biivi Torfaen Replacement Local Development Plan (2018-2033) Cynllun Datblygu Amnewid Lleol Torfaen (2018-2033) Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report Adroddiad Drafft Cwmpasu Gwerthusiad Cynaliadwyedd Appendix 2 - Baseline Characteristics of Torfaen Atodiad 2 - Rhynweddau Sylfaenol Torfaen April 2019 Ebrill 2019 TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL REPLACEMENT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN DRAFT SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL SCOPING REPORT APPENDIX 2 THE BASELINE CHARACTERISTICS OF TORFAEN April 2019 Front Cover Image Credits Big Pit, Blaenavon - Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales Cwmbran Town Centre - M&G Retail Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report 2 Appendix 2 - The Baseline Characteristics of Torfaen (April 2019) Contents 1 Introduction 5 1.1 Introduction 5 2. A Prosperous Wales 6 2.1 Introduction 6 2.2 Employment and Economy 6 2.3 Tourism 18 2.4 Retail 19 2.5 Education 20 2.6 Key Issues 23 2.7 LDP Opportunities 24 3. A Resilient Wales 25 3.1 Introduction 25 3.2 Air 25 3.3 Biodiversity, Flora & Fauna 27 3.4 Water 31 3.5 Geology, Minerals & Soils 35 3.6 Waste 44 3.7 WIMD Physical Environment Domain 48 3.8 Key Issues 48 3.9 LDP Opportunities 50 4. A Healthier Wales 52 4.1 Introduction 52 4.2 Access to Services 52 4.3 Community Facilities & Recreation 53 4.4 Human Health 54 4.5 Key Issues 58 4.6 LDP Opportunities 58 5. A More Equal Wales 59 5.1 Introduction 59 5.2 Population 59 5.3 Key Issues 65 5.4 LDP Opportunities 65 6. A Wales of Cohesive Communities 67 6.1 Introduction 67 6.2 Multiple Deprivation 67 6.3 Housing 69 6.4 Crime 89 6.5 Transport 92 6.6 Key Issues 106 6.7 LDP Opportunities 110 7. A Wales of Vibrant Culture & Thriving Welsh Language 112 7.1 Introduction 112 7.2 Welsh Language 112 7.3 Diversity 113 Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report 3 Appendix 2 - The Baseline Characteristics of Torfaen (April 2019) 7.4 Cultural Heritage 113 7.5 Landscape 114 7.6 Key Issues 119 7.7 LDP Opportunities 119 8. A Globally Responsible Wales 121 8.1 Introduction 121 8.2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions 121 8.3 Flooding 124 8.4 Climatic Factors 126 8.5 Key Issues 136 8.6 LDP Opportunities 138 Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report 4 Appendix 2 - The Baseline Characteristics of Torfaen (April 2019) 1. Introduction 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 This Appendix provides the baseline social, economic, cultural and environmental data for Torfaen and is used to help undertake the following aspects of the Integrated Sustainability Appraisal (ISA):- . Identify the current baseline social, economic, cultural and environmental situation within Torfaen against which the likely effect of the Replacement LDP will be predicted; . Identify key trends issues and opportunities for the ISA and replacement LDP to consider; . Develop the ISA Framework to use for the appraisal of the LDP; and . Ultimately assist the development of a monitoring framework to monitor the significant effects of the LDP. 1.1.2 The Appendix has been structured around each of the seven national (Welsh Government) well-being goals and within these goals, the baseline data has been sub-divided into a series of ISA topics. The baseline data is derived from specific facts and statistics that are gathered by different organisations including, for example, the Welsh Government, the UK Government, or statutory bodies such as Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales (CNC/NRW), amongst others. These data sources provide information for Torfaen as a whole and where available at town and community council level. Where data isn’t available at the local level data at the regional or national scale is used. Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report 5 Appendix 2 - The Baseline Characteristics of Torfaen (April 2019) 2. A Prosperous Wales 2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 This section provides baseline data relating to the following well-being goal: ‘Tackle the intergenerational patterns of poverty and develop economic resilience’. The data relates primarily to: - . The economy, employment and income in Torfaen; . Tourism; . Retail / Town Centres; and . Education. 2.2 Employment & Economy 2.2.1 Torfaen Overview - Torfaen exhibits a north-south split in terms of investment and private sector interest. Whereby the south of the County Borough attracts the greatest investment and economic activity, the north of the County Borough, does not attract such interest and the poor transport infrastructure to the north is a significant problem in generating economic development. However, this tends to be dictated to a certain extent by business demand as locations in the south of the County Borough are generally more attractive for example due to improved transport infrastructure in terms of proximity to the M4. 2.2.2 A significant issue for Torfaen has been the slow take up of allocated employment land, which has led to pressure for it to be used for other higher value uses e.g. housing. Also in Cwmbran given its history as a New Town the units were constructed (by the Development Corporation and the Welsh Development Agency) over a relatively short period of time with a significant proportion (64%) constructed before 1980 there is a need for a renewal of much of this stock and for the provision of larger circa 100,000 sqft units. Table 2.1 below indicates the current situation across the various employment sites around the County Borough. Currently 59.3% of the total area of the EET employment sites allocated in the Adopted LDP are classified as undeveloped. Whilst 100% of the regional employment allocations are currently classed as undeveloped. Table 2.1: Torfaen LDP - Local/Regional (EET) and Strategic (SAA) Allocated Employment Sites Policy / Site Name Area Remaining Use Class Site Ref (Ha) Land at Site (Ha) EET1/1 Ty Coch Way, Two Locks 1.4 ha 0 ha B1, B2 & B8 EET1/2 Llantarnam Park A 0.7 ha 0.7 ha B1 EET1/3 Llantarnam Park B 0.4 ha 0.4 ha B1 EET1/4 Llantarnam Park C 1.4 ha 1.4 ha B1 EET2/1 Former Gas Works Site, Panteg Way, New 2.1 ha 2.1 ha B1, B2 & B8 Inn EET2/2 Lower Mill Field (North), Pontymoile 1.2 ha 1.2 ha B1 EET2/3 Lower Mill Field (South), Pontymoile 0.5 ha 0.5 ha B1 EET2/4 Land South of Travel Lodge, Pontymoile 2.1 ha 2.1 ha B1 EET2/5 Mamhilad Business Park 3 ha 3 ha B1, B2 & B8 EET2/6 Usk Vale, Mamhilad 6.7 ha 2 ha B1, B2 & B8 Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report 6 Appendix 2 - The Baseline Characteristics of Torfaen (April 2019) EET3/1 Varteg Road, Garndiffaith, 0.8 ha B1, B2 & B8 EET3/2 Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate, 1.2 ha B1, B2 & B8 Blaenavon EET3/3 Kays and Kears, Blaenavon 6 ha 6 ha B1, B2 & B8 Total 27.5 Regional Employment Allocations EET4/1 Craig Y Felin, Cwmbran 21 ha 21 ha EET4/2 Former Ty Coch Tip, Cwmbran 14 ha 14 ha Total 35 ha 35 ha Strategic Action Area employment elements SAA1 Eastern Strip Central Strategic Action Area, 2.7 ha B1 Cwmbran (B1) / SAA1 Eastern Strip Central Strategic Action Area, 5.6 ha 0 ha B2 Cwmbran (B2) SAA3 Llantarnam Strategic Action Area, 8 ha 5 ha Cwmbran SAA7 Llanfrechfa Grange Strategic Action Area, 4.8 ha 4.8 ha B1 (heath related Cwmbran employment) Total 21.1 ha Developed Partially Consented Outline Developed Consent Undeveloped / Vacant 2.2.3 The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) for the LDP in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 have shown that a significant amount of employment land has been developed mainly on existing employment estates. 2.2.4 The 2015 AMR identified that since the LDP adoption (for extensions, refurbishment or new build redevelopment); totalling 18,600m2 of floorspace, which is equivalent to 4.65 ha of employment land being developed. 2.2.5 The 2016 AMR identified that, during the AMR period being reported, on existing sites 0.62 ha of new floorspace has been developed would equate to 1.55 ha of employment land being developed. 2.2.6 The 2017 AMR identified that during the AMR period being reported, on existing sites 0.34 ha of new floorspace has been developed would equate to 0.85 ha of employment land being developed. 2.2.7 The 2018 AMR identified that during the AMR period being reported, on existing sites 0.44 ha of new floorspace has been developed would equate to 1.1 ha of employment land being developed. Since the LDP was adopted 8.15 Ha of employment development has been brought forward on non-allocated sites. 2.2.8 Which shows that despite the allocated employment land not being delivered that the economy of the County Borough is performing well. The Council have received numerous Draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report 7 Appendix 2 - The Baseline Characteristics of Torfaen (April 2019) employment enquiries which have not been satisfied due to a lack of progress on bringing forward sites and development. 2.2.9 UK Competiveness - The 2019 edition of the ‘UK Competitiveness Index’ (UKCI) Report, produced by Cardiff University and the Nottingham Business School, provides a benchmark of the competitiveness of localities within the UK, where competitiveness is considered to consist of the capability of an economy to attract and maintain firms with stable or rising market shares in an activity, while maintaining stable or increasing standards of living for those who participate in it. In total, 379 local areas are benchmarked across the 11 UK regions and 44 ‘city’ regions; with a UK average base score of 100.