be ‘Unfavourable – no change’.
Location of SSSI’s in Chiltern District
These Maps are Reproduced from Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. 100023578. 2013
Sites of local significance 12. With a total area of 1,638 hectares, just under 10% of Chiltern District is identified as being of local importance for its biodiversity or geodiversity. Local sites fall into the following categories:
Local Wildlife Sites (LWS)……………………..995.7 hectares Biological Notification Sites (BNS)………..632.5 hectares Local Nature Reserves LNR)………………….14 hectares Local Geological Sites (LGS)………………… 4.6 hectares Total area…………1,637.8 hectares
Note: There are overlaps between several of these local designations, e.g., LGSs and LNRs may also be Local Wildlife Sites (LWS), so the figures for total hectares are over-estimates
National Indicator 197 (NI 197) 13. NI 197 measures the performance of local authorities biodiversity improvement by assessing the implementation of positive conservation management on Local Wildlife Sites (LWS’s) and Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIG’s). These two site types are known collectively as Local Sites (LS). NI 197 also relates to the influence local authorities have on LS systems and the measures and procedures involved in ensuring
Biodiversity Page 84 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
effective conservation management is introduced to, and acted upon, by LS owners and managers. Assessing the extent of positive management will also identify sites where positive management is lacking and will help focus the effort in ensuring that LS are managed and their biodiversity value is maintained or enhanced.
14. Bucks County Council have compiled a methodology to assess the positive management of LS’s, and in 2008/09 established a ‘positive conservation management’ baseline for each of the Districts and Buckinghamshire / Milton Keynes as a whole. Table BIO-1 updates the baseline data to a base date of 31st March 2012.
Table BIO-1: Chiltern Local Wildlife Sites in Conservation Management
Table LS1: Chiltern Local Sites in conservation management Local Sites & in Positive / Non Positive Conservation Management in Chiltern.
Number % Reporting is as at 31st March 2012.
(2010/11 in brackets) 75 100% Number of Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) (74) (100% )
Total number of LWS’s in Positive Conservation Management 26 35% (% of total LWS’s) (27) (36%)
Total number of LWS’s not in Positive Conservation Management 1 1.3% (% of total LWS’s) (1) (1%)
48 64% Total number of LWS’s which are Data Deficient (46) (62%)
Total number and proportion of Local Sites with Positive 59 78.7% Management
Total number and proportion of Local Sites with Positive 26 44% Conservation Management (27)
Total number and proportion of Local Sites with Management 18 30.5% Schemes (21)
Total number and proportion of Local Sites with Management Plan 7 (6) 11.8%
Total number and proportion of Local Sites with Management 7 (6) 11.8% Guidance & Advice
Total number and proportion of Local Sites with Biodiversity Action 1(1) 1.7% Plan
Total number and proportion of Local Sites with No positive 16 21.3% management Source: Bucks CC Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes – NI 197 Report 2011/12
15. Overall, over 35% of all Chiltern’s Local Wildlife Sites were in positive conservation management at 31st March 2012, a 1% reduction over the previous year. While only one Local Wildlife Site was recorded as not being
Biodiversity Page 85 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
in positive conservation management, just under two thirds continue to be data deficient to enable an assessment to be made.
16. Tables 1 and 2 in paragraph 2.5 of the 2011 update of the BMERC Biodiversity Report for the Council gives further details of the status of conservation management and management activities.
17. The 2011 Biodiversity Report is available on the Council web site at, http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/article/2301/Biodiversity-in-Chiltern-District
Indicator BIO 2: Rivers of good or fair chemical & biological water quality
River Quality 18. The Environment Agency monitors river water quality using the General Quality Assessment scheme (GQA). This method assesses the chemical, biological and nutrient quality levels within the water body. Recently, a more comprehensive method of assessment has been introduced under the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Under this directive the EA looks at rivers, lakes, estuaries and coasts, and the chemical and quantitative status of groundwater using around 30 different measurements grouped as either ‘ecological’ or ‘chemical’. Further information can be found on the Environment Agency website at, http://www.environment- agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/37811.aspx
19. Analysis was undertaken in 2008 by the Environment Agency on number of sections of river all over the country. The upper sections of the Misbourne and Chess Rivers have their source in Chiltern District and flow into the River Colne and ultimately the River Thames. They received the following quality ratings based on their chemistry and biology - A to F (very good to bad) and nitrates and phosphates - 1 to 6 (very low levels to very high levels)
River Misbourne (Gerrards Cross from Sewage Treatment Works to Denham) Chemistry Biology Nitrates Phosphates C A 6 6
20. The River Misbourne receives a moderate rating in terms of chemistry and experiences very high levels of nitrates and phosphates. However this does not seem to have had a negative effect on the biodiversity of this stretch of river with a very good rating for biology which suggests high levels of nutrients may be occurring naturally.
River Chess (Chenies Relief to Loudwater) Chemistry Biology Nitrates Phosphates A A 4 5
21. The sampled stretch of the River Chess demonstrates a very good rating in terms of chemistry and biology, although the levels of nitrates and phosphates are relatively high. Again this may suggest that the occurrence of nitrates and phosphates in this river is a natural phenomenon.
22. According to the draft Thames Basin Management Plan there are a number of activities that affect the quality of water courses in the Thames region:
Biodiversity Page 86 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Flood defences – for example with artificial river embankments Housing growth - leading to pressures on water quality and water resources Sewage systems – leaks and overflows Industrial waste - containing organic matter Open space management - using fertilisers and pesticides River maintenance and dredging - releasing pollutants from contaminated sediment Surface run-off - from roads, driveways, car parks and contaminated land.
According to the WFD, the water quality of both the Misbourne and Chess rivers continue to be are “at risk” because of their, “low altitude, small catchment areas and calcareous (chalk) geology”.
Indicator BIO 3: Number of incidents of major & significant water pollution occurring in a particular year in each of the District
There were no significant water pollution incidents in Chiltern.
Indicator BIO 4: Quality & quantity of groundwater
23. Groundwater is an important natural resource. It acts as a reservoir from which good quality water can be abstracted for drinking and for use in industry and agriculture. It is also valuable in maintaining wetlands and river flows, acting as a buffer through dry periods.
24. Groundwater moves slowly through the ground and so the impact of human activities may last for a relatively long time. It may be difficult to clean up, even once the source of pollution has been removed, so we need to focus on preventing pollution in the first place. Groundwater provides base flow for surface water systems and so its quality may affect the quality of those surface waters.
25. In other words, the effects of human activity on groundwater quality may impact on the quality of associated aquatic ecosystems and directly dependent terrestrial ecosystems. Groundwater is much more widely present than surface water, so it is even more difficult to prevent pollution, and to monitor and restore water quality.
As with the quality of river water in Chiltern, the Environment Agency considers that according to the Water Framework Directive, groundwater associated with the chalk aquifer found in the Chiltern Hills and which includes the whole of the District, is “at risk”.
The Environment Agency web site confirms that the Agency did not object to any planning applications on the grounds of adverse effect on ground water quality.
Indicator BIO 5: Area of ancient woodland
26. Ancient woodlands in Britain are those which have been continuously wooded for a minimum of three to four hundred years, (although not necessarily with the same type of tree cover). They are frequently very diverse and will often also contain rare or unusual species. They may also
Biodiversity Page 87 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
have historical and archaeological significance, because of the low level of physical disturbance.
27. English Nature describes ancient woodland as,
“……woodland growing on a wide range of soil conditions, from very acidic to base-rich, and includes most semi-natural woodland in southern and eastern England, and in parts of lowland Wales and Scotland. Most woods of this type were traditionally coppiced, particularly those on moderately acid to base-rich soils. Quercus robur is generally the commoner oak (although Quercus petraea may be abundant locally), and may occur with virtually all combinations of other locally native tree species, such as field maple, elm, lime, ash and hornbeam. Most sites are relatively small and have well-defined boundaries”.
28. 1,743 hectares of woodland in Chiltern with an area more than 2 hectares is identified as being “ancient”. It comprises 9% of the total area of the district. As there are over 330 separate areas of ancient woodland in the District they are too numerous to report on the condition of each. As a comparison all woodland in Chiltern with an area more than 2 hectares totals 3,322 hectares (17% of the total area of the district).
29. On the English Nature, ‘Nature on Map’ web site, (http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/), the MAGIC geographic database gives the location of each ancient wood in Chiltern on an Ordnance Survey base map. A multi-agency project is under way in the Chiltern Hills to update and extend below 2 hectares the inventory of ancient woodlands. This will be reported during 2012 and will increase the area of such woodlands.
2013
Biodiversity Page 88 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Indicator BIO 6: Area under agreement under Environmentally Sensitive Area & Countryside Stewardship agri-environment schemes
30. The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) schemes operated by the Department for Farming & Rural Affairs (Defra) aim to maintain and often to enhance the conservation, landscape and historical value of the key environmental features of an area, and, where possible, improve public access to these areas.
31. Using Defra data there are no Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Chiltern.
32. With the introduction of ESAs, no new Countryside Stewardship Schemes (CSS) have been designated. There are no Countryside Stewardship Schemes in Chiltern.
Indicator BIO 7: % of Chiltern residents who think that for their local area, over the past three years, that access to nature has got better or stayed the same
33. The following Audit Commission Area Profile “Quality of Life Indicator” from 2003/4 provide the most up to date view of Chiltern residents about ‘access to nature’.
National Chosen Mean Indicator Period Value Trend Quartile Area Value (1=best) % of residents who think that for their local area, over the past three years, 2003/04 Chiltern 96.75% 93.45% that access to nature has got better or stayed the same.
Biodiversity Page 89 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Shopping
CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION
o Main shopping centres: Chesham, Amersham on the Hill, Chalfont St Peter o Position of Main shopping centres in County Shopping Hierarchy: 2nd tier District Centres (Buckinghamshire County Council – Structure Plan Review – Retail Policy, January 2003) o District shopping centres: Amersham Old Town, Great Missenden, Little Chalfont, Chalfont St Giles, Prestwood, Holmer Green o Total gross retail floor area in main shopping centres: 67,417 square metres o Total gross retail floor area in district shopping centres: 32,619 square metres o Number of retail units in main shopping centres: 392 o Car parking spaces in main shopping centres: 986 o Car parking spaces in district shopping centres and Tesco (Amersham Old Town): 1,002
Number of Number of Gross floor public off- public off-street District Shopping Number of area 1997 street parking parking spaces Centres units – square spaces in on edge of metres shopping centre shopping centre 464 Chesham 159 31,607 (includes 260 at 426 Sainsbury) 255 (1) Amersham on the (includes 20 at 143 24,002 840 Hill rear of M&S Simply Food) 237 Chalfont St Peter 90 11,808 (includes 72 at - Budgens) Total 392 67,417 986 1,258
Local Shopping Number of Number of Gross floor Centres public off- public off- street Number of area 1997 street parking parking spaces units – square spaces in on edge of metres shopping centre shopping centre Amersham Old Not known 7,239 171 - Town Tesco (Amersham 1 7,676 540 - Old Town) Great Missenden 90 Not known 6,490 (includes 15 at - Co-op) Little Chalfont Not known 4,753 50 - Chalfont St Giles Not known 3,627 94 -
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Number of Number of Gross floor public off- public off- street District Shopping Number of area 1997 street parking parking spaces Centres units – square spaces in on edge of metres shopping centre shopping centre Prestwood Not known 1,872 47 -
Holmer Green Not known 962 10 - Total Not known 32,619 1,002
Sources : Buckinghamshire County Council – Structure Plan Review – Retail Policy, January 2003; Chiltern District Council off-street parking data and planning application data
Convenience Retail Expenditure Per Capita (2000 prices) Growth Growth Growth Expenditure 2001 2002 2007 2011 2016 2001- 2001- 2001- per capita 2007 2011 2016 Chiltern £1,577 £1,601 £1,731 £1,842 £1,992 10% 17% 26% Source : Annex A – Table 2A - Buckinghamshire County Council – Structure Plan Review – Retail Policy, January 2003
Comparison Retail Expenditure Per Capita (2000 prices) Growth Growth Growth Expenditure 2001 2002 2007 2011 2016 2001- 2001- 2001- per capita 2007 2011 2016 Chiltern £2,202 £2,273 £2,663 £3,023 £3,542 21% 37% 61% Source : Annex A – Table 3A - Buckinghamshire County Council – Structure Plan Review – Retail Policy, January 2003
Total Convenience Business Expenditure (£million) Growth Growth Growth Expenditure 2001 2002 2007 2011 2016 2001- 2001- 2001- per capita 2007 2011 2016 Chiltern £140.7 £142.6 £153.3 £162.0 £173.9 8.8% 15.1% 23.6% Source : Annex A – Table 4A - Buckinghamshire County Council – Structure Plan Review – Retail Policy, January 2003
Total Comparison Business Expenditure (£million) Growth Growth Growth Expenditure 2001 2002 2007 2011 2016 2001- 2001- 2001- per capita 2007 2011 2016 Chiltern £196.5 £202.5 £235.6 £265.9 £309.3 19.9% 35.3% 57.4% Source : Annex A – Table 5A - Buckinghamshire County Council – Structure Plan Review – Retail Policy, January 2003
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Large Food Stores (over 300 square metres net) Floorspace Number of Date Town Operator Location (sq.m. parking opened net) spaces Tesco Out of Centre 3,385 1990 540 M&S Simply Town Centre 520 1982 25 Food Amersham Iceland Town Centre 420 1980 6 Waitrose Town Centre 970 Dec 0 2010 Sainsbury Town Centre 2,601 1999 249 Chesham Waitrose Town Centre 1,520 1989 357 Chalfont St Peter Budgens Town Centre 859 1981 72
Great Missenden Co-op Town Centre 470 nk 15 Source : Annex B – Table 1C - Buckinghamshire County Council – Structure Plan Review – Retail Policy, January 2003
Retail Warehouses Town Operator Location Easts Builders Edge of Town Amersham Merchants Centre Out of Town Amersham Jewson Centre Motor Parts Out of Town Chesham Direct Centre Out of Town Chesham Howdens Centre Chesham Colour Out of Town Chesham Supplies Centre Edge of Town Chesham Topps Tiles Centre Edge of Town Chesham Wickes D-I-Y Centre Great Missenden Jewson Out of Town Original source : Annex B – Table 2C - Buckinghamshire County Council – Structure Plan Review – Retail Policy, January 2003 & CDC planning permission records
Background
CHILTERN DISTRICT COUNCIL & SOUTH BUCKS DISTRICT COUNCIL - JOINT RETAIL/TOWN CENTRE STUDY 1. In 2007 Chiltern District Council and South Bucks District Council commissioned a joint town centre, retail and leisure study. This included an assessment of the main district centres, namely Amersham on the Hill, Beaconsfield, Chalfont St Peter, Chesham (and Gerrards Cross). The study assessed the future need for additional retail, commercial leisure facilities and other town centre uses. Set out below in paragraphs 16.4 to 16.19 are the main findings of the study. This report was prepared before the current economic downturn.
2. The retail element of 2007 Study was being updated during the autumn of 2009. Its findings were reported in the 2009/10 Annual Monitoring Report and are repeated again in this Report.
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3. The key findings of the household survey in relation to Chiltern were that large food stores are the primary destinations for main food shopping and the preferred destination for these shopping trips tends to be stores relatively close to the respondents’ homes. Residents do not tend to travel significant distances for main food shopping (more than 10 minutes drive time). Tesco at Amersham Old Town is the most popular destinations for main food shopping.
4. Over 70% of respondents indicated that they undertook small scale shopping or top-up shopping trips in addition to their main food shopping trips. The location for top-up shopping trips varied between local shops and large supermarkets.
5. The survey results indicate that the study area includes parts of the primary shopping areas of four major centres located just outside the study area boundary, i.e. Slough, High Wycombe, Uxbridge and Watford. Within Chiltern the main non-food shopping destinations are Amersham and Chesham. Residents within the study area have an extensive choice of shopping destinations, and not all of each household’s non-food expenditure will be spent at one destination.
6. A high proportion of respondents travel by car for both food and non-food shopping, and a relatively low proportion use the bus or walk. This reflects the rural nature of parts of the study area and high levels of affluence and car ownership. Many residents would shop more often at their nearest district centre if improvements were made, in particular to car parking provision and the choice of shops. However, improvements within these centres are unlikely to significantly extend each district centre’s primary catchment area.
7. Overall the survey results indicate that Chiltern is not self-contained in terms of comparison non-food shopping facilities. Major centres surrounding the District attract a significant proportion of shopping trips. The District is more self-contained in terms of food and grocery shopping, with a relatively high level of expenditure retention based on our experience.
8. An assessment of available expenditure and existing shopping patterns suggest that convenience goods sales floor space within Chiltern is collectively trading about 19% above the expected levels, £22.40 million above average, and the largest food stores (Tesco, Sainsbury and Waitrose) appear to be over-trading.
9. In qualitative terms, the District has a good selection of large food stores, supported by a range of smaller supermarkets and convenience stores. If the Tesco store in Gerrards Cross (South Bucks District) is implemented then there are no obvious areas of deficiency in main and bulk food shopping provision in either District.
Comparison Retailing (Non-Food Durable Goods) 10. An assessment of available expenditure and existing shopping patterns suggest that a significant amount of comparison goods expenditure in the study area is spent at shopping centres outside the District, and residents’ have a significant choice of shopping destinations e.g. High Wycombe, Hemel Hempstead, Slough, Uxbridge and Watford are the main comparison shopping destinations in the sub-region.
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11. Overall comparison retail sales floor space within the District appears to be trading healthily, which is consistent with a relatively low shop vacancy rate within most of the main centres.
12. In qualitative terms all residents in the District have an excellent choice of comparison shopping destinations. The large shopping centres in towns surrounding the District have an excellent provision of national chain stores. In terms of national comparison multiples, town centres within Chiltern are unlikely to compete with these much larger centres. However, the shopping centres in Chiltern have a local distinctiveness, e.g. Old Amersham has a range of high quality independent specialists. High Street comparison shops within Chiltern are generally characterised by a limited number of multiple retailers selling lower order comparison goods e.g. card shops, chemists, children’s clothes and small household goods, and independent specialists selling a wide range of goods including clothing, furniture, antiques etc.
13. The gap analysis of the main District centres indicates there is scope to improve comparison shopping in all the centres. However, the availability of premises is restricted in all centres, and the development of new shop premises will be required to improve comparison shopping provision in these centres. New development should reflect the local distinctiveness and current role of the centre, in order to ensure the centre continues to complement rather than attempting to compete with larger centres.
14. Based on our analysis the priorities for the main centres is as follows:
Amersham on the Hill and Chesham – a mix of unit sizes to attract both chain stores and small independent shops and services; Chalfont St Peter and Amersham Old Town - predominantly small to medium sized units (200 sq gross or below) suitable for small independent shops and services.
15. There are currently 7 retail warehouses in the District, located in Amersham on the Hill, Chesham and Chalfont St Peter. Of these 3 are builders merchants. The provision of retail warehouse stores is therefore poor, due no doubt to planning policies and the good provision that exists in neighbouring larger towns. The latter may restrict the viability of larger retail warehouse units within Chiltern.
The Hierarchy and Role of Centres
16. The boundaries of town and district shopping centres are identified on the Adopted Local Plan Proposals Map along with primary shopping frontages. Associated with these areas are policies that seek to maintain the vitality and viability of the centres. These identified areas are considered to fall within the definition of a town centre in the National Planning Policy Framework1. They comprise Amersham on the Hill, Chesham, Chalfont St Peter (main centres) and Amersham Old Town, Chalfont St Giles, Little Chalfont, Great Missenden, Prestwood and Holmer Green (district centres).
17. In the main shopping centres of Amersham-on-the-Hill, Chesham and Chalfont St Peter, Core Strategy Policy CS18 promotes the development
1 Paragraph 23 National Planning Policy Framework
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of new retail, leisure, entertainment, arts, cultural facilities and tourist attractions providing they:
enhance or maintain the range and quality of local facilities, add to the vitality and viability of the area, are in keeping with the scale and character of the surrounding buildings and the locality, contribute to the maintenance of a safe environment, retain any existing ground floor retail floor space and retail frontage and do not involve any net loss of residential accommodation.
18. Residential use of upper floors of buildings will be supported and encouraged. Under Core Strategy Policy CS16, changes of use of an employment use to residential use will be acceptable on the upper floors of properties in the three shopping centres.
19. Taking into account the guidance in the NPPF, the draft Delivery Development Plan Document will look at the boundaries of the main town and district centre boundaries as well as potential development opportunities within them. It will also look at identifying primary and secondary shopping frontages within the centres.
Amersham on the Hill 20. Amersham on the Hill is considered to be a healthy, vital and viable District centre. It continues to have a low vacancy rate despite the economic downturn and provides a fairly typical mix of retail and services for a centre of its size. In terms of local distinctiveness, Amersham on the Hill’s environmental quality and shopping experience offer nothing particularly unique although the addition of M&S Simply Food and recent opening of a Waitrose store have improved choice for shoppers albeit at the expense of other well known stores. Environmental improvements and landscaping at the north end of the centre (north east end of Sycamore Road and Woodside Road) have helped improve its appearance. The weekly street market in Amersham on the Hill is under new management and now has a wider of variety of stalls. There is a small market in the Market Hall in Amersham Old Town.
21. The District Council is in discussions with Sainsburys about the provision of a supermarket in Amersham on the Hill. No planning application had been submitted at the date of publication of this Report.
Shopping Page 95 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
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Chalfont St Peter 22. Chalfont St Peter is also considered to be a healthy, vital and viable District centre. It is a small centre with a more limited range and choice of shops and services than other District centres in Chiltern. However, the centre’s village ambience and provision of many small independent and specialist traders’ differentiate it from other centres, and this is the centre’s key strength. The strategy for the centre recognises this and seeks to maintain and enhance the character of the centre. The introduction of more chain stores could change the character of the centre. The attraction of more independent traders to increase the range and choice of shops and services should be encouraged through small scale development.
Shopping Page 96 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
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Indicator S1: Total new shopping floor space permitted
Table S1: Total new shopping floor space permitted during 2011/12 in town and district shopping centres - gross (net) square metres (sqm)
Number of permissions granted for new retail 2 development (Use Class A1) Gross floor space permitted for A1 retail +104 sqm (+21 sqm) development (net in brackets)
24. Proposals for new shopping development and its replacement in the shopping centres of in Chiltern continue to be very small in scale with only a small increase in retail floor space in the town and district shopping areas. Further details about permissions (and completions) in town centre and district centres are available here on the Council web site.
Shopping Page 97 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Indicator S2: Loss of A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 uses to other uses in principal shopping frontages in main and district shopping centres
Table S2: Loss and gains of A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 uses in principal shopping frontages (1) in main and district shopping centres: 2011/12 (gross square metres – sqm)
Number of permissions granted for change of use involving 1 net loss of A1 retail floor space Amount of A1 retail floor space lost (sqm) 83
Number of permissions granted for change of use involving 0 gain of A2 financial & professional services floor space Amount of A2 financial & professional services floor space 0 gained (sqm)
Number of permissions granted for change of use involving 1 gain of Use Classes A3/A4/A5 catering floor space Amount of Use Classes A3/A4/A5 catering floor space +83 gained (sqm) (1) includes the whole of Amersham on the Hill shopping area which has no principal shopping frontage policy in the Local Plan
Indicator S3: Proportion of retail and non-retail ground floor frontages within the shopping areas of Amersham on the Hill, Chesham and Chalfont St Peter
Indicator S4: Number and proportion of vacant ground floor premises in shopping areas of Amersham on the Hill, Chesham and Chalfont St Peter
25. These indicators give information about the relative proportions of retail and non-retail in the 3 main shopping centres in Chiltern and the number of vacant premises. Over time, this information helps to give an indication of the ‘health and vitality’ of the centres in Chiltern.
26. Towards the end of 2012, a Retail and Town Centre Study Update and Impact Assessment was carried out by Peter Brett & Associates in connection with the Council’s emerging Delivery Development Plan Document. It includes a survey of the number and use of retail and non- retail uses as well as the number of vacancies. The results set out below in Table S3 relate to the whole shopping area rather than just the principal shopping frontage as in previous Annual Monitoring Report’s.
Shopping Page 98 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Table S3: Use of ground floor units in main shopping areas – December 2012
Whole Shopping Area – use of ground floor units (1) Non- retail Retail Shopping Centre (includes Vacant (Use Class Total Use units (1) A1) Classes A2-A5) no. % no. % no. % no. Amersham on the 99 66 40 26 12 8 151 Hill Chesham 102 66 38 25 14 9 154
Chalfont St Peter 57 70 20 24 5 6 82
Total 258 65 108 27 31 8 397
Source: Experian GOAD 2012 & Peter Brett & Associates Retail and Town Centre Study update and Impact Assessment – Chiltern District - 2013 (1) Where vacant last known use recorded
In Amersham on the Hill, at 66% the proportion of retail units was just below the UK average of 68%. The proportion of non-retail uses was above the UK average of 19% while the proportion of vacancies was below the UK average of 12%.
There was a similar situation in Chesham and Chalfont St Peter, with the proportion of retail and vacant units below the UK average, and the proportion of non-retail units above the UK average.
Despite the continuing economic downturn, at 8% the proportion of number of vacant units in the 3 main shopping areas continues to be below the UK average of 12%.
Before the Council commissioned report referred to above, in 2011 the Local Data Company produced a report on vacancy rates in town centres nationally during the first half of that year2. This showed that across the country the number of vacant shops had trebled since 2007 to an average vacancy rate in town centres of 14.5%. Town centres in the North and Midlands dominate those with the highest number of empty shops. The report showed there were 25 town centres where one in four shops is empty.
In the ‘small’ town centre category, in which the 3 main shopping areas in Chiltern fall, the vacancy rates in the 10 ‘worst’ varied from 25.1% to 36.4%.
Therefore the proportion of vacant shops of between 6% and 9% in Chiltern’s main town centres compares favourably with the ‘small’ town centres included in that report.
2 A Review of GB Shop Vacancy in 1st Half of 2011 – Local Data Company 8th September 2011
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Indicator S5: Number of vacant upper floors above premises in shopping areas of Chalfont St Peter, Chesham and Amersham on the Hill
Table S5: Number of vacant upper floors in main shopping areas – March 2013 Number of Shopping Centre vacant units Amersham on the Hill (1) 16
Chesham 7
Chalfont St Peter 3
Total 26 Source: the number of vacant upper floors is based on the number of visible ‘for sale’ and ‘to let’ boards – 5th March 2013 (1) includes the ground and first floor of the Chiltern Commerce Centre, Woodside Road.
27. The difficulties of obtaining data for this indicator meant that as with the original survey in 2006, the survey continues to be a ‘crude’ count of the number of visible ‘for sale’ and ‘to let’ boards displayed on upper floors of premises in the main shopping areas.
28. When compared to the 2011 figure there was an increase of 3 in the overall number of vacant upper floor commercial premises being marketed for commercial use by use of signboard.
29. The relatively stable number of vacant upper floor offices at a time of economic downturn, is a good indication of the success of planning policies that allow their change of use to residential use. Such changes of use are encouraged by Core Strategy Policies CS16 and CS18. While the number of permissions granted for change of use of upper floors in shopping centres from commercial to residential use is small, it is on the increase, particularly in Amersham on the Hill. In 2011/12, 3 flats were permitted in the Chesham and 6 in Amersham on the Hill shopping areas.
30. Based on this ‘crude’ evidence, the number of vacant commercial upper floor units in the main shopping centres does not appear to be a significant problem.
31. It is clear that none of the shopping centres in Chiltern District can expect to compete with other much larger shopping centres that lie just outside the district and further afield in respect of comparison retailing (non-food durable goods). Recent extensions to the shopping centres in Hemel Hempstead and High Wycombe have increased the ‘draw’ these centres have to residents of Chiltern.
32. Furthermore, in the next few years, the significant extension planned to the Aylesbury shopping centre will increase the attractiveness of that centre to Chilterns’ residents.
Shopping Page 100 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12
Historic Heritage
CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS
Scheduled Ancient Monuments
Number and location of Scheduled Ancient Monuments: 18
o Grim's Ditch - Longcroft/Leylands Farm – Cholesbury o Grim's Ditch – west of St. Leonards o Cholesbury Danish Camp o Earthwork enclosures in Brays Wood, Chartridge o Barn & moated site at Grove Farm (2 areas), Whelpley Hill o Whelpley Hill camp o Grim's Ditch - Woodlands Park, Great Missenden o Moated site at Redding Wick, Wood Lane, South Heath o Bowl barrow in Lowndes Park, Chesham o The Castle, moated site, Great Missenden o Castle Tower, motte & bailey, Brays Lane, Hyde Heath o Remains of St. Mary Magdalen's Church, Chenies Bottom o Medieval undercroft, Chenies Manor o Hawridge Court o Little Pednor Farm, Chesham o Frith Hill, Great Missenden o Moated site north west of Chalfont Lodge, Denham Lane, Chalfont St. Peter
Listed Buildings
Number of Buildings Listed as being of Special Architectural and/or Historic Interest : 1,081
o Number of Grade 1 listed buildings : 13 o Number of Grade 2* listed buildings :31 o Number of Grade 2 listed buildings : 1,037 o Total: 1,081
Conservation Areas
Number, area and location of Conservation Areas: 19 and 569 hectares (1,406 acres).
o Cholesbury & Hawridge o The Lee o Chesham (town centre and old town) o Great Missenden o Chesham Bois o Chenies and Latimer o Little Missenden o Weller Estate, Amersham on the Hill (2 areas) o Shardeloes, Amersham Old Town o Elm Close, Amersham on the Hill o Amersham Old Town o Penn Street o Coleshill
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o Chalfont St Giles (village centre) o Gold Hill Common, Chalfont St. Peter o North Park & Kingsway, Chalfont St. Peter o Firs Estate, Chalfont St. Peter o Jordans o Penn & Tylers Green (part in Wycombe District)
Historic Parks and Gardens
Number, area and location of Historic Parks and Gardens: 6 and 648 hectares (1,601 acres).
o Latimer House, Latimer o Shardeloes, Amersham Old Town o Chenies Place (Woodside), Chenies o Milton’s Cottage, Chalfont St Giles o Bulstrode Park, Gerrards Cross (part) o Missenden Abbey, Great Missenden
Sites of Archaeological Interest
Number and area of locally important sites of Archaeological Interest: 84 and 494 hectares (1,220 acres).
Scheduled Ancient Monuments 1. Chiltern District has a rich and diverse historic heritage which encompasses archaeological sites, scheduled Ancient Monuments, Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Conservation Areas and Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. For more information about these designations go to the English Heritage web site, http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1369 . Information is also available on the Council web site at, http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/planning/heritage .
2. Policies CS20 and CS21 in the Core Strategy along with saved policies in the Local Plan seek to protect this historic heritage. The following indicators monitor this.
Indicator HH1: Number of Scheduled Ancient Monuments destroyed or affected by development, and removed from or added to the statutory list, or at risk
Scheduled Ancient Monuments Affected during Number of sites 2011/12 Sites completely destroyed None
Sites removed from statutory list None
Sites added to statutory list None
Sites at risk None
Number of developments permitted on land within a 2 Scheduled Ancient Monument
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Scheduled Ancient Monuments Affected during Number of sites 2011/12
Number of developments on sites within a Scheduled Ancient Monument for which a prior assessment of the 1 archaeological resources was required following the grant of planning permission
3. Three planning permissions were granted development within an Scheduled Ancient Monument, two at the Danish Camp in Cholesbury, the other at Hawridge Court, Hawridge. However, all were for extensions to existing houses situated in the scheduled areas. The Buckinghamshire County Archaeological Officer did not object to either and required a programme of archaeological work to be submitted and agreed as a condition of the permissions at Hawridge Court.
4. Looking forward and although not yet formally approved, the proposed route of the HS2 high speed rail line through Chiltern District could affect the Scheduled Ancient Monument at Grim's Ditch, Woodlands Park, Great Missenden which runs along the north west boundary of the district.
No Scheduled Ancient Monuments were damaged during 2011/12.
5. Although not within a scheduled ancient monument, a number of developments were permitted where archaeological investigation was required by the Buckinghamshire County Archaeological Officer before works starts. Details of the largest schemes where this happened are set out below.
6. The development of 14 flats permitted at the rear of the former Wrights Seed Merchants shop in Germain Street, Chesham, itself a listed building. Construction of a new winter storage lake on the new golf course on the edge of Chorleywood. A new nursing home on the site of the former Chesham Cottage Hospital because the cultivation terraces on part of the site are considered to be of archaeological and historic interest. Again in Chesham, works associated with the change of use and extension of The Cock Tavern in The Broadway to create flats could affect archaeological deposits of medieval or post-medieval date. Therefore appropriate investigation, recording, publication and archiving of results must be allowed before works starts.
Buildings of Special Architectural and/or Historic Interest 7. Chiltern has a rich architectural and historic heritage with over 1,000 buildings and features included in the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest compiled by the Secretary of State for National Heritage. These buildings are known as "listed buildings". The principles followed in selecting buildings for listing and classifying them to show their relative importance are set out guidance from English Heritage at, http://www.english- heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.13734 . Information is also available on the Council web site at, http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/planning/heritage .
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8. As shown in the Contextual Indicators, at the end of 2010/11 there were 13 ‘Grade I’ buildings, 31 ‘Grade II*’ and 1,037 ‘Grade II’ listed buildings in the district. About half of these were located within Conservation Areas and two thirds were in residential use.
Indicator HH2: Number of Statutorily Listed Buildings demolished or extended, and removed from or added to the statutory list, or at risk
Demolitions, Alterations and Additions to Listed Buildings during 2011/12 Buildings completely destroyed 0 Buildings removed from statutory list 0 Buildings added to statutory list 1 Buildings at risk 0 Buildings regraded (higher grade) 0 Number of Listed Building Consent applications to extend or alter granted 56 Number of Listed Building Consent applications to extend or alter refused 13 Number of Listed Building Consent applications to demolish granted 0 Number of Listed Building Consent applications to demolish refused 1 Source – Chiltern District Council planning application records 2011/12
9. The changes to statutory list during the year were:
Added – Chesham Station and Signal Box [Source: English Heritage]
10. Development proposals now have regard to the guidance in Section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Development proposals that were permitted are where the Councils Historic Buildings Officer considered they would not adversely affect the historic and architectural interest of the listed building.
That part of the objective in respect of Listed Buildings was generally met during 2011/12
Conservation Areas 11. The Council, as local planning authority, is required to consider from time to time which parts of its area are "areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance", and to designate such areas as "Conservation Areas".
At the end of 2011/12 there were 19 conservation areas in Chiltern (see Contextual Indicators for their location). The extent of the Amersham old town conservation area is shown in orange on the aerial photograph below. Further details about the conservation areas including individual designation documents are available on the Council web site at, http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/planning/heritage .
Page 104 Historic Heritage Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12
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Indicator HH3: Number of applications for development on land or buildings in Conservation Areas permitted and refused
‘Saved’ Local Applications for Development in Conservation Areas during Plan policies 2011/12 CA1, CA2 & CA3 Number of Applications Permitted (includes applications for planning permission, advertisement consent, listed building, conservation area 58 consent and telecommunication notifications) Number of Applications Refused (includes applications for planning permission, advertisement consent, listed building, conservation area 13 consent and telecommunication notifications) Source: Chiltern District Council planning application records 2011/12
12. To ensure that the special historic environment found within the district’s Conservation Areas is protected the Council has a formal arrangement with Wycombe District Council to use their conservation officers, as consultants, for advice on specific planning applications in conservation areas. Development proposals now have regard to the guidance in Section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
New or alterations to existing Conservation Areas 13. The Council is required to periodically carry out a review and designate new or alter the extent of existing Conservation Areas.
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Indicator HH4: Number of new Conservation Areas designated or existing Conservation Areas altered
14. Given the number of existing Conservation Areas, there is considered to be little scope for identifying further entirely new areas in the District. At the National Society for Epilepsy Centre in Chalfont St. Peter, the Council decided not to designate as a conservation area the original buildings and landscaped grounds that date from the turn of the 20th century.
During 2011/12 the Council did not create any new or alter existing Conservation Areas.
Environmental appraisals or enhancement schemes within existing Conservation Areas 15. The Council has a duty to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation or enhancement of its Conservation Areas. Close co-operation between the Council and local interest groups, residents, Chambers of Commerce and other public bodies, is essential. The Council will encourage voluntary schemes and consider implementing its own schemes where resources permit. In connection with voluntary schemes, for example, by Town or Parish Councils or local amenity groups, the Council will offer help where needed with specialist advice and will give consideration to a supporting financial contribution.
Indicator HH5: Number of Conservation Area appraisals completed
16. During 2005/06 the Council employed a consultant to undertake a rolling programme of appraisals of the designated conservation areas in Chiltern. Those designated during the late 1960s by Buckinghamshire County Council were done first. The table below sets out progress to date.
Conservation Area Appraisals – Progress update
Conservation Area Progress as at 31st March 2012 Appraisal completed Penn & Tylers Green Public Consultation (part in Wycombe completed District)
Cholesbury & Draft prepared Hawridge Held in abeyance Draft prepared Little Missenden Held in abeyance Chesham Held in abeyance Chalfont St Giles Held in abeyance Amersham Old Town Not started All other areas Not started
17. Although work started on 5 environmental appraisals, for resource reasons and other work priorities relating to preparation of the Council’s Core Strategy and emerging Delivery Development Plan Document, none were completed during 2011/12 and no new ones were commenced.
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Areas of archaeological importance 18. Many nationally-important monuments merit preservation but are not scheduled. Other monuments are of local archaeological significance and are worthy of protection. The Buckinghamshire County Museum has identified a number of unscheduled archaeological sites as being of importance. It has a Sites and Monuments Record that includes details of all known archaeological sites and finds.
19. Archaeological remains are a finite and non-renewable resource. In many cases they are highly fragile and vulnerable to damage and destruction. Archaeological remains and monuments should not be needlessly altered or destroyed. They can contain irreplaceable information about our past and the potential for an increase in future knowledge. They are valuable both for their own sake and for their role in education, leisure and tourism.
20. For more information on archaeology in Chiltern and Buckinghamshire go to the County Council web site at, http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/archaeology/archaeology_and_development.page?
Indicator HH6: Number of sites of archaeological importance destroyed or affected by development
‘Saved’ Local Plan Policy Sites of Archaeological Importance – 2011/12 AS2 Number of developments within sites of archaeological 6 importance permitted Number of developments within sites of archaeological 0 importance refused permission
21. Development proposals now have regard to the guidance in Section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Permission were granted on land with potential archaeological assets in Penn, Chesham and Ley Hill but where the County Archaeological Officer was satisfied that nature of the proposed works would not materially harm the archaeological significance of the assets.
That part of the objective in respect of Sites of Archaeological Importance was met during 2011/12
Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest 22. The English Heritage 'Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England', established in 1983, currently identifies over 1,600 sites assessed to be of national importance. Six are within Chiltern whose locations are listed in the Contextual Indicators. You can search for Registered Parks and Gardens on The National Heritage List for England.
23. It is important to conserve or enhance them because they are deliberately created ornamental environments. They have significant historic interest and are an essential part of both the local and national heritage and environment.
24. Section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) contains guidance on the conservation and enhancement of heritage assets such as historic parks, gardens and their settings. In this respect local plan policy LSQ4 was ‘not saved’ by the Secretary of State beyond the end of September 2007. Since then development proposals have been assessed against the former Planning Policy Guidance 15 and now the NPPF.
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25. English Heritage and The Garden History Society are concerned with the protection of historic parks and gardens. They also encourage local planning authorities to take opportunities for to enhance historic parks and gardens. They are consulted on proposals for new development. Below in purple is the extent of the parkland associated with Missenden Abbey in Great Missenden.
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Indicator HH7: Number of historic parks and gardens affected by development
26. Local plan policy LSQ4 was ‘not saved’ by the Secretary of State beyond the end of September 2007. However, historic parks and gardens are still a constraint when assessing planning applications. No planning applications determined within 2011/12 were within such areas.
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Recreation & Tourism
CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS
Number and location of recreational facilities in Chiltern
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
SETTLEMENT Leisure Centre Indoor Tennis Centre Swimming Pool Facility Leisure Commercial Pavilion Sports Pitch Football Cricket Pitch Rugby Pitch Mini Soccer Pitch Outdoor Tennis Court Outdoor Netball Court Bowling Green Outdoor Hockey Pitch Synthetic Grass All Weather Pitch Area Games Use Multi Equipped Children's Play Area Youth Shelter Facility Skateboard Parks & Recreation Ground Amersham Old 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 Town Amersham on 1 1 1 2 3 2 5 2 1 5 1 1 3 1 1 3 the Hill Ashley Green 1 1 Ashridge Ballinger 1 1 1 1 Beamond End Bellingdon 1 1 1 1 Botley / Ley 1 1 Hill Chalfont St 4 3 1 4 1 1 2 1 Giles Chalfont St 1 1 1 3 1 2 4 2 4 2 1 3 Peter 3 Chartridge 1 1 1 1 1 Chenies 1 1 1 Chesham Bois 2 1 1 1 1 Chesham 1 2 5 3 2 3 7 1 3 12 2 1 7 0 Cholesbury 1 1 Coleshill 1 1 2 1 Forty Green 1 Great 2 2 4 1 1 Missenden 4 Heath End Holmer Green 1 7 1 4 3 1 1 1 1 Hyde Heath 1 1 1 1 Jordans 1 1 1 1 Kingsash Knotty Green 1 1 1 1 Latimer 1 1 1 2 Lee Common 1 1 Lee Gate 1 Little Chalfont 1 3 1 1 1 1 0
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RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
SETTLEMENT Leisure Centre Indoor Tennis Centre Swimming Pool Facility Leisure Commercial Pavilion Sports Pitch Football Cricket Pitch Rugby Pitch Mini Soccer Pitch Outdoor Tennis Court Outdoor Netball Court Bowling Green Outdoor Hockey Pitch Synthetic Grass All Weather Pitch Area Games Use Multi Equipped Children's Play Area Youth Shelter Facility Skateboard Parks & Recreation Ground Little Kingshill 1 1 1 2 Little 1 1 2 Missenden Penn (with 3 3 1 3 1 Tylers Green) Penn Street 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 Prestwood 1 1 4 1 3 1 1 1 Seer Green 1 1 1 1 1 South Heath / 1 Potter Row St Leonards 1 1 1 Swan Bottom The Lee 1 1 Whelpley Hill Winchmore Hill 1 1 1 1 Chiltern 6 7 4 0 4 2 43 33 7 15 5 4 2 4 5 43 5 4 31 District 0 7 Source : Chiltern District Council Planning Policy Guidance 17 (PPG17) – Planning for Open Space, Sport & Recreation study
Other facilities o Number of allotments in Chiltern District: 36 o Golf courses: Chartridge, Ley Hill, Chalfont St Giles (2), Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden (Chiltern Hospital) (Little Chalfont closed during 2010/11) o Theatre: Chesham o Public and community libraries: Chesham, Amersham on the Hill, Little Chalfont (1), Great Missenden, Chalfont St Giles (1), Chalfont St Peter o Museums: Amersham Old Town, Chesham, Great Missenden, Chalfont St Giles (open air) o Details of tourist facilities can be found at, www.chiltern.gov.uk/tourism o (1) community library
1. Recreation is a very broad term which can encompass many activities. Recreational facilities and activities which are of particular relevance to Chiltern District are sports, public open space, common land, allotments, equestrian facilities, public picnic sites and golf courses.
2. The National Planning Policy Framework provides guidance on recreation and tourism by seeking to protect existing and provide new opportunities.
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3. The Council generally supports the provision of sport and recreational facilities where it is consistent with the Core Strategy and ‘saved’ policies in the Local Plan. Core Strategy Policy CS28 seeks to keep and improve existing leisure and recreational facilities and to work with its partners to fins ways of providing new facilities.
Assessment of Recreational & Community Facility Provision 4. In 2004 Chiltern District Council commissioned consultants to undertake an audit and needs assessment of open space and recreation within Chiltern. This was in accordance with Government guidance contained in paragraph 1 of PPG 17.
5. The final report, Chiltern District Council Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facilities Audit and Needs Assessment Study, which included an assessment of community facilities provision, was published in June 2005.
6. The Council published a Chiltern Open Space & Recreation Strategy in November 2006. It is available on the Council web site at, Chiltern Open Space & Recreation Strategy . The Strategy was being revised during 2012 and is due to be published later in 2013.
7. The Strategy sets out the background, the strategic links, the aims and objectives plus an action plan to deliver a range of improved opportunities in the area. It is an ongoing project with an action plan on woodland and open space plus the final report on a connected piece of work focusing on sports pitches in progress. These will be added in due course.
8. An Audit Commission Area Profile “Quality of Life Indicators” gives a viewpoint of the availability of recreation facilities and the satisfaction levels of residents’ in Chiltern in 2005.
Chosen National Quartile Indicator Period Value Trend Mean Value Area (1=best) % of the population that are within 20 minutes travel time (urban - walking; rural - driving) of a range 2005 Chiltern 12.8% 20.86% of 3 different sports facility types, at least one of which has achieved a quality mark. % of residents satisfied with local authority sports 2006/07 Chiltern 64% 57.9% and leisure facilities % of residents who think that for their local area, over the past three 2003/04 Chiltern 90.23% 88.43% years, that sport leisure facilities have got better or
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Chosen National Quartile Indicator Period Value Trend Mean Value Area (1=best) stayed the same. % of residents satisfied with local 2006/07 Chiltern 83% 72.9% authority parks and open spaces % of residents who think that for their local area, over the past three 2003/04 Chiltern 93.49% 86.8% years, that parks and open spaces are better or stayed the same.
Indicator RE1: Local area estimates for adult participation in sport and active recreation (Active People Survey)
9. Core Strategy Policy CS28 seeks to retain and improve leisure and recreational facilities. One of the indicators is local area estimates for adult participation in sport and active recreation (formerly National Indicator NI 8) that is now measured by Sport England’s Active People Survey (Indicator RE1). Another indicator relates to obesity in primary school children (Indicator RE2).
10. Indicator RE1 shows the percentage of the adult population (age 16 years and over) in a local area who participate in sport and active recreation, at moderate intensity, for at least 30 minutes on at least 12 days out of the last 4 weeks (equivalent to 30 minutes on 3 or more days a week). Data is given for frequency, gender, age band and limiting illness and disability.
11. In December 2011, the latest results for the local area estimates were published for the period 2008 to 2010. They form the baseline for assessing the future success of Policy CS28.
12. During 2011/12, Sport England ran the sixth annual survey of participation in sport, Active People Survey 6 (APS6). It started in mid-October 2011 and ran continuously for 12 months until mid-October 2012. More information is available on the Sport England web site, http://www.sportengland.org/research/active_people_survey/active_people_survey_6.aspx
13. The Sport England table and map below presents the results of the APS6. It gives details of the level of participation in moderate intensity sport of Chiltern’s residents between 2005/6 and 2011/12. It shows a general increase in participation during this period, and that in 2011/12 Chiltern residents are in the highest quartile for participation in England.
Recreation & Tourism Page 112 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 - Technical Appendix
Recreation & Tourism Page 113 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 - Technical Appendix
Indicator RE2: Number of existing and new recreation facilities granted permission
14. As well as numerous permissions for development relating to the keeping of horses, below are details of planning permissions granted during 2011/12 for other types of recreation:
Creation of two permanent all weather non-turf wicket areas incorporating associated netting - Prestwood and District Sports Centre Replacement clubhouse (extension of time limit to outline application CH/2006/1932/OA) – Chesham Cricket Club Replacement bunkhouse - Chalfont Heights Scout Camp Chalfont St Peter New play equipment - Holmer Green Sports Association Use of sports hall by outside bodies - Dr Challoners Grammar School Amersham Extension to youth club to create a gym/sports hall - Chalfont St Giles Youth Club
Indicator RE3: Amount of eligible open spaces managed to Green Flag Award standard
15. The Green Flag Award scheme is the national standard for parks and green spaces across England and Wales and is managed by The Civic Trust.
16. The award is a marker of good quality in the management and maintenance of recreational green spaces and is seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards by creating a benchmark of excellence. It can be awarded to any freely accessible public park or green space in either local authority, public or private ownership providing there are no undue restrictions or charge made for entry.
17. The District Council does not at the moment participate in the Green Flag Award scheme because it is not responsible for the management of any significant areas of parks, gardens or recreational areas. This responsibility generally falls to town and parish councils. The exception to this is common land and Great Missenden cemetery.
18. However, Chiltern District supported Chesham Town Council’s successful bid for the award for Lowndes Park in the town. Green Flag status was granted to the park by the Civic Trust in 2008. Renewal of the status for 2013 is being sought by the Town Council.
Indicator RE 4: Number of allotments lost
Development affecting allotments 2011/12 Number of allotments lost None
New allotment provision None
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Indicator RE 5 Number of new or extensions to hotels, guest houses and pubic houses permitted
Development affecting hotels, guest houses and public houses during 2011/12
Number of new hotels, guest houses and public 2 houses, and extensions to existing permitted
19. The permission granted for the change of use of the vacant Pheasant public house in Chalfont St Giles to a veterinary surgery was implemented in the year.
20. Across the district the closure of public houses continues. In Chesham, The Cock and Elephant & Castle public houses have closed and permission granted for their conversion into flats, while The Kings Arms public house (Chesham) is now in residential use.
21. In the rural parts of Chiltern, The Bull at Bellingdon has planning permission for an extension but has closed although it ihas been bought by the nearby Matthews Brickworks. The Pheasant, Ballinger; The Prince of Wales, Little Kingshill and The Gate Inn, The Lee public houses have also closed. The planning permission granted on appeal to use The Gate Inn as a private house has been implemented.
22. The outline permission to build a new hotel near Chesham Underground railway station granted originally in 2008 has been renewed until 2014.
23. The permission to convert Old Jordans Guest House to a private house is being implemented.
Indicator RE 6: Number of new golf courses or extensions to existing golf courses permitted
24. There are 7 golf courses within the district with at least 5 more just beyond the boundary of Chiltern. No new courses or extension to existing were permitted during 2010/11 although permission was granted for revisions to the new golf club permitted (but not yet built) at Green Street on the edge of Chorleywood.
25. The permission granted on appeal to change the use of the clubhouse at Little Chalfont Golf Club into a private dwelling is being implemented.
Recreation & Tourism Page 115 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
Performance Indicators
1. The Council has a suite of local indicators against which to measure its spatial planning and housing performance. Performance reported against selected local indicators during 2011/12 is set out below. Local indicators relating to crime, waste collection and recycling are reported on in the Sustainable Development Technical Appendix.
Selected Planning and Housing Local Performance Indicators 1/4/11 to 31/3/12
National Indicator Actual Target SER NI 154 - Net additional homes provided 1 (formerly NI 154) 177 133 to 145
SER NI 155 - Number of affordable homes delivered (gross) (formerly NI 155) 29 29 SER NI 156 - Number of households living in temporary accommodation at 31/3/12 18 22 (formerly NI 156) SER NI 159 - Supply of ready to develop housing 136% to 100% or more sites at 31/3/2012 (formerly NI 154) 112% 2 (of 5- (of 5-year year supply) supply) SER 23 - Grant planning permission for at least 145 107 145 new dwellings per annum (net) dwellings SER 25 - Percentage of new homes (net) granted 7% 20% planning permission per annum which are affordable SER 26 - Average density of new housing sites of 5 or more dwellings (gross) granted planning permission 45.4 dph 25 3 (per hectare) SER BV 64 – Number of private sector vacant dwellings that are returned into occupation or 86 dwellings 90 demolished SER BV 213 - Preventing Homelessness - number of 151 cases 110 cases cases of homelessness prevented SER 007 - Number of clients directly accessing the private rented sector through local authority 52 45 partnership schemes SER BV 204 - Planning appeals allowed [used to 35.6% less than 35% monitor ‘Saved’ Local Plan policies – see Chapter 8] NI 171 - New business registration rate per 10,000 83.4 50 adult population (2010) 4
1 Policy CS2 Chiltern District Core Strategy November 2011
2 The dwelling requirement from April 2012 to March 2017 (5 year period) is taken from Policy CS2 of the adopted Core Strategy. It is a range of 690 to 838 dwellings (net). Net projected dwelling completions for same period are 937. For further details are in the 2012 Housing Land Supply Trajectory is on the Council web site, http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/article/2949/2012-Housing-Land-Supply-Trajectory
3 The revision of Planning Policy Statement 3 - Housing (PPS 3) in June 2010 deleted the national minimum density target of 30 dwellings per hectare (dph). The target was therefore reduced to 25 dph. Althugh PPS3 was replaced by the National Planning Policy Framework, the target was retained.
4 Government national archives http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20111004125058/http://www.places.communit ies.gov.uk/NewsPages/News_Documents/HubDownloadOct2010.xls
Performance Indicators Page 116 Chiltern District Council Annual Monitoring Report 2011/12 – Technical Appendix
National Indicator Actual Target OPI NI 197 - Improved Local Biodiversity – proportion of Local Sites where positive conservation 37% - management has been or is being implemented (reported by Bucks County Council)
Performance Indicators Page 117