APPENDICES Leisure, Arts, Culture and Tourist Accommodation in Basildon District and an Update of Prospects for Retail Sector Capacity For Basildon District Council APPENDIX 1 Appendix 1: Health Check Assessment: Introduction July 2010 ______________________________________________________________________________________ HEALTH CHECK ASSESSMENTS INTRODUCTION Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4) ‘Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth’ emphasises the need for the local authorities to monitor the ‘health’ of their town centres and how they change over time. It also indicates that town centres which benefit from higher levels of vibrancy and vitality foster a sense of civic pride and local identity and can contribute towards the aims of sustainable development. The health checks contained within this Appendix provide a ‘snap shot’ assessment of the vitality and viability of the main centres within Basildon District as of April 2008, in accordance with the then PPS6, but now updated to reflect the subtle changes that have appeared in PPS4. The health checks thereafter feed into a broader consideration of the function and performance of these centres and how they can be managed, through policy, to achieve appropriate outcomes. THE IMPORTANCE OF TOWN CENTRES The five centres of Basildon, Billericay, Wickford, Laindon and Pitsea form the focal point for the community and provide a hub for retail, employment, leisure, education, transport and civic activities. Since the late 1990’s, town centres nationally have witnessed high levels of vitality and viability with strong retail sales growth and the implementation of major town centre redevelopment schemes. Despite the ongoing growth of out-of-centre retail development there has been resurgence in development activity within established centres, primarily linked to the ambitious expansion plans of national department stores and key retailers such as Debenhams, Next, and Primark. However, the recession has impacted on consumer spending which has, to a greater or lesser extent impacted on the vitality and viability of high streets nationally. INFORMATION SOURCES AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE HEALTH CHECKS These health checks have been formulated with reference to an extensive range of documents, discussions with Basildon District Council officers and health check visits to each of the centres. WYG Planning & Design: Appendix 1 - Introduction to Health Checks vFINAL ____________________________________________________________ 1 Appendix 1: Health Check Assessment: Introduction July 2010 ______________________________________________________________________________________ All of the health checks have been structured and presented in a manner intended to facilitate easy access and understanding by people without a technical background. Graphs and tables have been used extensively to provide easily accessible and comparable information, and are supplemented with photographs and commentary to extend understanding. Where possible, comparisons have been made with the previous data to highlight any changes (for example, an increased number of vacancies) that have occurred. The heath checks are structured as follows: 1. Date of visit This briefly sets out when the health check visit occurred, and therefore when the ‘snap shot’ was taken. 2. Local Plan Status This briefly sets out the status of each centre, as per the operative Local Plan. 3. Centre Overview A very brief description of the town centre is provided, supplemented with photographs. This section also contains a land use plan which identifies the location and distribution of town centre activities within the town centre boundaries. Each retail unit within the town centre is allocated into one of six categories depending on the type of retail activity carried out within. These categories (convenience, comparison, retail service, leisure service, financial and business service and vacant), are based on Goad category reports (April 2008) and are represented by a colour code. The land use plans are based on data collected during WYG’s heath check visits, referred to above. In addition to the GOAD categories, ‘other’ town centre uses such as offices and residential units have been identified schematically to show the distribution of these uses within the town centre. For clarity, the categories include, but are not limited to, the following land uses: • Convenience – Bakers, butchers, convenience stores, fishmongers, frozen foods, greengrocers, health food stores, markets, off licenses and supermarkets. WYG Planning & Design: Appendix 1 - Introduction to Health Checks vFINAL ____________________________________________________________ 2 Appendix 1: Health Check Assessment: Introduction July 2010 ______________________________________________________________________________________ • Comparison – Booksellers, charity shops, chemists, clothing stores, cycles and accessories, department and variety stores, jewellery, sports stores, vehicle and motorcycle sales. • Retail Service – Drycleaners, filling stations, health and beauty, opticians, photo processing, repairs alterations and restorations, travel agents, vehicle rental and video tape rental. • Leisure Service – Bars and wine bars, cafes, casinos and betting offices, clubs, fast-food and takeaway, hotels and guest houses, public houses, restaurants, sports and leisure facilities. • Financial and Business Services – Building Societies, employment and careers, financial services, legal services, printing and copying, property services and retail banks. 4. A summary of existing uses within each centre Tables and graphs are presented breaking down the total number of units and the total amount of floor space contained within each of the six retail categories. The figures are translated into overall percentages, which are then compared to UK national averages derived from Goad (April 2008). Those units and properties within the town centre boundaries occupied by ‘other’ uses (such as offices and residential uses) are not included within the calculations provided. The individual health checks have not taken specific account of markets on the basis that they do not constitute permanent retail provision and their composition has the potential to change from week to week. Where appropriate they are referred to as adding to the range of retail provision in a centre. WYG Planning & Design: Appendix 1 - Introduction to Health Checks vFINAL ____________________________________________________________ 3 Appendix 1: Health Check Assessment: Introduction July 2010 ______________________________________________________________________________________ 5. An assessment of convenience retail provision within the town centre boundary The information on convenience retail provision, contained within Section 3, is considered in greater depth with graphs contrasting the town centre and national provision percentages. Discussion is also provided. 6. An assessment of comparison retail provision within the town centre boundary As above, but addressing comparison retail provision. 7. An assessment of service activities within the town centre boundary As above, but addressing retail service, leisure service and financial and business service activities. 8. An assessment of unit sizes within the town centre boundaries The composition of retail units in terms of unit size is presented and discussed. 9. Consideration of retailer demand, The health checks set out this information, where available. Further details on retailer demand, rents and yields, and what these mean for town centre vitality and viability can be found below. 10. Consideration of rents and yields The health checks set out this information, where available. Further details on retailer demand, rents and yields, and what these mean for town centre vitality and viability can be found below. 11. An assessment of the number of vacancies within the town centre boundaries The information on the number of vacant units, contained within Section 3, is considered in greater depth, with graphs contrasting the town centre and national provision percentages. A plan illustrates the distribution of vacant units and discussion considers the vacancies in terms of retailer demand. Further details regarding vacancies and what these can mean for town centre vitality and viability can be found below. WYG Planning & Design: Appendix 1 - Introduction to Health Checks vFINAL ____________________________________________________________ 4 Appendix 1: Health Check Assessment: Introduction July 2010 ______________________________________________________________________________________ 12. A description of the level of accessibility the town centre benefits from This description considers accessibility by private vehicle and public transport, and includes discussion of local car parking provision. 13. An assessment of pedestrian footfall The Study does not seek to record the number of pedestrians at different points in the various centres but instead, for the larger centres, gives an indication of the level of footfall experienced in different parts of the centre at the time(s) of our visit. 14. A description of the environmental quality of the town centre This description draws on the heath check visits, detailing features such as planting, street furniture, lighting, the level of vandalism (if any) and the overall level of maintenance evident in the centre. 15. An assessment of the perception of safety and the occurrence of crime within the town centre This description is based