Oldham Local Development Framework Development Plan Document - Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Adopted 9 November 2011 1 About this document 3 2 Introduction and Spatial Portrait 4 3 Vision 29 4 Objectives 35 5 Part 1: Core Strategy - The Way Forward 38 The Preferred Way Forward for the LDF 38 Key Diagram 45 Policy 1 Climate Change and Sustainable Development 46 Policy 2 Communities 51 Policy 3 An Address of Choice 54 Policy 4 Promoting Sustainable Regeneration and Prosperity 59 Policy 5 Promoting Accessibility and Sustainable Transport Choices 62 Policy 6 Green Infrastructure 66 Policy 7 Sustainable Use of Resources - Waste Management 72 Policy 8 Sustainable Use of Resources - Minerals 74 6 Part 2: Development Management Policies 76 Policy 9 Local Environment 76 Policy 10 Affordable Housing 80 Policy 11 Housing 84 Policy 12 Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople 86 Policy 13 Employment Areas 88 Policy 14 Supporting Oldham's Economy 92 Policy 15 Centres 98 Policy 16 Local Services and Facilities 103 Policy 17 Gateways and Corridors 105 Policy 18 Energy 110 Policy 19 Water and Flooding 117 Policy 20 Design 121 Policy 21 Protecting Natural Environmental Assets 124 Policy 22 Protecting Open Land 131 Policy 23 Open Spaces and Sports 133 Policy 24 Historic Environment 138 Policy 25 Developer Contributions 141 Appendix 1 Monitoring Framework 144 Appendix 2 The Preferred Way Forward for the LDF 156 Appendix 3 Energy Target Framework 177 Appendix 4 Proposals Map changes 180 Appendix 5 Flood Risk Maps 221 Appendix 6 Primary Shopping Frontages 222 Oldham Council - Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document - Adopted 9 November 2011 1 About this document If you would like to receive this information in another format, such as large print, Braille, audio or alternative languages, please call us on telephone number 0161 770 4061. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced a new planning system called a Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF will direct the future development pattern of the borough and will eventually replace the 2006 Unitary Development Plan (UDP) which is the borough’s current land use plan. The LDF forms part of the borough’s Development Plan. Development Plans guide and control the use of land. The LDF will be a folder of different planning documents called Development Plan Documents (DPD) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD). DPDs are subject to independent examination and form part of the Development Plan. SPDs are not subject to independent examination and are not part of the Development Plan, but they are material planning considerations in the determination of planning applications. Appendix 10 sets out the status of the UDP policies once this DPD is adopted. What is the joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document? The purpose of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD) is to set out the long-term vision and objectives for the borough. It will also contain a planning and development strategy, policies and a monitoring and implementation framework. The Development Management Policies DPD will set out policies that will manage development in the borough. Here in Oldham, the Core Strategy DPD and the Development Management Policies DPD will be prepared as a single document called the `Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document`. From this point on, it will be referred to simply as `the joint DPD`. Oldham Council - Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan 3 Document - Adopted 9 November 2011 2 Introduction and Spatial Portrait Summary of the main issues and key challenges we face 2.1 Our challenge is to improve the quality of people’s lives and our communities here in the borough. To do that we need to make sure Oldham plays to its strengths and pulls its increasing weight in Greater Manchester. We also need to take advantage of our links to Leeds. We will also work with the Peak District to reflect its particular characteristics and the benefits that come from being so close to the national park. 2.2 We want to make the borough an address of choice. To do so we need to meet the housing needs and demands of all sections of the community by improving the choice, quality and affordability of new homes. This will be achieved through securing housing-led regeneration, the reuse of brownfield sites and appropriate housing mix. The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder (HMR) will be a key player here. 2.3 Alongside improving our housing offer, we also want to change our local economy with a shift towards low carbon industries and technologies. Improving prosperity will help address worklessness, tackle deprivation and promote economic well-being. We will build upon being a university town to increase education and skills by working with partners on the new and remodelled schools programmes. Also our outstanding higher and further education colleges - the Oldham College and the Oldham Sixth Form College - and our own university, the University Campus Oldham which is a successful part of the University of Huddersfield, will be key players in helping deliver on our aspirations. 2.4 The limited supply of available developable land acts as a constraint on our future plans for providing new jobs. This reflects our tight Green Belt and the topography of the borough. Our approach towards employment land is to keep the best and recycle the rest, including old industrial sites and mills. Our `centres` act as a focal point for local communities, and we need to improve their offer. In Oldham Town Centre this includes plans for some key sites, such as the Old Town Hall, and addressing the challenges posed by the night-time economy. Making it easier for people to get to jobs, here in the borough or in Manchester City Centre and our neighbouring districts key sites, is also a challenge. Traffic congestion and its impacts on bus journey times and reliability, the integration of development with the transport system, motorway based commuting to employment sites, and the need to encourage travel by sustainable modes are challenges we face. Metrolink will be a key element in improving accessibility. 2.5 Our local natural, built and historic environments play a crucial part in so many aspects of life in the borough, for example liveability, health, people's perceptions of safety, community cohesion, it's image. We need to protect people's amenity and improve local environmental quality. Achieving sustainable developments through using our resources wisely, securing the right locations and ensuring the high-quality design and construction of new buildings are ways we will face the challenges posed by climate change. Protecting our quality open spaces and encouraging healthy lifestyles, more play and physical exercise are integral to improving health and well-being. 4 Oldham Council - Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document - Adopted 9 November 2011 Our key assumptions 2.6 In addressing these issues and challenges we have had regard to national policies. Some planning matters, such as securing high quality design and construction, are taken as read. In addition, some of our key assumptions are: a. no changes to our current Green Belt boundaries; b. the number of new homes we will plan for is at least 289 per annum (net of clearance) on average over the plan period, the amount that will be on brownfield land is at least 80% per annum and the requirements for affordable homes is based on national guidance (sites threshold of 15 dwellings or more); c. our provision of new employment land (approximately 82 hectares) will contribute to Greater Manchester's overall supply; d. we will promote alternatives to people using the private car, such as public transport, walking and cycling; e. that work at the Greater Manchester level has informed our approach to energy; f. that detailed waste and minerals matters will be dealt with by the Greater Manchester joint plans which are being prepared by the Geological Unit; and g. that a number of on-going programmes, such as the LIFT health and well-being programme, the Metrolink proposals, HMR, and a range of environmental regeneration initiatives, will proceed alongside preparation of the LDF. Spatial Portrait Setting the Scene 2.7 Oldham is situated in the north east of Greater Manchester. It covers an area of 55 square miles. Our metropolitan neighbours include Rochdale, Manchester and Tameside in Greater Manchester, and Kirklees and Calderdale in Yorkshire. Parts of Saddleworth are in the Peak Park. The borough is made up of the town of Oldham itself and the areas of Shaw, Royton, Lees, Hollinwood, Failsworth, Chadderton, Uppermill, Greenfield, Delph, Dobcross, Denshaw, Diggle, Austerlands, Grasscroft, Grotton, Lydgate, Scouthead and Springhead. The borough contains a residential population of approximately 220,000, with approximately 90,000 households. Oldham Council - Joint Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan 5 Document - Adopted 9 November 2011 Figure 1 The borough and its surrounding areas 2.8 The borough is one of contrasts with significant levels of deprivation but also areas of prosperity. The many distinct areas that make up the borough, and their communities, are a source of strength locally and to the sub-region that are to be celebrated and which contribute to the local distinctiveness and character of the borough. Spatially, the borough is also, in many ways, an area of physical constraints. Pennine moorland dominates the eastern side of the borough, part of which falls within the Peak Park. It consists of a large area of countryside with a settlement pattern of densely settled river valleys, dispersed farmsteads and open moorland. To the west, most of the borough has an urban character reflecting its industrial legacy and proximity to Manchester.