COPELAND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIT Core Strategy Evidence Base Baseline Analysis Paper February 2011 2 CONTENTS Page Introduction 5 Identifying infrastructure types 18 Transport 24 Energy 77 Water supply and waste water 86 Flooding 101 Telecommunications and information technology 148 Historic legacy 153 Green infrastructure 166 Sports pitches and courts 178 Coast and historic landscapes 190 Social and community infrastructure Affordable housing 195 education 202 employment 225 health 227 post offices 243 Community services 246 Culture and recreation 284 Summary tables 316 List of consultees 329 3 4 INTRODUCTION Background It is recognised that to create sustainable communities, providing housing and employment opportunities alone is not sufficient. There is also a need to provide the schools, health and leisure services. These services are provided by a range of organisations but there is currently little or no integration of that provision to meet the needs of existing communities nor their future needs. The preparation of an integrated Infrastructure Plan is essential for local authorities and their partners to fulfil their place shaping role. The revised Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS12)1 identifies the Core Strategy as the to ensure that sus considered sound , the Core Strategy must identify the infrastructure requirements for its area; who will provide it and when. The production of an integrated Infrastructure Plan will also yield significant benefits for their partner organisations need to actively engage in the process. Revisions to Planning Policy Statement 122 have meant that local planning authorities are now required to demonstrate a reasonable prospect of infrastructure delivery in relation to land allocations for development. In response to this requirement, Copeland Borough Council is undertaking this study to identify capacity issues and the infrastructure required to ensure that the future population of Copeland has access to a level of facilities and services to enable them to be successful, sustainable communities. Purpose of Study The Infrastructure Plan underpins the Core Strategy and forms part of the evidence base. The Plan will need to include: o Infrastructure capacities, needs and costs o Phasing of infrastructure provision o Funding sources o Responsibility for delivery 1 -17 2 -17 5 The purpose of this study is to inform the Local Development Framework of medium to long term plans for infrastructure delivery in the borough of Copeland, establishing a clear agreed view of current infrastructure provision and the capacity to accommodate additional demand. Infrastructure Plans are part of long term spatial planning; they should be flexible, include considerations of land supply and development viability and should plan for up- turn in development, with plans and evidence in place to accommodate sufficient opportunities for development; thus contributing to the vision set out in the Sustainable Community Strategy for West Cumbria. The Infrastructure Plan has two broad aims: a) Establish the existing infrastructure provision and capacity; and b) Establish the infrastructure requirements of proposed developments over a planned period. These broad aims will be achieved through the following objectives: a) Identify the current availability of infrastructure provision; b) Identify any deficit in the existing infrastructure provision; c) Identify any planned capital allocation for infrastructure improvement/expansion; d) Identify any priorities for infrastructure delivery associated with the growth scenarios over a planned period; e) In addition, it will be necessary that infrastructure improvements, as a consequence of possible Nuclear New Build proposals within the borough, be considered. Structure of Study The Infrastructure Plan will be prepared in two stages to allow for stakeholders consultation and meaningful involvement by key partners: a) Baseline Analysis Paper (Infrastructure Deficit Report) will align with the identify the availability and any deficit in existing infrastructure provision. b) Infrastructure Plan will align with the requirements over a planned period and the identifying feasible growth scenarios and any priorities for infrastructure provision, including those relating to nuclear new build. 6 Limitations of Study Three key concerns have been identified in relation to this study: a) Not all relevant stakeholders and partners could be engaged with this study; b) Not all relevant stakeholders and partners could be involved effectively within the timeframe available; and c) Requirements to identify infrastructure needs, cost/funding sources, phasing and providers were, in some cases limited by technical expertise. The Government recognises that the budgeting processes of different agencies may mean that less information may be available when the core strategy is being prepared than would be ideal. It is important therefore that the core strategy makes proper provision for such uncertainty and does not place undue reliance on critical elements of infrastructure whose funding is unknown. The test should be whether there is a reasonable prospect of provision. Contingency planning showing how the objectives will be achieved under different scenarios may be necessary in circumstances where provision is uncertain. Steps taken to address key concerns: a) Ensure stakeholders and partners are identified and fully informed from the start; b) consultation, telephone interview) where possible; c) Existing key strategy documents and statistical data will underpin this study; and d) Technical expertise and neutral agreements will be sought from consultees at key stages to ensure best practice and credibility of the study. Methodology Between June 2009 and February 2011, a wide range of evidence has been gathered and used for the analysis contained within this paper. This Baseline Analysis Paper aims to assess existing infrastructure capacity. This has been assessed by establishing the availability of current infrastructure in Copeland and applying current standards of provision against demand (by dwelling, population or distance, as appropriate). As part of the baseline analysis, this paper identifies, as far as possible, the sources of funding available for each service area and attempts to highlight any gaps between funding and the amounts required. 7 Policy Requirement Planning Policy Statement 123 (PPS 12) indicates that spatial planning has a critical role providin economic development ggests that the Core Strategy of a Local Development Framework should: be supported by evidence of what physical, social or green infrastructure is needed to enable the amount of development proposed for the area, taking into account of its type and distribution Good infrastructure planning considers the infrastructure required to support development, the costs, sources of funding, timescales for delivery and any gaps in funding. This allows for the identified infrastructure to be prioritised in discussions with key local partners. This has been a major theme highlighted and considered via HM ousing Growth. The infrastructure planning process should identify, as far as possible: a) Infrastructure needs and costs; b) Phasing of development; c) Funding Sources (and funding gaps); and d) Responsibilities for delivery. PPS 12 indicates that there is a need for infrastructure to support housing growth and the associated need for an infrastructure delivery planning process has been highlighted infrastructure planning process should inform the Core Strategy and should be part of a robust evidence base. It will greatly assist the overall planning process for all participants if the agencies responsible for infrastructure delivery and the local authority producing the Core Strategy were to align their planning processes. Local authorities should undertake timely, effective and conclusive discussion with key infrastructure providers when preparing a core strategy. Key infrastructure stakeholders are encouraged to engage in such discussions and to reflect the core strategy within their own future planning. 3 8 Copeland Borough The borough of Copeland is located in the northwest of England, within the county of Cumbria. The area has an estimated population of 71,200, (2009) and is projected to grow to 76,500 by 2024 and 77,900 by 2029. Currently around 12.8% are aged 65 or over and this figure is set to reach 24.7% by 2024 and 27.2% by 20294. Copeland is situated on the West Coast of Cumbria between the Derwent and Duddon rivers. It is a roughly elongated triangular shape with an area of 73,711 hectares. It is an area of surprising contrast and diversity, with mountain and coastal scenery, distinctive towns and villages and a diverse natural ecology which make it an attractive place to live, work and visit. The Irish Sea coast is a particularly significant feature of the Borough, given the importance of the major service centres and industrial activity located there. To the east lie the central fells of the Lake District National Park including east, outside the Borough are the main national transport routes, the M6 and West Coast Mainline Railway corridor and the A69, A66 and A65 Trans-Pennine roads. The landscapes within Copeland are very diverse. They range from low-lying and flat estuarine areas around the mouth of the Duddon, and at Ravenglass/Drigg over the craggy peaks and lush valleys of the Western Lake District, the moorland escarpments of North Copeland and the sandstone sea-cliffs