Appendix 4: Responses / other comments not specific to consultation paper questions Comments and proposed Council response Cabinet 18 July 2018 - Core Strategy Review and Site Allocations DPD Hyndburn Local Plan Consultation Feb-Apr 2018 - Responses / other comments not specific to consultation paper questions Rep ID Name / Organisation General Comments Council response Council Notes 409 Emily re: Sustainability Appraisal for the Hyndburn Borough Council Core Strategy Review and Site Noted Hrycan Allocations DPD: As you will be aware, generally, in terms of the historic environment, we considered that the Scoping Historic England - Report had identified the majority of plans and programmes and the key sustainability issues which NW Office were likely to be of relevance to the development of the Local Plan. We believed that it established an appropriate baseline together with a reasonable set of objectives against which to monitor the likely significant effects of the Plan and we considered that it set out the basis for an appropriate framework against which to assess the potential impact which the Policies and proposals of the Plan might have upon the historic environment. We are pleased to note that the comments which we submitted to the Scoping Report have been reflected in this latest iteration of the document. Given the nature of the documents being assessed, we would broadly concur with the conclusions about the likely significant effects which the emerging Policies and options might have upon the historic environment. Historic England strongly advises that the Council’s Conservation Section are closely involved throughout the preparation of the SA of the plan. They are best placed to advise on; local historic environment issues and priorities, how the policies or proposals might be tailored to minimise potential adverse impacts on the historic environment; the nature and design of any required mitigation measures; and opportunities for securing wider benefits for the future conservation and management of historic assets. Finally, we should like to stress that this opinion is based on the information provided by you with your letter dated 20th November, 2017. To avoid any doubt, this does not affect our obligation to provide further advice and, potentially, object to specific proposals which may subsequently arise (either as a result of this consultation or in later versions of the Plan) where we consider that, despite the SA/SEA, these would have an adverse effect upon the historic environment. Page 1 of 14 Hyndburn Local Plan Consultation Feb-Apr 2018 - Responses / other comments not specific to consultation paper questions Rep ID Name / Organisation General Comments Council response Council Notes 415 Warren As a statutory consultee in the planning system, Highways England has a regulatory duty to cooperate. Noted The Council will take Hilton Consequently, Highways England is obliged to give consideration to all proposals received and to air quality and noise provide appropriate, timely and substantive responses. Highways England’s desire to be a proactive into account when Highways England planning partner goes beyond this statutory role, but follows the spirit of the Licence from the Secretary considering future of State for Transport, which states that Highways England should: “support local and national site allocations (in economic growth and regeneration”. the Site Allocations Highways England is charged with operating, managing capacity, maintaining and improving DPD), and continue England’s motorways and major A roads, which form the Strategic Road Network (SRN). It is an to consult with ambition to ensure that major roads are more dependable, durable, and most importantly – safe. Highways England Therefore, this review considers proposals within the Hyndburn Local Plan Issues and Options throughout the Consultation documents and associated local transport strategies, particularly focussing on their preparation of the potential to impact upon the safety and operation of the SRN within Hyndburn district. Core Strategy The SRN in Hyndburn comprises of the M65 motorway and the A56 major A road. The M65 runs west Review. to east across Lancashire between Preston and Colne, and provides East Lancashire with a connection to the wider motorway network via the M6 at Preston. Junctions 6 and 7 of the M65 are within Hyndburn, while Junction 8 straddles the border of Hyndburn and the neighbouring district of Burnley. The A56 runs north to south through Lancashire, and connects M65 Junction 8 to the M66 at the southern edge of the borough of Rossendale. While only small sections of the M65 and A56 run through Hyndburn, both roads are vital for the borough and provide important connectivity to the economic centres of Preston and Manchester. The routes also provide onwards connectivity to the wider SRN and journey opportunities to the north, Scotland, midlands, and southern England. We note that the Council adopted the Development Management DPD in January 2018, and this document now accompanies the adopted Core Strategy DPD and Accrington Area Action Plan (AAP) DPD and forms part of Hyndburn’s Local Plan. Whilst Highways England is not involved in the ‘call for sites’ nomination process, we have considered the following documents: Core Strategy Review: Core Strategy Policies – Scoping Assessment – this consultation paper identifies which policies and elements of the Core Strategy (adopted in January 2012) require review, and whether any new or additional strategic policies are required. Core Strategy Review: Growth Options and Spatial Options – this consultation paper presents a number of different housing and employment growth options to cater for different growth scenarios and ambitions, and several spatial options for the distribution of this growth across the borough. Site Allocations DPD: Scoping and Site Assessment Methodology – this consultation paper confirms the key aims and scope of the Site Allocations DPD, and proposes the methodology the Council will use when assessing and selecting suggested development sites. HIGHWAYS ENGLAND COMMENTS: TRANSPORT EVIDENCE INFORMING THE LOCAL PLAN The East Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan was adopted in 2014, and forms part of the evidence base supporting the Local Plan. The Masterplan was commissioned as part of a wider series of five studies which examined the transport challenges facing each of Lancashire’s economic areas. The aim of this strategy is to identify existing problems and opportunities for improvement, including suggesting and developing appropriate intervention schemes to support and enable planned growth in the area over the coming years. It is noted that since publication, some of schemes identified in the Page 2 of 14 Hyndburn Local Plan Consultation Feb-Apr 2018 - Responses / other comments not specific to consultation paper questions Rep ID Name / Organisation General Comments Council response Council Notes Masterplan have been delivered. These schemes include: F Freckleton Street Link Road in Blackburn; F Pennine Reach BRT Scheme between Accrington, Blackburn and Darwen; and F Redevelopment of Burnley Manchester Road station. While the Masterplan is primarily concerned with local transport connectivity issues, it also recognises the importance of the SRN within East Lancashire for the movement of people and freight. It also identifies the challenges this section of the motorway network faces due to the mixed ownership of the M66, which beyond Junction 10 lies with local authorities. Consequently, developing the wider network will require the input and coordination of multiple agencies, both at a local and regional level. The Masterplan argues that it is vital to ensure the SRN in East Lancashire is capable of supporting the demands which are placed upon it. While operational performance of the SRN within Hyndburn is generally acceptable, wider connectivity to the borough is often threatened by congestion issues elsewhere on the network. These issues are particularly experienced on the southern end of the M66, and on the two-lane section of the M65 east of Blackburn. Highways England would welcome the opportunity to work with local authorities and other partners to ensure sufficient capacity and resilience is available on the network, although it should be noted that growth cannot simply be reliant on the availability of capacity on the SRN for future access and travel needs. The Masterplan also recognises that the SRN in East Lancashire passes close to a number of communities, causing noise and air pollution. While there is pressure to bring about economic growth within East Lancashire, the impacts of this on the SRN must be carefully considered, as growing the local economy is likely to lead to an increase in the number of trips on the SRN, which must be balanced against the increased impacts of air quality and traffic noise on those living close by. Local roads which feed into the SRN may also be affected. Highways England supports growth of local economies through its network, and we are keen to ensure local communities are not unduly affected by increased trips on the SRN. Therefore, we would welcome the opportunity to work with partner agencies to address these concerns and issues and ensure that communities have access to alternative sustainable travel options. Page 3 of 14 Hyndburn Local Plan Consultation Feb-Apr 2018 - Responses / other comments not specific to consultation paper questions Rep ID Name / Organisation General Comments