Draft Consultation Report 1 Contents Introduction ........................................................................................... 3 Schedule of Comments – Issues Consultation Introduction .................. 4 Schedule of Comments – Issues Consultation Introduction ................ 15 Schedule of Comments - General ....................................................... 26 Schedule of Comments – Housing ...................................................... 31 Schedule of Comments – Economy .................................................. 107 Schedule of Comments – City, Town and Other Centres .................. 138 Schedule of Comments – Health and Communities .......................... 183 Schedule of Comments – Heritage ................................................... 198 Schedule of Comments- Energy and Climate Change ...................... 250 Glossary ............................................................................................ 271 2 Introduction 1.1 The Joint Local Plan Issues Consultation Document was subject to consultation between the 15th February and the 29th March 2016. The main report was supported by a summary guide, eight strategic Issues technical papers and a number of key evidence based documents. 1.2 This report sets out all of the consultation responses received during the consultation and provides an initial response from Planning Officers as to how the comments will be taken forward in the Joint Local Plan production. 1.3 A total of 82 representations were received as a result of the consultation providing over 600 separate comments for the individual themes set out in the document. Representations have been received from a variety of consultees including developers, land owners, housing associations, universities and individual members of the public. 1.4 Since the consultation on the Issues Cosultation Document work has continued to progess and additional pireces of evidence and research has been conducted in order to feed into Strategic Options. 3 Schedule of Comments – Issues Consultation Introduction Section/ Consultee Consultee Comments Officer Comments Reference Paragraph Number IC046/371 Para 1.15 Cheshire East As the government’s proposals for HS2 That the Government’s proposals for HS2 have not been become clearer this will be taken into taken into account in the Joint Local Plan process at this consideration as part of the Joint Local stage Plan, as appropriate. IC052/409 Para 1.15 NFU Further consideration needs to be given to the impact of As the government’s proposals for HS2 HS2 on farms and rural businesses. Many of the become clearer this will be taken into affected farmers will lose agricultural buildings and some consideration as part of the Joint Local will even lose their homes. Therefore the Local plan Plan, as appropriate. process needs to give consideration to the need for replacement agricultural buildings. In some cases this could include the development of new farmsteads with associated infrastructure and a new farmhouse. Farms that retain buildings but are affected by severance may also need new buildings and farm infrastructure. IC011/134 Para 1.30 Thistleberry The Joint Local Plan is being developed Residents based on the production of robust Association evidence. This evidence will be published alongside each stage of the plan production and is available on the councils websites The evidence base seems to be generally out of date and we do not appear to know about any of the recent studies The Issues Consultation document included that might have been undertaken. We would like to see evidence from an up to date Strategic copies of these – the Newcastle Retail Leisure Study and Housing Market Assessment; Employment the Gypsies and Travellers Needs Assessment Land Review and Joint Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment . The evidence base for the Joint Local Plan IC011/135 Para 1.33 Thistleberry We would like to know how both LAs intend to increase No decisions have been made at this stage. Residents the economy by 50 per cent over the lifetime of the Plan. The Spatial Options document will set out Association Is this a conservative or aspirational target? We would the options for growth for the Joint Local also like to know how this is to be done and which areas Plan area and provide an opportunity for 4 of the economy are to be comment on these options. enlarged/encouraged/developed etc.. and in which geographical areas IC022/230 Para 1.34 Joan Walley I have concerns especially in relation to the housing The National Planning Policy Framework proposals that to date there has been insufficient requires authorities, through the Duty to collaboration with Staffordshire Moorlands Council. I Co-operate requirement, to discuss their accept that this is a joint plan between Stoke on Trent strategies and plans with adjoining and Newcastle under Lyme. However SMDC is currently authorities. Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle- consulting on a SHA , and has proposed options which under-Lyme Borough Council and been and would mean incursion into its green belt. It would be far will continue to liaise with surrounding better for there to be some agreement with SOT and Nu authorities, including Staffordshire L councils to adopt a sequential approach to the Moorlands District Council and Cheshire development of brown field first. This would be in the East Council, throughout the plan making mutual interests of all authorities. I understand that process. This will be set out within a detailed discussions on this have not taken place. A consultation statement. similar concern exists in that significant parts of Cheshire’s green belt could be developed in preference to brown field sites in the Staffordshire conurbation. IC066/495 Para 1.34 Elena Sudlow We would be pleased if all our neighbouring councils, Noted. All surrounding authorities including (Maer & Acton including Cheshire and Shropshire are to be consulted on those in Cheshire and Shropshire have Parish this document. been and will continue to be consulted on Council) each Joint Local Plan stage, in line with the adopted Statement of Community Involvement. IC072/550 Para 1.34 Dean Lewis A proportion of the unmet housing needs of Cheshire Noted. The National Planning Policy (Tim Dean) East may also be exported into Stoke-on-Trent City Framework requires authorities, through the Council and Newcastle-Under-Lyme. This is a crucial Duty to Co-operate requirement, to discuss factor that should be properly addressed within the their strategies and plans with adjoining evolution of the spatial strategy of the Local Plan. Under authorities. Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle- the auspices of the duty to cooperate, and having regard under-Lyme Borough Council will liaise with to the evidence, the most sustainable way of surrounding authorities, including accommodating unmet housing needs of East Cheshire Staffordshire Moorlands District Council would be locating development in order that it shares a and Cheshire East Council, throughout the functional relationship with Cheshire East whilst also plan making process. This will be set out supporting sustainable growth of Newcastle-Under-Lyme. within a consultation statement. Dean Lewis Estates will wish to see clear evidence that Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Newcastle-Under-Lyme 5 has executed its’ duty to cooperate by working with other neighbouring authorities in order to address the cross boundary strategic issue of unmet housing and employment needs. IC005/19 Para 1.36 St Modwens It is initially noted that there does not appear to be an Noted. The Plans Vision, Aims and Next Steps overarching vision or strategy for the joint authority area. Objectives will be set out within the Whilst numerous topic-specific aspirations are borne out Strategic Options Document. Alongside the within each of the chapters, there does not appear to be options for addressing the Issues and a strategic vision or objectives for what the Councils, and Challenges identified within the Issues this consultation document are setting out to achieve. Consultation Document. 2.2 This is a considerable omission as it is evident that Stoke and Newcastle is in need of significant investment to stimulate the employment and housing markets. This point is highlighted in many of the chapters as well as the evidence base. There needs to be a key consideration as to how high value economy and population can be both secured and retained within the joint area. By not setting out an overall vision for the document at this stage it is not possible to weigh all the issues against each other. There appear to be many “minor” issues that have been identified within the document, but by not including an overarching vision for the area it is not possible to comparatively assess the issues. 2.3 It is strongly recommended that a high-level vision or aim, focussing on attracting and retaining high quality employment and population is set out to help focus the issues and help in identifying what will support this aim and what will conflict. IC008/39 Para 1.36 Natural Natural England notes that the current issues report does Comments Noted. Next Steps England not seek to address these as they are programmed for development at a later stage in the process. We look forward to the development of this essential element of the joint local plan and would draw the Councils’ attention to the cross-cutting nature of natural environment related themes which we offer advice on below. Natural England advises that the