Local Development Framework Sustainability appraisal scoping report June 2010 Created with Limehouse Software Publisher | Cornwall Council Sustainability Appraisal June 2010 Non-technical summary 3 Sustainability Appraisal process 3 Sustainability issues 4 Sustainability Appraisal objectives and framework 4 What happens next 6 1 Introduction 6 1.1 The Cornwall Local Development Framework 6 1.2 Sustainability Appraisal 7 1.3 The legal requirement for Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Contents Environmental Assessment (SEA) 7 1.4 The Sustainability Appraisal Process 9 1.5 Identification of other relevant plans, programmes and sustainability objectives (A1) 9 1.6 Baseline information (A2) 10 1.7 Identification of sustainability issues and problems (A3) 10 1.8 Sustainability Appraisal framework (A4) 10 1.9 Testing the Sustainability Appraisal (A5) 11 1.10 Consulting on the scope of the Sustainability Appraisal (A6) 11 1.11 What happens next? 11 1.12 Setting the Scene - Strong population growth, the role of migration and household change 11 1.13 Setting the Scene - Climate Change 13 2 Topics 14 2.1 Environment 15 2.1.1 Climatic Factors 15 2.1.2 Waste 22 2.1.3 Minerals and Geodiversity 31 2.1.4 Soil 38 2.1.5 Air 43 2.1.6 Water 49 2.1.7 Biodiversity 59 2.1.8 Landscape 68 2.1.9 Maritime 73 2.1.10 Historic Environment 80 2.1.11 Design 88 2.2 Social 94 2.2.1 Social Inclusion 94 2.2.2 Crime and anti-social behaviour 102 2.2.3 Housing 110 Created with Limehouse Software Publisher | Cornwall Council Sustainability Appraisal June 2010 2.2.4 Health, Sport and Recreation 120 2.3 Economic 126 2.3.1 Economic Development, Regeneration and Tourism 126 2.3.2 Education and Skills 135 2.3.3 Transport and Accessibility 142 2.3.4 Energy 152 Appendix 1: Plans, programmes and policies and useful links 158 International context 158 National context 159 Regional context 162 Local context 163 Appendix 2: Sustainability issues 165 Contents Created with Limehouse Software Publisher | Cornwall Council Sustainability Appraisal June 2010 Update note Cornwall Version This version of the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping report was updated and produced in June 2010. Council The Scoping Report is a living document and will be updated regularly to reflect any Appraisal changes in national regional and local plans, policies, programmes strategies and initiatives. Sustainability Status of the Regional Spatial Strategy June The new coalition government's intention to abolish Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) was confirmed in a letter from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to Council leaders on 27th May 2010. Decision making powers on 2010 housing and planning are therefore returned to local councils. Previous versions of the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report contained many references to the draft RSS for the South West. In this version some references remain, where research and evidence for the RSS is still relevant and helpful in establishing a baseline for the Sustainability Appraisal. However the abolition of the RSS is acknowledged and references to policies and targets required by the RSS have been removed. Non-technical summary This report sets out the process and outcomes of the Stage A of the sustainability appraisal process for the Cornwall Local Development Framework. Sustainable development aims to balance the present need for development and growth against the need to protect the natural and built environment without compromising the needs of future generations. Sustainability Appraisal process The purpose of Sustainability Appraisal is to promote sustainable development in the preparation of development plan documents. The Government advocates a five-stage approach, as detailed below. This incorporates the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive. Stage A: Setting the context and objectives, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope A1: Identify other relevant plans, programmes and sustainability objectives A2: Collect baseline information A3: Identify sustainability issues A4: Developing the SA Framework Created with Limehouse Software Publisher | Cornwall Council Sustainability Appraisal June 2010 A5: Testing the scoping report objectives against each other A6: Consulting on the scope of the SA ↓ Stage B: Testing the plan objectives against the Sustainability Appraisal framework, developing and refining options, predicting and assessing effects Sustainability ↓ 2010 Stage C: Documenting the appraisal process June Council ↓ Stage D: Consulting on the plan and the Sustainability Appraisal report ↓ Cornwall Appraisal Stage E: Monitoring the implementation of the plan Sustainability issues Each of the topic chapters identifies the main social, environmental and economic issues. A summary of these can be found in Appendix 2: Sustainability Issues. Sustainability Appraisal objectives and framework Proposed Sustainability Objectives Topic To reduce our contribution to climate change through a reduction Climatic factors in greenhouse gas emissions. To increase resilience to climate change, and reduce vulnerability. To minimise the generation of waste and encourage greater Waste re-use and recycling of materials in accordance with the waste hierarchy. To minimise the consumption of mineral resources and ensure Minerals and the sustainable management of these resources geodiversity To conserve, enhance and restore the condition of geodiversity in the county. To minimise the use of undeveloped land and protect and Soil enhance soil quality. To encourage and safeguard local food production. Created with Limehouse Software Publisher | Cornwall Council Sustainability Appraisal June 2010 To reduce air pollution and ensure air quality continues to Air improve Cornwall To reduce and manage the risk of flooding and reduce Water vulnerability to flooding, sea level rise and coastal erosion. To maintain and enhance water quality and reduce consumption Council and increase efficiency of water use. Appraisal To conserve, enhance and restore the condition and extent of Biodiversity biodiversity in the county and allow its adaptation to climate Sustainability change. June To protect and enhance the quality of the natural, historic and Landscape cultural landscape and seascape. 2010 To encourage clean, healthy, productive and diverse waters; Maritime To protect coastal areas and ensure sustainable maritime environments To protect and enhance the quality and local distinctiveness of Historic the historic environment. environment To promote and achieve high quality design in development, Design sustainable land use and sustainable built development. To reduce poverty and social exclusion and provide Social inclusion opportunities for all to participate fully in society. To reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and fear of crime. Crime and anti-social behaviour To meet the needs of the local community as a whole in terms Housing of general market, affordable, adaptable and decent housing. To improve health through the promotion of healthier lifestyles Health, sport and and improving access to open space and health, recreation and recreation sports facilities. To support a balanced and low carbon economy that meets the Economic needs of the area and promotes a diverse range of quality Development, employment opportunities. Regeneration and Tourism To maximise accessibility for all to the necessary education, Education and skills and knowledge to play a full role in society. skills To improve access to key services and facilities by reducing Transport and the need to travel and by providing safe sustainable travel Accessibility choices Created with Limehouse Software Publisher | Cornwall Council Sustainability Appraisal June 2010 To reduce traffic congestion and minimise transport related greenhouse gas emissions. To encourage the use of renewable energy, increase energy Energy efficiency and security and reduce fuel poverty. What happens next Sustainability 2010 Various local development documents will be progressed. The following steps will be carried out for the remaining stages of the sustainability appraisal process; June Council Testing the SA objectives against each other to identify areas of potential incompatibility. (Task A5) Assessing the objectives of the local development document against the sustainability objectives (Task B1). Identifying options and alternatives (Task B2). Cornwall Appraisal Predicting and evaluating the effects (direct, secondary, cumulative and synergistic) of the planning document and proposing mitigation measures where necessary (tasks B3/B4/B5). Proposing monitoring arrangements (Task B6). Draft local development plan documents will then be published for consultation alongside sustainability appraisal reports (Stages C & D). 1 Introduction 1.0.1 Since April 2009 there has been a single unified Council for Cornwall. The new authority has the responsibility of producing a county-wide Local Development Framework. The Local Development Framework will need to be accompanied by and appraised against a Sustainability Appraisal. 1.0.2 The purpose of Sustainability Appraisal is to promote sustainable development. Sustainability Appraisal focuses on the significant social, environmental and economic effects of the Local Development Framework, ensuring that the Local Development Framework takes a range of sustainability objectives into account. 1.1 The Cornwall Local Development Framework 1.1.1 In September 2004 a new style of development plan was introduced following the commencement