Salisbury Plain Sustainable Communities Project Executive Summary Prepared with the support of and financed through: 1 Introduction and Background to the Study This paper provides an executive summary of the full Salisbury Plain Sustainable Communities Project Report produced by Drivers Jonas Deloitte. This paper is intended to provide a headline overview of the work undertaken and recommendations made. The full report should be referred to for more detail. Drivers Jonas Deloitte, working with WYG, were appointed by Wiltshire Council [on behalf of the Military Civilian Integration Programme (MCI)] to prepare a study to assess ways of enhancing the sustainability of communities in the settlements across Salisbury Plain which have significant military presence. The Project Brief identified that the key purpose of the study was to: “… rigorously explore and improve understanding of the dynamics of existing communities, including the impacts of the proposed changes to these settlements as a result of the Salisbury Plain Super Garrison (SGSG) project. It will need to investigate how planned investment in the area could be used as a catalyst to improve the sustainability of those communities.” The study explored a wide range of issues and factors which, when combined, would contribute towards resilient and sustainable communities, such as in relation to economy and skills, housing and the built environment, services, transport and connectivity, environmental, social, cultural and governance. Based on this analysis, the Stage 2 report set out a comprehensive suite of recommendations / prioritised physical and non-physical actions through an Implementation Plan for delivering more integrated and sustainable communities. The study predominantly focused on the settlements of Bulford, Larkhill, Tidworth and Ludgershall. The town of Warminster was also examined. Specific growth options for Warminster have not been defined due to the level of planned growth already defined for the settlement. Consideration of Warminster has however provided a useful benchmark to compare and contrast performance against the other settlements being considered. The approach to the study followed a number of logical steps, with each stage of work helping to guide and inform the next. The main steps can be summarised as follows: Overview of Key Steps Step 1: Project Inception Step 2: Baseline Assessment, including analysis of the large amount of existing primary data available and secondary data (including Consultation with military and non military groups and organisations). Step 3: SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis Step 4: Options Report and Feasibility Assessment Step 5: Final Recommended Option Report and Implementation Plan Executive Summary Salisbury Plain Sustainable Communities Project 1 2 Baseline Assessment and SWOT Analysis A great deal of research had already been undertaken before this study began which formed an important starting point for the baseline assessment; including information identified as part of other studies completed on behalf of the MCI. These included: § “Envisioning the Future” (July 2009); § “Military Presence and Economic Significance in the South West Region” (March 2009); and § “Impact of the Military on the Agricultural Sector in Wiltshire” (May 2008). Other existing research also provided useful background baseline information for this study, including the Lessons Learned Project and the Peoples Voice survey, together with other more dated studies (focussed mainly on the Tidworth / Ludgershall area). Building on existing research, consultation with key stakeholders was carried out to provide a more refined understanding of sustainability and integration issues affecting the area. A summary of the key groups and organisations consulted is set out below and a separate Consultation Report has been produced to accompany the Final Reports. Grouping Bodies / Organisations Wiltshire Council Planning Policy, Housing, Education, Regeneration, Economic Development, Highways, Environmental Services, Climate Change, Leisure, Social Services, Transport, Adult Care, Waste, Arts. Military Defence Estate, 43 Wessex Brigade, Aspire, Military community network groups (HIVE, Welfare Service, Families Federation etc) Funding Agencies Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), Plain Action Governance Relevant Area Boards and Community Area Partnership, Local Wiltshire Councillors, Peoples Voice, Government Office for the South West (GOSW) Local Community and Local Chambers of Commerce, Local Economic Partnerships, Community Area Managers (Amesbury, Tidworth Business and Warminster), Wellington Academy, Voluntary Sector representatives Public General public – including option consultation events on 20 October 2010 (Tidworth) and 28 October (Durrington) Infrastructure Utilities and infrastructure companies 2 Salisbury Plain Sustainable Communities Project Executive Summary Based on the Baseline assessment a series of SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats) analyses were to identify issues affecting specific settlements and also issues affecting the area more generally. These are summarised in the tables that follow. 2.1 Strategic Integration Considerations Strengths Weaknesses The Military presence – significant contribution to sustainability Certain key decisions about the scale and location of new military- (funding, facilities, job creation etc) related development have already been made. Established partnership working between the Council, Military, Delivery Operational and security considerations and other factors (such as Agencies and the Voluntary Sector location of land holdings) are important drivers for military development and change – may restrict opportunities for change General positive view towards the benefits arising from having a strong level of Military presence in the area Traditionally, the disposal of military land can be a relatively long process The Military Firm Base commitment Well established settlement hierarchy – the existing patterns of The Military’s Strategic Vision settlement hierarchy and travel may be difficult to change Opportunities Threats The extent of military land holdings (which may be surplus to requirements) Military ‘land gifting’ and future enhanced partnership working The Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) – reduced funding The Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) – reduced funding. Reduction in military funding could mean more troops brought back to Operational deployment will continue to impact on the viability of certain Wiltshire from deployment overseas services Although certain military development is already planned, opportunities still exist to influence future decision making 2.2 Community Strengths Weaknesses Well established settlement hierarchy – the existing patterns of Well established and strong social support network for Military settlement hierarchy may be difficult to change populations, including dependants Established pattern of Military and non-military housing - existing Extensive range of leisure (and other community) facilities physical segregation potentially available to non-military related local populations Certain Military housing, such as that in connection with the Salisbury Generally viewed as a safe and attractive living environment Plain Super Garrison, is already planned Certain areas score favourably against deprivation indicators Lag between Military families arriving and new Military family housing being built Support for military leavers to be retained in the local area Relatively high cost of private housing No significant issues identified in relation to the condition of the Military and non-military housing stock (with the exception of the Certain areas score poorly against deprivation indicators Canadian Estate in Bulford) Some qualitative and quantitative gaps in the provision of social and Significant land opportunities for growth at a number of the community facilities within certain areas settlements being considered Isolation – particular issue for Military dependants Institutionalisation – issues in connection with transfer from Army to civilian life Executive Summary Salisbury Plain Sustainable Communities Project 3 Military turbulence and limited exchange of information which makes identifying and planning for future requirements difficult Segregation of Military and civilian welfare services and facilities Accessibility to facilities – perceived and actual barriers to usage of Military-owned leisure and other community facilities by wider civilian communities Opportunities Threats Firm Base commitment – Promotion of longer term retention of military personnel in the area Planned new facilities (e.g. Tidworth Garrison Theatre) Maintaining the current approaches (e.g. working with RSLs) New delivery models – Potential for the Military to explore new approaches to delivery of housing Military Operational Requirements – an ongoing requirement to have the majority of soldiers in a single location could limit the future ability Better utilisation of Military void properties to address short term to create truly mixed new housing developments housing needs Uncertainty in the delivery of planned married quarters housing Potential for ‘Spoke and Hubs’ / ‘One Stop Shops’ providing integrated Council and Military welfare and other services. Unavailability of void Military housing for non-military use Greater