Torfaen County Borough Council Local Development Plan (to 2021) Adopted December 2013 Written Statement Cyngor Bwrdeisdref Sirol Torfaen Cynllun Datblygu Lleol (hyd at 2021) Fabwysiadwyd Rhagfyr 2013 Datganiad Ysgrifenedig Foreword Therefore, the LDP identifies opportunities for continuing I am pleased to introduce the Adopted Torfaen Local Development Plan (LDP). It is the culmination of a major investment and regeneration including the provision of piece of work and is a significant achievement for the Council. new homes (including affordable homes), jobs, community Therefore, I would like to thank the Forward Planning Team facilities and transport infrastructure; whist at the same time and other Council Officers, Stakeholders, Members, the LDP protecting Torfaen’s natural, built and historic environment. Inspector and Programme Officer for all their hard work, I am confident that the Plan provides certainty for both the perseverance and commitment during its long and complex local community and developers and provides the basis for preparation process. consistent, plan led, decision making on planning applications. The Plan’s Vision is to, by 2021, deliver planned, sustainable The Council will annually monitor the Plan and keep you growth reflecting the specific role and function of Torfaen’s informed on its implementation. settlements, through a ‘network of integrated communities’. Finally, it is now for the Plan to be delivered in order to achieve It will provide for a distinctive, vibrant and prosperous area our Vision for Torfaen. where people have the skills, knowledge and opportunities to achieve a better quality of life in safe, healthy and thriving communities with accessible local facilities. It will promote the sustainable regeneration of our town centres ensuring they are a focus for social, commercial and community life, whilst also protecting and enhancing Torfaen’s unique natural heritage and cultural and historic identity. Councillor Gwyneira Clark Executive Member for Housing, Planning & Public Protection Torfaen County Borough Council Torfaen LDP 2013: Foreword I II Contents Chapter Page 1. Introduction 5 2.2 Key Strategic Land Use Issues - Social 25 1.1 Torfaen Local Development Plan Area 5 2.3 Key Strategic Land Use Issues - Economic 26 1.2 The Planning System and the Local Development Plan 5 2.4 Key Strategic Land Use Issues - Environmental 26 1.3 Purpose of the LDP 5 2.5 Spatial Opportunities and Constraints 27 1.4 How to use this Document 6 3. Vision and Objectives 29 1.5 Structure of the LDP 6 3.1 Development of the Vision and Objectives 29 1.6 Background Papers / Studies 8 3.2 The Vision Statement 29 1.7 Local Development Plan Process 8 3.3 LDP Objectives 30 1.8 Tests of Soundness 10 4. The Local Development Plan Strategy 35 1.9 Sustainability Appraisal (inc. Strategic 4.1 Core Strategy Overview - The Network of Environmental Assessment) 11 Integrated Communities Strategy 35 1.10 Habitats Regulations Assessment 12 4.2 Spatial Delivery of the Network of Integrated 1.11 Link to the National, Regional and Communities Strategy 37 Local Policy Framework 13 4.3 Changes to the LDP Strategy since consultation 1.12 Welsh Language / Yr Iaith Gymraeg 24 on the Deposit LDP 53 2. Key Issues in Torfaen 25 4.4 LDP Strategy Policies 54 2.1 Development of Key Issues 25 Torfaen LDP 2013: Contents 1 5. Strategy Policies 55 8. Topic Based Policies 95 S1 Urban Boundaries 55 Housing 97 S2 Sustainable Development 56 H1 Housing Allocations within the Cwmbran S3 Climate Change 59 Housing Sub Market Areas 98 S4 Place Making / Good Design 62 H2 Housing Allocations within the Pontypool Housing Sub Market Area 98 S5 Housing 63 H3 Housing Allocations within the North Torfaen S6 Employment and Economy 65 Housing Sub Market Area 99 S7 Conservation of the Natural and Historic H4 Affordable Housing 99 Environment 66 H5 Provision for Recreation, Open Space,Leisure S8 Planning Obligations 70 Facilities & Allotments 102 S9 Retailing/Town Centres 72 H6 Conversion, subdivision or re-use of buildings for 6. Borough Wide Policy 73 residential purposeswithin the Urban Boundary 103 BW1 General Policy - Development Proposals 73 H7 Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations 104 7. Strategic Action Area Policies 81 H8 New Gypsy and Traveller Site Proposals 105 SAA1 Eastern Strip Central SAA, Cwmbran 82 H9 Affordable Housing Exception Sites 106 SAA2 Canalside SAA, Cwmbran 85 SAA3 Llantarnam SAA, Cwmbran 86 SAA4 Mamhilad SAA, Pontypool 87 SAA5 The British SAA, Talywain, Pontypool 89 SAA6 South Sebastopol SAA, Cwmbran 91 SAA7 Llanfrechfa Grange SAA, Cwmbran 93 2 Torfaen LDP 2013: Contents Economy Employment and Tourism 107 Transport 125 EET1 Employment Allocations in the Cwmbran Area 107 T1 Transport Improvements 125 EET2 Employment Allocations in the Pontypool Area 108 T2 Safeguarding Former Transport Routes 127 EET3 Employment Allocations in the North Torfaen Area 109 T3 Walking and Cycling Routes 128 EET4 Regional Employment Allocations 109 Minerals 131 EET5 Protection of Employment Land and Premises 110 M1 Minerals Safeguarding 132 EET6 Leisure / Tourism Proposals 111 M2 Coal Working Exclusion Areas 133 Retail and Town Centres 113 M3 Tir Pentwys Preferred Area for Aggregates 133 RLT1 Town Centre Boundaries 113 M4 Minerals Sites Buffer Zones 134 RLT2 Town Centre Development in Cwmbran Town Centre114 Waste 135 RLT3 Retail Proposals outside Established Centres 116 W1 Waste Management / Resource Recovery Proposals 136 RLT4 Provision of Small Scale Retail Uses 118 Community Facilities 137 RLT5 Primary Frontages 118 CF1 Healthcare Facility Safeguarding 137 RLT6 Pontypool Town Centre 100% A1 Retail Frontages 121 CF2 Primary School Safeguarding 137 RLT7 Secondary Frontages 121 CF3 Community Facilities 138 RLT8 Local and Neighbourhood Shopping Centres 122 CF4 Protection of Important Urban Open Space 140 RLT9 Food and Drink Establishments 124 CF5 Protection of Allotments and Recreation & Amenity Open Space 141 CF6 New Playing Field 142 Torfaen LDP 2013: Contents 3 Countryside 143 Appendices C1 Green Wedges 143 Appendix 1 Details of LDP Housing Allocations 159 C2 Special Landscape Areas 144 Appendix 2 List of Supplementary Planning Guidance 181 C3 Rural Development and Diversification 145 Appendix 3 Lists of Statutory Designations Within Torfaen 183 C4 Conversion / Rehabilitation of Buildings in the Appendix 4 List of Non-Statutory Designations Within Torfaen 197 Countryside 146 Appendix 5 Descriptions of Green Wedges 231 C5 Replacement Dwellings in the Countryside 148 Appendix 6 Housing Sites Table 233 Biodiversity/Geodiversity 149 Appendix 7 Employment Allocations Table 237 BG1 Locally Designated Sites for Biodiversity and Appendix 8 Annual Monitoring Framework 239 Geodiversity 149 Appendix 9 Sustainability Appraisal Monitoring Programme 267 Historic Environment 151 Appendix 10 Glossary of Terms 281 HE1 Buildings and Structures of Local Importance 151 Appendix 11 List of Abbreviations 289 HE2 Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site 152 Appendix 12 LDP Evidence Base 291 9. Monitoring Framework 155 9.1 Review and Monitoring Arrangements 155 10. Delivery and Implementation 157 10.1 Implementation Arrangements and Risks to Delivery 157 4 Torfaen LDP 2013: Contents 1. Introduction 1.1 Torfaen Local Development Plan (LDP) objectives and priorities for the development and use of land Area within Torfaen and its policies and proposals for implementing 1.1.1 This Adopted Local Development Plan (LDP) covers the them. The Council must exercise this function with the Torfaen County Borough Council (TCBC) administrative area objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable excluding areas of the Brecon Beacons National Park that lie development. within Torfaen; responsibility for planning matters in these 1.3 Purpose of the LDP areas rests with the Brecon Beacons National Park Planning 1.3.1 The LDP is clearer, more transparent, concise and accessible Authority. to the public than previous development plans and easier 1.2 The Planning System and the Local to review in the future. The LDP does not repeat national Development Plan planning policy; rather it focuses on the issues which are 1.2.1 The Town and Country Planning system is designed to specifically relevant to the plan area. The LDP sets out the regulate the development and use of land in the public development strategy and detailed policies and proposals for interest. It seeks to reconcile the development needs of the the future development and use of land in a local authority population with the wider environmental concerns for the administrative area. conservation of the built and natural environment. It aims 1.3.2 The Torfaen LDP was adopted by Council on 3rd December to ensure that the most efficient use is made of limited 2013 and covers the period January 1st 2006 to 31st March land resources, whilst at the same time stimulating the local 2021 and will thus guide the development and use of land in economy, for the benefit of present and future generations. the County Borough to 2021. The Adopted LDP has replaced 1.2.2 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires the previous adopted Torfaen Local Plan (1991-2006) and the the Council to prepare a LDP, which sets out the Council’s previous adopted Gwent Structure Plan (1991-2006) as the Torfaen LDP 2013: Introduction 5 Development Plan for the County Borough and for decision- 1.5 Structure of the LDP making on land use planning matters. The Adopted LDP has 1.5.1 Chapter 1 sets out the context for the LDP and the process also superseded the Adopted Torfaen Affordable Housing of Sustainability Appraisal (SA), Strategic Environmental Delivery Statement Supplementary Planning Guidance Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (SPG) (February 2012). All references in this Adopted LDP to (HRA), which have informed the LDP preparation. It discusses Planning Policy Wales refer to Edition 5 (November 2012) the process of testing the plan for soundness and how the and consideration will need to be given to any future editions LDP takes account of and relates to other strategies, policies of PPW in interpreting the LDP.