DevelopmentPlanSOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE Annual Monitoring Report 2010 Information presented in this study represents data monitored from the period:01 April 2009 to 31 March 2010
Submitted to Government Office for the West Midlands December 2010
South Worcestershire Development Plan
Annual Monitoring Report 2010
Information presented in this study represents data monitored from the period:
1St April 2009 to 31st March 2010
Submitted to Government Office for the West Midlands 24 December 2010 SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 1
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 2
CONTENTS PAGE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2
PART A – SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE 10
1.0 INTRODUCTION 11 • Key requirements for Annual Monitoring Reports • Local approach to monitoring • Monitoring the effectiveness of development plans across South Worcestershire
2.0 METHODOLOGY 15 This sets out the process for monitoring our Plans and policies.
3.0 PROFILE OF SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE 21 This section provides facts and figures on South Worcestershire.
4.0 THE PROJECT PLAN 29 (LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME) This examines the progress on the project plan across all three local planning authorities.
5.0 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 39
6.0 ECONOMY AND TOWN CENTRES 44
7.0 HOUSING 60
8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 80
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9.0 CONCLUSIONS 101
10.0 SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS INDICATORS 107
PART B – LOCAL INFORMATION This assesses the performance of our adopted local plan policies against locally set indicators in achieving spatial planning policies and sustainable development.
APPENDIX 1: MALVERN HILLS DISTRICT INDICATORS 118 Malvern Hills’ 5 Year Housing Land Supply 140
APPENDIX 2: WORCESTER CITY INDICATORS 147 Worcester’s 5 Year Housing Land Supply 171
APPENDIX 3: WYCHAVON DISTRICT INDICATORS 190 Wychavon’s 5 Year Housing Land Supply xx
APPENDIX 4: CABE - BUILDING FOR LIFE CRTERIA 230
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 232
DATA SOURCES
USEFUL INFORMATION
FEEDBACK FORM
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is the first joint Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) prepared for the South Worcestershire Joint Advisory Panel and the constituent local planning authorities of Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District Council. It is a technical document prepared by officers of the constituent authorities. It covers the monitoring year 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 and is the starting point for monitoring the implementation of the three constituent local planning authorities adopted local plans and the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).
The AMR is arranged in two parts. Part A provides information and analysis at a South Worcestershire level, including overall conclusions and recommendations for future monitoring arrangements. Nationally set Core Output Indicators provide the measure and guide to local performance. Part B sets out information for each of the district/city authorities, which comprises data and analysis for local indicators (these are freestanding sections and are not summarised here). These indicators are drawn from the individual monitoring frameworks established in each authority as per their adopted local plans and Sustainability Appraisals. This local information will form Part B of the report.
The monitoring year 2009/10 saw the continuation of economic recession. Although the impacts of this will take time to feed through into some indicators, it has had a marked impact on performance against housing and economic indicators. With regard to employment and housing targets South Worcestershire authorities are currently awaiting primary legislation in the form of the Localism Bill scheduled to begin its passage through Parliament from Christmas 2010, and if passed will return decision-making powers in housing and planning to local authorities. As it stands RSS remains part of the Development Plan for the local authorities across South Worcestershire but the weight afforded to it in the case of individual planning applications (and by Inspectors in the case of appeals), will need to be judged against the advice issued by Government and its Chief Planner.
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Whilst in this transition phase it is difficult to know how planning and delivery work will facilitate a speedy recovery of the housing market when demand starts to pick up. It is also recognised that prospects for the housing market, and therefore the rate of house building in South Worcestershire, are uncertain.
The AMR Appendices set out further technical information on housing issues. Part A is arranged in nine sections as shown on the contents page. Section 1 introduces the document. Section 2 explains the key requirements for annual monitoring reports such as the types of indicators, PPS12 requirements and the format for monitoring the objective led policies. Section 3 introduces the South Worcestershire area by providing a geographical and demographic context to the report. Section 4 considers progress on preparation of the Local Development Framework, which is the package of plans being prepared by the three constituent local planning authorities. Sections 5 to 9 set out progress against a range of indicators for the key policy areas of Development Strategy; Economy and Town Centres; Housing; Environmental Quality; and Infrastructure. Section 10 brings together a wide range of data to assess the effectiveness of the three authorities Local Development Frameworks (LDF) using a range of significant effect indicators.
The following table provides a succinct summary of South Worcestershire authority’s performance against key indicators. The picture is mixed and the positives and negatives are addressed within the framework set out by the following key questions:
- Overall Development Strategy – where is development happening?
- Economy and town centres – is a jobs/homes balance being achieved?
- Housing – are targets being met?
- Environmental quality – is it improving?
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Monitoring Data South Worcs Performance Indicator Source Facts 2009/10 2009/10
Number of Households in DCLG, 2010 S.Worcs = 126,336 N/A South Worcs. DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Percentage of SWHLM, households built in 80% 2010 ☺ the urban area. COI, BD2: Total amount & type of SWELM, 72% completed 2010 ☺ floorspace on PDL. COI, H3: New and SWHLM, converted homes 82% 2010 ☺ built on PDL. SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH Number of WCEA, 2010 127,200 (at 2008) employees jobs. - Unemployment WCEA, 2010 5,025 people Count. COI, BD1: Total amount of additional WCEA, 2010 45,013m² ☺ employment by type. COI, BD3: Employment land available with WCEA, 2010 107.96 hectares ☺ planning consent by type. COI, BD3: Employment Land WCEA, 2010 249.71 hectares ☺ Available COI, BD4: Total annual change in South the amount of WCEA, 2010 Worcestershire - floorspace for town figure not available centre uses HOUSING ONS, 2010 Latest Government (Sub-national estimated Population pop. population = N/A Projection to 2033 projections 313,500 people 2008/33)
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Monitoring Data South Worcs Performance Indicator Source Facts 2009/10 2009/10
S. Worcs 2007 = ☺ Improving £277,020 affordability. Average Household WCEA, 2010 Price Home S.Worcs 2009 = £222,422 owners i.e. negative equity. COI, H2a: Net SWHLM, additional homes in 703 2010 monitoring year COI, H2b: Net South Worcs has additional homes in SWHLM, added 3,400 against previous years 2010 Homes to its stock Phase II WMRSS (since 2006) since April 2006 targets Worcs COI, H4: No. of County Gypsy and Traveller Council & 192 Pitches - Pitches SWHLM, 2010 COI, H5: No. of SWHLM, affordable houses 173 Homes 2010 - delivered in 09/10 COI, H6: Building for Life ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COI E1: No. apps Environment contrary to EA None Agency, 2010 ☺ advice COI E2: No. of Worcs apps contrary to Wildlife Trust, None ☺ WWT advice 2010 COI E2: Sites of Biodiversity GIS, 2010 15,087 hectares importance - (hectares)
Natural ☺ not yet COI E2: Health of England, 85% achieving N.E. SSSI 2010 target of 95% but improving SW planning COI E3: Renewable See page 90 (table applications Energy Generation 26) - database Table a: Summary of Monitoring Indicators
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Key
☺ Positive - Clear improvement or targets met
Little or no change
Negative - Clear deterioration or targets not met
- Insufficient/no comparable data (including no targets or trends to
assess against)
The AMR comments on possible reasons for the performance against these indicators in 2009/10. A key factor has been the continuing economic recession. Although the impacts of this will take time to feed through into some indicators, it has had a marked impact on performance against housing indicators in particular.
The concluding section illustrates the key issues and identifies implications for the South Worcestershire Development Plan and for the future approach to monitoring in South Worcestershire. Key points include: • The impact of the recession on housing completions • The need to review progress with employment targets and means of delivering them in order to • Achieve a better jobs/homes balance • The need to frame indicators in a clearer way and set targets where possible, in order for them to • Assess the implications the abolished WMRSS has on South Worcestershire’s monitoring framework • The need to rationalise and better resource the monitoring of policy effectiveness and policy impact across the three constituent local planning authorities
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PART A:
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 The purpose of this document is twofold, firstly this document annually reviews the matters which may be expected to affect the development of South Worcestershire or the planning of its development; and secondly it provides information on the preparation of planning documents and the extent to which policies set out in these are being achieved (Sections 13 and 35 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004). Should you wish to find out further details of these requirements you can also consult Local Planning Regulation 48 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004 and Regulation 17 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (SEA) Regulations 2004.
1.2 Put simply the main objective of the AMR is to establish the effectiveness of policies and proposals in each of the authorities’ adopted and emerging local development plans. It also analyses the performance in meeting the milestones and targets set in the Project Plan.
1.3 On 27 May 2010 and then confirmed on 6 July 2010 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced the revocation of Regional Strategies with immediate effect.
1.4 In August 2010, Cala Homes (South) Limited submitted an application for judicial review of the Secretary of State decision to revoke Regional Strategies. Subsequently on 22 October 2010 Mr Justice Sale approved the judgement in favour of Cala Homes in the High Court. He considered that the powers set out in section 79 [6] of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 could not be used by the Secretary of State to revoke all Regional Strategies in their entirety.
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1.5 However, the Government’s Chief Planning Officer issued a letter on 10 November 2010 which confirms that the primary legislation expected in the form of the Localism Bill will begin its passage through Parliament before Christmas 2010, and will if passed, return decision- making powers in housing and planning to local authorities.
1.6 Most recently, CALA Homes issued a second claim, seeking a declaration from the Court that the government's stated intention to revoke Regional Strategies is not a material consideration for the purposes of making planning decisions. As a result a court has placed a temporary block on the government's claim that its plans to abolish Regional Strategies must be regarded as a material consideration in planning decisions until the latest case can be heard.
1.7 This has had a direct impact on the newly formed South Worcestershire Development Plan and as such the South Worcestershire Joint Advisory Panel released a statement stating that they “…. welcome the opportunity to revisit locally development requirements and not be driven by RSS requirements. However, we recognise the importance of continuing with the production of a planning strategy for South Worcestershire as a basis for encouraging investment and dealing with current and future planning applications.”
1.8 The South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) will set out where development should go and what standards it should aim to achieve. Fundamental matters established in the SWDP will include the roles and relationships between settlements and the timely provision of infrastructure to facilitate growth.
1.9 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 established the Local Development Framework (LDF) as the means by which local planning of the development and use of the land within an area will be undertaken. The LDF must include a Local Development Scheme (LDS) setting out the timetable for production of local development
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documents; a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI); and an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR).
1.10 There are two types of local development document: Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). Area Action Plans are a type of DPD. Whilst DPDs are statements of local planning policy which outline how planning matters will be managed in an area; SPDs provide further detailed guidance to assist implementation. The development plan also comprises saved policies from structure and local plans (currently adopted development policies) that will be replaced in due course as DPDs are prepared by the local authorities.
1.11 The three local planning authorities that make up South Worcestershire all have their own individual LDFs. A fundamental part linking the three LDFs is the SWDP. It is recognised that, as the SWDP progresses it becomes increasingly necessary to monitor cross boundary trends across South Worcestershire.
1.12 This document is therefore the first Joint Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) and fulfils the requirement for the South Worcestershire Joint Advisory Panel and the three constituent local planning authority planning committees to report on the progress of the SWDP. The joint AMR has been produced based on information provided by the local authorities for Malvern Hills District, the Worcester City and Wychavon District Councils. Part A provides information and analysis at a South Worcestershire level, including overall conclusions and recommendations for future monitoring arrangements. Part B sets out information for each of the district/city authorities, which comprises data and analysis for local indicators. Appendices set out further contextual and supporting information.
1.13 This Joint AMR covers the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. Following submission to the Government Office for the West Midlands,
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the document will be published on the web site of the South Worcestershire Development Plan (www.swjcs.org) as well as the websites of the constituent local planning authorities.
1.14 The Malvern Hills District Council Planning Committee approved the AMR for submission to the Government Offices on 8 December 2010.
1.15 Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District Council submitted the South Worcestershire AMR the Government Offices on 24 December 2010.
1.16 A copy of the covering report, minutes and AMR can be found on each of the three local authority websites www.malvernhills.gov.uk, www.worcester.gov.uk and www.wychavon.gov.uk. Following submission to the Secretary of State, we will make copies of the AMR available at our Customer Service Centres.
1.17 A feedback form is included at the end of the document. We welcome your views on the format of the document and its contents.
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2.0 METHODOLOGY
Key Requirements for Annual Monitoring Reports 2.1 Monitoring is essential to establish both what is happening now and what may happen in the future. It provides a crucial feedback loop in the cyclical process of policy-making and helps to address questions like: • Are policies achieving their objectives and delivering sustainable development? • Have policies had unintended consequences? • Are the assumptions behind the policies still relevant? • Are the targets being achieved?
2.2 Three types of indicator are identified in government guidance on monitoring: • Contextual indicators – these establish the baseline position of the wider social, environmental and economic circumstances. Contextual information sits alongside the three main core output indicator themes and can be found in part A of this report. • Output indicators – these are aimed at measuring quantifiable physical activities that are directly related to, and are a consequence of, the implementation of planning policies. Core output indicators are analysed at a South Worcestershire level in part A of this report, whilst the individual authority local output indicators are included at part B. • Significant Effects indicators – these assess social, economic and environmental effects and these should be linked to sustainability appraisal objectives and indicators. Significant effects indicators are covered in part A of this report.
2.3 Planning Policy Statement 12 ‘Local Spatial Planning’ (paragraph 4.47) states that core strategies must have clear arrangements for monitoring and reporting results. Annual Monitoring Reports should seek to achieve four key tasks:
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1. Report progress on the timetable and milestones for the preparation of documents set out in the local development scheme, including reasons where they are not being met. 2. Report progress on the policies and related targets in local development documents. This includes progress against any relevant national and regional targets. Any unintended significant effects of the implementation of the policies on social, environmental and economic objectives should be highlighted. Where policies and targets are not being met or on track or are having unintended effects reasons should be provided along with any appropriate actions to redress the matter. 3. Include progress against the core output indicators, including information on net additional dwellings, and an update of the housing trajectory. 4. Indicate how infrastructure providers have performed and consider whether there is a need to reprioritise any previous assumptions made regarding infrastructure delivery.
2.4 There are a total of sixteen Core Output Indicators upon which progress must be reported by every local planning authority: these cover the themes of Business Development and Town Centres; Housing; and Environmental Quality. There is some crossover between core output indicators and the 188 National Indicators that each authority has to report on a corporate basis, and some of the latter also form part of the Local Area Agreement. Furthermore, all three authorities have a Performance Management Framework to monitor and compare our individual authority performance against agreed objectives and targets.
2.5 Key actions identified as part of the AMR will where appropriate inform each constituent authority’s Service Management Plan and the South Worcestershire Project Plan (previously the Local Development Scheme (LDS)). This will ensure that essential resources are identified
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and agreed to implement these actions. A monthly update is reported to each of the constituent authority’s Senior Management Team. This provides an additional mechanism for monitoring performance and will assist in identifying whether project plan milestones are being achieved allowing actions to be undertaken at the earliest opportunity.
2.6 The format for monitoring the policies is based on an objective – led approach. This is in line with existing regional monitoring and is summarised below:
2.7 The targets identified in the AMR are derived from a number of sources:
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• targets such as the level of development to be provided on previously developed land are set by the Worcestershire County Structure Plan (WCSP) and the adopted Local Plans of each constituent local planning authority; • land use related targets set by a Council through its corporate strategy identified in the Council Plan and its Priority Plans. These are measured through a combination of best value performance indicators, public service agreements, Planning indicators and local indicators; and • targets established by various policies in locally adopted local plans themselves such as the level of new housing and employment land provision over the Plan period.
2.8 In some cases, a single target may work towards a number of Local Plan objectives. For example, an affordable housing target will assist in meeting the objective to meet the housing requirement of the local planning authority through the provision of a range of dwelling types, sizes, densities and tenures. It will also impact on the objective to work towards a better balance between housing, employment, social and community facilities.
Local Approach to Monitoring 2.9 This is the first joint South Worcestershire AMR and it is a starting point for developing a more efficient and consistent approach to monitoring across South Worcestershire. Development of the approach will be overseen by the South Worcestershire Monitoring Group which was established in early 2010 and comprises representatives from the three constituent local planning authorities.
2.10 The main objective of the joint AMR is to establish the effectiveness of policies and proposals in each of the authorities adopted local plans, the emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan and other local development documents. It also provides an analysis of performance
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across the area in meeting the milestones and targets set in each local development scheme.
2.11 Preparation of the joint AMR has experienced some technical difficulties with three different authorities using different IT systems for data capture. This will be addressed over the next 12 months as we establish practical solutions to capture and analyse local data on spatial themes, such as housing, employment, environment and transport, with the existing IT systems.
2.12 This AMR provides information on a number of indicators against which the implementation of local planning policies can be assessed over time, as well as the effects of these policies. The report also includes performance and regulatory monitoring sections around document production; the implementation of plan policies; and changes to Government guidance.
2.13 Reporting indicators is arranged in two parts. Part A focuses on measuring the effects of the three constituent local planning authorities adopted local plans as well as the emerging SWJCS. These focus on the Core Output Indicators that all planning authorities must report on as established by the national Government. Part B provides more local information prepared by each of the Districts / City. This is based on the local indicators previously reported in their AMRs, which vary according to local circumstances and priorities.
Monitoring the Effectiveness of Development Plans across South Worcestershire 2.14 Part A reports on progress under the following broad headings: • Overall Development Strategy – where is development happening? • Economy and town centres – is a jobs/homes balance being achieved? • Housing – are targets being met?
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• Environmental quality – is it improving?
2.15 The SWDP is still emerging, so this AMR is very much about establishing a baseline position against which future trends and performance can be tracked. This year’s report will flag actual or potential issues with the collection of relevant data, or with the framing of indicators and measures. The AMR is an important mechanism for highlighting issues within the monitoring framework and will inform the overall success of the three constituent authorities adopted local plans as well as highlighting potential issues for the emerging SWDP.
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3.0 PROFILE OF SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE
3.1 South Worcestershire is located in the south of the West Midlands, England. The South Worcestershire area encompasses the City of Worcester and the two neighbouring districts of Malvern Hills and Wychavon. The area of South Worcestershire has an overall population of over 286,000. Wychavon is the largest authority in terms of population with over 117,000 residents, whereas Malvern Hills, has the smallest population of 75,000. The overall population figure accounts for over half of the County’s population. (WCEA 2009/10).
3.2 South Worcestershire has good transport links with the rest of the UK. Running throughout South Worcestershire, there are motorway links to Birmingham, Wales and the South West via the M5 and M50. Local railway stations provide rail access to London (2.5hrs) and Birmingham (40min). Additional public transport links are provided by way of a regional bus and coach station in the City Centre with frequent local services and a national coach stop by Junction 6 of the M5. Malvern, Pershore, Evesham and Droitwich have regular services to Birmingham and Worcester, providing access to the rest of the country. South Worcestershire is also well served by international airports, the nearest being Birmingham, Bristol and East Midlands (WCEA 09/10).
3.3 South Worcestershire is an attractive place for businesses due to its links to other cities and countries and its largely rural landscape. Worcester City is a key employment centre with large businesses such as Royal Worcester Porcelain, Lea and Perrins and Worcester Bosch. Malvern Hills is becoming well known, not only for its tourism, but also for its input into technology and science. There are several highly regarded industrial and business parks such as Malvern Science and Enigma Business Park. Wychavon has many local industries such as tourism and food growers, the Vale of Evesham being one of the largest employers of English and Europeans in the County. Wychavon also plays a big part in the engineering industry (WCEA 09/10).
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Figure 1: Map of South Worcestershire
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3.4 Worcester is one of England’s first settlements to gain city status by royal charter, in 1189, and is the principal urban area of Worcestershire. It is rich in archaeological and heritage sites; archaeological finds have proved that Worcester was involved in many different battles, including important Civil War conflicts; and is the primary administrative and employment centre in the county. Geographically, it is located approximately 120 miles (193 km) north west of London and 27 miles (43km) south west of Birmingham in the West Midlands. The City covers an area of approximately 13 square miles, varying between urban, residential and green spaces. The River Severn passes through the centre of the city. Tourism attractions include the Royal Porcelain Museum, Commandary, Worcester Cathedral, The Racecourse and the Cricket Ground.
3.5 Many tourists come to visit the famous Malvern Hills, which are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The entire North West of the Malvern Hills District is a designated Area of Great Landscape Value, centred mainly around the River Teme. The Malvern Hills District is also home to the River Severn, which flows through Upton-Upon-Severn’s Marina. This is a very popular place for people visiting the area to moor their boats (Malvern Hills District Local Plan). The District of Wychavon is also steeped in history. It is home to Droitwich Spa, which is renowned for its extraction of salt from an underground lake. Similarly to Malvern, during the Water Cure period, the Victorians saw the advantages of the high salt content in the water and so bathed in brine baths to cleanse the body. Pershore Abbey is also a very popular tourist attraction.
3.6 South Worcestershire has a diverse range of historic and cultural sites located in its urban and rural landscapes. These range from: • Areas of special architectural or historic interest, where the character is deemed desirable to preserve or enhance;
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• Buildings that represent the best and most important examples of our built heritage; • Scheduled ancient monument ranging from prehistoric standing stones, through to the many types of medieval sites - castles, abandoned farmsteads and villages - to the more recent results of human activity, such as collieries and milestones; • Historical Parks and Gardens reflecting designed landscapes worthy of preservation and the rich and varied contribution landscape fashions of the past have made to our heritage; and • The Medieval (1265) and mid 17th Century (1642 and 1651) registered battlefields of Evesham and Worcester, respectively.
Figure 2: Number of historic sites across the South Worcestershire area (Malvern Hills District (2006), Wychavon District (2006) and Worcester City (2004) Local Plans).
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3.7 Figure 3 illustrates the districts of Malvern Hills and Wychavon as being predominately rural. Although Worcestershire is a largely rural county, roughly 71% of the residents live in the cities or larger towns (WCEA 09/10).
3.8 Due to the area being largely rural, about 25% of people from the county have to commute to and from work (2001 Census). Malvern Hills District has the greatest number of people commuting out of the area. In 2001 it was estimated that 5,682 people commuted to Worcester City adding further weight to emphasising the role of the city as an employment base.
Figure 3: Map of Worcestershire showing principal towns and rural areas (WCEA 09/10).
3.9 Migration figures are more varied and can be heavily influenced by national policy and economy. In 2007/08, the inflow to Worcestershire, as a county, was down to 330 people compared to 1,160 people the previous year (WCEA 09/10). This could suggest that the recession
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affected people’s opinions and options about moving into a more rural county from an urban area, such as Birmingham.
3.10 Some of the key population characteristics of South Worcestershire are outlined Table 1. Population numbers can be found in table 14.
CHARACTERISTIC LOCAL Av. AUTHORITY Pop. No. Area (ha) Household Density Households size
Malvern Hills 57,707 125 33,183 2.4
Worcester 3,328 2,805 42,147 2.25
Wychavon 66,297 170 51,006 2.38
South Worcs 141,742 196 126,336 N/A
Table 1: South Worcestershire population characteristics (Census 2001) (Number of households CLG, April 2010).
Retirement Age 3.11 The average retirement age is currently 60 years for women and 65 for men. The state pension is set to increase over the next 34 years, as the new Government continues to reduce poverty amongst pensioners. In 2024, the pension age, for both women and men, will increase to 66, 67 in 2034 and 68 in 2044 (BBC Website).
3.12 The high level of retired persons has a number of implications for the development strategy. The level of development in sustainable locations with access to a range of services and public transport will assist in meeting the needs of the elderly population.
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3.13 Future AMRs will benefit from monitoring the levels of new health care facilities including Nursing Homes and supported housing. Information will be assessed against information from the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, Vision 21 through consultation on the Community Strategy and our Housing Strategy. For example Malvern Hills District monitors this via local indicator 19 – health care facilities.
Crime 3.14 Over a two year period, from April 2007 to 2009, Worcestershire, as a county, experienced a 9% decrease in crime, from 3,250 to 3,000. Worcester, as a city unsurprisingly experienced the most cases of crime between April 2007 and October 2009. Worcester City recorded 22,000 cases compared to Malvern Hills which recorded 9,000. These include a number of different crimes, for example, theft of vehicles, burglary, Criminal Damage, Robbery (with the threat of violence), and Violent Crime (WCEA 09/10).
3.15 All three authorities, from the end of the financial year 2009/10, experienced an increase in Anti Social Behaviour, with Worcester City recording the biggest increase. The Malvern Hills District, however, have experienced an increase in this crime since 2008/09 (Worcester County Council Research and Intelligence Service).
3.16 The Malvern Hills District has experienced an increase in all crimes since 2008/09 such as criminal damage, and total crime. Wychavon and Worcester City, on the other hand have experienced a drop in total crime. Wychavon had a very small fall in total crime at 2.9% compared to Worcester City’s 20% drop since 2007/08. N.B. Other Crime is defined as arson, shoplifting, and other miscellaneous crimes (Worcester County Council Research and Intelligence Service).
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2009/10 Other Crime 2008/09
Criminal 2007/08 Damage 2006/07 Anti Social Behaviour
Other Crime
Criminal Damage
Anti Social Behaviour
Other Crime
Criminal Damage Malvern HillsMalvern Worcester Wychavon Anti Social Behaviour
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000
Figure 4: Crime in South Worcestershire since 2006/07Criminal Damage and Anti-social Behaviour since 2006/7 (WCC Research and Intelligence Service).
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4.0 THE PROJECT PLAN (LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME)
4.1 Planning authorities are required to submit a project plan called the Local Development Scheme (LDS) to the Secretary of State. The LDS is a public statement setting out what planning documents are to be prepared locally (these are together referred to as the Local Development Framework, or ‘LDF’) and the programme for their production.
4.2 The local development scheme has three main roles: • To create certainty for the public and stakeholders, informing them of the range of plans being produced, the timescales for producing them and the intended outcomes • To effectively prioritise, programme and allocate resources for the preparation of plans • To provide a framework and timetable for the review of plans
4.3 This section will only discuss those projects that are being prepared jointly which focus on the coordinated production of development plans needed to deliver sustainable development in South Worcestershire. Other projects more specific to the individual local planning authorities of Malvern Hills District Council, Worcester City and Wychavon District LDSs are located in appendices one, two and three, respectively.
Joint Working 4.4 The three district councils together with Worcestershire County Council have been working closely together on an informal basis with respect to addressing the implications of Worcester City’s sub-regional role and a Vision for the City.
4.5 A first step in this process was the informal establishment of the South Worcestershire Steering Group, which included leading members from each authority, Chief Executives and planning officers. The informal Steering Group:
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• commissioned technical work into the feasibility of growth associated with the City (which informed work undertaken by the County Council on behalf of the Regional Planning Body); • developed a successful bid under the CLG’s New Growth Points programme; and • considered how to bring forward comprehensive land use and transport infrastructure proposals for the City, which may be required through the RSS review process, using the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and planning processes.
4.6 On the 13th October 2006, the South Worcestershire Steering Group considered options for joint working on Development Plan coverage for Worcester City and South Worcestershire generally. It was agreed that the preparation of a Joint Core Strategy covering the full extent of the administrative areas of Worcester City, Wychavon and Malvern Hills should be recommended to each of the District Councils.
4.7 The respective local planning authorities agreed to work collaboratively on the preparation of the joint Core Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD) for South Worcestershire under the provisions of Section 28 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
4.8 An informal Joint Advisory Panel has been established as a mechanism through which the three local planning authorities will exercise their powers under Section 28 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to prepare one or more joint local development documents. It will make recommendations on the planning purposes agreed to the constituent planning authorities for their determination. It is an informal advisory body not exercising any delegated powers. The County Council cannot be a full voting and participating member, but an observer representing the interests of the Regional Planning Body and its own interests as County Transportation Authority.
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4.9 The terms of reference for the Joint Advisory Panel have been developed and agreed by the Panel at its first meeting on the 19th January 2007, and have been agreed by each South Worcestershire Council.
4.10 The South Worcestershire Joint Advisory Panel guides the development of the proposed joint Core Strategy DPD consisting of three nominated members from each of the District Councils. Its purpose is to:
a. consider reports and examine issues related to the production of a Joint Core Strategy (Development Plan Document) for South Worcestershire and to make recommendations to the three Councils regarding the content and development of the Joint Core Strategy; b. make recommendations to the three Councils regarding the content of the LDS covering South Worcestershire and the timetabling of key Development Plan Documents; and c. make recommendations to the three Councils regarding future plan making and development control arrangements associated with the implementation of the LDS for South Worcestershire.
4.11 The Joint Advisory Panel has no executive / decision making capacity / powers in respect of any of the planning or other functions of the South Worcestershire Local Authorities and does not represent a formally constituted Joint Committee.
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South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy (SWJCS) DPD 4.12 The Issues and Options Paper was prepared over the summer of 2007 with a statutory six-week period of 2 consultation from 2 November until 14 December, 0 although submissions were accepted up to 21 December 2008. The aim of which was to formally start the debate 0 about big planning issues facing south Worcestershire. 7
4.13 Consultation on the Preferred Options Report took place from 19 September to 31 October 2008. Consultation on the Preferred Options for the Joint Core Strategy provides the mechanism to consider the identification of broad 2 locations or strategic sites for growth to serve South 0 Worcestershire, for plan making purposes and also 0 provides a vehicle for agreeing the extent and coverage of an associated Site Allocations DPD. A document 8 containing the Preferred Option responses to public consultation comments was published in late 2010 some six months later than originally scheduled.
4.14 During 2009 it was considered that the SWJCS would need to defer its project timetable by nine months. This 2 was due to a number of technical issues as can be 0 accessed via the Meetings, Minutes and Agendas web page dated 8 September 2009. A recommendation to 0 defer the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy 9 (SWJCS) was approved by all three Councils in autumn 2009. It is now proposed that the final SWJCS will be submitted to the Secretary of State in October 2010 as opposed to April 2010. The LDS has accordingly been revised and approved by all three councils to reflect this new timetable.
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4.15 During 2010 the SWJCS was again deferred albeit for different reasons than those in 2009. As briefly discussed in the introduction the Secretary of State announced in July the intention to revoke Regional Strategies. This has had a significant impact on the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy (SWJCS). D U 4.16 In autumn 2010 the Joint Advisory Panel took the decision to join the South Worcestershire Joint Core R Strategy (SWJCS) and Site Allocations Plan I Development Plan Document together into one plan. This will be called the South Worcestershire Development N Plan (SWDP). The three South Worcestershire G Authorities are still working together on a joint plan, but as a result of the recent changes to the planning system, we have revised our approach and plan to move forward 2 reflecting the new Government agenda. 0
4.17 This proposed timetable (figure 5) brings together the 1 Joint Core Strategy and the Site Allocations and Policies 0 Development Plan Document (re-named as the South Worcestershire Development Plan). The bringing together of the two documents will be beneficial to the public as the whole picture for South Worcestershire is shown. In addition there should be financial savings with one consultation and one examination rather than two.
4.18 This Project Plan has been published on the understanding that it still has to be formerly ratified by the three Councils in December 2010.
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Figure 5: South Worcestershire Development Plan - Project Plan - 2010-2013
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Date(s) Document Stage LDS Milestone On Track Achieved Preparation of Issues and July 07 with July 07 Options and public consultation YES onwards consultation in Nov 07 Public participation on Sept – Oct Nov – Jan 08 YES Preferred Options Report 08 January 2011 Submission of DPD and (revised to take Did not Sustainability Assessment NO account of achieve to the Secretary of State deferment) October 2011 Submission of DPD and (revised to take Did not Sustainability Assessment NO account of achieve to the Secretary of State deferment) Table 2: SWJCS Timetable
South Worcestershire Joint Site Allocations and Policies DPD 4.19 Work on this document began in January 2009 and it was agreed the three Local Planning Authorities of South Worcestershire would produce a joint South Worcestershire Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document. The previous Local Development Scheme (2007) identified the pre-production/survey stage as commencing in August 2008. However the most recent LDS scheduled this to commence in January 2009.
4.20 “Information Gathering” events were held during the latter months of 2009 and early months of 2010. These events were held across South Worcestershire and offered members of the public a chance to consider issues concerning the smaller proposed development sites in their local area. These sites look to accommodate new homes and associated facilities such as employment, shopping, health, education, community and open space. Furthermore the event sought local’s and
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community’s opinions on what type of policies will be needed to guide this development.
4.21 Information gathered from these proposed consultation events (details below) will feed into a draft “Preferred Options” document for the Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document. This plan complements the Joint Core Strategy and needs to be in conformity with policies in the strategic plan.
PUBLIC OPENING NUMBER OF DATE VENUE TIMES ATTENDEES
13 Oct 09 Friary Mall, 10.00am-5.00pm 117 Worcester 15 Oct 09 Friary Mall, 10.00am-5.00pm Worcester 153 17 Oct 09 Friary Mall, 10.00am-5.00pm Worcester 23 Oct 09 Upton Memorial 10.00am-7:30pm Hall 203 24 Oct 09 Upton Memorial 10:30am-3:30pm Hall 31 Oct 09 St.Andrew’s Church, 10.00am-4.00pm 216 Droitwich 6 Nov 09 Priory Lodge 10.00am- 7:30pm 79 Hall, Malvern 7 Nov 09 Priory Lodge 10:30am-3:30pm 60 Hall, Malvern 11 Nov 09 Evesham Town 10.00am- 8:00pm 91 Hall 16 Nov 09 Pershore Town 10:00am- 8:00pm 99 Hall
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PUBLIC OPENING NUMBER OF DATE VENUE TIMES ATTENDEES
18 Nov 09 St.Andrew’s Church, 10:00am-8.00pm 68 Droitwich 21 Nov 09 Pershore Town 10.00am-4.00pm 130 Hall 27 Nov 09 Community Rooms, 10.00am-7:30pm Tenbury Wells 98 28 Nov 09 Community Rooms, 10.30am-3:30pm Tenbury Wells 12 Dec 09 Evesham Town 10.00am-4.00pm 17 Hall 18 Jan 10 Kempsey 205 21 Jan 10 Drakes 2.00pm to 7.30pm 102 Broughton 25 Jan 10 Hanley Swan 100 30 Jan 10 Broadway 10.00am to 2.00pm 55 4 Feb 10 Hallow 173 13 Feb 10 Fernhill Heath 10.00am to 2.00pm 152 15 Feb 10 Harvington 1.00pm to 7.30pm 78 16 Feb 10 Bretforton 1.00pm to 7.30pm 120 19 Feb 10 South Littleton 1.00pm to 7.30pm 80 25 Feb 10 Hartlebury 1.00pm to 7.30pm 97 2 Mar 10 Leigh & 67 Bransford 5 mar 10 Bredon 1.00pm to 7.30pm 400+ 9 Mar 10 Abberley 3.30pm to 7.00pm 119 11 Mar 10 Lower 86 Broadheath
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PUBLIC OPENING NUMBER OF DATE VENUE TIMES ATTENDEES
13 Mar 10 Lower 43 Broadheath 19 Mar 10 Martley 10.30am to 7.00pm 75 20 Mar 10 Inkberrow 10.00am to 2.00pm 200 23 Mar 10 Beckford 1.00pm to 7.30pm 210 26 Mar 10 Callow End 3.30pm to 7.30pm 151 27 Mar 10 Wychbold 10.00am to 2.00pm 53 Table 3: Date, location and number of attendees at the Site Allocations and Policies DPD information gathering events (staffed exhibitions)
4.22 During the period 13 October 2009 and 27 March 2010 the South Worcestershire Development Team saw some 3,500 people attend the information gathering events. The team also received 2,990 responses via questionnaire responses and letters. These can be broken down into several locational themes. The following number of responses focussed largely on: • WORCESTER CITY - 978 • MALVERN - 107 • DROITWICH - 83 • EVESHAM - 34 • PERSHORE - 99 • TENBURY WELLS - 44 • UPTON UPON SEVERN - 67 • VILLAGES - 1,533 • SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE AREA - 2,990
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5.0 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
5.1 The SWDP Vision reflects Sustainable Community Strategy priorities for the county and the three districts/city alike. This means there is much overlap with the Local Area Agreement and the performance monitoring undertaken on a corporate basis by all local authorities.
5.2 Whilst the SWDP has most direct influence on where and how development takes place, it is also about improving quality of life – an outcome that is less tangible and therefore difficult to measure. In future editions, the AMR will include data from the three councils’ place surveys as a proxy measure to provide a baseline position on ‘liveability’. This will provide the levels of satisfaction across the South Worcestershire Area as a place to live.
Distribution of Housing Development 5.3 A potential marker of the emerging SWDP’s effectiveness is the percentage of development at the main urban centres. Targets will eventually be located in the monitoring framework of the SWDP for each element of the defined settlement hierarchy. Currently the three adopted local plans set out the development strategy and specifically the location of new housing development across South Worcestershire. All three authorities state that development will be directed to the most sustainable locations. This will be sequentially determined and briefly reads as follows: • The principal urban areas of Worcester, Malvern Evesham and Droitwich; • Towns of Pershore, Tenbury Wells and Upton upon Severn; • Rural villages as per rural settlement hierarchies; and • Development in the open countryside is controlled. Development is limited to those exceptions established in the adopted local plans
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Net Dwelling % of Completions Settlement Type Completions in in 2009/10 2009/10 Worcester 325 46%
Malvern 164 23%
Droitwich 13 2%
Evesham 45 6%
Pershore 11 2%
Tenbury Wells 3 0.5%
Upton upon Severn 3 0.5%
Rural Villages & 139 20% Countryside
South Worcs Total 703 100%
Table 4: Housing completions by location during 2009/10.
5.4 During 2009/10 table 4 shows that nearly half of all housing development occurred in Worcester City. The urban areas of South Worcestershire accounted for 80% of all housing completions during 2009/10. This baseline data will be a useful reference point for future monitoring and to inform the emerging SWDP.
Use of Previously Developed Land 5.5 The urban emphasis of the three adopted local plans, sets out the principle of maximising the use of previously developed (brownfield) land for new development. Performance in the monitoring year is covered by core output indicators BD2 and H3, as set out in the tables 5 and 6.
5.6 Cumulatively 72% of additional gross employment floorspace was developed on PDL. This can be attributed to several large development sites in Wychavon and the urban nature of Worcester City. Conversely a lower percentage of storage and/or distribution (use classes order
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B8) floorspace being developed on PDL was recorded. This possibly reflects the operational requirements and the desire for edge of town warehouse sites, usually developed on greenfield land. During 2009/10 Wychavon District heavily dominated the level of completions and accounted for 62% of all employment development by floorspace (m²). Malvern Hills District saw the lowest levels of employment completions during 2009/10.
LOCAL B1 B2 B8 B Mix Total AUTHORITY (m²) (m²) (m²) (m²) (m²)
Gross 1,780 294 380 0 2,454 Malvern Hills % PDL 0% 65% 100% 0% 23%
Gross 0 0 0 12,400 12,400 Worcester City % PDL 0% 0% 0% 100% 100%
Gross 7,734 7,953 12,713 1,759 30,159 Wychavon % PDL 93% 100% 41% 100% 73%
Gross 9,514 8,247 13,093 14,159 48,470 South Worcs % PDL 76% 99% 43% 100% 72% Table 5: Total amount of completed employment floor space on previously developed land (PDL) by type during 2009/10 (COI, BD2).
5.7 National Planning Policy for Housing (PPS3) sets a national target for provision of new housing on ‘previously developed land’ (PDL) at 60%.
5.8 In 2009/10, South Worcestershire saw 72% of gross dwelling completions on PDL, some 22% points above the national target. It is expected this position is likely to change in future years as available brownfield sites become built out. This will increase the pressure on greenfield sites to deliver local housing, employment and service needs.
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Gross Dwelling Total Previous % on Completions in Developed Land PDL 2009/10 (PDL)
Malvern Hills 245 181 74%
Worcester City 342 342 100%
Wychavon 178 102 57%
South Worcs 765 625 82%
Table 6: New and converted dwellings built on previously developed land during 2009/10 (COI, H3).
Accessibility – Ensuring access to services and facilities from new developments 5.9 Increasing transport choice and enabling modal shift are integral to the adopted local plans and the emerging SWDP. It is important that, over time, new development is planned in a way that enables people to access services more easily on foot/cycle and by public transport. Indicators of accessibility have been drawn from the sustainability framework as well as GIS analysis undertaken to ascertain how accessible facilities and services are to newly built residential developments.
5.10 As expected there were a higher percentage of dwellings built within a reasonably accessible distance to a service in Worcester City compared to the more rural District of Malvern Hills. It is anticipated future editions will include accessibility data on newly built houses in Wychavon so as to provide a full account of new houses accessibility to services and facilities across South Worcestershire.
5.11 Table 7 provides a best estimate for the number of housing completions within a specified distance of a facility. The location of facilities is based upon spatial data captured a few years ago, for this
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reason there may be instances where recently built dwellings with the specified distance of a facility do not feature in table 7.
Malvern South Facility (Distance) Worcester Wychavon Hills Worcs 243 Bus Stops (400m) N/A N/A N/A (99%) Leisure Centres 98 329 N/A N/A (2km) (40%) (96%) Primary Schools 181 252 N/A N/A (600m) (74%) (74%)
Secondary 160 303 N/A N/A Schools (1.5km) (65%) (89%)
Health 163 297 (Doctors/Dentists) N/A N/A (66%) (87%) (1km) Table 7: Number of houses completed (gross) within a specified distance of a facility.
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6.0 SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH: LOCAL ECONOMY AND TOWN CENTRES
6.1 Currently the Government’s overarching objective is sustainable economic growth. It focuses on the principles of building prosperous communities by improving the economic performance of cities, towns and rural areas; Promoting regeneration and tackling deprivation; delivering more sustainable patterns of development (reducing the need to travel); Promoting vitality and viability of town and other centres as important places for communities; and Raising the quality of life and the environment in rural areas.
6.2 Locally this translates to creating a more self sufficient area, better able to meet the needs of local people. Currently the three adopted local plans focus on creating diverse economies that can better deliver a better job / worker balance; delivering net jobs growth; and increasing the retention of comparison retail expenditure.
6.3 Traditionally, employment monitoring has been based on land supply but in light of the emerging SWDP objective of balancing new homes and jobs, a more direct mechanism will be to use the monitoring of job creation. This monitoring will inform the emerging SWDP.
6.4 This will need to take a reasonably long term view of the commercial property market and general economic changes, as the growth agenda will take time to build momentum. Whilst this AMR incorporates analysis of Core Output Indicators, it is evident that the assessment of job creation (gains/losses) provides a more informative analysis of the economic performance in South Worcestershire.
Employment 6.5 It is important to monitor long term economic performance. Robust data exists via the Annual Business Inquiry 2008, the Worcestershire
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County Economic Assessment 2010 and the recently published South Worcestershire Employment Land Review 2010 (ELR).
6.6 Figure 6 shows that since 2000, the amount of people working full time has risen for all three districts, compared to part time, which has decreased. In 2009, 73% of Worcester City’s employees were full time compared to the 62% figure in 2000. Since 2000, Wychavon experienced the least significant change in its workforce, as it dropped by 1.3% from 70.1% to 68.8% and rose again in 2006 by 2.2% to 71.0%.
Percentage of People Working Full or Part Time
Malvern Hills Wychavon Worcester City
90.00%
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00% Percentage (%) of People Working
0.00% Full Time Full Time Full Time Part Time Part Time Part Time
2000 2006 2009 2000 2006 2009 Year and Full or Part Time
Figure 6: Percentage of people working from home or part time (WCEA 2007/8 and 2009/10).
6.7 It is hypothesised the steady rise in full time workers and decline of part time workers could be attributed to the UK recession, since the later half of 2007, and the resulting reduction in the availability of credit. This affect has created much uncertainty and has directly effected the local employment.
6.8 Between April 2009 and March 2010, Malvern Hills had the highest number of self employed people (17.5%) at working age, suggesting
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the district is more entrepreneurial than any other district in Worcestershire. This may also explain why the Malvern Hills District has the most full time workers. One could argue self employed people have to work longer hours (i.e. full time) in order to make their business successful or viable. Wychavon is the second most entrepreneurial district in the county with 16.3%. Worcester City, however, has the largest amount of working age people being employed at 89.1%. This is considerably more than Wychavon and Malvern Hills figures as they are 83.0% and 81.6% respectively. This reflects the area, as there are many retail outlets and branded stores in and around Worcester City who employ people rather than independent stores or businesses (WCEA 09/10).
6.9 Table 8 sets out the number of employee jobs by authority between 2003 and 2008 (these exclude the self employed). Malvern Hills has stayed relatively static over the last six years where early gains have since been lost. Worcester City has experienced a more disorderly change in the number of available employee jobs, however there has been an overall decline of 3.6% between 2003 and 2008. It is hypothesised both authority areas have been influenced by the reduced availability of credit and the subsequent UK economic recession. Conversely Wychavon District has seen an almost year on year increase in the number of available employee jobs. The extent of this can be seen when comparing Worcester City against Wychavon District. In 2003, Worcester City had 7,000 more employee jobs than Worcester however by 2008 this has been reduced to 300 employee jobs. A more in-depth analysis of employment by industry might provide some clues to these trends.
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Authority 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Malvern Hills 26,800 27,000 26,700 28,000 27,000 26,500
Worcester 52,300 52,700 49,000 50,100 50,900 50,500
Wychavon 45,300 45,900 45,800 48,200 49,400 50,200
South Worcs 124,400 125,600 121,500 126,300 127,300 127,200
Table 8: number of employee jobs by local authority between 2003 and 2008 (these exclude the self employed) (ABI, 2008 and Worcestershire County Economic Assessment, 2009 and 2010).
6.10 The breakdown of business structures from 2008 shows that Public administration, education and health was the largest sector in all three districts. In Malvern and Worcester City, Males dominate the industry, whereas females, in all three authorities, dominate the Public, Administration, Education and Health sector. The smallest industry in Worcester City, Wychavon and Malvern Hills is Agriculture and Fishing, largely due to the growth of the tertiary sector, for example Administration and Insurance. The Hotels, Restaurants and Distribution industry is fairly equal between both genders. This could be because of all the varied work hotels and restaurants require, such as cleaners, chefs, waitresses, waiters, bar and administration staff (WCEA 09/10).
6.11 The Business types between Malvern Hills District and Wychavon are very similar. They both have a large amount of premises occupied by retail outlets, 22.9% and 22.5% respectively, but also have a similar number of factories, 22.0% and 20.4% respectively. Worcester City, on the other hand, is predominantly retail, with over 33% of premises being used in this way. Offices (21.1%) also play a large part in Worcester City’s business structure. As expected, large factories and warehouses are generally not found around the city centre, as space
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for the premises is often hard to find and at a premium. Congestion around a city centre can also be a major problem (WCEA 09/10).
100% Other services 5.1 6 6.4 90% Public administration, 24.2 21.8 education & health 80% 31.8 Banking, finance and 70% insurance, etc 12.7 60% 20.5 Transport and 5.2 communications 20.5 50% 2.7 Distribution, hotels and restaurants 40% 4.7 26.6 22.2 Construction 30% 21.9 4.2 Manufacturing 5.5 20%
15.3 2.9 19.2 Energy and water 10% 11.4 0% Agriculture and fishing Malvern Hills Worcester Wychavon
Figure 7: Employment by industry, workplace-based (Worcestershire County Economic Assessment, 2008).
6.12 Unemployment can be a useful indicator when assessing the economic climate. If unemployment starts to rise, it often suggests that people are being made redundant as businesses struggle to cope. If unemployment figures reduce, it can suggest that businesses are employing more staff to meet demand from customers.
6.13 Figure 8 illustrates the total number of people in Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District claiming unemployment benefits between June 1985 and September 2010. The total number of claimants in South Worcestershire at September 2010 was 5,025. It is observed the recent economic recession has had a direct impact on the rising number of local people claiming unemployment benefits. Though it is still too early to ascertain likely future trends there has been a noticeable decline in the number of claimants when compared against 2009.
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5,000 Worcester Wychavon Malvern Hills
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0 0 07 1 7 03 3 9 99 -00 - n- un- 9 94 -96 - un-05 un-08Jun-09J 90 un-01 un-04J Jun-06Ju J 86 n- un- J Jun-02Jun J - n- un- J Jun-98Jun Jun un-91 J Ju Jun-95Jun un-87 un-88Jun-89Ju J Jun-92 Jun-85Jun J J
Figure 8: Unemployment claimant count - age and duration (Source: NOMIS Sept 2010) https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/query/construct/submit.asp?menuopt=201&subcomp=&Session_GUID={7D4B5DC2-76F3-4E70- A6E8-867A625108D3}
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6.14 Figure 9 shows unemployment figures at September 2010. The data identifies that males were more likely to be unemployed than females across the three local authorities. One might contend that employment sectors heavily dominated by men such as industrial, construction or manufacturing sectors have suffered considerably more than other sectors during the recession. Women dominated sectors were more resilient to the recession, such as teaching and the NHS services, for example social care, where there is always a demand. However the recent austerity measures introduced by the UK Government to cut 25% of government budgets may heavily impact on Worcestershire’s service industry, which has so far weathered the recession better than other sectors.
6.15 It is clear that Worcester City is the main area for employment in South Worcestershire, as it had the highest unemployment figure, at 2,270 people (WCEA 09/10). However this is down by nearly 400 people when compared against data collected in September 2009.
2,500 Male Female
2,000 660
1,500 565
1,000 295 1,610
Number of claimants of Number 1,200 500 695
0 Malvern Hills Worcester Wychavon
Figure 9: Unemployment – Claimant count by gender (%), September 2010 (NOMIS, September 2010)
6.16 Trends across South Worcestershire will be examined in future AMR editions, however during 2009/10 general industrial use (B8)
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experienced the most floorspace developed, with the least floorspace in B2 (general industry) development. Continued monitoring is important to analyse whether the diversification of the economy into higher value activities stated in the adopted local plans and emerging SWDP is being achieved. Although there has been additional floorspace developed across all B use order classes, this should be considered against the very high net losses experienced in Worcester City.
LOCAL B1 B2 Mixed Total B8 (m²) AUTHORITY (m²) (m²) B (m²) (m²)
Gross 1,780 294 380 0 2,454 Malvern Hills Net 1,780 294 380 0 2,454
Gross 0 0 0 12,400 12,400 Worcester City Net 0 0 0 -27,600 -27,600
Gross 7,734 7,953 12,713 1,759 30,159 Wychavon Net n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Gross 9,514 8,247 13,093 14,159 45,013 South Worcs Net n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Table 9: COI – BD1: Total amount of additional employment land by type during 2009/10.
6.17 There were a number of large completions during 2009/10 and they were predominantly located in Worcester City and Wychavon District. Wychavon District provided more additional B1, B2 and B8 employment land than the other South Worcestershire authorities, reflecting its previous economic performance.
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6.18 The following three sites make up 44% of all completions (by floorspace): • Coombers, Brindley Rd, Warndon, Worcester (P08P0240). The site area is 1.24 ha and included 3110m² of B2 floorspace and 1007m² of B8. • Phase two of area seven employment park, off Woodbury Lane, Norton Juxta Kempsey, Wychavon. This development consisted of four B2 units totalling 4533m² net floorspace and 18 B1 units (5574m² net floorspace). White Arrow delivery is one of the businesses using these premises. • The second largest completion in Wychavon was for three units of B8 use totalling 6636m² as part of our Local Plan allocation for Phase II of Vale Park Evesham.
6.19 In the monitoring year April 2009 to March 2010 15.33 hectares of employment land (B1, B2, B8) moved from commitment to completion.
6.20 Malvern Hills: All completions were from windfall development. This trend is not consistent with previous years, with the Employment Site/Windfall split being 1.6/1.6ha per monitoring year from 1996 to 2010. A possible reason for this is the continued effects of the economic recession. Evidence of this can also be seen in MHDC current employment land position, table 11, which shows that at April 2010 MHDC had zero hectares of commitments under construction. This will have a direct impact on the level of likely completions for 2010/11 and beyond.
6.21 Worcester: The level of completions is lower than previous years as in 2009, for example, 5.9 ha of land were made available for new B class uses, while over the fourteen years between 1996 and 2010 (since the start of the local plan) there has been approximately 362,000m2 of new floor space built in the City.
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6.22 Wychavon: for the monitoring period of 2009-2010, when combining RELS and non RELS 13.03ha of employment land has been completed. Between the period of 1996 and 2010, the total employment completions equate to 45.75ha. In the period of 2009- 2010, 2% of the total completions were in Droitwich Spa, compared with the 1996-2010 average of 1%. Evesham accounted for 14% of the 2009-2010 total completions, compared with the 1996-2010 average of 17%. Where as in 2009-2010 Pershore accounted for 0.5% of the total completions, compared with the 1996-2010 average of 2%.
Local Mixed B B1 (ha) B2 (ha) B8 (ha) Total (ha) Authority (ha)
Malvern 5.87 0 0 5.25 11.12 Hills
Worcester 32.98 0.14 0 0 33.12
Wychavon 10.38 6.44 12.93 33.97 63.72
South 49.23 6.58 12.93 39.22 107.96 Worcs Table 10: Employment land available with planning consent by type at April 2010 (hectares) (COI, BD3).
6.23 At April 2010 there were 96.01 ha of unimplemented employment sites and 24.69 ha employment land under construction across South Worcestershire. Thus the amount of employment land available (i.e. those under construction, with planning permission) totals 120.7 ha (gross). It is important that future editions of the AMR continue to monitor the annual levels of available employment land. For Malvern Hills District table nine illustrates a lower ‘bank’ of employment land than that experienced in the previous years. Wychavon approved six units on Vale Park, Evesham with a B8 use and one with a B1 use. In addition to this, five buildings were approved for a combination of B1, B2 and B8 use comprising of 28 individual units. Therefore the total number of units approved in 09/10 for Vale Park Phase II was 35. It is
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anticipated that in the next couple of years we will expect to see a higher number of units under construction and completed for this Local Plan allocation.
Employment Land Position MHDC Worcester Wychavon at April 2010 Worcestershire Structure Plan 55 ha 75 ha 110 ha Requirement 96-11 Gross Completions 1996- 45 ha 37.4 ha 45.75 ha 2010
Gross Commitments at April 11.12 ha 33.13 ha 76.45 ha 2010
UNDER CONSTRUCTION 0 ha 0.22 ha 24.47 ha
OUTSTANDING 11.12 ha 32.91 ha 51.98 ha
Windfall Allowance 1/4/2006 0.86 ha 0 ha 0 ha to 31/3/2011
Residual Balance ((Completions (128.15) + Commitments (120.7) + + 9.71 ha Windfall Allowance (0.86)) - WSP requirement (240)
Local Plan Employment Allocations at April 2010
Malvern Hills Allocations 4.3 ha
Worcester City Allocations 0 ha
Wychavon Allocations 12.73 ha
Total Allocations 17.03 ha
Potential Oversupply Residual Balance (9.71 ha) + +26.74 ha Total Allocations (17.03 ha) Table 11: Employment land available – by type (COI, BD3).
6.24 During 2009/10, 23.11 ha of additional employment land (MHDC = 0 ha, Worcester = 1.24 ha, Wychavon = 21.87 ha) became available.
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When accounting for 8.62 ha of permissions expiring in the same period (MHDC = 2.33 ha, Worcester = 4.0 ha, Wychavon = 2.29 ha), this meant South Worcestershire experienced a net increase of +14.49 ha (MHDC = -2.33 ha, Worcester = -2.76 ha, Wychavon = +19.58 ha).
Town Centres 6.25 Table 12 demonstrates there has been limited town centre development in the 2008/9 monitoring period. A more detailed breakdown by district is included in Part B.
6.26 Unfortunately the Planning and Housing Services at Malvern Hills District Council has recently changed its planning application database provider and as such officers have been unable to analyse retail planning applications held within the database. This has direct impact on the ability of the AMR to analyse data across South Worcestershire, this problem will be resolved for the 2010/11 edition. As a result this year’s AMR can not provide a full analysis of South Worcestershire’s town centres.
A1 A2 Mixed B1a D2 Total City / Town (m²) (m²) A (m²) (m²) (m²) (m²)
Gross 12 - - 56 n/a 68 Droitwich Net -883 - - -839 n/a -1772 Gross 1770 273 - 367 n/a 2410 Evesham Net 1563 273 - -193 n/a 1643 Gross n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Malvern Net n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Gross 132 - - 99 n/a 231 Pershore Net -29 -268 - 99 n/a -198
Tenbury Gross n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Wells Net n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
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A1 A2 Mixed B1a D2 Total City / Town (m²) (m²) A (m²) (m²) (m²) (m²)
Worcester Gross 0 0 0 0 0 0 City Net 0 0 0 0 0 0
Upton Gross n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a upon Severn Net n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a South Gross n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Worcs Net n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Table 12: Total annual change in the amount of floorspace (m²) for town centre uses in South Worcestershire (COI, BD4)
6.27 A retail update is being prepared by DPDS to review the Town Centre and Retail Strategy Study (2007) conclusions and assess whether the emerging SWDP proposals remain valid and achievable. The update also takes account of the recent published PPS4, which the 2007 study did not. The following information is taken from that retail update (which will be published late in 2010).
6.28 Both the 2007 and 2010 update of the Town Centre and Retail Strategy Study identify a clear shopping hierarchy, in terms of the role and function of the city and town centres in the sub-region. Worcester is the pre-eminent shopping centre serving as a focus for comparison goods shopping for the whole sub-region. Competing centres such as Cheltenham, Birmingham and Hereford become more of an influence on shopping patterns in peripheral parts of the study area.
6.29 Evesham town centre has a comparatively broad range of non-food shops and a reasonably wide catchment area. Great Malvern and Droitwich Spa town centres are anchored by large food stores, but their catchment areas for non-food goods are curtailed by the proximity of large competing centres. Pershore, Upton-upon-Severn and Tenbury Wells town centres predominantly serve local needs.
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Retail Rankings 6.30 The Structure Plan hierarchy is based on the Management Horizons Europe (MHE) Shopping Index. In terms of retailing, MHE surveys shopping centres in the UK and ranks them according to their relative retail strength and the assessed level of vitality and viability. The factors influencing a centre’s position in the hierarchy include the number of national multiple retailers present in the centre, the number of key attractors (such as John Lewis or Marks and Spencer), the total retail floorspace available, and the level of vacant floorspace.
6.31 Table 13 identifies the centres within the South Worcestershire Sub- Region, which appear in the national rankings, and the main competing centres in the wider sub-region. The previous rankings from 2000/01 and 2003/04 are included for reference.
MHE Rank 2000/01 2003/04
Birmingham 6 6 Bristol 18 23 Cheltenham 24 24 Bath 30 28 Worcester 53 54 Brierley Hill, Merry Hill 49 61 Hereford 90 77 Gloucester 65 89 Cribbs Causeway, Bristol 89 100 Kidderminster 169 156 Redditch 165 165 Stratford upon Avon 145 170 Evesham 269 262
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MHE Rank 2000/01 2003/04
Dudley 249 301 Bromsgrove 282 336 Tewkesbury 572 565 Stourport on Severn 775 773 Malvern 699 800 Droitwich Spa 739 829 Ledbury 989 1449 Table 13: The MHE shopping index: South Worcestershire and the surrounding area (DPDS, 2007 and 2010). Where 1 is the highest ranked centre.
6.32 Based on 2003/4 data Worcester is ranked 54th in the MHE rankings and significantly higher than any other centre in the South Worcestershire Sub-Region. Evesham is ranked 262nd, Malvern is 800th and Droitwich Spa is 829th. Other centres in the South Worcestershire Sub-Region are not large enough to feature in the rankings. In terms of the changes over recent years, Worcester and Evesham have remained relatively stable over the period, but Droitwich Spa and Malvern has dropped down the rankings significantly.
6.33 The results of the household survey undertaken as part of the DPDS South Worcestershire town centres and retail strategy support the hierarchy structure, as Worcester has by far the highest market share of comparison goods expenditure generated within the South Worcestershire Sub-Region. However, towns and cities outside the Sub-Region also influence shopping patterns within it. The household survey indicates that Cheltenham and Tewkesbury have an influence on convenience and comparison goods shopping patterns within the southern part of the Study Area, whilst Kidderminster and Stratford-
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upon-Avon attract a notable amount of spending generated in the northern part.
6.34 Other towns and cities outside the South Worcestershire area have less influence on shopping patterns in the study area, but the combined draw of destinations such as Redditch, Birmingham, Tewkesbury, Hereford and Bromsgrove is notable.
6.35 For further retail information please visit the SWDP website.
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7.0 HOUSING
7.1 This section introduces and examines three themes that impact and influence housing development across South Worcestershire, these include projected housing and population projections, property prices and managed delivery targets.
7.2 The following documents and sections are listed to assist you in understanding the context and processes involved in arriving at the managed delivery target figures. • AMR 2010 – Appendix; • Focused Sub-Regional Review of RSS Evidence Base to inform the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy, Background Paper 1: Demographics & Housing Need/Demand • Previous AMR Housing Trajectories; • SHLAA, March 2010; • South Worcestershire Housing Land Availability 2010 – Five Year Housing Land Supply, completion rates and commitments; • SWJCS Preferred Options Paper (October 2008) – Spatial strategies for phasing and preferred commitment and location of housing; • WMRSS Phase Two Revision – Draft, Dec 2007; and • WMRSS Phase Two Revision – EIP Report of the Panel, Sept 2009
7.3 Demographic projections are key elements of the ‘theoretical’ numerical calculations of housing need and demand. There has been much discussion about the strength, limitations and uncertainties of demographic projections. Of particular interest were issues relating to the impact of changing economic performance on projections and the demand for housing.
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7.4 Demographic projections are important considerations when considering the level of housing required. However at the same time they do not give a simple answer to the question of how much housing should be provided at regional, sub-regional or local level.
7.5 The following sections will distinguish the differences between population and household projects, identify local population and housing projection data and finally assess the impact on current and future housing land supplies.
Population Projections 7.6 Population projections relate to the number of people projected to live in an area at a particular point in time in the future. This is distinct from household projections which relate to the number of households projected to live in the area. In 2006, the estimated average household size in the West Midlands was 2.36 people per household. The use of both types of projections is well established in planning, for example:
• Household projections are commonly used to give an indication of the additional number of households that may require new housing, if past demographic trends were to continue; • Where as population projections are commonly used as a key basic input into the production of household projections.
7.7 The latest available official population projections are the 2008-based Sub-national Population Projections for England (SNPP). These were published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in May 2010. The 2008-based projections give the most recent indication of future long term trends in population for the period 2008-2033.
7.8 The sub-national population projections are trend based projections which means assumptions about future levels of births, deaths and
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migration are based on observed levels mainly over the previous five years. They show what the population would be if these recent trends were to continue. The projections do not take into account any future policy changes that have not yet occurred.
7.9 Table 14 illustrates the population projections for South Worcestershire according to the 2008-based ONS projections. These suggest an increase in the number of people in South Worcestershire between 2008 and 2033 of 28,300 (or 9.9%). The rate of population growth is similar to that for Worcestershire as a whole (10%) but below the projected population growth in the West Midlands overall (13%).
Predicted Local Population Difference Difference Authority Area Population in 2008 2008-2033 2008-2033 in 2033 (total) (total) (%) (total)
Malvern Hills 74,800 83,600 +8,800 +11.8
Worcester 93,900 101,000 +7,100 +7.6
Wychavon 116,500 128,900 +12,400 +10.6
South 285,200 313,500 +28,300 +9.9 Worcestershire
Table 14: Population projections for South Worcestershire 2008-2033 (ONS 2008-based Sub-national Population Projections).
Household Projections 7.10 Household projections are produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and are linked to the Sub National Population Projections prepared by ONS. The CLG household projections are also trend-based and indicate the number of additional households that would live in an area if recent demographic trends were to continue.
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7.11 A number of different household projections have been published. For more detail information please consult the Focused Sub-Regional Review of RSS Evidence Base to inform the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy, Background Paper 1: Demographics & Housing Need/Demand, located at www.swjcs.org. Alternatively table 15 provides a succinct view of the various household projection figures for South Worcestershire.
2004-based 2006-based 2006-based projections projections projections (CLG) (CLG) (CCHPR)
Malvern Hills 7,000 7,000 6,900
Worcester 8,000 7,000 6,800
Wychavon 13,000 12,000 11,900
South 28,000 26,000 25,600 Worcestershire Table 15: Household projections (net additional households) for South Worcestershire for the period 2006-2026.
7.12 When evaluating these household projection figures, it is worth noting that projections give an indication of projected demographic demand over the plan period. Importantly they do not provide a single answer in respect of the effective demand for housing or the number of dwellings they may need to be planned for. A number of other factors and considerations need to be taken into account alongside these projections in determining housing requirements.
7.13 Besides the projected change in the overall number of households, the household projections also contain information about the projected household composition. (i.e. one person households and multi-person households).
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7.14 The South Housing Market Area covers the area of Worcestershire and Stratford District. The South Housing Market Area Assessment assesses local housing trends and markets and has identified several issues specific to the area. The assessment recognises the area has an increasing ageing population creating an additional demand for sheltered and extra care home accommodation. It has also been identified as having rising affordability problems, compounded by a low proportion of social housing stock, have placed pressures to increase the provision of affordable housing to accommodate the needs of younger and newly forming households as well as the sustainability of rural communities.
7.15 Figure 10: illustrates the estimated household composition in the West Midlands for 2006 and 2031. These projections show a reduction in respect of married couple households and an increase in one person households. As a result of this, the average household size in the West Midlands is projected to decrease from 2.36 persons per household in 2006 to 2.17 persons per household in 2031.
50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Married couple Cohabiting couple Lone parent Other multi- One person households households households person households Household type as % of all households all % as of type Household households
2006 2031
Figure 10: Household composition in the West Midlands 2006 and 2031 (Derived from CLG 2006-based household projections (Live Table 404))
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7.16 Other factors not looked at in specific detail in this AMR but are considered of equal importance in determining future demographics & housing need / demand include: • Migration into and out of South Worcestershire; • Vacancy rates and second homes; • Unmet housing need and backlog; • Housing needs assessments; • Infrastructure and delivery; and • Other issues such as environmental considerations, housing affordability issues.
Property Prices by Type 7.17 In July 2007, after a prolonged period of growth, the housing market began to decline rapidly, and in 2008, property prices plummeted. Until 2007, property prices had peaked at around £266,234 in the Malvern Hills District and £250,211 in Wychavon. These two areas were above national and regional averages and had the two highest prices in the county (WCEA 2008/09 and 2009/10).
7.18 Terraced and Flats / Maisonettes have experienced the greatest percentage change over the three years. Between the third quarters of 2007 and 2008, Malvern Hills District experienced a 14.8 percentage change drop in flat and maisonette prices. In the third quarter of 2008 and 2009, prices then rose by 30 percentage points from the original - 14.8% to 15.2%. This shows that house prices have steadily started to increase, as the country begins to recover from the recession. Flats and Maisonettes in Wychavon and Worcester City however dropped - 14.5% and -24.4% respectively, from the original figures of 3.5% and 5.5%. Malvern Hills District has seen the most growth in house prices out of the three authorities, with a 21.5 percentage point increase in prices of Terraced houses in the third quarters between 2008 and 2009. House prices of terraced houses in Wychavon and Worcester
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City also increased between 2008 and 2009, although not as significant as the Malvern Hills district (WCEA 2008/09 and 2009/10).
Semi Flat / District Detached Terraced Detached Maisonette
Annual 3rd Q3 Q3 Q3 Q3 Q3 Q3 Q3 Q3 Quarter 07/08 08/09 07/08 08/09 07/08 08/09 07/08 08/09
Malvern -9.5 -7.5 -2.5 -8 -12 9.5 -14.8 15.2 Hills
Worcester -6.3 -7 -2.4 -4.8 -6.1 -4.4 5.5 -18.9
Wychavon -2.1 -10.7 -0.9 -9.3 -4.1 2.3 3.5 -11
Table 16: Percentage change in average property prices by dwelling type across South Worcestershire (WCEA 2008/09 and 2009/10).
290,000
270,000
250,000
230,000
210,000
Pound Sterling 190,000
170,000
150,000 2007 2008 2009 Malvern Hills Worcester City Wychavon
Figure 11: Total average houses princes in South Worcestershire since 2007 (WCEA 2008/09 and 2009/10).
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7.19 As the figure 11 demonstrates, on average, house prices are higher in the more rural districts such as Wychavon and the Malvern Hills District, than in the city centre of Worcester. This may be because people want or need larger, or more attractively placed properties, than that offered in Worcester City. The graph also shows how the recession affected house prices. In all three authorities, prices decreased, by as much as 8.4% in the Malvern Hills area between 2007 and 2008. Wychavon experienced an increase of 2.2% in this period, but between 2008 and 2009, prices fell by 8.7% (WCEA 2008/09 and 2009/10).
Plan Period Housing Targets (COI, H3) 7.20 At 1 April 2010 the WMRSS was still an active Development Plan in each of the three South Worcestershire’s LDFs. Data presented in this chapter is a retrospective view of housing data during 2009/10 against housing targets found in the adopted and emerging WMRSS.
7.21 The revocation of the WMRSS will leave a substantial policy gap. At the time of publication issues such as future housing needs are being reconsidered. It is expected the 2011 South Worcestershire AMR will provide more insight.
7.22 Increasing the accessibility of housing in South Worcestershire and improving the quality of new and existing housing are key objectives of the adopted local plans, the soon to be revoked WMRSS and the emerging SWDP to meet the needs both of existing communities and incoming households. The once emerging phase two WMRSS set out the overall housing target for South Worcestershire at 24,500 net new dwellings for the plan period 2006 to 2026. The phase two WMRSS also sought an adequate proportion to be affordable housing as well as addressing the needs of gypsies and travellers. Indicators for these policies relating to the supply of housing are discussed below; whilst the design quality of new housing is discussed in section 8 on Environmental Quality.
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7.23 The once emerging phase two WMRSS housing targets for South Worcestershire reflects Worcester City’s role as an area of growth within the west Midlands region. It represented a step-change in the rate of housing development expected to be delivered localy by some 9,000 extra homes.
SOURCE TOTAL (net) LOCAL OF PLAN PERIOD HOUSING AUTHORITY TARGET REQUIRED
Malvern Hills 3,616 1 APR 2001 Worcester 4,899 to Wychavon 6,943 WMRSS
ADOPTED 31 MAR 2021 South Worcs 15,458
Malvern Hills 4,900 1 APR 2006 Worcester 10,500 to Wychavon 9,100 WMRSS 31 MAR 2026 PHASE TWO South Worcs 24,500 Table 17: Plan period housing targets (COI, H1)
7.24 As previously discussed, at December 2010 neither of these housing targets form part of the three South Worcestershire authorities LDFs. The SWDP is now focussing its efforts on determining more locally derived housing targets taking into account local housing need, future population and migration trends as well as local and regional published housing studies. Confusingly, PPS3 still requires each LPA to maintain at least 5 year housing supply of land based upon regional strategy targets. Without regional targets it is difficult to determine whether an LPA does in fact have a defendable supply of housing land. However for the purposes of this AMR and in the absence of newly defined
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housing targets the report will assess housing completions against the two WMRSS targets.
7.25 Table 18 illustrates core output indicators H2a: ‘Net Additional Dwellings in Previous Years’ and H2b: ‘Net Additional Dwellings for the Reporting Year’, respectively. This is an important indicator as it allows local authorities to monitor the annual supply of new dwellings.
Reporting Local 2006 to 06/07 07/08 08/09 year Authority 2010 09/10
Malvern Hills 183 299 256 222 960
Worcester 454 370 414 325 1,563
Wychavon 246 265 210 156 877
South Worcs 883 934 880 703 3,400
Table 18: Net additional dwellings in previous years and net additional dwellings for the reporting year (COI, H2a and H2b)
7.26 Total net completions for 2009/10 are significantly lower than the total annual mean average of 850 net completed dwellings per year between 2006/7 and 2009/10. Since 2007/8 the number of dwellings being built across South Worcestershire has dropped by 25%. The 2009/10 monitoring period, illustrates the continuing effects of the economic recession. It is important to continue to monitor such trends and potential implications this has on planning policy, house prices and housing needs.
7.27 The duration of the recession and the pace at which the housing market and house-building industry recover will determine whether plan targets to 2026 can be met.
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Managed Delivery Target and Housing Trajectory 7.28 The data and text presented in paragraphs 7.28 to 7.33 are for information only and do not form part of the Malvern Hills District’s, Worcester City’s and/or Wychavon District’s official 2010 managed delivery target nor the predicted trajectory for future levels of housing delivery. These paragraphs merely represent a composite of the three trajectories for the South Worcestershire authorities. To view the official and individually defined managed delivery target and housing trajectory please locate appendices 1, 2 and 3 which cover the LPA areas of Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District, respectively.
7.29 Please note the following table does not address the element of Worcester growth to be located outside but adjacent to the city boundary, based upon the soon to be revoked phase two WMRSS housing targets. Paragraph 7.44 provides commentary on Worcester City’s growth outside the administrative boundary.
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE a) Net Year Additional b) Hectare c)Target d) Manage Dwellings
06/07 Built 860 - 1225 -365 07/08 Built 924 - 1225 -666 08/09 Built 880 - 1225 -1011 09/10 Rep 703 - 1225 -1533 10/11 Current 591 - 1225 -2167 11/12 1 673 - 1225 -2719 12/13 2 820 - 1225 -3124 13/14 3 802 - 1225 -3547 14/15 4 954 - 1225 -3818 15/16 5 1051 - 1225 -3992
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SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE a) Net Year Additional b) Hectare c)Target d) Manage Dwellings
16/17 893 - 1225 -4324 17/18 893 - 1225 -4656 18/19 893 - 1225 -4988 19/20 893 - 1225 -5320 20/21 892 - 1225 -5653 21/22 893 - 1225 -5985 22/23 892 - 1225 -6318 23/24 892 - 1225 -6651 24/25 892 - 1225 -6984 25/26 892 - 1225 -7317 Table 19: South Worcestershire’s managed delivery target (COI, H2d)
7.30 The Housing Trajectory is a planning tool which is designed to support the plan, monitor and manage approach to housing delivery by monitoring both past and projected completions across a period of time. It has been prepared in line with CLG guidance. Actual dwelling completions up to 2009/10 are shown as blue columns.
7.31 Preparation of a plausible trajectory is difficult given the current recession. The housing trajectory shows how strategic housing targets could be delivered assuming a rapid market recovery and high levels of demand being maintained over the remaining plan period. It reflects an assessment of sites that could deliver the now abolished phase two WMRSS housing targets over the plan period rather than what is probable, given the current recession. The plan targets are currently under review and in the meantime it is necessary to provide a trajectory based on targets and CLG guidelines at 1 April 2010.
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7.32 The projected trajectory for future levels of housing delivery is illustrated by orange columns. Again please note this is a composite of the trajectories for the individual local planning authorities, which are set out in appendices 1, 2 and 3. The production of these trajectories assists local authorities to review potential sources of housing land and taking a view as to both its suitability to deliver new homes within the plan period, as well as considering the phased build-out rate of identified sites.
7.33 This process has been informed by the South Worcestershire Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) and the annual assessment of housing sites with planning consent and/or local plan allocation via the South Worcestershire Housing Land Monitor.
7.34 These evidences provide an overall picture of the land which is available across South Worcestershire and its potential to accommodate housing, within the current plan period (to 2026) and beyond. For this first joint AMR it has not been possible for all of the districts to provide data on the use of land (hectares) associated with the future delivery of new housing. It is expected that new data collection and analysis techniques adopted from April 2010 will plug this data gap in future editions.
7.35 The trajectory provided seeks to make reasonable estimates of the likely delivery of new housing and is to be interpreted as a ‘snap shot’. However, the process of establishing a housing trajectory to the year 2026, which is the end date for the emerging WMRSS Phase Two partial review is subject to considerable uncertainty. South Worcestershire authorities face a variety of issues, these include: • The effects of the Secretary of State’s decision to abolish all Regional Spatial Strategies and the recent High Court judgment between Cala Homes (South) Ltd and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
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• In the absence of a regional plan the need for South Worcestershire authorities to determine locally derived housing figures. • The effects of current economic downturn which was a particularly strong feature of the monitoring year (2009/10) and is forecasted to remain in the short-term; • The precise extent of infrastructure constraints to new housing development (particularly longer term development) and when any identified constraints can be overcome; and • Determining the location of strategic housing development within South Worcestershire.
7.36 Therefore, in order to provide a meaningful trajectory a number of assumptions have been made, which include: • Current information provided by infrastructure providers will be used to programme the release of major urban extensions and rural growth, accepting that this will be refined through progress with the SWDP and the development of the implementation plan; • Existing planning permissions for new dwellings at the base date for monitoring purposes (2010/2011) are capable of being developed by 2014/2015; • No assumptions are made in this submission about potential unallocated brownfield sites; • A 2% non implementation rate (as determined by the adopted Local Plan) has been assumed for all housing commitments included as part of our housing supply; • This will be the last AMR report which will look to the WMRSS Phase Two Preferred Option requirements up to 2026 to provide the basis for trajectory requirements; and • As the extent and distribution of Worcester related housing growth is still to be refined and agreed between the South Worcestershire Authorities, Worcester related growth will be addressed through a separate trajectory.
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Figure 12: H2 (c and d) South Worcestershire Housing Trajectory up to 2026 (16 years) THIS GRAPH IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. IT IS A RETROSPECTIVE LOOK AT EXPECTED HOUSING COMPLETIONS AT APRIL 2010.
1200
1051
954 1000 924 882 894 880 893 893 893 893 892 893 892 892 892 892 870 860 804 802 820 802
800 703 673
591 600 Dwellings
400
200
0 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- 2006- 2007- 2008- 2009- 2010- 2011- 2012- 2013- 2014- 2015- 2016- 2017- 2018- 2019- 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024- 2025- 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Actual net completions Expected net completions Annual Adopted RSS Housing Target Annual Emerging RSS Housing Target (245 pa)
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Analysis 7.37 The housing trajectory has been compiled using net housing completion figures from April 2001 to March 2010 (blue columns) and expected net completions (orange columns). The projection to 2014/15 (orange brick columns) is a forecast of likely number of dwelling completions on Local Plan allocated sites and the implementation of current planning permissions.
7.38 Beyond 2014/15 (orange columns) it is projected that completions will come forward through ongoing implementation of Allocated Local Plan Sites (up to 2015/2016) and SWDP sites. A windfall allowance has not been applied until 2022/23.
7.39 The latest position, as indicated in the 2010 South Worcestershire Housing Land Monitor, shows that South Worcestershire has a commitment of 3,511 dwellings which are either under construction or have outstanding planning permission.
7.40 From 2010/2011 to 2025/2026 figure 12, the South Worcestershire Housing Trajectory to 2026, applies the emerging WMRSS phase two Revision – Draft, Preferred Option paper (December 2007) policy CF3 “Level and Distribution of New Housing Development” (page 75).
7.41 The emerging WMRSS proposes 24,500 dwellings to be built in the South Worcestershire area between 2006 and 2026, which equates to an annual target of 1225 dwellings per annum (green line with green circles) (NB This does not include any element of provision for Worcester growth).
7.42 At April 2010 it was predicted the number of built dwellings will continue to decline in the 2010/11 monitoring year, however beyond 2011 the number of newly built homes is expected to improve. The reason for such a low number is threefold. Firstly it is expected that the majority of existing commitments will be built out by 2015; Secondly the phasing of
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potential large strategic sites in Malvern are not anticipated to start until 2015; and lastly there is no account of windfall development in the form of an allowance until the later part of the plan.
Worcester City’s growth outside the administrative boundary 7.43 This section addresses the element of Worcester growth to be located outside but adjacent to the city boundary, based upon the soon to be revoked phase two WMRSS housing targets. This has not been included in any of the three authorities’ five year land supply calculations. One of the purposes of the three Local Planning Authorities working together on the SWDP is to determine the most appropriate location(s) to meet the RSS Preferred Options target of 10,500 dwellings at Worcester and the assumption that around 7,300 dwellings would be located beyond the City boundary. For Worcester growth beyond the boundary the SWJCS Preferred Options consultation paper sets out a number of broad locations and developers have clearly demonstrated a willingness to bring development forward in these areas. Due to uncertainty regarding the delivery of strategic infrastructure and the recent revocation of the WMRSS it is considered premature to include a specific 5 year housing land supply calculation for the 7,300 dwellings at this stage. The situation will be reviewed at the end of the monitoring period with the intention of producing a full calculation for next year’s AMR.
7.44 Notwithstanding the aforementioned uncertainty the delivery of the 7,300 dwellings is set out in more detail below. The SWJCS Preferred Options identifies potential areas for growth of which 500 dwellings could be located to the north, 3,500 dwellings to the west, 3,000 dwellings to the south and 300 dwellings to the south east of the City. Figure 18 provides an insight in to the annualised potential phasing for this development. The phasing reflects the relatively large scale of the developments, the need to masterplan these developments and the delivery / funding of necessary strategic infrastructure.
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7.45 However, the actual extent and distribution of growth including allocating strategic sites will be set out in the SWDP preferred options document which will be published in the summer of 2011.
1000
900 875 875 875 875
800
700 600 600 600 600 600 600
500
Dwellings 400
300
200 160 160 160 160 160
100
0 2012- 2013- 2014- 2015- 2016- 2017- 2018- 2019- 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024- 2025- 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Potential phasing of Worcester City growth (annualised) Figure 18: Worcester City’s growth phasing outside the administrative boundaries
Gypsy and Traveller – Net Additional Pitches 7.46 The requirement for additional pitches to meet current and future needs will be addressed through the South Worcestershire Development Plan and the Council’s Housing Strategy.
7.47 Malvern Hills: There was one new pitch delivered in 2009/10. Application 08/00886/FUL (Change of use to enable residential use by a gypsy family on a single pitch with 3 caravans) was allowed on Appeal.
7.48 Wychavon: The Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) for the South Housing Market Area of the West Midlands Region was published in 2008. It concluded that for the period 2008 to 2013 Wychavon required an additional 40 pitches and 20 stopping places. The GTAA was used to inform the West Midlands RSS.
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7.49 Following the halting of the RSS Phase 3 Revision, Regional Interim Guidance was issued in March 2010 which stated that: • in 2007 there were 123 gypsy pitches in Wychavon; • for the period 2007 to 2017 an additional 42 pitches and 20 stopping places were required for the District; and • 22 new plots for travelling showpeople were required in Worcestershire for the period 2007 to 2012.
7.50 The RSS Interim Statement set the target for gypsy and traveller pitch provision for the monitoring period 2009/10.
7.51 Planning consent was granted for 15 additional pitches between 2007 and 31 March 2009 - of which 5 were retrospective. 22 additional pitches were granted during the 2009/10 monitoring period - of which 7 pitches were retrospective and 3 pitches allowed on appeal.
Authorised Unauthorised own Unauthorised Total Local Sites land Encampment Authority Not Not LA Private Tolerated Tolerated Tolerated
MHDC 5 32 3 2 14 56
WORCESTER 20 0 0 0 0 0
WYCHAVON 73 60 2 1 0 136
Table 20: Number of pitches in South Worcestershire
Affordable Housing Completions 7.52 In the monitoring year 2009/10, 173 affordable homes were delivered across South Worcestershire.
Social rent Shared Ownership Affordable Local Authority homes provided homes provided homes total
Malvern Hills 46 45 91
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Worcester 60 22 82
Wychavon 0 0 0
South Worcs 106 61 173
Table 21: Number of affordable homes delivered during 2009/10
7.53 Malvern Hills looks to provide 30 affordable homes annually in urban areas between 2006 and April 2011 (Key target 10 – Malvern Hills District Council Housing Strategy 2006 – 2009). The number of affordable delivered during 2009/10 is a significant increase on previous years. This sudden improvement can be attributed to the large developments at Malvern Vale and Prospect Close which accounts for 27 and 50 completed dwellings respectively. Future projections show this trend is like to continue over the next four to five years whilst the Malvern Vale site is built out.
7.54 Worcester: This is a significant decrease compared to last year’s figure of 147. This can be partly attributed to the economic conditions but also to the manner in which affordable homes are brought forward on large sites, which is explained in greater detail in the Worcester Housing Land Monitor 2010.
7.55 Wychavon: There were no affordable houses built during 2009/10. It is however expected to improve over the next few years as current dwelling commitments get built out.
7.56 The remaining component of this section ‘deliverable housing land supply’ can be found in appendices one, two and three. Each appendix relates specifically to Malvern Hills, Worcester City and Wychavon, respectively. Whilst the decision has been taken to analyse the housing land supply per authority, the three authorities have consistently applied the same methodology.
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8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
8.1 Green living and good design are embodied in the three adopted local plans and the emerging SWDP’s vision and objectives. A range of indicators can be drawn from in order to provide an assessment of whether the strategy is having effect over time. Core output indicators address some key areas, such as design quality, flooding, biodiversity and renewable energy generation. To these, some contextual sustainability indicators have also been chosen to give a fuller picture for this first reporting of the baseline position, which will be monitored in future AMRs.
Housing Quality Building for life Assessments COI, H6 8.2 The purpose of this indicator is to show the number and proportion of total new build completions reaching very good, good, average and poor ratings against the Building for Life criteria on sites of at least 10 new dwellings. The Building for Life criteria is a government-endorsed assessment benchmark developed by CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment). The assessment has been designed to ensure that it meets the criteria described for housing quality in PPS3. Each housing development (scheme) is awarded a score out of 20, based on the proportion of CABE Building for Life questions that are answered positively. The scores are categorised as very good (16 or more positive answers out of 20); good (14 or more positive answers out of 20); average (10 or more positive answers out of 20); or poor (less than 10 questions answered positively). The schemes were assessed by each Authority’s own Building for Life assessors, who have all been trained by CABE, or by an assessor from the local architecture centre, OPUN. The assessment is based on evidence from a site visit and information on the planning file. Scores are subject to potential call in by CABE for cross checking the assessments and evidence that supports them.
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8.3 This is the first year that this indicator has been assessed since it was introduced for the reporting year 2008-09. Building for Life is a national standard, developed by CABE and the Home Builders Federation, for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods. Housing design can improve wellbeing and quality of life, for example by contributing to reducing crime, improving public health and integrating with public transport. PPS3 Housing states that good design is fundamental to the development of high quality new housing, which contributes to the creation of sustainable, mixed communities. PPS1 sets out that design quality should be given significant weight when determining planning applications and that refusal of permission can be given on design grounds.
8.4 This indicator is based on five housing development applications within Wychavon District Council and Malvern Hills District Council of new build housing completions on sites of at least 10 dwellings or more. No site applications have been reviewed in Worcester City for this AMR.
8.5 Since this is the first year that this indicator has been included in the AMR this analysis will provide an initial benchmark for subsequent years.
8.6 The three sites of at least 10 dwellings are listed in table 22a. The schemes have either been granted permission and are under construction. The ratings for the sites have been assessed in relation to the Building for Life criteria (see Appendix 4) are set out in table 22b.
Type Address Town/Village Proposal
Allocated / Tewkesbury Eckington Houses/bungalow greenfield Road Redevelopment Philipscote Evesham Flats/houses Redevelopment Shear Broadway Houses/RSL House Table 22a: Sites of 10 or more completions between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010
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8.7 Each housing development is awarded a score out of 20 based on a scale of scores from 0; 0.5; 1. The overall scores are categorised as ‘very good’ (16/20 points or above); ‘good’ (14-15.5/20); ‘average’ (10- 13.5/20); ‘poor’ (9.5/20 or less).
Rating Sites Proportion (%) Very good 0 0 Good 0 0 Average 2 66.6% Poor 1 33.3% Total 3 100% Table 22b: Building for Life Assessments between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010
8.8 The assessment from this initial analysis of design quality across the South Worcestershire authorities is low, although it should be treated with a degree of caution given the sample size. The percentage of developments receiving high scores is expected to increase substantially in the future.
8.9 Clearly the Building for Life approach would not have been embedded in any pre-application discussion or was unlikely to be used as a guide by developers to inform the design process. At the pre-application stages it is now possible to apply Building for Life and the findings (along with MADE panel assessments where appropriate) that can inform amendments to schemes. Furthermore, Wychavon District adopted a Residential Design Guide SPD in September 2010 that uses the Building for Life approach. It is the intention to adapt the SPD to form the basis for a South Worcestershire Design Guide by 2012.
8.10 Emerging policies in the emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan preferred options (to be published in September 2011) will be requiring a minimum standard of 14 points from major developments
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and or achievement of 10 points for minor developments, along with meeting ‘Life Time Homes’ standards. The assessment applies only to new build housing, rather than conversions or other types of buildings and therefore there will have been schemes of good quality design that have not been considered.
8.11 Future assessments will include larger schemes, and coverage of Worcester City will provide a greater variety and scale of development. However, from the initial assessment there is clearly room for improvement. Developments have tended to perform best on the ‘Environment/Community’ section and ‘Character’ and less well on ‘Streets, Parking and Pedestrianisation’ and ‘Design and Construction’. With the latter, the smaller scale of the schemes has led to a low score on public realm and also in terms of sustainable build features given the tighter economies of scale. Particular criteria which developments have not met are the need for buildings to outperform statutory minima and the need for flexible design to allow for adaptation, conversion and extension.
8.12 With the introduction as mandatory of Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes for all housing, it should be possible to monitor the number of homes in South Worcestershire that achieve differing Code levels in the future.
8.13 Wychavon District Council recently adopted a Residential Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document on 7 September 2010. The primary aim of the guide is to improve the overall quality of built design within Wychavon by providing the necessary guidance in one easy to use reference document. The document encourages: • locally distinctive design; • design that respects and enhances local character; • design that incorporates contemporary and sustainable approaches to development; and
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• design that adheres to the latest best practice in layout and built form.
Number of planning permissions granted contrary to the advice of the EA on flooding and water quality grounds COI, E1 8.14 Targets and Objectives look to control development in areas at risk of fluvial flooding.
8.15 Malvern Hills: During 2009/10 application 08/00567/FUL, a replacement dwelling, was approved with conditions relating to safe dry pedestrian access and flood storage compensation. Application 08/01500/FUL, a conversion from an agricultural building to a residential dwelling, was approved following the submission of amended plans with conditions relating to raised pedestrian access and sustainable drainage solutions. The scheme for new toilets at Market Street, Tenbury Wells (08/01938/FUL) was ultimately approved by Malvern Hills following a deposit to the EA of additional material.
8.16 Worcester: During 2009/10 only one application was granted contrary to initial EA advice. P09C0185, an application for the erection of a 120 bedroom hotel, entrance, cricket club accommodation and associated works. The Application was approved following the insertion of several conditions.
8.17 Wychavon: A decision is still outstanding for Wychavon application W/09/02253, as further information has been submitted to the Environment Agency and a response is awaited.
Local Reason for E/A Type Outcome Authority Objection Residential - PPS25/TAN15 - 08/00567/FUL APPROVED Minor Request for
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Local Reason for E/A Type Outcome Authority Objection FRA/FCA
Residential - Loss of access to 08/01500/FUL APPROVED Minor the development
Recreational Risk to the 08/01938/FUL Schemes - APPROVED Minor Development Discharge of condition 4 – the Minor RESPONSE W/09/02253 applicants need to Residential AWAITED provide a safe dry pedestrian access PPS25 – objection to P09C0185 Major Mixed development in flood APPROVED plain Table 22: Applications granted contrary to initial Environment Agency Advice
8.18 Five planning applications were initially recommended for refusal by the Environment Agency on the grounds of potential risk of flood. Of these applications, four were permitted following agreement of conditions relating to flood storage compensation, floor levels, pedestrian Access and drainage. Therefore, no applications were granted contrary to Environment Agency advice.
Biodiversity 8.19 Biodiversity brings benefits to local communities through benefiting health, improving the local economy, maintaining environmental quality and providing recreation and educational resources for people of all ages. The management of local sites is important to achieving biodiversity targets with biodiversity being ultimately lost or conserved at the local level.
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8.20 Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS 9) Working with the grain of nature: a biodiversity strategy sets out the Government’s vision for conserving and enhancing biological diversity in England, together with a programme of work to achieve it. It includes the broad aim that planning, construction, development and regeneration should have minimal impacts on biodiversity and enhance it wherever possible.
8.21 In moving towards this vision, the Government’s objectives for planning as stated in PPS 9 are: • to promote sustainable development by ensuring that biological and geological diversity are conserved and enhanced as an integral part of social, environmental and economic development, so that policies and decisions about the development and use of land integrate biodiversity and geological diversity with other considerations. • to conserve, enhance and restore the diversity of England’s wildlife and geology by sustaining, and where possible improving, the quality and extent of natural habitat and geological and geomorphological sites; the natural physical processes on which they depend; and the populations of naturally occurring species which they support; and • to contribute to rural renewal and urban renaissance
8.22 The planning system has a significant part to play in meeting the Government’s international commitments and domestic policies for habitats, species and ecosystems.
8.23 Through the Local Area Agreement process, Local Authorities now have a statutory duty to report to central Government on a national indicator NI 197 Improved Local Biodiversity. At September 2009 there were 28 Local sites in Worcestershire where positive conservation management has been or is being implemented (WCC, 2010).
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Worcestershire Partnership and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) 8.24 The Worcestershire Biodiversity Partnership is an alliance of organisations working within Worcestershire who have the common aim of achieving the targets set out in the Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan, the document outlines how the partnership will take action to conserve and enhance the habitats and species of conservation importance. The Partnership is committed to the protection and enhancement of the county's natural environment now and for the future.
8.25 The first Worcestershire (BAP) was produced in 1999. The BAP was revised and re-launched in 2008 and now contains Action Plans for nineteen of Worcestershire's key wildlife habitats and twenty five species. These have been chosen because of their threatened status or because important national strongholds occur in Worcestershire, or both. In addition three generic Action Plans are presented for common themes that permeate most aspects of biodiversity conservation in the county.
8.26 There are 47 Action Plans within the Worcestershire BAP. They are all available on Worcestershire County website under “Homepage > Environment and Planning > Biodiversity > Action Plans” page. Details of the Worcestershire BAP can also be viewed on www.ukbap- reporting.org.uk.
8.27 Each BAP gives an overview of the current status of the habitat or species within the county, identifies particular threats to it and current areas of work or activity being undertaken by partner organisations. The plan then presents targets for maintenance, restoration, expansion or creation (as appropriate) for the conservation of that habitat or species, followed by a list of proposed actions that the Biodiversity Partnership should take. All plans recognise the need for appropriate legislative and policy background, but also the need for increased funding to enable action to be undertaken on the ground.
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8.28 Targets and Actions within the BAPs are entered onto the Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS), an online database and reporting system developed to record biodiversity activity.
Special Wildlife Sites (SWS) 8.29 Found mostly on privately owned land, Special Wildlife Sites (SWS) are considered to be of at least county-level importance for their flora and fauna, or in some specific cases for particular scarce or threatened species.
8.30 The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust states: “Currently there are over 450 SWS in existence - scattered all across the county. They can be thought of as ‘the non-statutory equivalents’ of the S.S.S.I.s (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), though in many cases, they support near- nationally important flora/fauna.”
8.31 Though having no formal legal protection, they are recognised by the local authorities for development control purposes and appear on Local Development Framework Plans. Apart from the DEFRA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, introduced in 2002 which apply to intensification, such as ploughing, on some types of ‘uncultivated land’, normal agricultural practices such as grazing and haymaking are unaffected.
8.32 SWS represent the minimum acceptable resource of wildlife habitat (outside legally protected sites) needed to conserve Worcestershire’s biodiversity. In nature conservation terms and in the context of the wider Worcestershire landscape, traditional grasslands – and particularly the Wildlife Site meadows and pastures – form an integral part of the inter-linking patchwork of arable, pasture, hedgerow, stream, small woodland, scrubby corner. They function rather as the “miner’s canary” or litmus paper for the health of the managed environment. Maintaining such core areas means that the countryside can be more
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resilient to agricultural and development pressures and that specialist species will be better buffered against other factors, such as climatic change.”
8.33 The most recent report, published in 2009, was an assessment of grassland sites. The report stated that 59% of grassland sites across Worcestershire were in a poor condition. This is quite concerning considering these sites are regarded as one step down from SSSIs (WCC, 2010).
8.34 The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust manages 70 reserves, types can include, Wetlands and pools, Ancient woodlands, Wildflower meadows, Lowland Heaths and Farmland.
8.35 The location of these sites can be seen in figure 19. The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has over several years been engaged in a county-wide review of all Special Wildlife Sites. During this auditing process (completed in spring of 2009), they assessed their condition. The nature of the report (very detailed and site specific) means it is difficult to pull a simple statistic from the report. For this reason the AMR does not discuss its findings but rather makes reference to the document and notes the current state and health of certain SWS types.
WWT Application Description Outcome Advice Conversion of Conditions for 09/00477/FUL redundant barns to APPROVED approval 3 residential units Proposed conversion of barn Conditions for 09/00529/FUL WITHDRAWN to form one approval residential dwelling Replacement of Conditions for 09/00792/FUL Pontoons 84m x APPROVED approval 2.5m (Phase 1) Change of use for Conditions for DISMISSED 09/00814/FUL the stationing of 9 approval no holiday chalets ON APPEAL
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WWT Application Description Outcome Advice Construction of 3 stables and store AONB Board 09/00903/FUL and change of use REFUSED objected of land to equestrian use. Proposed redevelopment of part of the site to Conditions for NOT YET 09/01211/FUL create 20 live/work approval DECIDED units and hub space. Conditions based Erection of 3 AWAITING 09/01547/FUL on ecological terraced cottages. survey DECISION Outline for 83 Insufficient detail dwellings, and 09/01604/OUT to recommend WITHDRAWN associated approval infrastructure Replacement Biodiversity 10/00174/FUL APPROVED dwelling condition Repair of 18th 10/00556/LBC Century Sham No objections APPROVED Castle Construction of 12 Conditions based 10/00613/FUL small business on ecological APPROVED units survey Outline for 49 Condition citing dwellings and recommendations 10/00678/OUT WITHDRAWN associated of ecological infrastructure report Synthetic turf Condition citing hockey pitch with recommendations P09M0075 APPROVED fencing and flood of ecological lighting. report Development of a Condition citing library and history recommendations P09D0169 centre, hotel, APPROVED of ecological various commercial report premises Vary Condition 16 of planning Conditions for P09P0262 APPROVED permission approval P08P0248 Table 23: Applications with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT) advice
8.36 This joint AMR has improved data sharing techniques between WWT and the South Worcestershire authorities. As a result this joint AMR has been able to identify those planning applications where the
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Worcestershire Wildlife Trust advice was provided and documented in the application file (Table 23).
8.37 The most frequent advice was a recommendation for conditions, if the authority was minded to approve the application. The conditions were often tied into an ecological survey that had previously been undertaken as part of the application. There was only one occasion where the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust could not recommend approval; 09/01604/OUT, an outline for 83 dwellings at Martley, had insufficient detail for any recommendation to be given by the Trust.
Figure 19: Nature reserves across Worcestershire.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 8.38 Monitoring the condition and changes of condition of SSSIs within the district contributes to an understanding of the overall biodiversity
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across South Worcestershire and how Development Policies are contributing to the recovery or decline of these sites. The Government has set a public service agreement (PSA) target that 95% of SSSI should be in favourable condition or recovering position by 2010. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) states that public bodies must “take reasonable steps, consistent with the proper exercise of their functions, to further the conservation and enhancement of SSSIs (Natural England, 2007).
MHDC 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Condition Favourable 40 57 58 85 Unfavourable 40 18 25 58 Recovering Unfavourable 2 4 1 18 No Change Unfavourable 4 7 2 0 Declining Table 24: Condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in South Worcestershire since 2006. (Malvern Hills and Worcester in years 2006 to 2009. South Worcestershire in 2009/10)
8.39 The SSSI condition data is taken from the Natural England website-via the Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside portal (magic.gov.uk). Not every SSSI is assessed annually so the above table comprises historic and current data. The condition of sites continues to improve with 53% favourable compared. 89% of sites are in a favourable condition or recovering, currently this is below Natural England’s target of 95% by 2010. However since 2006 SSSI in Malvern Hills and Worcester City have improved year on year. There have been no SSSIs lost to development or further sites designated.
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Figure 20: Condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in South Worcestershire 2009/10 by percentage.
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 8.40 An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a precious landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation's interest to safeguard them.
8.41 There are 40 AONBs in England and Wales (35 wholly in England, 4 wholly in Wales and 1 which straddles the border). Created by the legislation of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949, AONBs represent 18% of the Finest Countryside in England and Wales. Their care has been entrusted to the local authorities, organisations, community groups and the individuals who live and work within them or who value them.
8.42 Each AONB has been designated for special attention by reason of their high qualities. These include their flora, fauna, historical and cultural associations as well as scenic views. AONB landscapes range from rugged coastline to water meadows to gentle downland and upland moors.
Malvern Hills AONB 8.43 It is situated between the County of Herefordshire to the west and Malvern Hills District, Worcestershire to the east. The distinctive,
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narrow, north-south ridge, a mountain range in miniature, rises from the pastoral farmland patchwork of the Severn Vale. The highest point is Worcestershire Beacon (425m) and walkers along the ridge crest can enjoy views as far as Wales and the Cotswolds.
8.44 The geological variety and centuries of traditional farming have given the AONB great ecological value. Herb-rich, unimproved pastures and native woodland support a wealth of habitats, species and wildlife. Also a historical landscape, the ridge is crowned by three ancient hill forts, the most famous being the ditches and ramparts of British Camp.
8.45 Tourists have flocked here to 'take the waters' since the early 1800s and Great Malvern's formal paths and rides give the nearby slopes the air of a Victorian pleasure garden. The ridge and hillside paths and the commons are traditional Midlands 'day trip' country. The Worcestershire Way footpath is an important new recreation resource in the AONB.
Cotswold AONB 8.46 The Cotswolds is the largest of the 40 AONBs in England and Wales, and covers 790 sq miles, stretching from the City of Bath and Wiltshire in the south through Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire to Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the north. The Cotswolds covers 49 sq km within the Wychavon area.
8.47 Predominant features are the Cotswolds Hills which rise gently from the broad, green meadows of the upper Thames to crest in a dramatic escarpment above the Severn Valley and Evesham Vale. Rural England at its most mellow, the landscape draws a unique warmth and richness from the famous stone beauty of its buildings.
8.48 Jurassic limestone gives the Cotswolds their distinctive character and an underlying unity in its use as a building material throughout the area. The limestone lies in a sloping plateau with a steep scarp slope in the
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west drained by short streams in deep cut wooded valleys, and a gentle dip slope which forms the headwaters of the Thames. This gentle slope has a maze of lanes connecting picturesque streamside villages built predominantly from local stone.
8.49 The Cotswolds are nationally important for their rare limestone grassland habitat and for ancient beechwoods with rich flora. Important grasslands such as Cleeve Hill have survived due to their status as ancient common and a National Nature Reserve protects the finest ancient beech complex.
Change in Area of Biodiversity Importance, COI E2 8.50 Any gains in hectares have been calculated by using GIS to overlay local wildlife site data from the Wildlife Trust with data they provided in 2006. ‘No change’ has been reported across South Worcestershire. These results may however mask an underlying issue with the currency of data, as it is the case that many existing sites have not been resurveyed for some years. Data provided in table 25 provides a baseline for future monitoring reports.
Local Authority Total (ha)
Malvern Hills 7,296
Worcester 186
Wychavon 7,605
South Worcs 15,087 Table 25: Area of biodiversity importance. This is the combined total of all SWS, SSSI, LNRs, AONB and Special Areas of Conservation sites (Ha) across South Worcestershire.
Renewable Energy Generation COI, E3
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8.51 There are no targets specifically for South Worcestershire on renewable generation. However the renewable energy generation over the monitoring period is very low.
8.52 Unfortunately Planning and Housing Services at Malvern Hills District Council has recently changed it planning application database provider and as such officers have been unable to analyse renewable energy generation planning applications held within the database. It is expected this problem will be resolved for the 2010/11 edition.
Renewable Permitted installed Completed installed Energy capacity in MW capacity in MW Generation
Solar Photo 3 spv 2 spv -voltaic Ground Source 0 0
Wind 0.015 2 turbines
Biomass 1 app 1app Table 26: Renewable energy applications approved in Worcester and Wychavon District (COI, E3).
8.53 On 6 April 2008 Statutory Instrument 2008 No. 675 The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2008 came into force. This categorises certain installations of domestic microgeneration equipment as permitted development, in particular solar PV, solar thermal, ground source heat pumps, and biomass heating systems. All these are subject to conditions. Therefore since 2008 many renewable energy installations would not have needed planning permission and would not be visible through the planning process.
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Health: Development within 1km of Accessible Natural Greenspace 8.54 In terms of improving overall levels of physical, mental and social well- being, the sustainability framework uses ‘access to local greenspace’ as an indicator of encouraging healthy lifestyles. ‘Accessible Natural Greenspace’ includes managed nature reserves; accessible woodland; country parks; pocket parks; and local nature reserves. Housing completions in the monitoring year have been mapped and GIS analysis undertaken, with the following results.
Wood Country Local Authority LNR Parks land park
Malvern Hills 1 150 0 N/A
Worcester 249 N/A 0 239
Wychavon N/A 46 N/A 3
South Worcs N/A N/A N/A N/A
Table 27: Completed dwellings, during 2009/10, within 1km of Accessible Natural Greenspace.
8.55 Accessible is defined as either open to the public, or being intersected by a Public Right of Way. Included in the definition of Woodland was Ancient Woodland, Forestry Commission land, and Accessible Woodland Trust Sites. 1km was measured as straight line distance to the development as a whole.
8.56 The percentage of development that has access to these categories of greenspace cannot be looked at in isolation; the indicator relies on the designations being present in the first place. This indicator will need to be developed further for the next AMR to ensure that meaningful analysis can be carried out.
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8.57 Greenspace includes common land, urban greenspace, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and village greens.
Dwellings completed, Percentage of total Local Authority during 2009/10, within net completions 1km of Greenspace during 2009/10
Malvern Hills 192 86%
Worcester 342 100%
Wychavon N/A N/A
South Worcs N/A N/A
Table 28: The total number of housing completions in 2009/10 within 1km of Accessible Natural Greenspace.
Cultural Heritage – Listed Buildings at Risk 8.58 An objective of national planning policy is to protect and enhance sites, features and areas of historical, archaeological and cultural value and their setting. The number of ‘Listed Buildings at Risk’ is a sustainability framework indicator that has been included here as a useful proxy. Before assessing the position with listed buildings locally, it is first important to identify exactly how many there are across South Worcestershire. The total figure across the area stands at 5,016. The split of these buildings across the three local authority areas is shown in the table 29. Wychavon District has the largest number of Listed Buildings (49%) in South Worcestershire and Worcester City the least.
% of South Total Number of Worcestershire Local Authority Listed Buildings Listed Buildings stock
Malvern Hills 1,862 37%
Worcester 701 14 %
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% of South Total Number of Worcestershire Local Authority Listed Buildings Listed Buildings stock
Wychavon 2,452 49%
South Worcs 5,016 100%
Table 29: Total number of listed building by authority
8.59 In June 2009 English Heritage published the ‘Heritage at Risk register for the West Midlands’. This document lists, on a county basis, Grade I and II* listed buildings, Registered Parks and Gardens, Scheduled Monuments, Battlefields and Shipwrecks known to be at risk. Given the development pressures in South Worcestershire, it is important that the state of Listed Buildings is considered in order to raise awareness of them and help to secure their future. In the context of the overall number of listed buildings in the area (5,016), the total number at risk is 42 (0.8%). This figure will be monitored over time in the context of increased development interest across South Worcestershire.
% of South Total Number of Worcestershire Local Authority Listed Buildings at Listed Buildings Risk stock at Risk
Malvern Hills 2 0.1%
Worcester 17 2.5%
Wychavon 23 9%
South Worcs 42 0.8%
Table 30: Total number of listed buildings at risk at June 2009
Transport 8.60 The amount of road traffic is an important sustainability indicator in relation to air pollution levels, overall traffic volumes and modal shift.
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Worcestershire County Council monitors various transport indicators as part of delivering its Local Transport Plan (LTP). The analysis of this information over time will indicate if local measures to encourage modal shift are working. Future AMRs will look to the LTP monitoring in order to provide a more integrated overview of the transport and connectivity in and adjacent to South Worcestershire.
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9.0 CONCLUSIONS
9.1 This is the first joint Annual Monitoring Report prepared for the Joint Advisory Panel and the three local authority planning committees. It is the starting point for monitoring the implementation of the South Worcestershire Development Plan once adopted. Monitoring data for this AMR covers the period April 2009 to March 2010. This AMR is viewed as a benchmark position against which future trends can be assessed.
9.2 Preparation of the AMR has been constrained by the limited staff resources devoted to monitoring; the lack of availability of data for some issues; and different methodologies and systems used by the districts. These issues need to be addressed in improving and developing the joint monitoring process for the 2010/11 AMR, so that targets can be effectively measured. The Joint Monitoring Group will be charged with establishing more efficient means of collecting and analysing data. The availability of meaningful and current data is a matter that needs to be addressed at a corporate level by the local authorities. More integration can be achieved through closer working with agencies, particularly on the key indicators included in the Local Area Agreement, some of which cross over with emerging SWDP objectives and indicators. A review of the way measures and targets are framed is also necessary in order to more closely relate them to emerging policy outcomes.
9.3 A range of indicators have been selected in Part A to gauge progress in the key policy areas of Spatial Strategy; Economy and Town Centres; Housing; Environmental Quality; and Infrastructure. The local authority reports in Part B set out further local indicators. Most of the indicators in Part A are Core Output Indicators that planning authorities are required to monitor. The remaining indicators are drawn from the Sustainability Appraisal Framework (SAF) which was established for the Wychavon District Local Development Framework. Whilst this table
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refers to Wychavon’s LDF SA objectives it was considered that many of the objectives are easily transferable to Worcester City’s and Malvern Hills’ Local Development Frameworks, where statistics are available.
9.4 The monitoring year 2009/10 saw the continuation of economic recession. Although the impacts of this will take time to feed through into some indicators, it has had a marked impact on performance against housing and economic indicators. This in turn has impacted on other indicators, for example the percentage of affordable housing built has increased in part as a result of total completions falling. The three local authorities have also worked with RSLs and the HCA to increase affordable housing delivery despite the reduction in overall housing completions.
9.5 With regard to employment and housing targets South Worcestershire authorities are currently awaiting primary legislation in the form of the Localism Bill will begin its passage through Parliament before Christmas 2010, and will if passed, return decision-making powers in housing and planning to local authorities. As it stands RSS remains part of the Development Plan for the local authorities across South Worcestershire but the weight afforded to it in the case of individual planning applications (and by Inspectors in the case of appeals), will need to be judged against the advice issued by Government and its Chief Planner.
9.6 With regard to employment and housing targets South Worcestershire authorities are currently awaiting primary legislation in the form of the Localism Bill scheduled to begin its passage through Parliament from Christmas 2010, and if passed will return decision-making powers in housing and planning to local authorities. As it stands RSS remains part of the Development Plan for the local authorities across South Worcestershire but the weight afforded to it in the case of individual planning applications (and by Inspectors in the case of appeals), will
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need to be judged against the advice issued by Government and its Chief Planner.
9.7 The emerging SWDP will provide an opportunity to review the phasing of housing delivery in the light of the revocation of Regional Strategies, prevailing market conditions and rates of delivery achieved since 2006. In the meantime, there is an ongoing threat that WMRSS housing targets, coupled with current viability issues with planned site, could result in ad-hoc decisions driven by speculative development proposals.
9.8 The Executive Summary at the beginning of the AMR provides a summary of performance against key indicators. The picture is mixed and the positives, unclear results and negatives are addressed below, within the framework set out by the following key questions: • Overall Development Strategy – where is development happening? • Economy and town centres – is a jobs/homes balance being achieved? • Housing – are targets being met? • Environmental quality – is it improving?
Where is Development Happening? 9.9 On the positive side, the target for housing completions on previously developed land (PDL) has been exceeded and a large proportion of employment development has also taken place on PDL. Town centre development is by its nature on PDL and therefore assists with the regeneration of the centres. However, the future delivery of sites could be largely Greenfield sites, which over time will decrease the proportion of housing and employment completions on PDL, as recognised in the emerging SWDP.
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9.10 Indicators looking at accessibility to services have been useful in establishing a baseline position but in the absence of previous monitoring information or targets it is difficult to comment on whether performance is either good or bad. Over time, it will be possible to identify trends and provide comment on these; but the establishment of clear targets is necessary to track policy effectiveness and ensure that modal shift and healthy lifestyle objectives are being achieved. Information for the current year shows that, whilst the focus of development is still very much within the ‘urban core’; it will be increasingly important to monitor the amount of development that has taken place outside of settlement boundaries as well as the rural areas. This is due to a number of factors, including the continued build out of sites permitted prior to the strategy’s adoption; the recession affecting the commencement and delivery of the larger urban sites; and the large number of rural settlements.
Is a jobs / homes balance being achieved? 9.11 There is clearly an issue with the delivery of this objective, as is demonstrated by both net jobs growth and jobs growth by sector. The net gain in jobs has been has increased across South Worcestershire since 2003. However this masks the decline in employee jobs available in Worcester by the high sustained growth seen in Wychavon District. Figures are not yet available for the post 2008 period so the situation cannot be fully tracked in this AMR and rather provides a retrospective look at data collected at the start of the recession. It is clear that the recession will have had an impact but there are indications that the South Worcestershire economy and the recent work to address its development are ensuring it is more resilient than many similar areas.
9.12 It will be important for the emerging SWDP to work with its partners to ensure the ‘right’ jobs are being created, if diversification of the economy and a move to higher value jobs is to be attained. Future editions will try to source more up to date figures on the number of jobs per sector being created annually. This is an important issue for the
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emerging SWDP, as it is fundamental to increasing the self reliance of South Worcestershire and decreasing the need to travel.
9.13 The strong performance of Wychavon in relation to job creation and the availability of employment sites is a further consideration for the emerging SWDP, which will look at the roles of the constituent parts and settlements of South Worcestershire.
Are housing targets being met? 9.14 Indicators (based on the WMRSS) relating to future housing delivery have been recorded as relatively positive. However as discussed through out the AMR, considerable uncertainty over the status of the WMRSS in the short term along with the need to prepare more locally derived targets in a timely fashion, will impact South Worcestershire’s ability to ensure that suitable land is available to deliver housing up to 2030.
9.15 Much good work has been done to help facilitate a future supply of land and the joint Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment is considered a key milestone. Currently based against the soon to be revoked WMRSS Phase Two Malvern Hills and Wychavon Districts do not have a five year supply of land for housing. Wychavon’s housing land supply is expected to improve significantly next year as a result of it recently approving several large housing developments across the District. Worcester City is considered to have a five year supply of land for housing against all regional targets.
Is Environmental Quality Improving? 9.16 The picture in relation to environmental quality is generally positive, though there are again issues with the lack of set targets against which to monitor improvements. Lack of up to date information about losses of areas of biodiversity is a key matter that is highlighted and needs to be addressed if reporting on this core indicator is to be comprehensive and meaningful. The first reporting against the Building for Life indicator
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is expected next year following officer training. Progress in this area, including more dedicated design advice and ongoing training, should over time lead to marked improvements in design quality.
Overall Conclusions About the Monitoring Framework 9.17 Whilst preparing the first joint South Worcestershire AMR it has become evident there is are a lack of targets against which to assess performance. This demonstrates that a monitoring framework and sustainability indicators need to be fully established as part of the work on the emerging SWDP. Where possible, targets should be introduced and the framing of indicators reconsidered, in order that meaningful measures can be developed.
9.18 Clear, outcomes based monitoring would help to achieve this shift in approach and would relate better to LSP/LEP monitoring and other corporate performance assessment. A move to spatial outcomes based planning has been advocated by CLG and the Royal Town Planning Institute and is likely to be the approach taken by local planning authorities in the future, in order to demonstrate that their plans are achievable.
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10.0 SIGNIFICANT EFFECT INDICATORS 2009-2010
10.1 The following Sustainability Appraisal Framework (SAF) has been established for Wychavon District Council Local Development Framework (LDF) and has been set out in a Scoping Report (November 2006). The Objectives set out in the SAF will be worked towards and the effectiveness of the LDF will be monitored using the Significant Effect indicators detailed in the table below. Please note that as this is the first Joint AMR, this table refers to Wychavon’s LDF SA objectives; however the objectives have also been applied for Worcester and Malvern, where statistics are available. Consequently this table should be read in conjunction with existing Contextual, Core and Local Output Indicators.
Table 31: Significant Effect Indicators against Wychavon District Council’s Local Development Framework SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data To reduce Population Will the Local Burglary dwelling offences Burglary dwelling offences Burglary offences are down 1 levels of crime and Development Document 3 per 1000 pop (4.6 per 1000 population in Wychavon and fear of human policies help to reduce nationally) Wych: 2 per 1000 pop and crime by health the level of crime and down 0.4 per 1000 pop nationally design in new fear of crime? MH: 2 per 1000 pop developments As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester: 3 per 1000 Worcester and Malvern Hills data pop was not previously monitored in this (5 nationally) table but both authorities’ have less than burglary offences nationally. Robbery offences: 0 per 1000 Robbery offences: Robbery Offences have not pop (1 nationally) changed in Wychavon Wych: 0 per 1000 pop As this year is the first Joint AMR, MH: 0 per 1000 pop Worcester and Malvern Hills data was not previously monitored in this Worcester: 1 per 1000 table but both authorities are less
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SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data pop than robbery offences nationally.
(1 nationally) Theft of a motor vehicle: 2 per Theft of a motor vehicle: Theft of a motor vehicle have not 1000 pop (2 nationally) changed in Wychavon Wych: 2 per 1000 pop MH: 1 per 1000 pop As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester:1 per 1000 Worcester and Malvern Hills data pop was not previously monitored in this table but both authorities have less (2 nationally) than theft of motor vehicle offences nationally. Violence against the person: 8 Violence against the Violence against the person is down per 1000 pop (14 nationally) person: 1 per 1000 population in Wychavon Wychavon - 7 per 1000 and down 2 per 1000 pop nationally. pop MH:7 per 1000 pop As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester - 17 per 1000 Worcester and Malvern Hills data pop was not previously monitored in this table. Worcester is above the (16 nationally) national average for violence against the person. To ensure that n/a Will the Local Data not available this year Data not available this n/a development Development Document year strengthens policies strengthen economically, sustainable socially and communities? Wychavon - No retail Wychavon - 8% of retail Retail Developments permitted within environmentall developments permitted in developments permitted in Primary Shopping Areas has y sustainable 08/09 were within Primary 09/10 were in the increased by 8% on the previous communities Shopping Areas. designated Primary year. Shopping Frontage.
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SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data As this year is the first Joint AMR, Malvern Hills and Worcester and Malvern Hills data Worcester – High Retail was not previously monitored in this strength is indicated in table. However high retail strength is para 6.30 and Table 3 indicated in para 6.30 and Table 3 of the AMR.
To ensure an Population Will the Local 57 affordable homes were Affordable homes were A decrease of 57 affordable homes adequate and Development Document built in this period. built in this period: were built in the monitoring period. provision of human policies improve the decent health provision of affordable Wych:0 As this year is the first Joint AMR, affordable decent homes? MH:91 Worcester and Malvern Hills data housing Worcester - 82 was not previously monitored in this table. Median house prices: Median house prices: Median house price in Wychavon has Wychavon: £206,228 increased by £57,420 but the median England: £153,862 MH: 263,616 house price for England has Worcester: 175,881 decreased by £967. Wychavon: £263,648 England: £152,895 As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern Hills data was not previously monitored in this table. Malvern and Worcester are above the national average house prices. To reuse n/a Will the Local 70% of completions were on Completions were on PDL completions have decreased by existing land Development Document Previously Developed Land Previously Developed 9% and maximise policies encourage land Land: on the previous year. the use of to be reused? previously Wychavon - 61% As this year is the first Joint AMR, developed MH:23% Worcester and Malvern Hills data land Worcester – 100% was not previously monitored in this
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SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data table.
3 dwellings were created on Wychavon - 16 dwellings The amount of former employment 0.001ha of former were created on 0.41ha of land used to create residential employment land. former employment land. development has increased by 0.409 ha.
As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern Hills data was not previously monitored in this table.
100% of Industrial Wychavon - 83% of all Industrial completions (B2) on completions (B2) were on industrial completions Previously Developed Land has Previously Developed Land. (B1, B2, B8) were on decreased by 17% on the previous PDL/Brownfield land. year (It should be noted that there were only two completions on B2 MH:65% (B2 land). completions) As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester – 0% (B2 Worcester and Malvern Hills data completions) was not previously monitored in this table.
To develop a Population Will the Local Median average weekly Median average weekly Median average weekly income in knowledge and Development Document income, Wychavon: income, Wychavon is down by £9, while driven human policies promote £403,England: £483 Great Britain is down by £85.70. economy that health economic growth for all? (Wychavon income is 16.5% Wychavon - £365.9 promotes lower than the national Malvern - £467.10 As this year is the first Joint AMR, prosperity for average) Worcester - £431.40 Worcester and Malvern Hills data all England: £397.3 was not previously monitored in this table
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SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data (7.9 national average)
65.3% of Wychavon pupils Pupils achieved 5 or more The percentage of pupils achieving 5 achieved 5 or more GCSEs at GCSEs at grades A* - C or more GCSEs at grades A* - C is grades A* - C (Great Britain = (Great Britain = 70%) up 8.2% in Wychavon. 63.8%) Wychavon -73.5% As this year is the first Joint AMR, MH:75.1% Worcester and Malvern Hills data Worcester – 63.8% was not previously monitored in this table To regenerate n/a Will the Local 55% of housing completions Housing completions were Housing completions within the existing Development Document were within the district's within the district's towns. district’s towns is down 11% on the centres and policies regenerate towns. previous year. promote urban existing centres? Wych:44% renewal MH:24% As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester – 46% Worcester and Malvern Hills data was not previously monitored in this table.
90% of this development was Development on on Brownfield land. Brownfield land.
Wych:25% Development on Brownfield land in MH:74% the district’s towns is up by 8% on the Worcester – 100% previous year.
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SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data To protect n/a Will the Local Wychavon had 570 VAT No new data available As this year is the first Joint AMR, sectoral Development Document registrations, compared with Worcester and Malvern Hills data economies policies promote growth 2,055 for Worcestershire and was not previously monitored in this and allow for within the existing 365 de-registrations, table their strategic economy and provide compared with 1,415 for the growth and the flexibility required by county, resulting in a net gain remodeling business? of 205 for Wychavon. To preserve or Cultural Will the Local Listed Buildings at Risk: As this year is the first Joint AMR, enhance heritage Development Document Worcester and Malvern Hills data townscape and policies protect and Wych:23 was not previously monitored in this quality, landscape enhance the district's MH:2 table heritage and heritage? Worcester 19 amenity by Wychavon has not previously design monitored Listed Buildings at risk. 3 applications were approved 0 applications were Applications approved in in Conservation Areas. approved in Conservation Conservation Areas have lowered by Areas. 3 on the previous year.
Malvern and Worcester As this year is the first Joint AMR, monitoring the number of Worcester and Malvern Hills data planning applications was not previously monitored in this within Conservation table. Areas:
MH:see Table 38 Worcester – see Table 9
There were 2400+ listed Llisted buildings: No Change. buildings Wychavon - 2400+ As this year is the first Joint AMR, MH:1,862 Worcester and Malvern Hills data Worcester – 701 was not previously monitored in this
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SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data table.
2 S.106 agreements were 7 S.106 agreements were S.106 agreements for agreed for household agreed for household household recycling have increased recycling. recycling. by 5. £7,412.38 in S106 contributions was obtained for recycling in 09/10.
23.9% of Wychavon 42.3% of Wychavon household waste is recycled household waste is recycled Household recycling in Wychavon is up by 18.4% 27% of Malvern’s waste is recycled (08/09) To minimise Population Will the Local Wychavon produced Wychavon produced 195.5 Wychavon produced 178.68kg less waste and and Development Document 374.18kg waste per capita. kg waste per capita. waste promote human policies minimise waste per capita than the previous year. recycling, re- health and to landfill? use and Water and recovery in soil order to minimise its 7 applications secured S.106 8 applications secured Applications secured for S.106 impact provisions for on and offsite S.106 provisions for on provisions for on and offsite Public Public Open Space. and offsite Public Open Open Space has increased by 1. Space. £578,601 in S106 contributions was obtained for Public Open Space in 09/10. To promote Climate Will the Local 66% of people in Wychavon 66% of people in As census data was used, there is environmentall Factors, Development Document 45% Malvern and 82% Wychavon currently no change to this indicator. y friendly Air policies promote Worcester 45% Malvern and 82% transport sustainable travel travel to work by car. Only Worcester modes and patterns? 3% for Wychavon, 6% travel to work by car. minimise Worcester and 1.9% for
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SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data journeys by Malvern travel by public Only 3% for Wychavon, private car transport. 6% Worcester and 1.9% for Malvern travel by public transport.
12 out of the 20 important and 12 out of the 20 important No Change. nationally rare species and nationally rare species highlighted in the highlighted in the Worcestershire Biodiversity Worcestershire Action Plan are present in Biodiversity Action Plan Wychavon. are present in Wychavon. For Malvern this is considered to be 1 site. To improve Biodiversit Will the Local 30.74% of land designated as Land designated as an Land designated as an Biodiversity, y, fauna Development Document an SSSI in Wychavon is in a SSSI in a favorable SSSI in Wychavon in a favorable protect and flora policies maintain favorable condition 51.73% is condition: condition is down 1.61% while land habitats and Biodiversity, habitats unfavorable, but recovering designated as unfavorable, but improve the and open space? recovering is up 11.89%. accessibility of Wychavon - 29.13% open space Malvern - 55% As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern Hills data was not previously monitored in this table. Unfavorable, but recovering:
Wychavon- 63.62% MH:30%
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SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data SAP ratings: data currently SAP ratings: data currently No Change. unavailable unavailable
Co2 per capita: Co2 per capita: According to new 2008 estimates (DEFRA), Co2 emissions per capita Wychavon - 11.9 Wychavon - 8.6 in Wychavon are down by 3.3 MH:7.2 Wychavon and also by 1.4 in the UK – 8.4 (New 2007 Worcester - 8.6 UK. Estimates). UK – 7.0 (New 2008 As this year is the first Joint AMR, Estimates). Worcester and Malvern Hills data was not previously monitored in this table. To ensure Climate Will the Local 5MW was produced from 5MW was produced from No Change. developments Factors, Development Document renewable sources (Hill and renewable sources (Hill conform to Air policies promote energy Moor site). and Moor site). high standards efficiency? 7 applications for Wychavon - 4 applications Wychavon - Approvals for of energy microgeneration schemes for micro generation microgeneration schemes have efficiency were approved. schemes were approved. decreased. Permitted Development Rights have seen decline although Worcester - 0 applications continue to see high numbers of for micro generation enquiries and pre-application schemes were approved discussions.
As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern Hills data was not previously monitored in this table. Due to Malvern’s change in monitoring database the information was not available this year.
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SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data
To encourage Climate Will the Local Biological water quality: Wychavon - Biological Due to no data update from DEFRA, renewable Factors, Development Document 79.3% good, 16.6% fair, 4.2% water quality: 79.3% this indicator remains unchanged. energy Air policies encourage bad. good, 16.6% fair, 4.2% generation renewable energy poor. and sources and microgeneratio generation? MH:80.7% Good, 16.5% n in new fair, 2.8% poor developments Worcester – 59% good, 13.1% fair, 27% poor.
Chemical water quality: Wychavon - Chemical Due to no data update from DEFRA, 81.6% good, 12.8% fair, 5.5% water quality: 81.6% this indicator remains unchanged. poor. good, 12.8% fair, 5.5% poor.
MH:87 good, 12.5 fair, 0.5 poor
Worcester – 55 good, 45 fair, 0 poor.
To improve Air, Water Will the Local CO2 per capita, % commuting CO2 per capita, % air, soil and and soil Development Document by car, Waste recycling, commuting by car, Waste water quality policies help reduce Waste composting (see above recycling, Waste N/A pollution? statistics) composting (see above statistics) To avoid Water and Will the Local Wychavon - There was 1 Wychavon - There were Wych:This is a decrease on the flooding and soil Development Document objection received from the no objections received previous AMR. other policies avoid EA on water quality grounds from the EA on water
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SA SEA Decision Making Significant Effect Indicators Change Objective Topic Criteria 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data environmental environmental risk? during the monitoring period. quality grounds during the As this year is the first Joint AMR, risk monitoring period. Worcester and Malvern Hills data was not previously monitored in this table. Contaminated land: no sites Contaminated land: no designated as contaminated. sites designated as No Change. contaminated.
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PART B: LOCAL INFORMATION
APPENDIX 1: MALVERN HILLS
APPENDIX 2: WORCESTER
APPENDIX 3: WYCHAVON
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APPENDIX ONE: MALVERN HILLS DISTRICT
1.0 LOCAL PLAN INDICATORS
1.1 The Malvern Hills Local Plan Adopted in July 2006 outlines Local Indicators which we use in conjunction with the Core Output Indictors outlined in Section five to nine to monitor the success of our planning policies. These Local Indicators are set out below:
Local Monitoring Indicators 2009 – 2010 Indicators Number and percentage of dwellings committed 1 within Malvern and sustainable rural locations within and outside settlement boundaries. Amount of employment development completed 2 within/outside settlements. The amount and type of developer contributions 4 received by way of planning obligations or other measures. Mix of sizes of housing (using bedroom numbers as 5 an overall indicator). Amount of hotel development (Use Class C1) gross 6 internal floorspace m2 Amount of hotel development (Use Class C1) gross 7 internal floorspace m2 in town centres Percentage of vacant retail premises in the Town and 8 District Centres. Number of applications approved for non-retail use in 9 primary and secondary shopping frontages in Great Malvern Town Centre. 10 Number of diversification schemes supported. 11 The number and type of renewable energy scheme
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Local Monitoring Indicators 2009 – 2010 Indicators approved or refused. Amount of protected open space/green space lost to 12 other development. Number of developments resulting in the loss or 14 destruction of a scheduled ancient monument or listed building. Number of planning agreements which extend or 15 provide cycle routes. Number of community facilities lost to other forms of 16 development. 17 Number of new community facilities permitted. Number of applications with community infrastructure 18 secured. Number of Health Care Facilities , Nursing Homes 19 and Supported homes 20 Density of completed dwellings Table 32: MHDC’s Local Indicators
Since the adoption of the Local Plan, the following Local Indicators are obsolete: Reason for Non- Local Indicator Reporting Design Statements are The number of design statements now required as part of 13 submitted with planning planning application applications. validation. The amount of affordable housing Identical Indicator provided annually through the found in the Core 3 planning process on both allocated Output Indicator and windfall sites in addition to section exception sites. Identical Indicator The number and type of renewable found in the Core 11 energy scheme approved or Output Indicator refused. section Table 33: Deleted Local Indicators
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LOCAL INDICATOR 1: LOCATION OF NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Targets and Objectives 1.2 To guide new development to sustainable locations, which reflect the role of Malvern as the main focus for future development and the needs of rural areas. This also aims to protect the open countryside from sporadic and inappropriate development.
Within Settlement Boundary excluding Malvern Within Malvern Settlement Boundary Outside Settlement Boundary
178 Homes (73%)
49 Homes 18 Homes (7%) (20%)
Figure 21: Number and percentage of homes completed during 2009/10 within and outside a settlement boundary
Results and Analysis 1.3 Figure 21 and 22 illustrates 73% of completions are within the urban area of Malvern and defined settlement boundaries. This is an improvement of 30% on last year (2008/9) and can be attributed to the increase in the number of homes being built at Malvern Vale (North Site). This illustrates our continued accordance with the defined development strategy outlined in the MHDLP. The remaining 27% accounts for completions outside of a settlement boundary and includes applications for: replacement dwellings, change of use of existing rural buildings and agricultural or forestry buildings.
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1.4 Since 2004/5 66% (average) of homes are being completed annually within a settlement boundary. The last two monitoring years have seen the largest variations, with 56% and 80% during 2008/9 and 2009/10 respectively. Examining the housing land supply, via the South Worcestershire housing land monitor, it is predicted more homes are likely to be built within a settlement boundary than outside. Furthermore it is expected a large proportion will be within the Malvern settlement boundary due in part to continued delivery of homes from Malvern Vale.
100%
90% Outside 80% Settlement Boundary 70%
60% Within Malvern 50% Settlement 40% Boundary
30% Within Settlement 20% Boundary excluding 10% Malvern 0% 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
Figure 22: Stacked columns showing the percentage of homes completed between 2004/5 to 2009/10 within and outside a settlement boundary
LOCAL INDICATOR 2: LOCATION OF NEW EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT
Targets and Objectives 1.5 To locate development within sustainable settlements that accord with the following MHDLP objectives: to promote the re-use of previously
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developed land and buildings for development; and to encourage greater diversification of the rural economy.
Results and Analysis 1.5 In the monitoring year April 2009 to March 2010 1.06 hectares of employment land (B1, B2, B8) moved from commitment to completion. There continues to be a steady supply of new employment development within the District, with a total of 3.72 ha in 2008/09 and 4.05 ha in 2007/08. During 2009/10 100% of completions were classified as windfall development. This trend is not consistent with previous years, with the employment site / windfall split being 1.6 / 1.6ha per monitoring year from 1996 to 2010.
100% 0.05 0.59 80% 4.7 60% 2.93 0.35 2.19 1.01 40% 2.48
20% 2.96 0.86 0.05 0% 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
Outside a Settlement Boundary Within a Settlement Boundary
Figure 23: Stacked columns showing the percentage of completed employment land, in hectares, within and outside of a defined settlement boundary since 2004/05
1.6 Despite the difficult economic conditions the District continues to meet its target of making 55 ha of employment land available during the Local Plan Period. Total completions for 1996-2010 make up 45 ha,
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with no commitments under construction and 11.12 ha outstanding (see South Worcestershire Employment Land Monitor).
1.7 The Malvern urban area contained less than 5% of completions in 2009-2010, compared with the 1996-2010 average of 54%. This figure is a significant change on previous years and reflects the current national and local economic problems. However examining employment supply since 1996, Malvern Hills is providing a strong and continual supply of employment land and can be said to be in general accordance with adopted MHDLP policies DS15, DS16, EP6 and EP7.
LOCAL INDICATOR 4: DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS; and LOCAL INDICATOR 18: COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Targets and Objectives 1.7 To monitor the environmental, social and economic benefits to the community of Section 106 agreements. Provision should be made within new developments where appropriate for pedestrian and cycle ways which link existing networks and provide access to public transport in a manner which encourages their use.
Date Section 106 Application Site agreed Agreement Type 10/00070/ful land south east of 26/04/10 Recreation Open victoria park rd Space £11,200 17/08/10 Recreation Open 10/00415/pex 10/00781/ful 49 space £55,200 & abbey road malvern Education £9,260 25/5/10 Recreation Open 09/00753/ful churchill retirement Space £13,184 & living Affordable Housing £175,796 08/01355/ful land at (os 7141 16/12/09 Recreation Open 6132) clifton on teme Space £32,220
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Date Section 106 Application Site agreed Agreement Type 08/00541/ful 36 church street 11/11/09 Recreation Open malvern Space £18,120.49 28/08/09 Recreation Open 07/00552/ful land at lambswick Space £14,251 & Lindridge Education £21,136 Table 34: Developer Contributions
Results and Analysis 1.8 Monitoring of our Section 106 agreements provides the evidence to inform Local Indicators 4 and 18. Six Section 106 Agreements have been agreed during 2009/10, they secured education provision and recreational open space. MHDLP Policy DS16 requires the consideration of planning obligations against defined criteria. The policy is supported by the Developer Contributions and Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document.
LOCAL INDICATOR 5: MIX OF SIZES OF HOUSING Targets and Objectives 1.8 Meeting the housing requirements of the District through the provision of a range of dwelling types, sizes, densities and tenures. This includes general market and affordable housing in a way which protects the environment and makes the most effective use of existing settlement patterns.
Results and Analysis 1.9 During 2009/10 there was a fairly even spread of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bed property completions (figure 24). There has been a noticeable improvement in the number of 3 and 4 bed properties being delivered. This improvement can be partially attributed to Malvern Vale and particularly its moves from phase one (dominated by 1 and 2 bed dwellings) to phase 3, 4 and 5 which have a more even spread of 2, 3 and 4 bed dwellings. Similar to 2008/09 the majority of affordable
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dwellings were 1 and 2 bed properties. It is essential that local housing need surveys, future development plans and the future Worcestershire- wide housing strategy identify housing need and where possible establish the types, sizes, densities and tenures likely to be needed.
60 Affordable Flats & 50 Maisonettes
40 Flats & Maisonettes
30
Dwellings Affordable 20 Houses & Bungalows
10 Houses & Bungalows 0 1 Bed2 Bed3 Bed4 Bed
Figure 24: Dwelling mix (number of bedrooms) during 2009/10
100% Affordable 90% Flats & Maisonettes 80%
70% Flats & 60% Maisonettes
50%
40% Affordable 30% Houses & Bungalows 20%
10% Houses & Bungalows 0% 1 Bed 2 Bed 3 Bed 4 Bed
Figure 25: Stacked column showing the percentage of dwelling mix (no of Bedrooms) during 2009/10
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LOCAL INDICATOR 6: AMOUNT OF HOTEL DEVELOPMENT LOCAL INDICATOR 7: AMOUNT OF HOTEL DEVELOPMENT IN TOWN & DISTRICT CENTRES 1.10 The West Midland Regional Returns require retail schemes over 1,000 sq m to be identified. No applications for hotel development were approved during 2009/10.
LOCAL INDICATOR 8: VACANT RETAIL PREMISES IN GREAT MALVERN 1.11 A key target of the adopted MHDLP is to sustain and enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre of Malvern. As part of a suit of evidence papers for the emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan a retail study has been prepared which looks to identify future retail needs to 2030. Specifically the Malvern Hills Town Centres and Retail Study outlines a vacancy rate of 4% with 6 vacant units in 2007. This figure has since risen annually to 10 units or 7% in 2008/9 and 11 units 9% during 2009/10. However nationally the vacancy rate is still below the national average of 13% up from 12% in 2008/09 (source: The Local Data Company, September 2010).
1.12 The failure of national retail chains like Woolworths has resulted in many vacant large town centre retail units across the UK. It was quoted in 2008/09 (www.retail-week.com) that over 70% of the 807 Woolworth Stores were vacant nationally. This has since dropped to two in five stores (40% or 300 stores) at August 2010 (www.guardian.co.uk). The unit once occupied by Woolworths, in Great Malvern, was taken up by Iceland in 2009. It could be said this demonstrates the town centre still maintains a relatively robust appeal for larger retail formats to base their business in Great Malvern during an economic recession.
LOCAL INDICATOR 9: PLANNING APPROVALS FOR NON-RETAIL USE IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SHOPPING FRONTAGES 1.13 To sustain and enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre of Malvern. No applications have been approved for non-retail uses in the
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primary and secondary shopping frontage in Great Malvern Centre during 2009/10. This demonstrates that MHDLP Policies EP9 Town and District Centres and EP10 Primary and Secondary Shopping Frontages are achieving their aims of protecting the vitality and viability of the town centre.
LOCAL INDICATOR 10: FARM DIVERSIFICATION 1.14 Promote diversification of agriculture where it is environmentally acceptable as a way of contributing to the rural economy. Diversification schemes need to be of lasting economic benefit by providing continued employment and a long-term source of income to supplement farming business.
1.15 MHDLP Policy EP7 Farm Diversification Schemes recognises the need for sustainable development by making the best use of existing land and buildings. Since the Local Plan was adopted in July 2006, policy EP7 has helped many rural farms and business add extra value to their enterprises by promoting a reduced dependence on agriculture as a source of income in rural economies.
1.16 Farm diversification schemes can include: • Processing and packaging of local produce and specialist foods; or • Broadening agricultural activity through – recreation and educational facilities; tourism; farm shops; and craft workshops
Application No. Diversification Use Location
DATA UNAVAILABLE Table 35: Farm Diversification schemes completed during 2009/10
1.17 Unfortunately the Planning and Housing Services at Malvern Hills District Council has recently changed its planning application database
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provider and as such officers have been unable to analyse approved farm diversification schemes during 2009/10.
LOCAL INDICATOR 12: PROTECTED OPEN SPACE AND GREEN SPACE 1.18 Unfortunately the Planning and Housing Services at Malvern Hills District Council has recently changed its planning application database provider and as such officers have been unable to analyse planning applications with planning consent which resulted in a loss of open space or green space during 2009/10. For more detailed information please consult our Open Space Supplementary Planning Document (adopted August 2008).
LOCAL INDICATOR 14: SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENTS & LISTED BUILDINGS 1.19 Unfortunately the Planning and Housing Services at Malvern Hills District Council has recently changed its planning application database provider and as such officers have been unable to analyse planning applications with planning consent which resulted in the loss or destruction of a scheduled ancient monument or listed building.
LOCAL INDICATOR 15: CYCLE ROUTES 1.20 There were no planning agreements extending or providing cycle routes.
LOCAL INDICATOR 16: LOSS OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES 1.21 This indicator looks to monitor the loss of community, social and leisure facilities and of open space unless there are proposals for appropriate alternative provision.
1.22 Unfortunately the Planning and Housing Services at Malvern Hills District Council has recently changed its planning application database provider and as such officers have been unable to analyse planning applications with planning consent which resulted in the loss of
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community facilities. Previous AMRs have shown that MHDLP policies have proven to be successful at ensuring community facilities are not lost to redevelopment and unacceptable changes of use.
LOCAL INDICATOR 17: COMMUNITY FACILITIES PERMITTED 1.23 The definition of community facilities for this indicator includes youth centres, doctor surgeries, places of worship, community centres, village halls and meeting rooms, local sport and leisure facilities and schools and day nurseries and public houses.
1.24 Unfortunately the Planning and Housing Services at Malvern Hills District Council has recently changed its planning application database provider and as such officers have been unable to analyse planning applications with planning consent for community facilities.
App No. App Site Community Facility DATA UNAVAILABLE Table 36: Number of Community facilities approved during 2009/10
LOCAL INDICATOR 19: HEALTH CARE FACILITIES 1.25 This indicator looks to monitor the number of new health care facilities including nursing homes and supported housing
1.26 For the period 2009/10 MHDC approved no health care facilities.
LOCAL INDICATOR 20: DWELLING DENSITIES 1.27 Sites adjacent to urban areas or rural settlements should be developed at densities of between 30 and 50 dph. In towns and local centres where there is good public transport accessibility densities of about 70dph should be achieved (WCSP Policy D9). MHDC’s target is to achieve 50% of completed development at a density of over 30 dwellings per ha.
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1.28 At April 2010 61% of completions had a dwelling density of 30 dwellings per hectare and greater. This percentage score is slightly down from last year’s 65%, however this is an improvement on 2007/08 (52%) and 2006/07 (29%). Furthermore this represents the third year in a row that MHDC has achieved the 50% target. Please note only dwellings on completed sites and/or sites with completed phases were included in this figure.
80 Less than 30 DWS/HA 70 30-50 DWS/HA
60 Over 50 DWS/HA 71 50
40 59
30 50
20
10 Number of New Dwelling Completed Dwelling New of Number
0 Less than 30 30-50 DWS/HA Over 50 DWS/HA DWS/HA Density Levels
Figure 26: Residential density levels on completed sites during 2009/10
2.0 MALVERN HILLS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME
Malvern Hills District Local Plan (adopted July 2006) 2.1 The current Malvern Hills Local Plan was adopted in July 2006 and its policies were automatically saved for three years until July 2009. Local Planning Authorities are able to save their Local Plan policies beyond the three year period if they submit a list to the Government outlining the policies, their purpose, reasons why they should be saved and how
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they will eventually be replaced. They can also submit a list of policies that they no longer wish to save.
2.2 Two lists of Malvern Hills Local Plan policies to be saved / not saved were submitted to the Government Office for the West Midlands on 30 December 2008. Following confirmation on the 9 July 2009, the Government Office for the West Midlands agreed to save our submitted list of saved policies. Policies not listed in the Government Office for the West Midlands letter expired on the 11 July 2009. See web site for more details.
3.0 APPEAL MONITORING
3.1 Monitoring appeal decisions allows us to trigger a review of any policies which are consistently given little or no weight in decision making by Inspectors or are no longer relevant due to updated national or regional guidance. A list of saved and non-saved Local Plan policies can be found on our website.
3.2 The following information gives a breakdown of the overall position since 2006/07.
APPEALS 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
Total number of appeals decided (that fall within the 56 45 63 45 Planning Inspectorate definition) No. of cases where appeal 23 14 26 14 was allowed Percentage of cases where 41% 31% 44% 31% appeal was allowed National average for 34% 35% 34% 34%
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APPEALS 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
successful appeals (allowed) Local target for successful 30% 30% 20% 35% appeals (allowed) Table 37: Planning Appeals statistics during 2009/10
3.3 The number of appeals allowed during 2009/10 represents a 13% point drop or 29% change on 2008/09 and is exactly the same as 2007/08. This is 10% points lower than the national average and 4% points lower than our local target. These improving figures demonstrate there is no requirement to amend current policies. It is the view of MHDC that where appeals were allowed these were based on an interpretation of the policy rather than a failure of the policy to address development issues.
3.4 In order to improve our appeal performance, it has been agreed that Members will undertake a Quality Tour of the key appeal sites. Appeals performance will also be reported to the two Area Development Control Committees on a monthly basis as part of on- going performance monitoring and a comprehensive review will be carried out in relation to the established local target.
4.0 SERVICE DELIVERY
Planning Applications Targets 4.1 All local planning authorities are required to achieve a minimum 60% of major applications decided within 13 weeks, 65% of minor applications decided within 8 weeks and 80% of other applications decided within 8 weeks.
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4.2 During 2009/10 MHDC implemented a new planning application database called MIS Headway and subsequently replaced the previous UNIform system. Whilst the system data migration was being implemented this directly affected Development Control’s ability to process planning applications. With this in mind Development Control still managed achieve all three national planning application targets. Despite the disruption during 2009/10, Development Control’s future performance is expected to be similar to that achieved over the past four years.
4.3 In the period 2009/10, deciding major applications dropped 13% points on 2008/09 but up 29% points since 2004. Deciding minor applications fell 8% points on 2008/09 but up 20% points since 2004. Lastly, deciding other applications has dropped by 11% points to 81%, however this still represents an improvement of 9% points since 2004.
81% 92% Other 92% applications in 86% 8 weeks 82% 72%
74% Minor 82% 80% applications 68% within 8 weeks 66% 54%
74% 87% Major apps 75% decided within 63% 13 weeks 60% 45%
0 20406080100 Percentage 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10
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Figure 27: The annual number of major, minor and other applications decided within 8/13 weeks since 2004.
Customer Charters 4.3 Customer Charters have been produced for both Development Control and Development Plans and Conservation. Performance measures and results are set out below:
Development Control
Performance Measure Target 2009/10
Percentage of domestic development enquiry forms dealt with in 10 working 100% 85% days Percentage of applications registered and 80% 53% acknowledged within 3 working days Percentage of planning decisions issued 100% 100% within 3 working days Percentage of planning decisions delegated to officers (figures may include 90% 97% referral to ward member(s)) Table 38: Development Control’s customer chart performance
Development Plans and Conservation
Performance Measure Target 2009/10
Percentage of notifications to carry out works to trees in Conservation Areas 100% 100% assessed within 6 weeks Percentage of applications for works to Tree Preservation orders protected trees 100% 100% assessed within 8 weeks Table 39: Development Plans and Conservation’s customer chart performance
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5.0 LOCAL HOUSING TRAJECTORY AND MALVEN HILLS HOUSING LAND SUPPLY
5.1 The following section focuses on Malvern Hills District’s Managed Delivery Target and Housing Trajectory.
5.2 The 2008/09 housing trajectory indicated that Malvern Vale (North Site), the largest Local Plan housing allocation, would make up a significant element of housing completions in the current monitoring period. During 2009/10, this was proved to be a relatively accurate prediction.
5.3 The South Worcestershire Housing Land Monitor recorded 93 windfall dwelling completions which accounted for 42% all of the net dwelling completions, confirming the importance of local plan sites, particularly Malvern Vale, to the delivery of housing supply. This is a marked improvement on 2007/08 and 2008/09, where the number of completed dwellings on Local Plan sites was recorded as 0 and 59, respectively.
5.4 The 2010 South Worcestershire Housing Land Monitor considers a higher proportion dwelling completions will occur on Local Plan sites over the next four to five years whilst sites such as Malvern Vale are built out. MHDC is still taking a cautious approach on the likely dwelling completions on Malvern Vale and we anticipate a total completion of the site by 2014/2015. However, early market recovery could easily shorten this period.
5.5 The 2009 AMR predicted that the housing market will slowly improve from 2010/2011 onwards due to the UK economic recovery. However during 2009/10 completion figures are better than expected. Based on the 2009 Housing Trajectory MHDC provided 46 more dwellings than was predicted. This can be attributed to the larger sites within Malvern Town recovering from the recession earlier than anticipated.
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5.6 From 2010/2011 to 2025/2026 figure 36, Malvern Hills District Council’s Housing Trajectory to 2026, applies the emerging WMRSS phase two Revision – Draft, Preferred Option paper (December 2007) policy CF3 “Level and Distribution of New Housing Development” and more specifically housing proposal figures for Malvern Hills District (page 75).
5.7 The emerging WMRSS proposes 24,500 dwellings to be built in the South Worcestershire area between 2006 and 2026 of which Malvern Hills District’s share is 4,900 dwellings, which equates to an annual target of 245 dwellings per annum (green line with green circles) (NB This does not include any element of provision for Worcester growth).
5.8 A decline is predicted in dwelling completions during 2011 to 2014. The reason for lower likely levels of dwelling completions is threefold. Firstly it is expected that the majority of existing commitments will be built out by 2015; Secondly the phasing of potential large strategic sites in Malvern are not anticipated to start until 2015; and lastly there is no account of windfall development in the form of an allowance until the later part of the plan.
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a) Net b) c) d) Managed Year Additional Hectare Target Delivery Target Dwellings 06/07 Built - 183 245 -62 07/08 Built - 299 245 -8 08/09 Built - 256 245 3 09/10 Rep - 222 245 -20 10/11 Current - 156 245 -109 11/12 1 - 188 245 -166 12/13 2 - 184 245 -227 13/14 3 - 166 245 -306 14/15 4 - 259 245 -292 15/16 5 - 275 245 -262 16/17 - 273 245 -234 17/18 - 273 245 -206 18/19 - 273 245 -178 19/20 - 273 245 -150 20/21 - 272 245 -123 21/22 - 273 245 -95 22/23 - 272 245 -68 23/24 - 272 245 -41 24/25 - 272 245 -14 25/26 - 272 245 13 Table 40: Malvern Hills District’s managed delivery target (COI, H2d)
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Figure 36: Malvern Hills District Council’s Housing Trajectory to 2026 (based upon the soon to be revoked WMRSS)
350
299 300 275 273 273 273 273 272 273 272 272 272 272 258 256 256 259
250 222
195 188 200 183 184 166 157 150 156 Dwellings 150
100
50
0 2001- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- 2006- 2007- 2008- 2009- 2010- 2011- 2012- 2013- 2014- 2015- 2016- 2017- 2018- 2019- 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024- 2025- 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Actual net completions Expected net completions
5 Year Housing Land Supply Annual Adopted RSS Housing Target
Annual Emerging RSS Housing Target (245 pa) Average Annual Housing Requirement for remainder of plan (108 pa)
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Malvern Hills District Five Year Supply of Deliverable Housing Land (based upon the soon to be revoked WMRSS)
5.9 The assessment shows that there is a five year supply of housing land in Malvern Hills District Council. The figures for the five year land supply are based on the schedules in the appendices of this document.
5.10 The following calculation examines Malvern Hills District’s deliverable five year housing land supply.
1. Submitted Five Year Housing 2. Contextual Calculation Land Supply Adopted WMRSS Emerging WMRSS requirements Figures based against 1st April 2009 Figures based WMRSS Draft to against RSS Revision figures 31st March 2015 figures 2001 - 2021 2006 - 2026 5 year target 718* 1225** (Under (148) (148) Construction) (Outstanding) (770) (770) (net) Total 918 918 Commitments Commitments Local Plan Allocations 35 35 Total Supply 953 953 Balance 235 -272 Total calendar housing Approx 6.6 years Approx 3.9 years supply supply supply Table 41: Housing Land Supply at April 2010
Identifying Housing Provision Targets
5.10 The first stage in assessing Malvern Hills housing land supply is to identify the housing provision targets. The Five Year (1st April 2010 to
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31st March 2015) Housing Land Supply requirements table identifies two possible targets for Malvern Hills District. These are:
• Column 1 - Figures based against the adopted WMRSS figures 2001 – 2021 • Column 2 - Figures based against Emerging WMRSS – Preferred Option Phase 2 Partial Review 2006 - 2026
COLUMN ONE 5.11 Column 1 (*) is based against Adopted WMRSS June 2004 as per DCLG instructions and HPDG criteria. Policy CF3 Table 1 of the adopted WMRSS allocates Worcestershire 1200 dwellings between 2007-2011 and 1000 dwellings between 2011-2021. MHDC’s % share is 13.8% based upon previous percentages set out in the WCSP (this follows CLG/GOWM advice)
5.12 The following calculation shows the workings of the 5 year target: Working out the annual rate A) 2010 to 2011 (1200) x 13.8% = 165.6 / annum
B) 2011 to 2021 (1000) x 13.8% = 138 / annum
Working out the 5 year housing land supply A) 2007 to 2011 (165.6) x 1 years = 166
B) 2011 to 2021 (138) x 4 years = 552
TOTAL (A+B) = 718
The following calculation shows how the target will be met: Add The total number of homes currently under construction = 148 to The total number of homes with outstanding outline and full planning permissions (148 + 770) = 918
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then add The number of homes on allocated sites due to be completed by 2015 (918 + 35) = 953
This totals 953 homes, which are to be provided. This is a surplus of 235 readily available dwellings over or two years extra supply than that required to meet the 5 year land supply. This calculation can be seen on the next page.
953 (supply) ÷ 718 (target) x 5 = 6.6 years.
Therefore MHDC can demonstrate 6.6 years supply of housing land.
COLUMN TWO 5.13 Column two (**) establishes a five year target based upon the emerging RSS option 2, 2006 – 2026. The following calculation shows the workings of the 5 year target. (WMRSS Option 2 target for 2006 to 2026 = 4,900 = 245 per annum. 245 dwellings x 5 years = 1225 dwellings). This calculation is provided for contextual purposes only (as advised in CLG) and does not form part of the MHDC HPDG return. It should be noted that the Emerging WMRSS phase 2 partial review contains no indicative phasing requirements.
The following calculation shows how the target will be met: Add The total number of homes currently under construction = 148 to The total number of homes with outstanding outline and full planning permissions (148 + 770) = 918 then add The number of homes on allocated sites due to be completed by 2015 (918 + 35) = 953
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This totals 953homes, which are to be provided. This will mean a shortfall of -272 dwellings or a 3.9 year housing land supply. This calculation is shown below.
953 (supply) ÷ 1225 (target) x 5 = 3.9 years
Therefore MHDC can demonstrate 3.9 years supply of housing land.
Conclusion 5.14 The assessment, based on column one, demonstrates that Malvern Hills District has a five year housing land supply, however the emerging WMRSS five year land supply is continuing to decrease. This is particularly evident in this years’ annual housing provision table where the draft RSS phase II revision illustrates a short fall of 272 dwellings short of the five year housing provision target. YEAR Adopted WMRSS Emerging WMRSS 2006/2007 6.7 years 5.2 years 2007/2008 8 years 5 years 2008/2009 7 years 4.2 years 2009/2010 6.6 years 3.9 years Table 42: Five year housing land supply per year since 2006.
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Core Output Indicators 2009 - 2010
For definitions please click the following link http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/coreoutputindicators2.pdf
Employment B1a B1b B1c B2 B8 Total BD1 gross 1,780 294 380 2,454 net 1,780 294 380 2,454 BD2 gross 0 190 380 570 % gross on PDL 0% 65% 100% 23% BD8 hectares 0.94 0.08 0.04 1.06 * Includes mixed use developments as part of the total
Floorspace for Town Centre Uses A1 A2 B1a D2 Total BD4 gross N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A net N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Housing Target Start of Plan End of plan Total Housing Source of Plan Period Period Requirement Target H1 1/4/2006 31/3/2026 4,900 RSS
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Housing Trajectory Figures
02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25 25/26
H2a Previous net 258 256 195 157 183 299 256 additions H2b Net additions for 222 reporting year H2c Future net 156 175 184 166 272 275 273 273 273 273 272 273 272 272 272 272 additions hectares n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Local Plan 108 Target Adopted RSS 247 247 247 247 247 159 159 159 159 131 131 131 131 131 131 131 131 131 131 Target Phase 2 RSS 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 Target H2d Managed Delivery -62 -8 3 -20 -109 -166 -227 -306 -292 -262 -234 -206 -178 -150 -123 -95 -68 -41 -14 13 Target
H3: New and Converted Dwellings on Previously Developed Land Total H3 gross 245 % gross on PDL 74%
H4: Gypsy and Travellers Permanent Transit Total H4 101
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H5: Affordable Housing Social rent homes provided Intermediate homes provided Affordable homes total H5 46 45 91
H6: Building for Life Assessments (No Data)
E1: Flooding and Water Quality Flooding Quality Total E1 0 0 0
E2: Biodiversity Loss Addition Total
E2 0 0 7,296 ha
E3: Renewable Energy E3 Wind Solar Ground Hydro Biomass Total Onshore Photovoltaic Source Landfill Sewage Municipal Co-firing of Animal Plant gas sludge (and biomass biomass biomass digestion industrial) with fossil Plant solid waste fuels biomass combustion Permitted installed N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A capacity in MW Completed installed N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A capacity in MW
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APPENDIX TWO: WORCESTER CITY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
1.1. The following tables list some of the key Green spaces that the City Council manage. The information is taken from the PPG17 assessment of open space undertaken by Strategic Leisure (2006).
1.2. Worcester has one Country Park, three major parks and four local parks which provide 56.72 hectares of open space within the City boundaries. The parks are set out in the table below:
Table 43: Worcester City Formal Parks (Strategic Leisure, 20061) Name Typology Area (ha) Oldbury road Local Park 2.8 Hylton Road – Henwick Parade Local Park 1.4 Land off Springfield Road Local Park 1.13 Cromwell Crescent Local Park 2.13 Gheluvelt Park Major Park 7.56 Cripplegate Park Major Park 4.2 Fort Royal Park Major Park 2.1 Worcester Woods Country Park Country Park 33.68
1.3 There are 15 recognised Green Corridors with a combined area of 50.72 hectares. Green corridors are defined as sites that provide venues for walking, cycling and horse riding amongst other uses. Often they can provide a key green link and offer travel routes for local residents and migration routes for local wildlife. Details of these sites are outlined below:
1 Strategic Leisure (2006) PPG17 Open spaces, indoor sports and community recreation assessment
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Table 44: Worcester City Green Corridors Area Area Name Name (ha) (ha) Riverside, New Road to Weir 3.40 Droitwich Road Trees 1.3 Lane Grandstand Road Gardens 0.73 Broomhall Buffer Zone 4.29 Land South of Broomhall Way 9.80 Kestrel Drive buffer zone 0.20 Balancing Area and Open Broomhall Way East Buffer Amenity Space Adjacent to 0.89 0.77 Zone Norton Roundabout St Peters Drive Play Area and Land north east of Duck 0.24 4.69 cycle paths Brook Bakewell (Warndon Villages) 4.60 Cotswold Way buffer zone 2.00 Landscape corridor Alford Avenue (Warndon 11.03 Beverbourne and 6.46 Villages) Pendlesham (Warndon) Corridor in Harley Warren 0.32 (Warndon Villages)
1.4 The 2006 Strategic Leisure PPG17 Open Spaces audit also identified that there are 42 sites covering 152.48 hectares which are classified as Natural and Semi Natural Green Space; this does not include green corridors or parks.
Core Output and Local Performance Indicators
Core Output Indicator E2: Change in areas of biodiversity importance 1.5 There have been no highly significant changes in populations of biodiversity importance; however the recovery of the butterfly population will be monitored carefully as will any changes in Great Crested Newt habitats.
1.6 The City Council Parks Section carries out bird surveys throughout the year on selected Local Nature Reserves across the City. Bird populations show no noticeable changes in quantity.
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1.7 Butterflies are surveyed on the same Local Nature Reserves once a week from the beginning of April to the end of September. The flooding during summer 2007 and 2008 is still having an effect on the population of summer grassland butterflies. However populations of Painted Lady, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell are recovering quicker as they have longer flight periods and are supplemented by immigrants. Painted Lady Butterflies especially have been seen in greater numbers due to favourable weather conditions during their migration to Britain.
1.8 Great Crested Newts are surveyed via torchlight during May each year. We can confirm presence of this national priority species, but not population size, as Lesser Duckweed in the pond has meant that it was difficult to gauge.
1.9 There have been no recorded significant changes in the number or quality of sites of environmental value since last year. The sites are listed below:
Table 45: Sites with Conservation Value in Worcester City Conservation Value Classification Area Changes noted where known Site Name (ha) International Site - Special Area of Conservation Lyppard Grange Ponds 1.09 National Site - Site of Special Scientific Interest Northwick Marsh 5.05 River Teme (north bank) Partially within Worcester
City (LNR) Denotes site is also Special Wildlife Site Local Nature Reserve Laugherne Brook (LNR) 9 Perry Wood (LNR) 13.9 Kings Hill (LNR) 4.5 Ronkswood Hill Farm (LNR) 12 Gorse Hill 3.94
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Conservation Value Classification Area Changes noted where known Site Name (ha) Elbury Park 3.74 Nunnery Wood (LNR) 22.3 Hornhill Meadows (LNR) 4.54 Leopard Hill 11.84 Tolladine Wood (LNR) 2.44 Warndon Wood (LNR) 6.25 Stock Coppice and Wood 10 Meadow River Severn 4.38 Worcester Birmingham Canal 9.8
Local Indicator 1: Number of refusals based on Green Network policies. Table 46: Number of refusals based on Green Network Policies (Multiple policies may be used as reasons for refusal for the same application) Policy Used for Refusal 2009/10 2008/09 NE4 Nature Conservation – Green 0 0 Spaces NE5 Landscape Protection 0 1 NE7 Landscaping Scheme 1 0 NE9 The Green Network 1 1 NE11 M5 Protection Corridor 1 0 NE12 Green Belt Area 0 0
Local Indicator 2: Planning applications in Green Belt areas. 1.10 During the 2009/10 monitoring period the there were no planning approvals granted for significant new development in the Green Belt.
Core Output Indicator E1 Water Quality & Flooding
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1.11 This indicator monitors the number of Planning permissions granted contrary to the advice of the Environment Agency on either flood defence grounds or water quality.
1.12 During the 2009/10 monitoring period no applications were granted approval despite an objection from the environment agency on the grounds of water quality or flood risk.
Local indicator 3: Number of refusals based on Flood Protection and Water Quality policies. Table 47: Number of refusals based on flood protection and water pollution policies Policy Used for Refusal Number NE20 – Safeguarding Watercourses 0 NE21 & 22 – Floodplain ( Blue and Yellow Zone) 0 NE23 – Floodplain (Red Zone) 0 Total 0 (Multiple policies may be used as reasons for refusal for the same application)
Policy Aims & Performance
1.13 Promoting environmental protection, biodiversity and enhancement of wildlife habitats (Relates to saved policies NE2 and NE3 of The City of Worcester Local Plan)
Whilst there is no evidence that there has been No change significant species loss or gain in the past year and all Special Wildlife Sites and Local Nature Reserves have been preserved, there is a significant lack of historical continuity in the data regarding the quality of habitats and changes in biodiversity. However continued monitoring work by the Urban Design and Conservation Team is beginning to improve the quality of data we have received, so future AMRs should be able to begin recording trends on this subject.
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1.14 Providing a positive context for the protection and enhancement of open space and encouraging new urban landscape design of a high standard which is appropriate in character and commensurate with historic land form and ecological features (Relates to saved policies NE4, NE5, NE7, NE9, NE11 and NE12 of The City of Worcester Local Plan.).
Throughout the monitoring year work has been No change undertaken to improve the quality of Worcester’s parks. Cripplegate Park achieved recognition as a Green Flag Status Park, joining Gheluvelt Park and Worcester Woods Country Park, while Gheluvelt has also undergone a significant renovation. Unlike 2008/09 no development was completed on greenfield land and furthermore the City has been successful in guarding against any development in the Green Belt.
1.15 Enhancing the amenity feature of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, River Severn and protecting the flood plain of the River Severn and its tributaries (Relates to saved policies NE19, NE20, NE21, NE22 and NE22 of The City of Worcester Local Plan.)
These indicators illustrate that planning decisions in No change relation to water quality and flood issues have followed advice from the Environment Agency during this period. However the agency’s advice has sometimes lacked clarity as to the actions to be undertaken to resolve objections. There have been some enhancements to public realm in the River Severn corridor.
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2.0 BUILT ENVIRONMENT POLICIES
2.1 Worcester City has designated 18 conservation areas and areas of historical importance. Contextual indicators such as the title/location and area of these are presented below: Table 48: Conservation Areas
Conservation Date Name Area (ha) Area Number designated 1 Historic City 48.2 1969 2 St Johns 6.5 1969 3 Lansdowne Crescent & Rainbow 10.1 1969 Hill 4 Britannia Square 9.4 1969 5 Sidbury and Fort Royal 19.5 1980 6 Lark Hill 5.4 1980 7 St George’s Square 10.6 1980 8 Foregate Street and the Tything 12 1980 9 Warndon Court 1.7 1986 10 Trotshill 4.2 1986 11 Claines 2.5 1989 12 The Canal 19.3 1989 13 Lowesmoor 5.8 1989 14 Field Terrace 1.4 1989 16 Riverside 396 1992 17 Shrubbery Ave 5.8 1993 18 Royal Infirmary 2.7 2005 20 Battenhall 12.7 2006
2.2 The table shows the current conservation areas as of March 2010 in hectares rounded to one decimal place. This means that there are roughly 574 hectares designated as conservation areas within the City of Worcester’s boundaries, which equates to around 17% of the total city area.
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Table 49: List of Items of Conservation Value Indicator Number Number of Listed Buildings 701 Listed Buildings2 Number of Scheduled 25 Scheduled Monuments (three of these are also Monuments listed buildings) There are 19 buildings and one battlefield on the Buildings at risk Heritage at Risk Register
Core Output and Local Performance Indicators Local Indicator 4: Number of refusals based on design and environmental standards
Table 50: Building Policies cited for Refusal (BE1-BE3) Policy Used for Refusal 2009/10 2008/09 BE1 – Environmental Standards for Development 31 27 BE2 – Character of the City 0 11 Total 31 38
Core Output Indicator H6 – Building for Life Assessments 2.3 In the 2009/10 monitoring year no new residential development included a Building for Life (BfL) score. Monitoring arrangements for this indicator in the 2009/10 monitoring period are currently being considered and a policy on BfL is being developed through the South Worcestershire Development Plan.
Core Output Indicator E3 – Renewable Energy capacity installed by type 2.4 There were no major renewable energy capacities installed in the monitoring period, and none which were explicitly included within planning permissions granted.
2 This figure is approx because listings are not restricted to just one building and many of the listings also cover outbuildings etc.
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Local Indicator 5: Number of Listed Building and Conservation Area Consultations (CAC)
Table 51: Number of Conservation Area Consultations on planning applications No of applications considered by Conservation Year Areas Advisory Committee and Civic Society 1st April – Development Panel 31st March Mean average per month Total 2009-2010 12.75 153 2008-2009 16.75 201 2007-2008 16.5 199 2006-2007 20.6 248 2005-2006 19.5 234 2004-2005 31.33 376 2003-2004 27.67 332 2002-2003 28.75 345
Local Indicator 6: Number of Archaeological Recommendations and Heritage (awaiting 2010 figures) 2.5 Total Number of heritage consultations: 2009/10: 351 2008/9: 431
Number of Recommendations: 2009/10: 35 2008/9: 58
Number of Schemes Commenced: 2009/10: 17 2008/9: 15
Number of Recommendations Implemented: 2009/10: 17 2008/9: 17
Number of Recommendation for access to archaeological recording: 2009/10: 127 2008/9: 221
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Local Indicator 7: Number of permissions granted despite being recorded at application vetting stage as ‘deviating in principle from the development plan’.
2.6 None recorded during the monitoring period.
Local Indicator 8: The number of applications refused citing local plan built environment policies (Note, a single application can be refused on the basis of multiple policies)
2.7 Table 52 offers a full breakdown of policy use during the monitoring period.
Table 52: Number of refusals based on built environment policies by subject Policy Area and Policy Used for Refusal Number Policies Relating to Conservation Areas 09/10 08/09 BE4 Percent for Art 0 0 BE12 Boundary Treatments in Conservation Areas 0 1 Total 0 1 Policies Relating to Listed Buildings BE14 Alterations and Extensions to Listed Buildings 0 1 BE16 The setting of Listed Buildings 0 0 Total 0 1 Policies relating to Buildings of Local Interest BE18 Buildings of Local Interest New Development 0 0 BE19 Buildings of Local Interest – Recording 0 0 BE20 Buildings of Local Interest - Salvage 0 0 Total 0 0 Archaeological Constraints to Development BE21 Development within Archaeologically Sensitive 0 0 Areas – Design Principles BE24 Protection of Nationally and Internationally 0 0 Important Archaeological Sites Total 0 0
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Policy Area and Policy Used for Refusal Number Policies relating to the Historic Environment BE26 Historic Landscapes and Features 0 0 BE27 Access to and interpretation of the Historic 0 0 Environment Total 0 0 Policies relating to Environmental Safety and Contaminated Land BE29 Light 0 0 BE30 Noise 0 0 Total 0 0 Advertisements and Telecommunications BE39 Advertisements affecting Conservation areas 0 3 BE43 Telecommunications 0 0 Total 0 3
Policy Aims & Performance
1 Encourage a high standard of design in all parts of the City; 2 ensure new development is sensitive and responsive to the neighbourhood and its site context; 3 re-address the damage done in the past by poor schemes insensitive to Worcester’s urban form; and 4 encourage development which is energy efficient and conserves natural resources (Relates to saved policies BE1 and BE2 of The City of Worcester Local Plan
Building design policies continue to be the primary No change reason for refusal; however the number of refusals based on these policies has declined dramatically. This reflects an overall trend this year of steeply declining numbers of major applications for housing development and far fewer planning applications overall. However, the City can still demonstrate a strong housing supply of more than 5 years. Please see page 25 and the Housing Land Monitor 2010 for more information on these trends.
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The City Council has also been effective in refusing development contrary to policy.
This year there has been little observable progress on building renewable energy capacities within the City. But relaxation of the permitted development regime for renewable energy installations means that the amount of micro-generation in the city is difficult to measure. However until there is either a national, regional or local policy requirement for such schemes they are likely to be limited in number.
1 Discourage development which would damage the amenities of its locality through activity, form or purpose; 2 ensure the best achievable standards of accessibility to all members of the community; 3 promote the siting of development which reduces the need to travel; 4 protect, preserve and enhance Worcester’s architectural and historic heritage both above and below ground; 5 improve the appearance of the main entrances to the City and the principal access ways through it; 6 protect and enhance the historic skyline of the City; and 7 ensure development at the urban edge respects the City’s rural setting.
Relates to saved policies BE12, BE14, BE16, BE18, BE19, BE20, BE21, BE24, BE26 and BE27 of The City of Worcester Local Plan.)
There is evidence that due to a continuing trend of Better redevelopment of Brownfield land in the City the work of the Conservation Area Committee (CAC) and the Archaeology Service are increasingly vital and specialist services consultations and recommendations have been rising in complexity. For CAC, overall numbers of consultations have remained fairly consistent with last year and remain at a lower level than previous years indicating that conservation policy is becoming increasingly effective at discouraging inappropriate development.
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In terms of archaeology the number of consultations has slightly reduced and as would be expected so have the number of recommendations, however the proportion of recommendations implemented has slightly risen. This indicates that similar to the Conservation Area Committee archaeological recommendations are having a greater influence on the outcome of applications.
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3.0 TRANSPORT POLICIES
3.1 The following information provides some baseline data on the general transport characteristics within Worcester City.
Table 53: Mode of Transport - Travel to Work (Socialdata and Sustrans 20053) Percentage Percentage Mode Worcester City National % % Work at home 7.6 9.2 Train 1.4 4.2 Bus, Minibus or coach 4.5 7.5 Motorcycle, moped, scooter 1.2 1.1 Driving a car or a van 58.2 54.9 Passenger in a car or a van 7.1 6.1 Taxi 0.3 0.5 Bicycle 4.7 2.8 On foot 14.7 10
Table 54: Movements in and out of Worcester Number of Transport in and or out of Worcester City people No. of people transporting out of Worcester for employment 14,981 No. of people transporting in to Worcester for employment 19,018 No. of people that live and work in Worcester City 32,097
Core Output and Local Performance Indicators Local Indicator 9: Percentage of new residential development less than 30 minutes public transport time of a GP, Hospital, Primary School, Secondary School, Employment and retail centre:
3 Socialdata and Sustrans (2005) Worcester Sustainable Travel – Demonstration Town
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Table 55: No. of times transport policies cited as reasons for refusal Number of Refusals Policy 09/10 08/09 TR12 Parking Standards 5 2 TR13 Car Parking Restraint 0 0 Total 5 2
Policy Aims & Performance
1 To enhance the commercial viability and vitality of the city without compromising the environment; 2 to reduce the need to travel in the longer term, by the co-ordination of land use planning with transport; 3 to improve the attractiveness and convenience of public transport, cycling and walking; 4 to ensure people and goods can gain access to existing and potential employment, education, shopping and leisure facilities by appropriate means; 5 to make the most efficient and sustainable use of the existing transport infrastructure; and 6 to seek to reduce energy consumption and air pollution by encouraging greater use of public transport, cycling and walking. (Relates to saved policies TR1, TR2, TR4, TR6, TR10, TR12, TR13, TR14, TR15, TR17, TR19 and TR23 of The City of Worcester Local Plan.)
All new residential development this year was No change within 30 minutes of significant amenities and infrastructure. This is a major benefit to the city and remains constant from previous years, however it must be noted that due to the relatively small size of the city it is unlikely that anywhere would fail to satisfy this criterion.
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4.0 HOUSING POLICIES
4.1 The following section provides an overview of housing in Worcester City. The information presented in this section should be read in conjunction with the March 2010 Housing Land Monitor. The Annual Monitoring Report and Housing Land Monitor documents together meet the requirements for monitoring in the Balanced Housing Markets Development Plan Document December 2007.
4.2 The housing trajectory presented in this document draws on the evidence base presented in the statement of 5 year land supply contained within the Housing Land Monitor and ‘rolls forward’ that document’s predictions to the five year period April 2010 to April 2015. It then indicates likely housing growth to April 2024; but since housing targets can be shown to be met by 2015, or 2020 given a significant economic recession; the trajectory graphs end at these dates since no further major development will be possible given Worcester’s current boundaries and density level.
4.3 Contextual Information is also presented detailing Housing Tenure, Housing Composition and House Prices. The figures are also compared to National figures from Census 2001 data to provide a broader context.
4.4 In 2009 (3rd quarter) the Worcestershire Economic Assessment recorded the average house price in Worcester as £175,777 which represents a 0.7% decrease from the 3rd quarter in 2008. This data is however nearly 12 months out of date and more up to date figures are unavailable. Based on the December 2008 employment figures the average house price represented nearly 510% of the average gross annual household income for City residents of £34,584. This figure compares favourably to the County average of 600% and is predictably significantly lower than the averages of either Malvern Hills (770%) or Wychavon (670%).
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Table 56: Housing Tenure Census 2001 Tenure % Worcester % National Owns outright 27 29.2 Owns with mortgage/loan 44.9 38.9 Shared ownership 0.9 0.7 Rent from council 11.5 13.2 Rented from HA/registered social landlord 3.9 6.1 Private landlord or letting agency 8.4 8.8 Rented from other 2.7 3.3
Table 57: Household Composition Census 2001 % % Household Composition Worcester National Households comprising one person: pensioner 13.2 14.4 Households comprising: other 15.8 15.7 Households comprising of one family: all pensioners 8 8.9 Married Couple households: no children 13.9 13.0 Married Couple households: dependant children 18.4 17.6 Married Couple households: all children non 5.4 6.0 dependant Cohabiting couple households: no children 6.5 4.8 Cohabiting couple households: dependant children 3.7 3.2 Cohabiting households: all children non dependant 0.3 0.3 Lone parent households: dependant children 5.6 6.4 Lone parent households: all children non dependant 2.8 3.1 Other households: with dependant children 2.0 2.2 Other households: all student 0.5 0.4 Other households all pensioner 0.4 0.4 Other households: other 3.4 3.7
Core Output and Local Performance Indicators
Core Indicator H1 Plan Period and Housing Targets
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a) 2001 to 2021, 4897 dwellings, Balanced Housing Markets DPD (pg.12) b) 2006 to 2026, 3200 dwellings, Regional Spatial Strategy Option 2
Core Indicator H2 (a & b) Net Additional Dwellings in previous years and Net Additional Dwellings in the reporting year
Table 58: Housing Completions 2000 - 2010 Number on Total Demolitions/ Net Percentag Previously Year completion permanent Completion e on Developed s losses s4 PDL Land (PDL) 2000/2001 273 18 255 228 83.5 2001/2002 279 4 275 202 72.4 2002/2003 187 3 184 107 57.2 2003/2004 157 3 154 157 100 2004/2005 212 6 206 195 92 2005/2006 414 6 408 411 99.3 2006/2007 460 6 454 460 100 2007/2008 384 14 370 384 100 2008/2009 431 17 414 403 93.5 2009/2010 342 17 325 342 100 Total 3,138 94 3,045 2,889 Av. 92% RSS Total 1,617 54 1,563 1,589 Av. 98% (2006-09) Worcester City Council Housing Land Monitor 2010
Core Indicator H2 (c & d) Net additional Dwellings in Future Years and Managed Delivery Target
4.5 As of April 2010 the building rate had remained steady- the number of dwellings under construction was very slightly lower than the previous year, although significantly lower than the year before that.
4 Includes net gain from conversions and change of use.
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4.6 It is unclear what is likely to happen over the next monitoring year, however with the economic crisis hardly showing any sign of rebating it is unlikely that the situation will be significantly better by this time next year.
4.7 In order to maintain a robust evidence base for our prediction of 5 year housing land supply we will refresh the housing supply calculation for the City again in spring 2011.
4.8 The following pages roll forward the predictions for five year housing land supply to 2014/15, including sites that we believe will be allocated in the forthcoming South Worcester Development Plan. Page 159 shows the data and page 160 demonstrates this in the visual form of a graph. Our prediction of around 350 dwellings per year until 2015 is lower than the annual average of 433 dwellings per annum over the past 10 years.
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 166 Table 59: Managed Housing Delivery 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Actual net 275 184 154 206 408 454 370 414 325 completions Expected net 285 285 284 284 343 156 completions Annual Adopted RSS Housing 355 355 355 355 355 224 224 224 224 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 Target Managed Delivery Target (annual) Annual Emerging RSS Housing 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 Target Average Annual Housing Requirement for remainder of plan Managed Delivery Target (cumulative)
500
450
400
350 454
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 167 Figure 37: Housing Trajectory 414 300 408
370 250 343 325
200
285 285 284 284 275 s 150 elling w D
100 206
184
50 154 156
0 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 01- 02- 03- 04- 05- 06- 07- 08- 09- 10- 11- 12- 13- 14- 15- 16- 17- 18- 19- 20- 21- 22- 23- 24- 25- 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Actual net completions Expected net completions #REF! Annual Adopted RSS Housing Target Annual Emerging RSS Housing Target Average Annual Housing Requirement for remainder of plan Managed Delivery Target (cumulative)
1 SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 168
Core Indicator H3: New and Converted Dwellings on Previously Developed Land
4.9 100% of all dwellings developed either through conversion or new build were built on Previously Developed Land in the 2009/10 monitoring year. This remains a high proportion, and exceeds the 93% experienced during the previous monitoring year. When viewed in conjunction with a longer period this figure represents the sixth straight year that the proportion has been above 90% and is still much higher than the average of 92% (2001-2009).
Core Indicator H4: Net Additional Pitches Gypsy and Traveller 4.10 No new pitches were created in the monitoring year.
Core Indicator: H5 Gross Affordable housing completions 4.11 92 affordable housing units were transferred to registered social landlords in the monitoring period, 82 of which were new unit completion. The remaining 10 were acquisitions by RSLs. This new unit figure is higher than the target of 75.5 units for the monitoring year in the Balanced Housing Markets Development Plan Document adopted in December 2007, but not significantly so. The figure represents a decrease of 65 new units compared to last year.
Policy Aims & Performance
1 To ensure the provision of suitable sites for housing to meet the requirements of the Worcestershire County Structure Plan; 2 to maximise the use of previously-developed land and vacant buildings in meeting these requirements; 3 to ensure that new housing developments are located in such a way as to maximise the opportunities to travel by modes other than the private car; 4 to ensure that the city’s housing requirements are met without the loss of valuable open land; and
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5 to allow for housing development on suitable (previously-developed) windfall sites and for changes of use/conversions of redundant buildings to housing use. (Relates to saved policies H16, H17, H18, H19, H21, H22, H23 of the City of Worcester Local Plan and the January 2008 Balanced Housing Market DPD.)
As of April 2010 it has become clear that the No change economic condition facing the country is having an effect on the city’s house building rate. As of October 2009 the planning and building control applications rate had reduced by roughly 15% compared to 2008/09, which was representative of the last few years. There are likely to be further financial challenges during the rest of the 2010/11 monitoring year and beyond. These include questions which are difficult to assess including how strong will the contraction of development in the City be if the economic climate continues to worsen; especially on small sites, and will large sites continue with later phases of development if the slowdown in housing sales continues?
Despite this, even factoring in an approximately 1/3 slow down in the predicted housing build rate, the City is likely to meet its emerging Regional Spatial Strategy Targets before the target date of 2026, therefore satisfying the ‘no change’ bracket for this criterion. This predicted slow down, although perhaps surprising, is consistent with the Housing Land Monitor’s analysis of active sites as of March 2009; on the 31st March 2010 there were 619 units under construction compared to 641 in 08/09 and 924 in 07/08.
1 To ensure that a variety of housing types are provided in terms of size, type, location and affordability; 2 to ensure that a proportion of the total new housing provision meets the needs of households identified as being in need of affordable housing; and 3 to protect and, where possible, improve existing housing areas. (Relates to saved policies H16, H17, H18, H19, H21, H22, H23 of the City of Worcester Local Plan and the January 2008 Balanced Housing Market DPD.)
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The proportion of new housing completed on No change Brownfield land has progressively increased since 1997 up to the point where for the last 6 years we have consistently achieved over 90% of residential development on Brownfield land. This indicates the pressure for releasing housing land in all areas of the City and the trend is further identified by a general rise in overall housing densities over the past five years as recorded in the Housing Land Monitors.
Progress has been made in increasing the number of affordable homes in the city over the last few years, both through the changes in affordable housing requirements in the Balanced Housing Markets Development Plan Document and Planning Policy Statement 3. Affordable dwellings represented 24% of all completions, down from 34% last year and on a par with 2007/08 (24%).
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THE FIVE YEAR SUPPLY OF DELIVERABLE HOUSING LAND AS OF 31ST MARCH 2010
The assessment shows that there is a five year supply of housing land in Worcester City. The figures for the five year land supply are based on the schedules in the appendices of this document.
The following calculation examines Worcester City’s deliverable five year housing land supply.
Five Year Housing Balanced Housing Adopted WMRSS Emerging WMRSS Land Supply Market DPD requirements Figures based Figures based 1st April 2009 Figures based against against to against RSS figures WMRSS Draft Balanced Housing 31st March 2015 2001 - 2021 Revision figures Market DPD 2006 - 2026 5 year target 771 972.4 800 (Under 619 619 619 Construction)
(Outstanding) 844 844 844 (net)
Total 1463 1463 1463 Commitments Commitments
Deliverable Local Plan Allocations 75 75 75 without PP (H3) Total Supply 1538 1538 1538 Balance +767 +565 +738 Total calendar housing Approx 9.79 years Approx 7.9 years Approx 9.6 years supply supply supply supply Table 60: Housing Land Supply at April 2010
Identifying Housing Provision Targets
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4.26 The first stage in assessing Worcester City’s housing land supply is to identify the housing provision targets. The Five Year (1st April 2010 to 31st March 2015) Housing Land Supply requirements table identifies two possible targets for Worcester City. These are:
• Column 1 – Figures based on the Balanced Housing Market Development Plan Document • Column 2- Figures based against the adopted WMRSS figures 2001 – 2021 • Column 3 - Figures based against Emerging WMRSS – Preferred Option Phase 2 Partial Review 2006 – 2026
4.27 COLUMN ONE Five year land supply calculation, based on the Balanced Housing Market Development Plan Document.
The following calculation is as follows: Number of homes required equals:
1. Regional Spatial Strategy requirement based on the Structure Plan proportions = 3,027 minus net number of homes built since 2001 (3,027 minus 2,896) = 131
plus
2. Regional Spatial Strategy requirement 2006 to 2026 = 3200 homes divided by 20 years = 160 homes per year. Five year land supply is made up from the one remaining years from the current development plan document period plus four years Regional Spatial Strategy allocation = 131 + 640. Therefore, the target to meet until 2014 is 771 homes.
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This is how the target will be met:
Add
1. The total number of homes currently under construction = 619
to
2. The total number of homes with outline and full planning permission = 844
then add
3. The number of homes on allocated sites due to be completed by 2014 (expected to be completed by 2011) = 75
This totals 1538 homes which are to be provided, which is a surplus of 767 readily available dwellings over that required to meet the 5 year land supply.
Given that Worcester City Council are required to provide 160 homes per year after 2012, the surplus of 767 homes provides over three and a half years of extra supply. This is shown in the calculation below.
767 (surplus) ÷ 160 (no. of homes required to be provided each year) = 4.79 years plus 5 years = 9.79 years.
Therefore Worcester City Council can demonstrate a 9.79 years supply of housing land.
4.28 COLUMN TWO
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Column 2 is based against Adopted WMRSS June 2004 as per DCLG instructions and HPDG criteria. Policy CF3 Table 1 of the adopted WMRSS allocates Worcestershire 1200 dwellings between 2007-2011 and 1000 dwellings between 2011-2021. Worcester City Council’s % share is 18.7% based upon previous percentages set out in the Worcestershire County Structure Plan (this follows CLG/GOWM advice)
The following calculation shows the workings of the 5 year target: Working out the annual rate A) 2007 to 2011 (1200) x 18.7% = 224 / annum
B) 2011 to 2021 (1000) x 18.7% = 187 / annum
Working out the 5 year housing land supply A) 2007 to 2011 (224.4) x 1 years = 224
B) 2011 to 2021 (187) x 4 years = 748
TOTAL (A+B) = x 972.4
The following calculation shows how the target will be met: Add The total number of homes currently under construction = 619 to The total number of homes with outstanding outline and full planning permissions (x + x) = 844 then add The number of homes on allocated sites due to be completed by 2015 (x + x) = 130 This totals 1538 homes, which are to be provided. This is a surplus of 566 available dwellings.
1538 (supply) ÷ 973 (target) x 5 = 7.90 years.
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Therefore Worcester City Council can demonstrate 7.9 years supply of housing land.
4.29 COLUMN THREE Column two (**) establishes a five year target based upon the emerging RSS option 2, 2006 – 2026. The following calculation shows the workings of the 5 year target. (WMRSS Option 2 target for 2006 to 2026 = 3200 = 160 per annum. 160 dwellings x 5 years = 800 dwellings). This calculation is provided for contextual purposes only (as advised in CLG) and does not form part of the MHDC HPDG return. It should be noted that the Emerging WMRSS phase 2 partial review contains no indicative phasing requirements.
The following calculation shows how the target will be met: Add The total number of homes currently under construction = 844 to The total number of homes with outstanding outline and full planning permissions = 770 = 1463 then add The number of homes on allocated sites due to be completed by 2015 (1463 + 75) = 1538 This totals 1538 homes, which are to be provided. This will mean a surplus of 738 dwellings or a 7 year housing land supply. This calculation is shown below.
1538 (supply) ÷ 800 (target) x 5 = 9.61 years
Therefore WCC can demonstrate 9.6years supply of housing land.
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5. EMPLOYMENT LAND POLICIES AND THE CITY CENTRE
5.1 The City Council publishes a separate monitoring document in spring each year detailing performance against employment land policy objectives. The Employment Land Monitor 2010 contains detailed information regarding permissions, completions, site progress reports and market trends analysis. Therefore the Employment Land Monitor 2010 should be read in conjunction with the information presented in this section. Details of where to find the document are presented in the reference section at the end of this monitor.
5.2 The following contextual information details the city population of employment age, average household income and percentage of people in employment in the City by sector.
Table 61: Population of Employment Age, Change Over Time Population Males Female 2008 (2002) (2002) (2002) Characteristics ‘08 s ‘08 Number 94,100 93,204 46,100 45,436 48,000 47,768 Number of working aged people 16- 59,600 59,037 30,900 30,340 28,700 28,697 64M/59F
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Fig 38: Average Income, Change Over Time 2007-2008 (CACI Ltd. Paycheck Data 2008)
£40,000 2007 2008 £35,000
£30,000
£25,000
£20,000 Income £37,128 £35,853 £35,656
£15,000 £34,738 £34,733 £34,584 £34,034 £33,870
£10,000
£5,000
£0
ty ls n e i il o ir C H v h r a rs te rn h e s e c t e v y s c l W e r a rc o M o W W Local Authority Area
Fig 39: Percentage of total City workforce by sector (Source: Office National Statistics analysis of the Annual Business Inquiry Survey)
Public admin, education and health 32.5%
Distribution, hotels and restaurants 23.0%
Banking, finance and insurance etc 19.0%
Manufacturing 12.2%
Other 5.5%
Transport and communications 5.0%
Construction 1.2%
% 0 0.0% 5.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0. 1 15.0% 2 25.0% 3 35.0%
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Core Output and Local Performance Indicators
Core Indicator BD1: Total Amount of Completed Additional Employment Floor space by type, Gross and Net. And BD2: Amount on Previously Developed Land
5.3 During the year a total of 0 SqM of additional B1 floorspace has been provided, 0 SqM of B8 floorspace and 12,400 SqM of mixed employment site area. This represents a total net loss of -27,600 SqM of employment site area, all of which was located on previously developed land.
Core Indicator BD3: Employment Land Available by type Table 62: Employment Land Supply 1996-2011 (City of Worcester Employment Land Monitor, 2010) Ha. site area (rounded to 1 ha.) Completions 1996-2008 37.4 Allocated sites with consent (full and outline) 29.3 Other sites with consent (full and outline) 3.8 Allocated Brownfield sites (no consent) 0 Allocated Greenfield sites (no consent) 0 Total 70.5 Requirement set out in the Structure Plan 75 ha Requirement set out in the RSS Phase 2 81 ha Preferred Option
5.4 Full site information and analysis as well as area calculations and potential or applied for use classes are available in the Employment Land Monitor 2010 published on the City Council Website. For further details see reference section.
Core Indicator BD4: Completed floor space within the Central Office Area (as defined on the Local Plan Proposals Map)
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No B1 floorspace was completed during the year.
Policy Aims & Performance
1 To protect existing industrial employment opportunities; 2 to ensure an adequate supply of jobs in order to meet the needs of the City's growing population; 3 to provide a wide spread of employment opportunities, both in terms of type and geographic location in order to reduce the need to travel to work; 4 to preserve and enhance the architectural and historic heritage of the City Centre; 5 to maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of the City Centre as a sub-regional shopping centre; and 6 to create a safe and attractive environment for all users (Relates to saved policies E1, E2, E4, E7, E8 and E10 of the City of Worcester Local Plan.)
Between April 2009 and March 2010 around 1.2 Worse hectares of employment land has been developed. This represents a significant decrease when compared to 2008/09 when around three hectares were built, thus clearly performing ‘worse’ in this criterion than last year.
As regards the upcoming supply of employment land; commitments, including Local Plan Allocations, together with land already developed would be inadequate to meet the Structure Plan requirement of “about 75 hectares” were all of the above to be built out.
Furthermore, many of these allocated permissions are in outline only and historically the City’s completions rate of employment land has been too low to satisfy the requirement if projected forwards. The situation is improving though as the additional three hectares of employment land added to the City’s stock in the previous monitoring year led to a situation where (when aggregated over the
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 180
last 12 years) gains out weigh the losses of employment land. Much of the 26 ha of employment land lost over this period has been developed for residential use and is realistically unrecoverable for employment uses. Therefore realistically the targets of both the Structure Plan and the RSS may need to be adjusted to correspond to the high level of losses experienced.
Worcester has a total of 121,000m2 retail floor space within the Central Shopping Area, major shopping complexes include Crown Gate (26,000m2), Reindeer Court (3,720m2) and Cathedral Plaza (23,225 m2). There have been no significant changes to floor space within the monitoring year.
The annual count of vacant shop units at the end of the monitoring period showed an increase of five dwellings on top of the 18 unit increase experienced last year, it is unclear whether the situation will improve within the next monitoring period.
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6. COMMUNITY, LEISURE AND TOURISM
6.1 Below is a breakdown of the community facilities in Worcester City including the number of state Education, Health and Community Facilities:
Education Facilities
• 25 Primary Schools
• 5 High schools
• 3 Special Schools th • 1 6 Form College
• 1 College of Technology
• 1 University
Health Facilities
• 11 GP Surgeries
• 10 Dental Surgeries which provide some NHS care
• 1 Dental Access Centre
• 1 Major Hospital
Community Facilities
• 10 Community Halls
• 3 Libraries
• 6 museums and permanent exhibition centres
• 2 swimming pools (including one charitably owned)
Local Indicator 9: Community facility usage statistics (Awaiting 2010 statistics) Perdiswell Leisure Centre 2009/10: 243,012 2008/09: 457,189
Worcester Swimming Pool: 2009/10: 188,010 2008/09: 202,410
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Nunnery Wood Sports Complex: 2009/10: 109,376 2008/09: 119,994
St Johns Sports Centre: 2009/10: 171,657 2008/09: 124,281
Total 2009/10: 712,055 2008/09: 900,874
Local Indicator 10: Visitor Counts to local attractions: Worcester City Museum and Art Gallery: 2009/10: 72,843 2008/09: 74,655
Worcestershire Local History Centre (Signed In): 2008/9: 25,893 2008/09: 32,389 (New data – number of people counted into the building 85,984)
Worcester Tourist Information Centre (Total Visitors): 2009/10: N/A 2008/09: 74,819
The Commandery 2008/9: 17,815 2007/8: 16,878
Policy Aims & Performance 1 Encouraging the provision of a range of community facilities which are appropriately located, easily accessible and reduce the need to travel; 2 providing a framework within which health, community care, educational and other public services are able to expand, change or relocate; 3 actively promote Worcester as a regional and national tourism centre;
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4 maximise the potential of Worcester's natural assets and tourism attractions for the benefit of residents and visitors alike; 5 reduce reliance on the private car; 6 apply the principles of sustainable development; 7 protect and enhance the existing provision of arts, cultural, entertainment and sports facilities; and 8 ensure provision of facilities which are accessible by public transport, bicycle and foot. (Policies supporting these aims are presented in Community, Leisure and Tourism chapter of The City of Worcester Local Plan.)
Worse St Johns Sports Centre has continued to see visitor numbers rise significantly; however the main change from last year is a significant decrease in visits to Perdiswell Leisure Centre. Besides these changes visitor figures have remained fairly consistent with previous years, although with the exception of St John’s Sports Centre all centres have seen a decrease in visitor numbers.
As noted in last year’s monitor there is definite scope for enhancing the community facility provision in line with the planned citywide growth through the South Worcestershire Development Plan.
Arguably the new Library and History Centre being built jointly by the University, the County Council, the City Council and Advantage West Midlands will improve the community facilities of the city immeasurably and go a long way towards enhancing the city centre provision to the standard expected for the future of the City. Work has commenced on this project however the facilities will not be operational until 2011/12. The progress of this project will be monitored closely in future years.
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7 Conclusions and limitations to monitoring
7.1 Monitoring has demonstrated that the City has performed strongly across almost all the Core Output Indicators this year. Overall the planning system in Worcester is performing well and achieving measurable successes.
7.2 However, as the economic outlook changes, development pressure on protected employment sites is likely to increase as developers seek to retain profitability margins on retained sites. Similarly, the length and severity of a possible economic downturn is likely to affect the build rate of housing schemes, as we have seen with the slowdown on large sites such as Diglis and Royal Worcester Porcelain.
7.3 In this report’s projected five year housing land supply we have demonstrated that the City will meet its proposed Regional Spatial Strategy ‘Option 2’ targets ahead of schedule and is progressing well with the commitment to build further affordable housing contained in the Balanced Housing markets Development Plan Document.
7.4 With regard to Worcester growth as a whole, including the urban extensions within the Malvern Hills and Wychavon administrative boundaries, a five year land supply calculation will be required before long. Therefore, extensive work on this needs to be done over the next twelve months in conjunction with the other districts in order to produce a meaningful calculation that will inform on the expected phasing of this development over the plan period.
7.5 The Annual Monitoring Report 2010 has continued to report on all new monitoring requirements detailed in the “Core Output Indicators Update 2/2008” published by the DCLG in July 2008. This will be particularly useful in moving forward the monitoring role within the emerging South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy.
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7.6 We have also sought to improve the AMR’s focus by yet again including ‘SMART’ indicators. (An acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Based)
7.7 More work is required to evaluate and monitor good design within new development. The implementation of Building for Life Assessments will be a major step forward, but the arrangements for making these assessments are still being considered.
7.8 This year is the first year that just the saved policies from the 2004 City of Worcester Local Plan have been monitored. This takes us a step closer to a new planning system changing the way development plans are written. Next year we will continue this process and will enhance the monitoring to cover more indicators and topics from a more progressively South Worcestershire perspective.
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 186 Core Output Indicators 2009 - 2010
For definitions please click the following link http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/coreoutputindicators2.pdf
Employment B1a B1b B1c B2 B8 Total BD1 gross 0 0 0 12,400 net 0 0 0 -27,600 BD2 gross 0 0 0 12,400 % gross on PDL 0 0 0 100% BD8 hectares 0 0 0 1.24ha * Includes mixed use developments as part of the total. Figures are for site area, not available floorspace.
Floorspace for Town Centre Uses A1 A2 B1a D2 Total BD4 gross 0 0 0 0 0 net 0 0 0 0 0
Housing Target Start of Plan End of plan Total Housing Source of Plan Period Period Requirement Target H1 1/4/2006 31/3/2026 3,200a RSS
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 187 Housing Trajectory Figures
10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25 25/26 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10
H2a Previous net 184 154 206 408 454 370 414 additions H2b Net additions for 325 reporting year H2c Future net 285 285 284 284 343 156 additions hectares N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Local Plan Target
Adopted RSS 355 355 355 355 355 224 224 224 224 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 187 Target Phase 2 RSS 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 Targeta H2d Managed
Delivery 294 504 758 923 1048 1173 1333 1297 1604 1600 1440 1280 1120 960 800 640 480 320 160 0 Target a This represents Worcester City’s urban capacity target of 3,200 rather than the indicative annual average 2006-2026 of Phase II WMRSS Housing Target
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H3: New and Converted Dwellings on Previously Developed Land Total H3 gross 342 % gross on PDL 100
H4: Gypsy and Travellers Permanent Transit Total H4 000
H5: Affordable Housing Social rent homes provided Intermediate homes provided Affordable homes total H5 60 22 82 This includes all new build during 2009-2010. Please note a further 10 dwellings were acquired by local RSLs during the same period. H6: Building for Life Assessments (No Data)
E1: Flooding and Water Quality Flooding Quality Total E1 0 0 0
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 189 E2: Biodiversity Loss Addition Total
E2 0 0 186 ha
E3: Renewable Energy E3 Wind Solar Ground Hydro Biomass Total Onshore Photovoltaic Source Landfill Sewage Municipal Co-firing of Animal Plant gas sludge (and biomass biomass biomass digestion industrial) with fossil Plant solid waste fuels biomass combustion Permitted installed N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A capacity in MW Completed installed N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A capacity in MW
APPENDIX THREE: WYCHAVON DISTRICT
LOCAL DEMOGRAPHICS AND CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION 1St April 2009 to 31st March 2010
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Progress against LDS milestones
1 out of the 2 projects timetabled in 2009-2010 were completed in line with the original milestones.
1 out of the 2 projects was completed later than anticipated due to capacity issues.
1 out of the 2 projects have been delayed and the timetable adjusted due to the need for further evidence gathering or for capacity reasons. Core Output Indicators The housing trajectory suggests that there is a significant gap between the completions in recent years and the amount of new development required by the targets. The delivery of the SWDP will ensure that adequate sites are provided to meet this demand. If the predicted level of completions shown in the housing trajectory takes place WDC will meet the default DCLG target of 9,100 homes. Wychavon have exceeded the 25% target for new and converted dwellings on Previously Developed Land (PDL) as 61% of new dwellings in Wychavon were built on PDL 33% of urban sites in Wychavon have achieved 30+ dwellings per hectare. 69 new affordable homes were granted planning consent but no units were actually completed this year. The Council have brought 42 empty homes back into use during the 2009 / 2010 period. 4 Renewable Energy Schemes have been approved in the District. In accordance with Environment Agency advice, we have not put Wychavon at any greater risk of flooding by allowing any development to be built without mitigating measures. A total of 13.03ha of employment land has been completed during the monitoring year. 76.4ha of employment land is currently available. 83% of all industrial completions (B1, B2, B8) were on PDL/Brownfield land. 31% of completed retail and office development floorspace was in town centres. Wychavon has retained Green Flag Award Standard for 36.9% of eligible open space. SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 191
Local Indicators There have been 10 completions on Greenbelt, 4 of these were on Previously Developed Land, and 6 on Greenfield sites (including the conversion of agricultural buildings). 12 applications for development in the Greenbelt were refused during the monitoring period. 0.41ha of employment land was lost to residential development, resulting in 16 residential units. Planning permissions granted within conservation and designated areas have been implemented with appropriate conditions, and where deemed inappropriate, permission was refused. A number of Section 106 cycling contributions were agreed, resulting in £47,752.15 in total. 16 planning applications provided financial contributions toward the provision / enhancement of POS resulting in a total sum of £578,601 to be used to improve facilities.
Key: - target being met, - target being partially met, - target not being met
2.0 CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS
In establishing whether the policies within Wychavon are working effectively, it is important to understand the context in which they are set as well as the issues and opportunities facing the District. This chapter sets out contextual indicators that provide an overview of the district, and forms a basis from which local policies can be assessed. The Contextual Indicators Evidence section at the back of this document provides the evidence and supporting information for this chapter.
2.1 Demographic Profile Wychavon has a growing population with a larger than the national average proportion of older people. The population is neither ethnically or religiously diverse.
2.2 Housing Profile Housing prices are above the national average, which means that affordability is an increasing problem. This is exacerbated by the fact that there is limited social rented housing stock available in the District.
2.3 Socio–Cultural Profile Wychavon is not a deprived area and has low levels of recorded crime, although there are issues surrounding barriers to housing, geographical access to services and education in the more isolated areas. Generally, residents of Wychavon have achieved slightly higher qualification levels and are in better health than the national averages.
2.4 Transport and Spatial Connectivity There is a dependence on the car with high levels of car ownership within the District. Public transport links are weakest within the rural areas where limited bus services and Community Transport Schemes are in operation.
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 192
2.5 Economic Profile Unemployment figures in Wychavon are low, however, there are a greater proportion of workers involved in agricultural and manuf acturing than the national average and as such the average household income is below the national average, particularly for female workers.
2.6 Natural and Built Environment Wychavon has a rich and diverse natural environment with a number of designated sites recognised at a local, regional and national level. The District is also home to a wealth of historic buildings and monuments. There are constraints to development within the floodplain, which is most significant at Evesham and Pershore.
3.0 WYCHAVON’S LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (LDS)
A revised LDS, for the period 2009-2012 was approved by Wychavon District Council on 22 September 2009. The table below illustrates the actual timetable of work that has been achieved during the monitoring period versus the milestones that were set in the LDS in 2009.
Explanation of performance against Milestones 2009- 2010
Residential Design Guide SPD: Evidence gathering and initial drafting has taken place during the monitoring period however the consultation period has been delayed until March 2010 with a revised adoption date of September 2010.
Water Management SPD This has been adopted in line with the LDS timetable.
In summary:
1 out of the 2 projects timetabled in 2009-2010 was completed in line with the original milestones.
1 out of the 2 projects was completed later than anticipated due to capacity issues.
1 out of the 2 projects has been delayed and the timetable adjusted due to the need for further evidence gathering or for capacity reasons.
Residential Design Guide (SPD) Due to capacity issues and DPD commitments the Residential Design Guide consultation and adoption date has been delayed until September 2010. The document is now progressing well with an initial draft, informed by a workshop, circulated to attendees and submitted and reviewed by MADE in November 2009. The public consultation began in March 2010.
Figure 40: Illustration of actual timetable of work compared to LDS milestones from April 2009 to March 2010
Timetable of Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar work 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 10 10 10
Water ------A - - - - - Management SPD 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 A - - - - - Residential 4 ------A Design Guide 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 SPD
LDS 1 = Evidence Gathering (Pre Production) A = Adoption of DPD / SPD and associated revised timetable Proposals Map 2 = Issues and Options Preparation / informal public R = Review consultation
Actual Progress 3 = Issues and Options / SPD Consultation
4 = Consider representations (SPD) / (DPD)
5 = Preferred Options Consultation (DPD)
6 = Prepare DPD (and other documents) and send to Secretary of State
7 = Public Consultation; pre-examination consideration of representation
8 = Pre examination meeting
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 194 4.0 SAVED POLICIES
For the purpose of this AMR, policies within the adopted Local Plan (June 2006) have been monitored to identify whether they have been implemented effectively. Having gained an understanding of the key issues within the District through the contextual indicators, individual policies have been selected in each chapter and their performance assessed through Local Indicators.
The Local Plan was adopted on the 23rd of June 2006, and no High Court challenges were made during the 6-week period that followed. All the policies were automatically saved for 3 years until 23 June 2009. Wychavon subsequently applied to the Secretary of State via the Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM) to save any policies beyond this date. Confirmation has now been received from the GOWM regarding which policies have been saved - details of which are available on the Councils website www.wychavon.gov.uk . The “Saved” Local Plan policies remain a material planning consideration until they are superseded by the Development Plan i.e. The South Worcestershire Development Plan. New Planning Policy Statements could also materially affect the weight given to a saved Local Plan policy.
5.0 GENERAL STRATEGY - HOUSING
5.1 Housing Trajectory
The housing trajectory monitors the past performance, present levels of completions and predicted future level of housing supply. It is a requirement of Core Output Indicators H1, H2(a), H2(b), H2(c) and H2(d). This housing trajectory deals with both adopted and emerging policy. It can give indications to possible levels of future supply and our ability to meet future targets. The housing trajectory is an important tool in the ‘plan, monitor, manage’ process as it can lead to a review of housing policies through the Local Development Framework. It should be noted that the first five years of the housing trajectory form Wychavon District Council’s five year land supply position.
Creating a housing trajectory to the year 2026 is made more complicated for a number of reasons:
- The AMR housing trajectory must include Wychavon District Council’s 5 Year Land Supply; unadopted development plan documents cannot be included in the first 5 years of supply; though it is expected that the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) will be adopted with in the next 5 years. - The adopted (2008) West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy and the emerging West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (Preferred Options, 2007) are shown as targets on the housing trajectory. - The effects of the current recession and economic downturn have been considered in the trajectory. - Uncertainty with regards to infrastructure requirements and their role in enabling development sites to come forward. This will become more certain after the SWDP and accompanying evidence bases have been adopted. - Windfall sites have been omitted; this is line with recent guidance (PPS3).
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 195
- Existing planning permissions (commitments) and local plan allocations are included in the trajectory (and will represent the only means of supply for the first 5 years of the trajectory). - Growth that will take place in Wychavon but is related to Worcester City will not be included in the trajectory (this will be discussed later).
The following documents provide reference material and may assist in understanding the context and processes involved in arriving at these figures.
• Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) 2009 – Housing Trajectory (previous) • Housing Land Availability Report (HLA) 2010 – actual net completion rates, build rates and commitments • Preferred Options Paper (October 2008) – Spatial strategies for phasing and preferred commitment and location of housing • Land Supply Checks (2009) - with regards to the first five years of the trajectory). • West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) Phase II Revision Examination in Public (EIP) Panel Report (September 2009).
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 196
Figure 41: Housing Trajectory
700
620 620 620 620 620 620 620 620 620 620 620
600
500 484 440 401 400 379 352 352 352 305 300 Dwellings 255 223 210 200 200 156 150
100
0 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
Actual net completions Expected net completions 5 Year Housing Land Supply
Annual Adopted RSS Housing Target Annual Emerging RSS Housing Target (455 pa)
5.2 Explanation and Analysis of Housing Trajectory
The housing trajectory uses the net housing completion figures from 1st April 2001 to 31st March 2010. Completions are shown on the trajectory in purple. A prediction for the current monitoring year and following four years are shown in green; this incorporates all outstanding Local Plan allocations without permission (500 units) and sites with planning permission (987 units) (Housing Land Availability Report, 2010).
From 2014 - 2015 allocations from the emerging SWDP shown (in orange). The rate of completions shown reflects the need to meet the emerging RSS (Phase II Revision) Preferred Options (December 2007) with undersupply since 2006 - 07 added. If the predicted level of completions shown in the housing trajectory takes place Wychavon District Council will meet the emerging RSS target of 9,100 homes.
5.3 Worcester’s growth outside the administrative boundary of Worcester City
This year’s Annual Monitoring Report has also addressed, jointly with Wychavon and Malvern Hills, the element of Worcester growth to be located outside but adjacent to the city boundary. This has not been included in any of the three authorities’ five year land supply calculations. One of the purposes of the three Local Planning Authorities working together on the SWDP is to determine the most appropriate location(s) to meet the RSS Preferred Options target of 7,300 dwellings. For Worcester growth beyond the City’s boundary, the SWJCS Preferred Options set out a number of broad locations and developers have clearly demonstrated a willingness to bring development forward in these areas. Due to uncertainty regarding the delivery of strategic infrastructure it is considered premature to include a specific 5 year housing land supply calculation for the 7,300 dwellings at this stage. The situation will be reviewed at the end of the monitoring period with the intention of producing a meaningful calculation for next year’s AMR. Figure 42: Worcester City housing growth trajectory
1000 900 875 875 875 875
800
700 600 600 600 600 600 600
500
Dwellings 400 300
200 160 160 160 160 160
100 0 2012- 2013- 2014- 2015- 2016- 2017- 2018- 2019- 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024- 2025- 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Potential phasing of Worcester City growth (annualised)
197 SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 198
Notwithstanding the aforementioned uncertainty, the delivery of the 7,300 dwellings is set out in more detail in figure 42. The SWJCS Preferred Options identified potential areas for growth of which 500 dwellings could be located to the north, 3,500 dwellings to the west, 3,000 dwellings to the south and 300 dwellings to the south east of the City. Figure 42 provides a prediction of the annualised result potential phasing for this development. The phasing reflects the relatively large scale of the developments, the need to master plan them and the delivery of necessary strategic infrastructure. More detail will be set out in the SWDP Preferred Options in 2011.
5.4 Housing requirements
This core output indicator will be measured against the adopted RSS housing figures keeping in line with PPS3 housings requirement of measuring housing supply against adopted targets. However the trajectory also includes two further targets as can be seen below. 1 Annual Adopted RSS housing target (blue line) 2 Annual Emerging RSS housing target (red line)
It should be noted that since the change in government in May 2010 it has been indicated that the RSS will be formally revoked and this may affect future housing trajectories.
Planning Services Service Delivery Plan 2009 / 2010
PS03 - Publish the SWJCS. • This was originally deferred due to gaps in the evidence base and has since been delayed to allow for changes in Government and the Government’s agenda.
5.5 Previously Developed Land (PDL) / Brownfield Completions
In 2009, the National Statistic for the amount of dwellings built on previously developed land on a provisional estimate was 80% which included conversions (data obtained from CLG Statistical Release July 2010). In 2009/10 61% of new dwellings in Wychavon were built on PDL. A detailed breakdown is provided in table 63 below. This demonstrates a decrease from 2008/09 when 70% of new dwellings were built on PDL. The Wychavon Local Target is 25% for 2010/11 (data obtained from Wychavon’s 2010/11 Service Delivery Plan).
Table 63: Total Annual Completions 2009/10 Percentage % Change Urban Rural Total of Total from 08-09 Greenfield 7 54 61 39% +8.5% Former Residential 8 23 31 20% -5.2% (PDL) Former Employment 22 1 23 15% -3.6% (PDL) Other PDL 32 9 41 26% -0.3% Total Completions 69 87 156 100.0%
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Planning Services Service Delivery Plan 2009 / 2010
BV106 Percentage of new homes built on previously developed land – Local Target 25% • This was surpassed as during the monitoring period 61% of new dwellings were built on PDL.
5.6 Housing Density
Housing density is a measure of how efficiently land is used. The current Local Plan seeks minimum densities of 30 dwellings per hectare for housing throughout the District. In urban areas and rural settlements densities of between 30-50 dwellings per hectare are required, whilst in town centres densities of approximately 70 dwellings per hectare should be achieved. Figure 43: Average Density of Completed Dwellings (may not refer to all sites)
Density of New Residential Development all sites 2009-2010
37%
54%
9%
Less than 30 Between 30 to 50 Greater than 50
Out of 156 net completions in 2009/2010, 54% of the completions were built at less than 30 dwellings per hectare and were predominantly in the rural areas of Wychavon (this figure is lower than in 2008/2009 where 56.06% of residential developments were built at less than 30 dwellings per hectare). 9% of the completions in 2009/10 were built at a density between 30 to 50 dwellings per hectare; which were also predominantly in the rural areas of the district. 37% were built at more than 50 dwellings per hectare; the majority of these were in the urban areas of Wychavon.
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 200
Table 64: Urban Rural Split (net completions by dwelling not site) Total Density of Development Urban Rural 09/10 Results 08/09 Less than 30 dwellings/Hectare 7.10% 46.45% 53.55% 56.06 30-50 dwellings/Hectare 0.65% 8.39% 9.04% 6.28 Over 50 dwellings/Hectare 32.26% 5.16% 37.42% 37.66 Total 40% 60% 100%
a. Bed Space Breakdown 2009/10 – Local Indicator 5 Mix of Size of Housing
The Chart below shows that out of the 156 net completions in 2009/10 the majority of houses built were either 3 bed (29.49%) or 4 bed (28.85%) dwellings and the majority of flats built were 1 bedroom flats (7.69%). A possible explanation for the majority of completions being larger houses could be as a result of the recession resulting in a drop in property prices. Therefore there have been fewer completions on sites with smaller units that produce lower profits than larger market homes. However, it is likely that the mix of unit size will diversify as the market recovers.
Figure 44: Bed Space breakdown for completed dwellings in 2009/2010
Bed Space Breakdown for Completed Dwellings in 2009-10 Monitoring Year 0% 1% 0% 5% 1 bed house 5% 8% 2 bed house 17% 3 bed house 1% 4 bed house 5 bed house 1 bed flat 2 bed flat 31% 3 bed flat
4 bed flat 32% 5 bed flat
Houses & Flats & Year Unknown Bungalows Maisonettes 2006/7 Unknown Unknown Unknown
2007/8 Unknown Unknown Unknown 2008/9 Unknown Unknown Unknown
2009/10 128 20 8
TOTAL 128 20 8
It is not possible to compare figures to previous years, as bed space breakdown on net completions has not been previously monitored.
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 201
There were no affordable housing completions in the 2009/10 monitoring period, which can be observed in figure 44.
5.8 Gypsy Pitches/Sites
The West Midlands Single Site Housing Report requires permanent gypsy and traveller pitches (not transit pitches) to be counted as part of the overall net additional dwellings as indicated in the definition of COI H4 “Net additional Pitches Gypsy and Traveller”.
For the 2009/10 monitoring year there were a total of 6 sites recorded. Of these, 4 sites were completed providing a total of 10 pitches (10 dwellings), 1 of these sites was a retrospective application. Of the remaining 2 sites, 1 site is currently under construction and works are yet to commence on the other site. These figures will be monitored for the Housing Land Availability Report and Annual Monitoring Report in subsequent years.
5.9 Affordable housing
There is a high need for more affordable housing units within the District, which has been highlighted within the Contextual Indicators Chapter. Unfortunately the affordable housing targets show a shortfall compared to the estimated requirements identified in the 2007 Local Housing Needs Survey for South Worcestershire (292 per annum). It is recognised that we are unable to deliver a significant increase in the supply of affordable housing without a change in both policy (at a national and local level) and funding regimes. However, the Council's Housing Strategy 2005 - 2008 indicates a number of measures being undertaken by the Council to ensure the effective and efficient use of existing housing stock within the District. This includes grants for improved energy efficiency; and working in partnership with Housing Associations to make best use of existing social housing stock. The Council have also been undertaking improvement works to bring empty homes back into use and have brought 42 empty homes back into use during the 2009 / 2010 period.
Our housing department are also currently working with the other District Councils in Worcestershire to produce a `Worcestershire Housing Strategy’ to be in place shortly and its targets will be relevant for the next five years.
Within the period 2005 – 2008, 229 affordable units were granted permission and in this monitoring period (2009 / 2010) 69 new affordable homes were granted planning consent but no units were actually completed this year. The current Housing Strategy target for this year has therefore not been met. In accordance with PPS3; affordable housing includes social rented properties and intermediate affordable housing such as shared ownership or shared equity properties.
Wychavon’s Overall Vision and Promises 2009 / 2010
Target - deliver 60 additional affordable homes • 0 new affordable homes were achieved
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Community Strategy 2007- 2010
Raise awareness of the need for affordable housing with the aim of bringing forward possible development sites more quickly. • 0 new affordable homes were delivered but 69 were granted consent
Local Indicators
The Local Plan requires 30% of relevant new developments to be affordable housing units.
Policy COM 2 In order to help meet demonstrated affordable housing needs, the Council will seek the provision of affordable housing within all residential developments, including conversions (and including adjacent land if it can be expected to form part of a larger site), of either: a) 0.5ha and over, or 15 dwellings, which ever is the lesser; or b) in settlements of less than 3,000 population, either 0.25 ha and over, or 7dwellings or more, whichever is the lesser where there is an identified housing need. On the above qualifying sites the Council will seek up to 30% of the units to be affordable, but the number, type and dispersal of units to be provided will be subject to negotiation.
Table 65: Planning Consents for affordable housing 2009 / 2010 Site above thresholds Date in policy planning COM2 consent (qualifying Total No. No. A/H % Location granted sites) Units Units Achieved
Badsey, land off Manor Close 09/01715 10/09/09 N 2 2
Broadway, Shear House, Leamington Road 09/01605 27/11/09 N 12 12
Eckington, Tewkesbury Road 09/02564 19/03/10 Y 24 7 29.2%
Evesham, land rear of Highfield Road 19/08/09 Y 10 3 30%
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09/01203
Evesham, Shawcross Walk 09/01431 18/08/09 N 1 1
Evesham, land inc 6 -23 Philipscote 09/01641* 02/11/09 Y 29* 29 100%
Evesham, 33 – 38 Cowl Street 09/02051 26/02/10 N 12 12
Harvington, garages off Blakenhurst 09/02207 23/11/09 N 2 2
Pebworth, land adj 18 Elm Close 09/02953 16/02/10 N 1 1
Overall average (excl *) 69 29.6%
* proposals for demolition of 18 homes and replacement with 29 new homes, with net gain of 11 homes. All of the qualifying proposals met or very nearly met the target of 30% of the development providing affordable housing. The overall average was 29.6% excluding the application wholly for affordable homes at Evesham - which is to be implemented by a RSL and replaces 18 existing sub-standard affordable homes with 29 new ones). The Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) for the South Housing Market Area of the West Midlands Region was published in 2008. It concluded that for the period 2008 to 2013 Wychavon required an additional 40 pitches and 20 stopping places. The GTAA was used to inform the West Midlands RSS.
Following the halting of the RSS Phase 3 Revision, Regional Interim Guidance was issued in March 2010 which stated that: • in 2007 there were 123 gypsy pitches in Wychavon; • for the period 2007 to 2017 an additional 42 pitches and 20 stopping places were required for the District; and • 22 new plots for travelling showpeople were required in Worcestershire for the period 2007 to 2012.
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The RSS Interim Statement set the target for gypsy and traveller pitch provision for the monitoring period 2009/10.
Planning consent was granted for 15 additional pitches between 2007 and 31 March 2009 - of which 5 were restrospective. 22 additional pitches were granted during the 2009/10 monitoring period - of which 7 pitches were retrosepctive and 3 pitches allowed on appeal.
5.10 Residential Completions in the Greenbelt 2009 / 2010 Of the 156 net completions in 2009/10, 10 of these dwellings were built in the Green Belt (this is a reduction on the previous year’s figure of 15). Of these 10, 4 dwellings were built on PDL creating 2 three bed semi detached dwellings and 2 four bed detached dwellings. During the monitoring period there were an additional 6 residential units granted approval within the Green Belt that are yet to be built out.
Green Belt policy (Policy SR7) has been effectively implemented throughout the monitoring period with no major losses of Green Belt to development. In the monitoring year 12 applications were refused development in the Green Belt.
6.0 PRUDENT USE OF RESOURCES
CORE OUTPUT INDICATOR – ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
E3 – Renewable Energy Generation - 3 Solar panel/ hot water Renewable energy capacity installed by type: 1 15 kw wind turbine
6.1 Renewable Energy
In the monitoring period, 4 applications were approved for residential renewable energy schemes. This is a 42% decrease on the previous monitoring period; however there were another 10 applications submitted within the monitoring period that will be determined after 1 April 2010. Of those approved, 3 were for solar panels and 1 was for a 15kw wind turbine. The wind turbine application was originally refused due to it’s location in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but was later approved at appeal.
The continued decline in applications relating to renewable energy is likely to be due to householder applicants having Permitted Development Rights for small scale renewable schemes. The popularity and interest in renewable energy on a domestic scale is still evident with 13 applicants seeking pre-application advice on renewable energy, including 9 enquiries about solar panels (including photovoltaics), 3 enquiries about wind turbines and 1 enquiry about ground source heat pumps.
Recycling is actively encouraged throughout the District, not only through a kerbside collection service, but also through the Council’s published Supplementary Planning Guidance on Developer Contributions. During the monitoring period 7 substantial
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recycling contributions were received as part of Section 106 Agreements for residential and mixed use developments, this equated to £7,412.38.
6.2 Local Indicators
The use of more sustainable building techniques including energy efficiency and water management measures is actively encouraged in the Local Plan through Policies SUR1 Built Design. To assist in increasing the number of renewable energy schemes within the District and to encourage sustainable building design, the Council has adopted a Water Management SPD (October 2009), which incorporates sustainable drainage systems (SuDs) and a Residential Design Guide SPD (September 2010) which contains a chapter dedicated to sustainable design and renewable energy.
6.3 Local Energy Saving Schemes
Work is still underway to increase public awareness and to promote renewable energy sources through the housing department and Wychavon Community Contact centres. The Council is also part of the Worcestershire Climate Change Strategy and signed up to the County Pledge. A new Thermal Image Survey was conducted from November 2008 to March 2009 for the whole district to help identify areas of heat loss. Wychavon’s Overall Vision and Promises 2009 / 2010
To reduce the impacts of climate change and household energy consumption • Promoted and used Thermal Imaging information to target the least efficient homes and people on low incomes with energy advice and grants.
6.4 Appeal Monitoring
Monitoring appeal decisions allows us to trigger a review of any policies which are consistently given little or no weight in decision making by Inspectors or are no longer relevant due to updated national or regional guidance.
Table 66: Breakdown of appeal statistics for 2009/2010 Number of Total cases Percentage National Local number where of Cases average for target for of appeal where successful cessful suc Appeals was Appeal was Appeals Appeals Year Decided allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed 2006-07 77 26 34% 34% 25% 2007-08 84 27 32% 35% 25% 2008-09 87 17 20% 34% 25% 2009-10 52 23 44% 32% 25% N.B. Data obtained from Appeal Statistics (Planning Portal) and our Service Delivery Plan 2009/10 &2010/11
The number of appeals allowed during 2009/10 represents a 24% rise on 2008/09 this is 12% higher than the national average of 32% and 19% higher than our local target.
One of the appeals allowed in 2009/10 relates to a Gypsy site for the stationing of 2 caravans.
SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT 2010 206 7.0 PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
7.1 Flood Protection
The table below demonstrates applications where the Environment Agency made objections to development due to flood defence grounds, and the subsequent planning decisions. Where an application has been approved following an objection from the Environment Agency, various conditions have been used that will prevent flooding of and arising from, the proposed development.
The Local Authority is showing evidence of more effective working with the Environment Agency in not allowing the granting of any applications contrary to their advice. During the monitoring year only one application received an Environment Agency objection and this is still awaiting further details and a decision. During the previous monitoring year there were 7 objections received. The marked drop in objections indicates that planning Officers are working closely with the Environment Agency at the pre-application stage, particularly with the introduction of the Water Management SPD in October 2009. In summary, Environment Agency advice is taken on board and is a major factor in the planning decision.
Table 67: Environment Agency objections to planning applications on flood risk grounds 2009 / 2010 Reason for EA 10.0 Application Type Outcome Objection Further information Discharge of has been condition 4 – the submitted to Minor W/09/02253 applicants need to the Residential provide a safe dry Environment pedestrian access Agency and a response is awaited
There were no objections received from the EA on water quality grounds during the monitoring period.
Planning Services Service Delivery Plan 2009 / 2010
Key Objective – Publish a Water Management SPD for new developments • This was adopted in October 2009
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Wychavon’s Overall Vision and Promises 2009 / 2010
Target – Develop flood management plans for 20 villages and towns at the highest risk of flooding. • Flood Action Plans have been produced for 90 parishes and where a flood issue has been identified it is being acted upon.
7.2 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s)
There are 32 SSSI’s in the District made up of 75 units with a total area of 906.07 hectares. Approximately a third of the sites designated as SSSI’s are in a ‘favourable’ condition as classified by Natural England and no sites are classed as ‘partially destroyed’ or ‘destroyed’ within the District.
As Table 68 shows, in the periods 2006-2007 and 2007-2008, there was little change in the various conditions of the SSSI’s. However in this monitoring period, 10.28% more of the overall SSSI’s in the District are meeting the PSA target (this is double that of the previous year 2008 – 2009) meaning that there are less ‘unfavourable no change’ or ‘unfavourable declining’ sites and more ‘unfavourable recovering’. This shows that the SSSI’s are improving and Natural England are working positively towards their targets.
Table 68: SSSI Conditions in Wychavon 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 Area % Area % Area % Area % % Change (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) during monitoring period Meeting PSA 697. 76.9 702.1 77.49 747.1 82.47 840.3 92.7 10.28 target 12 4 5 9 8 5 Favourable 282. 31.1 282.2 31.15 278.5 30.74 263.9 29.1 -1.61 08 3 0 6 3 Unfavourable 415. 45.8 419.9 46.35 468.6 51.73 576.4 63.6 11.89 Recovering 04 1 5 9 2 2 Unfavourable 182. 20.1 177.2 19.57 158.8 17.53 65.68 7.25 -10.28 no change 32 2 9 7 Unfavourable 26.6 2.94 26.62 2.94 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 declining 2 Part 0 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 destroyed/ destroyed Sites Units Units Assessed Total Number 32 75 75 Total Area (ha) 906.07 906.06 906.06 Source: English Nature Condition Reports
The only Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is Bredon Hill – 359.86 ha (England 846,230.85 ha) that comprises of dry grasslands and shrub lands on chalk and limestone which is home to the extremely rare violet click beetle. (Susanne to provide info on this)
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7.3 Local Indicators
Table 69: Use of Protecting the Environment Policies Applications in the AONB 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 Refusals where protection of the AONB is 1 4 9 a key factor Listed Building Applications Approvals for Listed Building consent with 182 142 114 conditions Refusals for Listed Building consent 21 12 15 Conservation Area Applications Approvals within Conservation Areas 6 3 0 Refusals within Conservation Areas 3 0 0
During the monitoring period there were no refusals or approvals within Conservation Areas where use of protecting the Environment policies apply. There is a much greater number year on year of refusals where protection of the AONB is a key factor which shows that this policy is effective in protecting this asset.
Table 70: Archaeological Consultations on planning applications Archaeological Consultations 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 Pre-determination evaluation 9 10 7 8 Pre-determination Historic 2 3 2 4 Building evaluations Total Predetermination 11 13 9 12 Assessments Conditional programme of 14 33 21 25 archaeological work Conditional archaeological 10 20 16 15 watching briefs Conditional Historic Building 14 19 17 14 Recording Total Archaeological 38 72 54 54 Conditions Objections 0 0 1 3
The Total Archaeological Conditions for the District were nearly double the amount from 2006/2007 which shows the importance attached to preserving and conserving this aspect of the historic environment. However, the impact of the recession is responsible for the down turn in numbers for 2008/2009, and is also reflected in the 2009/2010 figures.
In order to ensure that the area maintains and enhances its natural and built assets, policies from the Protecting the Environment chapter in the Local Plan are regularly applied, and development within protected areas is carefully managed. Where development is permitted; conditions are frequently applied.
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8.1 Access to Services
Local Schemes to assist in improving access to services include voluntary transport schemes especially in the rural areas, the completion of a DDA compliant ramp at Evesham Railway Station and a footbridge upgrade at Droitwich Spa Railway Station. There have also been improvements to Pershore Train Station with an electronic screen showing the train arrivals and departures. Other local schemes to address transport related issues are highlighted in the Community Strategy 2007-2010.
Community Strategy 2007-2010
Make improvements to Evesham and Pershore railway stations. Create a cycle route between Evesham and Pershore off main roads
8.3 Local Indicator
Wychavon encourages the use of more sustainable forms of transport through Policy SR5, ‘Minimising Car Dependency’. One of the main ways Wychavon has achieved tangible success with this is through developer contributions for cycling provision, using Section 106 agreements. These contributions fund the provision of better cycling facilities in the District, including improved signage, lane marking and the provision of cycle stands. During 2009 - 2010, many cycling contributions were agreed through Section 106 agreements resulting in £47,752.15 towards improving cycling facilities.
Quota of eligible open spaces managed to Green Flag Award standard Since the previous AMR, Wychavon have retained their Green Flag status for the three main parks in the District:
Abbey Park, Evesham - 3.25 hectares Workman Gardens, Evesham - 1.04 hectares Abbey Park, Pershore - 7.09 hectares
Wychavon currently manage approximately 33 hectares / 82 acres of main parks in the district that could be eligible for a Green Flag Award. Currently the three parks comprising of 12.19 hectares have been awarded this standard representing 36.9% of the total eligible open space.
8.5 Local Indicators
The provision of, and access to public open space is essential for the health and well being of communities. Policy COM12 in the Adopted Local Plan addresses this issue.
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Policy COM 12 Proposals for new residential development of 5 dwellings or more will be required to provide public open space (POS) where the adopted standard or assessed standard indicates a deficiency of provision in the local area. Where on-site provision is not appropriate, financial contributions will be sought to provide new or enhance existing provision according to local circumstances. The long-term maintenance of such facilities may be met by a lump sum payment secured by means of condition or by legal agreement as appropriate.
16 planning applications in 2009 / 2010 were required to provide financial contributions toward the provision / enhancement of POS through S106 agreements. This resulted in a total sum of £578,601 to be used to improve facilities. In addition to this, Wychavon are actively encouraging the use of POS throughout the District and many more development schemes will have provided on-site POS in addition to off-site contributions.
Community Strategy 2007 / 2010
Improve activities / facilities for young people • Droitwich Youth Centre opened and the Youth Zone bus is available for use in rural villages Increase sporting and cultural facilities and activities • Evesham Leisure Centre opened and Pershore Abbey Park awarded a Green Flag Award
Wychavon’s Overall Vision and Promises 2009 / 2010
Open a youth zone in Droitwich and take new youth bus out to villages.
Support four improved play area facilities across Wychavon – achieved Broadway, Hinton on the Green, North and Middle Littleton
9.0 ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
9.1 Business Development
The Regeneration team continues to receive enquiries for land and premises from start up businesses and those seeking to expand and re-locate. Enquiries are received by direct contact and also via Worcestershire’s Property Service co-ordinated on behalf of the County and districts by the Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire who maintain the property database. In recent years an increasing number of enquiries are via the internet.
The challenge is finding appropriate sites for some businesses from the current employment land supply. There is a shortage of Greenfield sites with good road transport links for larger employers who want to remain in the district, and freehold opportunities are at a premium. Of the districts premier employment sites Stonebridge
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Cross Business Park at Droitwich Spa has one plot remaining, and at Vale Park West Evesham, Phase 1 has been speculatively developed attracting several significant local employers.
Amount of completed retail, office and leisure development
9,798m2 of office (B1a) and retail (A1 & A2) development has been recorded as completed during the monitoring period. This is significantly higher than last year, where the figure was 6,688m². This figure excludes leisure development as we currently only monitor leisure developments incorporating more than 1,000m2 gross of built development and in the case of hotels, only those with more than 5 bedrooms. During the monitoring period there were two leisure development completions. These were Worcester Rugby Football Club which consisted of the redevelopment of the East stand and hospitality suite and the completion of Evesham Leisure Centre which was a new development to include a café, community pool and studios.
Percentage of completed retail, office and leisure development in town centres
31% of completed retail and office development floorspace was in town centres (excludes leisure), it must be noted that these sites are not in the defined shopping frontages as stated in the adopted Wychavon District Local Plan, but are still considered to be town centre sites.
Table 71: Total amount of completed floorspace for town centre uses
Town Centre Employment Local Authority Area Employment type m2 % type m2 % B1 (a) 349 5% B1 (a) 7734 77% A1 2064 20% A1 1871 91% A2 273 3% A2 273 100% D2 0 0% D2 0 0 Total 10071 100 Total 2493 Policy SR2 Sufficient land will be provided in the District to enable the construction of 110 hectares of employment land in B1, B2 and B8 uses between April 1996 and March 2011. The residual element of this requirement plus additional land to meet specific employment needs will be met through allocations. The allocations will comprise the following sites identified on the Proposals Map.
In 2009/2010, 62 planning applications were granted approval for business development, with site areas totalling 25.95ha and approved floorspace of 51,557m2. A large proportion of this floorspace was for the detailed applications for Phase II of the Local Plan allocation at Vale Park Evesham.
At 31st March 2010 there were 39.25 ha of unimplemented planning permissions and 24.47 ha of employment land under construction. Therefore the amount of employment land available i.e. those not started, under construction, and allocated totals 76.4 ha
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(gross) compared with 79.7 ha in 2008/9; 80.2 ha in 2007/8; 71.1 ha in 2006/7; and 55.7 ha in 2005/6.
21.87 hectares of new additional employment land became available in the same year. However 2.29 ha of permissions expired in the same period, so the net increase is 19.58 ha.
Wychavon’s Overall Vision and Promises 2009 / 2010
Use land at Vale Park to create an additional 20 units to support the development of key strategic business development sites. - Due to economic climate only 4 completions but 35 units granted planning permission
Introduce a town and village centre retail programme to support the creation of at least 6 new retail businesses – 13 achieved.
Amount of employment land lost to residential development
A site area total of 0.41ha of employment land or 3297m² of floorspace has been lost to residential development, resulting in 16 residential units. This total is much higher than the amount lost to residential last year (0.001ha) which resulted in 3 dwellings.
The Local Plan adopted in June 2006 seeks to address the loss of employment land in rural areas by encouraging the re-use of rural buildings for employment purposes (Policy RES7). In addition to this, a SPD “the Re-use of Rural Buildings” was adopted in July 2007. Policy RES8, in the adopted Local Plan, covers the conversion of existing buildings to residential use; however employment is the preferred use in the first instance. These policies should help to effectively challenge the loss of employment land to residential use.
10.0 SIGNIFICANT EFFECT INDICATORS 2009-2010
The following Sustainability Appraisal Framework (SAF) has been established for Wychavon District Council Local Development Framework (LDF) and has been set out in a Scoping Report (November 2006). The Objectives set out in the SAF will be worked towards and the effectiveness of the LDF will be monitored using the Significant Effect indicators detailed in the table below. Please note that as this is the first Joint AMR, this table refers to Wychavon’s LDF SA objectives; however the objectives have also been applied for Worcester and Malvern, where statistics are available. Consequently this table should be read in conjunction with existing Contextual, Core and Local Output Indicators.
Table 72: Significant Effect Indicators against the LDF SA Objective SEA Topic Decision Making Criteria Significant Effect Indicators Change 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data To reduce levels of Population Will the Local Development Burglary dwelling offences Burglary dwelling offences Burglary offences are down 1 crime and fear of and human Document policies help to 3 per 1000 pop (4.6 nationally) per 1000 population in Wychavon and crime by design in health reduce the level of crime and Wychavon - 2 per 1000 pop down 0.4 per 1000 pop nationally new developments fear of crime? Malvern – 2 per 1000 pop Worcester – 3 per 1000 pop As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern’s data was not (5 nationally) previously monitored in this table but both authorities’ have less than burglary offences nationally. Robbery offences: 0 per 1000 pop Robbery offences: Robbery Offences have not changed in (1 nationally) Wychavon Wychavon - 0 per 1000 pop Malvern - 0 per 1000 pop As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester - 1 per 1000 pop Worcester and Malvern’s data was not previously monitored in this table but both (1 nationally) authorities are less than robbery offences nationally. Theft of a motor vehicle: 2 per 1000 Theft of a motor vehicle: Theft of a motor vehicle have not changed pop (2 nationally) in Wychavon Wychavon - 2 per 1000 pop Malvern – 1 per 1000 pop As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester - 1 per 1000 pop Worcester and Malvern’s data was not previously monitored in this table but both (2 nationally) authorities have less than theft of motor vehicle offences nationally. Violence against the person: 8 per Violence against the person: Violence against the person is down 1 1000 pop (14 nationally) per 1000 population in Wychavon and down Wychavon - 7 per 1000 pop 2 per 1000 pop nationally. Malvern – 7 per 1000 pop
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SA Objective SEA Topic Decision Making Criteria Significant Effect Indicators Change 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data Worcester - 17 per 1000 pop As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern’s data was not (16 nationally) previously monitored in this table. Worcester is above the national average for violence against the person. To ensure that n/a Will the Local Development Data not available this year Data not available this year n/a development Document policies strengthens strengthen sustainable economically, communities? socially and Wychavon - No retail Wychavon - 8% of retail Retail Developments permitted within environmentally developments permitted in 08/09 developments permitted in Primary Shopping Areas has increased by sustainable were within Primary Shopping 09/10 were in the 8% on the previous year. communities Areas. designated Primary Shopping Frontage. As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern’s data was not Malvern and Worcester – previously monitored in this table. However High Retail strength is indicated high retail strength is indicated in para 6.30 in para 6.30 and Table 3 and Table 3 of the AMR.
To ensure an Population Will the Local Development 57 affordable homes were built in Affordable homes were built in A decrease of 57 affordable homes were adequate provision and human Document policies improve this period. this period: built in the monitoring period. of decent affordable health the provision of affordable housing decent homes? Wychavon – 0 As this year is the first Joint AMR, Malvern – 91 Worcester and Malvern’s data was not Worcester - 82 previously monitored in this table. Median house prices: Median house prices: Median house price in Wychavon has Wychavon: £206,228 increased by £57,420 but the median house England: £153,862 Malvern: 263,616 price for England has decreased by £967. Worcester: 175,881 Wychavon: £263,648 As this year is the first Joint AMR, England: £152,895 Worcester and Malvern’s data was not previously monitored in this table. Malvern and Worcester are above the national average house prices. To reuse existing n/a Will the Local Development 70% of completions were on Completions were on PDL completions have decreased by 9% land and maximise Document policies Previously Developed Land Previously Developed Land: on the previous year. the use of previously encourage land to be developed land reused? Wychavon - 61% As this year is the first Joint AMR, Malvern – 23% Worcester and Malvern’s data was not Worcester – 100% previously monitored in this table.
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SA Objective SEA Topic Decision Making Criteria Significant Effect Indicators Change 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data 3 dwellings were created on Wychavon - 16 dwellings were The amount of former employment land 0.001ha of former employment created on 0.41ha of former used to create residential development has land. employment land. increased by 0.409 ha.
As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern’s data was not previously monitored in this table.
100% of Industrial completions (B2) Wychavon - 83% of all Industrial completions (B2) on Previously were on Previously Developed industrial completions (B1, Developed Land has decreased by 17% on Land. B2, B8) were on the previous year (It should be noted that PDL/Brownfield land. there were only two completions on B2 land). Malvern – 65% (B2 completions) As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern’s data was not Worcester – 0% (B2 previously monitored in this table. completions)
To develop a Population Will the Local Development Median average weekly income, Median average weekly Median average weekly income in knowledge driven and human Document policies promote Wychavon: £403,England: £483 income, Wychavon is down by £9, while Great economy that health economic growth for all? (Wychavon income is 16.5% lower Britain is down by £85.70. promotes prosperity than the national average) Wychavon - £365.9 for all Malvern - £467.10 As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester - £431.40 Worcester and Malvern’s data was not England: £397.3 previously monitored in this table
(7.9 national average) 65.3% of Wychavon pupils Pupils achieved 5 or more The percentage of pupils achieving 5 or achieved 5 or more GCSEs at GCSEs at grades A* - C (Great more GCSEs at grades A* - C is up 8.2% in grades A* - C (Great Britain = Britain = 70%) Wychavon. 63.8%) Wychavon -73.5% As this year is the first Joint AMR, Malvern – 75.1% Worcester and Malvern’s data was not Worcester – 63.8% previously monitored in this table
To regenerate n/a Will the Local Development 55% of housing completions were Housing completions were Housing completions within the district’s existing centres and Document policies within the district's towns. within the district's towns. towns is down 11% on the previous year. promote urban regenerate existing centres? renewal Wychavon – 44% As this year is the first Joint AMR, Malvern – 24% Worcester and Malvern’s data was not Worcester – 46% previously monitored in this table.
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SA Objective SEA Topic Decision Making Criteria Significant Effect Indicators Change 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data
90% of this development was on Development on Brownfield Brownfield land. land.
Wychavon – 25% Development on Brownfield land in the Malvern – 74% district’s towns is up by 8% on the previous Worcester – 100% year. To protect sectoral n/a Will the Local Development Wychavon had 570 VAT No new data available As this year is the first Joint AMR, economies and allow Document policies promote registrations, compared with 2,055 Worcester and Malvern’s data was not for their strategic growth within the existing for Worcestershire and 365 de- previously monitored in this table growth and economy and provide the registrations, compared with 1,415 remodeling flexibility required by for the county, resulting in a net business? gain of 205 for Wychavon.
To preserve or Cultural Will the Local Development Listed Buildings at Risk: As this year is the first Joint AMR, enhance townscape heritage and Document policies protect Worcester and Malvern’s data was not quality, heritage and landscape and enhance the district's Wychavon – 23 previously monitored in this table amenity by design heritage? Malvern – 2 Worcester 19 Wychavon has not previously monitored Listed Buildings at risk. 3 applications were approved in 0 applications were approved Applications approved in Conservation Conservation Areas. in Conservation Areas. Areas have lowered by 3 on the previous year.
Malvern and Worcester As this year is the first Joint AMR, monitoring the number of Worcester and Malvern’s data was not planning applications within previously monitored in this table. Conservation Areas:
Malvern – see Table 38 Worcester – see Table 9
There were 2400+ listed buildings Llisted buildings: No Change.
Wychavon - 2400+ As this year is the first Joint AMR, Malvern – 1,862 Worcester and Malvern’s data was not Worcester – 701 previously monitored in this table.
2 S.106 agreements were agreed 7 S.106 agreements were S.106 agreements for for household recycling. agreed for household recycling. household recycling have increased by 5. £7,412.38 in S106 contributions was
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SA Objective SEA Topic Decision Making Criteria Significant Effect Indicators Change 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data obtained for recycling in 09/10.
23.9% of Wychavon household 42.3% of Wychavon household waste is recycled waste is recycled Household recycling in Wychavon is up by 18.4% 27% of Malvern’s waste is recycled (08/09) To minimise waste Population Will the Local Development Wychavon produced 374.18kg Wychavon produced 195.5 kg Wychavon produced 178.68kg less waste and promote and human Document policies minimise waste per capita. waste per capita. per capita than the previous year. recycling, re-use and health and waste to landfill? recovery in order to Water and minimise its impact soil
7 applications secured S.106 8 applications secured S.106 Applications secured for S.106 provisions provisions for on and offsite Public provisions for on and offsite for on and offsite Public Open Space has Open Space. Public Open Space. increased by 1. £578,601 in S106 contributions was obtained for Public Open Space in 09/10. To promote Climate Will the Local Development 66% of people in Wychavon 66% of people in Wychavon As census data was used, there is currently environmentally Factors, Air Document policies promote 45% Malvern and 82% Worcester 45% Malvern and 82% no change to this indicator. friendly transport sustainable travel patterns? travel to work by car. Only 3% for Worcester modes and minimise Wychavon, 6% Worcester and travel to work by car. journeys by private 1.9% for Malvern travel by public car transport. Only 3% for Wychavon, 6%
Worcester and 1.9% for Malvern travel by public transport. 12 out of the 20 important and 12 out of the 20 important and No Change. nationally rare species highlighted nationally rare species in the Worcestershire Biodiversity highlighted in the Action Plan are present in Worcestershire Biodiversity Wychavon. Action Plan are present in Wychavon. For Malvern this is considered to be 1 site. To improve Biodiversity, Will the Local Development 30.74% of land designated as an Land designated as an SSSI in Land designated as an Biodiversity, protect fauna and Document policies maintain SSSI in Wychavon is in a favorable a favorable condition: SSSI in Wychavon in a favorable condition habitats and improve flora Biodiversity, habitats and condition 51.73% is unfavorable, is down 1.61% while land designated as the accessibility of open space? but recovering unfavorable, but recovering is up 11.89%. open space Wychavon - 29.13% Malvern - 55% As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern’s data was not
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SA Objective SEA Topic Decision Making Criteria Significant Effect Indicators Change 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data previously monitored in this table.
Unfavorable, but recovering:
Wychavon- 63.62% Malvern – 30%
SAP ratings: data currently SAP ratings: data currently No Change. unavailable unavailable
Co2 per capita: Co2 per capita: According to new 2008 estimates (DEFRA), Co2 emissions per capita in Wychavon are Wychavon - 11.9 Wychavon - 8.6 down by 3.3 Wychavon and also by 1.4 in Malvern – 7.2 the UK. UK – 8.4 (New 2007 Estimates). Worcester - 8.6 As this year is the first Joint AMR, UK – 7.0 (New 2008 Worcester and Malvern’s data was not Estimates). previously monitored in this table. To ensure Climate Will the Local Development 5MW was produced from 5MW was produced from No Change. developments Factors, Air Document policies promote renewable sources (Hill and Moor renewable sources (Hill and conform to high energy efficiency? site). Moor site). standards of energy 7 applications for microgeneration Wychavon - 4 applications for Wychavon - Approvals for microgeneration efficiency schemes were approved. micro generation schemes schemes have decreased. Permitted were approved. Development Rights have seen decline although continue to see high numbers of Worcester - 0 applications for enquiries and pre-application discussions. micro generation schemes were approved As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern’s data was not previously monitored in this table. Due to Malvern’s change in monitoring database the information was not available this year.
To encourage Climate Will the Local Development Biological water quality: 79.3% Wychavon - Biological water Due to no data update from DEFRA, this renewable energy Factors, Air Document policies good, 16.6% fair, 4.2% bad. quality: 79.3% good, 16.6% indicator remains unchanged. generation and encourage renewable fair, 4.2% poor. microgeneration in energy sources and new developments generation? Malvern – 80.7% Good, 16.5% fair, 2.8% poor
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SA Objective SEA Topic Decision Making Criteria Significant Effect Indicators Change 2008/2009 Data 2009/2010 Data Worcester – 59% good, 13.1% fair, 27% poor.
Chemical water quality: 81.6% Wychavon - Chemical water Due to no data update from DEFRA, this good, 12.8% fair, 5.5% poor. quality: 81.6% good, 12.8% indicator remains unchanged. fair, 5.5% poor.
Malvern – 87 good, 12.5 fair, 0.5 poor
Worcester – 55 good, 45 fair, 0 poor.
To improve air, soil Air, Water Will the Local Development CO2 per capita, % commuting by CO2 per capita, % commuting and water quality and soil Document policies help car, Waste recycling, Waste by car, Waste recycling, Waste N/A reduce pollution? composting (see above statistics) composting (see above statistics) To avoid flooding Water and Will the Local Development Wychavon - There was 1 objection Wychavon - There were no Wychavon – This is a decrease on the and other soil Document policies avoid received from the EA on water objections received from the EA previous AMR. environmental risk environmental risk? quality grounds during the on water quality grounds during monitoring period. the monitoring period. As this year is the first Joint AMR, Worcester and Malvern’s data was not previously monitored in this table. Contaminated land: no sites Contaminated land: no sites designated as contaminated. designated as contaminated. No Change.
10.1
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CONTEXTUAL INDICATORS EVIDENCE
In establishing whether the policies within Wychavon are working effectively it is important to understand the context in which they are set and the issues and opportunities facing the District. This chapter sets out contextual indicators that provide an overview of the district, and form a basis from which local policies can be assessed. CONTEXT AND SETTING A Map of the District of Wychavon Wychavon is a predominantly rural area situated in the eastern part of the county of Worcestershire, in the south of the West Midlands region. The area covers 260 square miles (400 km2) and is bordered by Warwickshire to the east, the city of Worcester, Malvern Hills District and the River Severn to the west, the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire to the south and the towns of Bromsgrove, Redditch and Kidderminster to the north.
Wychavon has three towns, namely Droitwich Spa, Evesham and Pershore. It is also home to the large Cotswold village of Broadway in the south and nearly 100 other villages and hamlets that are scattered throughout the District. The landscape is characterised by the River Avon that meanders through the southern part of the district, the fruit growing Vale of Evesham and the isolated high point of Bredon Hill which falls within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The District has good communication links with the M5 running the length of it, providing 4 access points, and rail services connecting it with main lines running from Worcester to both Birmingham, London, the South West and South Wales.
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DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Religion Christian Buddhist Hindu Jewish Muslim Sikh Other No Not religion stated 81.2% 0.09% 0.05% 0.08% 0.21% 0.09% 0.21% 11.4% 6.53%
Source: Census, 2001, based on Feb 2003 data
98.82% of the population are white (England & Wales = 91.31%), with the majority having Christian faith.
HOUSING PROFILE
Average Property Prices House Type Wychavon England & Wales Feb-09 Detached 287,226 £235,363 Semi-Detached 172,981 £145,237 Terraced .131,849 £118,885 Flat 117,640 £144,707 Average Price (All House Types) £206,228 £153,862 Source: Land Registry 2008 and BBC website (Jan – April 2009)
Average house prices in Wychavon were 25.4% higher than the national average in the monitoring period.
Housing Stock Tenure Total no. of % of households households Owner Occupied 37,600 76% Registered Social Landlord 8,700 17% Private Rented 3,300 7% TOTAL 49,600 100% Source: Making a Real Difference: Wychavon’s Housing Strategy 2005-2008
The Local Housing Needs Report for South Worcestershire (Sept 2007) suggests that in Wychavon an additional 292 households per year will need affordable housing. This represents 64% of the RSS option 2 housing supply.
Approximately 2% (980 dwellings) of the district’s housing stock was vacant in 2004 which is lower compared to the 3% national average (Wychavon District Council House Condition Survey, 2004).
Average Household Size in Wychavon is smaller than the national average at 2.38 (2.40 nationally) (Census, 2001).
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Homelessness in Wychavon equates to approximately 188 households, which works out at 0.4% (English average 0.7%). (Making a Real Difference: Wychavon’s Housing Strategy 2005-2008).
Housing Stock Conditions Owner Housing Privately Characteristic Occupied Association Rented All Stock Dwellings 37,600 8,700 3,300 49,600 Per cent of stock 76% 17% 7% Unfit 460 140 150 750 Rate 1.2% 1.6% 4.5% 1.5% Substantial Disrepair 3,600 1,600 700 5,900 Rate 10% 18% 20% 12% Not Decent 7,200 2,150 1,100 10,450 Rate 19% 25% 33% 21% Serious Hazards 1,400 900 500 2,800 Rate 4% 11% 15% 5.7% In Fuel Poverty 4,000 1,900 1,100 7,000 Rate 11% 19% 31% 14% Mean SAP* 50 52 45 50 Residents over 60 14,600 3,700 500 18,800 Rate 39% 42% 16% 38% *SAP = Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Efficiency
Source: Wychavon District Council: House Condition Survey 2004. Characteristics by Tenure
N.B. For the sake of simplicity, all dwellings, including accommodation such as caretakers dwellings etc, that are not part of the main three tenures, have been subsumed into the figures for the other three tenures.
Wychavon’s stock is more modern when compared with the condition of properties nationally, with 54% of properties built after 1964 compared to the national average of 40% (WDC, 2004). Wychavon has a higher percentage of detached and semi-detached properties when compared to the national average and fewer terraced properties and flats. In general, the condition of properties within the district’s stock is of a higher standard compared to the national average.
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SOCIO-CULTURAL PROFILE
Deprivation Levels
1 = least deprived quintile 5 = most deprived quintile
Residents (%) in Residents each quintile Number 1 - 34.9 40,236 2 - 29.7 34,260 3 - 27.8 32,097 4 - 7.5 8670 5 - 0.0 0
All 100.0 115,263 Source: Wychavon’s Health Profile (2009), based on Population figures in 2005
• The table above shows the proportion of residents within the local authority living in neighbourhoods belonging to each of the five national deprivation quintiles. These quintiles were derived by arranging all the small areas (Lower Super Output Areas) in England in rank order according to the deprivation scores in the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 and dividing them into five equal groupings.
• Wychavon is ranked 261 out of 354 local authorities (with 1 being the most deprived) in the index of multiple deprivation 2007, and is thus not a deprived area.
• Of the 78 Super Output Areas (SOAs) in Wychavon, none lie in the 10% most deprived SOAs in England.
In the Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in Wychavon, one area is ranked within the top 1% most deprived areas in England in the barriers to housing and services category, with an additional 15 areas in the 10% most deprived areas in this category. The area in the top 1% is the area encompassing Besford, Upper Strensham and the east part of Eckington, with a rank of 222 out of the 32,482 areas used in the national index (1 being the most deprived). Wychavon also has one area in the top 10% most deprived areas in terms of income (Besford, Upper Strensham and the east part of Eckington, Rank 2905) and one area in the top 10% most deprived areas in terms of Education (Westlands, Rank 1275).
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Education
West England and Wychavon Wychavon Midlands Wales Count (%) (%) (%)
Total People (age 82, 340 3, 780, 784 37, 607,438 16-74) NVQ4 and above 16, 473 20.3 16.2 19.7 NVQ3 and above 6, 312 7.6 7.5 8.2 NVQ2 and above 16, 792 20.3 16.7 19.4 NVQ1 and above 14, 136 17.1 18.5 16.5 Other qualifications 6, 358 7.7 7.2 6.9 No qualifications 22, 269 27 33.9 29.2
NVQ 1 equivalent: e.g. fewer than 5 GCSEs at grades A-C, foundation GNVQ, NVQ 1, intermediate 1 national qualification (Scotland) or equivalent NVQ 2 equivalent: e.g. 5 or more GCSEs at grades A-C, intermediate GNVQ, NVQ 2, intermediate 2 national qualification (Scotland) or equivalent NVQ 3 equivalent: e.g. 2 or more A levels, advanced GNVQ, NVQ 3, 2 or more higher or advanced higher national qualifications (Scotland) or equivalent NVQ 4 equivalent: (HND, Degree and Higher Degree level qualifications or equivalent) Other qualifications: includes foreign qualifications and some professional qualifications Source: Census, 2001
Overall residents of Wychavon have achieved slightly higher qualification levels than the national averages, except for qualifications at NVQ2 level.
20.3% of the population of the District have a qualification of NVQ4 and above, which is higher than the national average of 19.7%.
In 2007-2008, £216,996 was collected through Section 106 agreements towards improving education provisions in the District.
Health and Well-Being Health Statistics (2001) Wychavon England & Wales % Population % population General Health: Good 70.4 68.5 General Health: Fairly 22.1 22.2 Good General Health: Not Good 7.4 9.2 People with a limiting long- 16.1 18.2 term illness People of working age with 6.5 8.3 a limiting long-term illness Source: Census 2001
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Life Expectancy at birth Life Expectancy at Birth (2006-2008) Males 78.80 (77.4 nationally) Females 83.20 (81.6 nationally)
Source: Worcestershire Public Health Directorate Annual Public Health Report 2007/08 and Census 2001
Generally health within the District is better than the national average. Life Expectancy is above the national average for both males and females.
TRANSPORT AND SPATIAL CONNECTIVITY
Car Ownership Wychavon England Households with no car/ van 14.4% 26.8% Households with 1 car/ van 40.0% 43.7% Households with 2 cars/ vans 34.6% 23.6% Households with 3 or more cars/ vans 8.1% 4.5% Households with 4 or more cars/ vans 2.9% 1.4% Source: Census 2001
85.6% of households within the district have at least one car/van which is significantly higher then the national average of 73.2%.
Travel to Work
Travel to work (people aged 16- Number % England 74 in employment) Work mainly at home 7002 12.5% 9.2% Tube, metro, light rail, tram 28 0.0% 3.2% Train 644 1.1% 4.2% Bus, Minibus or Coach 924 1.6% 7.5% Motorcycle, Scooter, Moped 534 1.0% 1.1% Driving a car or van 37215 66.2% 54.9% Passenger in a car or van 3367 6.0% 6.1% Taxi 115 0.2% 0.5% Bicycle 1379 2.5% 2.8% On Foot 4766 8.5% 10.0% Other 212 0.4% 0.5% Source: Census 2001
The majority of people within Wychavon travel to work by car or van, however, a higher number than the national average work from home.
Access to public transport is limited in the more rural areas, although partnerships such as the Wychavon and Redditch Rural Transport Partnership, Pershore Passenger Transport Forum and several
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Community Transport Schemes have had a positive impact (e.g. Hartlebury & Honeybourne).
There are train stations in the 3 towns and 2 villages; Pershore and Evesham are connected to a mainline to London and all three have links to Worcester providing access to Birmingham.
Cycle routes are being invested in and encouraged within the District and more widely within the County, in particular Routes 41, 45 and 46 of the National Cycle Network.
ECONOMIC PROFILE
Economic Activity Rates Wychavon West England Wychavon % numbers Midlands % % All people Economically Active 62,200 82.1 75.6 76.5 In employment 59,400 78.2 68.5 70.3 Employees 45,700 61.5 59.7 60.9 Self employed 12,300 14.9 8.3 9.0 Unemployed 3,600 5.8 9.3 7.9 Males Economically Active 31,400 84.4 82.3 82.7 In employment 30,300 81.4 73.0 75.2 Employees 21,100 58.1 60.3 62.0 Self employed 8,500 21.3 12.2 12.8 Unemployed * * 11.1 8.9 Females Economically Active 30,800 79.8 68.9 70.3 In employment 29,100 75.2 64.0 65.5 Employees 24,600 64.8 59.1 59.8 Self employed 3,800 8.7 4.4 5.2 Unemployed * * 7.2 6.7 Source: Office for National Statistics Annual Population Survey April 2009- March 2010
58.8% of the population are of working age, which is lower than regional (West Midlands 61%) and national figures.
The percentage of people of working age that are in employment is 78.2%, higher than that at a regional and national level which are 68.5% and 70.3% respectively.
Generally the District has a greater proportion of people employed in more manual occupations than the national average, and a lower than average percentage of the population involved in white-collar (office based/ managerial) occupations.
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The main local industries are horticulture, food, food distribution and processing, although there are an increasing number of light industrial developments around the three towns.
THE NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Wychavon has a total of 65 Conservation Areas and 1 Registered Battlefield
The District has nearly 2,500 listed buildings including 20 Grade One, 160 Grade Two (with Star) and the remainder are Grade Two listed.
There are 74 Ancient Monuments scattered throughout the District.
7 Historic Parks and Gardens in the District are registered nationally and approximately 81 are on a locally important list.
There are 32 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the District made up of 75 units monitored by English Nature and 134 Special Wildlife Sites (SWS).
There are 16 Local Geological sites (formally known as RIGS) in Wychavon
• The District has a rich and diverse natural environment including 2 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) at Bredon Hill and part of the Cotswolds AONB. Bredon Hill is a recognised Site of International Importance for Nature Conservation and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designated under the EC Habitats Directive and is home to several protected species
Map of Designated Sites within Wychavon’s natural environment
AONB
SAC
SSSI
SWS
RIGS SAS
Historic Parks & Gardens
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For definitions please click the following link http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/coreoutputindicators2.pdf
Employment B1a B1b B1c B2 B8 Total BD1 gross 7,734 7,953 12,713 30,159 net N/A N/A N/A N/A BD2 gross 7,734 7,953 12,713 30,159 % gross on PDL 93% 100% 41% 73% BD8 hectares N/A N/A N/A 13.03 ha * Includes mixed use developments as part of the total
Floorspace for Town Centre Uses A1 A2 B1a D2 Total BD4 gross 1914 273 552 N/A 2702 net 651 5 -933 N/A -277
Housing Target Start of Plan End of plan Total Housing Source of Plan Period Period Requirement Target H1 1/4/2006 31/3/2026 9,100 RSS
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02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25 25/26
H2a Previous net 467 524 417 323 246 265 210 additions H2b Net additions for 156 reporting year H2c Future net 150 200 352 352 352 620 620 620 620 620 620 620 620 620 620 620 additions hectares n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Local Plan Target Adopted RSS 294 294 294 294 294 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 Target Phase 2 RSS 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 455 Target H2d Managed Delivery -209 -399 -644 -943 -1248 -1503 -1606 -1709 -1812 -1647 -1482 -1317 -1152 -987 -822 -657 -492 -327 -162 3 Target
H3: New and Converted Dwellings on Previously Developed Land Total H3 gross 178 % gross on PDL 57%
H4: Gypsy and Travellers Permanent Transit Total H4 000
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H5: Affordable Housing Social rent homes provided Intermediate homes provided Affordable homes total H5 0 0 0
H6: Building for Life Assessments (No Data)
E1: Flooding and Water Quality Flooding Quality Total E1 0 0 0
E2: Biodiversity Loss Addition Total
E2 0 0 7,605
E3: Renewable Energy E3 Wind Solar Ground Hydro Biomass Total Onshore Photovoltaic Source Landfill Sewage Municipal Co-firing Animal Plant gas sludge (and of biomass biomass biomass digestion industrial) with fossil Plant solid waste fuels biomass combustion Permitted installed 3 solar 0.015Mw N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A capacity in panel apps MW Completed installed N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A capacity in MW
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APPENDIX 4 BUILDING FOR LIFE CRITERIA
The Building for Life criteria is a government-endorsed assessment benchmark developed by CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment). The assessment has been designed to ensure that it meets the criteria described for housing quality in PPS3.
Each housing development (scheme) is awarded a score out of 20, based on the proportion of CABE Building for Life questions that are answered positively. The scores are categorised as very good (16 or more positive answers out of 20); good (14 or more positive answers out of 20); average (10 or more positive answers out of 20); or poor (less than 10 questions answered positively).
The following criteria is split into four sections containing five questions each:
Environment & Community 1. Does the development provide (or is it close to) community facilities, such as a school, parks, play areas, shops, pubs and cafes? 2. Is there an accommodation mix that reflects the needs and aspirations of the local community? 3. Is there a tenure mix that reflects the needs of the local community? 4. Does the development have easy access to public transport? 5. Does the development have any features that reduce its environmental impact?
Character 6. Is the design specific to the scheme? 7. Does the scheme exploit existing buildings, landscape and topography? 8. Does the scheme feel like a place with a distinctive character? 9. Do the buildings and layout make it easy to find your way around? 10. Are streets defined by a well-structured building layout?
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Streets, Parking and Pedestrianisation 11. Does the building layout take priority over the streets and car parking, so that the highways do not dominate? 12. Is the car parking well integrated and situated so it supports the street scene? 13. Are streets pedestrian, cycle and vehicle friendly? 14. Does the scheme integrate with existing streets, paths and surrounding development? 15. Are public spaces and pedestrian routes overlooked and do they feel safe?
Design & Construction 16. Is the public space well designed and does it have suitable management arrangements in place? 17. Do the buildings exhibit architectural quality? 18. Do internal spaces and layout allow for adaptation, conversion, extension? 19. Has the scheme made use of advances in construction or technology that enhances its performance, quality and attractiveness? 20. Do buildings or spaces outperform statutory minima, such as building regulations?
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Affordable Housing For those who are unable to buy or rent housing on the open market. Comprise rented or part-owned accommodation (usually provided and managed by Housing Associations). Occupation may be limited to people with a local connection.
Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) Authorities are required to produce AMRs to assess the implementation of the LDS and the extent to which policies in LDDs are being achieved.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) A specifically defined and protected environmental area. Areas of national importance for their landscape value within which the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty is most important.
Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPI) BVPIs provide Local Authorities with a way of measuring their performance in order to know how well they are doing as well as to help identify opportunities for improvement.
Community Strategy Local Authorities are required by the Local Government Act 2000 to prepare these to help improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of areas.
Conservation Area A specifically defined and protected environmental area in view of its special architectural or historic interest. They are designated by Local Planning Authorities.
Core Output Indicator (COI) Core output Indicators are defined by the Department of Communities and Local Government in its paper, “Regional Spatial Strategy and Local
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Development Framework Core Output Indicators – Update 2/2008”. The indicators cover a number of national planning policy and sustainable development objectives appropriate to local and regional policy. They are a specified requirement of the Annual Monitoring Report.
Core Strategy Long term spatial strategy and vision for the area including strategic policies and proposals to deliver that vision.
County Structure Plan Provides a countywide strategic framework for the control of development. Please note some of the policies located within the plan have not been saved. For more information please visit the Worcestershire County Council website
Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
The DCLG was created on 5 May 2006 and replaces the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. It is the main source of national planning policy and is charged with building the capacity of communities to shape and protect their own future.
Development Plan Document (DPD) These Documents are subject to rigorous procedures regarding evidence gathering, community involvement and an independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate. The DPD should include the following elements: • Core Strategy; • Site specific allocations of land; • Area Action Plans (where needed); and • Proposals map (with inset maps, where necessary).
Examination in Public An Inspector is appointed by the Planning Inspectorate to hold an examination to discuss objections made to the Development Plan Documents and the Statement of Community Involvement.
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Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM) The regional government office is responsible for implementing national policy in the West Midlands and ensures that local authorities comply with national guidance and the Regional Spatial Strategy. Please note as part of the CLG’s revaluation of QUANGO’s the GOWM will close in March 2011.
Listed Building Building or other structure of special architectural or historic interest included on a statutory list and assigned a grade (I, II* or II).
Local Development Documents (LDDs) Will comprise of: • Statement of Community Involvement (SCI); • Strategic Environmental Assessment/Sustainability Appraisal • (SEA/SA); • Development Plan Documents (DPD); • Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD).
Local Development Framework (LDF) The LDF contains a series of LDDs as well as the ‘saved’ Local Plan, which will provide the Local Planning authority’s policies and proposals for meeting the community’s economic, environmental and social aims for the future of their area where this affects the development of land.
Local Development Scheme (LDS) The LDS sets out the programme for preparing the LDDs.
Local Indicators Local Indicators are a range of monitoring indicators determined by the local authority.
MHDLP Malvern Hills District Local Plan
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The Local Plan is a statutory document prepared under the provisions of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and the 2004 Transitional Regulations. Its purpose is to guide long-term decisions about the future of the District and day to day development control decisions about individual planning and other applications. The Local Plan will comprise a ‘saved plan’ within the Local Development Framework (for Malvern Hills District). (See www.malvernhills.gov.uk.).
Office of National Statistics (includes Census data) (ONS)
Planning Inspectorate (PINS) The Planning Inspectorate is responsible for the processing of planning and enforcement appeals and holding inquiries into development plans.
Previously Developed Land (PDL) Land which is or was occupied by a permanent structure (excluding agricultural or forestry buildings), and associated fixed surface infrastructure. The definition covers the cartilage of the development and is also known as ‘brownfield’ land.
Planning Policy Statement (PPS) These are statements prepared by the Government on a range of planning issues. The Local Development Documents should accord with guidance set out in the statements. They are intended to replace the existing series of Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs) (see www.communities.gov.uk).
Regional Planning Body (RPB) Has responsibility to take forward, implement and review the Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands.
Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) The RSS, incorporating a regional transport strategy, provides a spatial framework to inform the preparation of Local Development Documents, Local Transport Plans and regional and sub-regional strategies and programmes
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that have a bearing on land-use activities. Please note the Coalition Government has made it intentions clear that it wish to abolish Regional Strategies via the Decentralisation and Localism Bill. At publication the WMRSS remains part of the three South Worcestershire Local Development Frameworks
Sculptural Turbine A wind turbine structure which provides alternative use of power on site.
Section 106 Agreement A legal document which seeks to ensure compliance with the necessary requirements of a planning permission to which it relates.
South Worcestershire Development Plan The South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy (SWJCS) and Site Allocations Plan Development Plan Document are to be joined together into one plan. This will be called the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP). The three South Worcestershire Authorities are still working together on a joint plan, but as a result of the recent changes to the planning system, we have revised our approach and plan to move forward reflecting the new Government agenda.
South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy (SWJCS) A planning framework, (as part of the Development Plan Document) which aims to ensure that development has a positive impact on the area via policies and proposals. It is being jointly prepared by the three local authorities and communities of Malvern Hills, Wychavon and Worcester City.
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) This sets out the planning authority’s proposals for involving the local community in plan-making and development control (significant applications). It is not a DPD but it is, however, subject to independent examination.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Assessment of the environmental impacts of the policies and proposals contained within the LDF.
Stakeholders Interested parties who have an interest in the activities of the Council.
Supplementary Planning Document (SPD): SPDs are intended to elaborate upon the policy and proposals in DPDs. They are a material consideration in the determination of a planning application but do not have the status or weight of a DPD.
Sustainability Appraisal (SA) An assessment of the impacts of policies and proposals on economic, social and environmental matters contained within the Local Development Framework.