(A Neighbourhood Plan for Portland, Dorset) Evidence Report April 2014 2 Portland Neighbourhood Plan Evidence Report Contents: Topic Sections: page: Introduction 3 Natural Environment & Built Environment 4 People & Housing 38 Business & Employment 60 Roads & Transport 90 Community & Social Facilities 102 Leisure & Recreation 118 Arts, Culture & Tourism 132 Appendix A 152 © Portland Town Council, 2014 Portland Neighbourhood Plan Evidence Report April 2014 3 Introduction Purpose Planning policy and proposals need to be based on a proper understanding of the place they relate to, if they are to be relevant, realistic and address local issues effectively. It is important that the Neighbourhood Plan is based on robust information and analysis of the local area; this is called the ‘evidence base’. Unless policy is based on firm evidence and proper community engagement, then it is more likely to reflect the assumptions and prejudices of those writing it than to reflect the needs of the wider area and community. We are advised that “the evidence base needs to be proportionate to the size of the neighbourhood area and scope and detail of the Neighbourhood Plan. Other factors such as the status of the current and emerging Local Plan policies will influence the depth and breadth of evidence needed. It is important to remember that the evidence base needs to reflect the fact that the plan being produced here will have statutory status and be used to decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area. It is necessary to develop a clear understanding of the neighbourhood area and policy issues covered; but not to review every piece of research and data in existence – careful selection is needed.”1 The evidence base for the Portland Neighbourhood plan comprises the many reports, documents and papers we have gathered (these are all listed in Appendix A, and are made available for reference via the Neighbourhood Plan website. This Evidence Report extracts and presents from the evidence base those strategies and the facts and authoritative opinions that we believe may be most relevant to the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan for Portland. A major aspect of the strategic context within which we must prepare the Portland Neighbourhood Plan is the West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Local Plan. This currently remains a document in preparation and is likely to be revised following pre-examination concerns expressed by the Inspector. It does however reflect the likely strategic direction and provides our neighbourhood planning with context that cannot be ignored. However, at this stage, the draft policies and evidence base of Local Plan must be treated with some caution. Method To produce a thorough and balanced report of the evidence we decided to apply a standard method of research and to present our findings in a similar format in a single report comprising a set of Topic papers. We have identified and extracted from a variety of published sources of information, data and analysis (printed and internet) and sought the opinions of those who we believe should be heard at the earliest opportunity in neighbourhood plan making. Each section of this report is prefaced by the ‘questions’ we sought to answer for each Topic area; it sets out the strategic context (of current plans and policies) for that topic; and then presents a summary of the evidence we have uncovered. At the end of each section we present our summary conclusions in the form of a set of Key Questions and Messages for the Neighbourhood Plan (work in progress) going forward. We also identify the gaps in the evidence that we feel effort should be put into filling, if that is possible in the time and with the resources we have available. Acknowledgments In preparing this report we have had the help and guidance of a number of people and organisations. We would like to place on record our thanks to everyone who has assisted and look forward to having a continuing dialogue with them as we prepare a Neighbourhood plan for Portland. Portland NP Steering Group April 2014 1 Neighbourhood Planning Roadmap, Locality, 2013 Portland Neighbourhood Plan Evidence Report April 2014 4 Natural & Built Environment Portland Neighbourhood Plan Evidence – Lines of Enquiry What’s special? Ecology, habitats What needs protecting? and landscape What needs enhancing? Ground Where are their drainage issues and flood risks? conditions What other development constraints are there? What physical characteristics make the area special? Character What physical characteristics detract? What can be improved and how? Coastline What has the potential to be used better? Environmental Is their potential to produce and/or reduce energy? Potential Is there scope to reduce C02 emissions? Important Are there important historical features, archaeology or social elements? Features Are there opportunities for interpretation/education? Who are the main land-owners? Ownership Who owns the main tracts of land and what are their intentions, if any? Introduction General Description The boundaries of Portland extend along the Chesil Bank to as far as opposite Littlesea Caravan Park. The perceived boundary however commences at Ferrybridge. The entrance to the Island is dominated by the Chesil Bank and Hamm Beach before entering the more urban setting of Underhill which has limited natural open space within it but which is flanked by the Verne Local Nature Reserve together with East and West Weares. East Weares, of which only the North East corner is visible, is predominantly within the ownership of Portland Port and for many represents a ‘hidden’ and relatively inaccessible side to the Island extending as far down as Church Ope Cove. The entrance to the Island and Chiswell and Osprey Quay areas are subject to flooding controls which may impact upon the future of these areas. Osprey Quay is subject to a revised management plan recently submitted and part of this estate has been handed over to the Land Trust to improve the environment and to explore possibilities of green regeneration. Ascending to Tophill it becomes evident that the island’s landscape is fractured as a result of extensive quarrying activity, but it has stunning views of the sea and the Jurassic coastline from its cliffs, and is well known for its exceptional flora and fauna. Much of the island is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Restoring the quarries to a productive use can be a challenge; an option is the creation of a wildlife reserve which has been successful at Kingbarrow, for example. Alternatively, where restoration conditions are not in place, and subject to planning controls, it is felt that redundant quarries can provide opportunities for appropriate development.2 It is this balance of maintaining and improving the natural environment and at the same time providing opportunities for economic development which is at the core of the Island’s future. Recent changes to policies and ways in which we ‘value’ our natural environment which are included at the end of this paper are both underpinning these opportunities and at the same time if not used in a productive and balanced way could undermine them. 2 Paragraph paraphrased from Portland Vision –Terence O’Rourke 2008 Portland Neighbourhood Plan Evidence Report April 2014 5 This evidence paper together with a map summary of the Island (Fig. 1) presents information concerning the development limitations and controls around these aspects. Figure 1: Portland Neighbourhood Plan Evidence Report April 2014 6 It should be noted that, a number of subjects within this paper are also covered in the Leisure and Tourism and Business and Employment papers and where possible duplication has been minimised. Community Consultation 2013 Some of the areas we have been told about Natural Environment and Open Land: Maintain rural and wild character of the Island, but some areas of the Island are untidy Make use of redundant quarries for cultural activities, art installations, power generation ideas A mixed response to the idea of a caravan park Improve facilities for climbers There is an under provision in Underhill Strategic Context What the Local Plan says: “Development should protect and enhance the natural environment - its landscape, seascapes and geological conservation interests, its wildlife and habitats and important local green spaces - by directing development away from sensitive areas that cannot accommodate change. Where development is needed and harm cannot be avoided, appropriate adequate mitigation to off-set any adverse impact to the landscape, wildlife and green infrastructure network will be required. High priority will be given to protecting and enhancing the area’s built heritage and archaeological heritage assets– including its Listed Building and Conservation Areas, and other features with local historic or cultural associations, particularly where it contributes to the area’s local distinctiveness. Development will be directed away from areas where there is likely to be significant risk to human health or the wider environment, through flooding, coastal erosion and land instability, air and water pollution . Development should be of high quality design to help achieve sustainable, safe and inclusive communities, enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors, and designed in keeping with or to positively contribute towards the local identity of the area.3 Vision for Portland (Local Plan)-extract In 2031 Portland: Has maintained and enhanced the unique character of the Island in terms of its built and natural assets, whist thriving economically and socially for the benefit of residents and visitors.”4 Ecology, Habitats and Landscape Natural England National Character Area Profile Natural England has produced a detail report which covers a large part of the information under this topic.5 The purpose of the report is to provide guidance document which can help communities to inform their decision making about the places they live and care for.