Wiltshire and Swindon Waste Site Allocations Development Plan Document Evidence base part A: Spatial context January 2012 1 Chapter 1: Introduction & Summary of Content 3 2 Chapter 2: Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development 9 3 Chapter 3: Population 23 4 Chapter 4: Housing 33 5 Chapter 5: Economy 49 6 Chapter 6: Transport 63 7 Chapter 7: Landscape Character 89 8 Chapter 8: Culture, Heritage & Tourism 113 9 Chapter 9: Biodiversity and Geodiversity 129 10 Chapter 10: Environmental Impacts 163 11 Appendix 1: Documents Cited in Evidence Base Report. 211 12 Appendix 2: Sustainable Community Strategy Objectives Tables 221 13 Appendix 3: Acronyms 233 • Evidence Base • • Evidence Base • 1 Chapter 1: Introduction & Summary of Content Purpose of this report 1.1 In September 2004 the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act introduced a revised approach to preparing local land use plans. Local Authorities must review the content of Local Plans and replace them with a suite of Development Plan Documents (DPDs), which together will form a Local Development Framework (LDF) for their area. Wiltshire and Swindon have made significant progress towards replacing the Minerals and Waste Local Plans and have so far adopted the following DPDs: Minerals Core Strategy DPD 2006 - 2026 Waste Core Strategy DPD 2006 - 2026 Minerals Development Control Policies DPD Waste Development Control Policies DPD 1.2 Two further DPDs have now been prepared for submission, these are: The Waste Site Allocations DPD The Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations DPD 1.3 In accordance with paragraph 4.36 of PPS12 all DPDs must be founded on a robust and credible evidence base. In accordance with section 17 (having regard to sections 13 and 14) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act the evidence must reflect: a. the principle physical, economic, social and environmental characteristics of the local area; b. the principal purposes for which land is used in the area; c. the size, composition and distribution of the population of the area; d. the communications, transport system and traffic of the area; and e. any other considerations which may be expected to affect those matters. 1.4 In addition and in accordance with section 19 (2) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act, Local Authorities must also have regard to: a. national policies and advice contained in guidance issued by the Secretary of State; b. the RSS for the region in which the area of the authority is situated, if the area is outside Greater London; c. the spatial development strategy if the authority are a London Borough or if any part of the authority's area adjoins Greater London; d. the RSS for any region which adjoins the area of the authority; e. the Wales Spatial Plan if any part of the authority's area adjoins Wales; f. the community strategy prepared by the authority; g. the community strategy for any other authority whose area comprises any part of the area of the local planning authority; h. any other local development document which has been adopted by the authority; i. the resources likely to be available for implementing the proposals in the document; and j. such other matters as the Secretary of State prescribes. • Evidence Base • • Page 3 1.5 Therefore, data from local authorities and Regions both in and around Wiltshire and Swindon must be collated, and the potential impacts upon local areas must be considered, both in relation to and in combination with the policies of the Minerals and Waste DPDs. 1.6 As a core element of the evidence base, the purpose of this report is to provide a clear, robust and up to date collation of information and data that can be used to inform and contribute to the continuing development of minerals and waste planning policy. 1.7 The evidence included in this report will be used, along with other separate evidence base documents, by the Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) of Wiltshire and Swindon to demonstrate that a minerals or waste DPD submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination is ‘sound’. It will present certain data and information relied upon by the Local Planning Authorities for DPD preparation. Structure and content of Evidence Base 1.8 This introductory chapter sets out the structure of this document and a brief summary of the content of each chapter. The councils intend that this document remains relevant and up to date and should therefore undergo continual review.To assist with this process, each chapter will aim to be relatively self-contained so that they can be reviewed independently. 1.9 The Core Evidence Base is divided into 3 parts: Part A: Spatial context Part B: Waste (separate volume) Part C: Minerals (separate volume) 1.10 The Evidence Base for Wiltshire and Swindon’s Minerals and Waste Development Framework also comprises other supporting documents which include (but not limited to): Sustainability Appraisals (incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment) Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Habitat Regulations Assessments / Appropriate Assessments Detailed Site Assessments undertaken by Wiltshire Council and/or external consultants Equality Impact Assessments Soundness ‘Self-Assessments’ 1.11 This report (Part A) is divided into chapters dealing with specific contextual issues as set out in the summary of content below: Chapter 2: Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development 1.12 Chapter 2 looks at how a spatial planning approach applies to the plan area. One of the main objectives of a spatial planning approach is to integrate all five of the guiding principles of sustainable development into the plan preparation process. A spatial planning approach also requires the integration of the objectives of other plans and strategies with land use implications, both vertically (from national down to local level) and horizontally (adjacent) across a number of sectors (Regional Economic Strategies, Local Transport Plans, etc.). 1.13 Planning Policy Statement 10 encourages Waste Planning Authorities, in the interests of sustainable development, to drive waste up the waste hierarchy. This basically involves encouraging, as the top priority, reduction of waste generated, followed by reuse of materials, recovery and finally disposal. Page 4 • • Evidence Base • 1.14 In a similar approach Minerals Policy Statement 1 now encourages Mineral Planning Authorities to consider a ‘hierarchical approach to minerals supply’ with the highest priority to reduce consumption of minerals, followed by use of recycled material, and then finally use of primary resources. Chapter 3: Population 1.15 Chapter 3 considers the effects of a growing population both within and around the plan area. Based on current evidence, local key areas of growth in the plan area are likely to be Swindon, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Salisbury. However, the smaller market towns will also accommodate growth over the period to 2026. Outside of the plan area, the West of England(1) is expected to see high levels of population growth up to 2026. 1.16 The main conclusion to draw from this chapter is that population growth will inevitably have an impact on the plan area both in terms of continued demand for minerals resources and the creation of waste. For this reason, there will be a need to monitor and assess how this growth is being manifested spatially as a result of policy intervention. Other chapters in this report will therefore consider the policy direction of the Development Plans with respect to factors such as housing and employment land provision. Chapter 4: Housing 1.17 This chapter brings together the housing provisions allocated in existing Structure Plans for Wiltshire & Swindon and surrounding authorities, and also the policies in the Draft Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) for the South West and the South East. References to the Draft South West Regional Strategy are retained in this evidence base document for now, although it is recognised that the Localism Act will revoke Regional Strategies. 1.18 The emerging Core Strategies for Wiltshire and Swindon indicate how predicted population growth will be managed and steered into what is believed to be the most sustainable pattern of development.Within the plan area, Swindon will be expected to accommodate a significant proportion of this growth, approximately 25,000 additional dwellings between 2006 and 2026. The emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy makes provision for around 37,000 additional homes in Wiltshire between 2006 and 2026. New housing development will be focused in the Principal Settlements of Chippenham, Trowbridge and Salisbury(2). These are strategically important centres and the primary focus for development. 1.19 In neighbouring areas, the West of England group of Unitary Authorities will be expected to focus development in and around Bristol. 1.20 The main conclusions to draw from this chapter is that where the geography of future housing development is likely to result in a draw on demand for minerals and, in combination with existing development, will act as hot spots for waste generation. These conclusions help to provide an important context or basis upon which we can begin to make assessments of resource flows and management. Chapter 5: Economy 1.21 This chapter looks at the economic context for the plan area, mainly focusing on the likely implications for resource management. The evidence demonstrates that Swindon is home to the largest share of employment land (61% of the total) currently in use, which may represent a significant source of industrial and commercial waste arisings. 1 Unitary authorities of Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. 2 These three settlements are defined by the Draft RSS for the South West as Strategically Significant Cities and Towns (SSCTs). • Evidence Base • • Page 5 1.22 In terms of recent construction activity (1998-2008) in the plan area, Swindon Borough has seen the highest level of employment land development, followed by West Wiltshire.