Planning for the Future Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan for Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne 2010-2030 Adopted March 2015 Review Report - March 2020 Planning for the Future Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan for Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne Review Report - March 2020 2 Table of Contents Report - Review the Future Planning for Executive Summary 4 1 Introduction 6 Context 6 Approach to Reviewing the CSUCP 8 2 Duty to Cooperate 10 3 Plan Conformity 13 Conformity of Strategic Objectives with Council Priorities 13 Climate Emergency 19 Air Quality 20 4 Policy Performance 22 Delivering our Spatial Strategy for Sustainable Growth (CS1), the Urban Core (CS2), Neighbourhood Area (CS3), Rural and Village Area (CS4) 22 Economic Prosperity 23 Homes 28 Transport 36 People and Place 39 Minerals and Waste 42 Newcastle Sub-Areas and Site-Specific Policies 45 Gateshead Sub-Areas and Site-Specific Policies 53 Delivery and Monitoring 61 5 Overall Conclusion 64 Appendices 1 Policy Review Table 2 Data Monitoring Table 3 Infrastructure Delivery Plan Update 3 Executive Summary Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council adopted the Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan (CSUCP) on 26 March 2015. Paragraph 33 of the revised NPPF (published in 2019) requires that policies within local plans: “should be reviewed to assess whether they need updating at least once every five years, and should then be updated as necessary”. Reflecting ongoing collaborative work between the two councils’ planning teams, and continued evidence of shared social, economic, and environmental issues between Gateshead and Newcastle, the review of the CSUCP has been carried out jointly between the councils. The review has considered the relevant factors recommended in Planning Practice Guidance (PPG), and its conclusions are consistent with the evidence and statements published by both local authorities through the examination of their respective land allocations and development Planning for the Future - Review Report Report - Review the Future Planning for management policies documents. The review’s assessment of the CSUCP’s strategic objectives has found them to support the latest strategic ambitions of Gateshead Council (as set out in Thrive: our strategic approach) and Newcastle City Council (as set out in Shaping our future together: our medium term plan 2019-20 to 2021-22). The plan’s policies are also concluded to support emerging activities by both councils to address air quality issues, and respond to the climate emergency. The review has assessed all policies against relevant evidence. The broad conclusions for the main themes of the Plan are as follows: Spatial Strategy Sustainable growth is being achieved with progress across a range of allocated sites meeting identified needs, with the majority of development being focused in the existing built-up area. Economic Prosperity Employment land is being taken up as expected and despite challenging circumstances retail schemes are coming forward predominantly within centres. The policies are in conformity with the revised NPPF with no issues that would require a policy update. Homes The objectives and policies on homes are considered to still be relevant and aligned to the revised NPPF. Whilst housing delivery and supply has been less than expected in Gateshead, across the plan area plan-wide needs are being met, including strong delivery of new affordable housing completions. Transport and Accessibility The policies for transport are concluded to be effective, reflecting national policy and guidance and promoting accessibility and sustainable patterns of development whilst managing the impact of growth. People and Place Covering a wide range of policy issues such as health, climate change, flood risk and green infrastructure, the review concludes that policies in People and Place are being applied effectively and there is no evidence to suggest an update is required. 4 Minerals and Waste Report - Review the Future Planning for No update is required to this chapter as the policies are in accordance with the NPPF and provide the strategic approach to the sustainable management and safeguarding of resources and facilities. The waste policy promotes the waste hierarchy and will contribute towards climate change mitigation. Sub-Areas and Sites Evidence shows that across Gateshead and Newcastle development is progressing on a number of sub-areas, key sites and neighbourhood and village growth sites, supported by investment in site-specific and strategic infrastructure. Examples include new schemes coming forward at Crawcrook, Sunniside and Follingsby in Gateshead, and at Callerton, Great Park, Hazlerigg and the Airport in Newcastle. The policies are effective in informing the development management process and the granting of permission on many schemes. Delivery The delivery and monitoring framework is considered robust and delivery policy DEL1 will continue to ensure the timely delivery of necessary and essential infrastructure to support CSUCP growth. In regard to the Duty to Corporate, engagement with neighbouring local authority areas and with other prescribed bodies has not resulted in requests for the CSUCP to be updated, and there is no evidence from plan-making activity by neighbouring authorities, or from the policies and objectives of prescribed bodies that would suggest an update to the CSUCP is necessary. Based on the commentary set out in this report and supporting appendices, including a detailed review of each CSUCP Policy Review (Appendix 1), it is concluded that the policies in the CSUCP continue to be in general conformity with the NPPF and PPG. The latest evidence and Data Monitoring Table (Appendix 2) shows that the policies are effective. Where performance has differed from the targets set in the CSUCP, the councils consider that this is a consequence of issues or trends that are outside the scope of the Local Plan, and updating CSUCP policies would not improve performance against the Plan’s objectives. 5 1 Introduction 1.1 Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council adopted the Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan (CSUCP) on 26 March 2015. The CSUCP is a strategic Introduction Local Plan document which sets out a clear framework for growth in Gateshead and Newcastle from 2010 to 2030. The CSUCP sets out key strategic policies for the quantity and location of new housing, retail and employment provision, together with transport and other infrastructure provision. It seeks to protect and enhance the natural and built environment, and contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation. 1.2 The CSUCP was prepared in accordance with the relevant legislation and was found to be legally compliant. The CSUCP was also deemed “sound” subject to a number of main modifications, when assessed against the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which was in force at the time of the examination (the 2012 NPPF). 1.3 Paragraph 33 of the revised NPPF (published in 2019) requires that policies within local plans: “should be reviewed to assess whether they need updating at least once every five years, and should then be updated as necessary”. This requirement is also set out in Regulation 10A of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended). Accordingly, Gateshead Council and Newcastle City Council have undertaken this review to assess whether the policies of the CSUCP require updating either in full or in part. 1.4 The report has been structured to include the councils’ approach to the CSUCP review, including how we fulfilled the Duty to Co-operate and a comprehensive assessment of the performance of each policy by section and theme, considering all the factors set out in the PPG. 1.5 Based on the commentary set out in this report and supporting appendices including a detailed review of each CSUCP Policy Review (Appendix 1), it is concluded that the policies in the CSUCP continue to be in general conformity with the NPPF and PPG. The latest evidence and Data Monitoring Table (Appendix 2) shows that the policies are effective. Where performance has differed from the targets set in the CSUCP, the councils consider that this is a consequence of issues or trends that are outside the scope of the Local Plan and updating CSUCP policies would not improve performance against the Plan’s objectives. Context 1.6 The CSUCP provides the first part of both councils’ Local Plans, containing an overall vision, objectives, spatial strategy and policies to deliver economic prosperity and create lifetime neighbourhoods. The Plan covers the whole of the area within the administrative boundaries of Gateshead and Newcastle and includes strategic policies and specific policies for the Urban Core, Sub-Areas and sites. 6 Introduction 1.7 Both local authorities involved key stakeholders in identifying the CSUCP’s overarching vision and themes. From these themes and initial evidence base work there emerged 12 strategic objectives delivering the CSUCP vision for sustainable economic growth. The CSUCP’s themes and objectives also had regard to national and local plans, policies, strategies and evidence prepared by the Government, local authorities, and partner organisations. The CSUCP’s objectives are discussed further in the plan conformity and policy performance chapters of this report. 1.8 As part of the Duty-to-Cooperate, Gateshead and Newcastle councils continue to work with neighbouring local authorities and prescribed bodies on a range of social, economic and environmental issues. Collaborative