Consultation Version - May 2008 1 SHAPING HASTINGS HASTINGS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Core Strategy - Preferred Approaches The consultation period for this document will run from Monday 12 May 2008 to Tuesday 8 July 2008. The first two eeksw will be for informal consultation and publicity; the remaining six weeks from Tuesday 27 May to Tuesday 8 July are the statutory consultation period, and it is only during this time that we are able to accept comments. This document is available on request in large print, audio, braille and in different languages. For details, call 0845 274 1098*. *calls from BT cost max 5p per minute, other providers may vary. 2 Hastings Local Development Framework - Preferred Approaches Contents FOREWORD .....................................................6 HOW TO RESPOND ..............................................7 Taking part in this consultation.................................7 Confused by the process?......................................8 Spreading the word . .8 How to respond ...............................................9 INTRODUCTION .............................................. 10 What is this document about? . 10 The Hastings Local Development Framework . 10 Further information about The Core Strategy ................. 11 Writing the Core Strategy.................................... 11 The Rules ................................................... 12 Documents informing the Hastings LDF . 12 The Policy Approach......................................... 13 Further Information ......................................... 13 SPATIAL PORTRAIT OF HASTINGS.............................. 14 Character of Hastings . 14 Business, Economy and Economic Participation ............... 15 Infrastructure and Services . 17 Property Affordability . 17 Education and Skills . 18 Community Safety . 18 Health...................................................... 18 Key Statistics about Hastings . 19 ISSUES, PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES ......................... 21 A changing population . 21 Addressing the causes of deprivation......................... 21 Making more of our seaside location ......................... 21 Limited space for growth/development....................... 22 Achieving a step change in the economy ..................... 22 Consultation Version - May 2008 3 Housing . 22 Keeping the special character of the town . 23 Dealing with climate change. 23 Low land values ............................................. 23 Accessibility and transport ................................... 23 THE VISION FOR HASTINGS ................................... 24 Vision Statement: Take a trip to Hastings in 2026: . 24 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES....................................... 27 Regeneration, housing and employment: ..................... 28 Retail ....................................................... 29 Transport and accessibility: . 30 Quality of life and health:.................................... 30 Environment and Sustainability: . 32 HASTINGS AND BEXHILL – A SHARED VISION.................. 33 Shared objectives . 34 THE SPATIAL STRATEGY FOR THE PERIOD UP TO 2026 . 35 Moving On From The Present . 35 The Structure of The Spatial Strategy . 35 Summary of the Spatial Strategy. 36 Areas of Change . 39 Managing and Implementing Change . 40 CHAPTER 1 LOCATION, SCALE AND TYPE OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENT ........ 43 LOCATION OF NEW HOUSING ................................. 43 EMPLOYMENT LOCATIONS . 49 Main locations and estimated date of development ............................................. 50 LOCATION OF RETAIL DEVELOPMENT .......................... 54 4 Hastings Local Development Framework - Preferred Approaches CHAPTER 2 AREAS OF CHANGE............................................ 58 CENTRAL AREA................................................ 58 Hastings Town Centre . 58 SOUTH ST LEONARDS ......................................... 62 Central St Leonards. 62 Pebsham Countryside Park................................... 70 EAST HASTINGS . 72 Ore Valley Millennium Community . 72 NORTH ST LEONARDS ......................................... 75 Major New Housing Proposal . 75 Enviro Enterprise Corridor (New Proposal) . 75 THE SEAFRONT – SOUTH ST LEONARDS, CENTRAL & EAST HASTINGS. 78 WILTING . 82 CHAPTER 3 MANAGING CHANGE . 84 HOUSING..................................................... 84 Housing Mix . 84 Density ..................................................... 85 Gypsies and Travellers . 87 Affordable Housing . 89 Types of Affordable Housing Needed......................... 92 Specifying the size and form of affordable housing.......................................... 92 THE LOCAL ECONOMY......................................... 94 Land supply................................................. 95 Skills and training . 99 Tourism....................................................102 Language Schools..........................................106 Consultation Version - May 2008 5 TRANSPORT AND ACCESSIBILITY.............................105 Strategic Road and Rail Schemes............................105 Local Road Improvements ..................................107 More Sustainable Transport Options . 107 Car Parking . 109 Location of Development...................................110 COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND QUALITY OF LIFE . 112 Community Infrastructure ..................................112 Neighbourhood Planning - Area Co-ordination...............114 GREEN SPACE, LANDSCAPE AND LEISURE . 117 Nature Conservation and Improvement of Biodiversity . 117 Landscape Protection . 119 Open Spaces...............................................120 Developing a Network of Accessible, Safe, Green Pedestrian and . Cycle Routes . 121 Sports and Leisure Facilities .................................122 Childrens’ Play Provision....................................123 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND DESIGN . 125 Overall approach...........................................125 Sustainable Design.........................................126 Renewable Energy . 127 Flood Risk and Water Quality . 128 Sense of Place and Local Identity . 130 Built and Historic Environment..............................131 CHAPTER 4 DELIVERY MECHANISMS AND MONITORING FRAMEWORK....134 Delivery of the spatial strategy..............................134 JARGON BUSTER.............................................147 6 Hastings Local Development Framework - Preferred Approaches Foreword Hastings Borough Council has prepared this Core Strategy Preferred Approaches document for consultation as part of the Hastings Local Development Framework (LDF). You can find out more about the Hastings LDF in the Introduction on page 10. The consultation period for this document will run from Monday 12 May 2008 to Tuesday 8 July 2008. The first two eeksw will be for informal consultation and publicity; the remain­ ing six weeks from Tuesday 27 May to Tuesday 8 July are the statutory consultation period, and it is only during this time that we are able to accept comments. The Core Strategy is just one document that will form part of the Hastings LDF. When com­ pleted, the Core Strategy will be the first ek y document that has been prepared. It will set out the vision, spatial objectives and core policies for the town’s future development. The Core Strategy will be the foundation for the other documents that will form the Hastings LDF. There are three stages to producing a Core Strategy. We consulted on stage one – Issues and Options towards the end of 2006. This “Preferred Approaches” document is the second stage. A third and final stage – “Submission Version” – is timetabled for the end of 2008. You can find out how to make your comments on pages 9. Consultation Version - May 2008 7 How to Respond Taking part in this consultation Although this Core Strategy Preferred Approaches document is the result of a significant amount of research, assessment and consultation, it does not represent the Council’s final view on what the Core Strategy will contain. Before we reach that point, we are keen to get your views so our final policy choices are informed by local people’s ideas and needs. You may wish to comment on: • the proposed content of the spatial vision • the range and nature of the suggested spatial objectives • the approaches identified for each policy area • whether our preferred approach is the one you would support or whether you have an alternative • the choice of targets and indicators to measure progress • the content of the draft “Final Sustainability Appraisal Report”. 8 Hastings Local Development Framework - Preferred Approaches Confused by the process? Whilst we appreciate that planning might not be of interest to everyone, we want as many people as possible to take part in this consultation. It is inevitable that the LDF documents will contain jargon and technical terms, but we have kept this to a minimum in this document. We have included an explanation of some of the terms used on pages 147 - 154, but if you would like further clarification please contact us on 0845 274 1098* and we will try to help. There will also be exhibitions held at the following locations, where you can find out more information about the Core Strategy. Saturday 24 May Priory Meadow Shopping Centre, Hastings from 9am-5.30pm. Wednesday 28 May Four Courts Community Centre, Sydney Close, St Leonards on Sea from 10am–4pm Thursday 29 May The Bridge Community Centre, 361 Priory Road, Hastings from 2pm-7pm Monday 2 June All Saints Church Hall, Old Town, Hastings from 10am-5pm Tuesday 3 June West St Leonards Community